Column misrepresents Singapore

The Singaporean students at Duke have always been proud to be part of this open and inclusive community, which values intellectual integrity and mutual respect above all things. As a community, we are thus deeply saddened and disappointed by Kristin Butler's Dec. 8 column, "Bottoms Up."

We are not offended because we have been criticized; we are offended because we have been grossly misrepresented. Butler's column questioned the Singapore government's "repression" of academic freedom and personal rights under its strict system of governance. Meanwhile, the Singapore judiciary, portrayed as a vehicle for "bigotry and discrimination," has been reduced to a single instance of corporeal punishment, embellished with details of gratuitous violence.

Our legal system is widely respected for its transparency and impartiality, and is responsible for Singapore having one of the lowest crime rates in the world. In any case, our legal system cannot be viewed as existing in a vacuum. For any given country, there is a particular context and framework for the operation of specific laws, and we urge Butler to acknowledge that context before passing judgment. Furthermore, though our laws may not receive unvarying approbation, forfeiting this opportunity for academic collaboration because of such a reason would penalize not only Singaporeans, but Duke as well. Redress, if necessary, is achieved through engagement and not abandonment.

Our presence on this campus is testament to the excellent relations that our two countries have enjoyed for decades. Butler's questions come at a time when prominent American researchers are moving to Singapore in search of academic freedom. Similarly, Duke is not the first institution to form a partnership with Singapore. MIT, the Chicago Graduate School of Business and the French business school INSEAD all have satellite campuses in our country. In discussing if a similar move would be beneficial to Duke, we appeal to the Duke community to accord our nation and our legal code the same respect that we accord yours. Our institutions are in partnership because of common interest, and in spite of the differences we have. Progress is founded on cooperation and tolerance, not in the clash of creed or opinion. If nothing else, Butler's column has shown the Duke-NUS partnership can be a perfect example of that.

Singaporeans constitute a significant percentage of Duke's international student population-we are your classmates, friends and roommates. Any of us would gladly give you a more balanced view of our country and governance. Similarly, the Singapore Students' Association would be happy to hold dialogues on any issues or concerns about our nation, whether or not they were raised in this column. Let us speak for ourselves, and then make an informed judgment of your own.

Shi Ling Lam

President, Singapore Students' Association

Pratt '08