Leading Taiwanese magazine Global Views once conducted a survey on the most livable city in the world and Singapore was ranked 6th.
The monthly polled 200 members of The International Network For Urban Development, which has a membership of more than 1,000, comprising city planners, architects, designers and government officials from 47 countries and territories.
Criteria used in the survey included ease of transportation, a comfortable living environment, a vibrant and diverse culture and administrative efficiency.
Based on the findings, the magazine described Singapore as an excellent city that is a result of meticulous planning. But it also noted that some people have sneered at Singapore as a place that resembles a hospital - - sterile and boring.
Some journalists from the foreign media and people who proclaim themselves as firm supporters of freedom, democracy and human rights, often ridicule Singapore as a place with strict control over all aspects of life and where fines are imposed freely.
In other words, it is a country with no freedom, democracy and human rights. They choose to ignore Singapore‘s many achievements over more than 30 years which have earned international recognition, preferring to believe in hearsay and distorted views that smear the island state.
It is the duty of a government founded on democracy and the rule of law to punish criminals. Anyone who breaks the law must face the consequences. Granted that American schoolboy Michael Fay is neither an arsonist nor murderer, he still must not be spared from punishment for car vandalism and theft.
Crimes such as armed robbery by juveniles, guns hidden in school bags, students shooting and killing fellow classmates, drug addiction and trafficking and rape can become rampant when law enforcement is inadequate. And fear of becoming victims of crimes will keep people from leaving home at night.
Chewing gum stuck on the doors of MRT trains can cause them to malfunction and the entire system to come to a standstill. A cigarette spiked with heroin can prove too tempting for many, eventually breaking up a family and ruining a person‘s future. Heed the saying “a single spark can start a fire”。
To curb the rise of crime rates, all criminal acts, whether serious or minor, must be punished. Runaway crime rates can threaten social stability and create a sense of insecurity among the people.
Of course, crime cannot be eradicated even with tough laws and severe punishment. But the deterrent effect will make it clear to potential law-breakers that crime does not pay. An efficient administration of justice, meritocracy and good leadership are the reasons for our success.
Global Views also quoted The Economist which described Singapore as a city where everything is carefully measured. This is why while many Asian cities are in chaos, Singapore stands out as an irresistible land of peace for many people.
Singapore is a country with highly transparent rules and regulations and will make a truly livable and cosy home, said a Chinese living in the US but who has worked for some years here.
（Translated by Yap Gee Poh.）
新加坡是個(gè)舒適的家
陳運(yùn)臨
臺(tái)灣《遠(yuǎn)見》雜志曾以國(guó)際都市發(fā)展協(xié)會(huì)的200名會(huì)員為調(diào)查對(duì)象,新加坡在全球宜人城市上排名第六。
該協(xié)會(huì)擁有千余名會(huì)員,他們是47個(gè)國(guó)家和地區(qū)的都市規(guī)劃專業(yè)人士、建筑師、設(shè)計(jì)師和政府官員。
調(diào)查項(xiàng)目包括便利的交通,舒適居住環(huán)境,具活力的多樣化文化、行政效率等。結(jié)果《遠(yuǎn)見》形容新加坡是現(xiàn)代人精心規(guī)劃出來的完美城市。與此同時(shí),它也指出某些人則嘲諷新加坡像一所醫(yī)院,干凈但乏趣。
一般自恃自由、民主、人權(quán)信徒與媒體經(jīng)常嘲笑新加坡是個(gè)芝麻綠豆小事情都要管制與動(dòng)輒罰款、缺乏自由、民主和人權(quán)的國(guó)家。對(duì)新加坡30多來享譽(yù)國(guó)際口碑的輝煌成就,聽而不聞。而且,誤信道聽途說的謊言,歪曲事實(shí),貶低獅城國(guó)譽(yù)。
嚴(yán)刑峻法懲罰罪犯是法治民主國(guó)家政府的天職,任何罪犯都必須面對(duì)法律制裁。美國(guó)少年邁克菲雖非縱火殺人罪犯,但他砸壞他人車輛與偷竊,必須面對(duì)嚴(yán)法懲罰。法不正,管不嚴(yán),有法不依,罪犯行為肯定日益猖獗。
孩童帶槍打劫,書包里暗藏手槍；學(xué)生槍殺同學(xué)；販毒、嗜毒、強(qiáng)*等罪案層出不窮,使人們夜間出門必須三思而行。這是司法有形無實(shí),管制不嚴(yán)的后遺癥。
一團(tuán)口香糖粘著地鐵車門,導(dǎo)致車門開關(guān)失靈,列車開不動(dòng)；一根海洛英香煙的誘惑,害人淪落深淵,妻離子散,在在顯示星星之火足以燎原。
因此,為著抑制罪案的泛濫,無論大小輕重罪犯都需要嚴(yán)刑峻法加以制裁。否則罪案泛濫,造成社會(huì)動(dòng)蕩不安,人民不能安居樂業(yè),全民因而遭殃。
雖然,嚴(yán)刑峻法也不可能完全杜絕罪案的發(fā)生,但是法正、管嚴(yán)肯定有阻嚇與抑制的效果。法正,管嚴(yán)與賢人領(lǐng)導(dǎo)、能者辦事是新加坡成功之道。
《遠(yuǎn)見》雜志引述《經(jīng)濟(jì)學(xué)家》形容新加坡是個(gè)每樣事情都經(jīng)過尺規(guī)量過的城市 .因此,在亞洲其他城市充斥亂象時(shí),這個(gè)精心策劃的小桃源,是讓人難以舍棄的選擇。
一名旅美華裔說,他往返新加坡工作多年,深切了解新加坡真是一個(gè)體制高度透明的法治國(guó)家,宜人的城市,舒適的家。
The monthly polled 200 members of The International Network For Urban Development, which has a membership of more than 1,000, comprising city planners, architects, designers and government officials from 47 countries and territories.
Criteria used in the survey included ease of transportation, a comfortable living environment, a vibrant and diverse culture and administrative efficiency.
Based on the findings, the magazine described Singapore as an excellent city that is a result of meticulous planning. But it also noted that some people have sneered at Singapore as a place that resembles a hospital - - sterile and boring.
Some journalists from the foreign media and people who proclaim themselves as firm supporters of freedom, democracy and human rights, often ridicule Singapore as a place with strict control over all aspects of life and where fines are imposed freely.
In other words, it is a country with no freedom, democracy and human rights. They choose to ignore Singapore‘s many achievements over more than 30 years which have earned international recognition, preferring to believe in hearsay and distorted views that smear the island state.
It is the duty of a government founded on democracy and the rule of law to punish criminals. Anyone who breaks the law must face the consequences. Granted that American schoolboy Michael Fay is neither an arsonist nor murderer, he still must not be spared from punishment for car vandalism and theft.
Crimes such as armed robbery by juveniles, guns hidden in school bags, students shooting and killing fellow classmates, drug addiction and trafficking and rape can become rampant when law enforcement is inadequate. And fear of becoming victims of crimes will keep people from leaving home at night.
Chewing gum stuck on the doors of MRT trains can cause them to malfunction and the entire system to come to a standstill. A cigarette spiked with heroin can prove too tempting for many, eventually breaking up a family and ruining a person‘s future. Heed the saying “a single spark can start a fire”。
To curb the rise of crime rates, all criminal acts, whether serious or minor, must be punished. Runaway crime rates can threaten social stability and create a sense of insecurity among the people.
Of course, crime cannot be eradicated even with tough laws and severe punishment. But the deterrent effect will make it clear to potential law-breakers that crime does not pay. An efficient administration of justice, meritocracy and good leadership are the reasons for our success.
Global Views also quoted The Economist which described Singapore as a city where everything is carefully measured. This is why while many Asian cities are in chaos, Singapore stands out as an irresistible land of peace for many people.
Singapore is a country with highly transparent rules and regulations and will make a truly livable and cosy home, said a Chinese living in the US but who has worked for some years here.
（Translated by Yap Gee Poh.）
新加坡是個(gè)舒適的家
陳運(yùn)臨
臺(tái)灣《遠(yuǎn)見》雜志曾以國(guó)際都市發(fā)展協(xié)會(huì)的200名會(huì)員為調(diào)查對(duì)象,新加坡在全球宜人城市上排名第六。
該協(xié)會(huì)擁有千余名會(huì)員,他們是47個(gè)國(guó)家和地區(qū)的都市規(guī)劃專業(yè)人士、建筑師、設(shè)計(jì)師和政府官員。
調(diào)查項(xiàng)目包括便利的交通,舒適居住環(huán)境,具活力的多樣化文化、行政效率等。結(jié)果《遠(yuǎn)見》形容新加坡是現(xiàn)代人精心規(guī)劃出來的完美城市。與此同時(shí),它也指出某些人則嘲諷新加坡像一所醫(yī)院,干凈但乏趣。
一般自恃自由、民主、人權(quán)信徒與媒體經(jīng)常嘲笑新加坡是個(gè)芝麻綠豆小事情都要管制與動(dòng)輒罰款、缺乏自由、民主和人權(quán)的國(guó)家。對(duì)新加坡30多來享譽(yù)國(guó)際口碑的輝煌成就,聽而不聞。而且,誤信道聽途說的謊言,歪曲事實(shí),貶低獅城國(guó)譽(yù)。
嚴(yán)刑峻法懲罰罪犯是法治民主國(guó)家政府的天職,任何罪犯都必須面對(duì)法律制裁。美國(guó)少年邁克菲雖非縱火殺人罪犯,但他砸壞他人車輛與偷竊,必須面對(duì)嚴(yán)法懲罰。法不正,管不嚴(yán),有法不依,罪犯行為肯定日益猖獗。
孩童帶槍打劫,書包里暗藏手槍；學(xué)生槍殺同學(xué)；販毒、嗜毒、強(qiáng)*等罪案層出不窮,使人們夜間出門必須三思而行。這是司法有形無實(shí),管制不嚴(yán)的后遺癥。
一團(tuán)口香糖粘著地鐵車門,導(dǎo)致車門開關(guān)失靈,列車開不動(dòng)；一根海洛英香煙的誘惑,害人淪落深淵,妻離子散,在在顯示星星之火足以燎原。
因此,為著抑制罪案的泛濫,無論大小輕重罪犯都需要嚴(yán)刑峻法加以制裁。否則罪案泛濫,造成社會(huì)動(dòng)蕩不安,人民不能安居樂業(yè),全民因而遭殃。
雖然,嚴(yán)刑峻法也不可能完全杜絕罪案的發(fā)生,但是法正、管嚴(yán)肯定有阻嚇與抑制的效果。法正,管嚴(yán)與賢人領(lǐng)導(dǎo)、能者辦事是新加坡成功之道。
《遠(yuǎn)見》雜志引述《經(jīng)濟(jì)學(xué)家》形容新加坡是個(gè)每樣事情都經(jīng)過尺規(guī)量過的城市 .因此,在亞洲其他城市充斥亂象時(shí),這個(gè)精心策劃的小桃源,是讓人難以舍棄的選擇。
一名旅美華裔說,他往返新加坡工作多年,深切了解新加坡真是一個(gè)體制高度透明的法治國(guó)家,宜人的城市,舒適的家。