e IMF & World Bank Meetings..

Well, as we all know...September is a busy month for the country, as Singapore hosts the annual meeting for the IMF (International Monetary Funds) and World Bank Group. Over 16,000 delegates are expected to visit Singapore over the 10-days period. It's the largest international event that Singapore has ever hosted.

So Singapore kicked off a campaign called the "4 Million Smiles" to welcome the IMF/World Bank, to let them have an "unforgettable, positive and UNIQUE" experience during their stay in Singapore. 'Smile Ambassadors' were seen around all areas of Singapore, taking photographs of Singaporeans - smiling. Then, these photographs will be posted online and the images will be collated into a digital mural to welcome our delegates and visitors in September.

Just a personal thought: Why do Singapore ALWAYS need to use campaigns? This time round, "4 Million Smiles", do you mean that Singaporeans do not know how to smile? Haha..Or do we just smile in this September only? Let's say if one is unhappy or something bad happened on that particular day, does he/she still need to put on a 'fake smile'? With the recent issues in the country, like hikes on transportation, foreign talents imports, etc Can Singaporeans smile? There are a whole bunch of grumpy uncles/aunties/professionals out there loh.

I read it somewhere in the Net that it's very obvious if someone faked a smile..and you can differentiate it easily. So a fake smile = hypocrite? an act of pretence? Is that the way Singapore wants its citizens to be associated with? Smiling should be a natural and sincere act that comes from within your heart. But I guess..it boils down to every individual's. Well, it doesn't really hurt to move 40+ muscles around your lip to make a (fake or sincere, you choose) smile. GOOD DAY! =)

Besides 'smiling' campaign, Singapore has actually planned a series of 'Welcoming S2006', with all those hidden agendas. There had been issues regarding improving quality services from the service sectors. A national cooking competition in August, where the Winner represent Singapore to prepare dishes for our delegates.

City of Gardens? Yeah! Singapore's now Truely Uniquely transforms itself as the City of Gardens! Take a walk along Suntec City, Marina Square, Orchard Road..You'll be greeted by the 'smiles' of thousands or perhaps millions stalks of flowers of flowers. You want roses? lilies? sunflowers? tulips? chrysanthemums? In different colours. It's really a great sight to see such a vast amount of flowers planted along the roadsides. Beautiful!!! Sweet and Pleasant Scent!! Impressive! I mean..when can you actually view such scene?! Botanic garden? Sentosa? or perhaps a flower exhibition? WOW, Singapore is really out to spend $$$ to present a memorable event for our visitors.

Personal thought: Nice effort, Singapore! You spent $$$ (God knows..how much?!) and brought in flowers to decorate our City. So, meanwhile, let's pray that NOBODY (which I doubt so) will pluck the flowers away (to give girlfriends) or step on them. Keep them beautifully intacted on the ground. What's next after the event? Are the flowers going to be there to beautify our surroundings? or will they be rooted up (I hope not)? Hope that the greenery will remain for us to enjoy.

Freedom of Speech. Records had shown that Singapore is ranked one of the lowest (140+) among 150+ countries in terms of Freedom of Speech.

• Self-censorship by the media itself.
• Speakers' Corner (near to a Police Post) has became a white elephant. (Who dares to talk? The next moment, he/she might be drinking kopi nearby.)
• No protests/demostrations. Need license for 4 people and above.
• Anything you write on blogs or broadcast on Youtube (MINDEF forbids it..even though it just some funny and non-harmful videos), can become a problematic issue at HERE.

Now, Singapore faces tough decisions ahead of them, when they banned 28 NGOs to attend the Meetings. Apparently, IMF/World Bank accredited them to attend, but Singapore says "NO! They posed security threats." The debate continues. Across the worldwide newspapers, Singapore made its name, 'famous' by hitting the headlines of these press like BBC, Washington Post, Bloomberg etc. Debate between them rises when both parties argued over the signing of MOU in 2003..

Not to mention, there are no outdoor demostrations like in any other previous Meetings. Singapore only allowed an indoor demostrations, an area of 8m x 8m, where about 100 activists can 'fit' into that 'space'. The other area, where demostrations can be held, will be at Batam.

Personal thought: Now, Singapore having its name all over the headlines with regards to the banning issue, I wonder if it is a negative publicity? (definitely it is not a positive one!) In a sense, it is. But Singapore has explained clearly its laws governing demostrations, they can't have a double standard law in-place because of IMF. Laws are supposed to be abided. And IMF/World Bank Group should have known how STRICT Singapore's law is. Why do they still choose this place instead?

What's with that small space for? 8m by 8m...Still need to go through some procedures before they are allowed to voice out..

The police has every right to protect the Citizens and Delegates from any form of harms that might happen in demostrations. I do not support Singapore's move to ban the 27 NGOs but perhaps tighten the security with police escorting them. Surely, there are win-win situations and flexibility from the Singapore Government...Why cause unhappiness between all parties? And put Singapore in a bad image.. (Edited at 8.45pm: Singapore decided to let 22 NGOs to enter the country..a rather good move.)

"A Wayang Show...Spent so much $!" - Quoted by Mr. Anonymous