What this girl did was wrong but she is ultimately a child and most people agree that she should be treated leniently - perhaps involving her school and her parents rather than via the justice system per se. What surprised me was the amount of anti-PAP and anti-government anger that was just waiting to come out and this seemed to be the last straw that broke many camels' backs. Now the identity of this 13 year old is not known, nor is her nationality. Most of the assumptions so far have been that she is Singaporean - what if she is a PRC or of any other nationality? Would the netizens have reacted with as much passion for this 13 year old if she was a PRC - or would they have demanded for a harsh punishment for her?
 |
| Please don't burn this... there are better ways to make your point. |
What surprises me is that many netizens equated the burning of the Singapore flag as an anti-PAP gesture - I don't see it that way really. Certainly, one can express national patriotism without subscribing to any one political party - that is certainly true in the UK where there are three main political parties and many more minor ones. Whilst we do know that the PAP dominates the Singapore government, haven't you forgotten that there are other political parties active in Singapore too? It is possible to be an SDP or WP supporter and equally patriotic and by the same token, it is entirely valid as well to hate the PAP but still love Singapore. Do Singaporeans understand their identity or are they a bit confused?
Likewise, for those of you who then jumped on the bandwagon and declared her flag-burning stunt as an act of rebellion and protest - really? It was simply an impulsive, spontaneous act, she didn't even have her own lighter - she had to borrow the lighter from her friend. It was neither planned nor premeditated - it seems that many people are interpreting this 13 year old girl's actions to suit their agenda. If this was a protest - what was she protesting? See? We don't even know, so how could she be possibly trying to make any kind of statement?
 |
| Demon-cratic makes his points with humour. |
Perhaps most telling would be this statement left on Singapore Hardware Zone: "6 yr ago I would be angry at the girl. Now I'm angry with the polis". Have things changed so much in recent years? When will all this tension reach a fever pitch and breaking point? I remember how my mother is terrified of holding any kind of political opinion, she is a typical product of the PAP system. She is not politically apathetic, rather she has politics-phobia, she is afraid of even talking about it lest she says something wrong and gets into trouble. Gosh, you'd think we'd liked in East Germany or the USSR given the way she was so afraid of saying anything wrong.
The challenge that lies before us is clear: we have a generation who are fed up and frustrated. They are eager and hungry for change. This is evident from the kind of reaction that this flag burning incident has provoked. Yes people want change, people want to make a statement but this is hardly the way and they are so desperate for any sign of change they will look at a random incident like that and try to invest meaning into it. What we need right now is a charismatic leader who will be able to unite those crying out for change lead us all to the promised land out of the darkness. I wonder who is up for this task? Siew Kum Hong? Nicole Seah? Any better candidates out there please? Let me know, leave a comment, thanks! Kum siah.
I am indeed surprised to hear of the police handcuffing the girl. Technically one should expect persons arrested to be handcuffed (to prevent escape and for safety reasons), but police procedure allows for some exceptions. These include the elderly, the obviously sick, handicapped, persons in uniform (SAF, SCDF etc) and certain notable persons (out of respect for their office and if their probability of escape etc is very low) - say a judge, a priest, opposition party leader etc. Young schoolchildren would also qualify.
ReplyDeleteThis is because the act of handcuffing doesn't equal arrest, although it could be seen as such. An arrest is affected when the police take hold of a person or confine his movements, like placing him in a vehicle and now allowing him to leave. So the act of handcuffing here seems an overkill if it's deemed to be true. The officers involved will likely get some serious flak, although I don't anything more than a reprimand is in order.
And yes, flag burning is a seizable offence, and a person who does it should expect to be arrested and also handcuffed (except for those mentioned earlier). Since this was a youthful offender and the act not planned, I expect nothing more than a stern warning, with her parents and school informed to monitor and counsel her.
As for the angst and outpouring of anger, it's clearly misplaced. Unfortunately because the Police is an extension of the Govt via the Civil Service, some have ingeniously linked it to the PAP.
I doubt there is a need for a charismatic leader to lead us into the future. Maybe a change of Govt, not necessarily a leader. I'm sure Lee Jr, would not be best pleased to hear of your inference of his lack of charisma.
There is a lot of anger and frustration on the ground, yes, but one must also be conscious of the silent majority, who have continuously returned them to power election upon election, even with such a groundswell in 2011. Of course you can bet your bottom dollar, that the PAP will go use it as a dire warning in 2016 that we could end up with a Govt of incompetents etc etc. But I don't expect them to lose the whole election, that is probably too much to expect, given how the voting system is structured in their favour (GRCs, upgrading, Town Councils etc).
Of course we have seen incumbent Govts in the West go from absolute majority to a very thin minority in opposition, Canada and NZ are some examples, but in both countries there was already a credible and experienced opposition. Here, even if the opposition is credible, they lack the numbers or unity (alliance) to contest every seat, let alone win enough to form a Govt.
This is not the first time we have seen the mata mata using cuffs to exert their authority. Recall the incident when a newspaper photographer was handcuff while trying to do his job -he was taking photos of the flood. To me this is the hallmark of police personnel who lacked confidence and judgement skills or they have be drilled by the SPF to follow the PGO to the letter or else face disciplinary actions of superiors.
ReplyDeleteI think LHL himself wouldn't deny that he has no charisma - privately. While he may be an ineffectual PM, he is no fool. He has been a reluctant PM from day one - it is as plain as day to any one who bothered to track his career in politics. The 'poor' man is merely doing his father's bidding.
These days when I see 'charismatic leader' I try to move away from it like I'm avoiding 'closing down sale! all going cheep cheep!" (or rather 'cheap cheap'), which has been going on for months!
ReplyDeleteWhen the saying "the road to hell is paved with good intentions" was coined, I would like to believe it was particularly with 'charismatic leaders' in mind.
Perhaps the awful reality of it all is "one man's meat is another's poison".
One group's great religion becomes another's insidious cult.
One group's great government becomes another's cunning tyrants.
Therefore I would avoid "Vote us out and we're doomed!" AS MUCH AS "Opposition is the future!"
This is because both sides are involved in a furious tug of war in which the main casualties are you and I caught in the middle, being ruthlessly ripped apart.
No, what we need is every human being individually constantly thinking for himself/herself, as well as acting in his/her own AND everyone's best interests.
And NOT depending on some mortal, fallible external source of salvation.