THE UMBRELLA REVOLUTION: a blog post worth reading

1 What is the relationship between HK and China? What is occupy central?

HK was given to the United Kingdom in 1842 due to the treaty of Nanjing. In 1997, they were given back to Mainland China. Together with Macau, they are a Special Administrative Region (SAR) 中華人民共和國特別行政區 where they have their own government.

During these few years of absence, Hong Kong people developed their own identity and culture. They flourished under freedom of speech etc. They picked up western ways of doing things and integrated them into their Chinese culture. As such, the cultural differences between Mainland China and HK is very great, I would say even more so than Singapore and China. 

There have been several conflicts between PRCs and HK over the past few decades. Hong Kongers were rather unhappy with Mainland pregnant mums going to HK to give birth; taking up school spaces; buying tons of milk powder to sell in China and behaving rudely as tourists. Many Hong Kong residents do not identify with the whole PRC culture and with HK instead. 

Hong Kong people also want to nominate their own leaders and vote. However, currently in selecting their own chief executive, Beijing gives them three candidates for them to choose from. Hk people see this as a violation of basic law and their rights to choose their own leader. They liken this process to North Korea and Iran who also have one person, one vote but a restricted list of candidates.



Occupy Central is a peaceful civil disobedience campaign in which the leaders would mobilise protesters to stage a mass sit-in to blockade Central district as a means to force Beijing to allow Hong Kong what they consider genuine universal suffrage.

Occupy Central is led by University of Hong Kong law professor Benny Tai Yiu-ting, Chinese University sociologist Dr Chan Kin-man, and Baptist minister Reverend Chu Yiu-ming. Meanwhile, students’ groups – the Federation of Students and Scholarism – are also key drivers of this campaign.

Initially there was only 30,000 people. However, publicity of the event grew rapidly and more people joined in as people got upset of the police use of tear gas against unarmed peaceful protesters. They believe that the decision to use violence against the protesters was politically motivated by the central Beijing government. 

2. But don’t all protests cause trouble and create social instability??

This is not true. Most Singaporeans have never lived overseas in a real democratic country or experienced what real democracy is like. They have been told since secondary school in our social studies textbook that protests are bad and evil, they will ruin our economy, no one will want to invest blah blah.

So, when it comes to news about other cities having protests, they simply reiterate this opinion without questioning if it is true or not. That is the way our education system is like, teaching us to remember things without questioning it.

The truth is protests are really a normal part of every democratic country. When done peacefully, they don't harm the economy. Other countries like Japan, Taiwan, Germany, Switzerland and the USA have protests regularly but are doing quite well. It is simply people's rights to express their views and fight for what they want in a non-violent manner. If they don't do it, who would?

HK’s protests were done in a very peaceful way. Over 50,000 people were on the street but there were no looting, fires, fights among protesters or anything else which were were taught about protests. 

Photo credit: Jason Ng

And even recycling

Photo credit: Rosalind Chen

Hong Kong protesters modeled the values that they are striving to see in their society, namely “equality, tolerance, love, and care" and avoided confrontation and "developing hatred in [their] heart".

They understand that these values will not only help win over sympathizers, but lay bare the illegitimacy of the regime if it moves against them with excessive force. These aren't youthful idealists; these are savvy political operators who understand the secrets of successful nonviolent resistance.

Rather than HK protestors being violent, it was the police who sprayed pepper and tear gas at them. However, these protesters did not respond in violence and even sheltered the police during the rain.

Photo credit: Hk Allies

3. These activists in HK are similar to the ones in Singapore who only know how to kaopeh from behind the keyboard, flame others online and stir up trouble in charity events

While the Hong Lim Park incident took place during the same time as Occupy Central, I think it is totally unfair to liken the ongoing incident and student activists in HK to those in Singapore.

Having interacted with both activists in HK and Singapore, I can attest that civil society culture here in Singapore is really still in its infancy and pretty immature. 

With the exception of some proactive and outstanding individuals, it is on the whole very emotionally driven, reactive and people are sometimes more interested in their own ego issues rather than the cause they claim to fight for. 

They aren’t really good in engaging the public, media and officials to support their causes. They simply treat another person rudely just because they hold a different view or political affiliation. The range of acceptable ideas and approach to activism is very narrow, you either join in their condemnation or you are condemned via personal attacks and flaming. 

Besides being unable to engage the public, they are also bad in engaging one another. Many see activism as just an ego thing and get upset when other activists or bloggers do better than them or receive more publicity. Even female activists who claim to be feminist are being unhappy when other women do well and better than them. 

This isn’t the right way. Activism is about fighting for others and a cause you believe in, not about shooting other activists down or getting more attention and admiration than other activists. 

Sadly, many of these activists are those who are not excelling in other areas in life. As such they place all their self-esteem on the attention they receive for their activism work. 

4. I read The Straits Times that HK’s economy has been badly affected. Why are these people so selfish and irrational

Business man stands in front of barricade in HK. Photo credit: Tyrone Siu

You must understand that Singapore’s news is pretty much state controlled. Things that get published there are meant to contribute to supporting an existing ideology and way of thinking. Our government discourages protests.

As such when things like that happen in other countries, the news companies do their best to paint things in the most negative light possible. The day after occupy central protests, HK’s newspaper and western media focused on the injuries and injustice to protestors. However, Singapore’s newspapers only reported about the damage to the economy.

So if you want a more holistic view of this event, I encourage you to not just read Singapore’s papers but also stories written by Hong Kong and other international media.

Furthermore, the idea that MNCs will stop investing and shift their HQ away is simply exaggerated. HK has way too much financial and political incentives for people to withdraw their business. Furthermore, other cities have protests all the time but are still receiving strong foreign investment. 

Even if it may have an impact, is the economic growth or justice more important?

Additionally, I don’t think the Occupy Central protests are undermining HK’s international image. As Blogger Wong Sze Wai on South China Morning Post says: 

Freedom, judicial independence and a clean government have always been the qualities which uphold Hong Kong’s international image. It is the authorities who more and more blatantly undermine these qualities, while the people are defending them in their own ways. Who are the ones who are actually undermining Hong Kong’s international image?
There are a lot more demonstrations, protests and marches in London than in Hong Kong. These protests have not seemed to cause any damage to London’s economy or its international image.

5. The students shouldn't protest. It will affect their grades and learning.

The dumbest comments I have seen so far is those about how students are compromising their education.

Firstly their studies are not being affected. Students are bringing their homework to the protest

Photo credit: BBC

Teachers also conduct lessons during the protest

Students taking note during lesson conducted at the protest site. Photo credit: Tyrone Siu

People offering help

Author and lawyer Jason Ng providing help to students during the protest

What you have to really think about is the point of education. Is it doing well in exams? Getting good marks? Being an obedient kid who takes orders without questioning?

Or, is it being a useful person who speaks up for others and contributes to society? 

Personally, I like the attitude of HK students more than Singapore students in general. While we often criticize them for being materialistic, most of them are a lot more concerned about society as compared to Singaporean students. They also have the courage to stand for the things they believe in.

I have seen this spirit when thousands turned up to show their support against the Tiananmen Square incident despite the super heavy rain. It really touched me. I have never seen a Singaporean student fight for a cause in a peaceful way like that.

Quoting popular Hong Kong blogger Jason Y Ng:

There were casual conversations about the Sunday crackdown and the government’s next move. What were once talk-of-the-town topics like the new iPhone 6 and tabloid rumors about actor Nicolas Tse are now completely irrelevant. Even Facebook walls received a facelift: food porn, selfies and narcissistic rants have all given way to protest updates and stories of random acts of kindness.

Three days in, the Umbrella Revolution has already elevated the intellect of an entire generation. In all, it took 87 canisters of tear gas to jolt our youths out of their political apathy. Many now realize that politics affects them personally and that the subject is not as untouchable as their parents and peers had made it out to be. They also realize that video games, karaoke and television shows may have been social anesthesia designed to divert their attention from what matters and turn them into a bunch of fai tsing (廢青; literally, useless youths) who follow rules that they had no part in setting up. Awoken and armed with a new sense of purpose, these students have risen to the occasion and reclaimed their future.

Really liked the way he described it and hopefully Singaporean students will be able to be like this too some day. 

6. Aren't these people being unpatriotic?

I think we need to differentiate between being unhappy with policies and unhappy with countries. These people are protesting not because they hate Hong Kong but because they love the place and want to protect the rights and freedom of their people. They want to preserve what makes HK special from other Mainland Chinese cities – respect of human rights. 

7. Why can’t they negotiate rationally or try other methods of solving the problem besides protest?

Quoting Wong Sze Wai:

 Before saying that, please spend some time to research what the campaigners have done in trying to "negotiate rationally". Please research how many proposals on political reform they have submitted in the hope that the government will consider. Any negotiation is two-way. If one side has already shut the door, how could the other side continue to "negotiate rationally"? After doing the research, please ask yourself: "If I were them, is there anything I could do to continue the rational negotiation?"

Please also do some research on what they have done all the way through to be constructive. Only then, ask yourself: "On top of all these, is there anything I could do to be constructive?"

If you cannot come up with a proper answer, please don’t criticise these people as "unconstructive".

8. Are these students being idealistic? What makes you think they have a chance against the Chinese Communist Party and People’s Liberation Army?

If everyone thought this way, we will have no progress in our world and society at all. Think about the state of the world a few decades ago and about leaders like Martin Luther King and Gandhi. If these inspirational people given up because they felt they were not strong enough against authority, what kind of life would African-Americans and Indians be living today?

If everyone obeys the authorities because they think fighting against the rich and powerful is futile, there will be no human rights, justice or democracy in the world. We, the common people, would be slaves for them and under their control forever and ever.

9. What is going on in HK isn’t really our business. Why was there a useless event on Wednesday in Hong Lim Park?

I feel that instead of only being concerned about events in Singapore and Singaporeans, a truly global minded individual should also be concerned and care about injustice that is happening around the world. All of us are human beings who need rights, love, autonomy and freedom. The only differentiating factors are skin colour, a human construct like nationality and religion.

The event in Hong Lim park on Wednesday was to provide a platform for HK students to express themselves and show support while overseas. It is also an opportunity for locals here in Singapore to express support for the values they believe in. Not trouble making or anything, just a bunch of people standing in a park to talk about a cause they believe in.

Singapore is not the only one. There are groups in Taiwan, Japan, UK and Australia who are coming forward to gather and show their support. All these are very important because they get media attention. This will to raise global awareness of this issue and contribute to pressuring China to allow Hong Kong to elect their own leaders. So I don’t think it’s slacktivism or anything. 

Solidarity event in Times Square, New York

The author (me) is a popular lifestyle blogger in Singapore who was previously working in Hong Kong's Sing Tao News Corporation as a local news reporter.

putting the forbidden fruit theory to the test

sept 2014

On Friday afternoon several busloads of Singaporeans are expected to make the short journey across the Straits of Johor to Malaysia to watch a documentary they are unable to see in their own country.

The film, To Singapore, with Love, deals, indirectly, with one of the most controversial elements of the island nation’s history - the detention without trial of hundreds of people accused of being Communists and being part of a conspiracy. Lots of people fled to places such as Britain and Thailand to avoid arrest. Some returned, many did not.

The Singaporean filmmaker, Tan Pin Pin, profiles nine people of different political views, aged between 60 to 80, who escaped in the 1960s and 1970s. She talks about their lives, their memories, their hopes for the future. She hears about their food, their families, their habit of keeping up with the news back home by reading Singaporean newspapers online, even though they left up to 50 years ago.

“This film is shot entirely outside the country, in the belief that we can learn something about ourselves by adopting an external view,” wrote the 45-year-old Ms Tan.

Though the film deals with events that happened decades ago, even today they remain hugely controversial. Last week, the government’s Media Development Authority (MDA) refused to grant the film a licence on the grounds that it undermined national security. That means it cannot be shown in Singapore.

“The individuals in the film have given distorted and untruthful accounts of how they came to leave Singapore and remain outside Singapore,” said the MDA.

a good write-up for perspective taking:

https://medium.com/chinese-privilege/to-my-dear-fellow-singapore-chinese-shut-up-when-a-minority-is-talking-about-race-48e00d7c7073


some will be discriminated more than others(problem)
some need to feel superior to others (cause)
some react more adversely than others (consequence)
some learn not to discriminate (solution)
some stop reacting (solution does not work)
some look away (no solution)

some realise that change can only come about when:
he who discriminates is discriminated...
The solution is a problem....
life is full of paradoxes

the ice bucket challenge evaluated by the civil service - good one...

I bet someone, somewhere within the civil service right now is writing a proposal (or “submission” in civil service speak) to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on whether he should accept the ALS challenge from George Young and SGAG.

Here’s Mothership.sg’s take on how that submission will look like:

Prime Minister

cc Every father mother son who is important

PROPOSAL ON WHETHER PRIME MINISTER LEE HSIEN LOONG SHOULD ACCEPT THE ALS ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE

Background

The ALS ice bucket challenge involves dumping a bucket of water filled with ice over one’s head, posting it on social media and challenging three other people to do the same. If he or she fails to do so, he/she will pledge $US 100 to ALS research.

2. PM has been challenged by George Young and the people behind SGAG. We have done some background checks on them and they are Singapore citizens in good standing.

Views from Ministries/Agencies

Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (MEWR)

3. As the ice bucket challenge involves dumping water wastefully, we propose that PM replace tap water with water used for washing rice. The Istana should have a ready supply.

4. Alternatively, if PM wishes to use clean water, we propose for PM to stand in a trough. The water collected in the trough will be taken by MEWR officers to the nearest NEWater plant for processing.

Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) 

5. MCI assessed this public performance to be in line with Singapore’s values. Posting this video online will not contravene the Films Act. It is not a “party political film” as long as ruling party activists are not involved.

6. However, the Media Development Authority (MDA) wishes to note that should PM wear thin material to take the challenge, the resulting ‘wet look’ may include partial nudity, which will contravene MDA’s broadcasting standards.

7. MCI and MDA recommends for PM to wear a bear suit to avoid any unforeseen consequence should PM accept the challenge.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)

8. MFA is of the view that the ALS ice bucket challenge is an American-centric movement.

9. The challenge will enhance the already strong US-Singapore bilateral relations and build on the 10th anniversary of the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (USSFTA) that was recently celebrated in Washington DC.

10. Should PM accept the challenge, MFA advises caution in choosing subsequent individuals to challenge. MFA notes that US President Barack Obama has declined to take the challenge. Should PM accept the challenge, PM may wish to challenge all leaders of the ASEAN nations to show that ASEAN is still relevant to the world.

Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF)

11. MSF notes that Minister Chan Chun Sing has already ‘kee chiu-ed’ to take on the challenge for PM.

12. MSF also understands that it is the most appropriate Ministry to take up the challenge since its mission is to “nurture a resilient and caring society that can overcome challenges together”.

Ministry of Manpower (MOM)

13. MOM notes that if foreign workers are required to dump the water or transport ice, they should have valid employment permits.

14. If PM wishes to hire people specifically for this task, PM’s office must first list the job on the National Jobs Bank to ensure that Singaporeans have a fair chance at pouring water on the PM.

Recommendation

15. We are of the view that since none of the Ministries/Agencies have stepped out to recommend whether PM should accept the challenge, we shall leave the decision up to PM.

16. We do not take responsibilities that will affect our Performance Bonuses in February/March.

For PM’s decision, please.

Because no one makes any decision ever. 

Tan Ah Kow
Chief Arrow Officer
Prime Minister’s Office

With inputs from MEWR, MCI, MFA, MSF and MOM.

hmm poor kids

Even though the Ministry of Education has decided they will no longer band schools or reveal top scorers, parents have set up a list of top students on their own in Kiasu Parents forum to find out which school produced the top scorer.

if this doesn't make you feel bad...then perhaps you might need another lifetime

I grew up on archie comics....

SINGAPORE: The Media Development Authority (MDA) confirms that a comic "Archie: The Married Life" Book Three was pulled from bookstore shelves because its content breached guidelines by depicting same-sex marriage of two characters.

Comic artist Sonny Liew had flagged the withdrawal in a blog post dated July 11, saying he could not find it in a Kinokuniya catalog. The bookstore had told him it was removed from sale by notice of MDA.

In response to queries from Channel NewsAsia on Wednesday (July 16), a spokesperson said MDA had assessed the comic in March, upon receiving a complaint. Thereafter, the authority informed the local distributor of the comic, not to import or distribute it in retail outlets.

MDA says the Publications Consultative Panel, "which comprises a cross-section of Singapore society" was consulted before its decision, and its members advised them that the theme of the comic was "not in line with social norms" and in breach of existing content guidelines.

obstacle course for homosexuals

In Singapore, there are two obstacles that gays must overcome, says the latter group.

First, there is Section 377A of the Penal Code which criminalises sex between men. This regulates morality through criminal law - something a secular state should avoid, they say.

MP Charles Chong spoke out in support of repealing 377A during the 2007 parliamentary debate on it, arguing that if experts were correct that some people are born with a different sexual orientation, then "it would be quite wrong of us to criminalise and to persecute those that are born different from us regardless of how conservative a society we claim to be".

Second, gays cannot have their partnerships recognised under the law, nor are they allowed to adopt children. As those who are in long-term relationships are not recognised as a legitimately married couple, they are not entitled to subsidised public housing.

THE PINK REVOLUTION

THE Pink Dot mass picnic started out in 2009 as a small group of people from the gay community celebrating the "freedom to love", as they put it, regardless of sexual orientation.

Over the years, organisers adopted a non-confrontational approach to gay rights. Pink badges - the movement's symbol - sprouted and the event has become Singapore's biggest civil-society gathering. About 21,000 turned up last year.

2014 - a turning point, one that raises the question of whether Singapore is seeing the advent of culture wars, where issues of ideology and behaviour become polarising forces in society, as in the US.

That is because this year, religious groups have come out directly to protest against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) event. They are against homosexuality and see the mass event as undermining traditional family values.Islamic religious teacher Noor Deros has launched a "Wear White" campaign, calling for Muslims to don the colour of "purity" at mosques today, the eve of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

And in what is possibly the first inter-faith cooperation of its kind against the LGBT issue, some Christian groups have come on board.Outspoken pastor Lawrence Khong has pledged the support of his Faith Community Baptist Church and the LoveSingapore network of churches, asking members to wear white today and tomorrow at church.

MAGDALENE: WHY DO THEY NEED TO HOLD A MASSIVE EVENT TO PROCLAIM THEIR SEXUAL PREFERENCE. I DON'T ORGANIZE A RALLY TO SAY - HEY LOOK AT ME - I AM A REBEL AND YOU MUST LEARN TO ACCEPT ME

CECELIA: GAYS ARE COOL! SOME OF THE FINEST PEOPLE I HAVE MET.

SANE THOMAS: HOMOSEXUALS WANT TO BE ACCEPTED BY SOCIETY. THEY NEED ALL THE LOVE THEY CAN GET. IT IS NOT EASY BEING THE SUBJECT OF RIDICULE AND CRITICISM. LEAVE THE JUDGING TO GOD. BE NICE.
AT THE SAME TIME, I DO NOT THINK A MEGA EVENT LIKE THIS IS NECESSARY TO GAIN ACCEPTANCE. IT IS OUR DAILY ACTIONS,OUR SINCERITY AND OUR RESILIENCE THAT WOULD HELP. JUST STAY CALM AND CARRY ON....IT IS A MATTER OF TIME THAT YOU WILL BE ONE OF US, WITH MORE PEOPLE LEARNING TO ACCEPT AND UNDERSTAND YOU.

2013 - to what extent is technology a useful tool for governments...

problem



Not a tool but an enemy they have to learn to defend 

themselves against

attempts to bring down government websites, and the

 defacement of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and Istana 

webpages. 


solution


WORK is under way to tighten Singapore's defence against 

attacks that aim to disable government websites


how

This will be done by providing Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) mitigation services.

DDoS attacks work by having thousands of infected computers accessing and overwhelming a targeted site, causing a huge spike in traffic.

DDoS mitigation is a set of techniques that differentiates genuine incoming traffic from that sent by hijacked, infected browsers, so that services to genuine users will not be denied.

one issue...many essay questions

1 conflict is avoidable
2 environment and pollution
3 one country's actions/development can spell potential loss for another
4 why singapore has to pedal harder and be super efficient...because we can lose out to malaysia since they are so much cheaper....

Malaysia assured Singapore that it would observe international law, amid concerns over two massive reclamation projects on the Malaysian side of the Johor Strait.

"The Government of Malaysia remains committed to fulfilling its obligations under the general principles of international law and in particular, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea," Malaysia's Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said in a statement on Tuesday in response to Singapore's concerns.

The minister added that Malaysia has engaged Singapore on the issue through a Joint Committee on the Environment, which was co-chaired by the heads of Malaysia's Department of Environment and Singapore's National Environment Agency.

He also said that Malaysia's federal government has been in close consultation with the Johor state government and the property developers involved, reported the New Straits Times.

One of the two reclamation projects, a 1,410ha man-made island near Jurong Island, is intended to be furnished with oil storage facilities to capture the spillover energy business from Singapore, marine construction firm Benalec told The Straits Times.

The other project, the 2,000ha Forest City near the Second Link, is being developed by China's Country Garden Holdings and a Johor state company, Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor.

This island is intended to be turned into a tourist hot spot, complete with hotel, luxurious apartments and recreational facilities.

Singapore had last Saturday voiced concern over possible transboundary impact from the massive projects, given its proximity to Johor.

Back in 2002, Malaysia had similarly objected to Singapore's land reclamation works in Tuas and Pulau Tekong, arguing that the projects could potentially impinge on Malaysia's territorial waters, causing pollution and destroying the marine environment in the Strait of Johor.

The dispute was resolved after the two countries appeared before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, and signed an agreement in 2005.

- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/top-the-news/story/kl-assures-spore-it-will-observe-rule-law-20140626#sthash.75KxJQbW.dpuf

A rose by any other name

World's Greatest City: 50 reasons why Singapore is No. 1

The little red dot heard round the world proves that size doesn't matter

1. Food capital of the world

Singapore = Food. The city-state dominates the 'net with food blogs where hungry netizens compare, dissect, argue and swap foodie fodder, scouring the island for new tastes. And nearly every conceivable victual from every earthly corner has a home here. Fancy authentic Egyptian Baba Ghanoush? Arab Street's got you covered. Crave something Nigerian besides a scam e-mail? Find it on Verdun Road in Little India. If it's edible and fits on a plate, bowl, banana leaf or sheet of paper, we'll wolf it with zeal. But if you truly want to sample Singapore’s food culture, head to any of the hawker centers in the heartlands -- there’s a huge variety of stalls there at dirt-cheap prices.

2. Green thrives in the big gray city

Singapore's a Garden City, literally. Amid the concrete jungle we call home, there's the Botanical Gardens, HortPark, MacRitchie Reservoir, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve -- each claiming myriad varieties of flora and fauna.

But the most common impression left visitors to Singapore concerns the rows of trees that line roads everywhere, from expressways to suburban streets. It's not just a green facade -- Singapore's a champion of environmental initiatives, from the world's largest CNG refueling station to its first Solar Greenlots for electric vehicles.

3. Greatest living politician

No one in Singapore, regardless of political stripe, has anything but a healthy respect -- perhaps even awe -- for Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. He led Singapore to independence in 1965 and served as its first Prime Minister for 31 years, setting the record as the world's longest-serving Prime Minister. He's the architect of Singapore's present prosperity, laying a foundation of nation-building which has taken Singapore from a sleepy little island to one of Asia's most developed states, despite its small population, limited space and lack of natural resources.

4. Dedicated to keeping us alive forever

Singapore has one of the best health care infrastructures in the world, with various dignitaries and royals from the region patronizing local hospitals -- Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe even slipped in quietly for a 'secret cancer check-up' in 2008. The health care provision system is also one of the world's best, so good that some say it beats the proposed ObamaCare model.

5. First and only Night Race in the world

Singapore is the first F1 venue to host a night race on its streets, and will do so for several years to come. The inaugural race in 2008 also earned the city-state an unfortunate distinction for being the one in which Team Renault boss Flavio Briatore ordered Nelson Piquet to crash, giving teammate Fernando Alonso the win. It's now known as the Singapore 'Crashgate' scandal -- which might lend some cred to Singapore's squeaky-clean image.

6. Water technology so good, we drink our own pee

Time magazine called Singapore the global paragon of water conservation. Through sheer effort, and more than a little desperation (Singapore imports less than half the population's water from neighboring Malaysia with agreements set to expire in 2011 and 2061), the island turned to desalination technologies to provide for thirsty citizens. The result is NeWater, which is non-potable wastewater filtered into high-purity H₂O that can be used for industrial development and even drinking.

7. Most awesome crustacean dish of all time

The Singapore chili crab is famous. Despite what the Malaysian Tourism Ministry claims, the dish is distinctly Singaporean, as evidenced by the Singapore Chilli Crab Festivals staged all across Europe. Madam Cher Yam Tian created the succulent recipe in 1950 and it's now the unofficial national dish of a food-loving nation, with restaurants and coffee shops serving it by the ton nightly.

8. English that no one else understands

It's the unofficial 'first language' of most Singaporeans and one that would bewilder the remaining English-speaking world. Singlish is the creole of choice for citizens, cobbled together from various influences including Queen's English, Bahasa Melayu, Tamil, dialects such as Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Bengali, Punjabi and even a smattering of various other European, Indic and Sinitic languages. Word of warning -- if you don't know it, don't try it. It'll make you sound sillier than we already do. Eh, dun pray pray ah …

9. Connected, mobile and most oblivious to the surroundings

Thanks to its minuscule size, Singapore has the infrastructure to support island-wide 3.5G mobile and wireless internet access. According to Singapore’s Infocomm Development Authority (IDA), there are 6.5 million mobile subscribers (as of July 2009), making for a staggering 140-plus-percent mobile phone penetration rate, and over four million in wireless broadband subscriptions. This is why you’ll see Singaporeans with their attentions dedicated to their phones, rather than their environment.

10. Campaign-craziest place on earth

There’s a Singapore-wide campaign for everything -- Be Courteous, Speak English, Speak Mandarin, Stop Dengue, Save Water, Stop Littering, Be Kind, Don't Spit, and Stop At Two are just a warm-up. We'd go on, but that would violate the current Stop Prattling campaign.

11. Natural disaster-free … for the most part

Owing to our geographic location, Singapore is sheltered from most of the natural disasters that afflict neighboring countries and the rest of the world. Still, people get a kick each time a strong wind blows down from the north or our houses rumble from the aftershocks of Indonesian earthquakes.

12. Most crooked-backed kids

Small children toting oversized backpacks crammed with books are common to our neighborhood streets. That would be due to our educational system, with streaming programs that start as early as primary four. This goes all the way up past secondary school, until you are able to choose your preferred subjects.

13. Coolest place to get vertigo

Atop the 226-meter Swissotel the Stamford, Southeast Asia's tallest hotel, New Asia Bar is best for watching tipsy tourists and partygoers try to make sense of its tilted 72nd floor (it slants 20 degrees downwards for maximum eye-in-the-sky effect). And if that's not dizzying enough, clamber up to the top floor helipad for a 360-degree view of the bright lights of Singapore. On a clear night you can see as far as Indonesia. Just don't look down. Or fall over.

Swissotel The Stamford Singapore, 2 Stamford Road, Singapore, tel +65 6837 3322. www.equinoxcomplex.com

14. You don’t expect to get mugged or knifed at 3am in our darkest alleys

Singapore has a crime rate so low, ladies stroll without fear in the wee hours of the night. Neil Humphreys, a UK-born columnist who planned to visit for three months and ended up staying for almost 10 years, commented on how safe the island state was in his book, Notes from An Even Smaller Island. And contrary to Western opinion, there's no strong police presence poised to cane anyone for spitting, chewing gum or scratching cars.

15. Craziest adrenaline junkie who won't quit

Khoo Swee Chiow, a.k.a. the first Singaporean to reach Mount Everest (and once more without oxygen), a.k.a. the record holder for the world's longest journey on skates (6088km in 94 days), a.k.a. the man who broke the world record for the longest controlled scuba dive, a.k.a, the cyclist who rode from Singapore to Beijing in 73 days (8066km)… You get the idea. He's off his rocker, but inspirational to anyone with a yen for danger.

16. 'Public housing' aren't dirty words

In many countries, 'public housing' conjures images of poverty, crime and places Rambo wouldn't tread without a Sherman. Not so here. Public housing is actually pretty good, with most of the population living in government-managed apartments -- it's just not cheap. In fact, far from poverty, Singapore has the highest density of millionaires at 8.5 percent of the population.

17. The nanny state's loosening its grip

Filmmaker Martyn See's banned "Singapore Rebel" film, about Singapore Democratic Party chief Chee Soon Juan, has been given the green light for public screening. Yes, it's four years since it was banned, and it's been watched by half a million people on YouTube and Google Video since, but it's a vital first step to more liberal arts. Baby steps ...

18. The country's built as if out of Lego blocks

For the world's third most densely populated country, Singapore is stacked neatly by an imaginary obsessive-compulsive Lego master, one who's managed to cram shoulder-to-shoulder buildings, religious institutions, parks, gardens, a water catchment or 33, numerous restaurants, cafes, nightspots, shopping malls and two award-winning zoos into an area just shy of 700 square kilometers.

19. Vampire shopping

Singapore's stretch of Orchard Road malls accommodate the most fickle shoppers, connected as they are by an intricate network of underground passages, tunnels, sheltered walkways, covered escalators and the Mass Rapid Transit train line. Shop from Wisma Atrium on one end to Suntec City on the other without feeling the sun.

20. You can call it whatever you want

Digging into the history books, Sang Nila Utama, the founder of modern Singapore, named the island of Temasek as such when he saw what he thought was a lion, took it as a good omen, and renamed the place 'Singapura,' meaning "Lion city." The English 'Singapore' evolved from the Malay name, hence the moniker 'Lion City' and one half of the iconic Merlion. Zoologists maintain that lions probably never lived there, not even Asiatic breeds, and that the beast seen was more likely a tiger, probably the Malayan Tiger. Funny how the island's eponymous animal never really existed. But, then 'Harimaupura' (Tiger-city) doesn't have quite the same kick.

21. Last bastion of colonialism

Raffles Hotel still plays refuge to the time-displaced, khaki-shorted British jocks of pre-Independence Singapore. It's also home of the original Singapore Sling and one of the best places to have an old-fashioned English tea. Just don't ask about the tale of the tiger under the hotel or you'll get an hour-long history lesson.

1 Beach Road, Singapore, tel +65 6337 1886. www.raffles.com

22. Most educated, comfortable and honest taxi drivers

OK, so our cabbies aren't the most educated, but we do have Dr Cai Mingjie, the "only taxi driver in this world with a PhD from Stanford and a proven track record of scientific accomplishments." But educated or not, like cabbies everywhere, our taxi drivers are full of opinions and political commentary -- just ask what they think of the government and watch their mouths outrace their motors in RPM. Plus, all taxis are meticulously maintained, with twice-daily washes and a rigid fare structure. The rides might cost more than other Southeast Asian countries, but you'll never get cheated or over-charged.

23. The best Airport in the World

It's the pearl of Singapore's eastern end, voted Best Airport by more magazines and organizations than anywhere else. Families plan weekend excursions here, students spend inordinate amounts of time studying and daydreaming within its four terminals, and over 37 million passengers passed through its gates in 2008. There's a great transit hotel in the form of the Hotel Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, an orchid garden complete with a koi pond, free video games and movies 24 hours a day and free wireless internet throughout the airport. Why does anyone ever depart this place?

Singapore Changi Airport, 75 Airport Blvd, Singapore, tel +65 6595 6868. www.changiairport.com

24. World’s youngest iPhone developer

Lim Ding Wen has written an iPhone app called Doodle Kids that allows you to paint on the iPhone using shapes like triangles, circles and squares composed of random colours and sizes. Within a week of Doodle Kids' release through the App Store, it was downloaded more than 1,100 times. Ding Wen's now busy porting his Apple IIGS title Invader Wars to the iPhone. What's the big deal? He turned nine this year.

25. The greatest theme rides this side of the Equator

With the newly opened Universal Studios Singapore offering 24 movie-themed rides and attractions, including a pair of carefully coordinated roller coasters, seven zones (The Lost World and Hollywood Boulevard, for example), dinosaurs, lemurs, ogres, Egyptian mummies and the world's first Transformers Ride, Singapore's monopoly on amusement in the region is secure. Universal Studios has promised that this will be the only park it opens in Southeast Asia for the next 30 years.

26. The most morbidly named island

Our very own pleasure island of Sentosa was once known as Pulau Blakang Mati, which in Malay means "Island (pulau) of Death (mati) from Behind (blakang)."

All of this was swept under the dead grass carpet when the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board launched a campaign to rename the island 'Sentosa,' a Malay word meaning "peace and tranquility." It obviously worked, considering it's visited by some five million peace seekers a year.

Sentosa Island Singapore, tel 1800-SENTOSA (736-8672). www.sentosa.com.sg

27. Nostalgic about Communism

The Museum of Shanghai Toys (MoST) is home to tin toys made in China during the early 1900s. The displays are packed with wind-up walking robots, classic car replicas and ruddy-cheeked dolls, just for starters. And if you’re itching to get your hands on one, the museum store sells the actual tin toys imported from China, along with postcards and retro posters smacking with "messages" from the Cultural Revolution. Mao you're talking! Museum Of Shanghai Toys, 83 Rowell Road, Singapore, tel +65 6294 7747. www.most.com.sg

28. Flimsiest excuse to gather thousands of people and play with lanterns

During Swing KPE! in September, 2008 over 10,000 people took to the KPE Tunnel with lanterns in hand, breaking the record of 2,204 lanterns previously set in Kiel, Germany in November, 2001. Singapore bagged the longest Guinness lantern parade record with an overwhelming 10,568 participants.

29. Every healthy male can shoot a gun

Compulsory conscription in Singapore of all male 18-year-old Singaporean citizens and permanent residents means that every one of them can aim and fire a gun. Whether they'll ever put it to use is another matter altogether, since national service lasts only two years.

30. Tissue Paper Phenomenon

Loiter around any food court or crowded working class eatery during lunchtime, and you'll likely find tissue packs scattered about the tables. But they're not freebies courtesy of the management -- they're how the natives 'chope' (reserve) their seats. It's bizarre, but strangely BYOT does make some sense in a time-saving way. Sort of?

31. TNG-TWSTG, MND-BGLG ACRNMS

There's a whole new subculture of acronyms permeating Singapore, and it's ingrained enough to have spawned a Wikipedia glossary, from AMK to AYE, from CPF to COE. Though the only one you'd likely use is SOS. It makes us ROFLOL.

32. Stretch a dollar till it hollers

Get a decent chunk of ice cream wrapped in soft, fluffy bread along Orchard Road, quaff a nice piping cup of jet-black coffee in any of the numerous 'kopitiams' (coffee shops) or even stay at a spanking new hotel for just one dollar. How's that for recession busting?

33. Perpetuating the stereotype that Asians are bespectacled bookworms

Singapore loves its books -- there are 22 well-stocked public libraries scattered throughout the island, with the monster of all literary stockpiles at the Central Lending Library shelving over 200,000 books for loan, browsing or killing eight hours. If that's not enough, specialized bookstores such as Books Actually, Polymath & Crust, 25 Degrees Celsius and Casual Poet have sprung up for insatiable readers.

Central Lending Library, Level B1 National Library Building, 100 Victoria Street, Singapore, tel +65 6332 3255. www.nlb.gov.sg

34. Highest place in the world to watch the wheels go round and round

At 165 meters (the height of a 42-story building and some 30 meters taller than the London Eye), the Singapore Flyer is the biggest observation wheel in the world. It's worth the half-hour ride for its 360-degree view of Singapore, from the Marina Bay to the Singapore River, Raffles Place, Merlion Park, Empress Place and the Padang.

30 Raffles Avenue, #01-07, Singapore, tel +65 6854 5200. www.singaporeflyer.com

35. Gong Li and Jet Li are at home here. You don't think you're better than them, do you?

Two of the biggest Chinese names in Hollywood call Singapore home -- she married Singaporean businessman Ooi Hoe Soeng in 1996 and became a Singaporean citizen in 2008. He followed suit in 2009, choosing Singapore for its exemplary educational system.

36. The Origins of Tech Legends

The Sound Blaster family of sound cards, credited to have brought real audio to the average PC in 1989, was the brainchild of tech poster boy Sim Wong Hoo of Singapore-based Creative Technology. The first Macintosh classic was also said to have been assembled and built in Apple's Ang Mo Kio plant, as was rumored the first iMac, iBook and iPod in its top-secret research facilities here.

37. Magicians meet fruity umbrella drinks -- finally

Bar 84 is famous for its on-site Japanese magician. But be bold -- its regulars have been trying to keep Bar 84 under wraps since it first opened a few years back, and the bouncers at the door can scare you into questioning your suitability for entry. But once inside, you can enjoy the nightly magic show by owner/bartender Hashi-san.

The Gallery Hotel, 1 Nanson Road, Singapore, tel +65 6235 0002. www.galleryhotel.com.sg

38. The coolest pairing of comic book superheroes (or most unfortunate name ever)

Nineteen-year-old Batman Bin Suparman, born in Singapore to Javanese parents, has a lot to live up to if his namesake is any guide. He's even got his own Facebook Fan Club. The wedgies this kid receives must be superhuman.

39. Greatest collection of ‘-opolis'es

Biopolis, Airtropolis, Fusionopolis, Entrepolis -- we can make an ancient Greek society out of anything, like these government names for major institutes, events and agencies. Welcome to Imaginapolis!

40. Iconic buildings inspired by nocturne sex

Beijing has its Bird's Nest Stadium. Taipei has its Bamboo Skyscraper. And Singapore has the Durian Theaters. The waterside Esplanade Theatres on the Bay were designed to express harmony with nature, reflecting the balance of yin and yang. But they've, instead, been compared to the eyes of flies, copulating aardvarks and Chinese dumplings. Locals just call them the "Durians."

The Esplanade Theatres, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore, tel +65 68288 377. www.esplanade.com

41. Artery-choking, coma-inducing, prehistoric milk drinks

The Milo Dinosaur has made its way across the Malaysia border and has spawned new offspring in Singapore. The ultra-chocolatey drink, which is basically a cup of Milo topped with an extra spoonful of undissolved Milo powder, has the Milo Godzilla (added ice cream and whipped cream) trailing after, together with siblings "Horlicks Dinosaur" (a variant with the malt drink power) and "Neslo" (combined with Nescafe powdered coffee).

42. Best little alternative culture shop in the heart of town

Straits Records specializes in straight-edge culture, stocking obscure punk music tee-shirts, niche books and titles in various formats from around the world. Vegan owner Ridhwan hosts ad-hoc indie performances, film screenings and art shows in his little store, on rooftops and in basement car parks. Can't this guy do anything mainstream?

766, North Bridge Road, Singapore, tel +65 9769 4837 / 9385 3211. www.myspace.com/straitsrecords
Opens Monday to Friday, 3pm - 11pm, Saturday & Sunday, 12pm to 11pm.

43. Most complex coffee ordering procedure ever

Everyday, in kopitiams (local coffee shops) all over Singapore, coffee stall attendants with bellows for lungs yell out drink orders in the most perplexing code this side of the Causeway. "Kopi-o peng gao jit puay" means one iced thick coffee without milk and less sugar, while "teh-si siew dai sua neng puay" means two cups of tea with condensed milk and less sugar. Don't bother, most Singaporeans just place their drink orders in plain ol' indecipherable Singlish.

44. Hang out with purple-haired artists doodling on walls while blowing smoke rings out of an Egyptian shisha

Haji Lane is Singapore's must-visit street, where streams of curious tourists, design students and wannabe fashionistas gather to hunt for great local finds, designer clothes and accessories. Expect rows of small boutiques packed with vintage dresses, classic bags, shoes and even cameras. Take time to check out the graffiti on the walls -- it's one of the best collections of street art around.

45. Toilets are taken (too) seriously

The Restroom Association of Singapore (RAS) wants its public toilets so clean you can eat off the lids. To do that, they comb the island in search of the causes of dirty crappers and spread the Good Word on good toilet etiquette.

46. We keep it Old School

It's Old School by name, old school by design and old school by location. With local artists shacked up in the old retrofitted schoolhouse, art galleries, design studios and agencies, and a cinema that plays regional films, Old School's is a magnet for those with an alternative bent. Hang around in the evening and get to know the local musicians and their followers who flock to the beer and live music at Timbre.

11B Mount Sophia, Singapore, tel +65 6338 7682. www.oldschool.sg

47. We're more than happy to kick the crap out of you (it's for your benefit!)

There's no mystic sensei-student bond, no sagely David Carradine figure offering cryptic advice, no special effects to fake the blood and bruises, no "Eye of the Tiger" soundtrack in the background. What there is at Evolve Mixed Martial Arts, however, is full-on, knuckle-cracking, blood-and-sweat contact sport, with hellish routines that’ll leave you feeling like a puddle of pâté.

#02-22 POMO Mall, 1 Selegie Road, Singapore, tel +65 6337 0082. evolve-mma.com
Open Monday-Friday 7:30am-10pm, Saturday & Sunday 11am-6pm

48. Partyopolis

Spread over a sprawling 70,000-square-foot space, St James Power Station was Singapore’s first coal-fired power station, but now is nine separate clubs housed under one red-bricked roof. Do a salsa in Movida, hop over to Powerhouse for house beats, goof off to campy top-40s in the Boiler Room, try yum seng glasses of Martell in Dragonfly, or catch local bands such as EIC at Bar None.

3 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore, tel +65 6270 7676. www.stjamespowerstation.com
Opens Sunday to Thursday 8pm-3am, Friday & Saturday 8pm-4am for most outlets

49. Everyone's apparently related

It's strangely comforting when everyone (and we mean everyone) is accorded a familial term, including the Ice Cream Uncle on Orchard Road, or that Toilet Auntie at Far East Plaza. If your taxi driver's younger than you, then it's 'brudder' or 'sistah', or just 'boss,' if you want to score some brownie points.

50. Cutest appellation for a country

The Lion City. The Garden City. The Asian Tiger. The 'Fine' City. All venerable nicknames, but the perennial favorite has to be the Little Red Dot. We're so small and unnoticeable on the world map, some dusty cartographer with Harry Potter specs had to use a red dot to denote our location. But notice us the world did, with accolades such as the 'easiest place for business,' the 'most livable city in Asia' and the 'best city in the world to live in for Asia expatriates.' We are Singapore, hear us roar.