[International Herald Tribune, Friday, Oct. 7, 1994, page 4, "Opinion" section] "The Smoke Over Parts of Asia Obscures Some Profound Concerns" By Christopher Lingle SINGAPORE -- There are views from East Asia that are decidedly different >from those of Kishore Mahbubani in his comment, "You May Not Like It, Europe, but This Asian Medicine Could Help" (Opinion, Oct. 1). First, his metaphor of a "ring of fire" defined by political flashpoints along Europe's edges is figurative. Here in Southeast Asia, such a description is a literal reality, revealing much about the "Asian model" he supports. For the past month, Singapore, much of Malaysia and parts of Indonesia have been choking under a thick cloud of smoke from Indonesian forest fires raging out of control. It is unthinkable that such a catastrophe in Europe would meet with such resounding reticence among government officials of the affected countries. Despite pollution levels in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur that often surpass or else hover just below the unhealthy level, the public is belatedly informed that a ministerial meeting to address this crisis will not be held until the end of October. One has to wonder what Europeans might learn from this Asian remedy. Such inaction and refusal to comment on the internal affairs of neighbors is a defining characteristic of ASEAN, the Association of South East Asian Nations. These Asian states seem more interested in allowing fellow governments to save face than in saving the lives of their citizens or preserving the environment. The remark that "more lives are lost daily on the periphery of Europe than in the entire Asia-Pacific region" is remarkably disingenuous. The assertion is probably not true. However, there are no means for independent corroborations for what goes on in much of Asia. News that flows freely and is distributed widely in Europe results in active public introspection about its consequences. In many Asian states, the media are subject to numerous restrictions and forms of censorship, some blatant, some subtle. As a consequence, Asian citizens can receive diluted or filtered information, or remain uninformed except for self-serving government announcements. This control of information allows governments to release news on their own terms, basking in their own glory while concealing their failings. In the particular case comparing the loss of life in Europes's conflicts, there is no solid information on how many Asians lost their lives in the political struggles in such places as East Timor, Burma or Tibet. The indifference of the regimes in this region to such outrages and crises strongly supports the perception that human life is worth little in Asia. Such a response must be seen in the context of governments based upon partriarchal, collectivist ideals where society is placed above self. There is no tradition for promoting individual liberty or protecting individual rights. Mr. Mahbubani's reference to the tragic carnage in Europe may be correct. However, he conveniently overlooks the fact that considerable numbers of lives are ruined in Asia for participating in political opposition. Intolerant regimes in the region reveal considerable ingenuity in their methods of suppressing dissent. Some techniques lack finesse: crushing unarmed students with tanks, or imprisoning dissidents. Others are more subtle: relying upon a compliant judiciary to bankrupt opposition politicians, or buying out enough of the opposition to take control "democratically." Trade unionists in Europe seldom face such pressures. Mr. Mahbubani's claims are strongest when he is not comparing Europe's flawed institutions to Asia's allegedly superior ones. For example, it is hard to disagree with his advice for ending Europe's agricultural subsidies. Although consistency demands that the South Korean and Japanese governments muster the political will to face down their farmers on this issue, he conspicuously refrains from offering such advice to his Asian neighbors. One is also heartened by Mr. Mahbubani's encouragement of increased global rather than regional integration. Nonetheless, his remarks do not seem to square with the initiatives for an ASEAN free-trade area or an East Asian economic caucus. Certainly it is wrong for Turkey to be excluded from the European Union. Meanwhile, India is kept at arm's length by ASEAN. After being called to account for regional myopia, Europe is blamed for overlooking the three big forces on its doorstep: Russia, Africa and Islam. Mr. Mahbubani deftly side-steps the lack of mutual response among Asians to three big forces that threaten their stability: China, overpopulation and a rapidly decaying environment. Meanwhile, his articulate delivery masks the shrill refrain that is increasingly commonplace among apologists of authoritarian regimes in Asia. During the Cold War, the ASEAN states used the image of a Communist menace to great effect. They developed a coherent front that provided legitimacy to their often repressive methods. It served an end that was applauded by the West. As a reward, developed economies provided these Asian regimes with national security guarantees and generally open markets while turning a blind eye to the boot kept at the throat of their political opponents. With the disappearance of communism as a realistic threat, some Asian regimes deflect interest from their rigid authoritarian control by pointing to the corrosive effect on their societies from the decadent influences of the West. Yet the only certain threat associated with the introduction of liberal democracy is its weakening effect upon the choke hold of one-party political dominance. - - - - - - - The writer, senior fellow in European studies at the National University of Singapore, contributed this personal comment to the International Herald Tribune. ============================================================================ The Straits Times Wednesday, Oct 19, 1994: -------------------- NUS Don probed for possible contempt of court Police confirmed yesterday that they are investigating an academic working at the National University of Singapore (NUS) for possible contempt of court and criminal defamation. The investigations on Dr Christopher Lingle, 46, a senior fellow in European studies of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, arose over an article he wrote in the International Herald Tribune (IHT) newspaper earlie this month. A police spokesman said yesterday that two officers had questioned the American lecturer in the presence of a senior university official on Monday. But he declined to comment further, adding that investigations are still in progress. It is understood that police have also taken some magazines and documents from Dr Lingle. But details of the seizure were not available yesterday. The case involving the academic, who is from the American city of Atlanta, centres on his article, headlined "The smoke over parts of Asia obscures some profound concerns" which was published in the IHT on Oct 7. The commentary was a rejoinder to an opinion piece written by Mr Kishore Mahbubani, Singapore's Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and in the same newspaper on Oct 1. Mr Mahbubani wrote that European foreign policy was flawed, but that East Asia had enjoyed sound strategic decisions. In his article, Dr Lingle referred to "intolerant regimes in the region" which were "ingenious in suppressing dissent". He said that while some techniques lacked finesses, others were more subtle, such as "relying upon a compliant judiciary to bankrupt opposition politicians, or buying out enough of the opposition to take control 'democratically'." He told the Reuters news agency on Monday that during the questioning by police that day, he was asked whether a reasonable person would conclude that his article had impugned the judiciary and undermined general order in Singapore. Under the law, the High Court is empowered to mete out punishment, such as a jail term or a fine, for contempt of court. A senior lawyer contacted yesterday said a person could be cited forr contempt if he makes a derogatory remark on the court or scandalises it. The offence of criminal defamation carries a maximum penalty of two years' jail and a fine. The NUS declined to comment on the matter yesterday. But The Straits Times learnt from several NUS undergraduates that Dr Lingle teaches second- and third-year Arts students topics such as European business environment, structures and performance. The American, who is on a two-year contract, has spent 13 months at NUS. When approached at his office yesterday morning, Dr Lingle said, "I have nothing to comment." He told Reuters on Monday that he would be meeting police again yesterday. The Straits Times' attempts to contact him last night were unsuccessful. ============================================================================ SINGAPORE (Reuter) - Singapore said Friday it had taken legal action against an American professor, a newspaper and a distributor for published remarks by the professor that criticized Asian governments. The attorney-general has applied for contempt of court orders against Christopher Lingle, a former professor at the National University of Singapore, a spokesman for the attorney general's office said in a statement. Also named as respondents were Richard McClean, publisher and chief executive of the International Herald Tribune in Paris; Michael Richardson, Singapore-based Herald Tribune Asia editor; International Herald Tribune (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.; and Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. The latter prints a regional edition of the Herald Tribune. It also publishes The Straits Times and other local newspapers. Lingle wrote an Oct. 7 opinion piece in the Herald Tribune that referred to unnamed ``intolerant regimes'' and attacked their judiciaries. Singapore officials have said they viewed those remarks as being directed at their country. Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said last month that Singapore could not allow the integrity of its government or judiciary to be impugned. The attorney general's statement said the five parties were named for ``acts in bringing into existence, publishing, printing and distributing a statement concerning the Singapore judiciary which is contained in (Lingle's) article.'' All five have been served with papers and a Dec. 2 hearing has been set in the high court. Lingle, 46, was investigated for possible criminal defamation by police shortly after his commentary was published. He resigned from the university and returned to the United States Oct. 20. The U.S. State Department had earlier criticized what it called an apparent attempt to harass Lingle. The Singapore government denied any harassment.