We continue with our prayer focus on South-east Asian countries in preparation for the 3rd South-east Asia Prayer Consultation which will be held in Kuala Lumpur in October. Representatives from 11 countries will attend to share and pray over their countries.
This issue, we highlight Thailand and Singapore (shaded black on the map, top and bottom respectively). The reports are provided by the NECF Research Department. We hope to raise awareness of our neighbours and the urgent issues facing them, and may the increased knowledge enhance our prayers for them.
THAILAND
Population: 65,444,371 (Est. CIA Factbook, April 21, 2005)
Ethnic groups: Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, Others 11%
Religions (estimated): Buddhism 95% Muslims 3.8%, Christianity 0.5%, Hinduism 0.1%, Others 0.6%
Thailand is often called the ‘land of smiles’ and is noted for its food and gentle culture. On the seedier side, it is notorious for cheap prostitution and sex tourism, and suffers from pollution, corruption and moral quagmire.
In 1932, a bloodless coup transformed Thailand from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy. Thailand was ruled by a series of military governments until the 1992 elections when it became a functioning democracy with constitutional changes of government. In 2001, Thaksin Shinawatra became the prime minister and his party won the recent February elections, but lost all parliamentary seats in the southern provinces of Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani.
A culture of corruption permeates not only the executive branch, but also the local government authorities and some units of the security forces. Thailand ranks 64th (out of 146 countries) in the 2004 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index. The disregard for rule of law helps perpetuates illegal activities, including human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and prostitution.
Generally, the government respects human rights, but persistent clashes between civilians and authorities in the southern region may indicate otherwise. When martial law was declared in the region in early 2004, the army and police personnel were reported to have used excessive force and caused the deaths of some 570 people.
There have been occasional arbitrary arrest and detention. At times, security forces infringed on citizens’ privacy rights. The Government may restrict freedom of speech (and press) in order to preserve national security, public order and morals, the rights of others, and protecting royal Family and Buddhism. The fear of political or economic repercussions has also encouraged some form of self-censorship.
Violence and societal discrimination against women are problems. Rape and other kinds of sexual abuse have increased tremendously (AP, May 24, 05). Trafficking in women and children, coerced prostitution and forced labour are grave concerns. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS, especially among sex workers, is the subject of media and academic attention. Societal discrimination against hill tribes and religious and ethnic minorities continues; they face restrictions on their movement, have no citizenship, cannot own land, and are not protected by labour laws.
The law provides for freedom of religion and citizens can proselytise freely. There are five officially recognised ecclesiastical groups: Buddhist, Muslim, Catholic (which includes four Protestant sub-groups), Brahmin-Hindu, and Sikh. Under the Religious Organisations Act, a new religion can be registered if a national census shows that it has at least 5,000 adherents, with a uniquely recognisable theology, and is not politically active. (The government has not recognised any new religious group since 1984.) Unregistered religious organisations, however, operate freely. Foreign missionary groups are free to work throughout the country. However, the activities of Muslim professors and clerics are under scrutiny on grounds of national security. The Penal Code prohibits the insult or disturbance of religious places or services of all the recognised religions. Religious instruction (on recognised religions) is required in public schools at both the primary and secondary education levels.
There are no reports of religious prisoners or detainees or forced religious conversions. The relationship among religions is generally amicable. The heightening tension between local Islamic and Buddhist communities in the southern regions has not resulted in open communal conflict.
Discrimination, if any, appears to be linked more to ethnicity than to religion. While we thank God for religious freedom, Thai Christians face the challenges of syncretism and social pressure. Buddhism, animist beliefs and Thai social structure greatly affect their ideas and understanding of God. Overall church growth has been disappointing.
Pray for: A just and transparent government and judiciary, honesty and integrity among the ruling officials and the prime minister; An effective legal and social framework to break the culture of corruption and increasing crime rate; Protection and greater awareness of the plight of women, children and the hill tribe minorities; Spiritual renewal and high standards of holiness in church life, and for godly leadership; and Effective partnership among churches and Christian organisations.
SINGAPORE
Population: 4,425,720
Ethnic groups: Chinese 76.7%, Malay 14%, Indian 7.9%, Others 1.4%
(Statistics: CIA Factbook, May 17, 2005)
Religions (2000 Government Census): Buddhist (incl. Taoist, Confucianist) 51%, Muslim 15%, Christian 15%, Hindu 4%, Others 15%
Singapore, known as the squeaky clean and orderly ‘Garden City of the East’ is politically stable, economically rich and highly developed with a remarkably open and corruption-free environment. It is also one of the world’s most prosperous nations, comparable to the leading nations in Western Europe.
Singapore has been ruled by the People’s Action Party (PAP) since becoming a parliamentary republic in 1965. The Government believes that social order can only be established by placing society above individual self, and therefore some degree of personal freedom must be sacrificed. Although the new prime minister, Lee Hsien Long, has called for an “open” and “inclusive”, “a broad array of restrictive laws remained in place, curtailing the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly” (Amnesty Human Rights Report 2005).
The judiciary is efficient and constitutionally independent with some official limitations on the judicial review. Government leaders have reportedly used court proceedings, in particular defamation suits, against political opponents and critics (Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2004, released February 2005). This inhibits political life and engenders a climate of self-censorship among journalists. However, some progress towards greater openness has been seen in recent years.
Although the Constitution permits official restrictions on freedom of speech and freedom of expression, the Government generally respects human rights. The police force is well trained, effective and highly disciplined. Corruption is not a problem. There are no substantiated instances of police abuse of detainees. Some laws – the ISA, the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act (CLA), the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA), and the Undesirable Publications Act (UPA) – have provisions for arrest and detention without a warrant or judicial review, and the detainees are not entitled to a public trial. It is also believed that telephone conversation and the use of Internet are routinely monitored.
The Parliament may impose restrictions on the rights to assembly in the interest of security, public order, or morality. Organised political activities are prohibited (except by groups registered as political parties or political organisations).
Singapore has not been marked as a gross abuser of human rights. In terms of religious freedom, the Constitution provides that every citizen or person in the country has the right to profess, practice, or propagate his religious belief so long as such activities do not breach any other laws relating to public order, public health, or morality.
Some religious groups, such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Unification Church, are banned, but the Government does not arrest members merely for being believers.
The 1992 Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act (MRHA) gives the Government the power to restrain leaders and members of religious groups and institutions from carrying out political activities, “exciting disaffection against” the Government, creating “ill will” between religious groups, or carrying out subversive activities (InternationalThe Parliament may impose restrictions on the rights to assembly in the interest of security, public order, or morality. Organised political activities are prohibited (except by groups registered as political parties or political organisations).
Singapore has not been marked as a gross abuser of human rights. In terms of religious freedom, the Constitution provides that every citizen or person in the country has the right to profess, practice, or propagate his religious belief so long as such activities do not breach any other laws relating to public order, public health, or morality.
Some religious groups, such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Unification Church, are banned, but the Government does not arrest members merely for being believers.
The 1992 Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act (MRHA) gives the Government the power to restrain leaders and members of religious groups and institutions from carrying out political activities, “exciting disaffection against” the Government, creating “ill will” between religious groups, or carrying out subversive activities (International Religious Freedom Report Sept 2004). Violation of a MRHA restraining order is a criminal offence.
Mindful of the past inter-communal tension, the Government has taken measures to ensure racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural non-discrimination and harmony. Activities that could upset inter-communal relations, such as unsolicited public proselytising, are discouraged. In 1974 the Government “advised” the Bible Society of Singapore to stop publishing materials in Malay.
In late 1988 and early 1989, a group of leaders, including the then PM Lee Kuan Yew, condemned “insensitive evangelisation” as a serious threat to racial harmony.
There is no state religion, and the amicable relationship among religions has contributed to religious freedom.
Today many young people go to church. However, the lure of a luxurious lifestyle, and responsibility to parents within the culture’s strong family ties, are constant challenges faced by the Church. It has been reported that many young believers become inactive once they marry and are caught up in the career chase.
PRAY: For Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and cabinet leaders for righteous leadership; that the Government continues to uphold religious freedom and favors the Church; for unity among churches; for churches to disciple congregations to cope with affluence, materialism and commercialism; for wisdom, sensitivity and boldness for churches in outreaches (Malays represent 14% of the population and are considered Muslim by birth. Few of them get to hear the gospel because Christians are fearful of upsetting their culture); and more missionaries to commit to longer-term missions and projects.
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