I am disappointed with, and perplexed by, the Media Development Authority’s (MDA) decision to classify the film To Singapore, with Love as Not Allowed for All Ratings, which means it cannot be distributed or exhibited in Singapore due to national security concerns.
For our society to mature, we should move from dictating what Singaporeans can or cannot view to giving them the freedom to explore different kinds and sources of information. (“Local film barred for ‘undermining national security’”; Sept 11)
We must have faith in Singaporeans’ ability to discern what information is useful and what is not, and to debate civilly and openly among themselves. More importantly, for our citizenry to remain rooted to Singapore and believe in “Singaporeanness”, not only must our past achievements be celebrated, but the traumas should also be remembered. To continue a top-down approach to crafting our national narrative would create cynicism among Singaporeans, alienating them from the Singaporean identity that we want to build.
Moreover, I doubt the film poses a national security threat. I do not see how it would poison Singaporeans down the path of violent destruction and encourage the establishment of a communist state, since communism as a political ideology has been disproven. The MDA should allow it to be shown, even if restrictions, such as an R21 rating, are imposed.
Singaporeans would then have a chance to watch it, debate it and have a greater understanding of our colonial and post-colonial past.
HAN MING GUANG
*Letter first appeared on TODAY, Voices (13 Sept)