| |
The
Straits Times, 8 Nov 04
Why
can't we be more original, more creative?
THERE are pros and cons relating to opening a casino in Singapore.
To me, however, there is one thing disturbing about the whole idea:
the lack of imagination in even considering the venture in the first
place. Cambodia has plenty of casinos. Several small, poor Pacific
island states have casinos. Whenever any second- or third-tier city
has the misguided idea of putting itself 'on the map', it opens a
casino.
I thought Singapore was better - and more original - than that. Since
independence and before, Singapore has been known for using imagination
and creativity to break out of its constraints and get where it is
today. If the place and the people had accepted their destiny, Singapore
would be no more than a sleepy tropical island. That it is a vibrant,
dynamic global city is testament to the power of the imagination of
its leaders and entrepreneurs over the past 40 years and more.
Surely there is one idea, or a collection of ideas, that will yield
the same benefits as a casino - but without the attendant ills a massive
gambling complex will bring. Let's work on this together: Government,
business, people. Let's form some ideas and put them into action.
Name the benefits a casino will bring to Singapore, financial and
otherwise. Then let's go to work finding more imaginative ways to
bring those benefits home.
Philip Rowell
Bangkok, Thailand
|
|
