I AGREE whole-heartedly with Mr Richard Quek (South China Morning Post, May 4) about the typical hypocrisy of the American Government in dealing with the Singapore Government regarding Mr Michael Fay.
Everyone is equal in front of the law, which is to be upheld at all times for a civilised society to exist. And if Mr Fay was prepared to break the law, then he should have been prepared to accept the consequences. I am sure if a Singaporean citizen committed the same crime there would not be so much publicity surrounding the case. Why should an American be treated differently? I have lived and worked in London for over 15 years and London is suffering from the same problem as the US - an impotent criminal punishment system that dishes out meek punishments to criminals.
A slap on the wrist does not deter anyone from committing a crime. It encourages it.
Singapore has an effective way of punishing criminals. It should be the envy of other countries and not be termed ''inhumane'' or ''barbaric'', as some American has suggested.
Did Mr Fay and his friends ever consider the feelings of the owners of the cars they vandalised? I hope Mr Fay and Mr Shiu, the Hong Kong youngster that was convicted for the same crime, have learned their lesson.
PETER CHAN Mid-Levels I REFER to Mr Richard Quek's letter headlined, ''Clinton hypocritical over caning'' (Post, May 4). Like his comment on Mr Joel McCormick's earlier letter, Mr Quek is also entitled to his own opinion. However, I would like say that we, in Hong Kong, are tired of hearing egotistic Singaporeans glorifying their country as if it is paradise on earth.