Screenshots: De-classified: The Singapore way

Again, Singapore beats us in the way de-classified documents are displayed for public scrutiny.

As an illustration of how transparency is handled across the Causeway, here's a composite sample of Goh Chok Tong's correspondence to Dr Mahathir -- both are now former prime ministers -- way back in April 2002, in which initial consensus over the replacement of Causeway was achieved.

The original PDF, which is 3-page long, is available on Channel NewsAsia archive.

And this is Dr Mahathir's reply to Goh, dated May 11, 2002, that was published at liberty by the Singaporean government. Did the Singaporeans also believe that there are two sides to the coin?

SOURCE: Channel NewsAsia archive

Put in plain contrast, however much The NST tried to posture on behalf of transparency in Malaysia -- here and here -- we still pale to shame.

Thus far, after much hype about the OSA-declassified documents purportedly to put the record straight, we are merely given interpretation crafted by text draftmen's who, some say, include privileged people out-of-the-government.

In short, we don't get to see the real thing.

As it is, there are a lot more inter-governmental PDFs of such critical nature that, once de-classified, Singapore bares them all for public consumption -- no if, no but.

Just go to this Index page on Channel NewsAsia archive.

Too bad, there's no more revelation in Singapore after October 12, 2002 -- the date of the last published Malaysia-Singapore correspondence, where the water supply issue became a stalemate -- right through to October 31, 2003, the day Mahathir retired, and beyond.

Comments

The thing I'm trying to figure out is:

Where's the bits about the sand and air space?

Posted by: Yusseri | July 16, 2006 06:50 PM

Jeff, I think you ought to be truthfully and accurate by pasting the whole letter if you want to refelct the truth. The letter contains other info which must be read in context. You have cut certain portion only to reflect your view. Let the rakyat decide by posting truth content. Be accurate and not fall into the same threat of misleading others.

JEFF OOI says: Immediately beneath the COMPOSITE SAMPLE I posted as an ILLUSTRATION, I said in no uncertain terms: "The original PDF is available on Channel NewsAsia archive." The original PDF is live on CNA archive and it's 3 pages long. You can always view the doc in its entirety by accessing CNA arhice, for which I have embedded the link to the URL. However, You chose to ignore the context and your are obviously splitting hair and trying to distract readers from my main context: How two countries handle the case of de-classified documents vis-a-vis Transparency. The title reads: "De-classified: The Singapore Way". Please be fair and comment in accordance to the context I crafted. Give Singapore credit when credit is due.

Posted by: grownupwise | July 16, 2006 07:05 PM

dear jeff,

i feel it is unfair to compare msia's n spore's handling of delassified documents on the bridge issue.

JEFF OOI says: The Singapore's case is a precedent involving bilateral relations between two countries, with the revelation targetting subjects of both country. Malaysia's present case, is also a precedent involving bilateral relations bwteen two countries, with the revelation targetting more on Malaysian subjects. The principle of transparency is the same if you see things, the crus of thematter, in an opaque way.

as you pointed out, documents appeared up till the stalemate on msia-spore water supply.

JEFF OOI says: That being the crux of thematter, you should have petitioned for OSA-declassified for those corresponce and Cabinet minutes post Nov 1, 2003.

back then the released documents were less a step in transparency but seen as a calculated tactic to add pressure to water negotiations.

JEFF OOI says: It's a matter of perspective. Singaporeans, and some Malaysians, might differ from your views.

and, the PMs' correspondences created a stir, but the supporting docs weren't released, leaving questions hanging.

no, msia did not do so well rebutting dr m's comments in this case. but spore is not a good comparison for transparency.

JEFF OOI says: Would like to hear your take on how transparency canbe improved, of course, on our side of transparency, if you are another proud Malaysian like me.

Posted by: tdyymal | July 16, 2006 07:52 PM

Hi Jeff,
Not many people reading will get the message of transparency here. I think they will be lead to read that Goh Chok Tong had agreed to the building of the brige which you highlighted in red and also on Tun acceptance of his letter. Why higlight in red the particular para 1 when there are 3 pages of info and also the make it appear like a letter ? The way you edit it make it reflect the way that a deal had been agreed which is not the case.

JEFF OOI says: The way you hypothesised about online readers' reading habit is not scientific.

Anyway I advised rakyat to read the articles available carefully and do you research before coming to any conclusions. Do not believe all things that be been posted in the media and internet as they are usually be colored by their author to achieved their agenda.

JEFF OOI says: Please insult our readers by underestimating their intelligence. My readers are not idiots. This is Internet time.

Posted by: grownupwise | July 16, 2006 11:40 PM

Folks

Transparency or not, I read the documents with as much intelligence that I have, I still could NOT figure out which version is the truth or the correct one, on the bridge, sand and air space.

There is
a) Dr M's version
b)Pak Lah/UMNO's version

c) Singapore's version.

Too much of diplomatic gobbledygook in the correspondes and language niceties that cloud the whole damn affair.

Sometimes it looks better to talk like George Bush, straight simple and with Texas' version of ignorant wisdom.

There is

Posted by: Frank&Honest | July 16, 2006 11:48 PM

Water Talks? If Only It Could

http://app.info.gov.sg/data/res_WaterTalksIfOnlyItCould_250104.html

Water - Malaysia

http://app.info.gov.sg/data/WaterMalaysia.html

Water-Malaysia Media Archives

http://app.info.gov.sg/data/WaterMalaysiamediaarchive1.html