THE TEMASEK REVIEW

Written by Dr Wong Wee Nam
04 Jan 2009

Singapore is slowly opening up and liberalizing. So we are told. Censorship in the Arts has been relaxed, demonstrations are now allowed in Speakers’ Corner and making of some kinds of political films will not be banned.

Yes, nowadays there are some doses of political jokes in the local theatres but these are really more to amuse than to make a serious statement on issues. Most of them are just cynical.

Yes, demonstrations are now allowed in Speakers’ Corner. However, except for the investors whose pockets have been hurt, no other groups have used the Speakers’ Corner to air their grievances Why is this so? People are not expressing themselves because they have loss their voice after years of a stifling political climate. They have lost the spirit of citizenship.

In this country people are generally not ready to state their opinion publicly. Even amongst friends, people still lower their voices, as a reflex, when sensitive topics are touched upon. To talk politics publicly is still not acceptable behaviour.

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