Leading Taiwanese magazine Global Views once conducted a survey on the most livable city in the world and Singapore was ranked 6th.

　　The monthly polled 200 members of The International Network For Urban Development, which has a membership of more than 1,000, comprising city planners, architects, designers and government officials from 47 countries and territories.

　　Criteria used in the survey included ease of transportation, a comfortable living environment, a vibrant and diverse culture and administrative efficiency.

　　Based on the findings, the magazine described Singapore as an excellent city that is a result of meticulous planning. But it also noted that some people have sneered at Singapore as a place that resembles a hospital - - sterile and boring.

　　 Some journalists from the foreign media and people who proclaim themselves as firm supporters of freedom, democracy and human rights, often ridicule Singapore as a place with strict control over all aspects of life and where fines are imposed freely.

　　In other words, it is a country with no freedom, democracy and human rights. They choose to ignore Singapore’s many achievements over more than 30 years which have earned international recognition, preferring to believe in hearsay and distorted views that smear the island state.

　　It is the duty of a government founded on democracy and the rule of law to punish criminals. Anyone who breaks the law must face the consequences. Granted that American schoolboy Michael Fay is neither an arsonist nor murderer, he still must not be spared from punishment for car vandalism and theft.

　 Crimes such as armed robbery by juveniles, guns hidden in school bags, students shooting and killing fellow classmates, drug addiction and trafficking and rape can become rampant when law enforcement is inadequate. And fear of becoming victims of crimes will keep people from leaving home at night.

　　Chewing gum stuck on the doors of MRT trains can cause them to malfunction and the entire system to come to a standstill. A cigarette spiked with heroin can prove too tempting for many, eventually breaking up a family and ruining a person’s future. Heed the saying “a single spark can start a fire”.

　　To curb the rise of crime rates, all criminal acts, whether serious or minor, must be punished. Runaway crime rates can threaten social stability and create a sense of insecurity among the people.

　　Of course, crime cannot be eradicated even with tough laws and severe punishment. But the deterrent effect will make it clear to potential law-breakers that crime does not pay. An efficient administration of justice, meritocracy and good leadership are the reasons for our success.

　　Global Views also quoted The Economist which described Singapore as a city where everything is carefully measured. This is why while many Asian cities are in chaos, Singapore stands out as an irresistible land of peace for many people.

　　Singapore is a country with highly transparent rules and regulations and will make a truly livable and cosy home, said a Chinese living in the US but who has worked for some years here.

　　(Translated by Yap Gee Poh.)

　　台湾《远见》杂志曾以国际都市发展协会的200名会员为调查对象，新加坡在全球宜人城市上排名第六。

　　该协会拥有千余名会员，他们是47个国家和地区的都市规划专业人士、建筑师、设计师和政府官员。

　　调查项目包括便利的交通，舒适居住环境，具活力的多样化文化、行政效率等。结果《远见》形容新加坡是现代人精心规划出来的完美城市。与此同时，它也指出某些人则嘲讽新加坡像一所医院，干净但乏趣。

　　一般自恃自由、民主、人权信徒与媒体经常嘲笑新加坡是个芝麻绿豆小事情都要管制与动辄罚款、缺乏自由、民主和人权的国家。对新加坡30多来享誉国际口碑的辉煌成就，听而不闻。而且，误信道听途说的谎言，歪曲事实，贬低狮城国誉。

　　严刑峻法惩罚罪犯是法治民主国家政府的天职，任何罪犯都必须面对法律制裁。美国少年迈克菲虽非纵火杀人罪犯，但他砸坏他人车辆与偷窃，必须面对严法惩罚。法不正，管不严，有法不依，罪犯行为肯定日益猖獗。

　　孩童带枪打劫，书包里暗藏手枪；学生枪杀同学；贩毒、嗜毒、强奸等罪案层出不穷，使人们夜间出门必须三思而行。这是司法有形无实，管制不严的后遗症。

　　一团口香糖粘着地铁车门，导致车门开关失灵，列车开不动；一根海洛英香烟的诱惑，害人沦落深渊，妻离子散，在在显示星星之火足以燎原。

　　因此，为着抑制罪案的泛滥，无论大小轻重罪犯都需要严刑峻法加以制裁。否则罪案泛滥，造成社会动荡不安，人民不能安居乐业，全民因而遭殃。

　　虽然，严刑峻法也不可能完全杜绝罪案的发生，但是法正、管严肯定有阻吓与抑制的效果。法正，管严与贤人领导、能者办事是新加坡成功之道。

　　《远见》杂志引述《经济学家》形容新加坡是个每样事情都经过尺规量过的城市 。因此，在亚洲其他城市充斥乱象时，这个精心策划的小桃源，是让人难以舍弃的选择。

　　一名旅美华裔说，他往返新加坡工作多年，深切了解新加坡真是一个体制高度透明的法治国家，宜人的城市，舒适的家。

《联合早报》

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