Thailand's Sondhi Wants Assets Back From Singapore

By Anuchit Nguyen and Beth Jinks

Feb. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Thailand's military leader said he wants to take back control of 140 billion baht ($3.9 billion) of assets sold to Singapore's government, escalating a diplomatic spat between the Southeast Asian nations.

``Singapore is a very small country, but it is so rich that it can buy 140 billion baht of our national assets,'' said Sondhi Boonyarataklin, who led a September coup that toppled the government of Thaksin Shinawatra. ``I am thinking about whether we can take those assets back.''

Singapore's Temasek Holdings Pte last year bought control of Thaksin's mobile phone and satellite group, provoking an outcry against the sale of strategic companies to a foreign government. Sondhi last month accused Singapore of using those assets for spying, a charge the city-state has denied.

``I thought things had calmed down on the subject, but this does suggest that maybe things took a turn for the worse,'' said David Cohen, a Singapore-based economist at Action Economics. ``It is difficult to anticipate which direction the politics in Thailand would go right now.''

The sale of Shin Corp., the holding company founded by Thaksin, angered Thais because the billionaire businessman's family didn't pay tax on the proceeds. The deal exacerbated protests and a political stalemate in Thailand that led to Thaksin's ouster in the Sept. 19 coup.

Business Decision

Many Thais were also concerned at Singapore's involvement in the transaction, even though Temasek and its parent, the Ministry of Finance, said the 33-year old company made the investment as a pure business decision and not at the direction of the city- state's government.

Temasek's Chief Executive Officer, Ho Ching, is the wife of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

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Singapore

Nigeria: Speaking Out: Shame, Singapore

Singapore is still rather barbaric...

February 15, 2007
Posted to the web February 15, 2007

Morenike Taire
Lagos

The contrast is the classic one, which is obviously why it has been explored so widely since the two events. In Lagos, a popular actress of the Yoruba genre was sentenced to a few years in jail with the option of some puny fine for attempting to traffic through the Murtala Mohammed international airport some cocaine. If her destination had been the Asian Singapore and she had been caught, her fate might have been somewhat different as was that of her younger - much younger - compatriot who was recently executed by that State, having been indicted and tried for the possession of heroine.

The controversy surrounding the execution of 19 year old Tochi has also failed to abate. Human rights communities as well as bodies the globe over have decried the manner in which the trial was conducted, and the speed with which the execution was carried out. It is also of concern that, though a young man by international standard, a 19 year old is considered just but a boy in Nigeria, and definitely too young to be executed as a first offender by any standard. Tochi might have breathed a sigh of relief upon escaping NDLEA in whatever Nigerian airport he passed through, assuming that indeed he had been a willing courier. It has been argued that, particularly after the fate of Yetunde Wunmi had been determined so expediently and favourably, that Tochi would on hindsight wished this to have been his fate.

While this can at first thought to be neither here nor there on the surface, many genuine questions have arisen from it. There is on one hand those who are complaining that the Wunmi sentence is too light, and that such lenient and seemingly indecisive treatments of drug offenders is the reason that drug abuse and trafficking is on the rise in Nigeria; there is on the other those who are protesting the extreme severity of the Tochi treatment.

Here, as with many other issues, we have yet to take some definite national and traditional stance on the issue of drugs, its trafficking, its internal distribution its (ab)use and the effect of their presence on our communities.

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It is a shame that Singapore, one of the countries so greatly praised for rising so swiftly and so gloriously to 1st World from 3rd World status, is still rather barbaric after all.

Singapore

Singapore's wealth divide widening

SINGAPORE (Reuters) -- For years, Singaporeans measured success by "the five Cs" -- cash, car, condominium, credit card and club membership.

But such trophies, especially condos, remain firmly out of reach for many Singaporeans.

While Singapore is the wealthiest country in Asia after Japan in terms of gross national income per capita, it is grappling with a widening income gap that puts it alongside countries such as Burundi and Kenya in terms of income inequality.

The 2007 budget issued on Thursday is expected to tackle such disparities through government handouts to poorer workers after a report released this week showed that 19.3 percent of Singaporean households earn less than S$24,000 ($15,600) a year.

"The five Cs used to be an aspirational goal," said Colin Goh, whose award-winning feature film "Singapore Dreaming" showed how such aspirations can shatter family relations.

"Now, Singaporeans regard them as essentials, and if you're of a certain class, practically an entitlement. Having the five Cs is no longer a sign of attaining entry into the elite. Rather, the absence of the five Cs indicates one's inadequacy," he said.

Exclusive clubs

True, some of the Cs have become more attainable.

Banks, increasingly eager to earn fat fees from consumers, are falling over themselves to offer cash advances and credit cards, although in the case of DBS, the country's biggest bank, customers need to have an annual income exceeding S$30,000.

Prices for club memberships and cars have also declined. But the entrance fee for the 160-year-old Tanglin Club, a relic of the colonial era, still costs S$20,000.

Moreover, exclusivity matters.

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Singapore

Singapore's Democratic Discourse

The recent rather misguided admission by the Peoples Action Party that they comment anonymously in online forums and blogs in order to mount a 'counter-insurgency' against the perceived anti-establishment tone of the those of us who currently dominate the discourse on Singaporean politics, has led to some questioning of the current state of affairs of online discussion.

In an article published in 2001 by Lincoln Dahlberg an attempt to overcome such structural limitations as state intervention and corporate dominance is made. Dahlberg argues that there are three 'camps' or types of internet interaction that dominate the internet. A communitarian camp which stresses the enhancement of communal spirit and vlaues. The second camp, 'liberal individualist' which facilitates the expression of individual interests, and a third and as far as I am concerned the model that is lacking in the Singaporean discourse - a deliberative camp that promotes the internet as a means for expansion of a public sphere of rational-critical citizen discourse.

As the third camp is of interest here I will quickly outline the types of sites that fit into the first two camps before asking how online deliberative forums that extend the public sphere can be created in Singapore.

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Singapore

SDP writes to International Bar Association about its conference in Singapore

13 Feb 07

The International Bar Association, an organisation of legal professionals and bodies spanning the globe, is holding is Annual Conference in Singapore in October this year. (see www.ibanet.org) Below is the SDP's letter to the IBA asking it to reconsider its decision to have its meeting here.


9 February 2007

Mark Ellis
Executive Director
International Bar Association
10th Floor
1 Stephen Street
London W1T 1AT
United Kingdom
Dear Sir,

I am given to understand that the International Bar Association (IBA) will hold its Annual Conference in Singapore from 14-19 October this year. While I would very much like to welcome you to my country, I have to highlight to you some very disturbing developments that I believe would concern the IBA.

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Singabloodypore Moves to Reporters Without Borders

http://singabloodypore.rsfblog.org


As a result of the recent incident when the comment section of this site was hacked by persons unknown it is moving to a new address. The Singapore police have been informed but because of the nature of the alleged offence I am not sure the perpetrators will be caught.

I have also searched blogger to try to work out how someone could do this and how I can protect the site from future attacks. I have been unable to find such information and previous attempts at trying to contact blogger personnel have come to nothing. So on this occasion I am moving to a paid for service.

The current blogspot site will remain available for as long as blogger continues to host it. This is to enable me to archive old articles and comments in order to hyperlink to them. I have however disabled the comment facility.

The new site is now fully operational and although it lacks the 'logo' of the original it will continue to focus on Singapore and the articles, journalistic commentary that some out there love to hate.

For the next week I will post all articles on both sites but you will only be able to comment on the new site.

I hope that those of you who so kindly link here will update your links.

http://singabloodypore.rsfblog.org

Singapore

Indonesia bans sand to Singapore

George Yeo is apparently surprised that this action might be 'politically' motivated. Imagine politics interfering in a business deal - my God. Next the foreign media will be telling George that Temasek is actually being run by the Singapore government and that it has upset the Thai authorities and led to a military coup.

George also argues that these rather drawn out negotiations have not been easy. It can be rather difficult to string a conversation out while behind his back your accomplice is robbing their home.

As the article by Michael Backman asserts

The authorities have found out and you're facing arrest. You need somewhere to go where authorities can't touch you. So where do you go? The answer is Singapore. Why? Because it is a half-hour flight from Jakarta, or 45 minutes by ferry from the Indonesian island of Batam, and, most importantly, it does not have an extradition treaty with Indonesia.

It is largely ethnically Chinese, just like many of Indonesia's white-collar criminals, if only because Indonesians of Chinese ancestry dominate that country's business sector.

Singapore finally agreed to negotiate an extradition treaty last year after years of Indonesia begging for one. The process has been ridiculously drawn out. At least six rounds of talks have been held. Indonesia is angry and feels that Singapore is being obstructionist. But why should Singapore be slow? Probably because it is a haven for Indonesian crooks on the run, and they bring their money with them. Billions of dollars in corruptly obtained funds have flowed into Singapore's property market and its banks.

So we all know how 'difficult' such negotiations can be. But for anyone to claim that any descision amongst these politicians, is some how a 'political matter' other than a mere business arrangement, well that is just down right unreasonable.

From the BBC

Singapore is to fix the price of sand used in the construction industry after Indonesia banned all exports to its city-state neighbour.

Officially Indonesia has said the ban is due to environmental concerns, but some believe it is politically driven.

A Singapore newspaper reported that it had been told that the ban was due to a difference over an extradition treaty.

Singapore is one of the largest importers of Indonesian sand, which is used to make concrete.

'Counter-productive'

Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo has said that, if true, Indonesia's suggestion that the ban was in protest over delays to an extradition treaty, was "unfortunate and counter-productive".

The two countries are separated by the Strait of Singapore

The comments were reported to have been made by an Indonesian official.

Mr Yeo added that negotiating the first extradition treaty between the two nations was not easy.

Indonesia has been pushing Singapore for an extradition treaty which Jakarta says is vital in its fight against corruption.

The Indonesian government alleges that many suspects wanted in Indonesia on corruption charges have simple fled to Singapore.

Jakarta has previously banned the export of sea sand to Singapore, which is used in land reclamation.

Singapore is now fixing the price of sand to curb any inflationary pressures as importers have to switch to alternative sources.

Singapore

Singapore detainee for 18 years dies in London

dpa German Press Agency
Published: Thursday February 8, 2007

Singapore- Ho Toon Chin, a former trade unionist detained in Singapore for 18 years, died in London from a stroke at the age of 70, news reports said Friday.

Ho served one of the longest detentions without a trial in the city-state. He was released in 1982 and became manager in a small media company.

Ho had a stroke on Sunday and died in a hospital on Tuesday, his son Hehao, 21, told The Straits Times from Britain. Ho will becremated in London on Monday.

Ho was arrested in 1963 when the government nabbed more than 100left-wing politicians and trade unionists for alleged subversive activities.

He was then general secretary of the Singapore National Seamen's Union, which was later banned.

On his release, Ho disputed the government's claim that his ideological outlook had changed and that he no longer wanted to be involved in trade union activities.

He claimed the government's statement was an attempt to "cover up" its failure to break the will of political detainees like himself, the newspaper said.

He subsequently married and went to Britain, but retained his Singaporean citizenship.

© 2006 - dpa German Press Agency

Singapore

Questions of Singapore's human rights violations raised in British Parliament

From Singapore Democratic Party
Liberal International (30 Jan 07)
7 Feb 07

Mr Michael Moore, Liberal Democrats' Shadow Foreign Secretary, had tabled Parliamentary Questions regarding Singapore's restrictions of freedom of speech and expression in the British Parliament.

He received the below responses from Ms Margaret Beckett, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

Mr Moore is due to meet the high commissioner of Singapore in London and he will ensure a demand for easing policy for freedom of expression will be discussed amongst others during that meeting.

Michael Moore:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the right to freedom of speech and expression in Singapore.

Margaret Beckett:
Sngapore's constitution provides for freedom of speech, assembly and association for Singaporean citizens. However, it also allows Singapore's Parliament to impose by law such restrictions as it sees fit to protect national security, friendly relations with other countries, public order and morality, the protection of parliamentary privilege and laws concerning contempt of court, defamation or incitement to any offence.

The Public Entertainment and Meetings Act requires a permit for public speech or entertainment, although its rules have been relaxed to allow some indoor speaking events to be exempted. By law, police permission is required for public assemblies of five or more persons. Most associations, societies, clubs, religious groups and other organisations with more than 10 members are required to register with the Government under the Societies Act and the Government can deny registration to groups that it believes are likely to have been formed for unlawful purposes.

Defamation cases can be brought and have been used by the Singapore Government. The Films Act forbids political advertising using films or videos and also prohibits films deemed to have political goals. Political and religious websites must be registered and may be subject to restrictions e.g. during elections. The Sedition Act has been used to prosecute racist comments made online. New laws to criminalise comments deemed to be harmful to racial and religious harmony are currently being discussed.

Michael Moore:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with the Government of Singapore on the application of freedom of speech, association and assembly in Singapore.

Margaret Beckett:
The Singapore Government is well aware of our views, and that of our EU partners, on these issues. Most recently we raised our concerns to the Singaporean Government, through our high commission in Singapore, regarding access for accredited non-governmental organisations to the International Monetary Fund/World Bank Annual Meetings held in Singapore in September 2006.

Michael Moore:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the detention of Dr Chee Soon Juan and other Singapore Democratic Party members by the Government of Singapore.

Margaret Beckett:
Dr Chee Soon Juan was detained on 23 November 2006 for five weeks for non-payment of a fine he received for speaking in public without a permit, a requirement under Singapore law. Dr Chee was released early on 16 December 2006. Two other members of the Singapore Democratic Party were detained at the same time and given shorter jail terms for non-payment of smaller fines. They have also been released.

Michael Moore:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the use of the death penalty in Singapore; and what representations she has made to the Government of Singapore on the use of the death penalty.

Margaret Beckett:
The UK is opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances. We believe that the abolition of the death penalty is essential for the protection of human rights under Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Singapore Government continues to use the death penalty, though the number of executions in recent years has been much lower than in the past. There is little public opposition in Singapore to use of the death penalty.

The Singapore Government is well aware of our views. Our high commissioner in Singapore raised the issue most recently in December 2006 with the Singapore Deputy Prime Minster, who is also Minister for Law.

Singapore

Singapore Bans Madonna’s Confessions

And in case you thought you might actually be missing something. Here is a video clip of the offending song and image.
Madonna Confessions Tour - Live to Tell



Anyone out there willing to argue that Singapore does not censor material?

February 6, 2007
singapore bans madonna’s confessions tour DVD for mock-crucifixion scene
By News Editor

Gay icon Madonna's The Confessions Tour: Live from London DVD, which features the singer performing the ballad Live To Tell while suspended from a giant mirrored cross, has been banned by Singapore censors. Fans who can't wait to get their hands on her latest DVD can order through the Fridae Shop.

Madonna's record breaking Confessions Tour filmed at London's Wembley Arena during her worldwide sold-out 25-city run in 2006 has been banned in Singapore for her performance on a massive neon cross in a mock-crucifixion.

Madonna performed the ballad ''Live To Tell'' while suspended from a giant mirrored cross during her ''Confessions Tour'' last year.
The Confessions Tour: Live from London DVD includes the full, unedited version of the controversial performance of her 1986 single "Live To Tell” as well as songs that span the course of Madonna's extraordinary career such as "Ray of Light", "La Isla Bonita", "Like A Virgin", "Erotica", "Music" to "Hung Up" and “Sorry” from her "Confessions On A Dance Floor" CD.

Having already been criticised in the United States where the tour first launched, the 48-year-old mother of two was again criticised by religious groups for kneeling and taking off a crown of thorns to the back-drop of a crucifix during her concert in Rome where the Holy See - which governs the Catholic Church on behalf of the Pope - is located.

The sold-out Confessions World Tour, which went to from major US cities, Canada, Europe and Japan, is the highest-grossing tour ever by a female artist in history.

Nearly two decades ago, Madonna who has a Catholic Italian-American father attracted the ire of the Catholic Church for featuring burning crosses, statues crying blood and seducing a black Jesus in her "Like a Prayer" video.

In late January, Dutch prosecutors announced that the singer will not face charges over the mock crucifixion staged on her 2006 world tour after a Protestant party SGP had called for the singer to be prosecuted. The Amsterdam prosecutor's office said the scene lent itself “to different interpretations” and through her show, “the singer tried to express her frustrations about certain situations in the world."

"It is not a question of contempt for God. Furthermore, Madonna did not discredit Christians as a group," said the prosecutor's office.

In September last year, the star said her performance was an appeal for AIDS charities and released a statement regarding the controversy. She said her specific intent is to “bring attention to the millions of children in Africa who are dying every day, and are living without care, without medicine and without hope.”

“My 'confession' follows and takes place on a Crucifix that I ultimately come down from. This is not a mocking of the church. It is no different than a person wearing a Cross or ‘Taking Up the Cross’ as it says in the Bible. My performance is neither anti-Christian, sacrilegious or blasphemous. Rather, it is my plea to the audience to encourage mankind to help one another and to see the world as a unified whole.”

“I am asking people to open their hearts and minds to get involved in whatever way they can.”

According to Warner Music, The Confessions Tour DVD is currently being distrubuted across Asia except for Singapore and Malaysia where the DVD is pending approval.

Singapore