Opinion | Hong Kong extradition bill: this is no Singapore living in fear, this is a city ripping itself apart
- Thoughtful Singaporeans are deeply saddened that Hong Kong’s social fabric has been torn asunder through cynical and calculated social and political agitation, writes Leslie Fong
Many Singaporeans take umbrage at the words in the placard – though equally, there must be some who agree, to varying degrees, with this indictment of our country and society. I would argue that the latter are a minority. I am told the young man is a Singaporean and self-styled dissident whose antics are not found amusing by most of his compatriots. But no matter.
He is plainly misguided, misinformed and mischievous, but what he did brings to mind a phrase which an Englishwoman, Evelyn Beatrice Hall, writing under the pseudonym S.G. Tallentyre, used in her book The Friends of Voltaire: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” That was meant as an illustration of the French philosopher’s beliefs, but is often misattributed to Voltaire himself to make the case for freedom of speech.
I accept that the demonstrator is entitled to his opinion. But friends of mine who are less forgiving of this uncalled-for aspersion against Singapore have suggested in retort that he ought to check just how many ordinary Hong Kong folks would choose to live in Singapore if given the chance. That is an interesting question.
The more pertinent one, though, is how many Singaporeans would want to live in so divided and strife-riven a place as today’s Hong Kong. I say this not to disparage Hong Kong, which I have been visiting regularly for the past 40 years or more, and which has grown on me, but as a mark of profound sorrow at the sad spectacle of a city smothering itself in full global view. Egged on by some Western media, I might add.
