Commentary: Dissecting Singapore’s rare offer of a live TV debate to Richard Branson and what his refusal means

In a statement addressed to the Singapore minister on Monday , Mr Branson said a TV debate was not a suitable platform for a complex issue like the death penalty.

Similarly, William Safire, a New York Times columnist, turned down an invitation in 1995 to debate then PM Goh Chok Tong on various policies. As an avowed death penalty abolitionist, it was no surprise that Mr Branson concluded that “it’s time for Singapore’s death penalty to go” as the system was “fundamentally broken, inherently unfair, and completely disproportionate to the challenge at hand”.

In his latest statement, Mr Branson continues with his ad hominem attacks on Singapore and fails yet again to provide any evidence to substantiate his assertions. Second, there is certainly the intent to correct the repeated and new falsehoods in Mr Branson’s essay. In particular, it is about the persistent challenge to reinforce a drug-free culture in Singapore, especially among young people who, anecdotally, appear to have a more blasé attitude towards so-called “soft drugs” and “recreational” use of such drugs.

Domestically, individuals and groups campaigning for the abolishment of the death penalty are not afforded a TV debate platform.

we dont like shanmugam

Rare offer... lol... think if such offer is extended to elonmusk I doubt he will attend also. Imo this author's optic confuse nationalistic views vs global humanistic views. Wondering does this author has any optics on this...

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LawSoc president Adrian Tan calls out Richard Branson's 'feeble excuse' for declining debate on death penaltySINGAPORE — Mr Adrian Tan, president of the Law Society of Singapore (LawSoc), has hit back at Mr Richard Branson, saying that the British billionaire's reasons for declining an invitation to a televised debate on Singapore's drug laws 'don't make sense'. Then maybe this president can consider inviting the group of british MPs or their LawSoc equivalent for televised debate? This is EMBARRASSING.. why does our LawSoc president have to resort to personal attacks and further incite racial tensions of the past by using phrases like 'once more, an englishman..'
Source: TODAYonline - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »