He's Correct But...

Even before he takes up his post, the new US ambassador to Singapore, David Adelman, has already managed to “stir the pot” as they say.

In his first public statement on Singapore since he was assigned to his post, Mr. Adelman vow to encourage the Singapore government to allow greater openness in the political scene. This was of course welcomed by the Singapore opposition parties with Reform Party chief Kenneth Jeyaretnam begin front and centre.

Personally, I’m not that impressed. The ambassador is right when he said that Singapore is not a multi-party democracy, but how is that any business of the US ambassador. Singapore has been ruled by the People's Action Party (PAP) since 1959 because they have won every general election since then.

Now I’m not saying the elections are fair, I’m not saying the Singapore media is not biased, I’m not saying Mr. Adelman is wrong; what I’m saying is that it’s none of his business who Singaporeans vote into power. He is the US ambassador to Singapore, it’s hardly his place to promote democratic reforms in Singapore or vow to encourage the Singapore government to allow greater openness.

There’s a time and place for everything, and good intentions he may have, Mr. Adelman was wrong to comment on the political situation of Singapore especially when he hasn’t even being in the post for 1 day.