Whatever strategy the opposition take, I think the main problems for them are as follows and will most likely not resolved by the next election.

1. Not enough credible or new candidates. Most are the same old recycled faces. Hence 50% walkovers. Make voters feel no confidence already even before the battle starts.

2. Even if there are, credible alternative isn’t built overnight. Since last election, what happen to opposition “growth”? They still remain quite stunted. And political strength is not a 1 or 2 credible man show.

3. 66% of the voters are quite OK and happy. They are not so much affected by the PAP policies or external factors because they have good income, had bought their flats cheaper earlier or are doing good business or have big savings to retire on.

That’s why I predict the next election outcome will be not much different from previous elections. Singaporeans are serious and realistic when it comes to the vote. They will still choose the lesser of 2 evils.

And those who believe Singapore has no future have emigrated already. Or at least planning to.

y goh meng seng, lee wai leng & abdul salim left wp and join nsp?

This policy=ministry=minister centric staregy is refreshing and a good one.
Education, Tpt, health and housing issues are the pain the people will feel most, thus MOE, MOH, MOT, MND are good targets.
Lesser impact if they go for MCYS or MEWR or MFA or MOF or MINDEF.

But I wondered if letting the cat out so early was a wise stategy.

1) Same outcome lah

/////Singaporeans are serious and realistic when it comes to the vote. They will still choose the lesser of 2 evils.////

The “by election effect” strategy has been proven to be the cure to this problem you raised. It must have worked superbly to the extend that by elections are now extinct in SG. Add this to the ministry- centric statregy proposed in this article, and we may have a winning formula.

I talked to a taxi driver almost 65, he said government always take money from us.. what gst credits etc…. And then i said, because we voted them, so we endorsed their policies. Then he said, yeah boy…. they doing not a bad job, how can we compare to philippines and indonesia???

then i started to question him:-
1. you only look at yourself, you almost near retirement, has a house, driving taxi to make bonus income, of course you dont feel much. how about your son and daughter?

2. can they afford hdb? now our hdb from $400k to $700k and those jumbo size is $1.2M. you must leave your house to them, otherwise they have no place to live. agree or not? he said yeah.. how huh? my house only 4 rooms… if they marry, big issue, no space.

3. our multi million talents: you heard about those billion losses.. yeah.. woah that pm wife lost so much. this is why they may not be able to pay our returns, so need to raise prices ie hdb etc. i thought we have the best talent? what talent? all friends and families.. yeah lo.. but no choice what?

4. we are always comparing to indonesia, philippines, but we are first world living standard, did not they compare our pay to swiss, london or new york or even japan? wages keep coming down, how come their wages keep going up?
this is unfair, but no choice..

5. did you owe them a living like they always claim we depend on them for almost anything. what bullshit, i drive to pay and pay…. only gst credits … but they raise everything that few hundreds all gone very short time.

6. our erps/transport/electricity/water amongst world highest… i know but what to do, their pay so high.. so need to get from us right?

7. you think how come sudden few years so many PRCs and Indians given citizenship. you know or not? i see them by thousand at serangoon, causeway and many other remote areas. but now government said it is very strict on control. but how come only after they imported so many?? dont know leh… i say its for election votes – agree or not? what to do.. need to win at all cost.

8. gst to be 10% after next election – are you sure or not???!!!! i cannot afford la.. things already so expensive..

9. hdb lost 2B: you believe the price of hdb now so high and they are losing more? dont know leh, the news say so, so i believe. when they were selling 150k to 300k, the losses not so big. now they selling 400k to 1.2M, the hole is bigger? real or not… dont.. know, news say so. now you made me wonder.

i am old liao, i got house etc but my son and daughter, dont know how. but you still vote pap right? now i am wondering after you told me this but i have house everything.. but my kids will have big problems.

Conclusion: a lot of old folks are contented but they are very short sighted and they dont realise until you discuss with them item by item.

And for this strategy to work, OPP must not be just lots of hot air. OPP must present upfront an alternative policy to replace the unpopular policy of Ministry being targetted.
OPP must organise ground feedback on what alternative is really wanted by the people, and present that as their platform.
This earlier this work get started the better.
Once the direction is clear, more will join in the support of the OPP, if not now, after they are in.

6) You sure or NOT

Not all that are old are short sighted (not literally). You should also have conversation with 65 years old school teachers, bankers, PMETs. Maybe at the end of the conversation, you too will be enlightened.

6) You sure or NOT

/////i am old liao, i got house etc but my son and daughter, dont know how. but you still vote pap right? now i am wondering after you told me this but i have house everything.. but my kids will have big problems.////

Have you ever wondered what will happen to all the flats these old guys own when the leave this world?
They have in their hands the solution to their children’s housing problem. It is a matter of if the children can accept the solution.

9) KopitiamApek – a lot majority of Singaporeans cannot afford pricey hdbs, high cost of living with miserable pay.

Old school teachers, bankers, PMETs are rich, they dont bother. Most people are selfish like you, never spare a thought for our middle and lower classes.

MM said people want food, dont want democracy, freedom of speech/press. Its damn wrong. When people are civilised and knowledgeable, they want to participate and speak in decision making processes. If people want only food, we need to go back in time, Emperor Qin wants to live forever and wishes his family and friends can rule forever – make Singapore the 14th dynasty, which is looking like it.

It could be becos GMS, Wai Leng and Adbul Salim felt that WP is very much still a Low Thia Khiang’s party, not Workers’ Party.

We didn’t inherit this world from our ancestor, we owe it to our children

So we need to make sure that we pass to them a good singapore…

The only way to fight the mighty PAP is for the opposition to contest every seat.
Only with every seat contested will the marginal apathetic voters be forced to take the election issue very seriously and not simply put the cross on the PAP square just becasue voting is compulsory here. If these marginal voters know that their votes are very important and can determine who the new government will be, they will have to consider carefully the consequences of their voting.
So, the opposition must be untied and coordinate their fights well so as not to result in three-corner fights. This is the lesson we must learn from Malaysia where a united opposition of even the very diverse parties of Pakatan, PAS and DAP could knock down the mighty UMNO.

10) You sure or NOT
////Old school teachers, bankers, PMETs are rich, they dont bother. Most people are selfish like you, never spare a thought for our middle and lower classes.////

In a sentence, you sentenced half the population of singapore to a life of being selfish.
And the rest are short sighted.

Are you in the optician trades?

BTW, please read my post again

Mr. John Tan, it is sure easy to talk.

The PAP had already put in the laws to make raising funds so difficult for the small parties. How much financial resources do the oppositions have?

No way they can compete in all seats. You want to be the sugar daddy?

12) Yamamoto

Yes agree.
And the current generation of youngsters have a lot more from their parents than what their parents got from their parents.

John,

Thank you for sharing your strategy.
However, I do not subscribe to the idea of going to war simultaneously in all fronts given the limited resource.
The men will all die a miserable and futile death.

NSP,
to convince the people to cast their vote against PAP, isn’t the most appropriate strategy is to focus on the PAP’s system rather minister ? The system is what make the MIW and echelon immorally corrupted, greedy and nonsense-talker, and thus the system is the root cause of the problem, which Lucky Tan has pointed out. By pointing out the system and how those clowns utilize the system to exploit the citizens, it shows clearer picture that Singapore needs change. Party is not voted out based on certain minister but based on the system that breed the arrogant selfish greedy God/DemiGod of PAP. If you focus on the minister, you only fall into PAP’s trap, and that in turn they accuse you of been emotional and personal.

eg:
The police raid of syndicate tell us that focusing on the system is effective. By understanding the criminal system use by syndicate, can the police eventually bust the ring, and bring justice and charge against the criminal masters and echelons.

If the police focus on just on the master, how effective will the charge be against that person ? Is it worth the effort. Your guess is as good as mine !

I am encourage that NSP have choose a very pratical way to challenge PAP election strategy, who will divide public focus from real policy issue to personal attack on opposition candidate. I will hope that NSP will not fall into such trap of PAP in the future election. I want to see NSP progress in the upcoming election.
I am doubtful of PAP credibility if they can’t even face to face challenge even from opposition and claim themselve leaders. Can they face real challenge from the real world? Can their policy fall in future will tough time comes?

Keep up the good work. NSP. You have my support.

I am looking forward to know more about NSP manifesto & intention of forming NSP youth wing. It seem to me that NSP is the only party who seems moderate with no idolism. All I see is that they are working hard on ground listening. THAT WAT I WAN 2 C MAN….!!!

to Wat Sup

I agree wit u. We see too much LKY, LSL, LTK, CST, CSC & JB, but where are the PEOPLE??? We need a working team for Singapore, not an idol.

Went to see NSP election rally talk last election. The first impression is that they will not get voted in at all. Speakers rhetoric is not convincing and unable to rally the people.
Taking on a minister is a strategy that is too simplistic and cannot work.
There are so many issues to bring out to challenge the PAP this coming elections. Different issues will touch varying groups of people heart and single issue at most can touch a single group of people heart.
Consider offering the following to residents when they vote for you.
1) NSP must promise total transparency in their management of the town.
2) Will press government to give money to those who are jobless and poor.
3) Give the town a real first world amenities at a third world price.
4) Help to integrate township transportation that benefit residents traveling within estates and to work.
5) Promise of help to resident small business people in growing their business to compete with the big boys.
6) Ensure that residents who have season parking will get a parking lot very near their HDB block without competing for parking space.
7) Symbolic free rice day once every three or six months to residents within the town.
8) Help residents to sell their HDB flat with competent real estate agents at very low commission. Free advertisement space for anyone who want to sell their house.
9) Pro Singaporean HDB business will get cheap or free yellow boxes if they employ more 100% Singaporean in their place of business.
10) In celebration of voting in the opposition, residents need only pay 10% of conservancy charges for one of the month as a thank you gesture. A one time exercise.
11) Will have a MP to personally give condolences to every residents with any member of their family past away and attend wake.
12) Give ang pows or presents to every wedding held at void deck of HDB.

Above are some of my personal constructive help, if it is not applicable please forgive, they were done without full knowledge of rules and regulation or custom in such matters.
Hope NSP can capture Tampines by sending competent candidates. Weak candidates of yesteryears will bound to fail. Jia U.

Dear Andrew Loh,

I note that at the Editorial Team page still show that: Editor-at-Large – Andrew Loh

I am glad to hear NSP’s new strategy and surprised that NSP can field so many candidates, perhaps TOC can also focus on the ministers and their respective ministries performance.

The PAP has often focused on the strength of their party, teams and past performance as a whole. I am sure they will reveal many new candidates with excellent resumes and their new vision for Singapore in the next lap.

I hope the Opposition leadership can also inspire the voters that the country needs Change.

Dear Opposition,

When you want to fight something hard, unless you can hit harder, go soft.

While your opponents love to belittle you by hurling brick-bats, stay calm and rational, praise them and suggest alternatives.

When they throw allegations, unfounded as they may be, stand upright and take the hits, admit your past mistakes but highlight on what you have learned (through mistakes)

As a citizen, I yearn for a change but I do not want to see an opposition who behave like the incumbent. Have the courage to be different. Be bold to be honest. Speak from the heart. That’s what will win me over.

Yes, speak from the heart. Don’t try to please just for pleasing sake.

So many “suggestions” and “great ideas” here by commenters. Wonder why opposition still have problem finding people to join them.

Just listen more to the people. Know what they need.
Feel the ground. Only then can you have a fighting chance.

14) KopitiamApek on November 15th, 2009 11.23 pm

A lot of people dislike PAP but still vote for it, cause they are selfish like you. They worry about their upgrading, estate downgraded to slumps, no kindergartens, opposition capabilities, no gst credits etc. But they dont remember that nothing is free. ha ha ha

What does this say? We have been transformed to becoming self centred and selfish.

[...] to Perdition Election – TOC: NSP to adopt “minister-specific” strategy in next elections – Ravi Philemon: It’s ok only if you’re a PAP activist – TOC: Remember GE2006 – [...]

Kudos to TOC to show some news of various opposition parties. Keep up the good work.

Voters must open up their eyes to see the opposition are trying their best despite having limited resources and facing various obstacles placed by PAP.

Despite that, many opposition are functioning by passion alone and as such, deserve our utmost support. By support, it means we can either physically help out, make political donation to them, help spread their messages to friends and families and vote for them in the election.

Without them, we will never be able to have a two- or multi-party system. Without such a system, PAP is able to rubberstamp laws and continue to oppress the people while handing out crumbs to keep us barely alive.

Voters need to wake up the ship is heading towards an iceberg and if not enough people wake up, one day everyone will wake up when the shit hits the fan.

My best wishes to NSP and other opposition. While I am a bit disappointed NSP will not be contesting in my ward, I totally understand their limitations. I hope through supporting opposition, they will grow and eventually, all wards will be contested.

My final advice to NSP, which is the same for all parties, is to work together with your fellow opposition parties to form an alliance and contest under one brand. Only through unity can you break the hegemony of the PAP.

I really hope Singaporeans would really stop judging the Opposition candidates on how well they could speak or how well they dressed; we are not running some beauty or story-telling contest here. What I think most of us would want is someone that cares & would do his best to help the residents. How many times have we seen the PAP field highly educated people for the elections & honestly, could anyone tell me what these highly educated buggers have done for you after they were elected. Many people want credible candidates, but what do you mean by Credible? Does he need to be some big-shot in some big MNC or does he need to be some CEO of some foreign bank? Well, it would be nice but dont you think holding that sort of position at work also means he will be pretty tied up with his own commitments? I guess as long as he’s not some big time gangster or loanshake, I think he should fit the bill & I would vote for him.

Education should be part of the criteria for being an MP but it shouldn’t be the main one. I wont mind my MP is an A level or Diploma feller if he’s sincere & willing to take time to listen to our problems. So, please don’t judge the candidate cos he’s just some Diploma holder or a mere ‘small-time supervisor’ in some local company; the most important factor is his sincerity & his willingness to listen.

Can a monkey lose billions?

Remember you don’t OWN a HDB, you are leasing it from the Govt. They can take it back whenever they want. Or if the lease runs out during your kids lives, they can set the new lease at whatever level they want.

As this article is about Elections, and election being a Democratic process,
I like to share words of wisdom with All including PAP fans this famous intellectual quote :

“But we either believe in democracy or we not. If we do, then, we must say categorically, without qualification, that no restraint from the any democratic processes, other than by the ordinary law of the land, should be allowed… If you believe in democracy, you must believe in it unconditionally. If you believe that men should be free, then, they should have the right of free association, of free speech, of free publication. Then, no law should permit those democratic processes to be set at nought.”

- Lee Kuan Yew as an opposition leader, April 27, 1955

what say you?

Yes, I fully agree with Alex the peasant boy at #31).

It is about time Singaporeans stop looking up to the high status and highly educated people because these people tend to become elitist, and they do not have much time and commitment for the ordinary commoners. They have their full-time jobs and responsibilities to take care off, first and fore most. They also hold many Directorships or Chairmanships and therefore are totally tied up in many areas of responsibilities.

Some people may argue that they can multi-task. But don’t forget that multi-tasking also takes time. And every person, no matter how smart and how capable he may be, has only 24 hours a day. He/she also has to sleep and rest because he/she is not a machine. Neither is he/she a god. (Btw, I believe gods also need rest, right?)

As we have come to know, the PAP MPs only meet the people once a week/fortnight for 2 to 3 hours, right? And at the Meet-the-People-Session, who are the ones who actually do work? The Grass-Root people from the RCs or CCs, right? And what can the MP do to help you? Nothing, except to sign a letter which is drafted by one of the grass-root people and send it to the appropriate govt agencies. And ask you to wait for the reply from the govt agency. That is about all, right? They are basically part-timers (but paid full-time money). In other words, half-hearted people who serve not because they love to serve, but because they have some other motives or because they have been coerced by their master to do it.

What we all need now are leaders who have the passion, devotion and commitment for and to the people.

We need leaders who have and can spend much time to look into the welfare of the people. If we have such leaders, a few of them would do wonders.

We don’t need more and more of the elites type of leaders who only have the absurd idea of paying themselves lots of money so that they won’t become corrupt.

We need leaders who are down-to-earth, who can spare time mixing with the people; leaders who are easily approachable and accessible.

We don’t need leaders who sit comfortably in air-con ivory towers and living comfortably in big bungalow houses surrounded by personal body guards and police 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

We need leaders who are of slightly above average intelligence but are commoners like us, who can be among us, who live in HDB flats, so that they can full appreciate, feel, understand and grasp our difficulties, problems and aspirations.

We don’t need highly intelligent scholars who tend to become cunning and crafty, formulating and deciding upon policies to their own advantage, under the guise of helping the people. One glaring example is “Increase the GST to help the poor”.

We don’t need any more of those pseudo leaders who think that they can earn more in the private sectors instead of becoming an MP or a Minister. If they can earn more in the private sector and have the heart to help the people, then why don’t they stay in the private sector and donate half of they pay to the people every month? Wouldn’t that be better for the people?

We need leaders who do not think too highly of themselves and who do not lord over us,

We don’t need leaders who are so arrogant, conceited and insolent; so much so that they simply decide everything for us without consulting us; so much so that they think it is their right to rule and lord over all of us; so much so that they start to give us labels and names such as “quitters”, “lesser mortals”, “complacent citizens”, “whinners”, etc.

Tampines GRC was won by 50K odd votes

I think what the opposition lack in resources is not actually money but manpower resources. Manpowers are needed to support potential candidates to walk the ground, to organised community related activities to heighten residents’ awareness of alternative parties whom they can look forward to in times of needs, to carry out the many elections activities during the election such as volunteering to nominate candidate to stand for election for a particular ward (need about 8 local residents of the ward), about 20 polling agents to witness the voting at polling stations in each ward on 2 rotating shifts of 6 hours each, probably another 10 counting agents to witness the vote counting at counting centres and another 10 support staffs to organise rally sites such queue for permits, arrange contractors to set up rally stage and lightings, crowd controls etc and another 10 staffs or contractor labourers who must be Singapore citizens of voting age to drive lorry and put up election posters and banners and house to house flyers. So all in all just during election time each candidate need about 60 dedicated personnels to help him. So for a 4 man GRC they need about 240 personnels to carry out the election campaign. These 240 personnels have to come from the people themselves who are willing to come forward to sacrifice their time during the party groundworks or during the election.
At present condition, not many are willing to join the frays due many reasons, may I suggest that someone who have good organisation skill could set up a ‘polictical activities centre’ that is party-neutral to engage the citizens especially the young to encourage them to be interested in politics, their roles as citizens, why and how they should participate in political activities and play a role during elections to support the democratic process , inculcate good values how to become good politician and also aspiration to be candidates during election irregardless of which party they join.
With more people joining this centre, a ready pool of political manpowerw is created for alternative parties to tap on.
This centre may become the platform for positive political growth for the well-being of all Singaporeans which I think our ruling party is not interested to inculcate as they already have their hands on our beholden civil servants

#34,

yo gal, thanks for the quotes. Am really inspired by those words coming from a leader with majority singaporeans as his followers.

What is the pre requisite of an opposition to justify being electable?
@Alex the peasant boy –

If we don’t judge how the candidate speak or dress, what then should we judge them on?

When a candidate speaks, it is where we know what he thinks. We then know what he can do for us. I can’t decide if he does not talk or if he talks rubbish.

If a person does not at least dress neatly and decently, it only goes to show he is not very organized. Do you want us to entrust our estate to such a person? Do you want the estate rubbish not cleared, the cracked in the block not patch and eventually the building tumble down killing all of us?

A CEO or business leader is not a position that everyone can do. If you do not have capability do u think that business want you to lead them where so many workers livelihood is at stake. A CEO is a proven person in a way that could lead. Depending on the individual, he may not necessary be the right MP, for that I agree. A person in such capacity definitely has an edge over another candidate without.

A community leader like a MP should not be judge by the quantity of work they do, but the management and brain he possess is what is needed most.
His academic qualification though is not very important but those he employs to do the work must have the necessary qualification.

A fellow with diploma qualification and can listen to people, has first got to prove himself otherwise how do we know if he listens for listening sake and do nothing about it. To prove himself, he could volunteer in community work and help around and gain some recognition and not just base on what you say he is. I can say I am able to listen and hear you out, do you believe me? Do you want to vote for me?

I want to be your next MP. I am qualified based on your requirement, Alex.

I visited Tampines recently for shopping.
The food at the central areas are too expensive for the value it provides, imho.

I frankly but bluntly do not have confidence living in this city.

1. Cost will likely rise further

2. Human Congestion

3. Quality of Life

4. Cost of raisng Children and tougher competition children will have to face
Considering more Foreigners than Citizens may populate this city, which some say is not yet a country.

5. How to retire?

ok lah, let me get back to earning money. Else cannot fall sick. I visited a clinic and it cost me $63 for fever. I have receipts also.
I

Good to learn that our alternative parties are now more organised and educated. There is no point asking what is our current PM performances. There is only one apt word to describe him todate, that is “retard”, chose to be led and appeared artifcial on TV. Without oppositions in the parliament for him to “fix”, he has taken things for granted, for too far. Singaporeans are overall – drained by his policies and in full exhaustion. A terrible leader.

If i may add, a good thread to read up on strategy would be to peruse http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/sdp-call-for-government-to-release-electoral-map/

there lies a sleeping dragon, the master strategist, Toolang, who might be able to provide his unique form of combat. Just like Sun Tze who was the author of the art of war, hopefully opposition parties might employ Toolang in garnering the support of voters so as to achieve a more democratic city that is singapore.

NSP will need to find a way to reach a wider public. As it stands not many people have even heard of them.

Just out of curiousity (with no complaints), didn’t Andrew Loh resign and state that he would no longer be involved in TOC?

This is why while basically most countries in the world changed leaders since 2007 to 2009, the INC most likely will miss the boat.
Unique.

Singapore needs a strong opposition party. Just look back from now. What have been done well to us? Walking on the walkway is now never a peaceful walk. Every 2 min a bicycle rider will ring you to give way. They feel they have the right to use the path as a cycling track. I do not have this problem 5 years ago.
MRT and buses companies removed sit to make room for more people to stand and squeeze in as the population explodes. A decline in service coupled with an increase in fare. People are less willing to give up sits for the elderly as there is less chance to get a sit. More elderly are seen looking for trash to sell.
Service sector flooded with mainland Chinese. The service they give is worse than anyone can think of.
Half a year ago, Jurong Point and its neighbourhood is just like another geylang. Although, now there is lesser odd job labour, I still fear for our ladies as the group is still big.
Is anybody listening to us? Hardly… they never listen…. Getting very tired of commenting to a wall…

39) noiseMaker

Empty vessels makes the most noise…and you must agree that actions speaks louder then words. I think what alex wants or preferred will be someone who prove their worth through their action…instead of letting first impression do the work…..if we judge them based on that, it only shows how superficial we are…although there is a min standard that we have to go for

“When a candidate speaks, it is where we know what he thinks. We then know what he can do for us.”

Wrong, totally wrong…don’t you know that words are empty? and just because someone says something, and you totally believe it and think you know what he can do for us? look at the bitter pills…and what happen…look at the golden years and what happen.

“A person in such capacity definitely has an edge over another candidate without. ”

Very nice, but that’s at the most in terms of judging capabilities…if a candidate without the capacity has the will and the heart to serve the people, that is a pivotal…Look at the well qualified MPs now…they have the capabilities, but are they serving the interest of the people who elect them?

“A community leader like a MP should not be judge by the quantity of work they do, but the management and brain he possess is what is needed most.”

So what is a brain and management skills when it doesn’t help the people? when some remain nonchalent…i think your priority is wrong here…it is not their management and brain that should be use to judge, it should be the quality of the work done…

So noisemaker, will you want to elect a once-in-a-generation genius to office….but that genius only pays lips service and don’t care a hoot about u?

Curious Citizen, a nice one…so they have to visit him 3 times to invite him?

@Yammoto – #39. Since I m a noiseMaker, surely I must live up to my name. If I am an empty vessel so be it.
Teach me what I should do to elect a candidate.
Close my eyes, don’t look at him, don’t listen to him.
Much as well tell the opposition don’t need to go to rally since words are all empty.

Hey Joe, in order to produce quality work you need some tools. Your brain and management skill is the basic tools.

A MP is not a laborer, use his hand and make quality landscape. He uses his brain to plan and manage.

Who want to vote PAP, not me? At least the opposition must come with some decency. Otherwise I feel so embarrass to tell my neighbors to vote for NSP, when the NSP makes the PAP looks so good.

Come on be serious tell NSP to bring in the very best. Our neighbors are ready to support them but they cannot send people that stutter and dress dirtily.

Are GE coming?

1. ERP rates to discount a bit for school holidays. Wow, car -owner parents may feel indebted to this discount? So grateful?

2. Yesterday news about a poll or research or something about 20% students aspiring to be entreprenuers. (why self employed if can get a fat check? I wonder)
Would this lower unemployment rate? Would this make fresh grads go into self-employment if they cannot find a job?

3. News about schemes to help new food-stall businesses survive .
Would this ditto the sama sama of point 2?

December holidays or 1st quarter?
I have absolutely no idea.

I am just a hum. Brain not so big.

@you sure or NOT

“A lot of people dislike PAP but still vote for it, cause they are selfish like you. They worry about their upgrading, estate downgraded to slumps, no kindergartens, opposition capabilities, no gst credits etc. But they dont remember that nothing is free. ha ha ha”

I don’t see how voting for the PAP based on these matters are wrong. I would think that they are very credible reasons for voting somebody into government, if they can guarantee you the required amenities to live well. It may not be the only reason, but it is an important one and I fail to find this selfish at all. You seem to be a proponent of democracy, yet you are in the same breath so willing to disregard to views of other (old) people who have ’short-sighted’ and ’selfish’ views just because you disagree with them.

Dear 51 Tookie if upgrading, estate downgraded to slumps, no kindergartens, opposition capabilities, no gst credit = democracy, what has become of this world? They would just pay us $$$ to buy our votes. Of course, we cannot stop selfish and self centred people who have microscopic view, focusing on what they need to have around them. This is why our country cannot be gracious and when accidents happen, everyone is a bystander.

Maybe my values are out-dated. To vote for this country, i like to feel that they are doing everything for the people and to the people and love the people. But this is not the case here. Here we are made to feel that we owe them a living and they have reasons to everything and anything. We have this almighty who keep saying we owe them living and telling us how best they have done for us. But with honesty, no one really feels so. It is like you know your wife loves you, but here, we dont have such dovey lovey feeling about the leaders loving us. We are like their pawns.

“upgrading, estate downgraded to slumps, no kindergartens, opposition capabilities, no gst credit = democracy”

Whoever said that this was the case? I can only draw out that in a democracy, people have the right to vote according to such benchmarks. I am merely pointing out that it is perfectly rational for people to consider material factors when they vote in a party or candidate. It is important for a community spirit and other values to be considered and I agree that this is lacking, but there needs to be a balance. Ultimately if majority of the people feel that material benefits outweigh a more value-based system(also remember that each persons values are different), then according to democracy, that is the people’s choice and it needs to be respected.

You and your wife can love each other, but there are enough cases in the world to prove that we can’t survive on mere love and fresh air.

Firstly, I must thank you TOC and Andrew for giving us the coverage.
Secondly, I thank readers of this site for your various encouragement, comments, suggestions and advise.

Thridly, I wish to say that I will be writing more in depth about this Minister/Ministry-specify strategy that NSP is adopting in the coming elections. It is basically a way to extract accountability from PAP ministers for all the unpopular policies that they have implemented so far.

Last but not least, I wish to reply to Tookie comment number 53. Your argument is totally flawed. By your logic, anyone in government could well use whatever government resources to promise all sorts of things to voters from different constituencies just to get their votes.

First of all, such vote buying tactic is unethical.
Secondly, PAP is not using its OWN resources to offer to voters but rather, taxpayers’ money.
Thirdly, voters in opposition wards are taxpayers as well. Why would they be paying for PAP to fulfill election promises in PAP’s wards?
Simply, this is pork barrel politicking.

Although in Singapore, PAP is always seen as the only ruling party but PAP is NOT equal to civil service. PAP is basically the elected guardian of the whole civil service or government. The role of government is not about providing resources for individual political parties to get elected. The role of government is to provide a fair and level platform for businesses, workers and politicians to develop their causes. The role of government is to provide public goods to the people and to take care of the people.

If you feel that PAP is right to utilize public resources collected by the government to advance its own political interests, I really worry for Singapore. Then the extend of such logic could lead to massive cronyism which will say that oh, if you didn’t vote for ruling party, you will not get your business license, hawker license, HDB flats….etc. And for those “strong supporters” of the ruling party then they will have all those big business contracts from the government, appointed as directors of listed companies or GLCs…etc. Is this what you want for Singapore?

Partisan politics should be isolated from Government resources. This is the basis of democratic governance.

Goh Meng Seng

I stay in one of the constituency.

My requirement:
NSP just need to promise that they will advocate the removal of the GRC system by working together with the other opposition parties.

Nothing else really matter until we have a true democratic election system in place to put the people back in power.

49) noiseMaker

Pardon moi, but I am not saying that you are the empty vessels, but the candidates who make the most noise are sometimes the empty vessels…so please accept my apology

Although brain and management skills are needed, but if they don’t have the heart to serve the interest of the people, then what’s the use…isn’t that what most of the “leaders” are like right now?

Hell, even my MP starts to appear interested in this estate this year….

Thanks Yamamoto,

I think we really need to step out of the ’scholar is the best’ mentality. So many times, we see these useless buggers screwed up things for us & quietly sweep them under a giant carpet. Perhaps, it’s time for a lesser mortal to be a MP to prove that education is just a part of being a good MP.

@Goh Meng Seng

“By your logic, anyone in government could well use whatever government resources to promise all sorts of things to voters from different constituencies just to get their votes…” so on and so forth.

I feel like you are not reading, or ‘hearing’ my argument, which worries me since , from the looks of it, you are going to seek a place in the coming elections. I am talking about the standards by which people cast their vote. This includes what the contending parties can/have provided for the people. Do you seriously think that people are going to vote for a party that does not first and foremost fulfill or at least sufficiently address their bread and butter issues?

This is not an assessment of how any party is doing/has done. It is an opinion about how voters cast their vote.I do not know how you have twisted my argument, turning it into whether or not the PAP vote buys or uses public resources, which is not my issue of contention.

Mr Goh, if you want to be a politician you should be willing to hear the views of the public, as so many comments here have reflected, and not convolute and discard other people’s arguments simply because you cannot think outside of your ideological box.

@Alex the peasant boy -#57. To tell you the truth I support opposition even if they come in slippers, unkempt or dirty and talk with a loud mouth.
The problem is not about me. I am a staunch supporter of opposition because I don’t want PAP to be sole dominating political party. Actually I don’t really dislike PAP if you want to know. They worked hard just like anybody. The trouble is that they are so overly supported that they do whatever they want as if they are king or something.
The trouble is I want to help the opposition to reach out to the people and I don’t want a half past six product. They have got to be the best. Sad to say I don’t even take a cent of commission but I will do it. I want to be able to tell my neighbors look at this guys they are decent folks they are here to help you and not someone my neighbor would tell me, please you are selling me rubbish.
Who would bother if you are new or inexperience, they only want the stuff that can impress. Nothing less.
Don’t ask others to lower their demand but up our presentation and beat up the show. If I display a ugly looking pair of shoe in front of my store and keep on demanding the client not to take account of the look but other aspect do you think I can make any sales. I doubt I even have the change to say a thing and the client just walk away to buy from some where else. So come on we got to put on the best show, not for me but for the fence sitter.
Forget about talk that is not going to win the opposition anything. Help them to win something. Tell them to polish their speech by practicing and seek opinion of how to do it. Go up on stage talk like an ace and make the PAP stooges looked bad. It is possible. PAP new MPs are not that impressive either.
Education what education? Opposition got a guy with PHD, was he voted in. Its never about education. PAP will twist and turn everything about a opposition, the opposition also must twist and turn back and rebut with vigor. The problem is that PAP has got the MSM and they will blow every little thing about a opposition even if you forgot to cut your nails. The opposition don’t have the same facility to do anything. They don’t even have a forum to explain if it is their custom where someone in the family dies, they cannot cut their nails. MSM is not going to report that. Hence it better you keep yourself from their comment.
Hell if NSP cannot win, we are doomed once again.

Dear Tookie,

I did hear you clearly but was a little bit worried about the way you reasoned. Pardon me if I get you wrong.

Let me put it another way if you are not talking about “DIRECT MATERIAL BENEFITS” in terms of HDB upgrading. Let’s assume that you do not agree with PAP’s pork barrel politicking but yet consider in voting PAP because it could promise economic growth and “good life”. This is a legitimate consideration because all of us would want our country to be run efficiently and the government would take our welfare as their first priority.

However, do you really think that all PAP’s policies has taken Singaporeans’ welfare as the top priority? Or that all PAP’s policies are as good as gold? This is something for everybody to ponder about.

On the other hand, if a party contests less than half of the seats, would you expect it to form the government? They would most probably end up as opposition MPs in parliament if they win the elections. At most, they will only be part of a coalition government, most likely led by PAP. Now, wouldn’t it be unreasonable for you to expect such political parties to guarantee you a “good life” when it is obvious that they are not going to form the next government?

Well, using LKY’s words, their manifesto or ideals may just remain as “aspirations” for Singapore if they could not contest more than 50% and win that 50% of the seats. Does it mean that you will not vote for this party if you know that they are not going to form the government and provide you the “good life” that you desire? Even when their political ideals or manifesto have good alternative plans for Singapore?

It boils down to the egg and chicken dilemma. It will never know a person well enough if you don’t even want to test him out. As a graduate in Economics, I have a simple economic truth to follow: Any monopoly that is allowed to take its own cause without checks and regulations set upon it will definitely end up bad for the people. This, I believe, applies to political power as well.

When you are considering whether to vote for an opposition candidate, your sets of consideration may differ from choosing a ruling party MPs or ministers. For opposition members, your consideration is whether he talks sense and whether he could bring your voice into parliament to keep the ruling party in checked. The consideration should not be about whether he could make policies that benefits you because he isn’t going to be the minister!

On the other side of the coins, for the ruling party candidates, your consideration should be different. Since in every GRC there bound to be a minister in the lead, your consideration is whether the minister is really worth the million dollar pay we taxpayers are giving him every year and whether the policies his ministry implement would take care of all of us or not. As for the other potential MPs of the ruling party, you should be considering on whether they could really bring up the concerns of the people to influence the policy making process to extract the best out of the policies made for the people.

But to me, it all boils down to one simple phrase, whoever you want to vote, you must examine carefully whether he has any passion for the people.

Goh Meng Seng

Noisemaker 60

I really hope the Opposition could make an effort to show us what they have. However, most times, the newspaper wont have much favourable to report & I remember what happened to james Gomez a few years back. PAP kept harping on the missing form for a few days! I just wondered if they got their priorities right at all!

@Goh Meng Seng,

As I said earlier, I am not sharing my views on whether the PAP has made Singaporeans’ welfare a top priority, or if its candidates are good as gold, so perhaps you should not keep alluding that my views are in support of any particular party views or policies. I have made no mention or indication of such, and frankly it puts me off that as a potential future representative of myself, you can jump to such ridiculous conclusions and claim my logic to be flawed for the sake of forcing in certain political agenda (which is the real flaw if you ask me).

Ultimately, people will vote for the party that they perceive can benefit them the most. This includes material well being, passion for his/her people and anything else that contributes to a better quality and standard of life.

Dear tookie,

Thank you for bringing up the issue on how Singaporeans vote. It would be great if this is not your own views as I just worried that it is really yours. I apologize for mistaken you for holding such views.

Having said that, you have provided an opportunity to examine how a matured democracy could be developed in contrast to what we have right now.

It will be an uphill task to get our message across to voters in this matter of voting priorities. I guess each and everyone of us who are fighting for a more developed democracy would want to spread this message here to others out in the streets.

Goh Meng Seng

@goh meng seng –

Hi Mr. Goh,

It is really nice that you have taken your time to come to interact with us. I hope you can contest in Tampines. Hope the people there will vote for you.

Could you tell us how passionate are you for the people of Tampines?

I am asking you this question based on your post #61, where you say we must examine whether the person got passion for the people.

Even if you say yes you are full of passion how is the people going to know how passionate is passionate is this person. Do you think the people will just embrace you and vote for you if you simply just say you are passionate?

If not, then what should you do to let us know you are passionate for the people of this town. It is important because as you said it should be a basis for our selection of candidates.

Thanks,

Best regards,
noiseMaker

Hi Noisemake & Jeremi,

I am going for my groundwork in Tampines now. Will reply to you tonight if time permits.

Goh Meng Seng

What i like to find out is who earns money from the pest control contract?

I really feel the need to rely on Alternative Leaders to help Voice Up Publicly for poor people like me ageing and facing job competition and struggling to stay competitive in a land full of foreigners.

I was in Tampines central shopping areas and found that the sales assistants are all from china. That is fine to an employer at least. But the problem is the do not speak much english and I am not a chinese. Seems like PROFIT AT ALL COST to me. Profit to the employer, all the cost on me.

Recently banners were all over hougang area showing the face of minister Lui. I thought it was election. As i found out , it was a visit. But nevertheless, I thought.

I hope you will succeed.

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day.
Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

Singaporean can either learn to fish, or eat rotten fish from PAP everyday!

Hi Noisemaker,

I have somehow follow your little discussions here. My take is this, a good administrator/manager/CEO isn’t necessary a good politician.

You ask me to tell you how passionate for the people of Tampines? It is the passion for Singaporeans, not just Tampines.

In my view, the first priority of MP is not about managing anything but to represent the voters in parliament, to bring their voices into parliament. A person that does not have a passion for his people will not have the correct priority set when he is elected.

You may ask what about the town council management? Tell me frankly, how many PAP MPs spend more than 50% of their time in managing their Town Councils? There is hardly any Full Time MPs in the PAP’s slate. The only full time politicians are the ministers who are more involved in their ministries rather than Town Council management. They employ people with the right qualification to manage the Town Councils, those with expertise in Building and Estate management qualifications.

That is why I would say that a CEO of a company may not necessary be the good politician/MP that you are looking for.

Back to your question posed to me. A passionate person will give sincere passionate speeches. Of course, this is just a necessary but insufficient conditions to judge whether a person is passionate of his people.

Most of the time, people will always demand both words and deeds. However, for opposition politicians who are just like anybody that needs to make a decent living for themselves and their families and do not have the opportunity to demonstrate their deeds as they are yet to be elected, how do we judge them? Personally, I feel that anybody that have passion for the people, their beliefs and ideology, would most probably spend more time in doing research and thinking over policies and trying to find the best deals for the people. Writing blogs could be an easy tasks for many people but to write sensible things about policies would need a lot of effort and time in learning, dissection, discussions, close examination as well as repeated debates over the issues. A simple essay, manifesto or policy idea may have taken the writer months or even years of thought before it is written formally.

This is one of the reasons why very few people could consistently write on various social-economic policy views over the years. It is not an easy task at all. Only a person with great passion could keep him or her to spend time and effort consistently to engage in such thinking process. Of course, there are people who would do such things as they are paid to do it. eg. academia, political analysts for newspapers, think tank..etc. But that is different from people who are willing to write without monetary rewards.

Although I am not very consistent in my work in policy analysis and commentary, but I have tried my best to research and write whenever I can on social-economic-political issues in my blog. Extra efforts were put in during the Mini-bond saga because I feel that there is a lack of just and fair treatment in the whole issue. I believe the people/ investors, should be treated more fairly.

All these may not sound to be great deeds to you or anyone, but to me, it is a truthful reflection of my passion and beliefs. If all these could not convince you about my passion for the people, political beliefs, justice and ideology, there isn’t much I could add on to it. So be it.

Goh Meng Seng

@ Goh Meng Seng -
Thank you for taking the time to give me a reply on my question.
I agree with you that a person station of life is not the prerequisite to the admission into political role.
However by blogging your reach to the people who are able to vote for you is not too precise. A person who doesn’t use the Internet is still a member of this society but the warmth of your passion does not cuddle him. How can he vote for you as he is blind to your passion?
I understand that you have work and a family life. Time is a precious commodities in your life. However if a person seeking public life does not wish to sacrifice, how can we rely? Isn’t passion about walking the talk and not talking the walk.
I can say I am passionate, he can say he is passionate, everybody’s passionate, how can I decide.
Your take of being passionate, I simply cannot take.
For me, if I am passionate, I do the extra mile. I tear down the barriers and build my fortress. I take care of the details and make sure the people’s needs are taken care.
If you cannot be passionate about your neighbors how can you be passionate about a country.
Come on Mr. Goh, please go down to the people, they are longing to hear from you, they are crying out to you, please show them you care.
Go to the wake and share the grief of the people you want to care. Be passionate, have some feeling for the people, that is care.
Sorry if I sound overly didactic, it all boils down to I want you to win and without hard work you cannot win.
I also like to apologize for being an overly passionate fan. :)

NSP is trying to fight this coming election on another strategy. Whatever that means one thing the opposition or for that matter NSP must remember is to be united and co-operate in planning out the best effort not to have a three corner fight. Another is to try and field credible candidates with experience, though paper qualification will be an added plus. Knowing the ground and the political scenario of Singapore is very important.

Greater focus on bread and butter issue. Relevant on what opposition will do to change the high COL, HDB prices, the high salary of ministers etc. No uttering of nonsense during rally nights.

Ken Sunn is so modest when asked how LHL has performed since become PM.
Well, we all know LHL lives in the shadows of MM LKY.

I met Ken last month for lunch and try to grasp the opposition ground of their readiness. Sad to say, guess alot of catching up to do. And I feel that, logistics and finance can be a major problem for the not so rich opposition party. Only PAP is dirty rich. That is already a head start tor their campaigning.

The Minister/Ministry-specific startegy *can* work. In fact, I had previously wondered why it was never adopted in Singapore when it is pretty much the norm in other countries when any candidate contests against a cabinet minister.

Then it dawned on me that the problems of doing so in Singapore, where there is no such thing as fair play by the PAP and the Elections Department that it controls.

I am beginning with the assumption gleaned from the article that the NSP had contested in only one GRC in the last elections, namely Tampines GRC.

If for example the NSP decided to contest in Tampines GRC again. A couple of problems then crop up:

Because of the PAP’s compulsive habit – borne of their metal ilness of fascism, no doubt – of pulling the rug out from under the opposition parties’ feet and re-drawing GRC boundaries, how would the party know that the boundaries have not been redrawn so that the cabinet minister that the NSP was originally targetting is:

a) in the same SMC but under a newly formed GRC; or,

b) in an altogether different GRC?

My suggestion is that this is a an opportunity for ALL political parties to work together by:

a) incorporating the ministry/minister-specific strategy, though not at the expense of other strategies;

b) all the parties to prepare a common resource to target EVERY ministry, but the resources for specific ministries will be sorted out to the various parties only after nomination day when it will be known which party runs in which GRC.

Sorry, this had to be written in hurry.

Hi noisemaker,

I have been on the ground since WP time. But I find being on the ground alone is not enough. A politician that could only go around walking is just not enough. He must have views that resonate with the voters. As I have stated in my reply, I feel that the most important priority of a MP is to bring your voice into parliament. If such politician did not even tell you what he thinks in details, how could you be sure that he will be presenting views that is representative of yours?

The reason for blogging your political views is very simple. On “peace time” people may not visit your blog but during GE time, people yearn for information. If you have done your part in keeping your views archived in your blog, it would be easier for people to read it and decide whether they agree with your political views or not.

Singapore is a highly wired city. Almost 80% to 90% of the households are wired. Internet campaigning will become the inevitable trend.

Goh Meng Seng

78) Goh Meng Seng on November 18th, 2009 1.10 pm

As it is clear we are in Public Domain.
Will talk to you via your blog.

And thanks for taking time to respond. Appreciate it.

Cheers.

If WP do not handle this case, I feel that they will not be my 1st choice to vote for IF there is another opposition party contesting.

Basic resident rights is to have a SAFE HABITAT.

tookie and kopitiam seem to be on same wavelength. our government makes money in order to make our lives better. but this is clearly not the case now, they make money and then rewarded themselves, keep telling us we need to be competitive by staying cheaper, faster and better. This is a government that lead but does not set example.

They compare living standards to third world countries and then compare our wages to first world countries all the time. We are living in first world country but having second world pay.

With import of 2M foreigners and new citizens, but there is no 5M jobs. Even the educated PHd and experienced white collars end up driving taxis (since Singapore enjoys previlege as taxi drivers, as they are protected and not open to competition).

If Singaporeans really love the government, how come everyone is complaining everywhere. Few are praising, most are complaining about their high pay, high end and unfeeling towards citizens. Just go around and hear the voices, mostly not positive, everyone is frustrated. But we probably have Tookie and Kopitiam Apek who would vote when given upgrading, gst credits… a lot of such self centred and selfish citizens around. Gracious Singaporeans like MM said, not in his life time.

I will get some bananas for ya monkeys.

Maybe should call in the national guards to fight this army of mossy since it has become a long term problem that even readers here can only give excuses for the problem of not solving the problem, maciam like helping people to accept that mosquitoes living with residents should be Accepted.

Who is responsible for this aspect of PERFORMANCE?

Considering so many citizens have died, not due to war but due to mosquitoes, i urge that an Activist group be formed by those affected or their relatives to put focus on this matter. To pressure the authorities to do a better job.

Singaporeans even when bitten or live in fear of becoming a dengue victim mostly would not even dare to fart about it.

So, we need a movement to eradicate this problem.

I sent a mail to TOC before, and they did not publish for me.
In another of my story, they said something like , i dare not show my name so they will not publish it. Kind of putting words into my mouth? I wonder.

Although I voted for WP before, it was because there was no other option i can choose from.

As a opposition movement supporter, I ask that I not be taken for granted.

Wonder why a national issue of elections has reached the level of mosquitoes. i used to stay at Serangoon Gdns which was a PAP area under aljunid. before that it was part of East Coast. So did i blame George Yeo for not killing the mosquitoes there?

mosquito breeding has many factors. most of the time residents are to blame due to poor habits and being inconsiderate. we learnt it the hard way after we kenna summon. also found out that we had a neighbour who had more than 1000 larvaes. (dont know how the NEA guy could count) Don’t blame your MP if there are mosquitoes. Just do your part and remind your neighbour to do theirs.

Lets not evaluate a political leader or party based on how many mosquitoes he can catch but on how he/they can influence a country’s future.

Seriously guys, why are you so picky about voting in opposition candidates? If you are unsure about their performance or passion, just vote them in for one term. If you find their performance wanting, you can always not vote for them in subsequent terms. Unfortunately, this is not something you can do for PAP MPs.

At this moment, you can decide whether an opposition MP continues or not but you can’t decide that for PAP MPs.

Think about it. All those explanations and reasoning are moot point when you have 82 MPs in parliament all belonging to PAP.

And why is mosquito related to choosing MPs? Or related to NSP at all?

I get bitten by mozzies all the time. Am I supposed to blame my PAP MP for that too?

If you really are bitten by mosquitoes for one year, then you are really dumb. Just do either of the following.

1.) Go to guardian pharmacy and buy their insect repellent spray. Spray all over your body.
2.) Buy a mosquito coil, burn it in your house (if you can tahan incense burning smell)
3.) For those who don’t like burning, buy one of those insect repellent air refresher (powered by electricity)
4.) For those who don’t like any chemicals at all, buy one of those electronic insect repellent what repels insects by sub-sonic noise (you won’t be able to hear it, your dog might)
5.) Buy and use one of those insect repellent clothing patch.

Obviously some of you have not serve NS before and probably will not survive one week out in the field…sheesh. Worrying about mosquitoes when our million dollar ministers are losing billions of our dollars and fattening themselves and their cronies.

I feel that opposition still has no ideas to win.
Look at the things they have not done.
I see opposition parties overseas are very fast to act on issues
and leave no stones unturned. Any issue that concerns the people , the act on it with relish, enthusiasm and gungho spirit.

singapore opposition is different compared to almost all other oppositions in the world. who disagrees (even if buay song) ?

So, I cannot see that the pros outweigh the cons if opposition is in power.
this is my personal take on the situation.

reluctantly, I have to vote for the other party. But on condition that there be leadership renewal in a BIG way. Restructure their team.

To Btan,

I think you are making light of a very serious issue.

From what i hear, the mosquito problem is much larger than you think.

For example, i’ve had friends – who went to HDB to apply for a flat – tell me that they got their blood sucked there.

Taxi drivers i’ve talked to also tell me they got their blood sucked at the taxi company headquarters.

From what i hear, their blood got extracted in a very efficient manner. Not too much that it will kill them but just enough to ensure maximum milking of blood the next time.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

By and far i heard the largest gathering of bloodsuckers is at parliament house.

I say it’s time for fumigation

Bloody mosquitoes

#93, Jeremi -
I understand that btan is trying to ask everybody to cut their toe to fix into the shoe.

That simply will not do.

Please don’t take it to heart as he only meant well as he could no longer stand the overall country situation and want to see change. He works very hard asking everybody to vote opposition and now the opposition has foul up, surely it hurts him as much as me.

Your concern is absolutely valid but your method of addressing the issue is a little less appropriate.

Seriously it will not alleviate your problem by mere discussion. If you really wish to solve the problem, you got to speak to your MP. Try to make an appointment to see him.

Tell him to shut out all the possible mozzies breeding places such as drain, open fields, cracks, potted plants, even the place where you stick the bamboo to dry your clothes etc. Thereafter do one more time fumigation, follow by monitoring the estate to ensure residents are doing their part to help in the situation.

Everybody must be vigilant in order to combat this successfully. It an ongoing task and you must not let the guard down and persist consistently.

@ #95:

you mean those bloody “white” mosquitoes.
and especially that last, old one that refuses to let go of the people he’s sucking from.

If i were to vote in an opposition mp, that person must be a grandmaster entomologist, specialized in taking out mossies.

I didnt realize out national budget did not allocate enough resources for the eradication of mossies.

no wonder the MIW did so poorly.

Look like NSP’s writeout by Andrew Loh becomes a site for how to take town council to task for the mozzie problem. What a joke!

89) leesjuanpat on November 20th, 2009 9.06 am

The title should be changed to “NSP to adopt “mozzie-specific” strategy in next elections”

I concur, also would like to recommend some mozzie experts to handle the situation, to prepare for a comprehensive plan that will finally show to the MIW that the opposition can do it too.
They were in the expert panel on dengue.

Dr Chee Yam Cheng, Clinical Professor and Assistant Chief Executive Officer, National Healthcare Group – Chairman
Dr Helen Oh, Senior Consultant in Communicable Diseases, Dept of Medicine, Changi Hospital
Dr Goh Kee Tai, Clinical Associate Professor and Senior Consultant in Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health – Secretary
Dr Ng Lee Ching, Head of Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency –
Dr Steven Ooi Peng Lim, Associate Professor and Deputy Director (Disease Control), Ministry of Health – Rapporteur
Mr Han Hwi Kwang, Health Officer (Vector Borne Diseases), Ministry of Health
Dr Noorul Fatha, Medical Officer (Communicable Diseases), Ministry of Health 19

I think they still require an entomologist but its just me.

#91 curious citizen

That is an impressive list of who’s who in S’pore. But do you think these guys will help NSP har ! They are beholden to PAP. Sorry NSP.

@92
Ah this is not a problem, let me search the net and present with you the cheaper alternative that might or might not use Singapore as a springboard towards greener pastures.

In this case, those who are beholden to the ruling class, beware: you can get replaced!

[...] to Perdition Election – TOC: NSP to adopt “minister-specific” strategy in next elections – Ravi Philemon: It’s ok only if you’re a PAP activist – TOC: Remember GE2006 – [...]

Someone is trying to distract this good thread by purposely discussing mozzies.

Could be a plant by the enemies

Please don’t fall into the trap.

ONE CASE FOR NSP TO BRING OUT

http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC091105-0000052/?Not-wheelchair-friendly-at-all

Handicap man on wheelchair ’stuck’ at home despite LUP done.

Questions that were asked,

Is it normal for HDB to ask resident who still need to climb stairs but cant do so, to shift house after doing a ‘half lift landing’ LUP.

I am sure that Singaporeans would to know more about this ‘half lift landing’ design that was done as part of the LUP at Ryman Lim’s block along Clementi Ave 5 and probably other HDB blocks.

The basic objective of LUP is that residents can access the lift w/out having to climb up or down the staircase, isn’t it? More so for our aging population, especially the frail/weak elderly, handicap persons and those using wheelchair.

Why spend so much on LUP and residents still need climb stairs to get to the lift?

HDB and the Town Council concerned should also explain on this ‘half lift landing’ design and how it meets the basic objective of the LUP.

Alex the peasant boy,

one example above.

Quote-
57) Alex the peasant boy on November 17th, 2009 2.15 pm Thanks Yamamoto,

I think we really need to step out of the ’scholar is the best’ mentality. So many times, we see these useless buggers screwed up things for us & quietly sweep them under a giant carpet. Perhaps, it’s time for a lesser mortal to be a MP to prove that education is just a part of being a good MP.

MR Goh Meng Seng,

NSP should help tt handicap guy at posting 96.

Seems HDB n Town Council in charge of Clementi Ave 5 are acting blur.

If the portion on asking him to shift house is true, then it’s DAMN CRUEL.

Waste so much money on LUP, n then residents still need to climb stairs to get the lift,

The ultimate is to ask a handicap man on wheelchair to shift house, as he cant climb stairs to get to the lift, after a weird LUP design call half-lift-landing, that still requires residents to climb stairs after LUP done.

I guess opposition talking cock again, since NSP quiet on ‘posting 98′.

They onli appear at election to make noise.

Dear Edwina,

I am very dissppointed with you. If many Singapore talk without thinking like you. Singapore will no longer exist in future. I person without knowledge of fact and update have cause disgrace to Singaporean.

NSP and even other opposition party is working on ground with minimum resource but maximum effort. I once believe PAP will bring Singapore to a greater success but have disappoint in many of their policy. The worst is PAP minister and grassroot and even misuse policy brought forward by opposition as their credit.

Disppoint with the PAP, I would rather put forward my contribution to the opposition. I hpoe to see Singaporean standing forward to join the opposition party.

Please thing twice when you vote. I will rather vote for a party that can be replace if not capable than a party that hunger just for power.