In his opening speech, the vice chairman of Reform Party Gopal Prabaharan told the audience that the forum was to show the public that the party is “well and alive.” The SINGAPORE BUDGET 2009 – THE ALTERNATIVE POLICIES Forum, organized by Reform Party, was attended by about 70 people. These included members of the opposition parties such as Mr Steve Chia from the National Solidarity Party (NSP), Mr Sin Kek Tong from Singapore People’s Party (SPP), Mr. Gandhi Ambalam, Ms Chee Siok Chin, Dr Chee Soon Juan of the Singapore Democratic Party and members from the Workers’ Party (WP), including Mr James Gomez who is back in Singapore for a short visit.
Before the start of the forum, Mr Seelan Palay played a video dedicated to the late Mr JB Jeyaretnam and the audience observed a moment of silence to show their respect to the late opposition giant.
Mr Seelan, co-founder of World Without War, Singapore , spoke up against the defence budget, which was increased to $11.5 billion this year. Instead of of this, Singapore should relook its arms trade with the Burmese junta and he called on Singapore to build peaceful relationship with its neighbouring countries instead.
The second speaker, Mr Leong Sze Hian, started his speech focusing on the issue of transparency regarding Temasek Holdings and the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (see also Reserves – more or less?). Mr Leong focused also on various policies including the new HDB rental flat restrictiions ( Providing affordable housing – HDB should re-look policies), CPF Life scheme ( Think carefully before opting for ‘no refund’), and measures to help PMETs, and retrenched workers to upgrade (See also The Budget).
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Following Mr Leong, Mr Tan Kin Lian shared his insight on the budget from the survey results collected from his blog. (See also Give your views on budget 2009, Survey: Jobs Credit Scheme, Measures to stimulate the economy)
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When Mr Ravi Philemon took the stage, he focused his speech on three issues: unemployment benefits (Governing a ‘First-World’ Country with ‘Third-World’ Mindsets), elderly care needs and the potential of the silver industry (Alternative Healthcare Economic Policies ), and a green economic policy ( The Alternative Green Economic Policy)
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Dr Chee Soon Juan joined the panel and picked up on the minimum wage and retrenchment topics mentioned by other speakers. Following that, he reiterated his party’s position that the budget is not transparent ( Budget spending not transparent) and stressed that bread and butter issues must be addressed with political rights.
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The last speaker was Mr Ng E-Jay who gave the audience a picture of the current economic downturn with a list of news headlines followed by his take on the budget, the economy and the long term issues Singapore faces. (see also A consolidation of my views on Budget 2009)
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When the forum resumed after a short break with the Q&A session, only a few questions were raised about the Budget. The focus soon diverted to the anticipated general election, opposition development and the lack of unity among the opposition.
While the speakers provided a wealth of views and insights into the budget and what the government can do to benefit Singaporeans more, there was no opportunity for the speakers to debate and exchange views or draw up a comprehensive alternative policy at the gathering.
Additional photo from the forum
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Related posts:
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- Reform Party ex-chair on his leaving the party
- Reform Party: We shall liberate the people
- Election reform effort needs everyone’s involvement – forum
- We have built a house but not a home, says Reform Party
Companies will have to close shop if there is no Global Demand.
So, 3 x $300 over 3 months will not save a employee his job.
This is an issue about business volume and global demand.
If these drop, retrenchment is inevitable.
Thus, 3 x $300 should go to the jobless instead.
just lower corp tax and that will save them.
Money for the people.
what i meant is IF anyone agrees that cutting corp tax will save jobs,
even when there is big drop in global demand, then are they saying zero corp tax will bring the economy back?
its the demand, stoo.
since sg is so rich has so much reserves ,
why not payout to the jobless in this extraordinary times?
is that difficult?
Chee is the most prolific speaker in town.
A true politician with world class level of intellectual ability, in my view.
Don’t just take my words for it.
Listen and decide.
no nonsense , straight to the point. this is what i like about him.
:)
sigh, why is it that the raison d’etre of a forum is to wayang? i.e. “to send a message”? what’s the difference then between pap and rp, or any other parties wanting to “show a the public”?
i think if you want to do something (i.e. a budget forum), you do it because you want to, and not to show people something. the society need less of pretentious symbolism, and more of genuine and real effort.
Honest comments?
1) The alternatives are in need of packaging. Look at the way these people dress. Your company never teach you that when meeting clients or management, must dress to impress?
2) The alternatives are in need of a manager. Look at how the seminar was run. If they can’t even organised properly a small seminar, you trust them to run your country?
3) The alternatives are in need of a leader. Look at how everyone of them wants to be the leader. Thru-out history, you need a charismatic leader to round up the talents. There isn’t any in there.
4) The alternatives are in need of a think tank. Look at the agenda and how it was discussed. They seriously need a think tank. You entrust these people to shoot their mouth off in parliament to run your country?
Oh… The recording is so bad that it caused me ear strain listening to them and it does not feel pleasant.
See.. simple details like that also cannot take care of.
What is the Reality of the Wayangism?
Is it real?
Seems to me isa is very picky on some minor details. But point number 3 seems valid IMO. As for point number 4, I’d say the fact that they invited people from different aspects with obviously different opinions was the cause. This forum is not a seminar nor a convention, it was something suddenly put together for show. If you were expecting something like a rally or debate of sort then you’ve kinda missed the whole point of the forum.
And we’ve got a Dr. Chee fan…it’s quite obvious there. Just a random comment here, don’t take offense to anything.
Oh yea….I also think the recording was pretty bad….but then thinking about their budget and the number of people expected there, it’s forgivable. It’s not like I watch movies on youtube.
If you demand substandard from your future MPs, you will get substandard in your future MPs.
But the whole point is if these people want to lead, then I would think there should be more effort and seriousness put into it.
Please go and attend a PAP forum and you will know what I mean.
Everyone is serious about it.
The MP will give a speech and it is prepared. By who, we dont know, but nevertheless, it is prepared and is well articulated by the MPs (most of them anyway. Some are like our alternatives here..hee…haa…horr..uhmmm…)
Point taken.
I suppose if I was thinking of any of them being an MP they definitely have to give better standards.
#10, you may have a point. But who has more resources to get things done? who has dominated most things?
i feel that since politics is a serious career. To have any future the alternatives who aspire to lead one day must do more. Small speeches here and there has no big impact. Its a good attempt but hope to see more. This is a career they will have to fight extremely hard to win. Time may or may not be running out. Can people wait for another 5 more years?
What Alternatives really need now before the election :-
1) A charismatic leader who can unite the different faction
2) A strategist who can do politicking moves – The King Maker
3) A marketer to brand and remake the images (literally of the people in there)
4) A general manager/project manager – to execute the action plan devise by 1, 2 & 3.
Funding/Resources:-
1) As present, the alternatives are already seen as loose sand. Their resources are limited. What if they could pool the collective resources of 33% of the singaporeans who supported them instead of dividing that 33% into different factions (WP, SDP, etc etc).. No wonder they don’t have enough resources. Take a leaf from CityHarvest. You mean that Pastor Kong got all the resources in the world when he led? He started out in a old shophouse in McKenzie Road but he was a charismatic leader, he engage people to do branding, appeal to the target group, marketing was done, donation collected to build the church of god… etc etc.. all these form humble beginnings.
2) Again, if the different factions cannot see past their own agenda and realised that giving up control of their parties to one leader is a good move. Then you have to consider whether they are doing it for the countries or to stroke their personal ego.
3) I stress that unless they can get united into 1 party and not a coalition. They don’t stand a chance against PAP. SO, the alternative leaders must now meet and be frank among themselves and lower their own pride and truly vote for someone who can lead them.
4) Election has always been PAP versus the rest… and the rest don’t stand a chance if some supporters like SDP , some like WP.. If there is only 1 Alternative party, the 33% supporter can only choose PAP or Alternative .. and your votes won’t be split that much.
IMHO a coalition of opposition parties will still work. Provided all discuss beforehand and agree to avoid 3-corner fights and stick to their agreement. This will create a situation of PAP vs alternative party and each electoral ward/GRC. In addition, opposition parties can also discuss how to join forces to form a mixed-party GRC team which would garner support from supporters of all opposition parties involved. The question is politics being dirty, one wonders if that is fat hope.
A coalition will not work in Singapore when there is not enough “talents” and resources to go around.
Imagine what they could create by becoming one party:
1) A Party building that houses the party and have auditorium for public to come.
2) Political donations by supporters will be 33% of the public (assuming the votes are correct), versus 10% for WP, 10% for SDP etc.
3) Pooled funding that contributes towards means more efficient use of limited resources like central admin, central think tank, research analysts, etc etc.
4) A central think-tank to discuss and set policies with a structure similar to a running govt. Much like a shadow govt with shadow minister for labour, transport, housing, finance etc. You need to identify and groom able candidates to do one specialisation first.
5) One Party, One Identity, One Set of Core Values. This is not something that a disparate of wanna-be leaders of opposition can offer now.
I urge all Alternative factions to unite for the PEOPLE.
PEOPLE is greater than a PARTY is greater than SELF
I hope they put Ego aside and be the true leaders for the people.
It would take at least an extreme effort to win just 1 more seat given the circumstances – mentality, age of nation and .
1 step at a time. ;)
There are talents but where are they ? why have they not stepped forward?
so many lawyers and doctors.
What are you doing?
Why are you not stepping forward for the country if you have something to say?
Is there nothing to improve?
The part i like starts from @
2:43
I had the pleasure to hear all the videos you have taken of this forum being unable to attend it in person. Some of my comments after hearing all the speakers include:
- What active participation is Seelan expecting?
(i) Viewing this forum and what the speakers have spoken apparently does not show there is a real active participation. To me, it appears to be just slews of criticisms, complains and complains of most of the policies that the government has come out with. Is there nothing that have been done that has been acceptable? Views have to be balanced and not skewed towards one side.
(ii) What suicidal effect is there to spend more for the defence budget?
Singapore making cluster bombs, landmines? Is this factual? what IF this is true?
(iii) Promote understanding and co-operation – what makes Seelan think that there no work or effort done on this in parallel on this by the government
(iv) Defence budget 14 times more than public diplomacy: what is the problem with this. In times of such uncertainties, it is essential to have a strong defence system while improving the relationships witht he neighbouring countries.
- Leong Sze Hian – appears to has, in his speech, only complains about the various policies ranging from the HDB policies, annuity policies, umemployment schemes, etc.. to help citizens during this difficult period. What alternate views/recommendations does he has to offer. None basically.
- The only speakers who provided alternatives and suggestion was Tan Kin Lian, and Ravi (albeit non conrete).
- CSJ reiterates that
(i) unemployment insurance is worthwhile initiative to explore? what about it? People in other countries take up their own umemployment insurance if they have mortgages, et.c.. to pay.. what suggestions does he has?
(ii) there should be a minimum wage – what should this be? no recommendation? if the government does eventually set one, will CSJ and the opposition again beat it down?
There appear to be not much substance in his speech. CSJ mentions that there are so many good ideas? what are they? and that there are no political means to put this forward – what are the WP in parliament doing? sleeping?
GIC & Temasek – is he claiming that he would have been able to do better? how? Talk is cheap. Profilic speaker according to “huminized bak kut teh”. I beg to differ. It is always easier to make comments after it has happened. Does CSJ have any recommendation for the next 5-10 years on what and how Singapore should do to move forward? besides of his continual fight for democracy? What is CSJ’s definition ofdemocracy? like what the Americans have?
CSJ has then highlighted 2 concerns – (i) Transparency and accountability in the government’s accumulation, investment and use of our reserve. – what is CSJ expecting. What means transparency and accountability to him. CSJ should be more specific and not put in in such vague terms (ii) the need to address structural defects in the way the government manages our economy – big words? what are the structural defects…. that CSJ claims to be able to see. Why not share these?
Ng E-Jay was providing quite a bit of data? and then what? There is no recommendation from him during this speech. With regards to the investments, what does he suggest? how would he has done better?
I wonder what the people who organized this forum felt they have achieved. As you have rightly indicated – “there was no opportunity for the speakers to debate and exchange views or draw up a comprehensive alternative policy at the gathering.” Just talk?
I saw in the other photos – 2 slides “My Preference” and “A Proper Alternative and True Option”
The title of the forum “The financial crises prove Reform is necessary in S’pore” – how and what are they proving. Was this substantiated in this forum?
Isa is providing useful tips on what the alternatives should do… if you want to do something, do it properly and well, not substandard.
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