Focus on Singapore investment immigration and the laws of Singapore:
The world should be aware of the formidable nature of Singapore's laws. Over a decade ago, a young American learned this firsthand. In 1994, an American youth named Michael was sentenced to four months in prison, a fine of 3,500 Singapore dollars, and six strokes of the cane for vandalizing cars. Following an appeal from President Clinton, then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew showed some leniency and reduced the sentence to three strokes. Singapore's caning is quite severe; three strokes are enough to leave the buttocks lacerated. At the time, there was an uproar in the United States, with critics labeling Singapore's methods as barbaric.
While those who are fined or executed may deserve some sympathy, the essence of law should be that of a tiger with teeth, guarding the bottom line of morality and the behavioral rules collectively agreed upon by society. Without modern rules, the law of the jungle will inevitably prevail. Without the protection of the law, a society is bound to be unjust and chaotic. An unjust and chaotic society is certainly uncivilized and struggles to develop healthily. In fact, regarding the rule of law, Singapore learned its experience from the West. Lee Kuan Yew studied Western law! He was a law graduate from the University of Cambridge and a lawyer by profession. It is a historical irony that the student surpassed the teacher, only to be criticized by them later.
Singapore's strict laws and harsh punishments are truly unparalleled in the world; no other country can compare. It is said that throwing a cigarette butt on the ground results in a fine of 1,000 Singapore dollars, equivalent to an average person's monthly income. Offenders are also required to perform several hours of community service, and reporters take photos to publish in newspapers, making it difficult for them to show their faces. Lee Kuan Yew had a theory, documented in his autobiography. He stated that Singaporeans had a low level of culture and required strict training, much like pets; once properly trained, they would know how to relieve themselves outside, at which point strict laws would no longer be needed to regulate them. Here, he emphasized the educational and transformative role of the law. This makes a lot of sense. Humans are not physiologically different from animals; without training and discipline, their behavior will inevitably manifest many animalistic instincts. How to discipline? Law is the most important tool.
Because of this, Singaporeans have developed the habit of abiding by the law, and both social and economic order are excellent. As moral standards have improved, material civilization has followed. The entire country has become a beautiful park, where people live comfortably and contentedly. A small country with a population of 3 million attracts 5 million tourists annually, earning significant foreign exchange. Everything is orderly and regulated, leading to rapid economic and social development. How did a tiny city-state manage to become one of the Four Asian Tigers? If we talk about the political system, Singapore's system differs from Western parliamentary democracy; instead, it has distinct authoritarian characteristics. Some say it relies on Confucian theory, but that is far from the truth. Lee Kuan Yew himself was not very proficient in Chinese; how deep could his understanding of Confucianism be? Singapore merely utilized reinterpreted Confucian dogmas to serve its moral development. In reality, Singapore's success is based on only two things: first, a clean government, and second, strict laws. And strict laws are closely linked to, and mutually reinforcing with, a clean and transparent government.
Singapore is not only clean in its natural environment but also exceptionally clean in its social environment. You will not see scenes of arguing or fighting on the streets, nor will you see an abundance of entertainment venues. The social customs in Singapore are particularly honest and kind. So much so that if you are wandering the streets at night, the police have the authority to intervene and tell you to go home and sleep early. Singapore places great importance on building the country through institutional development. The Singaporean government has put great effort into social governance, especially by adopting effective mandatory measures. Singapore's fines are world-famous. Tourists visiting Singapore can see large signs regarding fine regulations everywhere. Litterbugs are fined 500 Singapore dollars; smoking on a bus results in a 5,000 Singapore dollar fine; throwing trash from high-rise buildings can lead to the confiscation of housing; spitting or littering also incurs fines. The fine for chewing gum and spitting the residue on the ground is almost equivalent to a month's salary. All of this is strict yet reasonable. Singaporeans say, "We are a small country and cannot afford to be chaotic!" In fact, why should large countries be any different?
This wealthy nation highly values frugality. To give a few examples: when eating at a "buffet" in the aquarium, no one leaves food behind or wastes it, as the law requires extra payment for wasting food in restaurants; Singapore's MRT has 47 stations, with only 6 built underground and the rest above ground, saving a massive amount of construction investment; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore still does not have its own office building, renting space from corporate buildings, and the luxury cars used to welcome foreign guests are also rented, as renting is much more cost-effective than building or buying. Careful calculation, being wealthy without extravagance, having resources without waste, and the top setting an example for the bottom to follow—this has become a prevailing trend. This is a virtue in Singapore and a precious treasure of the nation.
