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Tomorrow, the IMF and World Bank meeting is coming to town. This is the first time that I know that we have such a big major conference coming to our little island state of Singapore. As with most Singaporean, I am actually glad that this is happening. It puts Singapore in the world map, finally.

I guess this would be a relatively problem-free week long conference for the 16,000 delegates because of the Singapore’s brand of Kiasu-ism, with its stepped up security and most notably the banning of outdoor protests. So much so that the protesters are staying out of Singapore and be protesting from afar in Batam Island, Indonesia. I guess this is good for the delegates but might been seen to control the influx of free speech. Those who wants to protest here needs to do it under police supervision indoors at the Suntec Convention Hall using Police-supplied placards and poles. I am not sure if any would take up that offer.

With 9/11 still close to our hearts, I guess the world is no longer the same as it was before. You can never be careful any longer. We see how all this pans out. For now, let’s just celebrate how far Singapore has grown.

Welcome to the IMF and World Bank Delegates to our island republic.