Why I don't blog about Singapore!

There are probably 50 posts in this blog since it was started back in May 2006. And the title of the blog mentions both Singapore and Malaysia. But so far, I've only had 2, maybe 3 posts about Singapore. The perceptive amongst you might ask why.

Well, aside from the fact that Singapore is awfully boring, and there is really nothing much to blog about unless you talk about The Great Singapore Sale, HDB flats, expensive condos and automobiles, the upcoming Integrated Resorts (not a big deal after having grown up in Malaysia just 2 hours from Genting Highlands and Casino) and other such mundane events. The latest "news" (if you can even call them that) are the recent hike in taxi fares and the ongoing 2006 Singapore Idol contest.

That's heart racing stuff, don't you think?

But there is one other thing. The GOS. Government Of Singapore.

This is a story about Singaporean, Lee Kin Mun aka Mr Brown. One of the most successful and prolific bloggers in Singapore. He brought you such great stuff as the Bak Chor Mee podcast during this year's Singapore General Election.

Well, Mr Brown had a regular article in Singapore's Today newspaper. He usually wrote about the funny side of being Singaporean, from his point of view. But on June 30, 2006, he made the grave mistake of writing unfavourably about how Singapore was being managed. This drew a swift rebuttal by a government official in the form of a letter to the same newspaper. Several days later, the ire of the government manifested in Mr Brown's column in Today being unceremoniously axed.

So, instead of injecting my own opinion into this issue, for the fear GOD or GOS no less... (same difference, here in Singapore), why don't you read below what caused all the ruckus and you can judge for yourself.

THIS IS THE ORIGINAL COLUMN WRITTEN BY MR BROWN.



















THIS IS THE RESPONSE FROM THE GOVT

















THIS IS A ROLL UP OF THE GOVT'S COMMENTS AFTER MR BROWN'S COLUMN WAS AXED