Callan Tham /
I haven’t been able to spend as much time writing as I would like, but I have held off writing this for far too long. Thus far, it has been an electric elections season in Singapore. We are witnessing contests for 82 out of 87 parliamentary seats, the most since Singapore’s independence.
As usual for Singaporeans, known to be a “pragmatic” lot, the keenly argued issues revolve around tangibles — rising cost of living and inflation, stagnant real median wage growth, spiking prices of public housing, seemingly uncontrolled immigration, and that perennial PAP carrot: estate upgrading.
All of which are, I admit, issues that demand earnest discussion and analysis. All of them affect Singaporeans, some more so than others, but none of them are trivial. I have lots of ideas on how to tackle them, but that is not what this post is about, so indulge me while I recount an incident.
On April 19th, I was invited to a dinner with Jeremy Hillman, BBC News’ Editor of Economics and Business Centre, who was here to launch the Asia Business Index. It was an enjoyable evening at One Fullerton, just catching up and exchanging views with folks like Jeremy and Francesca Unsworth, Head of BBC Newsgathering, and my fellow bloggers Kirsten Han, Darryl Kang and Donaldson Tan. Hell, even Tan Kin Lian showed up.
As we sat down for dinner, Kirsten and I had plopped ourselves directly opposite Francesca at the table and when she asked us how we felt about Singapore, my response was “We don’t have a soul.”
I explained we have excellent infrastructure, a rather efficient tax code, and (at Fullerton anyway) clean streets. It all looks so clinical, so Eden-esque, that everything on the surface looks perfect. And we all know it isn’t.
So what is at stake, when Singaporeans go to the polls this Saturday, is the soul of this country. Or at least, the direction that Singapore will move towards. On the one hand, we have the mighty PAP, who has achieved their political dominance through no lack of cunning or heavy-handed smack downs. On the other, the alternative parties, who have pledged to serve not only as the loyal opposition, but also as the voice of the Singaporean people, and have also fielded their strongest slate of candidates for the longest time.
There has never been a time where internationally, respected lawyers like WP’s Chen Show Mao willingly joined the cause of an opposition party. Or former establishment men and civil servants like Dr Ang Yong Guan and Tan Jee Say campaigning as part of the SDP. And then there are names like Vincent Wijeysingha, whom I’m proud to call a friend, Gerald Giam, Michelle Lee, Nicole Seah, Tony Tan and Hazel Poa; bright and young capable minds that the PAP would’ve had no problems attracting to its ranks previously, are now proudly wearing the badges of alternative parties.
And more importantly, the proposals the alternative parties have come up with are not only cogent, coherent, and convincing to me, they also have one common thread running through all of them: that the Singapore they want to build is a country that prizes not only economic success, but also one that does not leave Singaporeans behind.
It is difficult for me not to think of my 8-month-old son as May 7th approaches, and I decide what kind of Singapore I want him to inherit. And my choice is clear as day. Because I don’t want Ayrton to grow up in a society that defines success as a mad dash for cash, status and material satisfaction.
I don’t want him to grow up in a country where you don’t stand up to bullies and allow yourself to be browbeaten into submission.
Nor in a country where ideas cannot be robustly debated or deconstructed, or one where he cannot challenge or question presumptions.
Nor a country where accountability and responsibility is non-existent.
Nor one where you apologise not because you are sorry, but when you need to gain sympathy.
Nor one where character assassination is an acceptable part of progression.
Nor one where the price for looking the other way is a fresh coat of paint for your block of flats.
Nor one where his freedom to choose his path in life will be compromised in any shape, way or form.
Nor one where we chose to forget to care for our elderly, the weak, the helpless, the poor, the homeless, and leaving them be is far easier than doing the right thing.
Nor one where we mistake servitude as gratitude, and where integrity is only a buzzword and not a principle to live by.
Nor one that allows our humanity to be sucked out of us and replacing it with the Singapore dollar.
Nor one where fear shackles and restraints our every move and decision.
Nor one where arrogance is not only accepted, but richly rewarded financially.
If I allow that to happen, I would have failed in my duties as a father and a Singaporean.
Make no mistake, my friends. There is more at stake than we think. We are not only voting for political parties, we are voting for the direction and soul of Singapore. Your vote will decide if you want Singapore to be more humane instead of staying money-oriented; to reach out and help fellow Singaporeans who have been cruelly left behind or reach for more profits; and a future that we are proud to tell our children about, a principled, compassionate existence, or merely one where telling your neighbours about your promotion or showing off your new sports car is the order of the day.
It is for these reasons that I ask you, on May 7th, vote for change. We, the Singaporean people, need it.
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I concur with everything you say. Vote for change!!!
YES, THE TIDE CHANGED MORE THAN A YEAR AGO AS I DETECTED.
Many businessmen and professionals begging for change, only the incumbents were caught off-guard of the mood change.
Here is George Yeo’s little “confession”.
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/minister-george-yeo-transformed-pap-155058643.html#mwpphu-container
Half a century of PAP rule is unbelievable! It’s really time for change. For our children’s future, vote the Opposition into Parliament for our voices to be heard. Enough is enough! All the best to all the brave men and women in the Opposition who step forward to serve Singapore by shouldering the burdens to fight against all odds! My salute to you!
There is a reason to fear!
http://vimeo.com/13265669
Let’s sing “Stand Up for Singapore”
The coat of paint started peeling the week after it was painted
“If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it”.
Singapore today is quite broken in some places although it isn’t falling to pieces. we need to fix the broken parts and restore our soul and dignity all over again, just like the old days.
Change is required to order to secure our future. Without change, PAP stagnate and fossilize, and that will be the decline and disintegration of our country. Vote for change.
It’s TOMORROW or NEVER.
This is our LAST CHANCE.
VOTE FOR CHANGE.
After decades of arrogant and highhanded dominance, they still threaten with repent and only in the last minute come out with apologies and tears. Do you ever think they will change? Yeah, ‘transform’…re-arrange the rules and tighten even further.
Sadly a vast majority of Singaporeans have been conditioned like captive elephants, shackled, cowed and subdued so that even if restrained by a raffia string….the thot of breaking it is beyond them. A morsel of juicy fruit now and then between meals of bland grass, prods and smacks to keep them in line and continue earning their keep.
But days of reckoning may be at hand.
Free Singapore from oppression! Mr Mah would let you believe public housing is affordable, but forgets that if that were the case, no “cooling” measures would be needed. Cooling public housing?? Shouldn’t gahmen be able to influence directly?
Then he would have you take longer loan. Is that affordable? It’s like saying Kate Spade is affordable to those who eat at Marine Parade hawker centre, since they can just stop eating and use food money to pay installment for the bag mah?!
They have no idea what to do, and there are an insane number of ministers and MPs already and each GE they are adding to this number. Why? So they can push blame, make more “honest” mistakes. At 2-4 million salaries each, no mistakes allowed.
Vote for change!
Great article Callan Tham. Thanks. Perhaps you too can consider standing as opposition candidates and be our voice 5 years down the road ? It will be great.
A good article. Your observation of our current situation, and what kind of society we should strive for, is accurate and inspiring. You’re writing from the heart, and I salute you.
Everyone!
Watch Hazel Poa’s rally speech on 30 April at Whampoa on GE.SG
Honest words from a real singaporean about the value system behind my vote.
Where got soul? We are just living organism and existential life is all that matters. So food, shelter, safety, well-being rank first. If you are looking for soul – buy spirituality – it is duty free!
I was thinking how nice it would be if PAP ended up losing all the seats except for GRC seat walkover for the unrepentant father. And possibly with PM, SM and maybe GY added as the NCMPs.
Then we can witness for ourselves what it is like to see them have a taste of their own medicine, surrounded by more compassionate MPs.
That will be truly sweet revenge for all the sufferings and injustices forced upon all Singaporeans by PAP for the last few decades.
The only reason you say this ‘change’ is because you aren’t part of the elite and the best in society. So don’t cry spilt milk and try to change the rules for yourself just because you failed in this game.
It is cooling day !!! Vote for oppositions for your future and contain the dictatorship !!!
This article is soo good. So much is at stake than just the upgrading. Our lives as full human beings in a democratic nation is at stake.
Singapore is soulless, we have sold our soul to the Devil.
Vote for our souls to return!
No more Animal Farm!
No more oppression!
“PAP govt will involve young in nation-building: PM” in today’s Straits Times.
Very clear tghat he start pushing the problem to the young Singaporeans now – Push it away as the going get tough.
Involve did not mean seek your view and made changes to addrfess our current problems !!!
Beware of a con man job !!!
I especially like this part :
“that the Singapore they want to build is a country that prizes not only economic success, but also one that does not leave Singaporeans behind.”
Yes, that is what I want. And if the PAP does not do it, the Alternative Parties can and will do it.
I am willing to give them a chance….
At stake tomorrow will be the direction Singapore will be heading in years to come.
The well-being of Singaporeans vis-a-vis the foreigners.
The viability of the PAP vis-a-vis the Opposition.
Singaporeans as a majority vis-a-vis Singaporeans as minority.
Cost of housing vis-a-vis CPF savings.
Cost of education vis-a-vis availability of places
More manufacturing jobs vis-a-vis more services jobs
people or pap wants you to think that this election is about replacing GY by CSM.
The thing is we forget that despite her prominence and ability to serve, Nicole seah probably won’t get elected and Tin pei ling will become an MP.
Is this sensible?
We need to put an end to the ridiculous GRC system.
Why not now?
Nice and objective post. And this reminds me of the MPs (1 that served Simei, and the current).
I went to a Meet your MP session about 5 years ago..maybe a tad longer. I met a certain Lee Yock Suan. After a brief chat about the security of the estate(which was a total disaster), I chose to end the dialogue due to his ignorance and arrogance. I walked out and an elderly gentleman approached me. He was one of the PAP volunteers at the session. He pulled me to one side and said that Lee Yock Suan is not at all interested in the interests of the residents of Simei. I asked him why do you say that since you are a PAP volunteer. He told me that Yock Suan was idle and did not believe there were any problems in Simei. He also remarked that Yock Suan did not like wasting his time walking about the estate (and Simei is such a tiny estate!)
Fast forward a few years later. Jessica Tan Soo Neo (or something like that) took over from Yock Suan. I went to see her about 3 times to discuss the same tired topic I raised with Yock Suan.
I found far too many excuses and inertia. Again, I met the gentleman whom volunteered during Yock Suan’s tenure. He told me not to waste my time coming! He said that not much was going to change. I asked him what he was doing here then. He told me that he wanted to serve residents.
I told him he had a heart on his sleeve. And I told him it was a shame that the person supposedly leading Simei was not the right person.
Enuff said…I never went back to the MP, and never will.
Please help (us and me) by voting in WP as I sincerely believe they will be much more approachable and responsive.
Very Well said, the word soul is bone piercing. And I am a quitter for I moved to another country for I am better off as a migrant than as a citizen. And better off not in monetary term but in terms of having a soul in my life. I just took part in my 1st every demonstration with others here and held a placard for the 1st time in my 40years. What can i say…it was such a tremendous feeling to say something else from the norm and yet being appreciated for it!
@Old Guy 6 May 2011
What if opposition loses all seats ??
What to do then??
EVeryday the same thing again..
: then lets be blamed of the nation people and the next generations also despise us for those who did not even bothered..
Not just the last 5 years were hell for Singaporeans. It was already hell for some people like Mr. Chen and his wife since the early 1990s.
Would the PAP relevant minister in charge investigate the following allegation that I was told as below?
A friend shared with me that her father Mr. Chen, an entrepreneur, was almost bankrupted in one incident sometime in the early 1990s because of Helen Yeo’s dirty job. Helen Yeo, a lawyer, is the wife of ex transport minister, Mr. Yeo Cheow Tong.
Mr. Lim, a partner of Mr Chen, engaged Helen Yeo who helped him make a false police report about the way Mr. Chen and his wife cheated him and the government of tax. The Police then convinced the CAD to raid Mr. Chen’s and his wife’s business premises one day after the police report was made, and took all their business records for an almost 6 months of investigation. Mr. Chen’s business came to a standstill for 6 months without the revenue to pay for the monthly overhead expenses and advertising cost incurred. Mr. Lim was earlier dismissed by the board after having been found to have secretly registered two companies under his brothers’ names and using them to solicit business from the company’s long-term clients. With his brothers’ help he also stole raw materials from the factory to produce product samples to send to the company’s clients and promising the clients that he could sell them at 30% less if they buy from his new companies instead of from the original company. Although Mr. Chen had also lodged a Police report of Mr. Lim’s raw materials theft case, the police, instead of carrying out a discreet investigation on Mr. Lim after evidences were shown to the police, the I/O called Mr. Lim and told him of Mr. Chen’s report and gave Mr. Lim time to produce evidences that he did not steal the raw materials. A week or so later, the I/O told Mr. Chen that Mr. Lim did show him his receipts of the raw materials purchase. Mr. Chen protested and showed further evidences that the receipt from Mr. Lim were dated later than the product samples he sent to the company’s long-term clients, thus the raw materials used to make those samples couldn’t be from his own purchase. A stock inventory made also found a huge amount of raw materials under Mr. Lim’s brother’s charge missing. Despite all these evidences produced to the I/O he insisted on dismissing the case. Was the I/O bribed???
Mr. Chen’s lawyer also discovered that the CAD had acted on the false police report that was sent to them by Mr. Lim just a day before the CAD’s raid.
Mr. Chen wrote to all 77 PAP MPs (and ministers) to complain and to ask for an investigation as to why Helen Yeo has such power to summon the police and the CAD to act so swiftly as if it’s a terrorist or life and death case.
During the pre-trial conference and the trial, Helen Yeo’s young lawyer dared even called Mr. Chen’s lawyer names, and the presiding judge did not object!
Why was the police force so obedient to Helen Yeo? and the CAD so obedient to the police? It was as if Helen Yeo owns the Police Force and the CAD! Even the judge was bias!
Despite that the CAD was informed with evidences that Mr. Lim was the company director, overseeing and in charge of finance, purchasing, marketing and the business entity operated by Mr. Chen’s wife, with another two of Mr. Lim’s brothers working in the factory, and that as such, Mr Lim’s claims that Mr. Chen and his wife’s hanky panky accounting to cheat him and the government could not hold water, the CAD insisted to press on charges. In the end, Mr. Chen’s wife was persuaded to plead guilty on the lawyer’s advice in order to save the running legal fees as CAD had the right to drag the law suit until they win because of face-saving, convincing Mr Chen and his wife that it was just like a traffic summon. The CAD could not have a case against Mr. Chen.
According to Mr. Chen, he wrote twice to all 77 PAP MPs and ministers but he received no response at all. In later years, Mr. Chen also spoke to one of the Straits Times editors and requested him to have the story of his plight published, but it was declined.
Mr. Chen is prepared to present himself again to help with the investigation if the Police and the CAD is prepared to dig up the dirt. If they are not, would our righteous PAP government press on the Police and the CAD to investigate this matter?
If someone in Helen Yeo’s law firm, or in the Police force or the CAD were doing Mr. Lim and/or Helen Yeo a big favor whether for personal gain or friendship, it is only fair to Mr. Chen and his wife that this person or persons be prosecuted.
Moreover, if someone who was in charge of filtering letters received for the PAP MPs and ministers he/she too must be probed into, as to why this was not brought up to the minister in charge, or the minister in charge also did a favor to Helen Yeo (Yeo Cheow Tong’s wife) to help them cover up?
After knowing what Helen Yeo has done as mentioned in that book, ‘Escape from Paradise’ there must be something not right with our judiciary system.
I think the people is also interested to know how could this happen in Singapore’s first world government.
Those involved must pay the price!
While waiting all the dust to settle, the article was spot-on for what’s tomorrow will be for all Singaporean. Many of us are contemplating for Vote of Change, saw a notion on PAP also trying reverse psychological (WKS) on voters in TNP, their media vehicle. Likely with all the voter from the aged, civil services, defence & SME (hands are twisted), overall they will still get the majority vote. Hopefully all likeminded voters here can be united and cast wisely to Vote for Change & make headway to more opposition into the parliament to be the voice. United for Vote of Change!!!!
If I get a soul voting for the opposition, I’ll rather not have a soul.
I think PAP botch this election, if the next one ends up with another apology, that’s it.
Yes,we have turned into a purely economic edifice devoid of a soul.Even normally stress-free,kind and compassionate Singaporeans have become obsessed with money and turned hard-hearted.
This is the handiwork of the PAP.
Why?
Because of the dollars-and-cents economic model pursued by the White Garment.
Because of this insane rat race with no finish line,that you,your children,your grandchildren,are forced to run, whether you and they want to or not.
Because everything under the PAP comes to possess a monetary value,otherwise the ministers cannot understand them.
Nicole Seah’s tears were genuine,mind you.
So were Lim Boon Heng’s.Alas,because he works under this soulless economic construct of the White Garment,his deep,personal religious beliefs have to yield to the dollars-and-cents monetization of the system.
All mainstream religious bodies here had categorically expressed reservations towards setting up the gambling dens.Did the White Garment listen?
Talk about listening to people’s views!
Just think,this LHL administration does not even give half a hoot to widespread religious objection.Your religion is something very personal,something very close to your heart.Yet the soulless ruling elites that lord over us can nonchalantly overrule even that.They would rather you focus on the cold GDP figures that they dish out now and then.Small wonder Singapore’s soul is now crying out loud,in a tsunami-like backlash,in the rally speeches of
the opposition parties.
Vote for the return of our soul!
Do something good at the polls for this beloved land of ours,our children’s,our grandchildren’s before they tweak the Constitution to create more difficulties for our gallant opposition fighters in the next election.
Gaze calmly at the peaceful horizon……for the New Dawn!
Hey, talking about Mr Tan Kin Lian… he has been awfully quiet during this GE. Was expecting him to add weight to the contest, or even join up or form his own party. Has he forsaken us?
True, very true! We miss it all along….this election is about the “soul” of Singapore.
Singapore (or rather the PAP government and mluti-million paid ministers are)is indeed losing its SOUL!
It is good that this coverage on the GE is captured by the overseas news(eg. Guardian, Australian news): that now they see that many singaporeans are disgrunted and unhappy. The pap has deceived the world that singaporean is clean and the happiest place to stay, but in fact singapore is clouded with Dirty Politics and people are suppressed and bullied.
By getting overseas exposures, the ugliness of the PAP are exposed.
fight for the low income, poor taxi and bus drivers who are over exploited!! yet they cant voice out…
most importantly, fight for ourselves and NEXT GENERATIONS already debts mounting before their hands.
also, for the greedy, rich and powerful, fight for democracy before the stage 1 cancer grows to stage 3 or 4 terminal stage, then what power and wealth are we talking about… you can leave, but you can never find a PLACE so good…
If George Yeo sincerely wants to change PAP, it is better that he does it from the outside. Remaining in PAP would put him under tremendous peer pressure not to rock the boat.
Changing PAP from outside the party, he would have 50% of Singaporeans cheering and supporting him. Even PAP would not be able withstand this tsunami.
It’s a BEAUTIFUL day, folks!! Heaven is smiling on us!
TODAY is OUR day!
TODAY is the REAL once-in-50-years happening!
TODAY, WE decide if the PAP’s performance for the last 5 years was good or bad!
TODAY, WE hold the key to OUR future!
TODAY, WE hold the power of OUR govt!
TODAY, WE stand up proudly as Singaporeans!
TODAY, it is WE who count!
Best wishes to my fellow-Singaporeans! May God guide you in your choice!
ys we need chnnges kie labour law, iimmgration policy,education policy, the way our money is used by gic and temesek holdings and many more.
this electon is fought on who can offer us better ideas not on tears and appologies.
the pap has lost its way when they allow casinos to operate here, kbnowing this industry will support loan sharking, prostitutions, money laundrering etccc.and big big social problems. Where is your moral standing pap leaders???/IT SEEMS U RUN OUT OF IDEAS ON HOW TO GROW THE ECONOMY ASK TAN JEE SAY TO BE UE CONSULTANT
George Yeo , will you work as opposition mp to continue your love for your people if you lose and earn 15k a mth which is a high salary category?
Prove it.
totally agree. I’d rather have a ‘rojak’ government that cares about the people, than men in white who are incapable of thinking of anything but their big fat salaries.
Wow.. this author seems to think he knows everything:
“It is difficult for me not to think of my 8-month-old son as May 7th approaches, and I decide what kind of Singapore I want him to inherit. And my choice is clear as day. Because I don’t want Ayrton to grow up in a society that defines success as a mad dash for cash, status and material satisfaction.”
>> Hmm… Bhutan seems like a suitable place for your son… they are the happiest people in the world. Maybe we can revert back to our fishing village too.
“I don’t want him to grow up in a country where you don’t stand up to bullies and allow yourself to be browbeaten into submission.”
>>> You just need to eat humble pie and stand up at the right time…. If LKY have not agreed to help the Japanese as a translator during WW2 then we probably will still be voting between UMNO and PKR. Learn the rules of the Poker Player.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gambler_(song)
“Nor in a country where ideas cannot be robustly debated or deconstructed, or one where he cannot challenge or question presumptions.”
>>> Very general sweeping statement… specifics please. If you read many comments in this site, you will find this true though.
“Nor a country where accountability and responsibility is non-existent.”
>>> Regarding WKS? Sure… this is a boo-boo.. LSL should have dealth with it swiftly.
“Nor one where you apologise not because you are sorry, but when you need to gain sympathy.”
>> I do not think it was sympathy he was seeking… he came across quite sincere in my view. Guess he can be guilty of spending too much time on internation/geo-political issues that he thought everything was smooth in the backyard.
“Nor one where character assassination is an acceptable part of progression.”
>>> Gee… You are so correct… the way they assassinated TPL’s character was so “ungentlemanly”.
“Nor one where the price for looking the other way is a fresh coat of paint for your block of flats.”
>>> Looking the other way? You meant there was no fresh coat of paint for Hougang flats for the last 20 years?
“Nor one where his freedom to choose his path in life will be compromised in any shape, way or form.”
>>> So you are a strong supporter to repeal Section 377A to enable one to freely choose his lifestyle?
“Nor one where we chose to forget to care for our elderly, the weak, the helpless, the poor, the homeless, and leaving them be is far easier than doing the right thing.”
>>> Which Asian country takes care of their elderly/poor/homeless better than what we are already doing now? Please enlighten me.
“Nor one where we mistake servitude as gratitude, and where integrity is only a buzzword and not a principle to live by.”
>>> Are you insinuating some lack of integrity somewhere? Please be more specific. I like to know more about this too.
“Nor one that allows our humanity to be sucked out of us and replacing it with the Singapore dollar.”
>>> You want Malaysian Ringgit instead?
How about the Rupiah? Or Vietnamese Dongs?
“Nor one where fear shackles and restraints our every move and decision.”
>> Hmm.. you show yourself to be an alternative lifestyle supporter again. I am not against that… nor do I support it.
“Nor one where arrogance is not only accepted, but richly rewarded financially.”
>> Hey… I love to be able to be arrogant and richly rewarded financially too… please tell me how to do it.
“If I allow that to happen, I would have failed in my duties as a father and a Singaporean.”
>> If I allow sweeping statements and untrue accusations hidden behind sublimal messages to go unchallenged then I failed in my duties as a ROD reservist and a Singaporean. By all means criticise with facts.. but also remember to give credit when credit is due… it’s a 2 way process which you should teach your son too.
Beautifully put.