Dr Reuben Wong believes that it is a conditional equation. When the economy is performing well, Singapore ≠ PAP. When the economy is performing badly, Singapore = PAP.
Dr Frederico Ferrara, who appeared to be very critical of the PAP, said that if you had an alternative view, it’s more useful to be a minority within a dominant party than being in a political party with just 2 MPs.
MP Zaqy pointed out that civil servants are not accountable to Singaporeans, unlike the government. In parliament, when questioning Ministers, MPs know how to “hit them at their hardest spot” because they know each other well.
“Dr Reuben Wong believes that it is a conditional equation. When the economy is performing well, Singapore ≠ PAP. When the economy is performing badly, Singapore = PAP.”
I think he got it Wong….I mean wrong….sorry. As from past examples, When the economy is performing well, MIW claims credit for it. However, when the economy is performing badly, MIW will say that it is due to external environment and not their fault. So he definitely got it Wong, I mean wrong…sorry
The way Zaqy spoke rings a bell.
Cedric Fool explained that “white horse” status is to make sure that they do not receive preferential treatment.
Slowly the pattern starts to emerge.
MP Zaqy pointed out that civil servants are not accountable to Singaporeans, unlike the government. In parliament,
What is he talking about ? Civil servants are directly employed by the govt to carry out and materialise the policies and actions, and thus like their paymaster (i.e. the govt) they too are accountable to Singaporeans.
When there is Credit, who takes?
When there is Debit, who takes or not takes?
singaporeans you are so CUTE!
Can TOC kindly explain what the good Doctors and MP are saying. Giving some examples would be most helpful. Thank you.
I can see that they are trying very hard to sell us snake oil again.
MP Zaqy pointed out that civil servants are not accountable to Singaporeans, unlike the government. In parliament, when questioning Ministers, MPs know how to “hit them at their hardest spot” because they know each other well.
Wrong, Wrong and Wrong.
Article 24(2) of the Constitution states that “Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Cabinet shall have the general direction and control of the Government and shall be collectively responsible to Parliament.”
The entire public service (civil service included) is led by the cabinet ministers. Do I need to point the obvious to MP Zaqy? Or does MP Zaqy thinks that MPs and the parliament are also not accountable to the People?
MP Zaqy pointed out that when questioning Ministers, MPs know how to “hit them at their hardest spot” because they know each other well.
Zagy ah Zagy, no matter how hard PAP MPs try to hit the PAP ministers’ at hardest spot or at the two soft dingdong balls for that matter, it is but a slap on the wrist. At the end of the day, PAP MPs will never vote against any policy tabled by the ministers. Classic examples are the ministers’ pay raise and the increase in GST. Need we say more?
Oh by the way Zagy, to inflict pain on the ministers you don’t have to hit hard, you just need to squeeze.
Oh dear, its that Zagy guy again
First its that credible press remark
Now civil servants not accountable to
the people.
Does he ever know who pay their salaries?
Members of Parliament or us the taxpayers?
If he could just shut up, nobody would say
he’s a fool
What is this bunch of fools talking about? They should really use their brains before they open their mouths.
“Civil servants are not accountable to Singaporeans”?
“MPs know how to “hit them (ministers) at their hardest spot”"?
My oh my, these must be the most laughable comments I have heard in a long long time. Unfortunately, it is also immensely sad.
I fear for this country (let me define country here: born and bred Singaporeans it is). Our government is like an inbreeding colony, it gets worst with every new generation. And we all know who started the incest.
no matter what the MPs do or say, we Singaporeans will never be appeased! until the day we see chaos
Overnight already and still under moderation?
Singapore = Lee Kuan Yew. Without him, Spore is just a tiny state under M’sia
“hit them at their hardest spot”
Can he give us one actual example that we can all agree upon when this has really come to past in Parliament?
This guy definitely has ministerial potential
Some quotes for thought –
“Those who sacrifice freedom for safety deserve neither.”
” Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.”
“When the government fears the people, there is liberty; When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.”
I have a theory about what happens if PAP MPs and their kaki challenge on sensitive issues. They may begin to talk about something actually significant & relevant to Singapore in the public sphere but usually there is no closure. I think their intention is to raise such topics to show that they’re ‘talking the talk’. However, I have hardly seen any worthwhile outcomes coming out of such ‘talks’. There is no “walking the walk.” I think their aim is to satisfy the Singapore public by raising such topics but maintaining the status quo for themselves by not actually doing anything.
This brings me to Tan Kin Lian (ex-NTUC Income Chief Executive).
His stance on the minibonds and how he tried to help the many investors who were left high and dry by the Singapore govt (unlike the sympathetic treatment provided by the HK govt to its citizens) led to online attacks by unknown parties (trolls) as well as indirect comments and approaches by GLCs to mitigate his impact on the Minibonds saga.
I’ve not seen any clear facts fully supporting my view but I think he had to leave NTUC Income because his support of the Minibonds investors ruffled some highly placed feathers.
I would think that he got to NTUC Income CE position because of his contacts, of which PAP appointment holders MUST have been many in number & significant. However, as soon as he touched upon a topic which I’m guessing the PAP (and by association, the FamiLEE) did not want fielded openly, he had to part ways with his NTUC Income Chief Executive role.
Please correct me if any facts I’ve mentioned here are incorrect.
As a result of such treatments, I would be surprised if a PAP MP (or similarly appointed person), having ‘slogged’ his way up the political food chain to be in a position of personal gain, would be very averse to helping his constituents if it meant doing something against the partyline. If there is a break from the party idealogy, the quickness with which one becomes an exile or pariah is not unsurprising. Definitely not a case of ‘agreeing to disagree.’
13) gemami on October 29th, 2009 7.20 am
Overnight already and still under moderation?
Me too man still under moderation???
Good try Zaqi, but i am afraid i have no cigars for you.
I think it is a poor practice of some of the TOC writers not to give direct quotes, but rather, paraphrase and sometimes paraphrase badly.
TOC, I think alot of us see value in your existence as an alternative source of news, but I have been present at several events which your writers have covered, and felt that sometimes the event as a whole was not encapsulated in the report, and certain issues in particular were picked out for particular emphasis and set the overall tone for the report. This is not much different from what the MSM does, except that you are on the other camp. Are you positioning as an opposition mouthpiece, or an independent source? If it is the latter, then I think it would be wise to really brush up on journalistic skills. When reporting an event, the report should not be shaped by a preconceived agenda. Give the readers the opportunity to make up their minds independently. If however, you are pro-opposition, then fine, it is your prerogative to report with a bias.
Wah, this Reuben Wong has a very subtle way of carrying balls!!
Hi @17) tiredsingaporean,
Sad to say, we’re in the same boat. It actually took me the whole day to make that post. TOC was experiencing some severe server problem yesterday. Sigh!
///civil servants are not accountable to Singaporeans///
He should just keep his trap shut lest people begin to pay more and more attention to his calibre.
Maybe civil servants should attend more french cuisine cooking courses at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris.
We watched dynastic movies ie ancient times, you often see this group of men, who were called lackeys. They just seize every opportunity to suck up and advance their career. And strangely, a few thousand years later, you see the same group of men doing the same.
‘
There is something very wrong with our society, people are no longer inclined to speak the truth, perhaps only online, hiding behind names. Why? And how come people are blatantly speaking against the truths? And sucking up so hard in public. Did we promote what they would call a foolproof system of total compliance = ladder to career/fame/riches?
It is clear and obvious that MP Zaqy does not understand the meaning of accountable and or accountability.
Surely, a parliamentarian, any parliamentarian has to know his/her responsibility and he or she must know the meaning of being accountable and that is everyone is answerable for any failure in ones’ duty, bertanggung jawab in Malay.
Do wish, if not, hope that we get better qualified Member of Parliament in future.
patriot
Moe Gan Thai
post #13 on October 29th, 2009 10.27 am
////Singapore = Lee Kuan Yew. Without him, Spore is just a tiny state under M’sia////
S’pore still is under M’sia, geographically.
dun tell me that is how the “floating platform” idea was borne? the burning desire to “move on” to the west because some people cannot get over the colonial hangover (West is best)? (o.O)