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Singapore Rising

By on 8.31.11 @ 6:07AM

Signs of democracy but still no chewing gum in Asia’s oddest little dictatorship.

Unnoticed by the rest of the world, something significant happened in Singapore on Saturday: former Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan has, not surprisingly, won victory in a field of five candidates to become the country’s seventh president. But it was a narrow victory, with Mr. Tan getting about 35 percent of the 2.1 million votes cast.

This somewhat untidy result, in contrast to the 99.8 percent victories typically recorded by third-world dictatorships, is further evidence of the fact that, if still in many ways harshly authoritarian, Singapore has quietly moved a long way toward genuine democracy. It is, by Asian standards, an open society.

In a world apparently dominated by gloom and disaster and apparently run by people enthralled to irrational ideas, it is refreshing to see Singapore gradually moving from one-party authoritarianism to a genuine multi-party state, and continuing to give its people a good standard of living while doing so.

The thing that strikes me in most developing countries is the cult of leader-worship, often taken to grotesque extremes. In the Singapore national museum a diorama shows the first opening of the island’s independent Parliament. Lee Kwan Yew, the great architect of Singapore’s government who for long had the undisputed last word in everything, is shown as a tiny model figure.

This, as far as I know, is the only statue or representation of Mr. Lee to be found anywhere on the island. This is in glaring contrast to the monstrous statues of the reigning dictator dominating the plazas of the Third World, plainly destined to be hurled down by vengeful mobs the moment the dictator is destroyed or overthrown.

The musical fountains at the theme park of Sentosa Island play music each evening to a backdrop of illuminated water-sprays: there are no pictures of the Great Leader. There are, instead, some large representations of the “Merlion,” half-mermaid, half-lion, which has been selected as Singapore’s symbol. Among the tourist attractions advertised is not the great leader’s birthplace but rather a chimpanzees’ tea-party at the local zoo.

It is ironic but fitting that, because he will have nothing to do with the creation of any cult of personality, Lee’s personality and reputation has dominated Singapore from the first days of its independence. It should, by all the portents, have evolved into another crazy, fly-blown dictatorship.

When it took power in 1959, Lee Kwan Yew’s People’s Action Party (PAP) was a fearsome, apparently leftist machine which dominated politics. There were absolutely no natural resources (even drinking water had to be imported from a sometimes unfriendly Malaya). With most of Singapore’s population ethnic Chinese, the Communists had high and apparently well-founded hopes for power.

However, it didn’t work out like that. Despite the bleating of Western clergymen and other leftists, many of whom have been conspicuously silent over the little matters of the Communist killing-fields in Cambodia and the Gulags of Laos and Vietnam, Singapore prospered.

Today’s British visitor, coming from the squalid chaos of Heathrow, finds the sparkling, palatial, miraculously efficient Changi Airport something of a rude cultural shock — and unlike the airports of some developing countries, it is no Potemkin village effort. Certainly, some of the Nanny State provisions have been onerous, including the banning of the fireworks beloved by the Chinese.

Other bans, such as that on chewing gum, make a good deal of sense for people who do not want their suits ruined. Signs in elevators warn against urinating in them, and durians, the sweet-tasting but evil-smelling fruit, are banned on the underground railway system.

One T-shirt on sale bears the slogan “Singapore is a fine city,” proceeding to list the things for which one can be fined. It is not hard to imagine the fate of anyone wearing a T-shirt making equivalent complaints in Burma or North Korea.

Artistic and intellectual life has been dull and conventional (like Plato, Lee Kwan Yew seems to have distrusted the arts) but this is gradually changing. The university carries out important research.

There are plenty of complaints to be heard, especially among the legal profession, but at least there is freedom to complain, and sometimes the complaints result in action. Further, it is hard to know how deeply these complaints affect the essential idea of Singapore, and Lee Kwan Yew’s stated goal of creating a “rugged society.”

On frequent visits since 1969, I have been able to see the press gradually becoming freer and more critical. Further, the generally fairly docile nature of the press has at least as much to do with Confucian cultural ideas of politeness as it has with censorship.

President Tan has said the Presidency is above politics and he was not officially endorsed by the PAP, though he is clearly supported by it. The election result shows the people want change, but they want it in a decent, peaceful and democratic manner. From nothing, they have built a little island nation to be proud of, and while further reforms are inevitable, they would be crazy to do anything to imperil that achievement.

About the Author

Hal G.P. Colebatch’s “Immram,” Counterstrike, is being published by Australian publisher Imaginites.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (23) |

Ken (Old Texican)| 8.31.11 @ 6:59AM

I used to work for Mr. Robin Loh who based in Singapore.
He built one of the biggest, most profitable conglomerates in the world...and he began his career as a taxi driver.
Singapore has prospered on two principles; reasonable government, and entrepreneurship encouragement..

Alan Brooks| 8.31.11 @ 10:25AM

For many reasons, the tiny country of Singapore should be considered as a leading candidate to be the eventual epicenter of the Technological Singularity.
Facts and Figures
Despite being a very small country—in fact, a city-state—with only 4.7 million inhabitants and the third highest population density in the world, Singapore shows remarkable figures in economic parameters as well as in research and development.
In geographic size (square km), Singapore is #192 in the world…But in population, it is #118…
And in GDP per capita, Singapore ranks #5!
Singapore definitely belongs to the emerging Asian economies which include China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand—although judged by its current performance and standard of living, Singapore may not be “emerging” anymore: it has already arrived, but may have been overlooked due to its small size. In regard to unemployment rates, for example, at 3.4% Singapore has one of the world’s lowest figures.
Singapore ranks #27 in the world on the UN Human Development Index, fitting within the definition of very high human development.
Singapore is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural country where Chinese, Malay, Indian and European influences converge within a small space. It recognizes four official languages: English, Malay, Chinese, and Tamil, and is influenced by several major religions and philosophies: Buddhism (most widely practiced), Christianity, Islam, Taoism, Hinduism, as well as no religious affiliation, atheism, or agnosticism (18%). Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation. As Singapore is a country poor in natural resources, its human resources and especially knowledge competencies in science, research, and development are essential for its economy. Thus, much emphasis is put on education from an early age. This is reflected in the high Singaporean OECD-PISA scores (ranking #5 among all participating countries) that internationally compare education standards and performance. In 2009, the Boston Consulting group scored Singapore as the world’s most innovation-friendly country. In regard to biotech innovations, Singapore is ranked in the top five according to a study by Scientific American. One contributing factor, besides considerable governmental support (the government plans to invest $3 billion in Biomedical Sciences research for the period 2011–2015), is the very liberal biotech-related legislation, e.g. in regard to human embryonic stem cell research. Singapore shows very high capacities in the whole area of stem cell research and regenerative medicine.
Singapore ranks at the top spot in chemistry within the Asia-Pacific area, and places #12 in the world. Through its excellent position in biotechnology and chemistry, it is also heavily investing in nanotechnology, and has established an Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology.
According to 2010 statistics, Singapore’s Internet penetration rate was at 77.8%, which puts the country at #20 in the world, on a par with Belgium and above the USA. There is free Internet access available for all Singaporean residents and visitors, offered at widespread hotspots, and the country otherwise takes great efforts to make Internet accessibility widely affordable. This, of course, contributes to the further acceleration of the knowledge society.
To sum it up, Singapore is a small but high-tech nation focusing and depending on knowledge, science, research, development, innovation, and business. It shows high ranks in parameters related to education, business, research, innovation, and emerging technologies. It is a multicultural nation and a melting pot of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and European influences, which is, however, also quite selective on whom to let into the country. Singapore strives to be the best and to attract only the best.
However, this paradise also has its shadow sides. Although Singapore is formally a democracy, it has been a de facto autocracy—or so-called “hybrid regime”—with a one-party rule for a long time and scores only at place #85 on the 2010 Democracy Index (between Bolivia and Bangladesh). Things may have begun to change recently as the opposition has gained strength. On the Freedom House Index, Singapore is positioned in the middle of the field, defined as only a “partially free” country, with especially low scores in regard to the electoral process and associational and organizational rights.
Caning is used as legal punishment in Singapore. It is mostly administered for major offenses like hostage-taking and rape, but also sometimes for drug use, rioting, and vandalism, which even includes graffiti-spraying.
However, the transgender and LGBT communities are quite accepted and relatively well integrated in Singaporean society, as these cultures have quite a history in Singapore and Malaysia. Especially transgenderism generally seems to be more rooted in South Asian traditions, as Pakistan, for example, officially introduced the recognition of a “third gender” in 2011. Singapore also was accused in the 1980s of practicing a kind of eugenics, when Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew made the remark that the “well educated should have more children than the less educated to maintain economic standards.” Singapore quickly tried to distance itself from such statements, but the idea continues to live on in special dating services for academics. Although social welfare systems have improved over the last few years, it is still bad to be less educated, poor, or unemployed in Singapore. The country has the highest concentration of millionaires in the world, but also the second biggest income gap among highly developed nations. Official data about a poverty line in Singapore does not seem to exist in a reliable way. Income inequalities appear to relate to ethnic dimensions, as the Chinese are considered to be more well off than the Malays. Social welfare schemes in Singapore are sparse—especially if looking at its economic performance—and rather meant to keep people alive (with public housing programs and subsidized food) and to encourage them to seek work.
According to the 2010 Quality of Life Index compiled by International Living magazine, Singapore was placed in a position of #70 out of 194 countries, whereas according to Bloomberg and Business Week, Singapore was declared as Asia’s city with the best quality of life, and is in place #22 out of 221 world cities. Such very different views reflect the variety of criteria being used, and the dependence on the contexts they are related to.
Singapore is one of the fastest aging countries in the world with very low birth rates, and faces a substantial aging problem. By 2020, more than one in three residents will be above 50 years of age, and by 2030, one in five Singaporeans are expected to be above 65. This aging of society is feared as it may negatively impact economic growth. So, will Singapore take advantage of its high competences in biotechnology and other emerging technologies to make healthy life extension a reality? In 2008 Singapore hosted the first Asian conference “on the science of aging and regenerative medicine.”
Reflection: Singapore and the Singularity
Singapore is an innovative and high tech country that puts special emphasis on fostering the knowledge society, innovation, and especially biosciences. Singapore is also a wealthy and business-oriented country, aiming to attract foreign investment and trade, and is considered to be one of the best places for foreign investors and business. Poor in natural resources, Singapore depends on knowledge and innovation to compete and survive. Although the country is careful about publicly acknowledging this, Singapore has some elitist elements to its society which are reflected in its education practices, its interest in improving the capacities of the next generation, as well as in its rather sparse welfare system. In general, it can be said that Singapore is a country for winners of the knowledge and innovation society, who are able to accept defined socio-political rules, regulations, and a limited democracy. In the future it is possible that democracy will open up in Singapore, but it’s easier to envision a kind of technocracy, with scientists and other professionals being entrusted with decision-making and governance. Those who are best at managing knowledge and education will be considered the best to rule the country.
This emphasis on knowledge, paired with high capacities in emerging sciences and technologies, could lead to Singapore’s increasing interest in and application of human enhancement technologies, especially related to intelligence enhancement, computer-based augmentation, and biotechnological enhancements. Health improvement and healthy life extension also could be on its future priority list, especially in face of the threat its aging society is expected to impose on the country.
Because longevity is seen as very desirable in societies deeply influenced by Chinese culture, as is the case with Singapore, large shares of the population are likely to support research and development of technologies aimed at prolonging healthy life. Due to Singapore’s high capacities in biotechnology and related areas, the country could become a leading innovator in regenerative medicine and anti-aging science and technologies from which the elite of the country, at least, will benefit. Becoming immortal, spiritually as well as physically (living as long as possible), is one of the main goals in Taoism. Thus, modern life-extension science and technology may be regarded as a scientifically founded and more successful continuation of millennia-old Taoist and alchemist traditions. Unlike the case in many Western countries, physical immortality, i.e. living forever, is not regarded as taboo or as sin in countries with Taoist traditions.
In 2011 the gap between rich and poor in Singapore is very high—among the highest in developed countries. So where will Singapore go? Maybe they will increasingly opt for robots instead of human labor to do the low-paying, non-knowledge-related work in the future? Sending more and more of its low-skilled labor force out of the country and substituting them with robots seems to fit the picture.
Currently Singapore is less focused on robot technology than on other R&D, especially in biotechnology and medicine, but they may increasingly start importing robots from South Korea, China, or Japan, and then begin developing their own or improving the capabilities of imported robots. In 2003, Singapore launched the world’s first fully automated and driverless underground commuter train system. There seem to be many factors that could lead to further interest and improvements in AI-based systems and robotics in Singapore, such as assistance for scientific research and education, human augmentation for the knowledge society, as well as further automation and performance of manual labor.
At some point, the limitations of human intelligence to generate further knowledge and innovation will be approached. However, Singapore may not straightforwardly start creating a superintelligence to govern their life, but might begin by developing technologies to enhance human intelligence and capacities. Singapore may not be the first country to have a supercomputer that exceeds human intelligence—and human intelligence and knowledge may also be just too much valued—but it may be a country with early life extension applications, humans augmented by computer technology and cyborgs, advanced tissue and organ engineering, and possibly even genetic enhancements for improving health and intelligence.
In a country governed by a technocratic science and knowledge elite, if that’s what happens, concerns and restrictions may be far less present than elsewhere. And as people of Chinese origin are the predominant ethnic group in Singapore (around 75% of the population), different ethical principles generally apply there as compared to most Western countries. These include positive attitudes toward wealth, longevity, education, science, and progress. However, as a high-tech nation, Singapore does not let the East Asian dimensions of tradition and consistency conflict with progress.
A hybrid of human and machine intelligence may develop in Singapore—as well as in other East Asian countries—in a kind of yin-yang unity that achieves transhuman transcendence through the fusion of complements, i.e. what humans are good at combined with what machines are good at. It would not be surprising to see cyborgs in the future Singaporean society, along with genetically and bio-technologically enhanced (post)humans with improved intelligence, health, and longevity.

Alan Brooks| 8.31.11 @ 10:39AM

This is where the above piece is located (including graphs):
http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/category/C188

Occam's Tool| 8.31.11 @ 4:26PM

Yes, and Lee Kwan Yew was always an example of an authoritarian leader who was inspired to truly benefit his people. Fortunately, they are going more democratic because the number of Diocletians or Antoninius Piuses is always limited.

Their medical school and hospitals are also top ranked in Asia, although not Mayo Class.

Melvin| 8.31.11 @ 7:43AM

I had the pleasure of visiting Singapore in 1980. The ship I was on was small enough to dock at the local Naval Base, the other ships had to stay out in the harbor and take small water taxis to reach the shore.
We were forewarned not to do, "Anything," as in littering, chewing gum, and a host of other punishable offenses.
One thing I noticed right off. The place was immaculately clean. Anywhere, everywhere spotless. Even the old part of Singapore was clean. "Detroit, Chicago take a lesson."
Had to use the facilities and ducked into the Mandarin Hotel, "Holy Moly" people, this kid from the forests of Oregon had never in my entire young life had the pleasure of laying eyes on such a beautiful hotel. Standing with my mouth agape, the doorman, very politely asked, "Sir, can I help you." "Huh, Oh, yea, where is your bathroom?" The door looked at me with a quizzical look because in Asia or at least back then bathrooms were called comfort rooms.
Walked into the comfort room, and the place was immaculately sanitized, (US hotels take note).
I did take issue with the rubberized toilet paper, darn stuff was like a rubber band.
Christmas day, my very good friend and I became somewhat inebriated. At the time I didn't realize that I had my rain coat on inside out, we got onto the bus that also doubles as a school bus for the local children, grade-schoolers. Well in order to break that awkward moment of silence with the kids staring at these very pleasant Americans, I and Steven starting singing Christmas carols. My the time we arrived at the Singaporean Naval Base, the entire bus, including the driver was singing Jingle Bells in choppy English and Malaysian.
When we got off the bus the kids were all pressed against the windows of the bus with huge toothless smiles waving goodbye and still singing Jingle Bells. I like to think that Steven and I did our part as American ambassadors to improve American and Malaysian cultural ties.
The one singular impression that Singapore left upon me was that it was clean, and secure. We walked the streets of downtown and we didn't have to fear flash mobs, fight off pan handlers, and urine scented seedy dives. The school children on the bus wore uniforms, and the bus's floor didn't have unidentifiable organic substances on the floor that caused tennis shoes to become permanently affixed.
As we stood on the bus senior citizens were revered and someone who was younger immediately got up and politely offered them to sit down, with no words exchanged.
Bottom line Singapore is a city that was proud of itself, by being clean and polite not the overly squishy politeness, just a very respectful politeness that all the citizens embraced.
If I was to bet a nice shiny dime, I would wager that Singapore didn't have any Liberal Democrats in charge, trying to spend their way to a, "Great Society." But only creating once proud cities with squalor, decay, and victimization.
Liberal Democrats wouldn't last five seconds in Singapore. They would get tossed out to peddle their crap elsewhere.

Seek| 8.31.11 @ 6:09PM

Could the fact that there are few, if any, blacks in Singapore have anything to do with this?

Ken (Old Texican)| 8.31.11 @ 8:00AM

Melvin,
thanks. That was fun!

potkas7| 8.31.11 @ 8:18AM

I lived in Singapore for a time and can tell you from first-hand experience that if you have to live in a big city, Singapore is the city you want to live in.

darcy| 8.31.11 @ 10:01AM

Thank you for the article on Singapore; it brought back many happy memories from my Jan. 2009 trip. We're going back next year with grandkids in tow.

Its modern-day founder was Western educated, and happily, not in the 'progressive' sense -- as so many hapless students today are. There is a place in the world for benevolent authoritarianism; the problem is that there are so few truly benevolent hearts among the world's leaders. And as for democracy? It's highly overrated: witness what happens with it in the Middle East, where democracy ushers in dehumanizing sharia, or here in America, where the franchise extended to the masses (themselves becoming the tools of corrupt politicians) has resulted in those voters voting goodies from the treasury while the producers are expected to pick up the tab; where the state has replaced the father in WAAAAYYY too many households.

O Tamandua| 8.31.11 @ 10:59AM

Melvin, to add to what you said - I remember (in the late 80s, I think) when Len Bias was drafted #2 in the 1986 NBA draft and died of a cocaine overdose a few days later. Some said he might have been one of the best players ever in that league had he lived.

In the wave of sorrow and self-examination that followed in the still-TV-(no internet yet)-dominated sports media, former Louisiana State University basketball coach Dale Brown was interviewed on TV, and he recalled how on a visit to Singapore upon entering the airport he saw a large sign, replete with skull-and-crossbones, saying "Death to all people who bring illegal drugs here".

And it was evident that Coach Brown was clearly, positively impressed by the message Singaporean authorities were sending.

O Tamandua| 8.31.11 @ 11:00AM

Apologies for not reading my post - of COURSE it was the "late 80s" if it happened in 1986. My apologies. ">(

Sheila| 8.31.11 @ 11:20AM

God, what a puff piece and servile comments! I, too, lived in (as opposed to "visited") Singapore for a year and a half, and it is hardly the paradise on earth you naifs paint it as. I, too, warned my husband the first day not to jaywalk - and we exited our temporary quarters to discover that all the Singaporeans did just that. The signs (and sensors) to stop urinating in elevators are there because otherwise the old Chinese men WILL urinate in elevators! Same thing regarding chewing gum. The hotels and shopping malls look glittery and formal (everything in Singapore is about face, or surface, or first impressions) but nothing is at street level. I had to carry my child's stroller up and down stairs to the grocery store, and even up a flight of steep stairs to reach the lobby and elevator of our apartment building. Heaven help anyone who is handicapped. Oh, and my husband used to make a game of following behind the chattering Chinese women on the street, picking up all the trash they routinely dropped as they walked. He'd then tap them on the shoulder and politely question "I believe you dropped this. Is it yours?" Their embarrassed titters and loss of face were deeply gratifying. The rules and strictures primarily apply to non-Chinese and non-native foreigners - to further impress them with how a well-run "Asian" model works. You all have swallowed it hook, line, and sinker.

As far as the "peaceful multicultural society" tripe, Singapore's majority has always been Han Chinese, and the powers that be are determined it remain so. Back when their population was still growing faster than desired, they introduced a public campaign to limit births. The Chinese population responded enthusiastically; the Indians and Malays, not so much. Quickly reversing course, the government started encouraging families of three or more children (of course, coincidentally only, all the posters and ads showed Han Chinese families) - alas, to no avail - Singapore's birth rate has continued to fall dramatically. I actually applaud the government for attempting to ensure their country remains culturally sound; as Lee Kwan Yew himself noted, in a multicultural morass, people vote for their co-ethnics. That, indeed, is the only lesson we should learn from Singapore - and that is precisely the one that will continue to be ignored.

Seek| 8.31.11 @ 6:11PM

Finally, someone who sees reality underneath as well as the surfaces.

Celeste| 8.31.11 @ 1:32PM

Tony Tan won because there were 2 other strong candidates. Tan Cheng Bock got 35% and Tan Jee Say got 25%. What I'm saying is, if Tan Jee Say hadn't run, Tony Tan would probably receive fewer votes than Tan Cheng Bok.

Also in May, Singapore had a general election and the ruling party had a landslide victory. I believe that there are still people who fear voting against the leading party.

Jason| 8.31.11 @ 1:51PM

So let me get this straight. EVERYONE who ran for president was named "Tan"? Sounds like justification for affirmative action if I have ever heard it...or there are a LOT on "Tan's" in Singapore!

Celeste| 8.31.11 @ 2:15PM

It's the most common surname in Singapore. 5th most common in China.

Jason| 8.31.11 @ 2:40PM

That's interesting! I did not know that! Have you ever been to Singapore? You seem to be quite knowledgable.

lol| 8.31.11 @ 9:25PM

"former Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan has, not surprisingly, won victory in a field of five candidates to become the country's seventh president"

I'm sorry to make you look as if you didn't do your research, but it's FOUR candidates.

lily| 8.31.11 @ 10:24PM

i'd like to point out that there were only FOUR candidates running for president.

and it is not a multi-party state. the last general elections saw the ruling party lose 6 seats to one opposition party. neither of these opposition members of parliament hold any posts within the government.

the ruling party makes a career out of demonising & destroying (if you've read real history books about Singspore's political scene) their political opponents & dissidents.

POST American| 9.1.11 @ 12:14AM

--------------------BOTTOM LINE----------------------

London bankster Fabian Globalist RED China EUGENICS soft OP. ----and an actuarial psychopaths fantasy.

------------------------DON'T BE DECEIVED

Mark| 9.1.11 @ 1:32AM

As a singaporean, this is undoubtedly the most ridiculous article anybody had ever written on Singaporean politics. Where do you even get your information from? The large Part of your article is untrue and superficial, and to make reference on our "fine city" shirt shows how long ago you are. Please don't write such things again, or at least do your homework beforehand, you give support to the American stereotype of self-indulgent stupidity

Another Singaporean| 9.2.11 @ 1:17AM

Well said, Mark.

Upset Singaporean academic| 12.28.11 @ 1:03AM

As my two countrymen have pointed out, this article is sloppily written and filled with inaccuracies. The fact that the author cannot even spell Lee Kuan Yew's name correctly is testament to the laziness of the author in not bothering to fact-check.

Untruths, cliches and blanket generalisations are rife in this article. I will provide two examples and leave it up to my countrymen to do the rest.

"former Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan has, not surprisingly, won victory in a field of five candidates to become the country's seventh president" - There were only 4 candidates.

Moreover the president is a largely symbolic figure so this example is moot. It definitely does not prove we are moving towards a multiparty democracy as you imply - 81 out of 87 seats in Parliament are still controlled by the ruling party.

"Further, the generally fairly docile nature of the press has at least as much to do with Confucian cultural ideas of politeness as it has with censorship." - Besides the fact that appealing to cultural stereotypes of docile Asians is frankly racist, the author is likely not aware that only one newspaper company - Singapore Press Holdings - is legally allowed to operate in Singapore and that newspaper editors of this newspaper company are handpicked by the government. (http://wikileaks.org/cable/2009/01/09SINGAPORE61.html)

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