Singaporeans in disbelief
SINGAPORE: Singaporeans are still in a state of disbelief that a riot by a group of foreigners at Little India actually happened in this relatively trouble-free island late Sunday night.Bank employee Eugene Leong, 28, said that it was difficult to digest the images of about 200 foreigners attacking several police patrol cars, ambulance, a bus and setting them on fire.
"Its not something that you would think would ever happen, especially in Singapore, as we are famed for our stringent regulations.
"Watching the incident on the news was shocking and scary and now many of us want to know what action will be taken to make sure it doesn’t happen again," he said when interviewed along Race Course Road where the rioters ran rampant.... - SOURCE
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Eighteen injured as foreign workers riot in Singapore's Little India district
Police said about 400 people on the scene began rioting, attacking the bus as well as police vehicles after officers responded to reports of a commotion.
Officials said 10 policemen, four civil defence staff and the bus driver and conductor were among the injured, but none were seriously hurt.
A total of 27 workers were arrested on charges of rioting, which is punishable by up to seven years in prison plus caning. - SOURCE
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Many people in Singapore, Malaysia and across the globe, has expressed disbelief that this could happen in Singapore. Well, like they say, whatever that can happen, will happen. The question on everyone's mind is "Why?". People want to know the reason behind it. The accident, involving a 33-year-old Indian man, was the trigger for the riot. I suppose we will have to wait for the investigations to be completed.
However, I can't help myself from speculating that it is due to pent-up frustration, and the accident provided the trigger. Perhaps these foreign workers were not treated well, or were even exploited. One thing for sure, they were definitely angry.
Before we point fingers at those rioters for being trouble makers, we should first establish the motive and cause. Well, I am fairly certain that they were not trying to overthrow the government of Singapore... :) and the cause can't be a traffic accident, else we would have riots everyday.
In almost every case of rioting, except for those involving revenge, ethnic hate, subversive or political in nature, the perpetrators were usually the discontented, angry, and powerless in the society they were in. Riots like these are an expression of victimhood.
Employers & governments should treat foreign workers (legal or illegal) fairly and more humanely. They should not be exploited and abused. They come to your country to work & earn a living by doing jobs that your own citizens do not want to do. Governments should ensure they have laws and regulations in place to deal with these workers' welfare and safety. Else, do not allow these workers into your country.
Anyway, Malaysia has had her fair share of similar riots involving illegal immigrants. Click on the titles to read more.
1998
Eight immigrants and a policeman were killed in rioting today as Malaysian authorities put nearly 1,500 Indonesians on boats in a mass deportation, the police said.
The deaths stemmed from a clash between the police and hundreds of inmates at a detention camp for illegal immigrants near the capital.
Rioting also broke out in two other camps when the police moved in before dawn to repatriate Indonesians. Many of them are from the Aceh region of Sumatra, where there was a separatist rebellion that has largely subsided....
2001
Illegal immigrants riot in Malaysia
More than 2,000 illegal immigrants have rioted and set fire to a detention centre in southern Malaysia.
Police fired teargas at the inmates to regain control during the overnight disturbances, but several buildings at the centre in Pekan Nenas in Johor state were razed to the ground.
No serious injuries were reported.
Officials say most of the immigrants who rioted were Indonesians, who were due to be deported on Saturday.
Last week the Malaysian Government announced it would deport 10,000 Indonesian illegal immigrants each month.
It says their presence has led to a growth in crime and fewer jobs for locals affected by the economic slowdown.
Officials figures say there are almost 500,000 Indonesian immigrants in Malaysia.
2010
200 illegal immigrants stage riot at Ajil detention camp
KUALA BERANG, MALAYSIA: Some 200 illegal immigrants from Vietnam and Myanmar went on a riot at the Ajil detention camp late last night.
It is believed that the immigrants had tried to torch the main administration building at the camp at around 9.15pm, sparking a melee.
It is also learnt that several of the immigrants were also injured during the incident and had been warded at the Hulu Terengganu Hospital....
... In 2005, 131 Thai Muslims who were seeking temporary shelter from unrest in Southern Thailand were housed in Ajil camp.
While on July 1 last year, 700 Myanmar illegals had caused a ruckus at Semenyih camp.
2011
WIKILEAKS: IMMIGRATION DETAINEES RIOT AFTER RELA BEATS PRISONERS
On April 20, after more cigarettes were found, Immigration officers beat an Indonesian and a Pakistani detainee. One refugee described how the officers struck the men on the soles of their feet and along their shins, and administered electric shocks. The Pakistani detainee reportedly cried out for help during his beating and, unable to walk, tried to crawl away until another detainee was ordered to drag the injured man back to the detention block...
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