28 November 2008

The government wants active citizens so that they can harass them

Remember the campaign a few years back calling for "active citizens"? Here's a story about the troubles we go through, harassed by the governmental apparatus every step of the way when one attempts to organise a forum and film showcase. Full essay.

5 comments:

yuen said...

first allow me to point out that "they can harass them" is ambiguous in meaning: government harass citizens or the reverse?

all governments need active supporters, as well as critics, not just obedient yesmen who provide no useful feedback

it is however very hard to spread a pro-government message: if what you say is identical to the government line, people wont take notice; if your message is a bit different, people wonder why; critical comments and rants are much easier to think of, and come in larger numbers; this is just how things go naturally, and there is no need to get paranoid

Anonymous said...

A Singapore video to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Anonymous said...

Its a hard core dictatorship as the years progresses in Spore, getting from bad to worse. Never ever believe a single word about "engaging" citizens thru this & that. Its all a great wayang show. Done to appease the western powers that there really is "democracy" in Spore.

You did not sign a confidentiality agreement with the govt agencies about your organization tasks so why should the authorities put pressure on you. You are merely stating the difficulties in getting things done & being complaint to a wishy washy admin process that seems like an elastic rubber band!

Anonymous said...

It is time that all civic societies in Singapore consider holding ALL their events in JB.

There are so, so much advantages...

First, it's cheaper.
Then, it allows more freedom.
Also, sends a sense of deep shame to Singapore authorities...

Anonymous said...

In what form did the pressure take?(footnote 2)