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10 Jul 2006

the mr brown affair

A Singapore newspaper suspended one of its regular columnists after his column about the deteriorating state of the local economy drew a sharp rebuttal from a government spokesperson. Gay activist Alex Au notes a pattern of lip service offered by officials, and that the gay community might find allies among other non-gay Singaporeans.

Singapore's "Mr Brown affair" has escalated at each turn. A flash mob called for Sunday, 9 July 2006, to protest the government's over-reaction to a tongue-in-cheek newspaper column by Lee Kin Mun was met with intimidatory tactics by plainclothes police.

A group of protesters, including a number of familiar gay and lesbian faces, gathered at a busy subway station on Sunday afternoon to show their support for a Singaporean blogger and newspaper columnist whose satirical column entitled 'S'poreans are fed, up with progress!' drew a sharp rebuttal from a government spokesperson. The columnist was suspended by a newspaper shortly after the rebuttal. Above: a supporter in a 'I'm fed up with progress' t-shirt.
It all started from the most unusual quarter: a release of dry numbers by the government's own Department of Statistics, showing a seriously widening income gap. It was not a question of some getting richer faster than others even as everybody was enjoying a better standard of living. Instead, it showed that large numbers of Singaporeans were getting poorer.

Ten percent of Singapore households had no income at all in 2005. Another 10 percent saw their average monthly income fall a whopping 19.7 percent over a 5-year period, from 2000 to 2005. These households, which had an average of S$1,470 (US$927) per month five years earlier, had only S$1,180 (US$744) per month last year.

The next 10-percentile group, also saw their monthly income fall, though by less. Where they had S$2,250 per month in 2000, they saw only S$2,190 per month in 2005, a 2.7 percent decline.

Another 20 percent saw little change in their household incomes, barely keeping pace with inflation. That left only 50 percent of Singapore households whose incomes rose over the last five years. But some of these did very well indeed. The top 10 percent of households in this city enjoyed a 14.8 percent increase in household income, from S$14,360 to S$16,480 over the same 5-year-period.

The government explained that this was the inevitable result of globalisation, but explanation doesn't help people make ends meet.

The cost of living had already become an issue during the recent general election in May, but barely six weeks after, hikes in electricity rates and public transport fares were mooted.

The column and the reaction
Lee Kin Mun, who writes under the pseudonym 'Mr Brown,' made this the subject of his regular newspaper column on 30 June 2006 in Today newspaper. (He also has a blog at mrbrown.com.)

With his usual biting humour, he wrote, "We are very thankful for the timing of all this good news, of course. Just after the elections, for instance."

For good measure, he added, "It would have been too taxing on the brain if those price increases were announced during the election period, thereby affecting our ability to choose wisely."

The next working day, the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts fired back. Its press secretary accused Mr Brown of "pouring sarcasm on many issues," dismissing his comments as mere "polemics dressed up as analysis."

She added, "It is not the role of journalists or newspapers in Singapore to champion issues, or campaign for or against the Government."

Seasoned observers saw the last bit as directed at the editors of Today newspaper, quite clearly telling them that they should not give space to any opinions that the government did not approve of. To do so would be "championing issues" or "campaigning."

The editors evidently got the message, and promptly told Mr Brown that his column would be "suspended."

Reaction throughout Singapore's blogosphere was loud and clear. From Rockson's unprintable street expletives to academic Cherian George's more refined criticism, hardly anyone had a good thing to say about the government's heavy-handed attempt at censorship.

Digging in their heels, Minister for Community Development and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan chimed in for the government, "The mainstream media have a crucial role in ensuring the quality and the standard of the discourse in a national debate." Effectively, he said a high degree of selectivity about subjects, viewpoints and style applies to print and broadcast. One might say, it's censorship dressed up as responsibility.

A flash mob was organised last Sunday to show support to Mr Brown. Quite a few lesbians and gays were spotted there. Participants had been asked to come wearing something brown, but the police were waiting, taking down details of people wearing brown T-shirts. How many others were intimidated from joining is hard to say.

It will be interesting to see if the matter develops further, and how long public anger lasts.

"Express diverse views", said PM Lee
Although there is nothing specifically gay about this whole affair, once again it demonstrates how suspicious the Singapore government is of any kind of dissent.

As this instance shows, newspapers, and most certainly radio and television too, comply with even the most indirect of warnings, denying voice to anyone the government does not want heard. Even widespread criticism of the government's disproportionate response appears not to have any effect.

Yet barely two years ago, when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong took office, he said in his inaugural speech: "We will continue to expand the space which Singaporeans have to live, to laugh, to grow and to be ourselves. Our people should feel free to express diverse views, pursue unconventional ideas, or simply be different. We should have the confidence to engage in robust debate, so as to understand our problems, conceive fresh solutions and open up new spaces."

After that, it's been one disappointment after another. There's an observable pattern of mouthing liberal-sounding words for PR gain, but keeping all controls in place. The media are still on a tight leash and the police ever ready to nip in the bud any gathering that does not cheer the government.

Sometimes the contradiction doesn't even require looking at actions that contrast with the words; the words themselves contradict each other. Speaking to the Foreign Correspondents' Association in October 2005, for example, PM Lee said, in answer to a question from the floor: "I don't think we are homophobic. I agree... that homosexuals are people like you and me."

While that might have sounded dandy, one should note what he said next. With hardly a breath in between, he added, "but there are some segments of Singaporeans who vehemently disagree with that, and we have to be aware of that... for each person to live his own life without impinging on other people."

He then went on to say that gay people must not be "intrusive and oppressive on the rest of the population" (i.e. impinge on other people) - but not a word about homophobes impinging on gay people - and on that basis, he ruled out same-sex marriage, parties and parades. "Well, you can do that in Sydney, in London, in San Francisco, but I'm not sure that I want to do that in Singapore."

In this climate, the gay issue is just one of the many issues, ranging from free speech to widening income disparity, that is struggling to be heard. On the one hand, this means that if LGBTs work at it, there are plenty of allies to be found among other Singaporeans who are equally dismayed by the authoritarian nature of our government. On the other hand, that there are so many angry citizens around tells us that the beast that we all face is a formidable one indeed.

Alex Au has been a gay activist for over 10 years and is the co-founder of People Like Us. Alex is the author of the well-known Yawning Bread web site. For more on the Singapore GE, visit Yawning Bread. He can be contacted at yawning@geocities.com.

Singapore

读者回应

1. 2006-07-10 21:58  
Damn! That's the way to go Singaporean! Wish I was there!
2. 2006-07-10 23:16  
Instead of a rubber band, let's wear a brown ribbon or brown strap/string/band on our wrists!
3. 2006-07-10 23:31  
Brown is the New black, wear it as often as you can.
4. 2006-07-10 23:57  
Wished I was there too.

The govt has did it once again.
5. 2006-07-11 00:03  
Brown is my lucky colour. So says my fortune teller. Wow, that rhymed.
6. 2006-07-11 00:12  
There's way too much attention being paid to North Korea's missle activity when the real weapons of mass destruction are right here in the South China Sea.
7. 2006-07-11 00:17  
nice shade of brown.....i wish i can find swim trunks in that color.....so sexy.
8. 2006-07-11 00:56  
seconded :) Do b more careful, bros & sistas. never noe `when the nazis wil strike nxt.
9. 2006-07-11 01:17  
The "MrBrown affair" -The organiser for this call up of protest should have another 'second powerful call up' as to gether more Singaporean to stand up for freedom of speech in Singapore. I was not aware of the gethering if I know I will also join in though. They should sent this important message(issue) out to all singaporean that include the young one and also most importantly the elder ones.If there are alot of elders come out of their home to protest and wear "brown shirt'in again to this issue, then the goverment can no longer find any excuses to ignore its.
10. 2006-07-11 01:25  
Are they doing it again. please inform everyone this time. We should have so huge a gathering.. they can do nothing about it. Silent protest what. We all just say we just want to wear brown that day and it's just a coincident. The police can't stop anyone from doing such. I so wish I was there plus I'd have called a few of my friends to join me. This is so preposterous.!!!!! I want to scream when I read the news.
回应#11於被作者删除。
12. 2006-07-11 01:49  
I have said it a gazillion times. This is Singapore. Get used to it. The citizens deserve its government elected. They had plenty of facts and choices to make a difference during the recent election but they did not. So, brown is not the colour for change. Wait until the Government squeeze their pockets and human rights till they all turn blue black, then maybe, just maybe, we will see some true colors.

Meanwhile, guess that's how all brown cookies in Singapore crumble.

Keeping baking them though, u will never know one may turn out to be a real fortune cookie soon..!
:P~~ yum!

13. 2006-07-11 04:03  
I never normally say anything about the many interesting topics that I see here, and it's easy to say nothing from 10,000 miles away.

However.

This is Yet Another Topic that highlights the Many unchanging differences between 'Us' in the West and 'You' in the East; whereby outside Our Government buildings in the centre of Dublin there are *always* at least two or three seperate protests going on Against the Government here (my favourite being the guy with the banner reading "Bertie [Ahern, our leader] is a Bastard!" for Months, with numbers of protestors ranging from anywhere from Two to Thirty, depending on the topics of the day...

...and You, whereby Any voice of opposition is swiftly flattened by a Smiling - or Curt - official.

Because Everybody is Always Happy in Singapore -

Or Else.

A much greater man than I once posed the question of whether you get the Government that you Deserve, or whether you get the Government that you Allow.

All I ever see here, or on Other Singapore/Asia-basin related news and social-affairs related sites, are faint mumblings by a populace that grumbles against the way things work that people just KNOW in their hearts and minds are wrong, but what do you ever DO about it?

What would happen if 2,000 of the famous Singapore 'Aunties' went protesting with megaphones through your CBD? Where's the so-called Grey-Power of old[er] people that generally galvanises popular protests and empowers people for So many political rumbles here in the West? I'd like to see riot-police or police/etc move in against the kind of velvet protests that so many Other cultures across the world see to express concern and dissent, instead of the same unchanging global image of Singapore as a clean, tidy, efficient - and soulless society.

Don't 'you' Care enough to Do anything? Don't people there in general Want change; to create a fairer and more equal society, instead of your admittedly-impressive yet equally sink-or-swim society?

I just don't understand it... as much as I admire Singaporeans - and her Government - on many levels, and also as, frankly, RUDE it is of me or Any other 'outsider' to comment or 'pass judgement' on Another country's/culture's/society's way of doing things, I can't help but feel that - to go back to a previous comment above - you are all getting the Government and Society that you Allow, rather than perhaps one that you - and your future generations of sons, daughters, nieces and nephews will inherit - actually Deserve...

Sorry for ranting, and I would Love to visit Singapore and spend a lot of time there seeing her many wondrous sights and meeting her fascinating melting-pots of peoples and cultures... but perhaps someone like Me and my quiet, troublesome, questioning voice and observant eyes would not be so welcome there, even for a longed-for holiday there...
14. 2006-07-11 06:21  
ah...kiasu-ism drives anything...well, almost, perhaps monetary gains are much better...therefore...keep spending your gay dollars else where...in the surrounding neighbors of Spore...Thai? Bali?....soon, people who control the people will learn to follow suit...perhaps in the very near future you guys in Singapore will have a gay district of your own...much like in Chicago...

One good example would be the approval of building of Casinos in Singapore...after seeing the success of HK and the neighboring countries...

In the meantime...continue to make yourself known...that you exists, and are there to stay...no matter what it takes...the sage continues...

Goodluck...mighty warriors of GLBT communities..
15. 2006-07-11 08:17  
Here is another example of mis-communication from the media to the public - check out this link - http://www.myapplemenu.com/singapore/2006/07/04/#20060704bg000002
16. 2006-07-11 10:22  
The only thing left to be said is to continue to fight the fight. Giving up is giving in. :D
17. 2006-07-11 11:22  
My Singaporean friends always commenting my counrty and government is corrupted and our PM always waste money and very proud with Singapore for this and that.(not that I dun thinbk Singapore is not good - it is actually very good in term of many aspects)

However, because of the idea that Singapore is this good and that good mentality, Singaporean r in denial that something about their government is wrong. For example, all the opposition parties r being sue till bankrupt and the rulling party always win. (of course, the rulling party is good too) But the issue is here is, because of this the government will decided this and that without the concern of the minority view. For example, the gay right or the right to point out to issues regarding the government all will be ban or "actions" will be taken. Sigh...too kiasu and protective.

Therefore, for all my proud Singaporean friends who always praise your country and think my country is lousy. Do me a favour, dare to stand ur for what u believe is right and hopefully your government will takes that into consideration. Finally, I wish Singapore can truly become a best place to stay in Asia. :) (better than Japan and Hong Kong). :)
18. 2006-07-11 11:59  
authoritarianism is a sad state of affair. though i do agree that some measures may be necessary, to suppress the voice of the masses on all levels is just intolerable.

singapore may be 'number one' in a whole host of areas, but at the risk of having a puppet citizenry dancing to the tune of its government. so much for 'to build a democratic society' (in the pledge)..
19. 2006-07-11 12:07  
*sigh ...

You cannot win the Police one la ... they wont hesitate to detain you for a couple of days for "investigation" if they suspect you of wrong doings, maybe use the ISA if they think you are a danger to national security by wearing brown t-shirt ... then your employer will know u kanna arrested ... before u know ... u are out of job ...

Then hor ... if any of your relatives in Civil Service or stat board ... guess what will happen to them ? Actually I also dont know ... family may then alienate you ... maybe confirm u cannot find job ... dont need do more ... you can just starve to death ... u not scared har ?

IRAS may review all your tax submissions, though I dont know how this link with what I am saying ... etc etc ...

Dont break the law (as in the current set of law by the current set of law makers) ...

Your only chance was 2 months ago ... and you screwed it up ... now have to wait another 4 years plus liao lor ...

Just like u miss harvesting the Tian Shan Xue Lian ... have to wait long long for the next harvesting season liao lor ...

20. 2006-07-11 12:14  
The government has always been that way. Nipping everything at the bud before it becomes too big for them to handle. Just like the elections, can you imagine a policeman voting for the opposition? Then.. can any government sector ppl vote for the opposition. They say they do not keep track of our voting but yet... they have attendance list with serial numbers to our names and IC. What the hell is that? There are no freedom of speech in singapore.. as long as you oppose to what they are doing.. or as long as our sentences are a big insinuating or seems to be defamatory.. they sue us with a big law suit and put all our careers on hold till we change for the better in their aspect.

Government... the actions doesn't match their words.. and they never do.
21. 2006-07-11 13:06  
You singaporeans become so defensive and patriotic when foreigners and foreign writers/commentators criticise your citizens, your corporations, your country and your policies, but seems so helpless to your own quibbles and dissents.

The world knows what you hate, but no one knows what you like (other than wealth).

Didn't you vote your government into power yourselves? I am not sure I understand what is going on after reading this article and the comments...
22. 2006-07-11 13:44  
sigh. its singapore. ppl over here are not only kiasu but kiasi too.

moreover, i wasnt given a choice during the election period! it was a walkover. damn. (gosh.. will i get sued for saying this???) lol.

let's just hope for the better fellow singaporean. if not.. we can always leave (at least thats what ive been thinking of).
回应#23於被作者删除。
回应#24於被作者删除。
25. 2006-07-11 18:46  
The quote from your 'Minister of Information' (how Orwellian is that?!) is priceless. What on earth are self respecting newspapers for if they can't indulge in 'issues', or 'campaigns'? Well I suppose there's always the TV listings and recipes. Well done to the few activists attempting to wake people from their blind acceptance of authority.
26. 2006-07-11 19:06  
hahaha. so many labels. "journalists", "ministers", "bloggers", "politicians" . hahaha. The dangers of conformity not huh?
27. 2006-07-11 19:09  
A country will never attain 'First World' status as long as gay rights is suppressed.
28. 2006-07-11 19:45  
A-dressing To: Ismail, partially

1. The GENERAL public voted for the govt into power. The oppression of homosexuality may be a general phenomenon in SG, but with the govt advocating and reassuring the "banes" of homosexuality in SG, the people will never learn to accept us.

This may be a logical fallacy, but typically Singaporeans are good at being told what to do (at least the generation currently in the >30 age group). So it is really up to the govt to "stand up for Singapore, do the best [they] can" -an example of patriotic indoctrination through songs in my childhood days merely a few years ago- to remove the homosexuality stigma.

No dscrimination in SG remember? Or shall I say, no PREJUDICE.

2. Other political parties gave us no choice in terms of more freedom for homosexuality. Or perhaps, if they did, I am less informed of it-being a teenager will less interets in politics (if you can call it that) afterall.

3. In my opinion, the govt have done a very good job the past 41 years. But as the nation "progresses", literacy rates improve, wider scope of vision enabled, broader mindsets created, I think the govt should keep their policies in pace with their products of education, i.e. citizens who have a voice.
29. 2006-07-11 22:09  
every little thing that you (govt) said or do, hung up, ii'm hunging up on u.
it's all an illusion...
30. 2006-07-12 01:34  
haha.. nice one anagram.
31. 2006-07-12 02:25  
A very well written story which integrates the gay issue into wider social issue. I love the t shirt slogan. I live in a small country in Asia where the host government regularly release fantasy economic growth figures, 8%+ all the time for years but the people lack food to eat. The rich get richer, the poor get poorer and the middle eat the crackers that fall off the dinner table of the rich.
and that is socialist not capiltalist country.

michael asia
32. 2006-07-12 05:26  
vote with your feet...
33. 2006-07-12 06:23  
Typical! Don't know what to say anymore - we are truly living in a Capitalist country with a Socialist mindset - the same way that friggin' Bush administration is causing USA to be backwards by 30 years.

Let us all sing together now, "This is my country...this is my flag.... We're SINGAPORE! SINGAPOREANS!!!...." Whatever!?
回应#34於被作者删除。
35. 2006-07-13 10:43  
the clown in pink is a tight ass anal retentive BITCH!!!
回应#36於被作者删除。
37. 2006-07-13 22:35  
Honestly I don't think Brown wants to be dragged into a gay portal forum.

Give the man a break.
AA should take a moment to ponder about why he's just exploiting the situation. He's just hopping on the bandwagon.

Cheap shot to get publicity for gay issues.

Just analyse the following sentences, whereby the word gay is replaced by a host of other groups.

"In this climate, the gay (replace 'gay' with one of the following.... enviromental/trancedental meditationist/satanist/Johorean commuters/Singapore Pools betting addicts/ unemployment/nudist colony/animal rights) issue is just one of the many issues, ranging from free speech to widening income disparity, that is struggling to be heard.

What's all these have to do with Mr. Brown? Honest to god....NOTHING.
You're just screwing with the man's living legacy man.

That's cheap.
38. 2006-07-14 11:21  
Newmember, yep sure. I bet MB must be really upset too that at least 10 of the 30 who were at the "protest" were gay too.
39. 2006-07-14 22:21  
Kellen,

How many of them were environmentalist or animal rights activist?
Stop using people, especially when they are down, to promote your cause.
40. 2006-07-16 06:28  
As I read Fridae each week I become more and more opposed to the Singaporean Government. I used to love visiting Singapore but now avoid it as I have no wish to contribute to the economy of such an oppressive regime. At a time when previously oppressed Countries are opening up Singapore is becoming worse and worse. I daresay they are monitoring this site and I probably wouldn't be allowed in to Singapore again but guess what - I don't care. At least as an outsider I am allowed to voice my opinions but unfortunately it appears the same isn't true for Singaporeans. It is time for you to rally together and campaign for greater freedom. No wonder so many of the Singaporean students I meet and teach here in Australia have no wish to return.
41. 2006-07-17 22:18  
Newmember said: How many of them were environmentalist or animal rights activist?
Stop using people, especially when they are down, to promote your cause.

If a tree falls in the forest and you didn't see and/hear it, does it mean it didn't fall?
42. 2006-07-19 07:08  
You win Kellen,
It's impossible to argue with a statement that dumb.

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