Global trends ‘making S’pore less peaceful’

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http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/global-trends-making-spore-less-peaceful?singlepage=true

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With the world at large becoming more dangerous with increased unrest and violence, the Republic is not spared the effects of the global trend.

Singapore is a less peaceful place compared with a year ago because of factors such as a higher proportion of homeland security personnel and police officers, less trust among citizens and greater militarisation.

This is based on the latest annual Global Peace Index (GPI), which is used by reputed international organisations such as the United Nations, World Bank and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

The eighth edition of the index — published on Wednesday by Sydney-based independent think-tank, the Institute for Economics and Peace — saw Singapore drop six places to 25th out of 162 countries. The Republic had made the top 20 positions last year as well as in 2012, when it came in 16th.

The institute looked at 22 different indicators — which are weighted according to importance — under three sections: Ongoing domestic and international conflict, societal safety and security, as well as militarisation.

Singapore attained an overall score of 1.545. The world’s most peaceful country, Iceland, received a score of 1.19, while the least peaceful, Syria, scored 3.65.

The Republic remains the fourth-best performer in the Asia-Pacific, behind New Zealand (4th), Japan (8th) and Australia (15th). It is also the most peaceful country in South-east Asia.

Nevertheless, along with Japan, South Korea and China, Singapore and several other South-east Asian neighbours — Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and East Timor — saw their scores deteriorate.

The GPI report noted the absence of major conflicts in the Asia-Pacific, but pointed to a trend towards the modernisation of armed forces in the region.