Just my 2 cents worth. Please feel free to disagree.
I have the fortune (or misfortunate??) to personally witness 4 separate demostrations involving hundreds and thousands of people and riot police. Believe me - it is not something you want to be caught in. Massive destruction to properties, unnecessary physical and psychological injuries to people, etc. Should a demostration happen, it will certaintly not be confined to the IMF premises, spillage to other places (HDB estates, Orchard Rd, ??) will most certainly happen. How would you feel if the demostration happen at your very doorstep, with your family members and properties at risk? Not a very comfortable thought, I am sure.
For a small state-city like Singapore, 1 "ruptured" demostration will affect everybody. There is no two way about it. I, for one, prefer the "harsh" manner our men in blue contain the IMF fresco. What other foreigners feel? Well, that is their problem.
BTW - the demostrations I have witnessed were in Indonesia (some housing issues), Chicago (some racist issues), Cardiff (some rugby games) and Taiwan (some political issues). My job requires me to travel to various parts of the World and hence the opportunity.
Just my opinion. Thx for reading. Have a blessed day.
Cheers