Satire in Singapore

I enjoy reading www.talkingcock.com "Singapore's Most Powderful Satirical Humour website". Always funny, but maybe a bit over the top sometimes. For more subtle satire, one should read the letters to the Straits Times (also known as the State's Times, or the Government Propaganda). Two of this week's beauties for which I want to commend the authors (very funny, very subtly written, well done!) are here:

SINGAPORE is internationally recognised as one of the cleanest, safest and most efficiently run countries in the world. We enjoy a remarkably open and corruption-free environment, stable prices and a per capita GDP equal to that of the four largest West European countries.
Singapore is unique in that it has been a bridge between the East and the West for centuries with everything from a colourful ethnic enclave to an uber modern business centre, from serene gardens to sleek skyscrapers, state-of-the-art infrastructure, a harmonious blend of culture, cuisine, arts and architecture yet continues to embrace both the traditional and modernity.
As a regular international traveller, I am constantly reminded that what we have here in Singapore is a shangri-la.
Just as you ever have a reason to feel proud of this utopian nation that you have created, you also ever have a reason to feel proud of your national carrier - Singapore Airlines.
Singapore's enviable reputation is mirrored in the reputation of Singapore Airlines. Among aircrew from other carriers, the SIA service is held up as the gold standard. This superior service is the reason that most people I know choose to fly SIA.
Four times this year I have taken the flight that would have to be the ultimate test for any aircrew - the world's longest flight, 18 hours from Singapore to New York.
Amazingly, the crew managed to maintain the highest levels of professionalism, courtesy and genuine care throughout the flight.
Feel proud, your national carrier is truly a credit to your nation.
Gary Anthony

SINGAPORE recently signed a significant treaty with Indonesia.
Not many realise that Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world (220+ million people) and almost 3,000 times larger than Singapore (1.9 million sq km).
Just a short boat ride out of Singapore waters and one does not take long to see that Indonesia has hundreds of islands (17,508 to be exact), many of them larger than Singapore.
Our leaders stand side by side with great nations of the world; the US President flies to meet our leaders to discuss regional security; and our neighbours designate special economic development zones to attract investment from our country.
Our global economic and political influence is so strong that other nations will protest if our leaders visit certain countries or an ex-politician visits our leaders.
Both developing and developed countries are so eager to learn from us and our success that our Government will start to sell our governing and administrative expertise to other nations.
We are living in one of the most densely populated countries in the world; 4.5 million people on 700 sq km of land. Yet we are so amazing that we can even 'outmanoeuvre' mother nature - through sheer determination we have reversed the role from an importer to an exporter of fresh water.
Larger nations with huge natural resources like Australia are knocking on our doors to learn how to supply water to their people.
Singapore is like a 25kg sumo wrestler standing beside giants (in fact we are many times smaller).
Although we are small, every move we make is watched by all the great players in the world.
Singapore is truly unique, but what we are and what we have achieved are definitely not coincidental.
It took a strong team of leaders and administrators spanning almost two generations to achieve what we have today.
How do we value our Government when it had done the almost impossible and is able to influence great leaders of the world?
It is tough for Singaporeans to stand by and support difficult policies, but we must realise that it is tougher for the Government to put them forward and implement them.
Luckily for all of us, Dr Ng Eng Hen was right; that most Singaporeans know how to cherish, protect and grow our little red dot, the dot we call home.
Syu Ying Kwok