TOC Editorial:
We all knew it was coming because we’ve seen it before: slime-slinging, full frontal personalized assaults on character are par for the course in any election. The first shot has been fired across the bows by the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), targeted squarely at the man most likely to shake its grip on power.
Chen Show Mao is the candidate the PAP wants to recruit but cannot find: he is perfectly bilingual, has reached the commanding heights of success in the private sector, a person with a global perspective but a heart for local politics.
Most importantly, Mr Chen is willing to enter a life of public service without the “insurance” PAP candidates fielded in GRCs have. He is willing to put his neck out with little or no prospect of seeing a ministerial salary in his lifetime. He is living, breathing proof that the PAP’s model of having to pay top dollar for top talent is a fig leaf used to hide the naked reality of a party devoid of passion and conviction.
Voters will ask: if Chen Show Mao can serve the people without the promise of millions, why can’t the ministers of the PAP?
And so, in what might come across as a spasm of desperation, the PAP has resorted to ignoring the issues and playing the person. Dr Ng Eng Hen’s letter in the Straits Times Forum was page one of this playbook.
Stop the double standards
Right thinking Singaporeans would be justifiably perplexed if they sniff a whiff of hypocrisy.
The PAP has candidates in its ranks who only became citizens in the last few years. Ms Foo Mee Har had problems telling reporters when she became a Singaporean (two years ago), and has spent long periods of time working overseas. (See video here.)
Another new citizen, Mr Janil Puthucheary, never did National Service unlike Mr Chen, who had the distinction of serving as an Officer of the Singapore Armed Forces. Mr Chen served in our armed forces despite not actually being a naturalized citizen yet.
PAP leaders have appealed to the public to judge candidates like Mr Puthucheary and Ms Foo on the fact that they have chosen Singapore as their home, but now they challenge Mr Chen’s bona fides for returning home?
The Online Citizen believes that the increasingly international character of candidates is a net positive: we published an editorial praising Ms Foo for her private sector savvy and global outlook. National leaders who have always said a global outlook is necessary for Singapore’s survival should not now be tearing down Singaporeans who work overseas.
The hypocrisy must stop.
In the last week, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng told voters to “drill down to the details” of the opposition parties’ manifestos. After the PAP released a sparsely detailed manifesto that was roundly criticized, Minister Lim Swee Say then turns up to tell Singaporeans to “not just think about the micro aspects of policies”.
In an almost tragicomedic turn of events, the PAP disabled the comments features on their Youtube video launching the manifesto. The “comments disabled” notification is now immortalized in screenshots juxtaposed against stills from the video telling Singaporeans that their “opinions matter”.
The PAP needs to take heed that continuing to confuse voters by mixing messages will boomerang on them.
If the PAP chooses to make Mr Chen’s country of business an election issue, they run a high risk of being accused of hypocrisy, as well as being willing to go into an election insulting the intelligence of the electorate.
One can only hope the PAP takes the high road, and fight this election on the merits of the candidates and the issues at stake. Singaporeans deserve no less.
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Read also: When a son of the land returns.
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I see the need to convince dad who is a hardcore PAP supporter to think hard this time after reading and looking at “our future”. We are divided!
What is Dr Ng and the PAP going to say to defend some of their new candidates who are new citizens?
Why say so many things about a Taiwan born man who paid his dues, did NS, gave up his lucrative career and stand as an opposition candidate in Singapore?
To me, he has the standing and moral authority to lecture PAP politicians about a lot of things. Not the other way around.
Here is another papy that we need to boot out, without batting an eye-lid.
Let’s show Dr Ng what we think of him through the casting of our voting slips.
Let’s VETO him out to stop him from spouting double-talk in an official capacity.
Let’s unite, folks.
When I turned on my TV a few days ago I heard the PM explaining why bringing in foreign talents does not affect us in our jobs in Singapore. I want to tell you that I am mighty surprised that a Cambridge scholar in Mathematics can tell the people of Singapore such a story;
That whether the talents are in Singapore or in some other countries, Singaporeans will still feel the same level of heat of their competition. He seems to ignore the fact that the bulk of jobs for which all these great talents are engaged at need almost daily face to face interaction with colleagues. In such situations, proximity counts. Proximity affects the frequency of meetings and the facilitation of supervision and management. The saying goes,”You can’t fax a handshake.”
The local resident will have local knowledge of local peoples’ preferences, affordability, culture and other fine details that long time residency informs him.
So although, the talent located away from Singapore will be in competition with me, the intensity of the competition will be reduced. Thus as a local I should have many advantages for a job located in Singapore, so a higher probability of being employed for a particular job as against a foreigner of equal merit. In most jurisdictions the foreigner has no free access to jobs in other countries as there are strict rules for his employment when there are similarly qualified people locally. Check with the UK and US conditions for the employment of foreigners, and you will find that there is not such an easy path to be employed in these countries. This barrier will increase the cost of employing a foreigner, both for the country and for the applying foreigner.The foreign talent should be orders of magnitude more qualified for the job, in order to equalize his competitive pull to get the job, as is the case in UK and US.
Perhaps what PM means is that he has removed all barriers for foreigners to work in Singapore. If all barriers are removed, then indeed the force of competition whether actual or potential is the same whether the talent is in Singapore or outside it. In this way, the fact of distance, culture, local knowledge, personal contact are removed at one stroke by our Prime Minister.
Why do such a bad thing to your own people, I hear you ask. Hubris. When you are paid millions more than Presidents and Prime Ministers of every other country, you lose touch with your people and your compact with them is thrown to the winds.
However, a case can be made for inviting foreign talents as nuclei to grow the body of our own expertise. In the beginning that may be the philosophy. But as soon as the Cabinet of Ministers got paid those enormous, obscene sums, some ten or fifteen years ago, with salaries proportional to the GNP, such strategical purpose was abandoned.
How did the indiscriminate entry of foreign talents get pass Parliament? The reason is that, with the one party rule,Parliament becomes a stamping machine in Singapore. The monolithic structure admits no countervailing forces to spoil the PM’s concentration. This is what he himself said about how the impact of opposition parties will affect his own decision making process. Incidently, this argument I outline above to you on why the Government allows almost everyone talent or not to come to work in Singapore has become a mantra of the Ruling Party. There are many other mantras, which collectively brought us to our present condition
A number of mantras are cooked up by the Ruling Party. We shall examine another one. A mantra which flashes in my head is this one: “We have to pay the PM, President, Cabinet Ministers very high because after their tenure of service they will not be getting grand fees through talks and book royalties, unlike their counterparts in America, Russia, Europe and Britain.”
Well the quick explanation is that: it is because of their mediocrity on the world stage that they are not sought after to be heard. We the suffering citizenry of Singapore do not have to compensate them for their lack of stature, do we? -in millions of Dollars per annum at that. Their inability to make their mark on the people of the world shows up as the true valuation of their jobs in dollar value. At present these Parliamentary jobs are much too much over valued. The almost exponential increase of their salaries must stop and be reversed. A grand heist is actually in progress.
An earlier mantra is that we have to give up such exorbitant sums to them to compensate them for not being corrupt!
Don’t you think that their moral fibre is really very fragile if this is a sincere reason for insisting for a remuneration over the moon. Is this the threat of corruption itself?
WKS can go eat shit.
Dont focus on micro details what a joke.
If we citizens are not focus about micro details about how we survive each day are we to focus on the big matters like how you draw millions a month? or why you didnt resign after allowing Mas to escape? or why Temasek is allowed to incur the multi Billions of losses with no heads rolling?
Goodbye WKS hope to see you no more in parliament after the election results.
The ruling party has in my view clearly betray Singaporeans by failing to put Singaporeans first and by allowing Millions of foreigners who push up HDB prices, Push up COE prices, Cramp up our trains and buses, deprive our children of school places, deprive us of hospital beds and most importantly push many of us from our jobs by their lower wage expectations.
They have become solely focused on making money and pushing up the GDP all good but this should not and cannot be the primary objective of the government.
The Primary objective is to look after its people the very people who put you in power. This the Papaya have failed and not only failed badly but they have up till now not even recongnised this as a failure which means they will continue on this path should they be returned to power.
Personally I think the Papaya gang is very good very effective with many smart and clever people but sadly they lack the HEART and Ears.
The only way to save them is to teach them a lesson by depriving them from your votes. Only then can there be a chance for them to realise their mistakes.
A Papaya with heart and ears willing to listen will be the best party for Singapore but sadly today the Papaya we have is one without a heart and ears willing to listen and for this reason we cannot give you our votes.
Ng Eng Hen quoted
can the opposition bring down the price of oil?
http://www.pap.org.sg/articleview.php?id=970&cid=23
so far, did he bring down the price of oil? who is the wayang party is very clear and obvious.
Good folks and On Line Citizen administator/s…
You should read the hyperlink below…and the presentation video within is very compelling…
http://permaculture.org.au/2011/04/12/shock-doctrine-the-rise-of-disaster-capitalism/#comment-79424
It will explain why the PAP (the supposely real self-serving power brokers within or probably serving some other external power brokers interests outside of singapore) are implementing policies that don’t really make any rational sense…policies which benefit the few at the expense of all (including these truely factually un-wise idiots) in the end.
Is this the way forward for singapore and its peoples future?
Please review the information & its presentation provided and decide your stand.
Good day all.
to sturmtruppen:
There are many real worries over global capitalism.
Putting aside the devastating impact it has had on the environment (and consequently our health), the fact is emerging that global capitalism has become a deeply unjust economic system.
When Adam Smith argued in favour of the Invisible Hand of the Market, he did not know that corporations could become more powerful than governments. When Milton Friedman argued for the free market system in Free to Choose, he had not experienced the stranglehold that the super-wealthy wields over the economy.
Singapore cannot control the force of global capitalism, but we can make sure that we do not allow it to reduce us to cogs in the machine or virtual slaves in our own economy. What is disappointing is that we have become so money-driven, so coldly calculative. We are in real danger of losing sight that this is a nation, not a corporation.
It is okay to field Jalil Puthucheary who only took up citizenship 2 yrs ago and not okay to field CSM? PAP logic is utterly baffling. And what right does Ng Eng Hen has to talk? Wasn’t he the one who wanted to cut the weightage of Chinese language and had to backtrack after a storm of protest? Ng Eng Hen and Puthucheary – dumb and dumber.
If CSM is PAP candidate, PAP will sing a different tune, shower him with all praises or even name him a Minister grade. But let look at all the new candidates PAP fielded, does anyone in the pack better comapre to CSM? Look like none, sounded more like sour grape from PAP.
Why question CSM’s motive when he is not sure he will even be voted into parliament, but rather as non-daft voters, we should the other new PAP candidate what are thier motives, especially TPL,ex-Malaysia indian doctor and ex-Malaysia Foo Mee Har, new Citizen for less than 5 years their motives since they are almost guaranteed into parliament without really face election challenges via GRC system. Their motives are even more questionable since they know thier seats were being prepared.
Can all the PAP new birds and old birds, tell us about your motives, you have taught us to ask this quesions when we did not ask you in pass elections?
NEH was just a small time surgeon operating his own practice earning some good money focussing on a niche clientile. Moving over to politics and joining the PAP is not a big sacrifice but allow him to gain power and esteem instead. He will not be able to understand CSM’s motivation just as a layman will never to be able understand quantum physics.
It is almost unbearable to watch how FMH replied on the time frame she became a Singapore Citizen….sounds like she’s trying to justify herself…
The PAP has lost credibility, to say the least.
Mr Puthucheary, the new PAP candidate became citizen after reaching 35 yrs old to avoid NS and went on to insult NSmen by equating being a doctor as “serving NS”.
Dr. Ng please don’t insult our intelligence. You have just lost a vote.
Recently I was at the Chinatown MRT. I was trying to catch a train but not familiar which line to take. So I asked for help, and approached altogether 4 commuters. To more dismay, no one could assist. Cause they were all foreigners! I thought I was in a foreign land. How sad!
I am perturbed. When I read what this website is all about, I am concerned. I might be wrong but tell me, do you see this website as an invitation to all foreigners to live and work in Singapore?
http://www.contactsingapore.sg/
The reason that the PAP mentor gave for paying our Ministers $Millions was so that they would not corrupt. Is he not implying that he cannot trust his Ministers to be upright if not paid $Millions? How come many first world countries can get good and upright people to serve and Singapore cannot? If PAP can gave such excuse, then when Singapore face a military crisis, the active NSmen or any SAF personnel can demand that they too be paid millions or hundreds of thousand to defend the nation. You millionaires out there, I hope you can see what type of examples PAP Ministers set for Singaporeans. If the bad example they set become a social norm, I would be worry if ever Singapore face a military crisis. Stop supporting the greed and selfishness that had gained a foothold in this country before it is too late for your wealth is not secure if this happen. We need leaders that treat every Singaporeans as members of their family which means Singaporean interest comes first. If there are short-comings, leaders should guide and in time of trouble – lead. Do we have leaders like that? Do you take the food from your hungry children and gave it to others? Do you tell the world that you bring in hundreds of thousand of foreigners and said that they are all talents and without them Singapore cannot survive? Does it not imply to the world that Singaporeans are not as good or better than the foreigners? If Singaporeans are not good enough, why are many MNCs putting in their investment in Singapore? The track records that we had set before any FTs were admitted into our shore must be one of the key reason. How can we accept leaders like that who threaten us instead of guiding us and protecting our interest. It is time for renewal of leadership otherwise Singapore would end up divided with different groups looking after their own selfish interests like a market place. People would come when profit can be made and go elsewhere when none. If that happen forget about loyalty, nationhood and graciousness for all would be here for selfish motive. It is unlike the leaders that we had when Singapore gain independent. Those founding leaders except one had gracefully retired having done their very best for the nation and would be remembered by all of us who were old enough to understand. We need leaders of old, stay connected and serve the people and not those seeking to live in high heavens. How do PAP have the morals to request the hawkers to absorb the increase in cost by not increasing their price? They too have family to provide and earning a living not to live in bangalows, expensive overseas travel and french culinary cooking course for their family. With Ministers and top civil servants getting their heavenly pay packets the money must come from somewhere? HDB rent increases, higher utilities bills, public services fees,school fees, etc. They would have to absorb all these in addition to the increase cost of goods they had to pay. How come they become so unaware of all these? Was it because they live in heavens and become disconnected while we people live on earth? Then we need leaders who live on earth who are connected and understand our needs to lead us. Is it now the time to elect earthlings into parliament and not martians?
Character assassination is one of the lowest form of action one can take when facing a political foe. It is equivalent to hitting a person under the belt. For a minister who is paid millions of dollars to do that sort of thing is actually “Chiak liow bee” (gagi buta in Malay). What more I understand that he is a Christian elder too. Hey Minister must you stoop so low to prove your worth? You already goofed on our Youth Olympic budget. In other countries honourable ministers would have apologised publicly and resigned or even commit suicide. Of course you wont for the money is too good. This shows are you really for yourself or for the people.What is next? Another round of character assassination on CSM? Ha ha you wont dare because the people of Singapore will really put you in the gallows
Paying a person millions of dollars to do a job does not guarantee that he will be honest. Knowing our greedy human nature the more money we get the more we want When a person is honest he will be honest right through for that will be his character. People like Mr. Goh Keng Swee, Hon Swee Sen. Lim Kim Sun are fine examples of honest gentlemen. Of these Mr. Goh Keng Swee is the one I respect most.
If a person is dishonest to little he will naturally be dishonest to much. People of Singapore please open your eyes to judge for yourself to see whether we have an honest and transparent government or not. Then cast your vote according to your judgement. God bless you if you cast the wrong vote.
Low Thia Khiang of WP is reported as going for broke by switching to Aljunied GRC. How admirable – PAP ministers and MPs are instead going for the coffers.
PAP sings the same old tune, they are the best. How do they know? Have they ever had? Competitors welcome competition to prove they are the best when they win. PAP crushes and eliminates all threatening competitors….very cowardly. Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Michael Phelps and all great sportsmen, look forward to a competition. When they win, then they say they are the best.
As many WP candidates as possibe MUST be voted in to represent a voice for the average Singaporeans in Parliament, to tell the Ministers they have gone money and power crazy. Singaporeans, vote and save your country on May 7.
So BABY
http://www.youtube.com/user/project2O11#p/a/u/0/p1tzIRkIFs0
It ALL about you