Stories about Singapore
Singapore files charges against three women for ‘illegal’ pro-Palestine rally
"The simple act of Singaporeans peacefully delivering a letter to the President’s office must be respected and protected."
A decade of digital repression and resistance in Southeast Asia
Global Voices Southeast Asia editor Mong Palatino highlights the major trends, challenges, and prospects of upholding freedom of expression in the region
Singapore under the pandemic: The normalisation of digital authoritarianism
"Surveillance has reinforced a culture of self-censorship and fear in Singapore which further mutes public criticism of the government."
Hong Kong attempts to reconnect with the world by relaxing COVID-19 travel restrictions
Starting September 26, 2022, incoming travelers will no longer be required to undergo mandatory hotel quarantine. Instead, they will have to undergo 3-day medical surveillance, a week of COVID testing, and more.
How is Southeast Asia reacting to the invasion of Ukraine?
While the ASEAN block referenced the “conflict in the West” and called for de-escalation, many Southeast Asian leaders are choosing to stay silent and sidestep any direct references to Russia.
Singapore's new law against ‘foreign interference’ threatens to undermine free speech
"The solution should never be to simply give the government more and more and more broad discretionary powers that can be used against citizens ..."
Singapore’s The Online Citizen news website stops operating after government suspends its license
"The licensing regime is simply meant to strike fear in the minds of the would-be donors and subscribers to prevent them from supporting independent journalism in Singapore."
Singapore bloggers crowdfund defamation damages due to PM Lee Hsien Loong
"The contribution to the crowdfunding movement is an example of targeted resistance against the government's financially based persecution method against individuals."
Singapore livestreams Parliament session for the first time but prohibits use for ‘satire, ridicule, or denigration’
"Reminder that this development was made possible because activists, opposition politicians, and the great mass of dissenting Singaporeans had pressured the government to do so."
Singaporean activist who staged a solo protest with a ‘smiley’ placard charged with illegal assembly
"I barely stayed in the area for more than several seconds. Yet, what I did has been deemed as a public protest by the State."
News website faces police probe in Singapore for boosting Facebook posts during elections
"We condemn the abuse of the law to harass independent media and critics. We denounce the lack of independence of the Singapore Elections Department."
‘Invisible hands': How millions of domestic workers fare under COVID-19
"We are the invisible hands. Our work is not valued. We don’t exist for the families we serve nor do we exist for the state."
Banned for 30 years, Singapore’s only martial arts film is now on YouTube
"It's almost as if the film is a time capsule into Singapore’s past."
‘Clean city-state’ image of Singapore shows double-standards in its treatment of migrants in times of COVID-19
"....even if you do most things right, if you're not considering or proactively looking out for the most vulnerable and marginalised in society, you're not going to effectively fight #COVID19."
Coronavirus and surveillance technology: How far will governments go?
''While surveillance technologies and measures may give the public a sense of security in controlling the spread of the virus, we must remain mindful and vigilant of their continued use after the pandemic subsides.''
Does Singapore’s ‘top-down approach’ to handling COVID-19 deserve all the praise it's been getting?
"Singapore's coronavirus strategy cannot be just a top-down approach that does not account for the feelings of people on the ground."
A snapshot of climate strikes across Southeast Asia
The protest actions in Southeast Asia highlighted various issues such as the impact of large-scale mining, haze pollution, and continuing dependence on fossil fuels.
Yale-NUS college draws criticism in Singapore after canceling a class on ‘dialogue and dissent’
"If we cannot make space and listen to the person that says no, then democracy dies. It’s that fundamental."
Singapore prime minister sues independent news website for defamation
The prime minister is suing The Online Citizen over an article that tackled the leader’s public feud with his siblings.
What will it take to combat digital authoritarianism in Southeast Asia?
"Applied to the Philippines and the rest of Southeast Asia, digital authoritarianism refers to how the internet has been weaponized in aid of existing authoritarian regimes."
Singapore parliament approves ‘anti-fake news’ law — will this curtail free speech?
The law gives broad, unchecked powers to government ministers to determine what online information is "false" and should thus be censored or corrected.
