Phil C. W. Chan

Singapore is no alternative for Hongkongers angered by loss of freedoms – the Lion City’s restraints go far beyond Hong Kong’s

As Hongkongers who decry the erosion of freedoms look elsewhere, it’s worth remembering they still enjoy rights Singaporeans do not. For example, a counterpart to the hated Emergency Regulations Ordinance is a regular law in the Lion City

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The words “Repeal 377A”, referencing a law that criminalises sexual acts between men, are formed by the crowd during the Pink Dot festival at Speaker's Corner in Hong Lim Park, Singapore, on June 29. Photo: EPA-EFE

Phil C. W. Chan

Published: 9:00am, 25 Oct 2019Updated: 9:02am, 25 Oct 2019

Hong Kong has seen more than four months of increasingly violent protests, prompted by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s now-withdrawn extradition bill and allegations of escalating police brutality. Predictably, many Hongkongers are looking to emigrate to a happier, freer land.

It therefore strikes me as puzzling that one of the countries Hongkongers, who long for democracy, rights and freedoms, consider moving to is Singapore. Having lived in Singapore, where I read for my doctorate a decade ago, I offer some immigration advisory beyond the similar skyscrapers and cultural and ethnic surrounds.

The protests in Hong Kong could not have happened in Singapore for the same reasons they could not have happened in mainland China, even if the Singapore government deploys slightly different means.

While Singapore has retained Westminster-style unicameral parliamentary government and the common law legal system since attaining independence in 1965, the People’s Action Party dominates all aspects of governance.

With an all-encompassing survivalist mentality, constructed on the basis of Singapore’s small size and population juxtaposed against its large and populous (Muslim) neighbours, its lack of natural resources and its multiracial character, Singapore takes an authoritarian approach to governance.

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong celebrates with supporters at a rally on September 12, 2015, as the results from the last general election come in. The PAP holds 82 out of 100 seats in Singapore’s Parliament, with the next largest party holding nine. Photo: Bloomberg