Shin-Temasek deal blatantly betrays Thailand's security
http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/-shin-temasek-deal-blatantly-betrays-thailands-security-/2006/03/18/1470319.htm
I read with utter disbelief, if not dismay, that greed had
triumphed over sound judgement when the Shin enterprises
sold strategic stakes to Temasek, a corporation controlled by
the Singapore government, which has upset the Thai people,
and for good reason too.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaks disingenuously of
the sale as "a purely commercial decision". But he knows
full well that the Shin enterprises owned or controlled
strategic assets, such as the monopolistic satellite and
telecommunications networks that are vital to Thailand's
security and defence.
In Singapore, a sale of such strategic assets would be
absolutely unthinkable. For example, no Singaporean,
let alone a foreigner, may buy or own more than a
stipulated number of shares in a newspaper company.
Why' Because of the tactical advantage and strategic
interests of the People's Action Party. Notwithstanding
that the Temasek-Shin transaction is completed, the
Thai parliament could still pass legislation to nullify
the sordid deal on grounds of the strategic interest for
Thai security and defence, and to compel shareholders to
divest their holdings so that they own no more than a
stipulated amount; say, 3 per cent.
Today's friends can be tomorrow's enemies, and vice versa.
Why do you think Singapore acquired squadrons of F-16 combat
aircraft, Apache attack helicopters, and tanks, to name but
three weapons in its vast arsenal' They are not defensive
but offensive weapons.
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