From the Singapore Democratic Party.
We note the critique of Ms Tng Hui Yi and Mr Andrew Loh of the SDP’s National Day Message (watch video here) at The Online Citizen. It is apparent that much thought went into the review and the criticisms were considered ones. We welcome them.
We note that much of the critique dwelled on the substantiveness of the arguments, or the lack of it, rather than on the presentation of the message. Some of these observations are valid and will be taken on board in future presentations.
Unlike a speech delivered live to an audience, however, the attention span of viewers on an Internet video is limited. Our experience has been that a longer video filled with too many statistics and charts will attract less interest among viewers.
Read the full text of the SDP’s response here.
Our response:
The Online Citizen thanks the SDP for taking the time to write a response to our critique. We would also like to express our appreciation that the party took the critique in the spirit that it was meant and for the graciousness in its response.
We take this opportunity to wish the SDP every success in its endeavours and in the next general elections.
——
Good to know you’re taking it in good spirit, SDP. Compare this to Kenneth Jeyaretnam’s reply (1st comment) on the article critical of WP’s messge http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/08/wp-nd-message-an-amalgamation-of-fortune-cookie-sentiments/
Dear local opposition and not just Kenneth, if you want more fence sitters to take you seriously you’ve got to act the part too.
I am impressed.
SDP responded and even take the criticism in their stride.
You have set a good example for RP, WP, NSP, all other political parties especially PAP to follow.
I would also like to thank SDP for taking TOC’s critique in good faith and in good stride.
Now the onus falls on SDP to consider their political views and continually improve on them.
Same goes for all other opposition parties. Let no one slacken here, for the road ahead is long, and our battle for political plurality in Singapore the greatest marathon we the people will ever run.
E-Jay
It’s been too long since I’ve seen such a good PR response in Singapore.
I don’t particularly agree with the way the SDP does things, but kudos to them for doing it right this time.
I always think SDP is the best opposition because they dare to speak up, the so call confrontational politics is the correct way to counter the regime. If Singaporeans can’t take it, then toobad. Aqua, aqua and half dead kind of oppositions only to the liking of pap
This is new frontier stuff. The response from SDP signifies that new grounds have been broken. SDP, whether we agree or not, is a poltical heavyweight in Singapore’s political landscape. We now have one of the political heavyweight’s attention. Let us hope the others will follow in this footstep.
I am sure the PAP will be paying closer attention to the views expressed in TOC now that SDP has spoken.
Let us all look forward with optimism and to constantly seek ways to make our voices better heard.
Wow, TOC and SDP singing praise to each other and slam down WP.
Good move, SDP.
Hey Ah Gong, I see these criticisms and replies as an example of how opposition, civil society and citizen journalists can help each other improve.
WP can reply if they want to and I’m sure TOC will put up and commend them too, unfortunately they haven’t. So too bad.
And another thing, for a long time some people have been going around saying that TOC is biased. All these exercises prove TOC to be unbiased and more objective.
Good job SDP, you have shown the way. Wish you well in the next election.
” for a long time some people have been going around saying that TOC is biased ”
Well, now we do know that TOC are not biased.
Excellent move by SDP. Though the election date not yet announced, you have already scored some points.
Okay you have a point tango. But well this is the internet and this is Singapore politics. He should get used to its harshness.
This time SDP had taken different approach compare to last time but bare in mind that battle is still not started yet. So better be prepare for the worst to come if you want to stay on course.
I do agee on one of the contributor in TOC said that MR Chee should smile more. He must feel the joy of able to do justice for all s’porean. Relax and you will have clear mind to tackle a lot issue. Don’t act like a bull and make the same mistake again. Good Luck. See all of you soon in the coming election.
BTW. I got source that the GE is around Nov. this year after the second handout by the gov. in Oct. Watch out guys. Vote with your guts and wisely.
Anyone considered the possibility that the entire PAP AND Straits Times machinery gunned down Chee Soon Juan because he is ministerial calibre?
how sporting of SDP to project such an image.
i do not know if they really, truly welcome criticism, but such a move is certainly nice, especially in the areas of public relations.
kudos to you, SDP.
No reason not to welcome criticism really. Without criticism, how to improve?
mature response to critic… well done SDP..!! PAP so call ‘elites’, can learn or not?
I see the SDP in a new light now.
Good start.
Have a good show in the next GE, SDP.
Sock it to them!
The only opposition leader that has the intellectual heft, and the wisdom and compassion for the Singaporean people to bring about truly revolutionary change in our society is our PHD, DR. CHEE SOON JUAN. A selfless human and a truly proven courageous lion in the mode of Mahatma Ghandi, Nelson Mandela and Chia Thye Poh, Dr. Chee, who i envisage will be our prime minister in about 10 years time i.e only another 2 elections away, needs all the support from the masses who have been ‘smashed into smithereens’ by the selve-serving policies of the PAPies. In the coming elections i expect at least 5 to 7 SDP MPs elected into parliament, and the other opposition parties will garner about another 7 to 10. If a true Alliance (along the lines of PAKATAN in Malaysia) between the opposition parties can be worked-out, the opposition should be able to garner 20 to 25 seats. This i forecast of what can happen, and for this we need good people in their tens of thousands to sign-up as members of the various opposition parties. PEOPLE ENOUGH OF TALK LETS SEE ACTION. PEOPLE’S POWER WILL BE ABLE TO UNSEAT THE PAPIES IN 10 years time–just 2 elections away. The disintegration of the PAPies into 2 or 3 factions (after the demise of LKY) is axiomatic, and when this happens it is the beginning of the end of the PAPies. Therefore, i repeat, people in their tens of thousands sign-up with the opposition parties and lets kick-out the PAPies all the way to timbucktoo.
Dr Chee & SDP all the way. The only ray of hope in our political landscape! If Dr Chee is not a threat to the MIW cowards, he won’t be in a state like now (sued, jailed, bankrupt).
The only opposition who grilled MM Lee in court and left MM lost for words! Inspite of all the machineries thrown at Dr Chee, he prevailed. To me, he already won some battles while facing the entire machineries. No other PAP MP can equal to Dr Chee’s calibre. Not even PM Lee.
budamax,
Pls paragraph your comments. If you don’t we’ll delete them.
Pls do so for all future comments you post.
Thanks.
Hi the onlinecitizen ;;; Try as i may, when i want to break-up my comments into paragraphs, i can’t seem to be able to do it. When i type into “Your comments” box, i can’t seem to break-up my comments into paragraphs. I confess, that i not very well- versed in the technicalities of computer operations. Can you show me how to break-up into paragraphs. My apologies for any inconvenience encountered by you. Thanks.
Hello budamax1952,
It would be great if you can correspond with TOC via email (at Contact Us) regarding the technicality problems. We will do our best to assist you.
@ 22) budamax1952 …here we go again…with paragraph:
The only opposition leader that has the intellectual heft, and the wisdom and compassion for the Singaporean people to bring about truly revolutionary change in our society is our PHD, DR. CHEE SOON JUAN.
A selfless human and a truly proven courageous lion in the mode of Mahatma Ghandi, Nelson Mandela and Chia Thye Poh, Dr. Chee, who i envisage will be our prime minister in about 10 years time i.e only another 2 elections away, needs all the support from the masses who have been ’smashed into smithereens’ by the selve-serving policies of the PAPies.
In the coming elections i expect at least 5 to 7 SDP MPs elected into parliament, and the other opposition parties will garner about another 7 to 10. If a true Alliance (along the lines of PAKATAN in Malaysia) between the opposition parties can be worked-out, the opposition should be able to garner 20 to 25 seats. This i forecast of what can happen, and for this we need good people in their tens of thousands to sign-up as members of the various opposition parties. PEOPLE ENOUGH OF TALK LETS SEE ACTION. PEOPLE’S POWER WILL BE ABLE TO UNSEAT THE PAPIES IN 10 years time–just 2 elections away.
The disintegration of the PAPies into 2 or 3 factions (after the demise of LKY) is axiomatic, and when this happens it is the beginning of the end of the PAPies. Therefore, i repeat, people in their tens of thousands sign-up with the opposition parties and lets kick-out the PAPies all the way to timbucktoo.
Budamax, you are too optimistic – but I like it ;) a lot.
Someone suggested earlier for Dr Chee to learn to smile more, and I too agree with it. I think Dr Chee must start to realise that his works as an activist has long outlived its purpose. He has to start being the politician that he aspires to be. Not that he has to dim the fire in his belly but it is time he builds a new fire – a fire that is easier for one to sit close by and enjoy the warmth it provides.
When I first saw him at his maiden rally speech, I too saw the future Prime Minister of Singapore. I believe the PAP saw it too and that’s why the persecution started immediately after that speech.
I am still placing my bet that he will be the main figure in bringing about change to the political climate in Singapore. All he needs to do is to keep out of trouble, which is easier said than done – when his every word and action are dissected with the purpose to suppressed him further. This is where we come in. Our support will be the telling difference to make this optimism come true.
By learning from their mistakes, they can improve. And yes, i respect the SDP for that.
GREAT JOB SDP! all the best!! :D
Haha, i was the one that suggested chee to smile more. I have seen chee quite a few times already and he always had that “u own me money” face. Maybe he can wear sunglasses and murmured ” I’ll be back”.
He seems to lack the leadership quality or charms that i see in other opposition leaders. I have met the late jeyaretnam before many times and he neber failed to give me that steady, charming feeling ( though he is broke and old that time). Similarly to low thia khiang, teochew manly characteristic. Finally even chiam see tong, the cunning old hand in politics has his own style.
Worst, the “stunt and shock” chee soon chuan broadcasted in the previous election after the defeat was definitely a killer. You see, i had never see anyone “so lame so loser” before, even you can say that is a dirty ploy by the PAP.
Talk is always cheap, abstract idea like democracy can blow all the way up to the nine heaven. Some say chee is hairy potter, some say PM calibre, some even say he is mandela.
Without any real progress in sg poltics, all are just empty talk.
To 27) Ahgong,
I hope Dr. Chee sees your post. It will help him increases his chances of winning in the next election. I personally “admire” his courage; though not the tactics he used previously.
While a lot of forumers are advocating “action”; in my opinion, it’s just as important to provide the image of being “steadfast” and being “reliable”. Singapore needs future leaders to able to “act” when required; and also the ability to “wait” for the right opportunities to “strike”.
Governing a country is not an easy task; especially one that is limited in size, and resources.
In my opinion, I believe “PAP” has prepared him well for Singaporeans; and he has “matured” a lot over the years. As long as he remembers the “baptism of fire” that he has gone through and overcome them; I believe he will be one of the great leaders singapore will need – provide he don’t let the “hatred” for the current regime overwhelm him.
I see Dr Chee as a freedom fighter.
Do u guys know Chee Siok Chin has a blog? It’s here: http://cheesiokchin.wordpress.com/
She looks so much better smiling too.
As things stand there is absolutely no alternative to PAP Government for a long time to come basically for 2 reasons: (i) the PAP leadership, cohesive with a common vision, is extraordinarily brilliant, provides good and stable governance with people benefiting policies and conceives long term strategies to ensure the security and economic prosperity of Singapore for the future; (ii) the Opposition is weak and fragmented with no credible leaders or sensible alternative programmes to offer the public to bring about any desired change.
Dr Chee is an extraordinary and exceptionally brilliant man too. He is way above the rest of the opposition intellectually and he is the only one who can take on any PAP Minister, including MM in a public debate, and I venture to say, on any subject of concern to the people. I have heard his speeches on videos online and have read one or two of his books. But what made me to take a second look at this man was his verbal sparring with MM in the High Court, a recording of which I happened to see. Not legally trained, but he was more than a match to Sr Counsel, Mr. Davindar Singh, the defense lawyer for MM. He put MM in tight spots with his incisive and inconvenient questions until the latter stammered for answers, or had to be rescued by Mr. Davindar or by the Judge. You have to see it yourself to believe it.
I have totally no faith in the combined Opposition we have today. I am not a PAP man. But I don’t want a Government other than that of PAP for the life of me. They are good and they deliver. But I want good opposition figures, in manageable numbers, to be voted into Parliament to check on the PAP and keep it on its toes.
If mine were to be a single-member constituency and a good and credible opposition candidate were to contest here, I would vote for him/her without hesitation, provided he/she does. take on a PAP Minister. My first principle is that a Minister represents the Government and if you reject him you are rejecting the Government and that is not unacceptable to me
But for Dr Chee, I will make an exception and that too only for him alone.
Sorry, Words in second line of last para should read “provided he/she does NOT take on a PAP Minister”
Sorry, spotted another mistake. I am reposting the entire piece here.
As things stand there is absolutely no alternative to PAP Government for a long time to come basically for 2 reasons: (i) the PAP leadership, cohesive with a common vision, is extraordinarily brilliant, provides good and stable governance with people benefiting policies and conceives long term strategies to ensure the security and economic prosperity of Singapore for the future; (ii) the Opposition is weak and fragmented with no credible leaders or sensible alternative programmes to offer the public to bring about any desired change.
Dr Chee is an extraordinary and exceptionally brilliant man too. He is way above the rest of the opposition intellectually and he is the only one who can take on any PAP Minister, including MM in a public debate, and I venture to say, on any subject of concern to the people. I have heard his speeches on videos online and have read one or two of his books. But what made me to take a second look at this man was his verbal sparring with MM in the High Court, a recording of which I happened to see. Not legally trained, but he was more than a match for Sr Counsel, Mr. Davindar Singh, the defense lawyer for MM. He put MM in tight spots with his incisive and inconvenient questions until the latter stammered for answers, or had to be rescued by Mr. Davindar or by the Judge. You have to see it yourself to believe it.
I have totally no faith in the combined Opposition we have today. I am not a PAP man. But I don’t want a Government other than that of PAP for the life of me. They are good and they deliver. But I want good opposition figures, in manageable numbers, to be voted into Parliament to check on the PAP and keep it on its toes.
If mine were to be a single-member constituency and a good and credible opposition candidate were to contest here, I would vote for him/her without hesitation, provided he/she does not take on a PAP Minister. My first principle is that a Minister represents the Government and if you reject him you are rejecting the Government and that is not acceptable to me
But for Dr Chee, I will make an exception and that too only for him alone.
A party with humble men who can acknowledge their mistakes can achieve great things in time to come. Not like present lot of ministers who can not even climb down from their ivory towers to bow as low as President Ma for 10 seconds to apologise for his government slow rescue response to an unimaginable natural disaster.
I kind of think SDP needs to respond with such gracious because of its supporters. In the WP thread they are hitting at who TOC is criticising (another opposition party), in the SDP thread they are hitting out at TOC, and in the PAP thread they are silent.
If SDP doesn’t respond, people will soon think SDP is only content to be an opposition to “easier opponents” rather than PAP.
All that unjust battering is turning SDP into a mature and credible political party.
#33 K Das /// I have totally no faith in the combined Opposition today ///
Bro’, there is only one thing that is going to bring down the PAPies, with a viable opposition replacing them, in about 2 elections away. What is that one thing? ABSOLUTE POWER.
Everyone can agree that the PAPies have absolute power, right? Absolute power begets control of all the money in this country, right? This is axiomatic. No two ways about it.
Whether you are in a household, a coporation, a club, an organisation or a country— absolute 100% political power begets 100% control of all the money in any situation, right?
In short, PAPies control 100% of the money here, for eg. if the PAPies want to gamble away $40 billion of the public’s money, or if they just want to spend $1.5 million per year for the needy, can we do anything? absolutely nothing, right?
Next, the demise of LKY. LKY is not going to live forever. Give him another 3 to 5 years. After this what is going to happen? There is going to be a mad rush for Power/Money by the key members of the PAPies. A free for all, you can say. Hidden corruption, skeletons in the closets will be the order of the day.
Inevitably, the PAPies are going to break-up into 2 to 3 factions, totally weakening their power base. By this time tens of thousands of good people would have joined the opposition parties, with SDP the forerunner among them. If an alliance can be worked-out (like we have PAKATAN in Malaysia) then PAP is history.
So what is going to doom the PAPies is only one thing. Their absolute power and their control of all the money in the land.
@37) budamax 1952
PAP have splitted before. They are called Barisan Sosialis. Read and understand the link below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barisan_Sosialis
So don’t expect the splitting of PAP as a catalyst for multi party democracy. I’m pretty sure even with the demise of LKY, the plan to handle such matters is probably in place and will be mercilessly enforced. If anything, PAP sees ex-PAP members as the greatest threat, even more than oppos members. People like Francis Seow, Tang Liang Hong, et al.. were once trusted members of PAP circle.
A Pakatan-style opposition alliance is really not that impossible. More importantly, opposition supporters/voters need to have an alliance as well. You vote for my oppos, I vote for your oppos (we’re not going to necessary have the oppos of our choice in our constituency, and some may vote for PAP rather than other oppos)
Already, parties like RP and SDP are willing to have some sort of opposition solidarity. WP seems to be PAP-lite but if they can see the strategic advantage of allying with other oppositions, even to the stage of forming an alternative co-alition government, why not. LTK and SL are smart and shrewd people. As for SDA, they already shown they can form an alliance. CST is not young anymore. Once he is gone, the fued between SDA (or SPP particular) with SDP may be set aside for the greater good.
We as supporters of individual opposition parties must write letters to our various oppos to tell them alliance is the best way to take on PAP and give the people the alternative voice we’re looking for.