“This “vulnerability” has been ideologically harnessed to generate a string of political consequences: fear of becoming irrelevant to the global market, thus constantly in search of niches of opportunities for economic growth; fear of fragmentation, thus an insistence on tight social control to ensure social cohesion; fear of political polarization by different political parties with different ideologies that might jeopardize national development, thus an emphasis on the administrative advantages of a one-party dominant government.”
Source: Liberalism Disavowed: Communitarianism and State Capitalism in Singapore
“a generalized anxiety about the long-term viability of the social, economic and political foundation of the island-nation has been transformed into a set of ideological justifications for and instrumental practices of tight social and political control, which taken together constitutes the authoritarianism of the regime.”
Source: Liberalism Disavowed: Communitarianism and State Capitalism in Singapore
“In this regard, we should never overlook the importance of being economically successful and militarily secure. Diplomacy is not a single-barrelled gun. While we should always uphold the principle of settling disputes peacefully through diplomacy and rule of law, we need to be mindful that in practice, the extent to which disputing parties are willing to come to the table depends on larger considerations including where they stand economically and militarily in relation to each other.”
Source: Diplomacy: A Singapore Experience
“Once," Fran says, settling against the worktable, folding her arms, "I knew this kid who very bravely and bossily came out of the closet when she was only fourteen years old. She told me then that we can't choose who we love. We just love the people we love, no mattter what anyone else might want for us. Wasn't that you?”
Source: The Difference Between You and Me
“This will pose a serious dilemma for the PAP; the more unprepared the Opposition is to administer Singapore, the more likely the PAP will remain in power. However, as one-party dominant states do not last for too long, and simply waiting for the PAP to fracture and for one faction to lead the Opposition to capture power, or worse still, what if the PAP is suddenly voted out of power, the harm to Singapore could be irreparable. Would it not be a duty and obligation for the one-party dominant state to also think of Singapore and its interests to prepare an alternative government that will continue administering the Republic in the best interest of its people?”
Source: Is the People's Action Party Here to Stay?: Analysing the Resilience of the One-party Dominant State in Singapore
“In short, a one-party dominant state can advantage a polity. It can bring about stability through continuity of leadership and policies. This can enhance the predictability of government and its policies, thereby contributing to long-term goals. Such a state would be able to organise relevant groups through co-option and if this fails, through coercion. Such states can undertake effective mobilisation of its people and successfully maintain diversity. One-party dominant states are also adept in pursuing long-term based strategies, policies and objectives that can result in the development of strong economies as happened in Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea.”
Source: Is the People's Action Party Here to Stay?: Analysing the Resilience of the One-party Dominant State in Singapore
“Book Singapore Holidays Tour Packages”
“Those who tried to demonstrate some form of independence and fairness in their reporting and editing have paid a high price. The Straits Times editor, Han Fook Kwang, was sidelined and made managing editor after a rare display of fairness in political journalism when he gave the Opposition, especially the Workers’ Party, more editorial space than what was allocated during previous elections.”
Source: Reluctant Editor: The Singapore Media as Seen through the Eyes of a Veteran Newspaper Journalist
“When the Japanese invaded, informers said mother was an important member of the resistance. She was taken in, badly tortured and never confessed. Her life was spared because the Japanese interrogators could not believe a woman could have held such a key role.
When her children were grown-up, mother would tell us, ‘It’s not as bad as it sounds. The first time, you’re scared you’ll give away your friends. But there comes a point when you pass out. Once that happens, you cannot feel pain anymore. Once you have learnt that, you can beat your torturers.”
Source: From Beirut to Jerusalem
“with you, the sense i have lost my place in a book
or simply lost — misplaced the memory
which isn't in the last place where I looked.
a thought that the clouds don't move — that it is we
who thunder past — there it is! an old vacation,
a train ride — sense of immobility.
as sky and forest scroll past in relation,
we are not moved, pretend to love the view,
resort at length to scripted conversation
by a poet-turned-screenwriter who
didn't want this job, career gone grossly wrong
and now drafts action film scripts wholly two-
dimensional unless you choose to don
the 3d glasses that do not stay on —”
Source: Making Love with Scrabble Tiles