SMILE Singapore!

I almost choked on air when i heard from the radio that the IMF-World Bank committee allowed Singaporeans to conduct an Outdoor Demonstration yesterday. I couldn't believe my ears!! Is tis for real?? Did the government just went cuckoo or somethin for allowin such?? TIS MUST BE A JOKE!

I wanted to leap in the air...to finally declare...Wow they finally let us have a voice!! Yeay!! But hurhurhur...check out what i found on ChannelNewsAsia:

'Alternative external venues' raised by World Bank not possible: Lim Hwee Hua

By Julia Ng | Posted: 23 August 2006 2324 hrs

SINGAPORE : The IMF-World Bank meetings organising committee
believes it has provided an excellent solution to outdoor
demonstrations - by setting aside the Suntec lobby for Civil Society
Organisations (CSOs) to air their opinions in full view of delegates.



In an exclusive interview with Channel NewsAsia, Mrs Lim Hwee Hua,
the minister overseeing the meetings, said the 'alternative external
venues' suggested by the World Bank are not possible in principle, as
Singapore law prohibits all outdoor demonstrations.




When the 16,000 IMF-World Bank delegates descend upon Singapore in September, some 300 to 400 CSOs are expected to follow.




Singapore Police have set aside the Suntec lobby for accredited CSOs to carry out any demonstrations in full view of delegates.



Lim Hwee Hua, Minister-in-Charge of Singapore 2006 said: "Under our
local rules, we do not allow any outdoor demonstrations or marches.
That's a strict no-no. We have to stand very firm. Because to us, the
threat is real.



“We have our own local rules on public order and we do not see any
compelling reason to change them simply because we're hosting the
Singapore 2006 or the IMF-World Bank meetings."



Apart from public order concerns, many Singaporeans and businesses
will need to make adjustments as roads close and companies work out of
the Suntec area during the week-long event.



"There's no denial that there'll be some form of inconvenience. But
we believe it'll be more than compensated for with both the short term
and long term benefits. The short term effects are obviously the amount
of business, tourism-related business, that will be generated by the
group of visitors," said Mrs Lim.



"The longer term effects will be tremendous. If we're thinking of the
tourism aspirations such as Singapore being a sought-after and fun
place, then this is the long-term brand-building benefit that will come
about," she added.



Mrs Lim said Singapore 2006 is also an excellent opportunity to
showcase Singapore's cultural diversity and its trademark efficiency
that's delivered with a human touch.


So my fellow Singapore citizens, don't forget to (feign a) SMILE for our guests. Thailand may be the land of a thousand smiles...but Singapore has 4 million!!!

Right.....Pffftt