Letter: Singapore’s rule of law is based on its constitution

In his opinion piece “Democracy is still better than autocracy” (Opinion, April 3) Martin Wolf says “an autocrat can do well in a small country, such as Singapore, if he recognises that it requires the rule of law and secure property rights”.

Wolf draws a false dichotomy. Not being a liberal democracy in the western sense that Wolf subscribes to does not make Singapore an autocracy.

In Singapore, the rule of law derives not from anyone’s grace and favour, but from the constitution. The People’s Action party has been regularly re-elected in free and fair elections since independence, because it has always delivered what it has promised voters, through good government.

Almost alone among Asian countries, Singapore has never failed to hold regular elections; never once imposed emergency rule; and the ruling party has always kept open the possibility it could be voted out of power.

Ng Teck Hean
High Commissioner, Republic of Singapore
London SW1, UK