Had there been hushed criticism in Singapore, a country known for muzzling any dissenting speech, about state-linked Temasek Holdings' investment in Thailand? If not, why did he need to make the speech?

Adding to the suspicion was a speech in the same place on the same day by Raymond Lim, Singapore's second minister for foreign affairs. Lim said in parliament that Singapore's ties with Thailand remained strong despite recent anti-Singapore sentiment in Thailand arising from Temasek's purchase of Shin Corp.

"It is unfortunate that there have been attempts by some groups in Thailand to drag Singapore into that country's internal politics," he said.

Indeed, Temasek's investment in Thailand met with widespread criticism. Thailand's social activists and opposition parties accused Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of lacking legitimacy after his family and his in-laws sold their holdings in Shin Corp Plc for US$1.9 billion (Bt73 billion), tax free, to a consortium led by Temasek.

There have been mass protests including one in front of the Singapore Embassy in Bangkok where a poster of Lee was set on fire. There's a famous song in town that describes Thaksin's lack of credibility. Unfortunately, Singapore was mentioned too, mocking its involvement in the deal.

Maybe that was why Singapore cabinet members needed to explain the situation to their lawmakers.

But the speeches were a surprise. In a small place like Singapore, the investment of a state-linked agency - and its consequences - were discussed in Parliament.

Meanwhile, in Thailand, a hugely important issue like free-trade pacts which produce substantial consequences for millions of Thais were not discussed by lawmakers.

The Thaksin II administration simply said that debate was unnecessary, given that the FTA's pros and cons had been thoroughly considered by the negotiating team. But underlying this was an understanding that even if the agreements were tabled for parliamentary discussion, they would be approved because Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Party dominated the House.

Lee's party also dominates the Singaporean parliament and the party has been in power for a much longer time than Thai Rak Thai.

People in Singapore may complain quietly about their lack of freedom, but at least they had a parliamentary debate on such a vital national issue. Maybe the new government here can improve our image in that respect.

achara_d@nationgroup.com