Comments on: MP Ho Geok Choo & the “Politics of Envy” Revisited http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/02/mp-ho-geok-choo-the-politics-of-envy-revisited/ a community of Singaporeans Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:25:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Dai Kor http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/02/mp-ho-geok-choo-the-politics-of-envy-revisited/comment-page-1/#comment-409 Dai Kor Thu, 01 Mar 2007 02:50:42 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/02/26/mp-ho-geok-choo-the-politics-of-envy-revisited/#comment-409 If international aid is a foreign policy tool on a “you owe me one” basis as you say, then clearly our assistance to Indonesia following the tsunami, Air Adam crash etc do not seem to be reaping any dividends. I see international aid as more of a PR effort. As a country, we would look terrible if we did not extend aid to neighbours when disaster strikes. In this regard, I would agree that seeking publicity is a critical element. Also agree that some MPs do not appear to have sufficient grounding in foreign policy. However, looking at some of the gaffs committed by politicians in neighboring countries (Johor’s Mentri Besar for one), I would say that they have company! If international aid is a foreign policy tool on a “you owe me one” basis as you say, then clearly our assistance to Indonesia following the tsunami, Air Adam crash etc do not seem to be reaping any dividends.

I see international aid as more of a PR effort. As a country, we would look terrible if we did not extend aid to neighbours when disaster strikes. In this regard, I would agree that seeking publicity is a critical element.

Also agree that some MPs do not appear to have sufficient grounding in foreign policy. However, looking at some of the gaffs committed by politicians in neighboring countries (Johor’s Mentri Besar for one), I would say that they have company!

]]> By: Gerald http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/02/mp-ho-geok-choo-the-politics-of-envy-revisited/comment-page-1/#comment-408 Gerald Tue, 27 Feb 2007 12:42:05 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/02/26/mp-ho-geok-choo-the-politics-of-envy-revisited/#comment-408 Int'l aid is primarily a foreign policy tool, not just for Singapore, but for all countries, including Japan, US, EU, etc. It is not given out of compassion, but so that we can say "you owe me one" when the crunch time comes. So seeking the maximum publicity is critical to achieve this objective. I really dont think Ho Geok Choo was saying we downplay our help. Like many the other MPs (in Singapore and elsewhere) who have little inkling about what goes on in foreign policy, she was just pulling out her nationalist card to score points. Unfortunately it backfired for her and she ended up having to explain herself in the ST Forum page. Int’l aid is primarily a foreign policy tool, not just for Singapore, but for all countries, including Japan, US, EU, etc. It is not given out of compassion, but so that we can say “you owe me one” when the crunch time comes. So seeking the maximum publicity is critical to achieve this objective.

I really dont think Ho Geok Choo was saying we downplay our help. Like many the other MPs (in Singapore and elsewhere) who have little inkling about what goes on in foreign policy, she was just pulling out her nationalist card to score points. Unfortunately it backfired for her and she ended up having to explain herself in the ST Forum page.

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