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seeyf's review
4.0
A collection of short essays by civil society leaders and advocates in Singapore on why they carry on with the work they do, and the many challenges they face. Though the quality of writing is uneven, the book is valuable in giving first-hand insight into issues that are often unseen, especially relating to attempts by the state to curtail or redirect work into areas that are more palatable. Apart from the official Singapore story, the work of these advocates play an equally important role in shaping a more inclusive and equal Singapore.
jeeleongkoh's review
4.0
A valuable collection of the experiences of social advocates and activists in trying to change government policies and enlarge the space of civil society in Singapore. The remit of the different individuals representing different organizations is helpfully wide: Ageing, Animal Welfare, Health, Heritage and Environment, Human Rights, Literature and Theatre, Media, Migrant Workers, Sex Workers, and Women. It is clear that the most successful of the organizations have been those who back up their arguments with research, engage the authorities privately and publicly, and soften any confrontational language, in other words, they have abided by the rules of engagement set out by the authorities. This approach works best for issues against which the main forces of resistance are ignorance and prejudice. When the issue has to do with political power - as in the struggle for freedom of expression and other democratic liberties, this approach cannot work, for no amount of research, reasonableness, and outreach will persuade the government to give up its political controls. A sufficient political force must be mustered to contest the present dominance. Lacking such a force, to ask the current regime to give up its overwhelming power is like asking a lion to surrender its teeth.
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