Burmese refugees in Singapore - 19 Nov 07

Tony Birtley takes a look at Burmese refugees who have fled the tyranny but are prevented from peaceful demonstrations in Singapore, and call for ASEAN countries, especially Singapore, to be more transparent in their trade and financial dealings with Myanmar.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Burmese
• refugees
• Tony
• Birtley
• Singapore
• ASEAN
• demonstrations
• Myanmar

[sleeevy]

aiddysha, you are being very ignorant. I am Singaporean and I have Malay friends. They live in HDBs like the rest of us, have their own cars, and are content with their lives. That is the case for the large majority of malay families in Singapore. Also, this has nothing to do with the video so just take your biased Malaysian view out of this.

[luvmsiahatethegov]

Aii, this is Singapore for you lor.

Just follow law.

Don't need to do the right thing, noooooooo,

Just follow the rules and all problems in the world are solved.

[novazee]

I know Singapore is economically successful but, is Singapore a democratic country? does the government oppress it's opposition? does it censor information? does it allow criticism of the government?

[novazee]

Is Singapore a democratic country?

[doggy5]

In short, I would say that sanctions may be the "morally correct" thing but they just don't work. If anything, they only cause more suffering to the people. If only the Western world would engage Burma like how they engage Vietnam, I'm quite sure progress will be made, as we would create more jobs for the people. Constructive engagement has made Vietnam open up a lot to the outside world, and through constructive engagement, we can try to get Burma to do the same.

[doggy5]

For one thing, Burma is not North Korea, and you are pretty much free to wander around and interact with the locals. Generally, people there have enough food to eat, and it's not the terror state people make it out to be. I believe that by doing business there, we can create jobs for the local people, and contrary to popular belief, tourism can also get money into the hands of locals. And Singapore actually provides jobs for many ordinary Burmese so they can send money home for a better life.

[doggy5]

I think constructive engagement is better than sanctions. For one thing, while I admit Singapore may be authoritarian, we have well-developed infrastructure, and while poverty exists, it's not a major issue. And having been to Burma myself, I have to say things aren't as bad a the press makes it out to be. Sure the government is corrupt and poverty is rampant, and I don't deny that, but people pretty much go on with their lives.

[1000wrongdecisions]

after becoming aware of Singapore's dealing with Burma, I start to think less of this country. 'Hypocrite' comes to mind. Especially when you consider on one hand they hang drug mules without so much as a blink, on the other they deal with Burmese drug barons.

[1000wrongdecisions]

After becoming aware of Singapore's dealing with Burma, I start to think less of this country. I used to think Singapore upholds ethics. Well, I guess I was ignorant. On the one hand they hang drug mules, on the other they deal with Burmese drug barons. HYPOCRISY at its peak. Seems like they are paying Aung San Suu Kyi lip service.Malaysia is no better. In fact the rich and powerful the world all over are hypocrites.they only have love for their families n friends. The rest are just dirt.

[1000wrongdecisions]

After becoming aware of Singapore's dealing with Burma, I start to think less of this country. I used to think Singapore upholds ethics. Well, I guess I was ignorant. On the one hand they hang drug mules, on the other they deal with Burmese drug barons. HYPOCRISY at its peak. Seems like they are paying Aung San Suu Kyi lip service.Malaysia is no better. In fact the rich and powerful the world all over are hypocrites.they only have love for their families n friends. The rest are just dirt.

[LiveNKicking]

Western style democrasy does not equal to good. Authoritarianism does not equal to bad. A liberal democratised government may not be applicable to all countries. Every country needs a system of government crafted for itself for progress to occur. It is foolish to assume that western style democracy is the epitome of all systems of government without a proper understanding of the mentality of people, culture, history, geopolitics, etc.....