I refer to Aung San Suu Kyi headed to Singapore. In the news, it was mentioned that Ms Aung would like to learn more about Singapore and it’s political and economic system. It was organised by Temasek Holdings, MAS and EDB Singapore. Click on –http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/aung-san-suu-kyi-headed-singapore
One of my Myanmar friend who came to Singapore to work a year ago.
In the beginning, he asked a lot of questions on Singapore’s political system, good governance and admired Lee Kwan Yew and Lee Hsien Loong. (yes. they have a very good image overseas)
This Myanmar friend also admired Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, the opposition leader who was under house arrest for more than 20 years.
However, I had to correct him. Dr Chia Thye Poh and Said Zahari was held in prison for more than 20 years in Singapore for political beliefs. This Myanmar friend of mine let out a puzzled “Huh?!” and asked for more information.
I told him to Google search “Operation Coldstore” and “Marxist Conspiracy” on Wikipedia and do some homework.
The next day, this Myanmar friend came running to me and was shocked to learn that Singapore has it’s own version of “Aung San Suu Kyi” and jailed and sued / ‘fixed’ political opponents too.
He was surprised that Lee Hsien Loong painted a very good image of himself and many overseas people from Thailand, Taiwan and China all thought that PM Lee is a gentleman.
Recently, he asked me one question after reading PM Lee’s reshuffling of his Cabinet and promoted some of them such as Chan Chun Sen to full Minister even though Chan had barely been in Parliament for less than 3 years.
He asked, “Why is Low Thia Kiang who has been in Parliament for more than 20 years, still not holding any Ministerial position but some MPs have already retired or has been promoted?”
I hope that this Myanmar friend will find out more that once you are in the Opposition parties, PM Lee has his own way of fixing you, much like the same way Ms Aung San Suu Kyi has suffered.
I hope that Ms Aung will let our PAP ministers know what is true democracy all about, rather than just shake hands with MAS, Temasek Holdings and EDB.
CJ
TRS contributor