Singapore responds
  Singapore responded to two articles in the International Herald Tribune
  International Herald Tribune
June 2, 2006

Singapore's election

By Philip Bowring

IN Singapore beyond Lee (Views, May 11), Philip Bowring describes the results of the recent general election as the "biggest setback" for the People's Action Party. In fact this is the highest popular support obtained by the PAP since elections in 1980, except for the 2001 elections, which were held soon after the Sept. 11 attacks. Bowring further claims that Singapore does not stand out as an exceptional economic success in East Asia, and that even if it did, the PAP government should not take credit for this success. Bowring has an ax to grind, having defamed PAP leaders in an article in the International Herald Tribune in 1994, causing the newspaper to apologize and pay damages. So it is not surprising that he fervently hopes that the PAP will lose support and that Singapore will conform to the model of Western liberal democracy that he espouses. But Singaporeans are not naïve. Their lives have improved and they know that their children have a bright future. That is why they have repeatedly voted for the PAP for 40 years, and have just done so again.

K. Bhavani, Singapore Press secretary to the minister for information, communications and the arts

Singapore responds

THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2006

THE article Singapore courts face questions of fairness (May 10) cites Michael Backman, a consultant based in London and the author of books on doing business in Asia. Backman is reported in the article to have claimed that regardless of the verdict in Enernorth's appeal in Canada, "foreign companies may become increasingly wary about business transactions" in Singapore. Enernorth's allegations are those of a party that failed in its litigation before the Singapore courts, and is now refusing to honor the judgment awarded against it. Enernorth has sought to rely on old allegations against the Singapore judiciary that have been repeatedly rebutted by the Singapore government. As your article recognized, "one of the cornerstones of Singapore's appeal to multinational investors has been the soundness of its justice system." So contrary to Backman's claim, investors and analysts understand the true position.

K. Bhavani, Singapore Press secretary to the minister for information, communications and the arts

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