Sunday 9 March 2008

Red Scarves & Neighbourly Developments

Red Scarf - San Francisco Roger Smith

A download of this print is available for private use only. Click Here and follow the instructions. The image is a composite of winter activity in San Francisco.

Matters closer to home

Last evening we watched the outcome of the elections in neighbouring Malaysia and this morning's radio news confirmed a major upset for the ruling party. For the first time in more than 50 years the ruling coalition have lost their absolute, two-thirds majority.

The reason there is such extensive coverage and analysis in Singaporean media is the impact this dominant player has upon the day-to-day lives of Singaporeans. From labour to basic commodities like food and water, much is transhipped from Malaysia.

A stable Malaysia makes Singaporeans sleep a little easier at night and of course the economic inter reliance has a major impact upon both countries. The economic development zones of the former Malaysion government may now not happen, as the government's smaller majority will not allow them to push through their legislation unimpeded.

With the loss of the outright majority of the Barisan Nasional party it will be interesting to observe what this does for foreign investment in Malaysia and for social order. In 1969 following the polls there were riots and a state of emergency declared. One hopes this will not happen this time around.

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