Development

Article here. http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/bank-slams-singapore-crackdown/2006/09/15/1157827157933.html

Smile Singapore Police Force! You've once again shown how well you've handled the situation. Our laws are our laws! You don't bend the rules, not even for our colonial masters!

I certainly hope there won't be more bad press. But this will go down in history as the most peaceful WB/IMF meeting ever. In fact we've actually shown a lot of progress and development. Besides gagging Singaporeans podcasting during the elections, we're now able to gag anyone who may want to disrupt the important seminars and meetings.

And then there is http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=asj9AZ2w59vI&refer=asia

"Words like security, words like undesirable, words like troublemaker are sort of general characterizations but never have I seen a consistent or coherent explanation," Kevin Kellems (Acting vice president for external affairs, communications and United Nations affairs for the World Bank) said, referring to the Singapore police's description of the 27 people. "There's insufficient clarity."

Our CCTV footage is high definition, high clarity! How dare you say there is insufficient clarity, our CCTVs are all HD quality.

If this event really leaves a bad taste, the future of exhibitions and conventions of such a scale look bleak. Maybe in a few years time, undesirable gamblers won't be welcome to our IRs too!

And then, if these people who've flown here are turned back at immigration, where do they go? Maybe we'll see a few Tom Hanks running around in the airport waiting for their return flight...