Can Singapore Have Freedom and Stability? (int'l edition)

In the past, I have been an outspoken critic of Singapore's leadership and have expressed concern about the dynastic succession there. Nonetheless, your story on the Lee Hsien Loong stewardship over Singapore's economy and its monetary system provides evidence of his talents (''Remaking Singapore Inc.,'' Asian Edition Cover Story, Apr. 19). His role in the resolute actions taken in response to regional crises shows that bold reforms allowed Singapore to steal a march on neighboring countries.

Aside from his steady hand as the principal architect of economic reform, Lee has softened his hard edges through close encounters with the citizenry. He has also engaged some bright young advisers to collect and decipher feedback from different sectors of the community.

Although I wish him and the citizens of Singapore well, some caution might be in order in assessing the future prospects for the Lion City. Several more surprises are in store arising from resolution of lending to and investments in its economically troubled neighbors. Singapore's banks and the custodians of its mandatory pension scheme, the Central Provident Fund, have considerable exposure in the crisis-torn neighboring economies of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Unfortunately, the tight control on information and the unlikely prospect of a parliamentary inquiry renders any assessment of Singapore's affairs to be as daunting as was Kremlinology during the Soviet era. Success in the global market will require that Singapore's government become as open as its economy and that its political leaders become as accountable as its economic leaders.

Christopher Lingle
Hong Kong


The article notes that Singapore's attempt to change will be hampered by the right of freedom of speech. Opposition leader Chee Soon Juan was jailed after he made two public speeches without permit. First, Chee was warned several times by police that he would be breaching the laws of the country if he continued. Second, he was not elected to the parliament. Third, his party lost all its seats in the last election. Fourth, he was overseas when the economic crisis hit Singapore, yet he was complaining about the measures taken by the government without providing any solutions.

I would say that he was trying to create a scene to let people know that he is around. In fact, the former leader of the party (being ousted by Chee) is a much more capable politician, who was elected to the parliament after he formed his own party.

The low level of opposition in Singapore is not because of restrictions on freedom of speech. The problem is that most opposition-party members are not able to provide better solutions than the current government.

Being a Singaporean myself, I do not see any restriction. People have to be thankful for what they have and not be too greedy. Changes have to be taken slowly. Look at Russia and China. Russia became a democratic country too quickly, while China is enjoying a level of prosperity as it opens up slowly to the rest of the world. I agree that having too many restrictions will hamper creativity, but having too much freedom is also bad.

Just look at the chaos in Indonesia at the moment. That is why there is still a need for the Internal Security Act. If used properly, the ISA is capable of stopping troublemakers who are out to disturb the peace and harmony of Singapore that the government has so painstakingly established over the years.

Eric Loon Chian Hui
Clayton, Victoria
Australia

Indian Politicians Are the Real Culprits (int'l edition)

The reason the Indian civil service is increasingly becoming uncivil is not hard to find (''An uncivil servant,'' Asian Business, Apr. 5). The Indian civil service, especially those who belong to the elite Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) cadre, represent the best and the brightest of Indian society. This is because the UPSC selection process is one of the most stringent in India--even to this day, despite being the legacy of British rule.

Further, the post-selection training of the UPSC cadre is of high caliber: Recruits go on to occupy some of the top positions in the government. Those who qualify can easily get prestigious positions in high-paying private sector jobs of their asking. The only motivation to join the Indian civil service is possibly because of one's sense of higher calling to serve the nation and its people.

On the other hand, the politicians represent the worst end of the spectrum, where possibly 99% of them would fail clerical level tests for India's nationalized bank jobs. So it is not surprising when Indian civil servants refuse to take orders from the politicians who abuse power and privileges to help their kin, property mafias, stock market manipulators, tax evaders, liquor lobbies, and criminal elements who help out politicians during elections.

This situation is more appalling in the case of law-enforcement agencies such as the state police. Indian Police Service officers also belong to the UPSC cadres. Unfortunately, they are often not allowed freedom to discharge their duties without political interference.

It is indeed a wonder that many young men and women seek civil-service positions in India, where the pay is low and they often have to endure humiliation from irresponsible elected representatives. It is also a job for which honesty and integrity are not the best traits. Unless the quality of Indian politicians improves dramatically and the public develops confidence in politicians to act responsibly, the future of Indian democracy itself could be in peril.

V. Shankar
Singapore

Was That a Map of Brazil--or Jungleland? (int'l edition)

I was offended by the cover of ''Brazil's deepening crisis'' (Special Report, Mar. 22) issue. It portrays the map of Brazil as a Peruvian Indian's face, with the typical Inca nose, and it is covered in the southernmost portion by a bunch of bananas, and on the left side is what seems like a mountain range and a toucan bird. This drawing portrays Brazil as a banana republic, populated by native Americans of an ethnicity that doesn't belong to this part of the continent. The mountain range, probably meant to be the Andes, is not even within Brazilian territory. Brazil is flat.

Such an influential magazine should teach people and not repeat American stereotypes. Brazil is one of the 10 richest countries in the world. It is fully industrialized and has made some impressive strides in offshore, space, and aeronautics technology. We have a lot of inequality, but so does the U.S.

The stereotypical portrayal of Brazil by the U.S. media jeopardizes American business opportunities. Besides the natural riches, including the four-crop-a-year fertile soil, Brazil has 160 million consumers. Brazilians are an easy-going and hard-laboring people.

Compared with America, even Italy is a banana republic. What makes the mighty really strong is not their ability to perform grand acts but their ability to pay attention to details, hear the small, and give worth to the little. This holds true for every kind of power--even a country.

Anselmo C. Pontes
Rio de Janeiro