S'pore ticks off British writer over article

July 17, 2008
S'pore ticks off British writer over article
The S'pore model of authoritarian govt is an assault on democracy, he says
By Zakir Hussain
SINGAPORE has taken to task a British writer who disparaged the Republic as a modern, undemocratic form of authoritarianism. Mr John Kampfner, writing in The Guardian newspaper, had highlighted Singapore as a model for a growing phenomenon he had observed in many countries, including Britain. The phenomenon: the willingness of highly educated, well-travelled people to trade some freedoms in return for prosperity or security. He termed it a 'pact' which he views as an assault on democracy, and concluded: 'It is providing a modicum of a good life, and a quiet life, the ultimate anaesthetic for the brain.' His view was rejected by Singapore's High Commissioner in London, Mr Michael Teo. Mr Teo, in a letter to The Guardian, argued that while liberal democracy works for the West, it has rarely delivered 'stable, legitimate and effective government' in Asia. A SYSTEM THAT GETS THE PEOPLE'S VOTE 'Had our system not consistently benefited the vast majority of citizens...the ruling party would have been voted out of office long ago.' ... more He outlined how Singapore's system of democracy had worked for its people, giving them one of the highest standards of living in Asia, a good education and a competent government. 'Those who disagree with or oppose the Government are free to speak out, challenge the Government, and contest in free and fair elections,' he added. 'Had our system not consistently benefited the vast majority of citizens...the ruling party would have been voted out of office long ago.' Mr Teo also pointed out that Mr Kampfner got it wrong when he indicated that larger states such as China and Russia were looking at adopting the Singapore system. He said Singapore is one possible model being studied by the two countries for their own development. Ultimately, 'these large countries, with their long histories and ancient cultures, will develop in their own ways', he said. 'They are not likely to morph into Western liberal democracies, regardless of what Singapore does.' Mr Teo's reply, which was published on The Guardian's website on Tuesday, comes days after Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew made the point that human rights groups had an agenda when they criticised Singapore's style of government. They saw it as a threat, now that the Russians and Chinese were studying Singapore's success story, Mr Lee had said. Mr Teo, in his reply, also made the point that Singapore started with a Westminster-style parliamentary system. But the system was adapted to suit Singapore's 'unique position' as 'a small, multi-racial, multi-religious city in the middle of a turbulent South-east Asia', he said. Every society had to strike its own balance between individual liberties and the common good, he wrote. 'Some in the West like John Kampfner feel a calling to go forth and convert the heathen to Western liberal democracy. 'But the true test is what works in the real world, with real societies,' he said. Then, to drive home his point, he turned Mr Kampfner's conclusion on its head, saying: 'To worship a Western model as the only way, and dismiss all other solutions as authoritarian or undemocratic, is surely the ultimate anaesthetic for the brain.' zakirh@sph.com.sg