Outcry against torturing cats applies to humans too

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Sep 1, 2006

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IT WAS a delight to read the letter, 'Light sentence for cat torturer sends wrong signal' by Ms Zhang Xiaowei (ST, Aug 29). She rightly argues that handing down a light sentence against the 'cat torturer' sends the message that Singapore condones barbaric behaviour and finds torture acceptable. I'm glad she has shown that for all that is said about Singaporeans lacking social graces and Singapore's low rankings in 'happiness' surveys, at their core, Singaporeans are decent people who believe in treating those who are weaker than themselves with respect and dignity.

Ms Zhang rightly points out that we should not dismiss animal abuse because the victims are merely 'animals'. As she argues, every animal abuser is a potential human abuser. People who take pleasure inflicting pain on defenceless animals are likely to enjoy inflicting pain on defenceless children and others weaker than themselves and this is morally unacceptable.

Say what you will about Singaporeans being apolitical and apathetic about the world around them but if people like Ms Zhang can feel angry about the torture of a cat, there is clearly a feeling among Singaporeans to make society better. Just as every animal abuser is a potential human abuser, everyone who is upset by animal abuse has the passion to ensure that humans are not abused.

The case of the cat torturer shows that torture is an unproductive byproduct of a disturbed mind. United States Senator John McCain, a Vietnam War hero and former torture victim, has rightly argued that torture is sadistic and unproductive, contrary to arguments that it is sometimes necessary and justified to gather intelligence against terrorists.

Given Senator McCain's real-life experiences in the military and as a prisoner of war, I have come to understand that brutal treatment leading to 'society-saving' intelligence exists merely in the minds of movie producers. No society that wants to be considered decent or civilised can condone torture by anyone.

Thank goodness we have people like Ms Zhang who understand how morally repugnant and unproductive torture is. As long as there are people like her who take a moral stand against torture, we can be assured that Singapore will have a decent society for many years to come.

Tang Li