NOT cowardly -- quite reasonable (Score 2, Informative)

In this case, the Singapore gov't is NOT showing fear of being criticized by its own citizens. They're just trying to keep people in line because Singapore's prosperity depends on it. Singapore is a tiny country whose economy depends (partly) on the goodwill of its Muslim neighbors, Malaysia and Indonesia (the largest Muslim country in the world -- 200 million people). Where do you think the city-state's water comes from? Background on Chinese in SE Asia: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1514 916.stm In 1965, HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of ethnic Chinese were killed in Indonesia during "anti-communist rioting" http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/events/indonesia/specia l_report/51981.stm In 1998 there were more riots and ethnic Chinese were scapegoats as usual. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/events/indonesia/your_c omments_so_far/93837.stm When you have touchy neighbors, keeping a low profile is a smart thing to do.