Justice and solidarity<\/p>\n
Last week's hanging of a 42-year-old Filipino maid, Flor
\nContemplacion, convicted of a double murder by a Singaporean
\ncourt, seems to be straining the relations between Singapore and
\nthe Philippines, our friendly neighbors and allies in the
\nAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).<\/p>\n
Singapore's Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong announced on Sunday
\nthat he was calling off his Manila visit scheduled for April 10-
\nApril 12. Yesterday news reports from Manila said that the
\nPhilippine government might ban its domestics from working in the
\nisland state.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, many Singaporeans who work and live in the
\nPhilippines have stepped up security, while others have even left
\nfor their home country, after receiving threats from angry
\nFilipinos protesting the Singapore court's decision.<\/p>\n
Manila put forth its best efforts to save its citizen from
\nSingapore's gallows. President Fidel Ramos even wrote a personal
\nletter to his Singaporean opposite number, Ong Teng Cheong,
\nasking for clemency, and Comtemplacion's lawyers delivered an
\n11th hour appeal to try to halt the execution. All was to no
\navail.<\/p>\n
The death sentence was carried out despite protests from
\nManila and from fellow domestic workers in Singapore and Hong
\nKong.<\/p>\n
Although Singapore, in terms of population and area, is the
\nsmallest country in Southeast Asia, it nevertheless is the
\nrichest and is widely known as one of the most consistently law-
\nabiding nations.<\/p>\n
As a matter of fact, Singapore's justice system is so
\nrespected by its people that even Lee Kuan Yew, when he was still
\nprime minister many years ago, could not but appear in court when
\nhe was summoned. Singapore's discipline has often been praised by
\nits neighbors.<\/p>\n
Last year, a Singapore court's decision to cane an American
\nteenager convicted of vandalism raised strong protestations from
\nthe public in the United States, including an objection to the
\nact from President Bill Clinton himself.<\/p>\n
The caning was carried out accordingly because it was
\nSingapore's wish to see that justice was done and that those it
\nconsidered guilty should not go unpunished.<\/p>\n
As a friendly neighbor of both Singapore and the Philippines,
\nit is our sincere wish that the hanging issue will not develop
\ninto animosity between the two peoples in this region already
\nbound by the ASEAN spirit and solidarity.<\/p>\n
We fully understand the anguish of the people of the
\nPhilippines and their anger sparked by the death of
\nContemplacion. We also feel deep sympathy for the children of the
\ndeceased who repeatedly declared their mother's innocence.<\/p>\n
Enraged by the death sentence and supported by the belief that
\nContemplacion was tried unfairly by the Singapore court,
\nthousands of Filipinos have threatened Singaporeans. This is
\nunderstandable because those people are carried away by their
\nemotions.<\/p>\n
We strongly believe, that in time, the anti-Singapore
\nsentiment will subside, as did the strong feelings against the
\nSingaporean judicial system among the American public last year.<\/p>\n
Singapore's leaders cannot be blamed for not trying to halt
\nthe execution because they themselves have to bow to their
\ncountry's judicial system.<\/p>\n
As reportedly admitted by Philippine Solicitor General Raul
\nGoco: \"They (Singapore) have their own judicial system... We have
\nto contend with the fact that we are dealing with a foreign
\ncountry and we cannot apply our own standard.\"<\/p>\n
Singapore's stance on its determination to uphold discipline
\nand to fight crime reminds us of what the great scientist Albert
\nEinstein said of governance and legal systems: \"Nothing is more
\ndestructive of respect for the government and the law of the land
\nthan passing laws which cannot be enforced.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/justice-and-solidarity-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}