Should we allow foreigners to meddle with our country’s affairs?
Many leaders in Hong Kong have said that the recent protests were influenced and supported by foreign forces.
If true, it’s not surprising because throughout history, we have seen how foreign entities have influenced different countries and caused major damages to them.
These countries include countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
In a highly interconnected world and with advanced technology, dark forces both within the country and without can influence Singapore in a substantial and yet, subtle way, and cause major effects on our country and progress.
For example, advanced data analytics was used by Cambridge Analytica to influence US voters for the benefit of Republican candidate Donald Trump.
https://www.google.com.sg/amp/s/mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKBN1KL2FG
https://www.google.com.sg/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/mar/22/cambridge-analytica-scandal-the-biggest-revelations-so-far
In addition, results of ongoing investigations by the United States government suggests that Russia had also manipulated voters’ opinions and influence outcomes of the 2016 presidential election.
Can interference by foreign entities affect Singapore negatively?
Case in point, it was not long ago that many fake news from overseas were circulated about relations between Singapore and China.
Despite clarifications by our authorities and local press, there were many Singaporeans who chose to believe the anti-Singapore side of the story.
They have not only formed a position based on third party’s opinions, they were also persuading others to tarnish our foreign policy and affect our image.
Many of the emotionally-charged responses to those fake news were beset with more lies, half truths, and other misinformation.
http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/3-myths-about-spore-china-ties
As a general rule of thumb, we should never let foreign entities interfere directly or indirectly with our domestic affairs because it may affect our country, society and future.
Our country’s affairs include our political system, government, policies and laws, and how we run our country, and other material aspects of our country and people.
As an aside, there is a world of difference between interfering with domestic affairs, to foreign investments and contributions.
Obviously, we should continue to solicit and approve essential foreign direct investments to strengthen our economy.
Invite and allow foreign entities and foreigners to help improve our assets, knowledge, skills, connections and other resources.
And welcome them to research about us, and share their knowledge and expertise with us.
However, they should not take any initiative to influence our culture, belief, values, governance, political system, and direction.
We should stand firm, and be vigilant.
Adopt measures to prevent foreign entities from using their funds and various initiatives to mould us according to their image.
We cannot let them take direct or indirect action, financially or otherwise to shape our future.
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3020829/former-hong-kong-leader-tung-chee-hwa-accuses-united-states
