Browsing around(again) i kinda stumbled upon this Chinese related news site,Danwei.org. It was reviewing on a transcript from Journalism.sg on Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s article on “What China can learn from our handling of Western media”.
It’s an interesting read. It was clear that Danwei wasn’t too keen on Mr Lee’s form of handling the western media. Nevertheless, this article provided a good look on Mr Lee’s iron fist, portraying him as one not to be trifled with.
“So when you write an article with a little sting at the end, which is not true. I claim the right of reply. You have written 5,000 words, I claim 500 words. They refused, and in that case, I will restrict you. I will not block you because you will say I’m afraid of what you said. But I will restrict you and allow the other people, the other subscribers to photostat, fax, and now scan. So now you allow me the right of reply, I get the right of reply, the writer who puts in all these poison barbs no longer appears so smart. You can twist my arm, I’ll wring your neck. So what are the facts? So, now we have reached a certain respect for each other.” from Mr Lee Kuan Yew
Very POWERFUL stance by himself. I personally do like this paragraph above.
“People come here, people stay. It’s safe, 3 a.m. in the morning, you can go jogging by the marina, nothing happens to you, no rape, and no muggings. News gets out: “We are dull.”” from Mr Lee Kuan Yew
This is kinda true, we do have a low crime rate. But still, a low crime rate doesn’t mean no crime.
“I don’t tell the western media you can’t sell here. All I say is you allow me the right of reply. You are selling because you want to sell advertisements, not because you want freedom of information or because you want to enlighten my people.” from Mr Lee Kuan Yew
That’s the reality of news.
“News gets out: “We are dull.”
Now, we are not dull, we are quite cool. We’re going to have reverse bungee, all-night dining by the river and by the marina, two integrated resorts, Formula One. How do you explain that? Whether they like it or not, they have to shift the nuances.” from Mr Lee Kuan Yew
We are gonna have those, that’s interesting. Cool or not, it will depends on how many future policies are going to strap us to our own chairs and prevent us from enjoying some of those entertainments.
Singapore has been a great place to live in. I’ve been to other countries and i’ll say that although we are lacking in some freedoms,(held by taxes, numerous licenses that need to be applied for stuffs to be done, etc.) at least our country is better in infrastructures, good judicial system, city planning, quality of living and we do get a clear and beautiful blue sky.
Cool or not, Singapore is good.
