Вы находитесь на странице: 1из 1

review insight 쐽 ● THE STRAITS TIMES SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27 2008 PAGE A32

She would later apologise for it.

POLITICS IN Mr Liu ultimately turned down a new


deal, declining to extend his contract
beyond the end of this year.

REVIEW: A YEAR 7. New media rising


NOT only did new media matters grab
more headlines in old media than ever
before, but the influence of new media

OF HIGH DRAMA
began to catch the attention of govern-
ments in Singapore and elsewhere.
In Singapore, a much-anticipated
report by a government-appointed coun-
cil looking into the impact of new media
was released this month. The council

200
took a year of study and a further six
weeks of public consultation before releas-
ing a 224-page final report.
One major change pitched by the Advi-
sory Council on the Impact of New Media
on Society was the lifting of the outright
ban on party political films. The council
recommended doing it in stages, with the
films requiring the approval of a panel in
the first stage.
Whether the proposal gets the nod will
be known when the Government re-
sponds to the report early next year.
As was the case with the announce-
ment allowing protests, some hailed the
move while others said it wasn’t enough.
Still, there are signs of further opening
up. A film documenting the protest at
Speakers’ Corner during the 2006 World
Bank and International Monetary Fund

BY JEREMY AU YOUNG O NE word best describes 2008: drama.


There was drama in the economy,
drama on the stock market, drama in
Parliament, drama at the Olympics and even
drama when you took a peek at your electricity
meetings was passed by the censors.
No less significant is how happenings
elsewhere have raised questions in Singa-
pore about the extent to which new me-
dia will affect the country’s politics.
bill. Of course, the top provider of drama this year The big part it played in the US polls
last month and the shock outcome in the
was the economy. Malaysian general election in March
At the start of the year, the big issue was rising prices. Fast forward a few short months, prompted multiple seminars and talks on
and a global economic crisis has everyone thinking fondly of the inflation. whether such scenarios might be repeat-
But one event that gave a strong boost to Singapore’s spirit was the drama at the ed in Singapore.
International Court of Justice in the Netherlands. Singaporeans, however, had to sweat for The one point that broke through was
two hours, listening to the 16-judge panel set out its arguments, before they heard the good that new media cannot be ignored.
news: Singapore had been given sovereignty over Pedra Branca.
2008 was also a year of loss. MP Ong Chit Chung, 59, died suddenly. Also unexpected was 8. Money, money, money
the death of opposition stalwart J.B. Jeyaretnam, 82, who had made his political comeback IN SOME quarters, the colour of PM
earlier this year. Lee’s shirt at the National Day Rally was
The event that probably produced the heaviest drama early in the year was the escape of a good indicator of the times.
terrorist leader Mas Selamat Kastari from a detention centre here. Last year, when the economy was
Beyond Singapore, events unfolded that made Singaporeans realise more than ever how booming, he wore a bluish-green shirt
interconnected they are to the rest of the world. Dramatic political changes in the United that was cheerfully bright. This year, the
States, Thailand and Malaysia also meant a busy year for those managing Singapore’s foreign shirt was grey.
relations. Little wonder too, as the economic tur-
With all this drama, especially on the economic front, it is with a wary step that moil has unleashed many difficult prob-
lems for political leaders.
Singaporeans enter 2009. But before that, Insight takes one last look at 2008. At the start of the year, rising costs
were the big issue, with the price of every-
thing from fuel to rice to a cuppa going
up. In March, inflation in Singapore hit a
1. Hide and seek The reshuffle also saw five Ministers 26-year high of 7.5 per cent.
of State promoted to Senior Ministers of Right up to the National Day Rally,
IT SPARKED a thorough review of the State, including Mr Gan. The others inflation was top of the agenda. PM Lee,
Internal Security Department’s (ISD) were: Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Mr S. Iswaran, in his speech, reassured Singaporeans the
operations, raised questions about offic- Government was on top of the problem.
Ms Grace Fu and Rear-Admiral (NS) Lui
ers being overworked, was at the centre Tuck Yew. First-term MP Teo Ser Luck He announced that the Government
of oh-so-many debates in Parliament, moved up from Parliamentary Secretary would spend more than $3 billion to help
backed up traffic at the land borders, saw defray the higher cost of living. The mon-
to Senior Parliamentary Secretary.
the launch of the largest-ever manhunt in The changes were well received, with ey would be used to fund measures such
Singapore, and spawned numerous jokes Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong noting as a goods and services tax offset pack-
about going to toilet and not coming that the slow and steady approach allows age, Budget 2008 surplus sharing, and a
back. Workfare Income Supplement Scheme to
younger ministers to be tried out gradual-
By some distance, the escape of ly. boost the earnings of low-wage workers
Jemaah Islamiah leader Mas Selamat Kas- and Central Provident Fund savings.
tari on Feb 27 was the year’s biggest polit- In addition, the National Wages Coun-
ical story. No one is sure of the exact 3. At The Bar I: At The Hague
cil urged employers who could afford it to
path he took to escape or the number of A 30-YEAR bone – or rather, rock – of give workers a one-off inflation bonus.
pants he was wearing, but a re-creation contention between neighbours was final- But the problem of inflation would be
by the Home Affairs Ministry had him out ly resolved in May when the International overshadowed in September when US
of the high-security detention centre at Court of Justice ruled that Pedra Branca investment bank Lehman Brothers col-
Whitley Road in just 49 seconds. He had belonged to Singapore. lapsed. That marked the start of a crisis
been left alone for 11 minutes. Malaysia did not come away emp- that would spread like wildfire across the
To get out, he probably took advan- ty-handed though, as the court awarded globe.
tage of a string of security lapses and hu- it the nearby Middle Rocks. Who owns a In Singapore, the first casualties were
man errors, including a toilet window third maritime feature, South Ledge, is investments linked to Lehman Brothers.
with no grilles, guards who failed in their being worked out by the two countries. About 10,000 retail investors had
duties and CCTV cameras that were not The reading of the verdict took two pumped more than $500 million into
recording. hours, with Singaporeans watching via a structured products linked to the bank-
When presenting the details in Parlia- live telecast from The Hague. It was not That was just one of the many times Still others, such as Mr Lau Su How, rupt bank. Eight town councils had also
ment in April, Deputy Prime Minister the most entertaining television, but it the Chees were in court this year. They who had opened a cafe at the nearby com- put money into those toxic investments
Wong Kan Seng, who is also Home Af- had its audience rapt. were also there on trial as part of a group munity centre, hoped protests would and could lose about $16 million.
fairs Minister, said the “mistakes have The first half made for terrible viewing of 19 who had been charged with illegal bring more business. Although the People’s Action Party
turned out to be so simple as to appear for Singaporeans, as the court listed why assembly. The opening up certainly brought new argued that the sum amounted to just a
silly and incredible”. Malaysia had the original title to Pedra The year also saw the courts acting to life to the area, with meetings taking fraction of the total sinking fund man-
As a result, nine people – from the Gur- Branca, contrary to Singapore’s argument defend their integrity from attack. place almost every weekend. aged by all its 14 town councils, it
kha guards up to the supervising officer that it was no man’s land. Then, about Apart from the kangaroo T-shirt case, The events there have ranged from ral- acknowledged that it was understandable
in the ISD – were sacked, relieved of their halfway through, the tone switched and it the Attorney-General’s Chambers lies by investors who bought products for residents to be upset.
appointments or disciplined. was the Malaysians’ turn to twitch in launched contempt of court proceedings linked to failed US investment bank Leh- In an interview with The Straits Times
The punishments themselves sparked their seats as the verdict seemed to swing against Dow Jones Publishing (Asia) for man Brothers, to a memorial for late oppo- earlier this month, Health Minister Khaw
a debate over accountability and where in Singapore’s favour. three articles that alleged bias and lack of sition figure J.B. Jeyaretnam, to an event Boon Wan assured Singaporeans the sink-
the buck should stop. In the end, the island, home to the independence on the part of the Singa- for parents to match-make their children. ing fund was well managed, adding that
In the days following the escape, every Horsburgh Lighthouse since 1851, was pore judiciary. The publisher was fined this was a year when even the best of
mobile phone in Singapore received a pic- awarded to Singapore because Malaysia $25,000. investors would have lost money.
ture and short description of Mas Sela- had not protested against Singapore’s ac-
6. Tears of joy, and sadness Then came retrenchments, with DBS
In another case, former Singaporean
mat, which included the fact that he tivity there until it was too late. lawyer Gopalan Nair was taken to task for FOR the first time, a rescheduled TV Bank and Neptune Orient Lines among
limped. writing a blog that had accused Justice show made front page news. Of course, the first few to cut staff.
Soon, calls were coming in from every- 4. At The Bar II: In Singapore Ang of “prostituting” herself to the MM this was no ordinary show: It was the tele- The Government swiftly rolled out a
where of sightings, some of which were and PM during the assessment of damag- cast of the National Day Rally. slew of measures to help temper the
THE Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) – effects of the global crisis.
quite inaccurate. One call led to a Bangla- es hearing. Mr Nair, a US citizen who The rally itself would go ahead, but the
deshi tourist – in Singapore to seek medi- its leaders as well as several members and First, in October, it guaranteed all
flew to Singapore to attend the trial, had telecast was pushed back a day so it
cal treatment for an injured leg – receiv- supporters – indisputably made up the local and foreign currency deposits in
also challenged the Government to arrest would not clash with the Olympic table
ing a shock visit from several police offic- most regular non-lawyer visitors to court banks, to ensure spooked clients did not
this year. him. He was jailed three months for in- tennis final between Singapore and Chi-
ers at his flat. sulting a public servant. na. move their funds to safer pastures.
Later in the year, a $1 million bounty Whether it was for illegal assemblies, To help stave off retrenchments, it
speaking in public without a permit, con- Now back in the US, he has retracted The game was history-making as it
was placed on the fugitive’s head by the apologies and statements made would determine whether Singapore’s started a $600 million training package
tempt of court or defamation, they were that would give higher subsidies for
private donors. Three men quit their pri- against the judiciary and a judge in anoth- first Olympic medal in 48 years would be
vate sector jobs to hunt him down. there to face charges. course fees, as well as pay up to 90 per
In one instance, three people who er case, and repeated the criticisms that a gold or a silver. Though the Chinese
Mas Selamat might be out of sight but got him into trouble in the first place. won, everyone was delighted Singapore cent of a worker’s salary during the train-
went to court to watch a hearing were ing period.
he is one person who won’t be out of finally had another medal.
found guilty of having committed an The Government also pledged $2.3 bil-
Singaporeans’ minds.
offence by wearing T-shirts that depicted 5. Newest hot spot in town PM Lee interrupted his speech to send
lion to help businesses gain access to cred-
a kangaroo dressed in a judge’s robes. ON SEPT 1, Ms Nithya Sree, dressed as his congratulations to the team.
2. Shuffle and leap it.
The three refused to apologise for their an abused maid, sat in a chair in Hong Still, a stunning announcement barely
Finally, the Finance Ministry
IN A year when the Cabinet reshuffle was act and were jailed. Lim Park wearing a neck brace and an a week later put a damper on things. announced the Budget would be out in
incremental, one big appointment stood The hearing they attended in May was arm sling. Beside her, fellow activist Mike Table Tennis Association president Lee January, almost a month earlier than nor-
out: Mr K. Shanmugam moved from the one that captured unprecedented public Goh gave a short speech while others Bee Wah, an MP, said the services of mal. Finance Minister Tharman Shanmu-
backbench to a prominent position on the attention. All eyes were on the courts as handed out leaflets about maid abuse. team manager Anthony Lee were no long- garatnam promised the Budget would pay
front bench. The MP and Senior Counsel they sought to assess damages in a defa- The event lasted 10 minutes – but it er required. Also, a committee would special attention to businesses and fami-
was appointed Law Minister and Second mation suit won by Prime Minister Lee was a landmark few minutes. decide the future of head coach Liu Guo- lies hit by the downturn.
Minister for Home Affairs. Hsien Loong and Minister Mentor Lee The event was the first legal outdoor dong. Like many people, top civil servants
It marked the first time in 23 years Kuan Yew against the SDP, its secre- protest in Singapore in 20 years, made Singapore’s top male paddler Gao Ning and ministers saw their pay packages
that an MP had made such a leap. The tary-general Chee Soon Juan and his sis- possible because of a loosening of restric- had found himself with no coach by his shrink as bonuses dived. An increment in
last time was in 1985, when Dr Richard ter Chee Siok Chin. tions at Speakers’ Corner. side for his third-round singles match. their pay, scheduled for early next year,
Hu became Trade and Industry Minister The hearing drew huge crowds, who In his National Day Rally Speech, PM He crashed out to a much lower-ranked was shelved.
one month after he had been elected an queued outside the Supreme Court build- Lee announced that outdoor protests Croatian, proving the importance of hav- More challenges lie ahead, but Mr
MP. ing before it opened, keen to see the Chee would be allowed at the park, and that ing someone yell at you from the side- Tharman did sound an optimistic note
Other changes included Dr Ng Eng siblings cross-examine the PM and the the National Parks Board, not the police, lines. Gao was left crushed and in tears. when he spoke about the coming Budget.
Hen’s move from the Manpower Ministry MM. would see to events held there. This slip-up triggered an angry “We have accumulated surpluses over
to the Education Ministry, with Minister In the end, Justice Belinda Ang award- Response to the opening up has been response from Ms Lee, hence the big this term of government which we didn’t
of State for Manpower Gan Kim Yong ed the Lees $950,000 in damages. If the mixed, with some applauding it as a big changes. Her news, in turn, sparked spend entirely in this year’s Budget,” he
stepping into the gap as Acting Manpow- SDP fails to pay its share of the sum, the step forward and others saying it wasn’t anger among fans and the team, with said. “We think we will come out of the
er Minister. party could be wound up. enough. many accusing her of poor timing. tunnel in good shape.”

Вам также может понравиться