Following up on this topic, there is a TV series featured on Channel News Asia about Singaporean students overseas.

I saw one episode of a girl studying in Germany. Everything is too perfect. I think the show isn't really realistic. More on this later on. Will keep an eye on the series if I can.

All Singaporeans have forgotten how to speak up. Well, actually, that is not really true. In 2003, six people tried to organise a demonstration on their own against the Singapore government for approving the American invasion of the second war in Iraq.

Sometimes, I wish I was back in the sixties when people stood up for their beliefs. Because, back then, people had courage. People believed that Singapore was a place where they could have their say. People knew how to speak up against injustice and unfairness. Yes, I would like to live in a period of time where people could be courageous.

Today, however, we almost do not see any such thing. So great is the fear of the people that they do not dare speak up against the government. In this, we are all guilty.

Why are people afraid of speaking up against the government even when we see that the government might be doing something wrong? Three words: Internal Security Act. According to this act, all forms of public protests, demonstrations, rallies - any action that works against the government - are crimes against the state. (And therefore, the brave six who stood up against the Singapore government on the issue of the Iraq war were arrested.)

Nowadays, if you told your family that what the government does is wrong and that you would speak up against the government on the issue, your family would immediately shut you down and tell you that your actions would be stupid and that it is merely an act of the rebelliousness so attributed to the younger generation that you would think in such a way. They do not admit, however, that they believe in your words too. Their fear of you being arrested by the goverment had prompted them to convince you not to rebel.

Is this correct? Is it correct for the government to rule with fear?

People have forgotten how to protest because it has been so long since anyone dared speak up against the government. It seems that no one can remember the spirit of justice that was once inherent in our system. People do not remember or choose not to remember because speaking up has been forbidden to them.

Our newspapers and television are government-controlled. Nominally, of course, they are private organisations. But, in reality, are they independent? They are still machines of propaganda in our so-called liberal state.

As I was saying, there are still a few brave enough to speak up against any goverment wrongdoings. These include members of the opposition parties. I admire their courage (though not their politics). But they are so ineffectual now that the government has destroyed their public image. Almost nobody respects them because they look so pathetic now - hardly inspiring.

I believe that Singaporeans know what I say here. I believe that they know this well. But out of fear of the wrath of the government, they hide their beliefs deep in their hearts.

Remember, my friends, that the government is foremost the servant of the people. Have the courage to right any wrongs the government does. Do not let your servant control you, the master, so that they may work only for their own gain. It is your responsibility as a citizen to take part in the continuous growth in your nation.

I announce the beginning of this blogger in response to a personal rage against the Straits Times of the Singapore Press Holdings.

I am a student that has been living and studying abroad for a number of years now. My source of news and information about my home country has always been the Straits Times Interactive online. For me, STI has allowed me to stay in touch with local news and keep abreast with the political, social and entertainment scene. However, lately I have been robbed of this previlege that I believe should be FREELY available to the public.

If you are NOW interested in reading the articles presented on the homepage of STI, please first pay
$75 for a 6 month subscription and
$120 for a 1 year subscription.

HELLO?! STRAITS TIMES! WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU GUYS DOING? Yes, some Singaporeans freely toss up $300 to buy an ipod, $500 for an "LV" (Louis Vuitton) wallet and why would they not be willing to pay $120 for reading your newspaper online?

I dont care if your subscription fees are only 50cents, the fact is that STI SHOULD NOT be charging the online public for reading news articles on their website. In an era where the new generation of Singaporeans are becoming globe trotters, STI serves as a primary connection for Singaporeans to be able to touch base with local news and happenings. How about foreigners who want to know more about what the local sentiment on various issues such as the debate on gambling in Singapore? They would first pay money so that they might access the article. Come on Straits Times! CNN, MSNBC, BBC, ABC and even our own CNA all have free unlimited online access to their news services yet SPH cannot provide this service? Singapore is a small country, its not like we have a lot of news resources to go around. SPH has boasted a great journalistic and publishing reputation in our region for so long, why would you want to make a move like that and deny your long time readers their source of news and information?

Our government often urges citizens overseas to come home and contribute to the country, especially after our higher education. How can our government expect us to care about home when we can't even find out ABOUT home first unless we pay? Maybe the government can pump less money into Contact Singapore (organization invovled in trying to bring Singaporean talent home) and channel some to the cheap-ass Straits Times so they dont have to charge their long time followers fees for merely wanting to find out more about home.

Bad move Straits Times. Think about it.

I would comment on the casino/gambling debate, but i really have no clue what is going on. GUESS WHY.

p/s: Here's a great comment from an STi reader Kelvin Quee, with an excerpt from the email sent by STI to its readers.