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Letters

Drug stance disguises arms hypocrisy
I refer to John Chan's letter ("Weapon and drug sales incomparable", August 31) in reply to my letter ("Double standards rife worldwide", August 24), on Singapore's increasing arms sales.
He merely repeats the simplistic and self-serving arguments of militarists and arms exporters.
It is discouraging to find that some people are naive enough to believe that the world's annual expenditure on weapons of over US$400 billion somehow promotes peace and security.
Students of history and modern politics know quite well that "defence" is actually a euphemism, a justification and a cover for intimidation, aggression and big profits.
Modern conflicts and wars are fomented and exacerbated by a worldwide glut of weapons that are made available and traded as surplus by all the superpowers, especially the permanent members of the UN Security Council, which should limit arms proliferation and promote peace.
Singapore has close military links with Israel. How do these ties improve Singapore's defence? Do Israeli attacks on civilians in Gaza promote peace with Singapore's neighbouring Islamic nations like Malaysia and Indonesia? What efforts has Singapore made to reduce military tension and arms sales?
John Chan criticises my reference to Singapore's draconian anti-drug punishments and he praises its "peace-loving" attitude while approving its "minor role" in the arms trade.
But psychology, history and political studies warn us that politicians typically strive to appear moral and noble in one area to disguise ethical failure and blindness in other more serious areas.
By hanging drug smugglers, the "squeaky-clean" administration can extol its high moral standards while its expanding exports of lethal weapons are responsible for civilian deaths far away.
I do not in any way condone narcotics use, but it kills far fewer innocent people than guns, grenades and missiles. Will Singapore ever flog or hang a gun smuggler or illegal arms exporter?
Of course, Singapore is not the only or worst offender in this matter. But since it is in Asia, we should be aware of its influence.
Arms sales are profitable and money, like power, always corrupts politicians.
Any nation whose policies are dictated by military men, military priorities and arms exports cannot enjoy or promote peace.
Are there any peace-lovers in Singapore who can reduce excessive and harmful arms exports?
J. Garner, Sham Shui Po
 
All nations must join fight against terror
Numerous press reports of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia's dire warnings to the United States illustrate the cowardly response of his country among other Middle Eastern nations to the increasing threat of Islamic State.
If the actions of Islamic State go "against the teachings of Allah" and "the sanctity of human life", where is the military response from local leaders like the Saudi monarch whose country shares an 800-kilometre border with Iraq?
The Saudis regularly purchase billions of dollars of sophisticated US offensive aircraft and send their military leaders to the US for training.
If "terror knows no borders" one might suggest Saudi Arabia annihilate the threat before Islamic State is able to export its savagery.
It is not enough to exhort the US to act, to threaten local citizens with jail for joining the jihad or for Saudi clerics to denounce Islamic State and al-Qaeda as "the top enemy of Islam".
Nations around the world must take up arms besides dishing out rhetoric.
Daniel F. Downes, Avon, New Jersey, US
 
Students need to focus on their studies
Parents look forward to their children being able to realise their academic aspirations.
However, taking part in political activities and campaigns distracts young people from being able to pursue their academic objectives.
By the time students realise the implications of having wasted time on pursuing the agendas of others it is sometimes too late to catch up with their studies, and this can have dire consequences for their future careers.
When students become political activists without completely understanding what they are affiliating themselves with, they can inadvertently set themselves on a course that can negatively affect the rest of their lives.
Later they may be unable to recall what caught their attention and made them so passionate as to jeopardise their ambitions.
Students need to really focus on nurturing their intellectual ambitions and aspirations rather than joining protests, seeking media attention and expounding political ideologies.
They need to realise that they are the cultural ambassadors of their societies and that they can have a greater impact on society by gaining a good education than joining a protest.
Vashi Chandi, Tin Shui Wai
 
Democracy is still possible for Hong Kong
Seeing Scotland being able to vote for independence from the rest of Britain in the referendum to be held later this month, reminds me that the people of Hong Kong should also be able to vote to decide their own fate.
No matter how unlikely it may seem, a day when Hong Kong is a true democracy will surely come.
William Leung Yuen-lung, Sham Shui Po
 
Protests tarnish city's reputation
I'm writing to comment on the behaviour of some pan-democrats in recent electoral reform talks. Striving for democracy is admirable, but are activists helping to spread the message or are they just making matters worse?
Interrupting others' speech, pushing over barricades and being forcibly removed from protests are not productive.
Violence is never a means to earn respect. To earn respect it is necessary to learn to respect others. I believe that mature and well-educated activists and students already know that violence will not get anyone to listen to them, so why bother?
Apart from missing the chance to understand others' perspectives, some activists face the consequences of ruining Hong Kong's image in the eyes of the rest of the world.
What will other nations think of such childish and insolent behaviour? Perhaps there will be a new stereotype of rude Hong Kong people based on the behaviour of a few activists who have decided to act on behalf of all the people of Hong Kong.
Chan Yan-lam, Kowloon Tong
 
Celebrities deserve a second chance
Celebrities Ko Chen-tung and Jaycee Fong Cho-ming, who were arrested for alleged use of marijuana, have been widely criticised for failing to live up to expectations as role models for youngsters.
I understand that celebrities have a responsibility to behave well and establish positive images. But we should still accept them and give them a chance to reform and start afresh. Prisoners get second chances. Celebrities should have the same treatment.
If they are willing to reform, this could act as a good example to others.
Everyone makes mistakes. Forgiveness is important because it gives those who err confidence to try again.
Rachel Chan Yuen-ting, Tsuen Wan


Letters to the Editor, September 7, 2014

Singapore is expanding exports of lethal weapons. Photo: AFP

Letters to the Editor, August 31, 2014

Hong Kong faces a serious public housing shortage.

Letters to the Editor, August 24, 2014

Small bookshops are very important. Photo: SMP

Opinion

I refer to John Chan's letter ("Weapon and drug sales incomparable", August 31) in reply to my letter ("Double standards rife worldwide", August 24), on Singapore's increasing arms sales.
