It is well known globally that Singapore is ruled by a dictatorship-like regime, under the mock pretence of democracy:

- The Peoples' Action Party have ruthlessly weeded out anyone they deem to have the potential to challenge them, through their infamous - and unique - defamation lawsuits which have crippled many an enemy . All in the same of "Internal Security".

- Freedom of political expression in the country is virtually nil. Countless bans suppressing freedom of speech have been put into place, on the pretext of maintaining peace and stability.

- The media is under the tight grip of the government, and so whatever reports on local news are heavily biased in the government's favour. Recently, it was ranked 140th out of 167 countries in media freedom by Reporter Without Borders. It is thus preposterous to say that Singapore is a First World country when it has a Third World media. In fact, there isn't much difference between the media in Singapore and that in China and North Korea.

- Raising GST and public transport fares, among other things, have resulted in a higher cost of living in Singapore, though it is not matched with higher standard of living, and higher salaries.
- There is a ridiculously huge disparity between the salaries of the government ministers and the rest of the people. Even George Bush doesn't earn as much as the top dog in the Singapore government.

- There is a number of Singapore tertiary educated graduates who are unable to find suitable employment, some even reduced to becoming taxi drivers. The increasing employment of more foreigners has contributed to this factor. In such a competitive climate, only the strong and lucky ones can survive. The weak are weeded out.

- Elections are held every 5 years. However, the odds are heavily stacked against the opposition parties due to the unfair Group Representative Constituency system.

When the opposition parties contested more than 1/2 of the total number of seats against the ruling party in the 2006 General Elections, there was a real chance for Singaporeans to topple the PAP and embark on the road to true democracy by voting for the opposition parties.

However, the PAP has once again retained its place as the country's dominant party.

The polling results have shown that in general:

Singaporeans are afraid of the PAP / self-centered - this group, although discontent with the PAP, is fearful of repercussion, should they stand up against the government. Civil servants fear for their own promotion prospects. As long as their jobs and careers are secure, the lives of their other struggling countrymen are of no concern. Economic successes overshadow the importance of politcal freedom.

Singaporeans are stupid / ignorant - They do not see that the media is blatantly biased, and believe everything they see on TV, and read in the news. Also, the mindset of Singaporeans has been shaped and molded, such that they are apathetic to political issues.

So is Singapore a First World country? Not by a long shot. To say that it is, is an insult to countries like America, Australia etc…

Learn more about this author, Tas C.
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