The playwright of the popular political satire "Cooling Off Day" discovered through interviews for his play that Singaporeans have strong political opinions about how the country is run, despite a view that they ignore politics. Many interviewees were invested in topics like minority rights, cultural heritage, and media liberalization. The most memorable interview was with Teo Soh Lung, a lawyer, former political detainee, and opposition candidate, who surprised the playwright by not seeming bitter about her past detention.

1. Features Singaporeans Politically Involved
SINGAPOREANS
POLITICALLY INVOLVED
The playwright of the popular political satire, Cooling Off Day discovers
Singaporeans have very strong political opinions on the running of the country.
There is a view Singaporeans turn a blind eye to politics. Some swiftly brush off the
process as just as going through the motions whether in national elections or in the
town council. But Alfian Sa’at uncovered a different picture in interviews for his play.
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2. “They certainly had very strong
opinions about how the country
was being run. The disconnect
between elite governance and
the dreams of its citizens, about
issues like national identity, freedom
of speech, the tensions between
retaining the status quo or agitating
for change,” Alfian said.
A LEARNING JOURNEY candidate during the GE. In 1987, Teo was detained
Leading up to the 2011 General Elections, and in the under the Internal Security Act in Operation Spectrum.
months after, Alfian discovered the private thoughts of She was among 16 people arrested in what was described
voters and candidates. The 2011 GE was described as a as a “Marxist conspiracy” to topple the PAP-government.
watershed election for various reasons. PM Lee Hsien Alfian felt humbled because despite her experience for
Loong said the GE will determine “Singapore’s next being detained for many months he could not sense any
generation of leaders”. bitterness from her. And this is despite still being in the
dark for reasons for her arrest – until she had a sudden
insight during the interview.
THE CAST
The interviews included election candidates to pro- “In the 80’s, Soh Lung had set up a legal aid clinic to help
establishment civil servants, from taxi-drivers to teachers, those who were too poor to afford legal representation,”
from diehard opposition supporters to young people said Alfian. “Perhaps some quarters felt that Soh Lung
casting their virgin votes. “For example, there are some was trying to build for herself a support base by crafting
young people who are very supportive of the status quo, an image as a champion of the underprivileged.”
and on the other hand there are older people who want to
Hear her full story and the view of Singapore politics
see political change,” said the 34-year-old.
from many others in Cooling Off Day.
And the idea Singaporeans vote only for `bread WORDS WONG MUN WAI
and butter’ issues is “quite
misleading”. Many of the
interviewees were fiercely invested
in topics such as minority rights,
cultural heritage, the death penalty
or media liberalisation.
Alfian has been nominated six
times for Best Script at the Life!
Theatre Awards winning in 2005
for his play, Landmarks. And later
in 2010 for his play, Nadirah.
MEMORABLE PERSON
I asked Alfian who was the
most memorable interviewee.
The person was Teo Soh Lung.
She was a lawyer, an ex-political
detainee and also an SDP
DATE: 22 February to 11 March. VENUE: SOTA Drama Theatre. TICKETS: $44 to $59.
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