Breaking News:
Chip Goodyear, who was to succeed Temasek Holdings CEO Ho Ching, has decided not to take up the appointment. Temasek says Ho Ching will continue as CEO and Executive Director. (See Reuters report.)
The following is a letter published in the Straits Times forum page. It is written by Ms Elaina Olivia Chong (picture, left), an exco member of the Young PAP.
FIRST. I would like to congratulate Mr Calvin Cheng on his recent appointment as a Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP).
I applaud his enthusiasm to assume heavy responsibilities. As his contemporary, and also an entrepreneur and media specialist, I appreciate that he will be my ‘voice in Parliament’, so to speak.
Understandably, with his recent public comments on the Young People’s Action Party (YP), that he ‘joined out of curiosity…never attended a single branch activity…and in fact, never even picked up my membership card’, Mr Cheng has stirred a flurry of interest. At best, it was a brilliant display of his talent as a media spin doctor; at worst, it shook public confidence in his capacity to take on his new appointment.
Having said that, I wonder if Mr Cheng is aware of the damage he has done, by denting the credibility of YP as a youth-worthy organisation.
As a card-carrying member of YP since 2004 and now a volunteer on the YP exco, I am saddened that my soon-to- be voice in Parliament shows no sensitivity or respect to thousands of us who offer our time, resources and commitment to the party and the good work it does.
Mr Cheng’s comments seem to imply that YP is not worthy of him, since he did not even pick up his membership card. More disturbing is the fact that he never gave himself a chance to understand how YP works and what it does.
Without any knowledge or basis, he has discredited YP publicly as something he cannot be bothered with. What other statements will he make in future as he does not seem to do his homework before he speaks. If he had done his homework in this case, he would have understood that YP is a vibrant, activity-driven platform that aggressively engages citizens on the ground.
Mr Cheng is well placed to benefit from the NMP scheme. But whether the business community feels he is worthy to be our trusted voice – that must be earned over time.
He has made his kickoff so much harder for himself. Nevertheless, I have faith that he has learnt exponentially from these recent weeks. I am confident his performance in his new appointment will be no less than stellar.
Elaina Olivia Chong (Ms)
Young PAP Exco Member
—-
The Young PAP seems to have deleted its blog site. It used to be at this url: http://youngpapblog.blogspot.com/ .
—–
HELP keep the voice of TOC alive!
If you like this article, please consider a small donation to help theonlinecitizen.com stay alive. Please note that we can only accept donations from Singaporeans. Thank you for your assistance.Do you have a flair for writing? Volunteer with us. Email us your full name and contact details to theonlinecitizen@gmail.com
Hi (83) Lim Xin,
What you have described sounded a little like churches. I said “a little” because churches do more than that. Not only they will welcome you with open arms but they do charities in sg and in 3rd world countries regularly for years. And all these good works are self-sponsored, not sponsored by tax-payers money.
Sorry that I have to bring up this comparison in order to show you that charity must be genuine, not having any ulterior motives to be in the good book of the ruling party. If doing those things you mentioned means YP members deserve to be MP or NMP, then those Christians should deserve even more.
I believe most our expectation of a good politician is not only one with a good character and good heart, but one who is courageous and willing to stand up for justice for the people of sg.
You can give or do things without love or compassion. But you can’t love or have compassion without giving or doing anything. You can be super smart or rich, but without love and care you will be doing all the good works for self glorification.
Well-said Creducator! And Good Morning to you!
101) creducator
Well, what you have said is just like the story of Damo:
Damo visited the Emperor Wu.The emperor asked Bodhidharma, “What is the highest meaning of noble truth?” Bodhidharma answered, “There is no noble truth.” The emperor then asked Bodhidharma, “Who is standing before me?” Bodhidharma answered, “I know not.” The emperor then asked Bodhidharma, “How much karmic merit have I earned by ordaining Buddhist monks, building monasteries, having sutras copied, and commissioning Buddha images?” Bodhidharma answered, “None.”
As doing merits and showing off/asking for return seems to cancel out one another
To (83) Lim Xin,
YPAP is an association for PAP to groom the next generation leaders. As leaders, you have to made hard decisions; e.g. keeping cost down vs wage depression; ageing population vs import of foreign talents/workers; GDP vs lower standard of living; etc
If you have been an active TOC reader, care to ask MP Teo Ser Luck some of the real issues you have read in TOC? Then come back to tell us that you’re convinced because policy A has helped the betterment of SG populace, etc. More importantly, I would touch on issues such as basic Human rights, accountability and transparency, etc.
“I also join them on distributing ration to the one room flat needy residents. ”
If you definition of real leaders simply confine to charity activities; then I rest my case.
hi Kelly,
post #94 on July 23rd, 2009 1.28 am
//// I understand you! He will get “hellava” when people see he isn’t doing anything much. All that “talk” he gave did little for anyone, including himself. ////
will he get “hellava”? any examples of that kind of accountability? the selection process so not transparent, the fact that such people is selected to be the voice of people really is questionable.
////That is why I am not so worried about his i-can’t-be-bothered attitude. He will reap what he sow!////
you not worried i worried, taxpayers money is used here, & who can really guarantee he will be held accountable?
////If you think NMPs are not gonna help you, seek other alternatives and ask around online and here!////
maybe should make such useless NMPs to leave the post. :P
I am glad some of you asked these questions. If you could bear with me, I don’t mind sharing more. I have posted comments using another nickname but decided that for the previous post I would use my name to say something that is a fact. The place where i distributed ration were two locations. One in Ang Mo Kio and the other near old airport road. They are rental flats. YP has a programme on this. That is how it started. I know that no matter what I say, I would not be able to convince all. Thats ok, at least I tried to say what is real.The best way is to experience it yourself. So far, the YP I know, tries to do many things, maybe too many, help others, new media, etc but they don’t promote or market it. I think this is the weakness in the political space and internet. Maybe everyone is just too busy. I have asked YP leaders very sharp questions about do they know the plight of the people and what are they doing about it. The response was simple but it touched me. It goes something like, we can’t solve all the problems in the world, but we must always do our best for our people eventhough it may not be enough to impress or convince everyone. Most important is to convince yourself that you are doing the right things for the people around you. YP and Ser Luck are real change agents. They really speak up, walk the talk, challenge status quo just that it may not be in public or covered by the press. The sense I get is they don’t believed in scoring public political points. But it wasnt only that which make me decide to join, it was seeing everyone putting in that extra effort to do something and going out of the way to do something worthwhile. Such as one where the children were stuyding along the corridor as their father gambled all the money away. The YP guys I am with stepped in to help and brought the family back on track. I would be the first to admit using hokkien vulgarity on the govt and strong advocate on transparency and all. But let me just say, I have never felt more satisfied going to the ground and helping these needy people. Leader or not, it was worth it. The group that was with me week after week these months, believing and doing the same thing, was YP or the other branch activists. Yes, they are not perfect and I am still not satisfied with some of the slowness and some YP members who are a pain in the axx and sucking up. But the majority are people I would work with. This may not go down well with some of you. But I thought it would be better for me to tell it as it is.
106) Lim Xin
Pardon me for my skepticism but perhaps you can tell us what was your previous nick? we are curious to know what was your previous contribution. Although you
said that you have contributed in the past, but it is still evasive and you still haven’t answer our question by telling us your original nick. and we are dying to know what was your previous post like and how it has change, so please do us the honor…
although you said you have posted in the past, but i can’t recognize your style
lastly, I hope you YP will be successful in implement change and not part of NATO
Hi Lim Xin (#106) Thanks for taking time to reply. It’s good to tell it as it is.
I am just wondering why YP did not take advantage of posting pics or videos of the work done. Not many people know of this. You mentioned you worked with them…are you a staff or volunteer or ….? (Sorry I do get lost in a mass of comments sometimes! >,< )
There's also nothing much under "upcoming events" on the site. May be you can suggest a change in the website – just to keep public more informed of what YP really do.
Like SZ and many others, I also hope YP has its OWN VOICE, OWN MIND, OWN IDEAS or else it would not be making much of a good difference to what we already have (the quality of life, etc).
Hi Lim Xim,
Are you and YPAP trying to discredit TOC by claiming YPAP and TOC are on the same side?
correction… “If YP can’t do this, then it’s no point telling us that your members are doing charity using our money.”
Hi MICE IS NICE “Hellava” is not from the government – is from us. Your voice, the people’s voice, will be the harsher voice, more so than the few NMPs’.
“The fact that such people is selected to be the voice of people really is questionable.”
Indeed it is. But is there a way for “re-dress” or to correct this? I don’t think so.
“you not worried i worried, taxpayers money is used here, & who can really guarantee he will be held accountable?”
Good point. But like I said, who is accountable for having “useless or worthless NMPs” in place? Can we get our income tax back? No? So…what do you think we should do besides making people see how mad we are at a “useless NMP” besides “worrying”?
“maybe should make such useless NMPs to leave the post. :P ”
Like I said, it’s your voice (our voices) that will “do the work”. If someone has slapped you, you have the choice to either slap back, or take the person to court. Which option would you take?
I have not seen much of what both YP and Mr. Cheng have done. Even the YP site has left much to be desired.
Hi Lim Xin, you have said it as it is – thanks but I do have some questions to ask because I don’t understand some things.
May I know Lim Xin, who covers for your transport when YP does the charity work (some people mentioned using citizen’s income tax)? Are you one of the members, staff or volunteer since you said you “worked with them”?
I am afraid there’ nothing much of the YP website to tell me what you did recently! The goals of YP are quite blurred if you are saying that YP distributes food ration to needy. I have seen food rations myself (as an ex-volunteer) – rice has bugs. Canned foods maybe expiring the next month and so on. Sugar and oil are ok. And if I don’t remember wrongly, a lot of such food rations are donated by food suppliers, our citizens. while a smaller portion come from private families and individuals.
P.S. eg. Food suppliers like Sheng Shiong, bakery shops, etc.
Lim Xin,
As already brought up by SZ, care to tell us your previous nicks and point to us your contributions at TOC. We shall be expecting two answers here.
I am glad that you have found your purpose in YP (or YPAP) and I don’t think anyone will begrudge you the choice you have made. However, to some of us, and as far as most of us have been made to believe, the role of the YPAP is primarily to give those who subscribe to the PAP’s mode of governance a chance, to show their leadership qualities so that they can be identified to represent the PAP in its leadership-succession renewals.
To be able to do this, anyone who aspires to be a leader, with the hope of leading the country in the future, has to be able to go beyond the task of doing charitable deeds, which addresses the problem and not the cause; but; to be able to address the cause and fight to correct the causes that are doing these poor folks in.
It is for this reason that I question Calvin’s intention in joining the YP and then doing nothing whilst being a member there. If he had done nothing of note there, then what makes you so sure that he will be an effective NMP? He has the aspiration to be an NMP, he has the opportunity as a YP member to ‘sharpen his saw’, so to speak, but he allowed it to go to waste. He had the chance to ask the government the hard questions to address the causes that resulted in the need to have organizations like the YP to reach out to the poor folks who are left behind in many areas in life.
So now you argue, that the YP has been doing some great jobs. But the fact remains that this Calvin chap did nothing to contribute to this goodness. He is basically using the ‘good name’ of the YP to advance his own aspiration to be an NMP. Is this not questionable?
He kept going on about giving a voice to the people, but didn’t you read in yesterday’s Shitty Times, in his reply to Elaina, that he hopes to be ‘her voice’? There you have it. It will be the PAP’s voice – disguised in the NMP.
“Most important is to convince yourself that you are doing the right things for the people around you …”
HO Ching is convinced that losing almost $60M is money well-spent and is the right thing for the people around her.
The government is convinced that losing $60M merited a National Day award for her, and is the right thing for the people around them.
The government is convinced that Opposition citizens (those who voted for the Opposition) do not deserve the same privileges accorded to PAP citizens (those who voted for the PAP), and is the right thing to do.
I am convinced that the YP is another tool being used by the PAP to fool citizens that needs to be exposed for what it is, and is the right thing to do for every citizen.
Do you not see that some people are overly convinced, so much so that it becomes detrimental to others?
I beseech you to look at the root cause of the problems and question yourself whether they can be solved. Hand to mouth solutions will not remove the problems. If you cannot convince yourself of this, then you will only be prolonging the agony of the people you think you are helping.
Dear Lim Xin,
A word of advice for you, my friend…been evasive here and giving vague answers won’t help your point…in fact it will only make the situation here by creating doubts about your credibility…
Look at the way our leaders has been evasive about the fiasco, that just act as a trigger for more scrutiny
To Lim Xin,
It’s wonderful for you to share with us on what YPAP has done. Please do keep the good work. Singapore needs help and we should contribute in any way we can if it’s ever possible. I applause your willingness to help the less-priviledged.
However, do keep us posted of your view again after you keep doing the same thing a 100th times (I bet it no longer becomes a novelty). The reason is because I hope you will be able to start questioning why the same thing happens over and over again? Can it be avoided, etc; and you will definitely be able to draw a better conclusion.
Objectivity is the key.
PS: I don’t think Hilter intends to exterminate the Jews as well. It just happens. – Hope you get the drift.
@106) Lim Xin on July 23rd, 2009 6.39 pm
Oh wow, a chapter from 12th SS Panzer Division ‘Hitlerjugend’ diary. These fanatics really believed in their cause, fighting, bleeding, dying. Their comradeship & discipine are truly awesome … so are their atrocities. Funny, the survivors nowaday recalled with pride their soldiering days, of their achievements (which are really notable in military sense) but are silence on atrocities – “…something that must happened for the overall scheme of things.” Their adored leader, ‘PanzerMeyer’, will make TSL look like mickey mouse if the yardstick is “…cool and real leadership”.
Per said, hope this is not a case of youth worship for Lim Xin. Anyway, one man’s meat is another man’s poison. We are free men/women, right? Appreciate if Lim Xin could ask hero TSL how come (from other TOC topic posted) 44% of people don’t get to vote in elections, 34% voted opposition, but PAP still has 98% seats. Or GST raised by 40% to fund things like TH’s investments while some in our society will be pushed into the fringes? Not important questions? Here’s a bag of goodies, go distribute to the needy in AMK & don’t ask stupid Q’s. Climb Mt. E, wave national flag and forget $56b burnt. Yes, I am also looking for “…cool and real leader”, as long as the side effects don’t touch me.
@118) Dumb and dumber on July 24th, 2009 2.11 pm
Dumb and dumber,
your mentioning of Hitler and my post @119 about SS is purely coincidental. Let it be known no one is leading another’s lead. Nor am I pro-Nazis!
On your drift, blutchering children after the head count reached two does justify the end to some people years back. Of course, we are famous for U-turns without blinking eyes. Now, more FTs/FWs even better.
hi Kelly,
post #113 on July 24th, 2009 1.56 am
////Hi MICE IS NICE “Hellava” is not from the government – is from us. Your voice, the people’s voice, will be the harsher voice, more so than the few NMPs’.////
really, but he even hear the hellava?
////Good point. But like I said, who is accountable for having “useless or worthless NMPs” in place? Can we get our income tax back? No? So…what do you think we should do besides making people see how mad we are at a “useless NMP” besides “worrying”?////
true loh, cannot that is why can only “cow peh”? the public has written to Straits Times on the issue IIRC.
////Like I said, it’s your voice (our voices) that will “do the work”. If someone has slapped you, you have the choice to either slap back, or take the person to court. Which option would you take?////
eh, could use a better example that this.
To 120) theforgottongeneration:
It’s definitely a coincidence. I didn’t even know you’re writing.
What am I trying to say is failure to act when action is required can be just as devastating. As an MP, a representative of the people, failure to speak up, has it’s consequence. It reminds me of the example in the past posts about “speaking up”.
Maybe someone can post it again as a reminder of how “great” evil flourishes not because everyone is evil, but because good people fail to “speak up” against “injustice”.
122) and that reminds of First they came…:
When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.
Then they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
I did not protest;
I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
I did not speak out;
I was not a Jew.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out for me.
[i]Lim Xin on July 23rd, 2009 6.39 pm I am glad some of you asked these questions. If you could bear with me, I don’t mind sharing more. I have posted comments using another nickname but decided that for the previous post I would use my name to say something that is a fact. [/i]
i don’t know you @ all
even though i been BANNED under ALL the above nicks
i know bigcannongking
he is my cartoon adversary
what your ypap nick
for i am sured you would have known me
come on be a sport
iremembered the last time
our prince the prime minister said
he can see a packed mrt from the infamous CTE highway
either he is flyin from a helicopter
or he is watchin a harryporter movies…………..
@122) Dumb and dumber on July 24th, 2009 4.01 pm
Right mate, tha’s why we are on TOC – voicing individual’s concerns.
u can put the pic at the link somewhere at ur blog or website as a reminder:
http://www.thomsonreuters.com/content/corporate/images/news_ideas/tr_vote_ar.jpg
Hi Mice….cow peh blogs are all good – most of the time! And then we can cow peh about the cow peh. It’s quite infectious! :) Sunshine is free and non-taxable so do have a great weekend! I wonder what’s TOC’s next topic – looking forward to read it!
poor lin xin
you tried to paint a pic of YPAP doing good ?
ask a simple question, after 50 yaers of “self-governing”, we have a singapore
1) Top 5% making 80% of total wealth
2) Leaders are making good millions a year to keep good integrity
3) Fulle election reduced to $1M salary a year, while cabbies are struggling with $2,000+ a month with 12 hours on the road
5) new MPs only know how yo echo what the bosses say, do they have mandate ? NO
Do they have souls ? they know well , we hope
6) The nation is run by loyalists, and angmok, or FT, 95% of the common singaporean pay tax to keep the 5% to have luxuarious life
7) A nation with no ideals, no transparency and no check and balance will go down the drain like a demise of dynasty
So, why you talents with hot aspiration wants to join a YPAP to keep the above distortion going ?
Think about it
Posibble scenarios for Change to occur
By “creative destruction” if I may borrow to quote from a fellow poster
at one extreme of the continuum
to total apathy, at the other extreme
when people in power do right, with “creative destruction” , things may get crappy if after “creative destruction” , if what is rebuilt is not as good as before
when people in power do not do right, with “creative destruction” , things may be just crappy if what is rebuilt is as bad as before, things may get better if what is rebuilt is better than before, or things can remain in a permanent state of destruction.
when people in power do right, with total apathy, things still goes on fine
when people in power do not do right, with total apathy, things stayss crappy forever
life is full of hard choices
Possible approach of change agents:
Those who subscribe to “creative destruction” (if I may again borrow to quote from a fellow poster)
at one extreme of the continuum
to those who subscribe in making change from within the system,
at the other extreme
So in one extreme end, we have protesters, opposition figures, etc, who have a noble cause in wanting to change society for the better,
and the other end we have people who have the same noble cause in wanting to change society for the better, but opt to join PAP in the hope to change things from inside.
Is that not impossible that there are such people?
Do reflect on that.
It is noble of such people to join PAP with the hope of trying to change things from inside. But the reality is that such people have to be perpetually conscious they do not end up like the PAP stooges themselves.
It makes more sense to accept the fact the grandmaster of PAP is incorrigible and so is the system he has created.
The clue is found in past and present despots, example Hitler, Sadam, Suharto, Kim, Castro, Burmese junta leaders, Mugabe, etc, etc.
I also do not see the logic of joining loansharks, triads, gang of thieves/ robbers, etc, just to change things from inside. The argument can be extended to corrupt groups of law enforcement personnel, judiciary members, whatever one cares to name.
The evil that some men do is beyond redemption and there is only one outcome for them. In the case of the present PAP, they should be voted out.
131) dealing with incorrigibles
//////I also do not see the logic of joining loansharks, triads, gang of thieves/ robbers, etc, just to change things from inside. The argument can be extended to corrupt groups of law enforcement personnel, judiciary members, whatever one cares to name.////////
I hear and respect your view.
But I hold a less “extreme” (if I may use the term) view. I like to believe that the peope who step in to serve the country are not entirely homogenous in thought and principal, and as such there will be those who wants to work from within.
@KopitiamApek (#132) I fully agree with you. There are people who try to work from “within” because they don’t hold all the same views as PAP.
Personally, I have a slight distaste of working from “within” because I don’t have the qualifications to sit there and take some one else’s credits. lol Have been in civil service before and I know how it is like for a senior colleague to take ALL credits for everything that others (team members) do. When you give credit to others, you are actually thanking them publicly. It says very much more than a private thank you.
I’ve also seen how PAP-powered groups thank gold blood donors (the ‘public’ thank-the-donors ceremonies for the last few years have left much to be desired although no one spoke up!) Again, it’s another bitter aftertaste AFTER a nice cuppa coffee. I intend to feedback before next year’s ceremony. In this instance, should I feedback to YPAP or REACH.gov.sg ?
More and more boards, institutes and what-not may not work if it confuses the public. Remember how people once get confused over town council and area offices for HDB matters?
hi Kelly,
//// I intend to feedback before next year’s ceremony. In this instance, should I feedback to YPAP or REACH.gov.sg ?////
two is one, one is none. feedback to both! ;)
133) kelly
/////////Personally, I have a slight distaste of working from “within” because I don’t have the qualifications to sit there and take some one else’s credits. lol Have been in civil service before and I know how it is like for a senior colleague to take ALL credits for everything that others (team members) do. /////////////
Sorry to read about your bad experience.
This is one aspect of working within any org, public or private. We are going to bump into crappy bosses like this in any workplace.
I would not judge the whole org by the few personal contact I have with, I do not think it is fair to those working in these orgs, pte or public.
Nevertheless, I still hold the view that there are people who try to work from “within” , and the entire govt machinery is not a monolithic pre-programmed group of robot-like employess that have identical thoughts.
That is just not humanly possible in my opinion.
133) kelly
////(the ‘public’ thank-the-donors ceremonies ///////
I thought we only give blood to the blood bank?
Whom did you donate your blood to?
133) kelly
////More and more boards, institutes and what-not may not work if it confuses the public. Remember how people once get confused over town council and area offices for HDB matters?//////
Sorry, Kelly, I can’t connect this to the waht I wrote earlier. Can clarify?
Hi KopitiamApek, now it’s YPAP and REACH.gov.sg Will there be more and more institutes or whatever, and to perform what? Like how people used to be confused with the functions of town councils and HDB area offices, I see that many are still “blur” and have no idea what YPAP and REACH do. Or the differences in the 2. I know for sure REACH is a “messenger” to ministries and other govt-related unions/agencies.
As for the blood donors…let me give you a scenario. For example, you are invited to witness your child receiving some award. You can view from a distance but you CAN’T HEAR what’s going on in the award-giving ceremony. You may be partitioned by GLASS, or you are in another room.
Your child goes on stage to claim his award. You applaud and you are v proud of your child but hey, your child can’t see you because you’re quite a distance away or in a seperate room watching it via a large-screen TV. No sound ar…
After that, the award is taken from him, your child is told it’s a dummy award. NO FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS on where the real award is. After some asking around, you realise your door gift WAS the award.
These past few years, this is the way blood donors are thanked. Family participation is invited but… Sigh… I’d rather they have sent the award by mail if that’s the way they want to show their heart-felt appreciation to blood donors and their families.
Thank you MICE (#134)! Feedback to two and see if each are saying the same things! GREAT IDEA Mice – thanks! ;)
hi Kelly,
you’re welcome. if got anything interesting post an article can? :)
Hi Mice! I sent an article to Andrew of TOC, but I think he didn’t like it. :) I have a video about the Donors’ ceremony though. I am just lazy to edit the needless portion of the video! lol Okie…I see if I have time to do so. Late – good night everyone!
hi Kelly,
no worries, take your time. ;)
Hi KopitiamApek & Kelly,
“There are people who try to work from “within” because they don’t hold all the same views as PAP.” : KopitiamApek & Kelly.
I think we get your drift that there are good people trying to work from within to bring about changes that are for the general good of the citizens and the country. I don’t think anyone can deny that this is possible.
But in this instance, we are talking about ‘taking chances’. Do we take chances with one whom we know is supportive of the government and PAP, or do you think it is better for us to take chances with one who is politically non-partisan?
Like I have mentioned earlier, here is someone who joined the YPAP out of curiosity (how true we do not know), but then does nothing to contribute during his entire time as a YPAP member. I believe it is not curiosity but more of a calculated move to advance himself, using his membership as one of the driving force to get to where he wanted to go.
I might be wrong, but I not only smell something so fishy but also get the feeling that this chap is not upfront and honest about the whole thing. He is trying too hard to show us that he is ‘one of us’ which he is not – while at the same time, giving the PAP the impression that he is one of them too.
What a nice card to play – WIN WIN.
@133) kelly on July 26th, 2009 2.20 pm
“….@KopitiamApek (#132) I fully agree with you. There are people who try to work from “within” because they don’t hold all the same views as PAP. ”
The “from within” concept is really disappointing, from experience, personal observation and reasoning. Isn’t that what the Opposition is parliament is supposed to represents? Or what about president OTC? What happened in either case?
We must have thousands of scholars over the years, and yet we have current situation. What do they do except tweaks things like ERP rates (and writing speeches for our MPs – that I’m sure). Why would they want to rock the boat? Bite the hand that feeds? Why not blow $50K on family on holiday – the system provides them this “capability”. Don’t we always see someone wanting to change the system, but after staying/surviving in the system over the years, such people BECOMES the system. I guess after kissing backsides for so long, anyone would also want their asses to be rubbed too. Example = STTA president – more like “from behind (ie. ass)”.
P.S. Last week ST article on PSC scholars, that they are not looking for “yes-men”, I won’t hold my breath on it.
“I would not judge the whole org by the few personal contact I have with, I do not think it is fair to those working in these orgs, pte or public.”
Lets not mix pte with public. pte is pte and unless pte behaviour is too unduly negative filtering into the public domain, it is none of our business.
You are right that we can’t simply judge too much just bcos of a few personal contacts. But again (when it comes to public matters), that is where transparency & openess about the whole process that a lot of people want to see as it plays a very positive “enlightening part”.
So how does this ‘working within’ fit in ? Robust enough in comparison if the whole matter is subject to strong public scrunity as it should be for serious public issues ?
123) Yamamoto Taicho
Thanks. That’s the one and how true it touches me every time I read it again.
Yes, well said, (123) Yamamoto Taicho.
Hi (123) Dumb and dumber,
Maybe someone can post it again as a reminder of how “great” evil flourishes not because everyone is evil, but because good people fail to “speak up” against “injustice”.
I guess this is the reason why many (especially the younger generation) tend not to speak up on political issues. The young have have lived sheltered lives and thought that they still will be sheltered when they grow older and therefore no need to speak up. The old are too tired to speak up.
Again, thanks to all for your feedback and questions. I have picked some of the questions to answer and sorry to those I have not been able to answer.
I cover for my own transport to such activities and I am a volunteer. Yes, there is more that YP website could do. Understand they are trying to do more. Like me, they are all volunteers and busy working. I know that most them spend week day nights to work on projects. This needs a lot of commitment and energy. I have not reached that level of commitment yet.
The food is donated by shops,companies and yes, individuals. Most of the times, we packed them into the bag the night before or a day before. We work till early morning hours. Quite tiring but worth it. Volunteers like me check on expiriy date and distribute them into different bags.
To me, YP isjust a youth wing of the PAP. We bring our political views to Ministers as there are many dialogues where we have been invited to. It was always a good exchange with them and we get to understand a lot more insights about how these policies came about. I can appreciate why many here have different views. For some, it could be lack of information and others, lack of understanding. For those who are skeptical or refuse to believe, it would always be different difficult to convince and they can have a different view. Everyone is entitle to their views. The vision is to serve and contribute. Recently, YP roll out the mission to embrace, empower and evolve. So manyof the programmes revolves around. We could feel the impact and changes at the ground level where I help out.
What YP believes is to do what we can within our means. I remember my YP chair told us to be understanding. For e.g. if a member is not free and could not come for activity, we would help to cover the graps as best we can. It is the bond and commitment I have seen in these members that got me going so far. Though I must admit I don’t commit as much time and energy.
To Lim Xin,
Keep up the good work. By the way, do you believe the MP(s) you worked with in YP believes in transparency and accountability? That’s the only question I have (no need to mention names).
Hi @theforgottongeneration (#144) You may want to refer to my comment at #144 (my experience of working from ‘within’) which was not pleasant. but it still does not change the fact that there are young adults trying to do the same thing I did years ago. My experience is pretty common not only in civil sectors.
Thanks a lot for your reply Lim Xin. What you’ve done within the YP, is not very much different from what church groups, charities and activists are doing. The only things I note are:
1. Being in YP, you’re PAP-oriented and if you happen to also support the good causes of opposition parties, be prepared to say goodbye to YP (as with the case with Tan Kin Lian).
2. Law stays largely the same. Policies stay largely the same. Meaning: nothing’s changed.
As for accountability of YP, what is YP accountable for? That’s the question. Without even knowing its missions, accountability is quite blurred (at least for me).
Thank you. My MP is very approachable and shares a lot with us. I even sms him whenever I have a question. He also disagrees with some of the policies and I have seen him voice it out with a Minister before. The exchange helped us understand the policy. I am not sure what you mean by accountability of YP. The mission and values is quite flear to me. Question is are they doing it enough for the majority. To me, YP is a platform for me to do what i feel is worth doing and share my views. Are they accountable if I don’t get the chance to do these things ? I mean, I would not join them if the platform is not effective and if they don’t show me they are indeed sincere about making lives better. I know for one, I have managed to get a programme going for talents who need funds through a dialogue with my MP through YP. Another one was to consider the addition of 20 additional parking lots. but has not been approved yet. We can all contribute as long as you find it worthwhile and feel happy doing it. I just decided to start with issues around me to understand better.
For those who resign from the party, Tan Kin Lian or Calvin Cheng, they have their reasons and I stick to mine to join.