Singapore won't negotiate for passage through Strait of Hormuz as 'matter of principle' as reported in the Straits Times. This is the first time that Singapore made a statement based on principles on the killing of Iranians by the American and Israeli terrorists in Iran...though not on the killing but on free passage through the Strait. This is more important than the lives of Iranians. Singaporeans are obviously proud of Singapore's stand on this issue, just like Singapore's stand on the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. The missing piece is when Singapore is going to condemn and sanction America and Israel based on principles, like sanctioning Russia. Singaporeans would definitely be fully behind the govt to take another brave principled stand. Oops, cannot say that for the Anglophiles, they are behind the American and Israeli terrorists.
How would this principled statement by Vivian affect Singapore's interests? Singapore's principled statement and sanction against Russia have its consequences and Singapore is now living with them bravely and quietly. Some have the view that it was best for Singapore to shut up when big powers are fighting, principle or no principle, whether Singapore opens its mouth or not, nothing changes. In this case it is the same, better to shut up than to open the mouth. Singapore has nothing to gain, only to live with the negative consequences. If Singapore did not open its mouth, the worse consequence to suffer is constipation, when the shit could not get out.
In the bombing and killing of Iranians, there are many principles violated that Singapore chose to keep quiet, why spoke out on the Strait, why now? The invasion of Iran and killing of Iranians are many time more serious than the closing of the Strait. Violation of international laws, violation of national sovereignty, war crimes etc are very serious crimes. By speaking out on the closing of the Strait, does it help in anyway should America decide to close the Strait of Malacca or the Strait of Singapore?
Apparently Singapore has forgotten the debacle for speaking out against Russia and sanctioning Russia. The Americans have lifted their sanctions on Russian oil. Would Singapore be doing so as well, against its principled position? Why must Singapore poke its little thing into a vice between two or more superpowers? What is Singapore's benefit against its policies of pragmatism? Would Singapore die or suffer consequences by not opening its mouth?
When the world is full of hypocrisies, when taking principled position is a suka suka option, not a consistent policy, when violation of international law is the norm of terrorist states, would it be better to behave like a small state, know where its proper place in international politics? Is there any country in the world clapping for Singapore's principled stand? Is such grandstanding necessary or even useful?