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Written on May 14, 2009 by Kelvin Teo

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Wrong to judge an NMP through tinted lenses

Wrong to judge NMP through tinted lenses

(photo credits:Darwin Bell)

SINGAPORE – A fellow contributor of the Kent Ridge Common showed me the REACH webpage carrying the title “Singapore on the lookout for new NMP candidates”. The page is open to comments from the public. There were a number of comments which caught my eye. Admittedly, those were comments which were critical of NMP Siew Kum Hong. I will append two such comments below for discussion:

“NMP should be one with respect and integrity. How can one to be NMP when he does not even respect Singapore law and continue pushing homosexual lifestyle against Penal code 377A and against the wish of majority Singaporean. This pro-gays activity is destroying Asian values, family values and creates tension and crack in harmony of the multi-racial and multi-religious Singapore. I urge Parliamentary Select Committee to consider the view of majority Singaporean in appointing the NMP. ”
– by GET THE FACT RIGHT
09 May 09 , 14:48 PM

and

” The AWARE saga has uncovered questionable (public) behaviour of prominent figures of society, for example ex and current NMPs (eg Mr Siew who had contributed actively to the whole fiasco rather than encourage reconciliation & peaceful resolutions) and CNA newscasters & ST reporters who showed their true colours in bias reporting.”
– by isay
08 May 09 , 11:05 AM

It was very interesting for the commenter “GET THE FACT RIGHT” to include a point about Asian values in his arguement. Minister Mentor Mr Lee Kuan Yew happens to be a champion of Asian values. It was in 1998 when a gay man once quizzed Mr Lee though the telephone: “As we move into a more tolerant millennium, what do you think is the future for gay people in Singapore, if there is a future at all?”

And Mr Lee’s response?

Well, it’s not a matter which I can decide or any government can decide. It’s a question of what a society considers acceptable. And as you know, Singaporeans are by and large a very conservative, orthodox society, a very, I would say, completely different from, say, the United States and I don’t think an aggressive gay rights movement would help. But what we are doing as a government is to leave people to live their own lives so long as they don’t impinge on other people. I mean, we don’t harass anybody.

Mr Lee’s response, at least from my interpretation, can be considered neutral. Coming from someone of his influence, he has rightly pointed out that people in general, which includes gays, are entitled to their own space, so long as they do not impinge on others. And his initial response hit home the entire message:”Well, it’s not a matter which I can decide or any government can decide. It’s a question of what a society considers acceptable.” Thus, in a certain sense, the point that Mr Lee is trying to put across is that any lines pertaining to the stand on homosexuality will not be drawn by the government, but should be decided by the society in general. Of course, Mr Lee went on to observe that Singapore is a largely conservative society different from the other western democracies. But that can change. If our society becomes more inclusive, who is to say that gay rights movement will not be an impossibility here? One can obviously infer from Mr Lee’s reply his neutral position towards homosexuality. But, the other well-known mentor (feminist one) didn’t believe in that. Of course, one can argue that Mr Lee’s version of Asian values has got more to do with deference to authority, but that is a debate for another day.

Back to the comments on REACH, it appears that many of the criticisms of NMP Siew centred on his participation at AWARE and his attempt to repeal Section 377A of the Penal code. A number of them lacked objectivity, associating his support for the old guards of AWARE to promoting homosexuality. Even the feminist mentor said that AWARE was portraying homosexuality in the neutral light. So when has the neutrality turned into bias at one end?

Page 1 / Page 2 /

321916 Comments2009-05-14+11%3A27%3A30Kelvin+Teo on "Wrong to judge an NMP through tinted lenses"

tongtong on Thu, 14th May 2009 6:56 pm

kent ridge common is sooooooo lame…

Kelvin_Teo on Thu, 14th May 2009 11:46 pm

Dear Tongtong:

I don\\'t think supporting Siew Kum Hong is lame.

Sincerely yours

Allan Tan on Fri, 15th May 2009 1:49 am

We should not conclude who is right or wrong at the start point. Everyone should have a chance to state his opinion. Ultimately, our decisions will result in another type of society 10 years on. After that, we will all look back and debate on it again.

My point is more subtle. Do we want leaders who look good and sound good to the public, but may be hiding some opinions and lifestyle for fear of being rejected? We see this in other countries and a few in sg. Our ppl need to choose based on this – open debate with frank opinions, or suppressed people who behave themselves to gain acceptance. The Aware saga my have looked ugly, but the more important point is, there were people who dared to speak out.

So what kind of NMP do we want?

Kelvin_Teo on Fri, 15th May 2009 3:24 am

Dear Allan:

Thanks for your comments. My current article was a reaction to some of the comments made in the REACH portal.

I am fine with disagreement of anti-Repeal 377A or support of AWARE old guards on the part of conservative ones. What I find wrong in my opinion is to paint the entire character of Siew based on these 2 instances. Our law does not forbid a motion to repeal Section 377A or other existing laws for that matter. But sadly, those who see things through the tinted lenses wrongly accuse Siew of "flouting the law".

Kelvin_Teo on Fri, 15th May 2009 3:25 am

If for example, lets say I file a motion to repeal Section 33 of the Film's Act:

Making, distribution and exhibition of party political films
33. Any person who —

(a) imports any party political film;

(b) makes or reproduces any party political film;

(c) distributes, or has in his possession for the purposes of distributing, to any other person any party political film; or

(d) exhibits, or has in his possession for the purposes of exhibiting, to any other person any party political film,

knowing or having reasonable cause to believe the film to be a party political film shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years.

Can I be considered to be flouting the law?

Sincerely yours

SIncerely yours

The Singapore Daily » Blog Archive » Daily SG: 15 May 2009 on Fri, 15th May 2009 11:47 am

[...] Daily Discourse – TOC: The fallacy of “growth at all costs” (part two) – groundnotes: It ain’t easy being Singaporean – geraldgiam.sg: Shoddy interrogation methods – The Kent Ridge Common: Wrong to judge an NMP through tinted lenses [...]

George on Sat, 16th May 2009 3:19 am

Kelvin,
The AWARE saga exposes the small-mindedness of a section of our population who profess to be members of an 'enlightened' religion.

I am a Christian myself but am appalled by the exposed backward mindset of some fellow
Christians.

Kelvin_Teo on Sat, 16th May 2009 3:46 am

Hm, someone should really explain to them the meaning of the Greek term \\"Agape\\" or unconditional love.

Sincerely yours

The Singapore Daily » Blog Archive » Weekly Roundup: Week 20 on Sat, 16th May 2009 12:51 pm

[...] Daily Discourse – Brightsparks Forum: Against Uncritical Pragmatism: Education for Doers Who Can Think and Thinkers Who Can Do [Recommended] – TOC: The fallacy of “growth at all costs” (Part One) – Illusio: Defending the right of Christians to discuss – Getting at the Truth: Singapore – haven for money and fugitives – Civic Advocator: GRC system detrimental to democratic development of Singapore – TOC: In memory of the victims of the Sichuan Earthquake – geraldgiam.sg: Abortions in S’pore must be reduced – The Singapore Sports Fan Says: Newsflash: Singapore sweep all three medals in men’s triple jump at Arafura – Seelan Palay’s Blog: Bloodbath in Sri Lanka [Thanks Seelan] – TOC: The fallacy of “growth at all costs” (part two) – groundnotes: It ain’t easy being Singaporean – geraldgiam.sg: Shoddy interrogation methods – The Kent Ridge Common: Wrong to judge an NMP through tinted lenses [...]

The Singapore Daily » Blog Archive » Weekly Roundup: Week 20 on Sat, 16th May 2009 12:51 pm

conservative on Mon, 18th May 2009 3:01 pm

Is Siew Kum Hong a homosexual? Every time I hear about him… he is advancing the cause of the homosexuals.

Kelvin_Teo on Mon, 18th May 2009 3:07 pm

Dear conservative:

Perhaps you can try visiting siewkumhong.blogspot.com for a change. That may have your opinion of him.

Sincerely yours

Chia Yeow Tong on Mon, 18th May 2009 4:34 pm

Kelvin,
I have problems choosing Siew Kum Hong too. Unfortunately, the choice is not yours or mine to make. The problem lies in the undemocratic nature of the NMP scheme. Yes, we have had good NMPs in like Siew Kum Hong, but that doesn't change the NMP scheme disenfranches voters. And don't forget that it is Parliamentary Selection Committee that selects the NMPs. Do we want to abdicate our democratic rights as citizens to elect our MPs, and let a small select group choose for us?

Kelvin_Teo on Mon, 18th May 2009 4:38 pm

Dear Yeow Tong:

I believe Chiam has raised an objection in parliament too. However, my article is more towards judging the ability and achievements of Siew rather to raise an objection against the NMP scheme.

Sincerely yours

milch on Thu, 28th May 2009 6:05 pm

he is married with kid dude!

Donaldson Tan on Fri, 29th May 2009 8:40 pm

You only hear him when he talks about why we should stop discriminating fellow Singaporeans. You didn't hear him when he defended your interest in issues like CPF interest.

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