1. TansAsia plane crashed in Taipei - Blessed the pilots for steering the plane away from the populated area to avert more deaths and casualties. Confirmed todate 31 deaths and 17 survivors with some still unaccounted for. Rest in peace!
2. "Street procession rules, including music ban, help keep events safe and peaceful: S. Iswaran - The Straits Times 6 February 2015
Rules for street processions, including the use of musical instruments, have been put in place to manage events for the greater public good, Second Home Affairs Minister S. Iswaran said on Thursday in comments on reports of a scuffle during the Thaipusam procession.
He said there had to be a balance between allowing important religious events to take place, and preserving order.
A long-standing ban on playing musical instruments during such processions has been in place as a result of past instances of fights between competing groups of musicians, and disruption to the procession and to devotees. Regulations are made known to participants clearly, he said, adding that the vast majority over the years have had no problems complying with the requirements."
This incident is a bit strange as mentioned in my comments in the AsiaOne.com forum space.
I did not know that the ban on musical instruments was imposed in 1974. Almost 40 years ago. Quite a long time really.
The issues I like to explore are:
1). is the laws, rules and regulations on banning of the playing of musical instruments at the procession STILL relevant?
What happened to the progress of OUR 1st world society IF after 40 years we still have this fear of devotees' supporters 'fighting each other due to one-upmanship'? Significant to note that if there are fights, it is more likely to be between the devotees' supporters and NOT, as feared, Hindu 'fighting' with other religions or races!
2). the administration of the whole festival procession
IF it is KNOWN since 1974, HOW come the 'concerned persons' NOT KNOW... that playing of musical instruments is BANNED? One of the persons claimed that the group was paid S$500 to play!?
Did the Organizers informed the participants in a very CLEAR and UNEQUIVOCAL manner that playing of musical instruments is BANNED?
IF SO, the concerned parties are CLEARLY at fault. There should be NO Excuse! None to be entertained too. Yes?
BUT if the organizers did not, then they have neglected their duties and responsibilities.
3). the discussion that goes OFF-Tangent into: 'Hindus not being respected' and 'Christianing of Singapore' is DANGEROUS!
I SIMPLY cannot see HOW 'respect for religion' BEEN DRAGGED into this 'arrest of 3 persons who broke the laws and with one of them supposedly injured a police officer on duties'!!
This SHOULD BE STOPPED. Period.
4). the report of 'smelt of alcohol (or beers?)'
If this is true, has 'breath tests' been established so that we KNOW for sure it is 'drunken nuisance drinkers' that are causing troubles? We have to be VERY SURE otherwise we will keep reaching for 'drinking' as the excuse to implement MORE and MORE restriction on civil activities.
5). handling of the scene
Watching the video left me with the conclusion that NO ONE is in charge and it could have spun out of control.
Seeing the 'trouble makers' going up and down and round and round with police officers following them up and down and round and round is stressful.
Would have expected them to be isolated quickly and cordon line established while the Organisers/Police using LOUDHAILERs informing the PUBLIC WHY the 3 were isolated.
2. "Street procession rules, including music ban, help keep events safe and peaceful: S. Iswaran - The Straits Times 6 February 2015
Rules for street processions, including the use of musical instruments, have been put in place to manage events for the greater public good, Second Home Affairs Minister S. Iswaran said on Thursday in comments on reports of a scuffle during the Thaipusam procession.
He said there had to be a balance between allowing important religious events to take place, and preserving order.
A long-standing ban on playing musical instruments during such processions has been in place as a result of past instances of fights between competing groups of musicians, and disruption to the procession and to devotees. Regulations are made known to participants clearly, he said, adding that the vast majority over the years have had no problems complying with the requirements."
This incident is a bit strange as mentioned in my comments in the AsiaOne.com forum space.
I did not know that the ban on musical instruments was imposed in 1974. Almost 40 years ago. Quite a long time really.
The issues I like to explore are:
1). is the laws, rules and regulations on banning of the playing of musical instruments at the procession STILL relevant?
What happened to the progress of OUR 1st world society IF after 40 years we still have this fear of devotees' supporters 'fighting each other due to one-upmanship'? Significant to note that if there are fights, it is more likely to be between the devotees' supporters and NOT, as feared, Hindu 'fighting' with other religions or races!
2). the administration of the whole festival procession
IF it is KNOWN since 1974, HOW come the 'concerned persons' NOT KNOW... that playing of musical instruments is BANNED? One of the persons claimed that the group was paid S$500 to play!?
Did the Organizers informed the participants in a very CLEAR and UNEQUIVOCAL manner that playing of musical instruments is BANNED?
IF SO, the concerned parties are CLEARLY at fault. There should be NO Excuse! None to be entertained too. Yes?
BUT if the organizers did not, then they have neglected their duties and responsibilities.
3). the discussion that goes OFF-Tangent into: 'Hindus not being respected' and 'Christianing of Singapore' is DANGEROUS!
I SIMPLY cannot see HOW 'respect for religion' BEEN DRAGGED into this 'arrest of 3 persons who broke the laws and with one of them supposedly injured a police officer on duties'!!
This SHOULD BE STOPPED. Period.
4). the report of 'smelt of alcohol (or beers?)'
If this is true, has 'breath tests' been established so that we KNOW for sure it is 'drunken nuisance drinkers' that are causing troubles? We have to be VERY SURE otherwise we will keep reaching for 'drinking' as the excuse to implement MORE and MORE restriction on civil activities.
5). handling of the scene
Watching the video left me with the conclusion that NO ONE is in charge and it could have spun out of control.
Seeing the 'trouble makers' going up and down and round and round with police officers following them up and down and round and round is stressful.
Would have expected them to be isolated quickly and cordon line established while the Organisers/Police using LOUDHAILERs informing the PUBLIC WHY the 3 were isolated.
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