Andrew Loh /
The General Elections have resulted in what PM Lee called “epochal” changes to the Cabinet. We have seen 2 Senior Ministers, the Minister Mentor, and 6 other ministers stepping down from the Cabinet.
The GE also saw historic achievements by the opposition parties which collectively brought the PAP’s vote share to its lowest since Independence. The Workers’ Party managed to do what many had thought unthinkable – breaking through the iron wall of the GRC system. The WP now has 8 MPs in the new Parliament. Mrs Chiam from the Singapore People’s Party is the 9th opposition MP.
PM Lee has said he wants to listen to the people. So did other ministers. While skeptics and critics of the PAP government were quick to question the PAP’s sincerity, it would perhaps be more important and productive to see how we as citizens can hold the PAP, and PM Lee in particular, to their words.
After all, citizens too have a responsibility and a role to play in effecting the changes that they want to see.
Yes, reform, renewal and change are not new ideas or goals the PAP is offering. Throughout the years, these have been constant promises. One of the most memorable instances was after the 2001 GE where the so-called “Super Seven” newly-elected MPs were inducted into the PAP and made ministers. Some of them have, in some people’s eyes, failed – such as Raymond Lim who has stepped down as Transport Minister and from the Cabinet, and MCYS’s Vivian Balakrishnan who has now been posted to the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.
But others have performed credibly, most notable of which is Tharman Shanmugaratnam who now is given several meaty and heavy portfolios.
But a switching of personnel does not equate to reform, as some have said. This is true. But one should not expect reform or policy changes to take place immediately. More probably these will take time and this is how it should be. After all, we want the changes to result in better policies, not worse ones. And to do this will take time.
Where citizens can do their part is to keep highlighting the flaws and failings of government policies. But to do this in a meaningful way, leaving aside the diatribes and personal smears for these do not achieve anything.
The elections have ended and we as Singaporeans should see the road ahead and realise that we are all traveling on the same road, trying to get to the same destination. Along the way, we argue and, to use Low Thia Khiang’s analogy, we may even “slap” the driver. But, and I am sure this is what Mr Low meant and he will agree with me, we “slap” the driver because we do not want him to drive us off course and into a ravine.
In other words, we want the best for Singapore and our fellow Singaporeans.
The Cabinet changes are a positive outcome of the elections, and the new Parliament holds promise.
As citizens, we are not outside of the arena. We are an integral part of it. And as such, we should take this opportunity to put forth our views, our worries and concerns, our hopes and expectations, to the government – and do so with respect, especially when we disagree vehemently with the government.
So yes, it is time to go beyond just compllaining and step up and help drive Singapore forward.
The job does not belong to just a select few.
There are various ways to go about being involved, which I shall leave for everyone to highlight and to discuss.
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Since MM has left cabinet and soon to ROD from politics (posting ordered by god), I think its time for the gov to appoint an independent board to conduct investigations into unlawful detention of political dissents and opponents by the PAP, in the 60s-80s, via draconian laws,if the new cabinet is serious in doing sth new for the people.
Specifically, Chia Thye Poh (32yrs), Said (17yrs), Dr Lim Hock Siew (19yrs), Dr Poh SK (20yrs), and 113 arrested together with Lim Chin Siong in 1963.. Also those arrested during Ops Spectrum in 1987 plus Fancis (72days)…
This is to be fair to 1st PM before he say bye bye to Singaporeans. Clear them once for all better than sending him to the international court. Like Saddam Hussien. It was a political massacre via abuse of draconian laws.
Besides bread and butter issues, Singaporeans must be brave enough to right wrongs done by the ruling PAP and its leaders, and send a clear msg to them that justice would be done one day. We should make history being 1st world citizenry.
Thanks Andrew for pointing out credible talents like Mr. Tharman, as an Indian he has done well but let’s not forget Mr. Shanmugan as well it shows that Indians bring a lot of value to Singapore. We should allow more capable Indians into Singapore so that they can also contribute to the success of this country.
Mr Tharman maybe a brilliant intellectual but he comes across awkwardly at social functions .
If you go to Indian functions and you see him speak (only in English by the way) you can feel the vibe in the audience is one that is pretty awkward and uncomfortable .
It is like Mr Low Thia Kiang addressing a largely chinese crowd speaking in the Queen’s English .
lolx
lolx
1. Make sure your MP speak up for you and the common people in Parliament.
Hold your MP accountable to:
- his duty to improving your neighbourhood and helping those who need help in your constituency;
- redressing flawed government policies and scrutinizing future policies;
- addressing outstanding issues of public concern e.g. ministers’ pay, the state of our reserves.
- upholding your Constitutional rights, the national pledge, ethical politics, a more just and equal society;
Keep writing and emailing your MP. Keep the correspondence. Mark down your MP if he is not doing his job but is busier making money. Do not allow such an MP to wayang his way through as Guest of Honour for events and then collect his MP allowance so easily. If you have a lousy MP, make sure you let his boss, the PM know. Remind the PM of his GE 2011 promises and his position that MPs are servants, not masters. Attach your correspondence with the MP (including his replies or lack of them) to substantiate your case. Make sure also you let the PM know that you will not vote for such an MP in future.
2. Take the initiative on neighbourhood and municipal matters – don’t abdicate this to the RCs, CCCs etc. Let those in the RCs, CCCs know they volunteered to serve you, not themselves. Organise community dialogue sessions. Make sure your MP respond to decisions taken by your community. If he says no, make sure he explains why.
3. Do not let SPH & Mediacorp get away with sycophancy or bias reporting. Let them know that we demand journalistic integrity. If they don’t change, boycott them.
4. Exercise your rights as a citizen. State your views boldly but rationally. Be wise in this. Refrain from scurrilous attacks. For more important issues, organise petitions and make these petitions public knowledge through new media.
5. Do not allow amendments to the Constitution – especially those that go against the spirit of democracy, without a referendum. Petition the Elected President if the government tries to push through unconstitutional decisions.
6. And when these things are done, and we have a transparent, accountable, responsible and responsive government, then let’s give praise and support the government when it does good.
PM has made the first right moves changing the guards for each ministry, but this should follow-up with more reviews of what has gone wrong and what needs to be done or undone. A strong leader is not afraid to re-do, even if long time stalwarts have to be removed, and policies rehashed. with 52 years of rule, the grimes are like barnacles overgrown and weighting down on a sailing ship.It will need high surgical skills to cut off excess fats, undue complications and take the bull by the horns to right what Singaporeans decried in the recent elections.
It’s still too early to pop the champagne yet….words has to be put into actions and into proven resutls before we should call PAP changes a success. The road ahead is still long and winding one…
Let’s hope the new team does better.
Ministers must be paid well. But hopefully they won’t tell us about benchmarking to GDP and bankers who make fortunes betting with others’ money.
ALMOST REACH 600 COMMENT IN JUST 7HR…………
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/mah-bow-tan-accept-responsibility-unhappiness-080240311.html
So the opposition does not need to have their feet held to the fire? A free ride for them?
It’s strange to see so many opposition supporters implicitly voicing more faith in the ability of the PAP to lead and sincerely hope that they succeed than the opposition.
What hypocrisy.
I urge my fellow Singaporeans that election period is just 1 week and it will be another 5 mre years before another come. Instead of relying just on political parties to represent u, we must organize ourselves in the spirit of a stronger civil society.
Like us, The Lalang we have succeeded to create a presence in Sembawang GRC by being a non-partisan, engaging body with different functions of the GRC. We want to achieve the best for our residents. Join us to make a difference !
We are the Change Agents.
Don’t wait for someone to bring Change to Us.
We have to bring Change to us.
Aljunied GRC is a solid example of change brought on by Change Agents – the voters.
Do we expect someone to change the FT policy?
I do not.
We have to bring change by voicing up.
Honestly,if the PAP govt want REAL CHANGE,they would not have any old how put ministers here ,there,everywhere.
hwo can ministers of previous cabinet who always ‘freaked out’ once every 50 years,er,i mean ,every now and then,still hold ministerial posts?
also,why so mny ‘generals’ like those who like to ‘KEE CHIU’ get appointed minister/s? arethere no better choices?
hey,if the PAP want CHANGE,IT MUST INJECT ‘NEW BLOOD’ WITH FRESH CONTRARIAN IDEAS;not the same lot of ppl from the same ‘block’ of wood.
how about getting guys like DR CHEN SHOW MAO to head a ministry?
anytime and any given day,DR CHEN,with his vast commercial and public-related expereinces,could be a better minister with vast potential?
why is PM LEE still partisan when the govt decry lack of talents?
isn’t guys like DR CHEN SHOW-MAO a TRUE SON OF SINGAPORE WHO CAN SERVE US ALL AS MINISTER,no less?
THAT IS WHAT I CALL ‘CHANGE’ IN ACTION,not some cursory ‘CHANGE’ in ‘words’.
IT IS STILL NOT TO LATE TO APPOINT PEOPLE FROM THE OPPO TO BE LEADERS IN OUR PUBLIC SERVICE.
IF WE DO NOT SO MUCH AS TO ALLOW OTHERS BEYOND WHAT LIMITED CHOICE WE HAVE IN A PARTICULAR FOLD/GROUP to serve SINGAPORE and SINGAPOREANS,with fresh outlook and inputs,we are DENYING singaporeans and the NATION,a possible better option of office holders,isn’t it?
why continue to be ‘partisan’ when so many singaporeans need the best of the best LOCAL TALENTS to help US get out of the current quagmire which is caused by the many bad policies of same appointed ministers in recent times.
MOM and MOH must immediately get to work and reduce the annual increment to CPF Medisave Contribution Ceiling to its original amount S$1000.00. The former health minister took advantage of this, to liberalize the Medisave usage as he pleased. The Medisave Contribution Ceiling was increased by S$2500.00 annually to the disliking of many old folks aged 55 and above, as they are not able to withdraw the excess from their Medisave Account annually after 55 years old, despite continuing to work at old age. The problem is further compounded if their housing loan is not fully paid by the time they reach 55. Many old folks across the island are affected by this rule and voted against the PAP. The wealth sharing package which takes into account the annual value of homes has also incurred the wrath of old folks. The next GE will be a watershed one, as not only the younger generation but the older generation too will vote against the PAP in increasing numbers, as more old folks will be affected by this exorbitant annual increase to the Medisave Contribution Ceiling. Existing workable policies must not be tempered and tinkered constantly so as to satisfy the whims and fancies of ministers, whose key performance indicators are increasingly believed to be gauged upon their abilities to generate more revenue for their relevant ministries. To use and increase Medisave Contribution Ceiling to justify the minister’s efficiency in addressing liberalization issues should be deplored at all cost.
Let us be reminded that the current state of the PAP is beyond repair! The PAP must at least try to overhaul these machineries to working order with one final chance accorded to them by the people of Singapore, whom they are supposed to represent to the best of their abilities.
The PAP must not constantly temper with the sentiments of the people by abusing their intellectual focus in enhancing their own personal standing within their own parameters of power. They are after all the servants of the people, not by metaphorical pronouncement but by compassion and conviction to serve!
MBT, why exit so early?
The fun is just beginning.
Why not wait for 1 parliament session to complete and listen to our new WP MPs ask you some enlightening questions?
MBT, why not you run for election. Sure win. Singaporeans supported you recently right? Singaporeans are so cute!
Changing the cabinet is not changing anything.
For starter, we must change the MSM and level the playing field. License must be given to all without prejudice. No repression or suppression of pro opposition news media. No more suing of people or jail opponents. Allow a truly free press. Allow the freedom to assemble.
Without this fundamental change, no one should believe that PAP is serious in getting the country back on her feet.
@Accountability of the opposition?, 21 May 2011
“…It’s strange to see so many opposition supporters implicitly voicing more faith in the ability of the PAP to lead and sincerely hope that they succeed than the opposition…”
I think you missed the point of the recent election results COMPLETELY. But then, it is feedback like yours that feeds the ruling party and explains why they still don’t understand the ground sentiment.
For your benefit, Singaporeans have voiced for CHANGE, not about renewal and certainly not for reshuffling of deadwood here and there in cabinet. Singaporeans are not clamoring e.g.: that median wage to be increased from like $5000 to $5001, but why it has remained at a pathetic $2500 for 10+ years whereas the ministers’ pay have skyrocketed to the envy of even the G8 ministers or Obama. We are not looking for alternative leaders that can confirm give us higher GDP but why there is a 37% foreigners to boost the GDP number game; etc, etc, etc..
I for sure would flame the opposition in the coming years IF any of their proposed policies get passed in parliament and subsequently screwed up our lives. Hopefully TOC won’t strike out such flaming of any non-PAP parties (note – they very kind recently – what I posted don’t gets dumped). Until then, it is only logical to flame the mistakes of past policies (with benefit of hindsight) than to comment on future policies.
To answer your question: I don’t care if the cat is black or white – as long as it catches the mouse. (quoting Deng Xiao Ping, I think; word in is my addition).
Guys and Gals,
What have we learnt about the risk of a 1-party dominant situation?
We dun want that anymore. I think 40% have said enough is enough!
WP may be the rising star.
We don’t want 1 party domination any more.
My point is , we need a third force that will exist solely as non-partisan. Its criteria for existence is to remain non-partisan.
Why?
If WP in future rules the land as the next dominant party, what happens? What risks could we expect?
The point is clear. For a Robust and Future-proof solution, we need the 3rd Force.
This is our Insurance.
..Kuala Lumpur (The Star/ANN) – Malaysian government officers who failed to follow Cabinet directives is one of the main reasons why top students in the country failed to get the awards, said Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) Youth chief Dr Wee Ka Siong.
Many students who deserved the scholarships did not get the grants, but those who did not deserve them had successfully obtained the financial assistance, he added.
He described the situation where qualified students were unsuccessful in their scholarship applications was the worst this year in all the years when he handled appeals.
Dr Wee said these government officers set their own selection criteria and did not follow what the Cabinet had decided.
“If this trend continues, many (ruling) Barisan Nasional (coalition) parties will have to close shop because such a practice will only scare away young voters.
“Many talented young people will also be driven away and this will make the brain drain problem even worse,” he told a press conference at Wisma MCA.
Dr Wee said students who scored full A+ in the SPM examination were not given priority during the selection process, and were only offered open scholarships for government matriculation programmes or vacancies at local universities.
An open scholarship for matriculation studies is financial assistance given to students only after they have obtained good results during their first year in the programme.
“However, students who obtained poorer results were awarded scholarships to study at universities overseas,” he said.
Previously, the Government announced that 300 of the 1,500 Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships were given based on merit, regardless of race.
Dr Wee said this figure was sufficient to cater to the 363 full A+ scorers.
One of the students facing this problem is Chan Shu Ren from SMK Chung Ching in Raub, who obtained 11A+ in the SPM examination.
Shu Ren, who was present at the press conference with her father Chan Ah Kau, was offered an open scholarship for the government matriculation programme.
“I have friends from the same school who only obtained 8A+ and 9A+ but received PSD scholarships to study in countries like France and India,” Shu Ren said.
Students Lo Chia Hwee from SMK St Teresa, who obtained 10A+, said it was disheartening when she was only offered an open scholarship.
She had worked hard hoping to get a scholarship to study medicine overseas.
Another student, Chai Sheng Min from SMK St Joseph in Kuching, who also obtained 10A+, said he only got a scholarship to study engineering at Universiti Teknologi Petronas while his friends who got 4A+ and 5A+ were awarded scholarships to do Pure Science in the United States.
Dr Wee said MCA would meet with PSD officials to discuss the problem.
…
Again when the gist of the article is to ask everyone to remain open minded and stop whining, the comments are still by whiners… Just disappointing… Sporeans should be more mature then complaining all the time. Change takes time and all of us have the next 5 years to access and decide again. So have some patience and look, listen and study the things that will be done in the future before shooting everything down again. It is never constructive to shoot everything before experiencing. Grow UP all the whiners out there!!
@ 2 cents worth,
Political correct but you can keep your 2 cents worth. Instead, pls provide some contructive ideas/feedback to the ruling party. Also, please encourage Singaporean to speak up and stop judging them as complainer. They are the ordinary Singaporean who hope and love for the country, rather than Bochap.
speakup made very good points
No woman no cry
no woman no cry
no woman no cry
no woman no cry
Say I remember when we used to sit
in the government yard in Trenchtown
Ob- observing all the hypocrites
as they’d mingle with the good people we met
Good friends we had and good friends we lost
along the way
in this bright future
you can forget your past
so dry your tears I say.
no woman no cry
no woman no cry
Hey little darling don’t shed no tears
no woman no cry
I remember when we used to sit
in the government yard in Trenchtown
and then georgie would make a fire light
as it was love wood burning through the night
and we would cook wholemeal porridge
of which I’d share with you
my feet is my only carriage
so I’ve got to push on through
but while I’m gone (I mean it)
ev’rything’s gonna be alright
ev’rything’s gonna be alright
ev’rything’s gonna be alright
ev’rything’s gonna be alright
ev’rything’s gonna be alright
ev’rything’s gonna be alright
ev’rything’s gonna be alright
ev’rything’s gonna be alright
No woman no cry
No woman no cry
Oh my little sister don’t shed no tears
2 cents worth
Sporeans should be more mature then complaining all the time.
…………
is that why YOU are not capable of lookin after YOUR own cpf’s savins?
so if your cork can’t stand…
limsiasuayed should copulate your wife on your proxy?
with or without his zorro mask on?
to go beyond “complaining”, it will depend on the powers-that-be on how it digest the “complains”, review policies, & adapt accordingly, for the good of the country & her people.
if so often “complains” are brushed off as gripes, noise, people dunno how S’pore works, daft, etc. den it will result in more “complains”.
can S’pore go back to the old old kampongs days where people take law into their own hands & administer justice like some villages that practises village justice? pmodern societies sacrifice certain level of personal liberty to elected govts (political leaders) in hope they will be better, more disciplined & organised & do things in a more systematic way than ways of the old.
but dunno why these few years S’poreans who “complained” are given decades old societies as a marker of progress… its way pass year 2000, realities have evolved… “complaining” is but a symtom of the root of problem/s. so its only fair that those who are in the power to act, do the right thing.
For us, they keep increasing the minimum sum etc, so that when we retired, we got nothing to take out.
For them, with pension, before retired allow to take out.
They are so very special.
PM Lee only wants to listen when we employ MORE CO-DRIVERS to SLAP PAP for their grave mistakes!
Abolish Minister Pensions!
If we can’t withdraw our CPF at 55 years old, why should Ministers be paid $$ Million till they die???
Scrapped d silly Special account in CPF a/c!!
Andrew, I am surprise that you assessed Minister Tharman S as performed credibly. If you were to be an engineer you would not have said that. Reviewing Tharman’s past Financial budget and you will see that there is a big problem although it’s a good problem to have. Tharman presented a budget deficit of $billions and ended up with tens $ Billions in surplus. The result was miles apart. This is no different from Vivian B bursting the YOG budget by more than 300%.
Well done, Andrew.
The rest of the externally critical missives are just drones under a spell. Their mission is not to see Singapore thrive, but to see PAP fall even if it costs our Singapore itself.
Yes, I have many very good ideas.They have never come to ask me.Should I give them all free of charge?
Authoritarian one-man rule exerted on key people appointed with influence by de facto power from behind the scene is the real danger in our system.
This is why we are taking forty years to change. This is ultimately the change we need to make – holding whoever is the PM, party and ministers accountable for mistakes and failures until we really see real change.
It is not an easy task for a few dutiful and righteous citizens but we have to know the real danger of de factor power and we need to be collective and try to neutralize and disabuse such de facto power.
Those good at numbers should help the rest interpret official statistics in the proper way.
It is said that there are lies, dammned lies and statistics!
No statistics should be taken at face value even when it is presented by a minister and should be analyzed for accuracy, precision and relevance!
That picture. Was he waving good bye or hello?
PM LHL retiring of party old farts was not meant to appease angry citizens but to consolidate his power, with the de facto on the death-watch LKY still stirring from behind gthe curtain. But heaven’s dispensation will ensure LKY see his empire collapse in his face and by his No. 1 son..and heaven will surely keep him alive for that day to come, when he will be too frail to resist…day of reckoning is near…
Thank yo Hq for anticipating my thoughts.I So many have been sacrificed while we slumbered over 50 years. It may be unbelief that this son of Singapore LKY could do us any harm. It may be the Asian mind to respect their leaders. It may be taboo. It may be a deep seated avoidance of a terrifying question: Has the PAP committed crimes against the Singapore citizenry over a period of 50 years? against individuals whom they locked up without trial on some pretext and others whom they destroyed and wasted by libel Laws wielded by compliant judges who bend over backwards for their masters.
Has the PAP done the above crimes so as to be the sole effective power in the country continuously, so as to be able to arrogate to themselves and their connected persons the role of managing the country’s wealth and enterprises at mind blowing remuneration, so that the Ministers here receive salaries as if they are on another planet?- a planet where Singapore is the top country. Just the thought is absurd but you have it now as calibrated by their current salaries.
If the answers to the above are Yes, then I suggest you make a complaint to the UN Human Rights Council. You can Google it, and follow the instructions to make your complaint. When there is a critical mass of the citizenry complaining then the UN may be persuaded to get the PAP to speak up on our accusations. Fifty years of criminal activities will be difficult to explain away in the face of the largesse they brought to an almost unchanging select group of elites.
The Committee to review the Ministerial Salaries is a big Conflict of Interest exercise like a lot of things the PAP does in Singapore. Each and every member has earned or is earning his or her keep through the Government as in Government- linked companies or Government work. Especially deleterious is the choice of the Lawyer from Allen and Gledhill. This is one of the firms that handled the libel cases of the PAP and out of this firm also arose a champion, our present Minister for Law. Can you tell me that a man from a firm who is fed so well by the PAP can be unbiased and that his interests does not conflict?
My fellow citizens, reject the Commitee. I suggest to use international business consutants to determine the Ministerial Salaries. Each political party including the Ruling Party can appoint one consultant and then we shall have the results from about 4 or 5 consultants which shall indicate the level of Ministerial salary for each Parliamentarian including the President. The average of the result sould give the actual salary payable to each office holder.
The PAP worships the foreign talent. In this crucial matter, I am sure that they cannot object to the appointment of international business consultants to determine the Ministerial Salaries- unless they want that conflict of interest lurking in each committee member to work positively for them.
Hope the “No business as usual ” mindset change from the top will flow down to the Civil Servants and Stat Boards official to relook at policy and tweet them to benifit Singapore and local companies.Help them to grow capability to compete internationally.
We need to be bold and not accept status quo to make a real difference to the life of ordinary Singaporean .
All the best to Singapore.Time for Change for the better.