Andrew Loh
“Whichever place we contest, it will be minister-specific. Not at the personal level but at the policy, ministry level. It’ll be ministry-oriented,” says the National Solidarity Party (NSP). Revealing the party’s General Elections strategy to The Online Citizen, the NSP says that one weakness of the opposition parties in Singapore in battling the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) in past elections was their lack of focus on specific ministries and their policies.
“This time round, [we’re] not really choosing Tampines per se,” says Mr Goh Meng Seng whom the party has appointed the team leader for the area for its contest in the next elections. “[We’re] choosing the minister of the ministry, instead.” The minister for National Development, Mr Mah Bow Tan, is one of the five Members of Parliament for the Tampines Group Representation Constituency (GRC). “This will be a change in focus in our election [campaign],” Mr Goh says. “We’re questioning the policies of the ministers and whether the voters want to have such policies under [their] charge.”
One of the main issues for the next elections which the NSP will be fighting on will be public housing and the costs of HDB flats. Thus, the party intends to question Mr Mah’s housing policies.
The party believes HDB prices will make a big difference to how the residents in the GRC vote. “Tampines is a semi-matured estate,” Mr Goh explains, “with young voters – in their 20s – who will be looking to get married and to buy a flat. The high housing prices will have an impact on this group of voters.”
The NSP’s president, Mr Sebastian Teo, explains why high flats prices do not benefit flat owners. “If they sell it and buy it again, [they’re] going to incur heavy financial costs.” Higher HDB prices is not going to benefit the 80 per cent of Singaporeans who do not own more than one flat or house, he says. It only benefits the 20 per cent who do. “Majority of Singaporeans should know that this is a problem for them, and not those who own more than one house. The 20 per cent will be happy. If I have two houses, I will be happy. [HDB prices] can go up to one million [dollars]. I sell my HDB [flat], I’ll still have my private house.” But for the rest, they cannot re-mortgage their flats to cash out the value.
The party feels that the government’s housing policy is defective and is fueling the current rising prices of HDB flats. The question of whether the government should intervene, therefore, to quell the current red-hot housing market is moot. “Rather than [ask whether the government should] intervene, I think the policy itself is flawed,” says Mr Goh. According to him, the structure of the public housing policy, including the way flats are valued and the pricing mechanism, actually makes prices rise. “So, the intervention of the government right now actually [is causing] this problem. They should re-examine the whole system.”
The group of party members was at the Tampines Street 11 wet market and hawker centre on Sunday morning to sell the party’s newspaper, North Star News. Sales was brisk as residents, who were out doing their marketing or having their breakfast, gave their support. “Brother, I see you again,” one resident said to the party’s secretary-general, Mr Ken Sunn, as he was making the rounds at the tables.
“The ground is ok,” says Mr Teo. He is heartened that residents are more willing to buy the party’s newspaper now. As a sign of encouragement, he cited the sentiments on the ground about high HDB flats’ prices. “PAP [retained power] because of HDB,” he explains, “and PAP [will go] down also because of HDB. This is what people in the markets say.”
The NSP, which was founded in 1987, has contested Tampines GRC five times but has never won. Its only presence in Parliament since the party’s creation has been the Non-Constituency MP (NCMP) seat which was given to Mr Steve Chia in 2001. However, this has not deterred the party, which intends to contest three GRCs – Tampines, Jurong, Jalan Besar – and three Single-Member Constituencies – Yio Chu Kang, MacPherson, Nee Soon Central – come the next elections. Party members have been working these areas since the last GE, says Mr Sunn, with their weekly door-to-door visits and visits to the markets and hawker centres.
The next elections will see 12 NCMP seats created, up from the current provision for 9. How will this affect the NSP? “We will proceed as normal,” says Mr Teo. “It’s only 3 seats more. We’ll go back to the constituencies which we contested before and we’ll see how the situation develops.”
For Mr Goh, he is not interested in contesting any SMCs. Instead his focus is on “break[ing] the fortress of the GRC”. “Only then can you effect change, within the rules,” he explains. “[This is because] the PAP always reacts to changes. The only change we can make is when the fortress fall, they will think of something else.” So, is his Tampines team ready for the elections? “My team is already formed,” he says “but I’m not going to reveal it.” He gives two reasons for his reluctance to reveal more about his team – when the elections will be called and whether Tampines will remain a 5-member GRC or become a 4-member one. PM Lee, in announcing the changes to the political system recently, had said that the sizes of the GRCs will be reduced. Because of these two uncertainties, the NSP does not want to raise the public’s expectations, Mr Goh explains.
As the party gears up for the elections, it is working on its manifesto which, Mr Sunn feels, needs to be updated. The party is also in the process of setting up its Youth Wing and recently recruited some new members, including former Workers’ Party candidates in the 2006 elections, Ms Lee Wai Leng and Mr Abdul Salim.
The Online Citizen asked the NSP’s sec-gen, who is one of the founding members of the NSP, what he thought of Prime Minister Lee’s performance in the last three years since the 2006 elections. “I think his performance is credible. I find that he has mellowed considerably since taking over [as Prime Minister],” Mr Sunn says. “He is facing the reality [and is] having a difficult time. We sympathise with him. However, the issue of cronyism still comes up once in a while and that is something that [the PAP] has to dispel. We foresee that he will continue to lead the party for one more election, health permitting.
“We don’t see much change in the PAP make-up. However, we do definitely see change in the opposition’s presence in Parliament because now we’re better-organised, better focused and more dedicated.”
——
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!
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.