I was very excited when I received the confirmation mail from Singapore Ministry of Communication stating that I am eligible for accreditation to cover the historic summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong-un set to take place on June 12 on the Sentosa Island, Singapore.
Sanjoy Ghosh
The first two days in world's most expensive city were quite nice. Wherever I went, people were happy to help with a typical touristy smile. But I realised that there was no excitement in the city for the summit.
After registration, when I first stepped into the media centre, I was very impressed to see the arrangements. The way they professionally handled more than 2000 media persons was appreciable. The facilities included exclusive laptop stations for individual journalist, great dining space with different, free and unlimited cuisines and many volunteers. Everything was in line, so naturally one is happy.
The whole thing changed when I asked some of the media officials about the coverage. They said, very politely, that they would supply everything, “please enjoy Singapore”.
“WHAT'!!! I can't take pictures, I can't cover the event? Then why am I here?” I exclaimed.
They replied with a smile, “It's government policy.”
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I realised that there was no point in arguing with them. Let me try something else. Maybe I'll try to gatecrash, I decided.
I decided to visit St. Regis hotel, where Kim Jong-un was staying. When I reached there, I saw that half of the road was blocked. Armed Gorkha police and Singapore police officers were on patrol. About 200 TV camera persons were waiting with their gadgets on the right side of the road, but you cannot see anything from there except for the top of the hotel.
I thought, “Okay, let's try taking a photograph of the US President.” He was staying in the Shangri-La hotel, hardly one and a half kilometres from St.Regis.
FBI is well-known for their intelligence. They politely welcomed me and allowed me to take pictures of the hotel building and asked me if I wanted coffee. That was all.
Back to the main road and all I had after two days of scouting was pictures of two hotel buildings. At the media centre I met Matt, a British freelance photojournalist, settled in Singapore. After the introductions we planned to visit Capella hotel on Sentosa Island.
The media centre at the F1 Pit Building. Singapore converted the F1 Pit Building as the International Media Centre and opened it to all the journalists visiting the country for June 12 summit | Sanjoy Ghosh
The island has always been a very popular tourist area of Singapore. But from tomorrow it will be better known as the historic meeting place of two international giants. We reached the roadside entrance of the hotel. Before that we had been to the beach to get some beach-side view of the Capella hotel. During our 5 kilometer walk, we were questioned at least seven or eight times about our movements by different police officers who were on duty.
I also noticed that all the roads of Sentosa Island, from entry to exit, were covered with black and pink guards, to make sure the movement of the convoys is not visible.
After returning to the city, we made up our minds that we have to do something the next day, which is the last day.
We reached there early in the morning and took up position on one side of the road. I was happy and excited and was sure that our luck would shine bright. But after sometime, a few cops came in a car and told us to move. I felt very disturbed. This was my last chance and it was going out of my hand. So I was little rigid and requested them to let me stand there. They gave me a firm “No”.
From Twitter we got to know that both the convoys had started from the hotel. There was no time to go to some other place, and we had no idea where we will be allowed.
The cops were polite as usual, but were firm that we had to move. When I tried to kill some more time by talking to them, they said that if I don't move we will be forced.
That was enough and I left that place.