The regimented city-state
does a masterful job dissuading would-be activists.
The banner went up as the
sun set over Singapore. Next came the tea lights, laid out on the grass around
a poster of the Goddess of Democracy. Black-clad supporters and eager press
photographers clustered around the mound, taking photos of the arrangement as
people added their own messages of support and encouragement.
The event, organized by
local activists and advertised on Facebook only two days beforehand, drew a
larger-than-expected crowd of about 400 to the park in a show of solidarity
with protesters in Hong Kong.
The huge,
sprawling protests in Hong Kong are the international media’s new darling,
hogging the headlines and trending on Twitter. Pundits have speculated that
Hong Kong’s stunning show of civil disobedience could inspire other movements in Asia.
It is possible, of course, that events in Hong Kong could spark similar
collection action in places like Taiwan or Macau (the Hong Kong protests
themselves feature strong echoes of Taiwan’s Sunflower Movement earlier
this year). But there’s one city-state in Asia that is unlikely to follow in
Hong Kong’s footsteps.
Singapore
and Hong Kong are often compared. They’re both densely populated cities with a
majority Chinese population, and had both been under British colonial rule
(Singapore gained independence from the British upon its merger with Malaysia
in 1963, while Hong Kong was handed over to China in 1997). They’re both
financial centers that have achieved impressive economic success, but are now
facing issues of income inequality and rising costs of living.
Yet
recent events have made it clear that there’s one aspect in which there can be
no comparison: that of civil society and grassroots political activism.
As Hong
Kongers thronged the streets in the heart of their city in a stubborn demand
for universal suffrage and democracy, Singaporeans were caught up in their own
little piece of controversy about collective action and civil disobedience.
On
September 27, organizers of the #ReturnOurCPF protest – a monthly assembly
against the People’s Action Party (PAP) and the management of Singapore’s
pension fund – led their supporters on mini-processions that disrupted a charity event
organized by the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), at which special
needs children were performing and a junior minister of the PAP government was
a guest of honor.
Reaction
was swift. Protesters were condemned for “heckling” special needs children
– a charge that led to some quibbling over the exact definition of the
word “heckle.” Local broadsheet The Straits Times described the scene as
“chaos.” Political commentator Devadas Krishnadas labeled the #ReturnOurCPF
cause “anarchic,” claiming that its organizers had eschewed “mature and
peaceful ways to communicate” in favor of “confrontational methods which play
on the emotions surrounding hot button issues.”
Stephan
Ortmann, a research fellow at the City University of Hong Kong, agrees that the
disruption of the charity event was not a good strategic move on the part of
the protesters, but sees the backlash against the disruption as a sign of
Singapore’s unfamiliarity with modes of activism.
“It shows
that Singaporeans are still not really ready to protest. Many feel it is not a
legitimate strategy. Also the event had many misrepresentations, which was
unfortunate. However, I think the readiness to see fault with the protesters
shows the predisposition against any non-conformative behavior which is still
prevalent,” he wrote in response to a question from The Diplomat.
“There is
currently more widespread acceptance of political activity of various sorts in
Hong Kong than in Singapore. People in Hong Kong are also more accustomed to
advocacy and demonstrations,” said Ian Chong, a political scientist working in
Singapore.
There are
reasons for this discomfort. Although Singapore’s road to independence from its
colonial masters was marked with civil disobedience, demonstrations have been,
by design, relatively absent in a sovereign Singapore.
This can
be illustrated by Wednesday night’s solidarity event. It was held in Hong Lim
Park, where the #ReturnOurCPF protest was also held, because Hong Lim Park is
the only space in Singapore where people are able to assemble and
demonstrate without a police permit. The Public Order Act introduced in 2009 stipulates that
“cause-related activities will be regulated by permit regardless of the number
of persons involved or the format they are conducted in.” Permits aren’t often
issued for protests or demonstrations, though; even a fun run in support of
LGBT rights was rejected “in the interest
of public order” because it was a “socially divisive issue.”
The
police showed up at Hong Lim Park before the event to remind organizers of the
rules: foreigners aren’t allowed to participate, and foreign flags can’t be
displayed. They later brought several foreigners in for questioning over their
involvement in the event.
Although
the police has not yet charged any of the individuals, the act of questioning
underscores just how restrictive Singapore can be when it comes to political
expression.
“The
costs for protests in Hong Kong are much lower than in Singapore. There is no
apparent monitoring, though people are still concerned about their jobs if they
take a leading role,” wrote Ortmann. “In addition, Singaporeans are much more
deeply embedded in a system of government control from housing to
government-linked jobs to government-run kindergartens… this acts as a
co-optation mechanism.”
This
context is what makes a Singaporean version of the Umbrella Revolution unlikely
any time soon. The situation in Hong Kong can also come across as more dire,
even in economic terms.
“Observers
note that Singapore is the second most unequal developed economy in the world
in terms of income. Well, Hong Kong is the most unequal. Middle and low income
people in Hong Kong feel such pressures far more intensely than in Singapore,”
Chong noted.
Singaporean
activist Rachel Zeng – one of the organizers of the solidarity gathering
– feels that the difference in societal mindset is key. “I think the major
difference is the sense of ownership in their country’s affairs. I think they
have a very strong sense of community and solidarity among each other.”
But the
current context and relative political immaturity doesn’t mean that such a
social movement will always be impossible in Singapore. Young Singaporeans might
not yet find themselves in an environment amenable to an umbrella revolution,
but many continue to follow developments in Hong Kong with interest.
“In terms
of activism and civil society they are miles ahead of us, especially the
students,” remarked 17-year-old Ariffin Sha, who showed up at Hong Lim Park
early to help set up. “It is so inspiring to see that they can do that.”
Kirsten
Han is a writer, videographer and photographer. Originally from Singapore, she
has worked on documentary projects around Asia and written for publications
including Waging Nonviolence, Asian Correspondent and The
Huffington Post.
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