Factual Inaccuracies About Singapore

Despite having quoted T.R. Reid's book over the past few entries, there are a number of things I found disagreeable about his book. Such as the many factual inaccuracies about Singapore.

For instance, Reid wrote: "Singapore is also a world capital of the Confucian ethic, with Confucius sayings taught in all schools and even set into the tiles on the walls of the subway stations."

Aw, come on, world capital? Taught in all schools? Inscribed on tiles? I am not sure if any Singaporean will recognize the Singapore as portrayed by Mr. Reid.

Reid also wrote: "Police with binoculars watch from the rooftops to snare any citizen who dares to jay walk, chew gum, or paste a sticker on a street post."

Oh please! Where on earth did Mr. Reid get such bizarre information from? With the cost of manpower in Singapore, I am not sure if the Singapore Police Force has the budget to station police on rooftops for trivial things such as these. And besides, surely the police have better things to do.

And by the way, chewing gum is not illegal in Singapore. You just cannot buy and sell it in the island state. An inane policy, if you ask me.