Presidential Election - Singapore is a dangerous place - Be careful what you say

Photo credit to CNA

AWARE said: "Consistently posting about 'pretty girls', recording videos of women in public without their consent, or commenting about their appearance isn’t merely a matter of personal preference or light 'amusement'.

"It's an act of objectifying women, reducing them solely to their appearances for their personal entertainment. Such behaviour from anyone in or aspiring to a position of influence suggests that it's acceptable to trivialise women and overlook their myriad abilities and contributions."

The group urged the PEC to "thoroughly consider" the broader implications of such endorsements in future....

 SINGAPORE: The Presidential Elections Committee (PEC) was not aware of Mr Tan Kin Lian's social media posts before a certificate of eligibility was issued to him, and it is "not legally entitled to revisit its earlier decision"....

"Any additional facts regarding a candidate which come to public attention after the candidate’s certificate has been issued, would be for the electorate’s consideration and assessment before casting their votes," it said.

The committee does not go through every applicant’s past social media posts before issuing or declining a certificate of eligibility, the PEC added.

If comments made by an applicant are brought to the committee's attention before a decision is made on an eligibility certificate, the PEC would consider them in its assessment, it said. CNA

 

The above statements from CNA is really bizarre for a cosmopolitan city state, a secular non religious state, and even to the point of being dangerous. A few light comments, or said jokingly, can cause an uproar. And a comment made in jest over a cartoon about pretty girls could lead to a question of character and even be rejected as a candidate to be the President of Singapore. Is Singapore a convent?

A reminder to all the bar or party goers, no more clever or saucy jokes. Be warned. Did they said there are cameras everywhere?

Oh, in Singapore, if you are telling a joke, you must tell your listeners first. If not they would not know it is a joke and would take it very seriously. This is how uptight this prude city state is.

Would the PEC disqualify a candidate over such a comment? Was it a crime, was it derogatory, was it an insult? Ok, ok, like they said, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. What is offensive and not offensive is personal and only an individual claimed to be affected would know. 

My advice to everyone, to all visitors, please do not compliment a beautiful woman. Please do not objectify a woman. Oops, maybe I should also not mention the word woman. My apologies. 

Is Singapore turning into a prick island? Prick, I think, is a man thing.

Even LKY once said, he did not expect his ministers to be celibate. As long as they did not become a scandal...but when it becomes a scandal, they have to go.

PS. From now on I would not compliment a good looking woman. I would also not look at them as if they are objects in their fine and expensive dresses, looking gorgeous. Better stay at home to be safe.