The hanging of the Oz drug courier

i think that it's a simple case of drug smuggling that was politicised. The reasons can varies from simply trying to save his life thru all means to balliticians giving oneself more exposure, trying to be mr righteous. Luckily, the Oz are not gonna have elections soon if not the balliticians will make even bigger hoohaa.

isn't the message about drug penalty clear? However, many still take the risk to do so even it's well publicised that once caught, you definitely be hang. they dun think of the severity of the situation and start to cry about the laws being harsh/infringes human rights shit when caught, which is too late. To me, it's simple, you bear the consequences of your actions.

anyway, s'pore gives no shit to any of the countries who plead even when the situation boils over like in the philippines ' contemplacion' maid hanging case or even the michael fray US brat. when the issue becomes politicised, the issue is not only about drugs and hanging any more but more importantly, about a country's sovereignty.

S'pore and our leaders will in my eyes, lose it's ability to lead it's countrymen should they formulate policies or even court judgement to deflect the outside pressure and lobbies instead for the better of us. A leader that is sway by pressure sets a bad precedence for other country to follow suit and we'll be bullied. It's a point of no return once the judgement is set and the leaders will have to stand firm and withstand the onslaught of criticism and scrutinity but this shows that our leaders are fair and not afraid to be scrutinised by all.

from this issue, i've admired the way Oz PM howard handles the case. he managed to balance his country's pressure with reality knowing that if it gets blown out of proportion, it'll be a lose-lose situation for both. it shows the man's character in times like this cause if it happens to our neighbouring countries, many will out to score political brownie points.

well, mr chee soon juan deserves a mention too, not for siding the Oz for he's entitled to his opinion but for his behavour towards s'pore. it's too many a case of calling sour grapes from him that he got no more credibility left in him. how to be a respected opposition? look at chiam see tong or low thia kiang. you can critised the policy or gahment but the good of the country comes first and foremost.

to round it up, living in S'pore is very simple for foreigners and all. The laws and regulations are all clearly stated thou some are harsh while some are plain stupid. You can live your happy or miserable life, no police/gahment fellas will bother if you live it's within the parameters.
if you are not happy with it then fuck off to other countries that suits you best but while you are in it, do what the romans do.