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Web
of rules stops foreign choir singers voicing gripes
Sydney
Morning Herald
12 Feb
08
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/...
In
Singapore there is no such thing as putting on a stage show and
hoping people turn up. It's a drawn out and often painful
process.
All of the acts need permission from the
government, transcripts of lyrics and plays must be submitted for
approval and even the type of food on offer is subject to
scrutiny.
Approvals in recent years have been easier to
come by as the government attempts to build a metropolis with a
diverse arts scene to entertain the growing number of expatriate
workers in residence. But every now and then there is a reminder
of the complicated web of rules that hangs uncomfortably over
this seemingly modern city.
The Complaints Choir of
Singapore was given such a reminder two weeks ago when the
government banned it from performing unless six of its members -
foreigners - quit the group.
The government was not happy
with foreigners publicly criticising Singapore, even though some
of the lyrics were as trivial as "people put on fake accents
to sound posh and queue up three hours for doughnuts".
The
choir, one of a worldwide movement of singing groups set up to
give voice to local gripes, was told that it was inappropriate
because the lyrics touched on "domestic affairs" and
"any public discourse in such matters should be reserved for
Singaporeans only".
Perhaps the government was
troubled by the refrain "My, oh my, Singapore. What exactly
are we voting for? What's not expressly permitted is
prohibited."
But its objections did not stop the
lyrics being heard. The choir, which refused to perform in public
without all of its members, gave a private performance instead
and broadcast it on YouTube.
It has had over 15,000 hits.
Alex Au, a founder of the gay
activist group People Like Us, describes Singapore's government
as "passive-aggressive. They tie a rope around your neck so
you'll behave yourself, but they don't hang you".
Many,
like Au, believe the country's approach to freedom of speech and
expression is stubborn, ineffective and damaging for its
reputation.
Take the government's stance on gay rights.
Sex between consenting male adults is a criminal offence under
section 377A of the penal code and offenders can be sent to jail
for up to two years. There was a big push to have 377A repealed
last year. Advocates for the repeal said that Singapore, one of
Asia's most advanced economies, needed to show the world it was
moving with the times.
But in the end, after a long and
heated debate, the push for repeal was defeated in October.
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