Andrew Loh
Being in power for half a century breeds arrogance and hubristic tendencies. This much has been said of the People’s Action Party (PAP). Such sentiments were clearly and loudly expressed during the recent elections. Even the PAP’s own candidate for Aljunied GRC, Mr George Yeo, related how a resident had basically told him off at a coffeeshop during the hustings. The resident said he was voting against Mr Yeo’s team simply because of the condescending remarks made by Mr Lee Kuan Yew about voters in Aljunied.
Singaporeans at large too felt the PAP had too much of a chip on its shoulder and cut it down to size by reducing its vote share to its lowest since Independence. Aljunied voters took courage into their own hands, voted for the opposition Workers’ Party and thus registered its role in our history books.
With a palpable seething anger towards the PAP still simmering, the people of Singapore demand one thing from the PAP Government – change.
So it was that the secretary general of the PAP, the Prime Minister of Singapore, sought to address this expectation by declaring an agenda of reform, and he moved rather quickly in doing so as well and surprised many.
If one were to go by comments and postings online, however, it would seem that Singaporeans aren’t too quick or willing to applaud PM Lee for his new agenda. Indeed, most online comments and postings either dismiss his promises outright, calling these a sideshow, a “wayang”, too late, or an insincere attempt at assuaging Singaporeans’ anger.
Few have given the PM the benefit of the doubt, or support his undertakings.
The cynicism is evident. It is pervasive – and though online commentators are most vocal, the sentiment is not only limited to cyberspace.
I would suggest that this is the main obstacle the Prime Minister – and the PAP – will have to address, going forward. This disbelief, or skepticism, that anything will really change or that the PAP is capable of changing itself. It is understandable if one considers that such promises are not new. One would recall the “Remaking Singapore” movement in the early 2000s, and the proposed killing of “sacred cow” policies following that.
But I take a more hopeful attitude, for several reasons.
One, PM Lee no longer has the burden of having two or three senior ministers within his Cabinet who, as some suspect, would be watching over his shoulders or even staying his hands if he wanted to change things.
Two, the stepping down of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, PM’s father, symbolizes a break from the baggage of the past.
Three, PM Lee is expected to hold office for another 10 years, as he sees through the transition to the 4th Generation leadership. He would thus want to stamp his mark before too long, before he eventually steps down.
Fourth, the appointment of Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam as Deputy Prime Minister. Known as a reformer, a thinker, a good listener and an all round excellent leader, Mr Tharman now has the ear of the PM in close range.
But the one reason why I feel PM Lee should be given time to keep his promise is that I do believe he knows, even if he does not truly appreciate it, that Singapore has changed. Singaporeans and Singapore society have changed. PM Lee would also be aware that gone are the days of yore – where the highhanded, severe and strict form of government, which has been the hallmark of the PAP Government for almost 50 years, is best left to the annals of history, to be carried away into oblivion by the winds of change.
With a “clean slate”, as Mr Goh Chok Tong and Lee senior called it, PM Lee has before him an historic opportunity to re-create Singapore in his hands, fashioned after the desires and aspirations of Singaporeans.
PM Lee has a Singapore which many envy and admire. It is, however, not a great country yet, economic achievements notwithstanding. What would make it a great country would be for its people to not be fearful, to be courageous, to be free to do and free to be.
The leader of this little red spot on the map must realize that it is not in the building of great physical complexes, or the pumping up of economic indicators, which will make this a great nation.
On the contrary, what will make this truly a great home for us is more personal. It is about no longer being afraid to do and to be, no matter who we are. It is about being able to do and to be, with freedoms enshrined in law and supported by an enlightened government and lawmakers.
In short, it is about citizen participation. It is about empowerment of the citizenry. It is the very thing which most governments are afraid of. It is, however, the one thing which all human beings crave and demand.
The cynicism of PM Lee’s promise is borne out of a citizenry being disempowered for far too long. It is easier to cast doubts than to be part of the change that they want to see, even if only a small part is required.
But cynicism, by its insidious nature, does not bode well for a nation which aspires to be more.
PM Lee’s challenge then is to address this. And the best way he can do this is by saying clearly what it is that he wants changed. So far, he has failed to articulate this in an unequivocal manner. Singaporeans still do not really know what changes he is talking about.
Once this is made clear, he should then embark on a road of no return, and move forward with his reforms.
In the meantime, I would encourage cynics to not be too quick to dismiss PM Lee’s promise. Give him time. Reform, in this case, means changing current ways of doing things, of adopting new belief systems, and of painting new landscapes of the future. It means the PAP having to change in five years what it is accustomed to the last 50 years. It’s no small feat.
But change it must, of course. If PM Lee does not keep his word, then perhaps it won’t be too late to register your displeasure when the time comes.
You will have an opportunity to do this, for sure.
And PM Lee knows it too.
In the meantime, lets hold off the cynicism.
HELP keep the voice of TOC alive!
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In political decision making, 5 years is a very short time.
The writer says voters can register their displeasure?
I foresee that he is holding out for the next ten years. As what the writer mentioned too. Then when all break loose let Tharman handle it himself.
I don’t have nothing against Mr Tharman. But seems he is struggling to favor his paymaster and the same time looking to the future, his real employer the Singaporean voters.
No one can deny, as new generation of Singaporeans can’t get jobs. And blame the PAP policy. More wave of people will go against the PAP. By then all the current key appointment holders in PAP will have left the party or to be save, will leave Singapore too. I hope for a peaceful and professional transition. Let there be no witch hunt. But true competition of government and Singaporean first policy with emphasis on upgrading skills and experience. With lesser GDP and tax, all the big money spending exercises to win votes need to be reviewed, and more sacrifices need to be done.
and in the eyes of our royale highness..he thought all this while, the peasant$ would continued to support him and his papa..uncles…cousins…aides’ relatives as well..all of the papmps are not thieves @ all..just alibaba’s drinkin mates…
well, u got a warning letter from the voters, u need to pull up your sock, next 5 years u will be judge on your performance , kpi and also service stardard, at anytime you fail to be better , there shall be no further notice or warning, we shall sack you without notice.this island is a high standard , high performance with high pay .Also be remind to control the production quality, like foreign talent and housing ensure that u set a quota so that we know what u are doing.If you are unsure please consult us for our opinion. any action that u take that is not in the interest of this island will also result in dismissal.voters look forward to your co operation and help you in the process.
You forgot the pettiness and small mindness of a large section of the population who just want to be bumiputras, stop working and collect rent. They are the ones who complain about foreigners competing on price yet only want to pay their maids $300. This is why Singapore is doomed. The new generation just want to take but never give. They are waiting to live in a fairy tale where they are all kings. The opposition will promise them that so it will take a few elections but ultimately the opposition will take power and Singaporeans will get a very hard landing.
Why does it seem like Andrew is only posting this because of the recent soft efforts by the PAP to clamp down on rumor-spreading and online libel?
The whole article reads like a subtle warning to the partisan online community to ‘tone down the PAP bashing for now’, signed off with basically a statement of
“we don’t care what the PAP does, we’re still voting against them in 5 years. But for now, lets keep it down folks, because they’re watching us.”
Its appalling and unacceptable for a world’s highest paid person to say they were surprised the extent of the resentment DURING the hustings.
What were they doing in the 5 loong looong years?
While some have resigned, coincidentally not having to answer questions raised by WP MP in Parl, the PM who is responsible for the team has continued to get a strong mandate.
S.i.n.g.a.p.o.r.e! most unique in the world.
Nothing was really broken before this change ( but where they are suppose to change remains unchanged). They changed because they don’t have lost their resoluteness to stand by their policies or beliefs – mostly formulated through a logical process. By yielding to the vocal minority pressing for socialist ideals out of state coffer, they acknowledged that they were wrong and alternative voices were right.
The result are changes with mixed reaction from the public depending on who you support. The new leadership will be perceived by many to be unsure of itself and hence, the constantly need to consult the people.
This kind of leadership is weak,easily manipulated and therefore does not inspire faith,trust and will divide the country further.
correction..they changed because they lost their resoluteness to stand by their policies or beliefs…..
Cynicism Is The Lesser Evil
The reason why we pay our maids 300-400 is bec the gov makes us pay a levy of 200-300 a month… Given that we are citizens of OUR Country, aren’t we the kings here? Why is the PAP importing so many FTS and treating them as the kings?
yes minority citizens jv spolen and yes the pm has apologised and pledged unequivocally to changes specificaaly consultation before implementation fo govy policies. am sure the pm”s promises will be kept thus shld assuage
at least 10pct swing in support of the pap in the next round.
Alternatively, can one imagine an opposition coalition in govt sori mate that wld be doomsday for spore
I give the PM till National Day to come up with a comprehensive 5 year plan for total change. Within 6 months for all the Minister / ministry to carry out plans for change. Otherwise it’s just talking cock and playing musical chairs. Goodbye party to more PAP MPs in 2016.
PAP recruit all the people are managers, no real thinker and visionary leader, the product of Singapore system. The PAP eunuch system. No balls to say no to the Leeder.
I fully support PM Lee and PAP.
These critics above only know how to complain complain complain. Can’t they provide the government some constructive criticisms or ways to improve. They sound so narrow minded, un-refined and un-educated lot!
“What would make it a great country would be for its people to not be fearful, to be courageous, to be free to do and free to be”.
To add on, a good quality of life where the elderly are really retired and not work as cleaners at hawker centres, and where the average man in the street can have a decent standard of living without the constant need to struggle to put food on the table and worry about increased living cost and medical bills.
That would be the day for Singapore.
Not until we see real changes, I remain unconvinced. Bad policies must be reviewed, not explained. Take the lax immigration policies, what is there to explain? The consequences are here for all to see, these very consequences have caused people to vote against the PAP.
Yes the ruling party will have 5 years to improve the lives of Singaporeans without creating more unhappiness among us. Failing which, we will have more opposition party voices for us and more choices for us Singaporeans.
“They sound so narrow minded, unrefined and uneducated lot”.
This is the perfect description of the PAP leaders. Thank you.
So petty and narrow minded the PAP, that all they could think of is to threaten, sue, jail and make opponents bankrupt, that is how refined and educated PAP is.
Old man Lee’s threat, “You would regret for the next 5 years”, is more of a gangster BULLY than someone refined and educated.
Yes, Andrew hit the nail on its head, whatever PM Lee said we are cynical,
cynical for the next five years till 2016 and beyond, with MPs like foot stomping Tin pei Ling and that Dr. something who defended the high Ministerial Pay to propel himself on the stage, in the fold of PAP. We don’t consider these backdoor MPs as talents.
Once we lost trust and faith, it is an uphill task to regain back.
The call to rein in the cynicism and toxicity is well advised.
The floodgates of armchair criticism has been opened like Pandora’s proverbial box and the liberation after 45 years of being ignored and dismissed has come to roost.
My advice to the PAP machinery who are monitoring this site (and I’m damn sure they are) to listen to the substance of our feedback but tune out the emotion and hysterical volume of the comments.
Even though I have never voted for the PAP, it doesn’t mean I will never.
I am not a dye-in-the-wool anti-PAP voter.
I consider myself a Reasonable Voter who has resorted to the only reasonable response to 45 years of unreasonably arrogant government.
My friends and I are Swing Voters who will support reasonable and fair policies which will benefit the majority of Singaporeans in the long run as long as they unite and not divide society.
For a capitalist system, I am all for a socialist bias to the less fortunate and will even accept the pain of bitter medicine for it.
After all, the role of government is to help people to do what they cannot by themselves.
Reasonable Voters like us can be won over by a sincere PM who can show mileage on the transformation dashboard.
Not overnight but over the next 5 years.
I was disappointed twice in the last 20 year by Goh who promised a freer style but invoked the ISA in Operation Spectrum callously.
Even PM Lee’s promise of ‘sparing no sacred cow’ talk wasn’t matched by the foolish short termism of an overheated and divided society.
Well, this Reasonable Voter, disappointed twice, is still willing to give PM Lee one last chance to match the deed with the promise of reform.
Instead of waiting for 5 years before we look your collective report card, I recommend that the PM not waste the quick wins handed before him.
1-Manage and communicate the revisions of the new formula for ministerial pay in the next 12 months.
2-Open a public review on Operation Spectrum and make restitution to the victims if there was any miscarriage of justice.
3-Hold a by-election in 3 years to replace the retiring ex-ministers and deadwood MPs who are liabilities to the PAP.
This by-election will allow the ruling party to test the waters on how well received the ‘transformations’ have been and even extend the need for a GE for another 8 years so it doesn’t become another watershed event.
Let the Reasonable Swing Voters gauge how well the transformed PAP has defused these hot buttons.
We want evolutionary transformation not revolutionary regime change.
The optimistic side of me wants to believe in PM Lee.
But the cynic in me keeps reminding me how I have been let down twice.
I want to believe. God knows, I want.
My first ever PAP vote is for the PAP to loose.
And I don’t think I am alone.
Five years is sufficient time to undo or redo what was the past.
Another 10% swing will put the PAP and oppositions on an even keel.
Undo or redo the past that is the question.
Undo and change is in the air,redo than back to status quo with new citizens to swing the pendulum in favor of the PAP.
With +-40,000 new citizens in the next 3 to 5 years it may just do the trick to redo.
‘Buyer’s Beware’
Im cynical for sure. If they are sincere, they should come clean on all screwed up policies like housing and foreign talent influx. Given that the ministers at the helms are new, I think six months is a fair period for them to fess up on whats wrong and how they plan to make it right.
Also, as long as the Prime Minister refuses to treat all Singaporeans equally, by punishing opp wards through deprivation of deserved upgrading, he will never ever have my respect.
Our pledge says “based on justice and equality”, do you hear that mr lee?
Baby boomers like me are not ungrateful for what the past Govt has done for us.I agree with Hardtruther.PM Lee must transform the whole cabinet. I want to believe and trust the Ministers but the last 20years or so has also make me very skeptical as to whether the new Cabinet can take the skeptic out of me.All the ministers must not just redo or rehash the ministries. The policies must be totally new from the past. Patchwork will not do. Especially Education Health Manpower Transport Housing.Not relook but NEW LOOK altogether.
Hahaa..if PM Lee want me to believe him, sure, just get rid of Gan KY (now in Health Ministry)for his “Spore Resident” when he try to hide the true report of Sporean status by combining True Blue Sporean with Spore PRs!
And that stupid Dr Lim for his ” despised the poor” atitude! Then only i gonna try to believe you!These two are too big headed n think that they are more better, more inttelignet, n more poer than the common people! Yes, to these two, we are just common people, they are elite n special!!
It’s had taken too long for the old man to step down. Using fear tactics in this new era had given rise to a negative effect resonating in the people heart. It will be tough to simple change and forget..
The wound can be heal but the scar remains.
PAP given “strong” mandate? I doubt so. Many elderly voted PAP because they were held in ransom for lift upgrading and all the threats spewed out from the senior miniters. If we take these “forced to vote for PAP” mentality, PAP mandate is far less than 60%. I hope those 81 PAP ministers sitting in parliament understand there are not there because of “strong” mandate but because of GRC flaws. They must not be happy thinking they are voted in because approx 50% of the voters are displeased with them. Thus I can confidently say that PAP do not have strong mandate. All their so-called “promise” will not win the heart of Singaporeans if foreign refugees (disguised as S passes. EP and PR) continue to flood this island and our HDB estates and they continue to remain 2/3 of Singapore populations. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND OUT OF SENSE. No Singaporeans will accep this, ask around and you will no the root of unhappiness. We will vote PAP out of our sight if this rampant issuing of entry pass to foreigners continues.
Very very few in cyberspace believe that the PAP can change. Maybe just cosmetic! See what still hanging on – “Senior Minister Emeritus”! What the shit this for?
See what Ministerial Salary change is all about – the PAP cronies as the members! Also see what change when the Ministerial Salary revision is still to be peg to the private sector albeit a discount!
So just some of these examples shows that it is a half-hearted cosmetic touch up at its best!
I support WP, but I also support LHL, regardless of what others may say. If I can vote for who’s the PM, I’ll choose him. Somehow I have this hunch that him being able to survive the 2 different generations of political pressure, plus somehow he was hauled into this position, he probably would have planned for this opportunity to be independent all his life.
I’ll not be surprised that this reform efforts has been on his agenda all along, just pending some strong trigger.
I wish him luck, and hope he can also weed out the non-performing MPs and bring in more people who are not only capable, but also good PRs, ones who doesn’t make a comment one day and apologise on the next day.
If we send all foreign refugees back who is going to work in our factories??? Foreign refugees are employed because Singaporeans turn down the jobs. Singaporeans want to work in air con comfort, no shift work and weekends off.
Can somebody out there offer a constructive solution? Tell the investors to pack up & pay them to settle in neighbouring countries?
My man, how can you believe that the PM is changing when the Committee he selects for review of the MInisterial salaries are of the same mold. This is again hoodwinking the citizenry.
Who are those ministers salary review committee members ?
Gerald Ee is PAP man.
John De Payva – NTUC President, what’s there to say. PAP man.
Fang Ai Lian – former Nominated Member of Parliament, PAP woman.
Stephen Lee – SIA Chairman, what’s there to say? PAP man.
Po’ad Shaik Abu Bakar Matter – Presidential Advisers, PAP man.
George Quek – Breadtalk CEO, gotten off with extremely light fine $4,000 for drink driving and crashing his Porsche into a stationary police car at a road block. Time to return favour? PAP man.
Lucien Wong – Allen & Gledhill Managing Partner and director of SPH. A&G acted for Lee Kuan Yew, Lee Hsien Loong and Goh Chok Tong in suing the oppositions bankrupt. PAP man.
Dear fellow citizen, when this Committee has done its job, we will be well and truly stuck with the Ministerial salaries.
Our ruling government will prevail in next election. More new vocal MPs will appear, not against government but against the opposition. Far better than LTK and Pritam. Just watch.
They will speak for the heartlanders as to unite the people and not to split them. Opposition must prepare for a real debate in next election rallies.
It looks that the pro-opposition are getting worried when our government making changes. Why? If not, then why condemn.
We shall see what changes they make in the daily life of people in Aljuined.
“Cynics” there are plenty around. Singaporeans wants more freedom of speech,freedom to do whatever they want.
That would be ideal perhaps 50 years more.Look at the vitroilic that’s coming out of the social media. The personal attacks on political leaders, the insinnuations,half truths, etc..
If Singaporeans are to be taken seriously, we need to ask ourselves “Where’s our social grace”?
Talk about arrogance of the govt, look around and you’ll see hordes of arrogant people around – Hawkers, Taxidrivers, Public Servants, eve cleaners at Hawker centres.
Let us not point a finger at the govt. Better to channel our energies to inculcate graciousness and respect for each other. Take the cue from Japan, Hongkong and even our neighbours Malaysians, Indonesians, Bruneian etc.. Stop complaining and ask yourselve – How can I contribute other that criticizing?
When you see a good proportion of our electorate actually hoping that a Minister will FAIL even before he’s started trying to solve their problems, that tells you how ‘first world’ our electorate is.
Besides not respecting the decision of the majority (as it should be in a DEMOCRACY), it basically sums up their selfish desires in this way:
“I hope my leaders fail, and it doesn’t matter if everyone suffers as a result of it, because the guy I wanted to be MY leader didn’t win.”
maybe PAP should hire some of the harshest critics & pay them $20000/month of hard truths from the solid ground?
no free lunch, no spoonfeeding, no molly-coddling, etc. afterall, S’poreans are always confronted with “who’s gonna pay for this & that” when suggestions are made.
people who are 50 years & above now working at foodcourt clearing plates or as security guards when they should be happily retired with little financial worries is also no mean feat. & our govt isn’t going to go soft on them either.
its a harsh world, & its no less for S’poreans from 5 years old till kick bucket. this is the reality in S’pore.
I dont understand why some singapore treat election as some cult war game.
Come on, u guys seem to wish gov failed. let me give u a few slap, ig the current gov, Singapore will goes down hill, jobs will be lose, sg dollar will drop.
Half of the opposite will run away (likely SDP kind of pple), the other half will try to seize power and create chaos.
Look at thailand, is that wat we want?
This is not online war, this is real life.
Even WP understand that, what’s wrong w u guys?
sadsg@
i support u
no matter what PAP does, increase the pay or whatever, we will never be where we are today, among the richess nation and high quality education for poor and rich. die die i support PAP all the way.
anyway, the result is still PAP win, right?
all these noise in no value, just ignore it. come 2016 PAP will still win
Changing the PAP from within is a difficult task. They have always claimed that they do not need an opposition to keep them clean and accountable. The past 5 years and during the elections, events have proven them wrong.
1) Because they have the power, they can choose what to reveal to the public and what not to. They have also chosen not to be accountable for the many wrong doings. MBT is always saying housing is affordable when he has done nothing except to see prices go up as supply cannot keep pace with demand.
2) The judiciary process as well as much of the political process only rely on civil servants and industrial experts to make decisions. The assumption is citizens don’t know better. Or perhaps it’s more to expedite the process by doing away with consultation and debate. But the past 5 years have proven them to be also able to be blindsighted.
Change the PAP must. But that does not mean there is no role for a greater opposition presence. I believe, I hope that we would finally have a more credible opposition in parliament to ask for accountability, transparency and an alternative view that can save singapore.
Many PAP supporters, who do not believe in justice and equality, do not believe in PM LHL pledge for fair and equal society.
First of all, PM LHL need to convince his supporters.
‘Be the change you want’.
The online functions as an informal source of feedback for the PAP.
We need to perform this role as their usual channels have been proven to be filtered to give only sweet soundbites.
So I resolve to tone down the snarky comments in future.
And I urge my fellow netizens to do likewise.
Let those MIW who monitor this site listen to the substance or else we become more white noise.
Let’s prove that graciousness and intelligence can go hand in hand.
I have lived in ‘First World’ democracies and have seen economic power houses decline because of combative politics which pander to the masses.
We have been frustrated by the draconian rule of the past. But is throwing them out and pumping our fists really progress?
I still believe it doesn’t have to come to this.
The Reasonable Voter will and must reject online vitroilic as vehemently as we reject draconian abuse.
Only that way, we can mature politically and progress as a nation.
I will change my mind once I see a true fair and just society where our future generation is fearless . Hence leads to creativity leads to
More innovators less FT.
Absolute power has no regards for common people. Alternate choice is the only way to achieve a better Singapore.
@chong jackie
If we know what to do, we will be having million dollars pay now. But we can tell right from wrong. For you, you only support blindly soullessly no dignity. Pathetic be a…slave to your master till you die.
hey!its not about pro or anti govt.its about fairness and able to live decently,who the fuck in this world would want to destroy something so sacred,please use your brain sometimes an ask why? someone else behaves this way,how does it come about to this stage,what are we going to do about it?did we do something wrong or i have not been listening?nobody treats another person differently if they are on the same wave lenght so ple don say we are ungrateful,always complaining,this and that,pls remember that everybody is different,evryone has their own opinion and thinking and if everyone thinks the same as you,then what are we, just think about it,be on the positive side being negative sometimes will do hell lot of good for you,for you will become more like a person,you are a yes person as far as i can see and you will not get to see light at the end of the tunnel,better to be a dog who just follows the master and eat whatever is given to you,no complains!thats fine with me.
aiyah, eveyone complaining, don’t look at at the black spot and forget the white, they have done the right thing, that we need to appreciate, so don’t throw the dirty water and the baby.. if citizen think they can do better, go an be an alternative party.. all these bickering is giving me a headache…. give them a break…let them do their work, don’t distract them, give meaningful and constructive feedback. It’s easy to throw a brick on the glass panel but it’s difficult to make beautiful glass objects…. some food for thought.
I believe PM Lee is on the right track and we should give him time and necessary support. Listening to feedback and alternative viewpoints is not a sign of a weak leader but astute leadership.
Anybody who has made decisions at corporate or national level know that there are bound to be unintended consequences, either in the way things are implemented or the blind spots are not covered. If problems can be surfaced to policymakers, they can be nipped immediately before the pendulum swings too far and requires greater economic or social cost to rectify.
Already some ministers are engaging netizens on Facebook which is very good. The feedback from end users enable the ministers and civil servants to know what is happening on the ground. In the long run, nitty gritty issues resolved do lead to an overall improvement in service standard, which will be recognized not only by locals but also on an international level.
LKY stepped aside to signify change, yet there are people who believe PM Lee should not change. Over the last few years, there have been highly regarded people like Ngiam Tong Dow, Tan Kin Lian, Tan Cheng Bock who have criticized policies because they feel Singapore is not moving in the right direction. Their words may be jarring but surely they can’t be subversive or they hope to see Singapore destroyed with bad advice.
Now is actually a good time to relook all policies and consider if their advice is worth implementing. So long as PAP is serious about change and be more people centric, even if the opposition fields better candidates in the next election, they can be sure of a good showing.
The stereotype control devices may be summarized in the following rebuttal tactics:-
(1) We are always right
(2) Show us your solutions/proof or be sued
for libel
(3) If you are so smart, stand for election
(4) Self-praising of leadership and talent.
Anything new in what you said. 60.1% votes is not the licence to do as ruling party likes. Read typical exchange in thread “News – SDP : choice of governing system by people not ruling party”
You can’t help having the cynicism, when one sees the composition of the pay review committee and words spoken by the Chairman. And lately from MP Lee Wee Kiat. Even though he had withdrawn his statement, but he had exposed his inner thinking and belief completely. He has put the whole PAP selection process into question. If he is still kept within party for long, the party shall be associated to, or worse, simply is the same kind.
How does one measures the job of Pope against that of the private sector? How does one measures the job of the country leader against that of the private sector? You can’t. Simply not apple to apple comparison. Obviously, one shall go for Apple to Apple comparison. To try to twist something out of it, it simply asking for more vote-loss. PERIOD.
I actually have not understood, why is the levy charged by govt on foreign domestic workers.. It is almost equal to 50 to 60 per cent of the salary. Does the government actually provide any safety net for these poor people? one should no discount their contribution to the so called “family life” in the Singapore… If I am not wrong then a vast majority of “future Singapore” is being groomed and taken care of by them only
From all account, I cannot ever trust the PAP again. No matter how you slice it, its the same culture and LHL does not possess the political capital to hold sway and I cannot see him having political tenacity as the likes of Low Thia Khiang and Sylvia Lim…the “Cool-cats”.
And, a case in point is the police reports made against Tin Pei Ling for flouting of election laws. The authorities helmed by LHL seems not to possess the will to uphold the laws which they are empowered to protect. Despite cries by citizens for justice to be done, the authorities have chosen to remaim silent and continues to be protective of their own…this case alone is a great pull against the PAP…if nothing is done the distrust of PAP will galvanise and see to its demise in the next GE. If the Presidential election is contested, and this matter is not resolved justifiably, another strong message to the PAP can be expected.
“But change it must, of course. If PM Lee does not keep his word, then perhaps it won’t be too late to register your displeasure when the time comes.”
Well said , Andrew!
This should always have been the way for a Democracy.
Every 5 years , some Ignorance is removed from society.
But we do not have many 5 years. At most 5 fingers can count them.
its all about how much Ignorance there is in society.
The weak get makan.
The fools get makan.
人之初，性本恶 ?
人之初，性本善 ？
There are some who are against the ruling party no matter what they say or do. There are some who expect changes after the messages have been given to ruling party. There are some with no beliefs or support. Some support the ruling party for what they have done. I am one who vote to give PM Lee a chance to chart new directions, to change their approach to citizens, to engage people with more transparency, to stop protecting ministers and MPs who erred, who have gained no respect from the ground and who do not perform. Weed them out. We should close ranks amongst us and protect what we have built over the last half a century. We have not become what we are with a shoddy government and lazy citizens. Look around you in ASEAN. Do you want to be like them, and have their kind of Government, systems, values, behaviour? Dont kill the goose that has laid golden eggs. Nurture it.