Hippies Not Welcome In Asian Countries

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32360, 28 July 1970, Page 7

Hippies Not Welcome In Asian Countries

(By ILSA SHARP)

SINGAPORE.

Ever since Western culture began to spread across the ancient lands of Asia, governments and monarchies, princes and prime ministers have periodically deplored the traditionloosening practices of the “barbaric” newcomers.

Today, some Asian nations are making determined bids to stave off the influences of a comparatively new aspect of “Western decadence”—the hippie.

Colleagues of Singapore’s dynamic Premier, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, acknowledge that any attempt to define "hippie” in stark terms would mock the very basis of this island state, whose current prosperity is the direct result of influences from all parts of the world. Thus there are no formal guidelines, and the decision on whether a bearded, longhaired and bead-swinging tourist should be allowed entry is left to the discretion of immigration officers. Travel agents, shipping companies and airline offices have been asked to warn would-be visitors that no hippies will be tolerated. For some time, Singapore has sought jealously to preserve its “rugged society.” Popular songs whose lyrics mignt be construed as invitations to drug-taking are banned from the airwaves; advertising which might be considered permissive is strongly discouraged. When Singapore recently brought its “anti-hippie” programme into effect, it was clearly following the example of Taiwan. But officials insist they are banning such persons because of the hippie attitude of mind—not because of the hippie appearance. The free-wheeling hippie “philosophy,” they say, is a luxury of the affluent society, and is unacceptable

to Singapore at its current formative stage. If Singapore immigration officials profess some acceptance of the hippie appearance, their counterparts in Taiwan have no such inhibitions. The Taipei government has issued definite instructions barring men wearing women’s clothes, men with unitrimmed beards, women in revealing outfits, and apparel “likely to attract excessive attention.” In Taiwan Visitors to Taipei ' now receive a welcome card bearing the warning: “No long hair or beard, please!” The card also promises a warm reception from Taiwan's “most friendly and honest people,” but Insists that the locals wish to keep their “good customs.” However, young Chinese in Taiwan have shown signs of rebellion against their elders’ edicts, and many teenagers have been given “police hearcuts” or stern lectures on the dangers of mini-skirts. Indonesia became the newest member of Asia's antihippie club in July when the republic’s Council of Tourism drafted regulations barring undesirable elements with hippies at the top of the list The tropical island paradise of Bali, a favourite resting

To the Western mind, much of the antagonism of Asian conservatives toward foreign cultures and ideas is unprogressive, even backward. But it becomes easier to understand when it is realised that if tradition is the cornerstone of conservatism, the average Asian is conservative. And his traditions are based on the evidence of their own perpetuation.

“Hippie” now has become semi-official terminology in the governments of Singapore, Taiwan (Formosa) and Indonesia, three countries which have set a pace likely to be followed soon by other administrations. The word already is being defined broadly in Asian capitals as “undesirable alien” and, although there remain untouched hippie havens scattered through the region, widely-varying regimes are voicing a common disapproval of this variety of Western visitor. Singapore, Taiwan and Indonesia ■ are dealing with the problem in different ways.

place of the tattered wanderers, is the main target of the authorities in Djakarta, who say they are resolved to keep “funnylooking people” out of Indonesia. No Asian nation can afford to let its youth fall prey to imported drugs-and-dreams escapism from pressing social, economic and political problems. This is especially true of Asia today, with many of its nations wracked by internal disorders and a crucial section of it Indochina in the throes of war. Yet the countries most under stress, South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, have not banned hippies. The Laotian capital of Vientiane harbours a population of Western hippies, living on handouts and drugs, which is one of the most consistently populous “colonies” of its type in Asia. Marijuana can be bought at street stalls. Thailand refuses to give suspected hippies a visa duration of more than 15 days, although the authorities are not sure how they should classify hippies. One government man in Bangkok deftly avoided the question of standardisation by declaring: “We are anxious to ensure that our young people continue to respect their parents and the King and Queen, and all high-class persons.” India A Mecca Malaysia has declined to follow neighbouring Singapore’s example. Teen-agers in Kuala Lumpur dress in fashionable Western styles despite Moslem conservatism,

and the government contents itself with regular calls for self restraint. India is a mecca for hippies but, says one minor official, “they are not generally liked here.” The Himalayan kingdom of Nepal, whose capital, Katmandu, rarely is free of hippies either “hooked” on cheap local drugs or too poor to leave, has been eyeing the visitors with increasingly illdisguised disapproval. The Philippines, like Japan, has no restrictions. “We are a very democratic country,” said a Government spokesman in Manila. A South Korean politician, questioned about the bans in Singapore and Taiwan, said he couldn't imagine “things like that happening in a free country such as this,” apparently ignoring the fact that such things already have happened in countries freer than hts. And in the Burmese capital of Rangoon, an official of the Revolutionary Government, flashing a knowing smile, told an Intrasia correspondent: “We are very liberal to tourists.” Although and the philosophy of unemployment play an important part in the rejection of elements which are loosely termed “hippie," the underlying reasons are more significant. In the current Asian aversion to ragged young wanderers, there is more than a trace of history: a thousand years ago, most Asians regarded their national precincts as the centre of all civilisation, all culture. If the West is wary or weary of continued involvement in the region, then Asia has a time-honoured method of response.—lntrasia Press Agency,