Singapore: Axis of Evil?

I haven't blogged properly in ages, and people probably don't read this page anymore. gar.

I jsut read this on Channel News Asia's website: George Yeo says NKorea interested in further cooperation with S'pore.

The nicely worded headlines shocked me, despite its diplomatic and peaceful undertone.

Having North Korea interested in Singapore, is not a good thing at all. The perceived friendliness that our government has towards the reclusive dictatorship has more negative implications then the simple article put forth.

Another country interested in the economy and growth of ours has not been a bad thing, yet.

With the American free trade agreement signed a couple of years back, and a large number of business deals with the emerging market of China, and its recent crowning as the Switzerland of Asia, Singapore is much laudable for the competitiveness and edge that our society and economy has put a grip over Asia.

Yet, with such a tentalizing relationship between our Government and N.Korea, does it not serve to discredit the sense of neutrality and peaceful development that our people have built up in the past 43 years?

First of all, an positive or encouraging response from our government to the N.korean incumbent(s) will only serve to jeopardise our relations with our other ally countries who take a tougher stance on issues within the said country. Most importantly, the USA, whom much of our foreign investment comes from, and also lies.

Secondly, is it not imperative to NOT trade or have engagements with a country who has a track record of quite horrific human-rights offenses? Not to mention, an unjustifiable nuclear programme that constantly threatens the stability of the region!

Our country has already been constantly plagued by bad images of a state-controlled media, lacking of an credible opposition, and most of all, the almost demonic and class-defining meritocratic instituition so inherent in our ministries.

Do we need another blow by changing our stance to both be America's friend, and N.korea's bank?

Sometimes, or rather, many times, it frightens me to even think about the future in Singapore. Having lived here for a grand total of 21 months, I am beginning to struggle to see the rationale in the decisions that our country leaders have made. A debacle has been made of so many issues, and public trust has been consistently dropping.

With the exception of the economy, which most of us common Singaporeans entrust the government solely with, the running of the country in terms of international relations, relations with the population, and more importantly, general-citizen happiness is appaling.

Despite the ultra-clean streets, extreme-efficiency, superb-food, and incorruptible-image, I fear that Singapore might no longer be the place that I know or had understood it to be.

We have so quickly changed into an extremely large multi-national company where the interests of the company outweigh the interests, and benefits of its workers, whic represents our citizens.

Many may find my criticisms intangible, and shallow at best. But I don't think the issues that our country faces can be so easily discussed and debated in an essay or 2.

A long hiatus..

A quick update:

Life has been horrendously busy with uni work this semester.
Hianyi is visiting.. and is now snoring away on my floor while i am...
revising for my exams. : (

Spain is in less then a month. everything necessary has been bought, and now we only need to book a car hire, and a hostel for the first night.

life is so tough as a second year. i can only imagine 3rd year.

Scotland.. about 3 weeks ago.. was fucking ace. Had oodles of fun though we had soo much work to do.

Summer's going to be mint.