Originally posted by CenturionMBT:
And one more thing speakers corner is not here to let you criticise another race be it good or bad. See rule number one in the guidelines. I will be closing this in 2 hours. So say whatever you need to say within this time period.
Don't close this thread. Let it be used to compare and contrast government policies and how it affects social life in Malaysia, Singapore & Australia.
Kuala Lumpur is like an acidic solution. It is poorly regulated and corruption is rife. Crime rates are high as a result. There is occasional disorder like street protests against unpopular leaders. It is not surprising to find secret dealings between the underworld elements and the town councils.
Singapore is at the other end of the pH scale. It is rigidly controlled and all dissent is ruthlessly supressed. The tiny size gives it an advantage in policing the population. Corrupt officials are shamed publicly and their ill-gotten wealth seized. But many of the state functions are cloaked in secrecy. We don't even know how our taxes are managed. Street protesters can kiss goodbye to their freedom under the ISA, even if they had a valid reason for their actions.
The Australian cities are like a neutral solution because the inhabitants have the best of both worlds. They have a clean efficient system and a free press. The actions of public officials are closely scrutinised by the media (more so in UK, by the way). The government agencies are therefore accountable to their constituents. If any public official has failed in his dities, he must be prepared to face the wrath of street protesters. You can hold anti-Iraq war protests outside John Howard's office and you won't face detention under the ISA or even the wrath of armoured vehicles.