And if the majority chooses slower development and a lower quality of life, and is willing to accept more tensions within our society in return for changes in the political system, then so be it.
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Well, if the ruling party thinks that it is in great position, that it’s policies are sound, that it is confident in ‘winning’ the vote of the people, that it’s track record speaks for itself and it’s for all to see.
Then let’s not be so insecure and have some guts, play it fair and square.
Politics is not a fair game, some say. Sure, as long as one doesn’t talk clean while playing dirty. That is what upsets many. We is not tupid.
Enough of threats already! You know what, maybe that’s exactly what we need – slower growth and development so everyone can take a breath. Why is that necessarily bad? Why should there be tension if we have slower growth? Slower growth may just lead to a slower and manageable rate of growth of foreign import (talent?) and lower tension!
Generations of Singaporeans have come and gone. Our parent and grandparents have worked hard and slaved for this country but they did not enjoy a cent from the MIW.
Where is all that money going to? Why are there no answers? We are talking about hundreds of billions of dollars belong to Singaporeans.
We badly need more opposition in parliament.
“And if the majority chooses slower development and a lower quality of life, and is willing to accept more tensions within our society in return for changes in the political system, then so be it ”
Please come down from your ivory tower, or come off your high horse…. the above is ALREADY HAPPENING,and True blue SINGAPOREANS are really tried of all this BS. finally you woke up and started to feel this way….. strange…..One country 2 visions…..
This is the reason why people want change……. cause the poor seem to get poorer and the rich seem to get richer…… I hope i live to see this day where the ruling party changes and the PAP is the opposition….. this is the best time to gauge your actual capability and performance under pressure……
Would be good to see how commited these people are in serving their country and people..
Excuse me, my dear “NERD”, “higher quality of life or higher cost of living” with Queenstown BTO five-room-flat going for $650,000.00/= and stagnation of salaries for working class people. I opine that this nerd failed his maths’ in school but, if he failed his maths’ miserably, how can he become senior counsel and now law minister? There must be something wrong with Singapore’s self-proclaimed world-class-education and the ruling party’s selection and appointment of candidate!!
Sheesh, this is getting serious!
Man, I believe this guy when he threatened that there will be more tension if there are changes to the political system.
Well, either it’s tensions created by the Opposition or it’s those created by the ruling party, or a combination of both.
After all, life won’t be so dandy and cushy for our millionaire ministers if there are more Opposition MPs probing and scrutinising into their half-past six investments of our money and their screwed policies, would they?
For sure, our highly self-acclaimed mass media, civil service, statutory boards, GLCs would be making life that much more miserable for the Opposition MPs and their wards.
Yes, there will definitely be more tension.
But I believe the current political system cannot give me and my children a future in this land I call my home.
And I do not like it one bit when instead of being accountable to us, our leaders talk down, mock and threaten us.
I will vote for the Opposition.
So, to the minister, I say this, “You are so right – so be it. Bring it on, man, bring it on!”
Reading the rest of his speech, i would also like to add that instead of just teaching on the ‘dangers’ of liberal democracy’, we also need to teach our citizens that 5000 yrs of recorded human history tells us one fact – anyone 1 famiLy or party that stays in power for too long will definitely atrophy and turn corrupt.
i can’t believe it when i read the speech. its so one-sided and so obviously self-serving in its purpose of brainwashing that this man can even consider himself a servant of the people. i noticed that in the past, its was Tharman who would come out and say such propaganda, now its the newest kid on teh block’s job. first to the international lawyers, now to Singapore. maybe they think having the word ‘Law’ would add credibility to his words.
Vote this man out. He is neither serving the country nor the people. He serves only the dynasty.
Just imagine if the ruling party loss,
and we opened up the books on our reserves, investments, minister and MP’s wealth, policies, I am sure we all would not even blink for a second to see with our own eyes the truth….
Down with the dynasty! We want our right to vote! We want jobs!
What biased one sided argument. Slower economic development does not neccessarily equate to a lower standard of living and having high GDP growth does not always guarantee that the standard of living is higher.
In fact, in our content, our growth at all cost mode has resulted in dismal gini coefficient. First world GDP but non first world Gini index and purchasing power.
In the rest of his speech, it seems pretty arrogant to suggest that only the PAP can deliver the goods.
I quote our dear MM:
“You know, the cure for all this talk is really a good dose of incompetent government. You get that alternative and you’ll never put Singapore together again: Humpty Dumpty cannot be put together again… and your asset values will disappear, your apartment will be worth a fraction of what it is, your jobs will be in peril, your security will be at risk and our women will become maids in other people’s countries, foreign workers.” — Straits Times, 5 April 2007
Apart from the PAP, any alternatives will ruin Singapore and create tension? Why don’t you let the “majority” of the people decide what’s best for Singapore and be fair in elections without using the GRC system as an advantage?
The “majority” I’m fairly sure a rational human beings that will vote wisely should every politcal party be given fair representation in elections. Please don’t insult the “majority’s” intelligence by spewing things like this most “majority”do not even have a chance to vote because of walkovers due to the GRC.
And if the majority chooses slower development and a lower quality of life, and is willing to accept more tensions within our society in return for changes in the political system, then so be it.
What a statement?
It has proven that our current system has failed and cannot sustains any longer, any change of current system is an improvement.
We are already suffering from this political system as what he has described. I believe there are better days ahead if we can change our system Now!
If we can sacrifice this generation and bring happiness and prosperity to our next generation, then so be it.
A piece of advise, please stop going around other countries to advise others of what to do with their system since our system is a failure. Hope others take it as a pinch of salt.
Higher costs of living = lower quality of life.
Especially when the majority are unable to afford living.
Tensions within society are the direct result of the policies enacted due to a flawed political system.
I’ll give the minister a chance to answer this : what contributions exactly did he (not anyone else) make to bring better quality of life for the citizens ? Even if there is, It has to be progressive too, means whatever he did yesterday is already over. What else did he do today, and what did he plan for tomorrow ?
I think if hdb flat were to drop to 1970s price better.
if we can start all over again, and build up singapore again, i think the hardships is better than the hardships we face now as a very expensive city and is getting more and more ex.
but if we start all over again will there be a pm able to lead us to be very good again?
66) DSFSFD on December 18th, 2009 4.34 pm
you mentality is that of a typical singaporean. you want everything to be “ai pi, ai qi, ai dao liep ni” (want cheap, want virgin, want big breast). There is no such thing.
Dear Shamugam The One With the Prophecy
I am a human being like all other human beings around the world. I embrace diversity of ideas and the concept of brotherhood of men & sisterhood of women.
I am not a freak of nature living as an isolated homo sapien in this tiny red dot called Singapore removed from the rest of the world, we the homo sapiens of Singapore are interconnected globally thru media, travel, work, study etc.
Therefore, I am not unique and the special conditions which you have stated that applies to governing Spore is very very flawed.
When countries embrace democracy & truly challenge opposing views, there comes a vibrancy in society. We have not seen that for a long time since the early 60s to early 70s.
Civil wars only happen when military dictators or big headed politicians with over-sized egos believe that democracy & free speech are utter rubbish & subject their citizens to psychological brainwashing, threats, curfews etc
But you know Shamugam, there is something that you cannot take away from me: that is my belief that as a 4th generation born & bred Spore citizen, is my absolute power to change the political course of Spore one day thru my electoral vote in the next GE. And yes before you ask, yes, I am a rational thinking adult.
the rate the goverment is issueing out citizenships to foreigners especially chinese nationals, I think the goverment’s plan is to populate the country with appreciative foreigners to replace the disgruntled locals.
If you can’t change the votes, change the voters.
Anyway be prepared for GST at 10%, coming soon to a store near you.
I can’t take anymore lies from these multi-million dollar incompetent ministers.
The told us that Singaporeans would get jobs in the IRs but now they need 2 whole blocks of flats in Toa Payoh to house their foreigners working in the IRs.
Lies after lies after lies after lies……………
The Straits Times
Dec 18, 2009
HDB flats for IR workers
By Tessa Wong
TWO blocks of Housing Board flats in Toa Payoh have been converted into worker dorms for foreign employees of integrated resort Resorts World at Sentosa.
Blocks 32 and 33 on Toa Payoh Lorong 6 were pending redevelopment until a few months ago, when Resorts World croupiers, hotel service staff and casino pit supervisors started moving in. It is estimated there are more than 300 units in the two blocks. Each flat houses four to six workers, who pay monthly rents ranging from $140 to $260 each.
On the lease tenure, the Housing Board would only say it is a private short-term arrangement between Resorts World and managing agent EM Services. Resorts World said it is providing accommodation for foreign employees ‘to help reduce their stress and anxiety of relocating overseas’ and to ensure they enjoy a similar lifestyle to their Singaporean staff.
When the Straits Times visited the blocks on Friday, the Toa Payoh flats looked clean with fresh coats of paint. Tenants said the flats come with basic furniture such as dining tables and beds, as well as appliances like washing machines and fridges. The bedrooms are also air-conditioned.
Many found the accommodation comfortable, and the central location convenient. They each pay about $100 per month for a daily return bus service that ferries them between home and Sentosa.
Most of the local residents interviewed said they did not mind the workers.
It is embarrassing that the top guys in our government think Singapore so fragile. It is equally embarrassing that the average Singaporean can be scared into this thought.
People, we are not. Singapore is bigger than its politics, and YOU know it.
From the way I see it, only the country economic parameters of Singapore are improving which doesn’t necessarily equate to improvement in the quality of life for Singaporeans. The cost of living and the quality of life for public servants and ministers are improving in tandem with the economic numbers. The rest of the citizens are still struggling with unfair competition from foreigners.
Its already happening in this city…….so be it……
We are already strangers in our own motherland….
We are already strangers in our working companies…..
We, our children already strangers in our own classrooms…..by then working under the new citizens when they start working…..
We are soon going to be silenced in our own sporting venues……
Within the next ten years, a new ‘city’ is reborn……. sad sad days ahead !!! you have to decide soon by 2011 for you and your children.
Usually I write somewhat a slightly long comment. But to this guy who just join PAP through the back door, he talks too much and really sucking to the PAP.
How a person can change just like that. He used to be a respectable lawyer.
How much is your self-esteem worth now?
If you checked it out, he was NOT that respectable as a lawyer after all. Check it out and don’t believe what is written here. Only the truth will surface about this moron.
67) L on December 18th, 2009 5.52 pm
“you mentality is that of a typical singaporean. you want everything to be “ai pi, ai qi, ai dao liep ni” (want cheap, want virgin, want big breast). There is no such thing.”
And you are paid by the internet brigade for writing this. Boy, they must have scraped the bottom of the barrel when they employed you.
“you mentality is that of a typical singaporean. you want everything to be “ai pi, ai qi, ai dao liep ni” (want cheap, want virgin, want big breast). There is no such thing. ”
typical ? this does not come about from nothing.
i though i heard cheap, better, faster replacing the last two words with yours. You are right ‘there is no such thing’.
so we pay premium, we need something in return – else something is very wrong. you are tired, go back and think hard y something is very wrong.
It is very common for the ruling party to use their propagandists to be their mouth piece! Throughout the past few decades, certain MPs/Ministers of a certain “kind” will be in the fore front! It started early with Rajaratnam, Deven Nair and now Shamugam!
People are now tired of these kind of behavoir. It is like reading a book over and over again.
I do not think most Singaporeans are looking for slower growth or development. Having said that, one wonders whether having slower growth and development might not be a good thing after all.
Anyway, what most Singaporeans want is for the leaders to be sure of what they want to achieve for Singapore and its people and not to always shift gears. For example, we hear yesterday that the entry level to Secondary 5 has now being adjusted to 19 points from the previous 10.
Does it even consider what this policy has done to those students of previous years who could not get into Sec 5 because of the points difference? Much like the stop at two policy, the Mandarin syllabus, the streaming policy and what not.
Time and time again we have been taken for rides.
Sham may think he is presenting a subtle rebuke but in reality, the truth is the younger and better educated generation is more adapt at picking out lies and deception than the generations of old. This is a worrying sign for the ruling PAP.
Let’s keep at it to keep our young better educated in the political situation of the day. The signs are good. Take a look at the comments contribution here on this thread. It is such a joy to see so many comments from new posters. Never mind which side the are on.
why must there be slower growth?
Woudn’t it be funny for this new pig that :
1. slower growth did occur but
2. singaporean pay increase more because of increased productivity and immigration comes to a halt.
The reason problem in Singapore is the sharp drop in productivity.
On the surface it is the massive immigration.
Deep reason is the pigs.
They are taxing everyone and stopping us from innovating.
They just want people to sing their praises so that they continue to receive obscene pay.
It is not a coincidence that the strings of cock ups occur short after their massive pay increase.
Incompetent fools are ruling this country on borrowed times and expensively unworthy of its citizenry’s grace of tolerance and charity. We seen enough of deceptions and endless stream of lies. Anything is better than the status quo.
Even lots of professionals are now turning against them. They must be truly desperate resorting to the last frontier of threatening lies that Singapore’s future
need them no matter what.
False preaching. We will show them the door.
In any case, if the present government cannot envision a BETTER political system WITHOUT added tension and retardation, then it has reached its developmental dead end by its own admission.
Shanmugam….trying the tough guy approach…later we can see the soft touches coming and another minister….. brilliant mind game to show that Singapore is PAP and PAP is Singapore…..but along the lines we Singaporeans fall and fall out …..
What tension…..where is there no tension…..
What slower growth…..where is the growth…..only in population….FT’s
everyone knows the wealth distribution in Singapore now….
What better quality of life……you guys in power now, did not provide or do it….and you guys in power are not even contributing much to gain credit….
So what better quality of life….
Time to question the PAP and Vote for change….I hope it happens or we Singaporeans will be in trouble….
Read YESTERDAY on Friday, the columnist even asked Chiam Sea Thong avoid standing in GRC, in which it is rumoured that he and Kenneth would forge alliance to compete with Wong Can Sing.
They are so scared of losing… and even ask newspaper to write story to dissuade Chiam from standing in grc and throwing our multi million bloated miniters out.
I think Low Damn Kiang should go stand in grc next to Potong Pasir/Hougang and throw another few multi million bloated ministers out too.
Take the risk, and WIN BIG. If loses, all should retire from politics and let Xingapore stick to their choices and ENJOY of having multi million bloated party, classmates and friends – promise of more good ears!!
[i]Take the risk, and WIN BIG. If loses, all should retire from politics and let Xingapore stick to their choices and ENJOY of having multi million bloated party, classmates and friends – promise of more good ears!! [/i]
for me myself…my goodears are as good as the tyres company same name as the previous temasek inc angmo ceo…
i am only concerned for my next generals of nephew and nieces
this whole lots are SPOILT sorts…
all want easy money$..easy life out as though Heaven is rainnin money$….
alway $eek with an open palm…
a$k them to a$$i$t me in my adhoc$..they tell me
where have time?
~$igh~