Bhavan Jaipragas/
In the past weeks, PAP ministers have repeatedly questioned the Workers’ Party’s vision of a First World Parliament. The main rhetoric used by the PAP has been that the Workers’ Party is using the slogan as a ruse to make headway in the legislature, and eventually form the government.
In the eyes of the current PAP, it is improbable for the opposition to solely want to act as a check against the government. PAP ministers have derided the idea of a ‘co-driver’ – where the opposition acts as a watchdog that supports and advises the government, without jeopardizing the future of the country. Two weeks ago, Law Minister K Shanmugam spelt out the party’s stance on the issue: “No opposition gets into Parliament in order to remain forever in opposition. Their primary purpose will then be to try and get into government; and might as well be honest about that”. In a election rally last Friday, the Prime Minister also labeled the idea of a ‘co-driver’ dangerous, and instead implored Singaporeans to put their faith behind the ‘best driver’, the PAP.
It is a line of argument that is most intriguing. Hadn’t the PAP been in opposition, not once but twice? What were their motives when they sat on the opposition benches in the legislative assembly from 1955 to 1959, and from 1964 to 1965 in the Dewan Rakyat? How did they justify their being in opposition back then? Did they also set out to ‘crash the car’, as they claim the Workers’ Party will do if they are voted in this Saturday?
The answer is a definite no. Speaking at the opening of the second Malaysian Parliament on 21 May 1964, then Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew professed the PAP’s position as a ‘loyal opposition’ that “had a vested interest to see that (the Tunku) succeeds in creating a healthier economy and more honest effective administration”. Lee also mentioned that unlike the opposition in western-style democracies, the PAP would not criticize the government for the sake of scoring political points.
According to Lee, the opposition could play a pivotal role in aiding the Government’s administration of the Malaysian Federation. Lee also added that the PAP would not rejoice if its own clout heightened while the nation floundered. He questioned: “For what could be worse than that the prospect of sharing responsibility for the running of a Government when both the economy and the administration have sagged?”
For all his present-day misgivings about ‘western style parliamentary democracy’, the Lee of 1964 seemed to have a firm belief in the effectiveness of a government that was checked by a robust opposition in parliament. In the same speech, Lee lamented that one of the reasons why democracy failed in nascent post-colonial states was because governments lacked the equanimity to think about passing power to the opposition.
Where then has this austere defender of democracy gone? One would not be too out of step to wonder if the PAP and its founder – extremely boastful of their ‘track record’ in the past few days – have forgotten their own history. The PAP brethren’s irreverence to the idea of a potent opposition in parliament runs in direct contrast to the stance of their Minister Mentor in 1964.
Despite the Workers’ Party’s countless expositions of their ‘First World Parliament’ slogan at rallies and press conferences in the past week, several PAP candidates continue to claim to be unable to comprehend the concept behind it. What good would a multi-party parliament do, they ask. It would perhaps bode well for the Workers’ Party to simply ask the PAP to look back at their own history for the answer. Nevermind all the driver analogies that are getting more complicated by the day; Lee had laid it all out quite simply nearly five decades ago.
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Picture from yesterday.sg.
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How do you know what is the TRACK REcord for Investment losses?
How do you know what you don’t?
What is the Basis for Your Trust?
I wonder people like Sim Mong Hoo , Bread Talk boss, Sakae Sushi boss, 77th Street boss, Seng Song boss who they vote?
I wonder who the General Managers, SVPs, VPs vote for?
Are these smart people?
So , do they know how much is LEFT?
What is the basis for their support?
Do they care about people’s concerns and the lopsided Parliament?
Humanity.
Hasn’t Lee Kuan Yew stated clearly his tacit intention to be in the driver’s seat albeit in a circumlocuted way going by the rules and laws of the constitution? Refer pgs 18 & 19: http://stars.nhb.gov.sg/stars/tmp/lky19620819.pdf.
Even when there was a Malayan Federation, he wished to be in the driver’s seat then. So, why grip when another party of credence pronounces similar aspirations?
LKY holds the unique honour of being lauded by the world and vilified by his own citizens. Just attend any opposition rally in the last few days, and hear the reaction of the citizens both young and old at the mention of his name.I have attended such rallies in the past and have never seen such put downs reserved for an old honoured statesman.
if PAP don’t keen to run ” Democracy Parliament ” in the Democracy ways. Democracy Voter will vote them out of Democracy parliament.
It just very simple , ” What U did is What U get”
Is it case of dishonored check or it is
PAP is a ship that sails according to the winds, not for the people who needed the cargo on deck, but only for the crew on board to the richest port of call.
Don’t get it. Then and now has such differences. Totally different scenarios. If now is as unstable as then and we have not grown or grown a little then the manifesto of WP might be attractive (though it still doesn’t makes much sense to me) because a change is worth a gamble. But in these days and times and growth, getting a change is risky and really like slapping the good driver.
This from his first volume:
“I explained to them my plans for forming a party to represent the workers and the dispossessed, especially the Chinese-educated, not in order to win the coming election, but to gain a significant number of seats so as to show up the rottenness of the system and the present political parties, and to build up for the next round.” – LKY, on formation of the PAP, 1954.
You are trying to insinuate we are Unstable ??? You mean we have war and riots like the M-East ??
Or, you mean economically unstable ? If so than that contradictory to what our PM and ministers are saying, then do they deserve their salary?
Can we really trust Low Thia Kiang and team? Do you all know of the Hougang HUDC privatisation issue that was so badly managed? My question to LTK is: what was the estimated sinking funds? If you cannot even be accountable to your constituents in Hougang, and the issue has not been solved, why are you moving out of Hougang?
LKY is a non-believer of democracy. He made use of the one-man one-vote system to ride into power. Once in power, he sets about to change the political system to nullify the Opposition in order that the PAP will forever remain in power.
Next, he started to plan the setting up of the LEE Dynasty. His descendants will rule this island city-state in perpetuity. But his dream and hope will be shattered in this GE just like his dream to become the PM of Malaysia.
Just a tot….If ever in out FUTURE:
If PAP ousted out… 50 years down the road when they are the opposition party (again) and as an opposition they win become government (again)
Haha… vicious cycle :)
Shiela, I live in the Hougang HUDC estate that’s going to be privatised. I suggest you email Mr Low Thia Kiang at lowtk@wp.sg your questions for the real answers, or go to his Meet the ppl session to ask him directly. I’ve been living here for 24 years. I trust Mr Low Thia Kiang. I don’t trust the media for reporting every truthful detail.
No empire has ever lasted forever … Now that is the hard truth!
Sheila, HUDC is still part of HDB, so you still cannot guess what is happening to your greed for en-block exercise and who is putting a spoke in the wheel for you and blame it on your MP? Stupido!
this is what you call speaking from own experience… haha. ‘sharing responsibility to run the Government’ is just an excuse to takeover.
the singapoor pressholdin mployed the CEOs from retired ministers
not promoted the xsistin hardworkin editors amon them…
enough said
…………………..
shiela 2 May 2011
Can we really trust Low Thia Kiang and team? Do you all know of the Hougang HUDC privatisation issue that was so badly managed?
…………..
1st it was cynthia
then it become ruby
now morphed into shiela
……….
cynthia 2 May 2011
Can we really trust Low Thia Kiang and team? What of the Hougang HUDC privatisation issue that was so badly managed?
ruby 2 May 2011
Can we really trust Low Thia Kiang and team? What of the Hougang HUDC privatisation issue that was so badly managed?
……………..
wah houghang hudc just let loose a mental patient from houghang hudc mental institute
There is no such thing as a perfect democracy-just different degrees of it, and how it is adapted into each country’s unique context :)
Talking about TRACK (sports) record, the minister involved in the YOG’s over-spending the budget by 300 million should resign save the country millions.
SMRT, you let foreigner easily enter your secured premise. What TRACK (train) record you have?
Wong Kan Seng , are you accountable in any way for the escape of the most feared Terrorist of singapore in your detention center? What TRACK (tracking down MSK) record do you have?
TH / GIC : how many BILLIONS of the People’s money have you lost in total exactly? Where is the report that shows this exact figure? What TRACK record for accountability can you show us?
PAP supporters : what have you QUESTIONED the leaders you so strongly support? What TRACK Record have you to show that you have ever questioned the lack of transparency, accountability, side effects as a result of the extreme INFLUX, the Public Housing Price that is priced like Private Housing. What is your track record?
If the Opposition continue to not win, we the opposition supporters may just have to continue living in a place we do not feel we belong because of the policies. A place full of sadness. A place where the Rich ignore the problems and accept a system because benefits them but the rest are Suffering because of the system.
Is this 人之初？
The gov has been tracking the VWOs down namely RenCi, NKF etc, last year the insurance industry and this year property industry. So when is it that they are going to have their own “house-keeping”? I think they need a BIGGER BROOM!!! Perhaps, OPPOSITION PARTIES can assist!
Hey, we were all fresh grads before – it is the passion that counts, else fresh grads will never get employed!
ultimately the problem is still that the mass media is entirely controlled by the ruling party. this clear double standards with regards to the role of alternative parties, is something any decent journalist / political commentator should cover and highlight. but it does not. it perpetuates the lie that singapore has ALWAYS been PAP loving. and that singapore = PAP.
the only track i know of is railway track, where their policies just bulldoze through at full speed
<>
Well Said..! I salute you. Couldn’t have said it any better myself.
I also have this view that why anyone would want others to see him as Whiter than White, is simply because deep inside, he is Blacker than Black. A very simple duality law of nature.
Comments anyone?
I was refering to this post…
LKY is a non-believer of democracy. He made use of the one-man one-vote system to ride into power. Once in power, he sets about to change the political system to nullify the Opposition in order that the PAP will forever remain in power.
Next, he started to plan the setting up of the LEE Dynasty. His descendants will rule this island city-state in perpetuity. But his dream and hope will be shattered in this GE just like his dream to become the PM of Malaysia.
shiela,
I find your comments uninformed and truly gullible. Let me share with all that staff in HDB are specifically instructed to ignore calls for assistance from opposition wards. This is unconstitutional!!! The entire electoral system is unconstitutional. One must recognise that it is near impossible for any opposition to do their job according to the standards of the PAP wards solely bec’ they are denied the resources which is entitled to every citizens of Singapore but monopolised by the ruling party; and yet despite the obvious handicap the opposition still rises to every challenge. Go visit the opposition wards, are they slumps, do rubbish piled up? If Singaporeans compare based on such external factors, then we have descended into apathy. The stakes are so much higher for anyone competiting against the ruling party. The best way to judge if the PAP talent is what they claim to be is to manage a ward without the priviledges and resources like what LTK and CST has done over the last 2 decades, then you will understand the measure of men like LTK and CST or perhaps you will get to witness the true PAP talent in display…
All Voters,
Voting is secret and there is nothing to be fearful to vote opposition parties.
Voters are given the right to vote for qualify and capable candidates to represent the Singaporeans.
We need alternate voice to make the PAP work toward the interest of the individual Singaporeans.
We need a good number of Opposition MPs (in tens of them) to represent the general Singaporeans.
It is Action time….. Go for it……. Vote for the Future of every Singaporean and furture generation of Singaporeans ………..
I agree with esporean. From all the remarks made by the MIW these past few weeks, it is not difficult to conclude that they are not talented people. Not only that, I conclude that all of them have no EQ, which is an essential part to be in public service. And they claimed that they had so many tea sessions to sieve out these people. Can you believe them?
LKY has passed his ‘used by date’. we all know he’s hanging on becos he cannot become a commoner again. Being ‘MM’ he has lots of privileges.
He should retire and i believe he’ll be respected more rather being seen as a fear mongering old man and behaving like ‘God’ telling voters they have to live and repent for 5 years if they vote WP into parliament
I reckon he just did the opposition party a huge favour.
To me a track record includes good n bad things.
You do remembered you are the one that let a limping terrorist walk out of the detention center.
I know whom the CEO, EVPs, SVPs and VPs of Singapore Airlines will vote for
SORRY from the multi $ A team. The world is watching, till now some of his ministers still very arrogant, But sorry,, we can forgive but will never forget.
“SORRY” from the multi $$ A team. The world is watching,, till now some of his ministers still very arrogant. This is a very example of
YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.
ALL BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF SPORE.
Only 4 days of rally, , PAP say SORRY for the shortfall. You know WHY. IT IS FROM THE PRESENT OF SO MANY CALIBRE OPPOSITONS. So we have to send more oppositions to the parliament. PAP will wake up, say sorry again and repent..
Am a bit confused on the change in PAP’s stance during the election. PAP had asked voters to vote with their heads and not their hearts; then suddenly, they needed to connect with the voters emotionally, which suddenly became very important to PAP. So are the voters supposed to vote with their hearts or minds?
PAP had also asked voters to scrutinise the various parties’ track records. If the voters do that, they will see PAP’s own track record for the past 5 years are not it’s most impressive. PAP will flog its full track record for the past 50 years or so. All Liverpool supporters are only too aware of the dangers of living on past glories. What the 1st and 2nd generation PAP guards have done will never be equalled. Those teams are also no longer actively involved in policy making. To keep re-living those glory days means PAP will lose touch with reality. Look at where past glories have brought Liverpool in the past 20 years. You are only as good as the team you currently have and your track record is as good as how you perform on the ground today.
grace fu said she is learning.
A learning driver needs a coach which can also drive and a special car with a special brake.
I seldom (if ever) heard of the student driver and coach driver getting into an accident except in movies.
Some questions to ask ourself?
Are we happy? If yes what good things makes you happy if not what are those you wanted a change
will pap has those intentions to make those changes based on their prior tenure?
Is it worth to go for a change atleast to see what changes brings in?
can someone comment on why its a walkover in TP?
A very good article – the irony at the end of the day is PAP fears an opposition like itself – I think they do not understand what a first world Parliment is – both then and now ! – I can understand the old Guard because that is all they know – but it is very strange to hear v young ministers saying the same things the older people are saying – not knowing some of the historical facts you mentioned – very good article !!!