‘Too bad’ for IMF, WB

SINGAPORE – It is “too bad” if the International Monetary Fund and World Bank disapprove of Singapore’s tough stand against protesters, the city-state’s biggest newspaper said yesterday.

The Straits Times, a pro-government publication, said Singaporean organisers of the IMF and World Bank annual meetings have been “losing sleep” working to ensure the event is trouble-free when it begins tomorrow. “But the WB-IMF appear more concerned over the fact some of their critics and interlocutors are being denied entry to make their case, as they put it,” a Straits Times editorial said.Singapore has banned 28 activists, among them “disruptive characters”, from entering the country even though they were accredited by the IMF and World Bank as part of a deal between the institutions and their critics.More than 500 activists from 261 groups have been accredited to gather in a 50-square-metre roped-in corner of the lobby of the Suntec Convention Centre near a Starbucks coffee shop, where they must abide by numerous regulations.”It should be remembered that many are cleared to enter,” The Straits Times wrote.But it said a broad spectrum of activist organisations and individuals “are ready to invoke anarchy and street violence to demonstrate disagreement” with the IMF and World Bank.”Singaporeans will never stand for this,” the editorial said, noting that “the probability of demonstrations getting out of hand or being hijacked by terrorist elements is much reduced” by limiting demonstrators to one indoor space.”If this falls short of the WB-IMF’s estimation of what engagement is, it’s too bad.”Nampa-AFP”But the WB-IMF appear more concerned over the fact some of their critics and interlocutors are being denied entry to make their case, as they put it,” a Straits Times editorial said.Singapore has banned 28 activists, among them “disruptive characters”, from entering the country even though they were accredited by the IMF and World Bank as part of a deal between the institutions and their critics.More than 500 activists from 261 groups have been accredited to gather in a 50-square-metre roped-in corner of the lobby of the Suntec Convention Centre near a Starbucks coffee shop, where they must abide by numerous regulations.”It should be remembered that many are cleared to enter,” The Straits Times wrote.But it said a broad spectrum of activist organisations and individuals “are ready to invoke anarchy and street violence to demonstrate disagreement” with the IMF and World Bank.”Singaporeans will never stand for this,” the editorial said, noting that “the probability of demonstrations getting out of hand or being hijacked by terrorist elements is much reduced” by limiting demonstrators to one indoor space.”If this falls short of the WB-IMF’s estimation of what engagement is, it’s too bad.”Nampa-AFP