Chapter Seven: An Orwellian Society

 For those people uninterested in Singapore, even though you’re Singaporean, then go study hard, earn some money and be blase about it all and stop reading:

So popular has the novel 1984 has been in depicting a totalitariasm government and society, that it has been used to describe governments which follow such strict political doctrines. George Orwell hinted that the novel referred to post-WWII years of Britain (and in some ways the U.S.S.R as well) when the government had a grapple hold of anything and everything that was taking place in the country.

Maybe that’s what we’re experiencing here in sunny Singapore. Far from controversy, we have one of the most highly-educated societies, lowest crime rates, lowest infant mortality rates, highest standard of living but there is a far more grim outlook to the society that is Singapore.

 The issue of homosexuality in Singapore, the issue of the Prime Minister’s pay that ranges to the 2 million dollar mark, the casino, issue of censorship and extent of liberalism, the “encouragement” of capital punishment as well as enrolment of locals in international schools are all hidden and almost subliminal as the average Singaporean does not bother about what is happening to the country, only bothering about finanical security, familial stability and social status.

Section 377A has attracted much attention from both local and international media, some branding Singapore the world’s most conservative society or to put it more crudely:-

“A first world country, with third world political thinking.”

We read in the newspapers of how NMP Thio received so-called “death threats” in her mail threatening bodily harm. The news failed to highlight the fact that she had provoked both the heterosexual and homosexual society with her almost homophobic speech in Parliment.

She blames homosexuality as a matter of personal choice. Although this may be true in some cases, the following comment places things in a different light:

“I think we are on the wrong track to spend too much time on this question. A more important question is: Why do so many people fear anyone who is different from them and thus label them sick or evil? But people never ask that. Instead, they ask: ” Then why did you choose homosexuality? ” I didn’t choose homosexuality: Homosexuality chose me. People do not wake up in the morning and say,”Gee, I think I will be a homosexual!” The only choice I had was whether to nurture or stifle my homosexual feelings. I merely chose not to be forced into “acceptable” social conduct.” [Source]

For the majority, homosexuality stems from the arousal (in lack of better words) of physical attraction that rises from either genetic variations and influences as well. Also, why don’t Singaporeans live and let live?

Take 20 years ago, ask the same question about section 377A (they repealed 377) and you would draw outbursts of disapproval and no dissent, but as you ask that very question now and as Singapore continues to develop, our society and social structure becomes ever more multi-faceted in nature and there are homosexuals present.

The following is an excerpt of 377 that has since been repealed. Can you believe that as immorally wrong it might be, before this, anal sex whether heterosexual or homosexual carried the same penalty as attempted murder?

Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animals, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Explanation. Penetration is sufficient to constitute the carnal intercourse necessary to the offence described in this section.

And also, Section 377A (Outrages on decency) states that:

Any male person who, in public or private, commits, or abets the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any male person of, any act of gross indecency with another male person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 2 years. http://blog.simplyjean.com/2007/10/22/section-377a-vs-section-377-and-having-carnal-intercourse-with-animals/

Egalitarianism (treating of everyone as equals, differing ever so slightly from idea of Socialism) that is suppose to be prevalent in a democratic society whereby each person gets one vote, gets the same tax and fines, is obviously missing in Singapore in terms of morality.

Homosexuals pay their tax, they contribute to the robust Singaporean economy but the Singaporean Gvmt fails to recognize this and this has pushed many a gifted citizen abroad in search of liberal societies that promise “paradise”. To exarcebate the matter, section 377A is in place. What place do homosexuals have in Singapore? They are just like you and I. If you treat homosexuals as such, why don’t you just treat AIDS patients as such, treat those who do not contribute to the economy (the lower income groups) as much as such?

The problem lies within the Gvmt itself with the basis of religious fundamentalism deeply rooted in the members. What Post-65 members there are, only a minority of the minority are truely liberal in the sense of America, the land of freedom.

The MM Lee spoke before about how the even in America such an issue of homosexuality was an issue that called for debate (Lost the link!) but this is where he’s wrong- one of the few times he is.

Singapore does not want gays anywhere, anytime, at all. America however allows the public display of affection between two homosexuals but the issue of concern in America is the issue of whether these homosexuals are allowed to marry or allowed to adopt children.

We live in a closeted, blanketed society that prides itself on safety, on following machinistic routine that drives the Singaporean economy- all we ever think about is money here- but we do not think or care for liberal issues. We’re failures at being free and are too conservative or just too ignorant.

Take for example the time when I conducted an informal survey (just went around asking) about the issue of gays. I went around asking for people’s views whether they would mind and what they would do if they indeed found out that their friend was gay? Would they segregate themselves from the person or would such a thing affect them?

The females did not mind, but some of the males did but what ticked me off was the rather brusque manner and immature response that ZH made.

“Can I say I don’t care?”

This only goes to show even more how totally ignorant and how unfeeling we are towards Singapore politics. Although by the generation, the citizens get smarter and smarter, what we  possess is the non chalant attitude towards the more pressing issues of a increasingly modern society.

Yes, you may be really smart and you may eventually hold some high position in life earning more money that I will ever earn with women at your side, but what you lack is your sense of rootedness in the context of pressing issues close to home.

There is really much more political dissent than I ever though there was today after trawling the blogosphere and searching the phrase “Fuck [insert ruling party since independence]” brought up many controversial websites which I know if found out , the author would be persecuted.

Why can’t we just live and let live?

So what if the person next to me on the MRT/Bus is homosexual, will I just move my place and recoil in disgust? Obviously we won’t, can’t, shouldn’t and wouldn’t.