Western democracy not for us -Lee

Press, 26 May 1977, Page 9

Western democracy not for us -Lee

NZPA-Reuter London The Prime Minister of Singapore (Mr Lee Kuan Yew) is convinced that the West’s conception of human rights and democracy cannot be applied as a yardstick for the developing nations of Asia, “The Times” of London said yesterday. After an interview with the Prime Minister, Peter Hazelhurst, a correspondent for “The Times,” continued: “He admits that 61 political prisoners have been detained without trial under Singapore’s Internal Security Act but argues that certain liberties in a developing nation sometimes have to be sacrificed for the sake of economic development and security, and to prevent Communist oppression.” The article continued: “You cannot expect to find in Asia or Africa norms and standards which did not even exist in Western Europe 30 years ago under Hitler, or even in the southern states of America in the 19505,” Mr Lee says. “The Times” said that Singapore’s dispirited Opposition leaders interpret Mr Lee's rationale as an attempt to justify an erosion of political rights and his having held power for the 17 years since independence. “However, in spite of widespread allegations of political oppression, there can be little doubt that Mr Lee and his ruling People’s Action Party enjoy the overwhelming confidence of Singapore’s 2,000,000 citizens,” the writer said. “The Times” quotes Mr Lee as saying during the interview this week: "We must accept the fact that we have got an American President who sets great store by human rights. It is an article of faith with him. "But we have got to hope that his measures are sufficiently practical to be able to take into account the different historic, cultural and value systems of different people in different parts of the world in different stages of development.”