BBC: Singapore 'breaks protest deal'

[sequitur]

you people obviously don't read history.


just go flip a history book and see what happened in the 1960s, when a riot (nonethelss it's racial issues) broke out. see how bad it was.

now you imagine singapore with a riot, not even by locals but by a bunch of ang mohs from whatever country who don't give a damned what extent of damage they do to your country.



for those of you saying it's a shame to be singaporean, go be a government official and allow those protestors in to wreck our country - whatever that was built in 40 years. after they're done, i'll tell you i'm ashamed to be singaporean because the government didn't respect what we have sought to build and maintain for the past 40 years - peace and prosperity.




then again, what's up with the IMF? what do they want? so their sole purpose of holding a stupid talk in OUR country is so that they can bring the riots to our country?

nice try IMF. nice try.

 

[reachme2003]

pples park? or hong lim green.

You might like to see the piccies I took at the demonstration on Saturday 16th at ppls Park - follow my flickr link below!

 

[Silence Sky]

we cannot deny that we are an economic giant, a powerful nation in our region within a short 50 years.

To be ashamed because of restrictions? Why ashamed? Frankly protest? What is there to protest about? You have food to eat, a job what more do you want?

Good day comrade:thumbsup:
Tuning in to Class 95? Hearing only the good stuffs, ya..

Leading a good life here, just want to make it "better".

"we cannot deny that we are an economic giant, a powerful nation in our region within a short 50 years"
Yes, but by what standards, it is comparing to the third world? or are we still a gaint when compared to Korea; Hong Kong and Taiwan?


"Why ashamed?"
Ashamed, when our leaders boost we have a world class Police Force/ a 3G one, but shows no confident in handling the 27 activists.
Saw how Taiwan Police handles the two warring armies converging in Tai Pei. My hat off to them. That is world class.

 

[Silence Sky]

you people obviously don't read history.


just go flip a history book and see what happened in the 1960s, when a riot (nonethelss it's racial issues) broke out. see how bad it was.

now you imagine singapore with a riot, not even by locals but by a bunch of ang mohs from whatever country who don't give a damned what extent of damage they do to your country.

then again, what's up with the IMF? what do they want? so their sole purpose of holding a stupid talk in OUR country is so that they can bring the riots to our country?

nice try IMF. nice try.

LYK and history textbook say it is "Student Unrest" and "social unrest". No riot mentioned leh:bsmilie:


IMF asks you, why Singapore bid to host the Annual meeting in the first place, when you are going to disallowed the principled guests of your honorable guests.:bsmilie: :bsmilie:

 

[centuryegg]

Good day comrade:thumbsup:
Tuning in to Class 95? Hearing only the good stuffs, ya..

Leading a good life here, just want to make it "better".

"we cannot deny that we are an economic giant, a powerful nation in our region within a short 50 years"
Yes, but by what standards, it is comparing to the third world? or are we still a gaint when compared to Korea; Hong Kong and Taiwan?

Well the last I know, we have clean streets, good health care, my sister can walk safely at night without the worry of getting raped unlike some of our neighbours in which the police is so incompentent, the residents have to set up vigilante groups. When you stand at the tallest building in Singapore, I take a look and I feel proud, proud of the majestic of Singapore's infrastructure. And I know that our military might not be a 100 percent perfect one but at least it makes our neighbours think twice about trying to swallow us. Cos they know even if we fall, will inflict heavy losses on them before we do.

This might not be a perfect country but nothing in this world is perfect. Give me stability, posperity anytime and not some "freedom, rights" that is imposed by other "cultures" Look at what Freedom and Rights have done to Iraq...



"Why ashamed?"
Ashamed, when our leaders boost we have a world class Police Force/ a 3G one, but shows no confident in handling the 27 activists.
Saw how Taiwan Police handles the two warring armies converging in Tai Pei. My hat off to them. That is world class.

It is not as simple as 27 activists, They are leaders and hence organisers. It is now a case of cutting off the head to kill the body. Banning them is a good decision to prevent them from organising protests that have always turn violent.

 

[centuryegg]

Good day comrade:thumbsup:
Tuning in to Class 95? Hearing only the good stuffs, ya..

Leading a good life here, just want to make it "better".

"we cannot deny that we are an economic giant, a powerful nation in our region within a short 50 years"
Yes, but by what standards, it is comparing to the third world? or are we still a gaint when compared to Korea; Hong Kong and Taiwan?



"Why ashamed?"
Ashamed, when our leaders boost we have a world class Police Force/ a 3G one, but shows no confident in handling the 27 activists.
Saw how Taiwan Police handles the two warring armies converging in Tai Pei. My hat off to them. That is world class.

Well the last I know, we have clean streets, good health care, my sister can walk safely at night without the worry of getting raped unlike some of our neighbours in which the police is so incompentent, the residents have to set up vigilante groups. When you stand at the tallest building in Singapore, I take a look and I feel proud, proud of the majestic of Singapore's infrastructure. And I know that our military might not be a 100 percent perfect one but at least it makes our neighbours think twice about trying to swallow us. Cos they know even if we fall, will inflict heavy losses on them before we do.

This might not be a perfect country but nothing in this world is perfect. Give me stability, posperity anytime and not some "freedom, rights" that is imposed by other "cultures" Look at what Freedom and Rights have done to Iraq...



It is not as simple as 27 activists, They are leaders and hence organisers. It is now a case of cutting off the head to kill the body. Banning them is a good decision to prevent them from organising protests that have always turn violent.

 

[ornegu]

:thumbsup:

lock those IMF n World Bank ppls inside. LOL

:thumbsup: It seem like a zoo to me with so many animals from all over the world!!:sticktong

 

[seankyh]

Well the last I know, we have clean streets, good health care, my sister can walk safely at night without the worry of getting raped unlike some of our neighbours in which the police is so incompentent, the residents have to set up vigilante groups. When you stand at the tallest building in Singapore, I take a look and I feel proud, proud of the majestic of Singapore's infrastructure. And I know that our military might not be a 100 percent perfect one but at least it makes our neighbours think twice about trying to swallow us. Cos they know even if we fall, will inflict heavy losses on them before we do.

This might not be a perfect country but nothing in this world is perfect. Give me stability, posperity anytime and not some "freedom, rights" that is imposed by other "cultures" Look at what Freedom and Rights have done to Iraq...



It is not as simple as 27 activists, They are leaders and hence organisers. It is now a case of cutting off the head to kill the body. Banning them is a good decision to prevent them from organising protests that have always turn violent.

This isnt only about Singapore. There are issues far greater out there like poverty in countries and destitution, all usually caused by poor governance, bad policies and yes, economic hitmen too.

The IMF/WB event is an opportunity for people in these predicaments to be heard. And Singapore is not allowing them to be heard. Why? Because in Singapore we have clean streets, safety and we don't want to be concerned about the rest of the world? That is what it looks like to many now.

 

[ornegu]

For those who say that I am xenophobic, no I am not, I do know that the delegates are foreigners, but they are rich and paying ones. I certaintely dont want some farmer from Korea that has lost his farm or some Indonesian worker to come in masses and start throwing anything they can get their hands on at the police in clashes.

This are facts, they have happened and have happened at every IMF meeting. Last IMF meeting in HK, the farmers tried to storm the IMF meeting venue ala commando style. Sea and land assault. You had hundreds of weapon wielding korean farmers clashing with hundreds of HK riot police and some korean farmers trying to swim across the bay to the IMF venue.

Please tell me when you see that, and when the whole CBD goes into lock down by police for security reasons to arrest all protestors and when you are late for your date, appointment, cannot go to sale at cathay photo because it is under curfew zone. Then you come and talk to me again to see if you want protests.

Dont be bloody naive, protests dont mean walk around with a board and shouting slogans. Protests are about buring effgies, wrecking public property and clashing with the police. Do not forget the protesters are not local, they wont give a hoot if they burn down Suntec or wreck every dustbin, tree, car they see. Its not their country anyway... at most they get arrrested and deported. but we clean up their mess..

:think: Yes, i agree with you!

 

[mattlock]

Well the last I know, we have clean streets, good health care, my sister can walk safely at night without the worry of getting raped unlike some of our neighbours in which the police is so incompentent, the residents have to set up vigilante groups. When you stand at the tallest building in Singapore, I take a look and I feel proud, proud of the majestic of Singapore's infrastructure. And I know that our military might not be a 100 percent perfect one but at least it makes our neighbours think twice about trying to swallow us. Cos they know even if we fall, will inflict heavy losses on them before we do.

This might not be a perfect country but nothing in this world is perfect. Give me stability, posperity anytime and not some "freedom, rights" that is imposed by other "cultures" Look at what Freedom and Rights have done to Iraq...



It is not as simple as 27 activists, They are leaders and hence organisers. It is now a case of cutting off the head to kill the body. Banning them is a good decision to prevent them from organising protests that have always turn violent.

oh that's great. so any country that is safe and has money is basically a good country. helps if there are tall buildings too eh?
I guess freedom and rights are useless ideals. makes me wonder why so many people in the history of mankind have been willing to die for these ideals.

Hello, before we go off topic,
if the government knew the history of IMF (which they do) and they are also aware that the IMF wants to allow these activists (most of them are nonviolent), but we're not willing to compromise on the way we run things, then why did we take this event up?
"Peace and prosperity" would be there too if we didn't take up this event.

btw I take issue at two things: that we assume activists are violent and that we assume that activists are ang mohs generally.
last time I heard there were quite a number of pissed off south korean farmers.

 

[mattlock]

if we are going to want to start hosting these sort of global events, then we must be mindful of other cultures also. Freedom and rights are important parts of other cultures, even if they aren't to us.
These guys are not people who are begging to come to Singapore mind you, I am quite sure we were pitching hard to get to host this event.

 

[seankyh]

if we are going to want to start hosting these sort of global events, then we must be mindful of other cultures also. Freedom and rights are important parts of other cultures, even if they aren't to us.
These guys are not people who are begging to come to Singapore mind you, I am quite sure we were pitching hard to get to host this event.

Next stop, Bangkok! :bsmilie:

 

[wildstallion]

Well the last I know, we have clean streets, good health care, my sister can walk safely at night without the worry of getting raped unlike some of our neighbours in which the police is so incompentent, the residents have to set up vigilante groups. When you stand at the tallest building in Singapore, I take a look and I feel proud, proud of the majestic of Singapore's infrastructure. And I know that our military might not be a 100 percent perfect one but at least it makes our neighbours think twice about trying to swallow us. Cos they know even if we fall, will inflict heavy losses on them before we do.

This might not be a perfect country but nothing in this world is perfect. Give me stability, posperity anytime and not some "freedom, rights" that is imposed by other "cultures" Look at what Freedom and Rights have done to Iraq...



It is not as simple as 27 activists, They are leaders and hence organisers. It is now a case of cutting off the head to kill the body. Banning them is a good decision to prevent them from organising protests that have always turn violent.

So let me get this straight.

Your saying because you are nice and cosy and proud of your country, you dont give a toss about anywhere else. Hmm, isnt that a bit selfish and blinkered? Only seeing what you want to see?

And you dont want freedom, ok thats nice to know.

Why is cultures in inverted comma's? Do you not think they count as cultures? Isnt that racist?

What has freedom and rights done to Iraq? Please do elaborate further.

All I know is people should not be scared to speak their mind and in Singapore they are, This is a very "totalatarian" way to run a country and while it has its perks (look at how great singapore has become) it also has its drawbacks.

 

[centuryegg]

This isnt only about Singapore. There are issues far greater out there like poverty in countries and destitution, all usually caused by poor governance, and policies and yes, economic hitmen too.

The IMF/WB event is an opportunity for people in these predicaments to be heard. And Singapore is not allowing them to be heard. Why? Because in Singapore we have clean streets, safety and we don't want to be concerned about the rest of the world? That is what it looks like to many now.

The point is does IMF really listen? Or is it as per what I see in Western countries? Hypocrisy. Always allowing their citizens to protest claiming it is called free speech but do the decision makers really listen? Just like in the US, Americans protest over the Iraq war but do their President listen? No...he rather go for a holiday and refuse to even meet the protesters that wanted to meet him at the white house. At every IMF there are protests and after every IMF nothing is solved. If IMF really respects and listens to the views of the protesters, wouldnt sitting down at a conference with both parties be better? But no.... IMF sits in the conference rooms, while outside a war rages, with protestors clashing with police because of frustration that whatever they are shouting about is not acted upon. And IMF looks through glass windows while drinking their tea and eating their expensive canapes... "Hahhh seems that this year they are getting quite inventive! Swimming across Hong Kong Harbour... Come let's go back to our meetings while those clowns play with the security forces"

I am not saying that we dont care about the world but there are better ways to solve it than protests and most important of all protests that do not concern us. End of the day, it's as if IMF has taken us for a ride and used us as an shield. They definetely know the security restictions we have and in my opinon which I am not asking anyone to agree with. It is strange that you claim protestors that create hell at every meeting is important to your decision making process...

Although from previous posts I may have sounded offensive and I apologise, Iwant to say I have nothing against westerners, just those that still think non westerners are subordinate and that they should "liberate" us from oppression and give us "freedom". Answering some questions that were posted about the Iraq War. Was the war really about "Freedom" or "Liberation" The Americans were expecting flowers thrown to them by lines of grateful Iraqis for liberating them.

The only thing they are getting now is bombs and sucide attacks, the whole country is worse off than it was before and what is the real reason the US insisted on invading Iraq? Cooking up stories that Iraq was allied with Al Qadae, that Iraq had WMDs which incidentally both claims were found to be false. But oh well who cares right? We are the mighty USA, sheriff of the free world and Iraq has been liberated.

For those who want facts, here is one link

http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=ahJS35XsmXGg&refer=top_world_news

 

[wildstallion]

The point is does IMF really listen? Or is it as per what I see in Western countries? Hypocrisy. Always allowing their citizens to protest claiming it is called free speech but do the decision makers really listen? Just like in the US, Americans protest over the Iraq war but do their President listen? No...he rather go for a holiday and refuse to even meet the protesters that wanted to meet him at the white house. At every IMF there are protests and after every IMF nothing is solved. If IMF really respects and listens to the views of the protesters, wouldnt sitting down at a conference with both parties be better? But no.... IMF sits in the conference rooms, while outside a war rages, with protestors clashing with police because of frustration that whatever they are shouting about is not acted upon. And IMF looks through glass windows while drinking their tea and eating their expensive canapes... "Hahhh seems that this year they are getting quite inventive! Swimming across Hong Kong Harbour... Come let's go back to our meetings while those clowns play with the security forces"

I am not saying that we dont care about the world but there are better ways to solve it than protests and most important of all protests that do not concern us. End of the day, it's as if IMF has taken us for a ride and used us as an shield. They definetely know the security restictions we have and in my opinon which I am not asking anyone to agree with. It is strange that you claim protestors that create hell at every meeting is important to your decision making process...

Maybe these problems are a tiny bit complicated and cannot be solved over night, how the hell do you know IMF arnt listening? You really dont.

Whilst were on the subject of hypocrisy, you have shown a great example of it here, your back again! So its not just in Western countries.

Thats funny, I thought he did listen, infact, I actually remember him giving a speech to these protesters.

Yes, in an ideal world this would be better.

Again, thats speculation, do you know they drink tea and eat canapes? How do you know there laughing at the protesters?

You have a very one sided opinion on things with no actual evidence to back it up.

Ok, smart allec, what better ways are there to solve these problems other then protesting and making our voices heard? Please, im sure the whole world is open to suggestions.

 

[centuryegg]

No one is directing anything at you Horse. And I dont know why u are taking it personally. I am saying things from a example point of view and you dont have to like it. At least I dont call names like stupid, smart aleck. Isn't freedom of speech my "RIGHT" and please you are not my father, you dont OWN me as your forefathers lorded over my mine. So I will post as much as I like and it is up to others to read and whether or not they agree it's up to them.

And of yeah I forgot... seems that protests is the only thing that works... makes me wonder how Singapore became a Asian tiger without any protests.... strange... seems that consultative meetings dont work....

 

[mattlock]

The point is does IMF really listen? Or is it as per what I see in Western countries? Hypocrisy. Always allowing their citizens to protest claiming it is called free speech but do the decision makers really listen? Just like in the US, Americans protest over the Iraq war but do their President listen? No...he rather go for a holiday and refuse to even meet the protesters that wanted to meet him at the white house. At every IMF there are protests and after every IMF nothing is solved. If IMF really respects and listens to the views of the protesters, wouldnt sitting down at a conference with both parties be better? But no.... IMF sits in the conference rooms, while outside a war rages, with protestors clashing with police because of frustration that whatever they are shouting about is not acted upon. And IMF looks through glass windows while drinking their tea and eating their expensive canapes... "Hahhh seems that this year they are getting quite inventive! Swimming across Hong Kong Harbour... Come let's go back to our meetings while those clowns play with the security forces"

I am not saying that we dont care about the world but there are better ways to solve it than protests and most important of all protests that do not concern us. End of the day, it's as if IMF has taken us for a ride and used us as an shield. They definetely know the security restictions we have and in my opinon which I am not asking anyone to agree with. It is strange that you claim protestors that create hell at every meeting is important to your decision making process...

oh so you think that protests don't make any difference?
who are you to say that the protests make no difference? even the IMF officials say that the activists are an important part of the process!
last time I heard the Civil Rights Movement in America was a pretty bloody effective protest.
there are countless protests that made a difference in the world.
there are other ways of making yourself heard but protesting is one effective way. I would say it's more effective than writing in to the Forum page of Straits Times. if protests are so useless then why are we so scared of protests?

So I guess that the issues that people protest about like poverty and exploitation of third world countries do not concern us so we shouldn't care?

I'm not exactly sure what the Singapore government agreed upon with the IMF regarding the MOU.
But the very fact that the Singapore government did not issue a direct rebuttal to the IMF's accusation that we broke the terms of the agreement points to the acknowledgement that we did agree to allow a degree of freedom for activists that was acceptable to the IMF. and that we did break this agreement.

 

[mattlock]

Although from previous posts I may have sounded offensive and I apologise, Iwant to say I have nothing against westerners, just those that still think non westerners are subordinate and that they should "liberate" us from oppression and give us "freedom". Answering some questions that were posted about the Iraq War. Was the war really about "Freedom" or "Liberation" The Americans were expecting flowers thrown to them by lines of grateful Iraqis for liberating them.

The only thing they are getting now is bombs and sucide attacks, the whole country is worse off than it was before and what is the real reason the US insisted on invading Iraq? Cooking up stories that Iraq was allied with Al Qadae, that Iraq had WMDs which incidentally both claims were found to be false. But oh well who cares right? We are the mighty USA, sheriff of the free world and Iraq has been liberated.

For those who want facts, here is one link

http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=ahJS35XsmXGg&refer=top_world_news

The Iraq War is totally off-topic. the IMF is made up of more than americans, so let's not make it a "western" and "non-western" issue.

 

[wildstallion]

No one is directing anything at you Horse. And I dont know why u are taking it personally. I am saying things from a example point of view and you dont have to like it. At least I dont call names like stupid, smart aleck. Isn't freedom of speech my "RIGHT" and please you are not my father, you dont OWN me as your forefathers lorded over my mine. So I will post as much as I like and it is up to others to read and whether or not they agree it's up to them.

And of yeah I forgot... seems that protests is the only thing that works... makes me wonder how Singapore became a Asian tiger without any protests.... strange... seems that consultative meetings dont work....

Haha, its pathetic, it really is.

Where have I said im your father?

Iam not taking it personally, im just showing that there are 2 sides to every arguement, and I really dont care if you dont like it.

Hey, we are called "Ang Mo" all the time, which to me is a very racist term. Also being called a home wrecker and a being all lorded up etc is offensive. So what if I call you stupid or an aleck?

Singapore become a Tiger due to its fantastic location, if all TNC's moved out of Singapore to somwhere else, like M'asia for example, which is very possible then Singapore literally has nothing, no resources and nothing to really offer except a safe place to live.

Protests dont make a country an economical success, they open the governements and leaders eyes to problems they may not be aware of. If Singapore had protests you would probably undestand this concept.

 

[Silence Sky]

Well the last I know, we have clean streets, good health care, my sister can walk safely at night without the worry of getting raped unlike some of our neighbours in which the police is so incompentent, the residents have to set up vigilante groups. When you stand at the tallest building in Singapore, I take a look and I feel proud, proud of the majestic of Singapore's infrastructure. And I know that our military might not be a 100 percent perfect one but at least it makes our neighbours think twice about trying to swallow us. Cos they know even if we fall, will inflict heavy losses on them before we do.

This might not be a perfect country but nothing in this world is perfect. Give me stability, posperity anytime and not some "freedom, rights" that is imposed by other "cultures" Look at what Freedom and Rights have done to Iraq...



It is not as simple as 27 activists, They are leaders and hence organisers. It is now a case of cutting off the head to kill the body. Banning them is a good decision to prevent them from organising protests that have always turn violent.

Let's tune off Class 95 for awhile (so expect no good stuffs for awhile)

We have clean streets -- I will wake up tomorrow 4 am and tour the streets for cleanliness inspection before the FT begins their daily chores.

Good Health Care -- Yes, only if you are rich. Once I felt like I am queuing to get to haven in a public hospital.

We have safe streets -- Is it the product of the civilized and gracious residents, or because we have first class Police Force?

Feel proud --- Definitely, but lets not blow it out of proportion.

Freedom and Rights --- Our nation has matured, we have the hardware (Infrastructures, healthy foreign reserves, High GDP, High Income), but no nation is complete without the software (Freedom of press, speech. expression, information).