SINGAPORE IN 2009

If you ask me how I would describe Year 2009, my answer will be one word. ‘’Boring’’.

There was no shattering news or events that kept any Singaporeans on tenterhooks, to be traumatised or to pray for divine intervention. Unlike other countries, there were no demonstrations or terrorism scare or any major fatalistic accidents in workplaces. There was no tunnel, scaffolding or building structures collapse. It must be a journalist honeymoon year and delight that didn’t require them on 24/7 covering news with no sleep or shower.

Other than AWARE saga and the capture of Mas Selamat in Johore, I find it difficult to even remember a few domestics’ news. Perhaps my memory is failing as I officially joined the old man club this year.

But the first quarter of the year is best described as an economic scare arising out of the subprime crisis from America. No doubt our government has gone overdrive to provide the stimulus packages to get us out of recession. But Singaporeans rightfully have reason to be worried even though the situation was not one of despair and hopelessness. We know the government has the economic pulse at their fingers tip. Aware of the massive reserve that Singapore has, Singaporeans are primed and geared up for the ‘raining days’ resulting from this ‘passing thunderstorm and shower’. By the middle of the year, the sky was clearing up. Although not completely clear, more passing showers or drizzles are anticipated occasionally next year.

Singapore organised the APEC forum and see many world leaders ascending on our shore. It was an orderly event with no foreign NGOs demonstrating to grab world headlines. I think most of the would-be international demonstrators from NGOs have decided to give it a miss.

On the world front, Obama became the first black president of America. As time passes, he is just another American president trying to solve American recession and the world's problem. I think to date he has yet to produce any tangible result.

There rest of the world news are really nothing new. News from Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Taliban, Iran and its nuclear ambitions, North Korea and it missile tests, suicide bombings, terrorism acts help filled the pages of print medias. This will be the same news next year and years to come. None of this news has a global dimension that needs the world must act urgently.

The single most covered news for the year was the Copenhagen Climate Conference. In my opinion, it was a failure but on the positive note, at least the world largest emitters of greenhouse gasses have started talking. It was a first step.

Of course, there were so many news from Malaysia after the March 8 General Elections. We can write a book on the domestic squabbles between political parties, between different races and between different religions. And the single biggest and loudest critic is Mahathir. His tirades against his opponents and adversaries were definitely not lacking in tenacity for his age.

In Malaysia, the single most controversial, bizarre and heart breaking event was the death of Teoh Beng Hock, and political aide to an opposition MP. He died in to early hours at the premises of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency on the day he is to register his marriage to his pregnant fiancée. The agency and some senior government officials were quick to speculate he committed suicide. His death certainly touch the raw nerves of Malaysian from all races and walks of life. The remarks further erodes the creditability of the ruling Barisan National. Time permitting, I would love to write about Malaysia in 2009 on all the scandals, endless rumours, political infighting and all the controversies.

I hope 2010 will be a better year.











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