~by: Ghui~
In the article entitled “Silent Majority is truly disturbing” (Yahoo! News, 19 Jan 2012), the differences between the supporters of opposition parties and PAP supporters were pointed out. While the supporters of opposition parties were prepared to make their voices heard, the PAP supporters were dubbed “the silent majority”. Indeed, the article cautioned the PAP to take heed of this deafening silence and to reflect accordingly.
The prescient question however is whether it is the PAP supporters who have fallen/remained silent or if it is the opposition supporters who have gained momentum? Same difference some might say but I beg to differ for it is in that fine line of difference that votes are lost or gained.
Apart from its heyday in the 60s and 70s, have PAP supporters ever been vocal in their support? As far as I can remember, PAP events were always straight laced and orderly ones. Certainly, they are not events where you can go beyond a polite nod, clap or handshake. While PAP supporters were always outwardly respectful and even reverential, they were never spontaneous. Was this so called “Asian conservativeness” or fear? Perhaps a little bit of both.
By painstakingly ensuring structure and order at all costs, the PAP has managed to suppress dissent. But in so doing, there was a price to pay. In return for a well-behaved society, the PAP also eroded any form of outspoken, all guns blazing support.
The people who support the various opposition parties have always supported them, albeit quietly. The advent of the Internet and the proliferation of social media websites coaxed them out of their shells. As the various opposition supporters banded together on the Internet, people found strength in numbers and the movement gained momentum.
In any democratic election, the supporters hold as much sway as the candidates themselves. While the candidates and their respective parties stand for certain causes or policies, it is the supporters who promote these policies to the masses. Glossy posters and well-edited videos can only do so much. It is the word on the street and coffee shop chats that truly count! What is the point of a low-key political rally where supporters remain controlled and wooden? It is when attendees chant and cheer that opinions are shifted and views are converted.
Opposition rallies are seldom quiet affairs. The police presence only stokes the crowd’s curiosity and as numbers swell, people gain confidence. So instead of quelling support for the opposition parties, the extra policing serves only to enhance such support. With no other viable outlet for expressing dissent, opposition supporters therefore go all out at such rallies. As emotions run high, political opinions are formed and votes are earned.
While the results of GE 2011 were deemed “watershed”, its makings began a long time ago and with each election, the opposition parties and its supporters, gained foothold.
The opposition supporters were always there. They have simply been “switched on”. As for the PAP supporters, they were always silent. The silence is simply glaringly obvious now in comparison to the more opinionated opposition supporters.
The PAP’s strict control is therefore a double-edged sword. While it ensured stability and “support” in the short run, it lost the hearts and minds of its citizens in the long run. When it most needed an outpouring show of strength, its supporters were lukewarm. The tepid reception of PAP’s candidates was contrasted with the sheer fervor that was lavished upon the Worker’s Party in GE 2011. This atmosphere was contagious.
For undecided voters who have grown up indoctrinated by PAP’s superiority but yet not lived through the euphoric 60s and 70s, the PAP’s Midas touch was but an unproven myth. This voter demographic is a growing one and one that is influenced by that “human touch” that PAP politicians are now lacking.
To win back the young voters, the PAP will have to relinquish its perceived insatiable need for control. To gain support, you first need to allow people to support you in an unscripted manner. Some laxity would be a good way to start.
rubbish.
I think you have read too much into the articles. It is obvious that what the author trying to express was that if there is really 60.1% PAP supporters like what our election result had indicated. Where are these supporting voices that should come into PAP defense when the online is full of opposition noise and accusations. It leave you to the imagination.
fpc, is this the best u have? HAHA. Good article!
I think the pap supporters could include cibil servants who are very regimented by profession so much so its their way of life. Nurtured.
I was once a soldier during my ns and understands how regimental the life style is.
I saw a guy in his 50′s and have a short hair cut and wearing airforce t-shirt. He takes out his iphone and reads the news. Guess what news?
Cna and ST.
Enuff sed.
Mr Ghui thanks for the well written article.
Among the silent Papig supporters there have been a diametric change. They are now supporting various opposition leaders. The Presidential Election had benefited the opposition. Within the silent majority a sizeable percentage were fence-sitters.
Many felt diappointed that the Opposition did not win enough seats as they would have wished. Much later in the post mortem it was analysed that the GRC system is flawed.
Another factor that have to be taken into consideration is the ‘Nue Singaporeans’ mostly coming from China and India in the last 10 years. The ‘Nue Singaporeans’ from China were delighted to see the freedom and order in Singapore whereas the ‘Nue Singaporeans’ from India were delighted to see the capitalism work without democracy. Both groups of the ‘Nue Singaporeans’ felt that lky and the Papies were the sole reason and voted for the Papies.
These two groups are set to increase in the 2016 elections as the Registery of Citizens is working overtime with ICA.
A nicely balanced article. I am an opposition supporter, but that doesn’t change the fact that this is indeed the state of things. Both the opposition and the PAP would do well to take note of what has been written here (if they haven’t realised it yet) if they want to make a good fight of it in 2016. And while I want the opposition to win, I DO want to see a good fight in that GE.
All things being fair, I support the view that there is a clear 40% of Singaporeans who are opposition supporters(reference GE2011) with another 15% pro-opposition supporters when it comes to the crunch (reference PE2011)!
I think PAP is fighting hard to try to sway this 15% but there are factors outside its control (such as recent CPIB investigation, recently debated high ministerial salary, “ponding” in Orchard Rd, rampant housing bubble, run-away inflation, etc) which is affecting this strategy. Therefore the need to activate Plan B.
Basing on ground level, do you know how many once a pap hardcores are now more than willing and decided to get rid of the pap party for good, people are getting very very sick and tired of the ways things are being screwed and still those involved get away scot free, people are suffering and when they are hungry, you know what can happen, right? look at Egypt….it can happen in singapore too.
Compare GE2011 60.1% voted PAP government & the 35% for PAP president, it’s clear that PAP no longer have a majority support here.
The numbers don’t lie.
So far PAP is still doing what they’d been doing in the past decades.
The ‘sorry’ from PM Lee is but a political trick & not much else.
Is this red dot fast turning into a black spot where its ‘lower citizens’ feel cast out?
Is this some kind of caste system in the making with more citizens falling through the cracks and becoming socially underclassed?
Are Neosporeans and Pseudosporeans merely stone steppers eyeing for the right chance to hop over to greener pastures? Or are they here to help boost the plummeting voting advantage?
Many questions shall remain as questions that beget more questions rather than answers.
My sampling of the electoral base tells me the 40% has swelled to 45% currently. The presidential last year shows a support of only 33% for PAP backed TT. Come 2016 the game will be different.
Is it just a silent majority not being concern about the new political awakening, or it is a daft majority who are fearful of being traced for voting againt the PAP? A good portion of our people are genuinely pro PAP because they benefitted under the largess of the ruling elite. Our leaders need now to fear how they can still rule and control when the working class and disenchanted with them and would turn against them. The elite is a strata of high-living-style people who have not been working for nation nor people during these past two decades…in fact very self serving and basically greedy with nothing to show for contribution..
your performance defines your demise, and speaks to your degeneration. Why blame the electorate?
Thanks to TOC for highlighting this about the silent majority.
Indeed, we don’t seem to find much pap support on the net. In fact, in the public places, when I talk to strangers, 10/10 are anti.
So, where does this 60% come from?
Thin air?
And I also feel that they seem to be invisible.
An interesting food for thought article by Ghui.
The way events had progressed since the watershed GE2011- no significant changes by the ruling party despite promises and apologies – GE2016 could well be the turning point for the opposition parties to rise to the occasion.
The wind of change is inevitable. Just embrace it.
Well, to be fair LKY said that he would rather be feared than loved, an advice that Machiavelli also dispensed.
BillyMa 26 January 2012
Sorry Ma your analysis is wrong. Even kids can see it.
I’m among the silent majority. The 60.1%. Stunning reults in any matured democracy. Right? Check out US, Japan, etc. . . .
“the 35% for PAP president?” Come, come, everyone knows fully well Tan Jee Say campaigned as the Opposition President. Try recalling his speeches, the walkabouts with opposition members, etc.
To be honest simply add the total votes of the 2 PAP cadres Tony Tan & Tan Cheng Bock. Dont be shy.
Singaporeans arent stupid you know when it comes to the crunch. They have eyes to see the REAL world out there.
The silent majority knows that it is pointless responding to the insults and stupidity thrown at them by ignorant bigot people. They act at the ballot box.
“In fact, in the public places, when I talk to strangers, 10/10 are anti.
So, where does this 60% come from?”
LOL. You just defined “silent majority” lor.
I think PAP’s silent supporters are beginning to make themselves heard – PAP should beware of losing their 60.1% in their effort to court the 39.9%…
By 2016, our Parliament House will comprise of many different Colours (and not only white). And these newly-elect parliamentarians from various Parties will strive to protect the Citizens and the Republic. Till then, let’s Party in the House!!
My friend Yam says he knows the truth about the silent ones.
How many of the silent ones are civil servants?
i know of a GLC employee and we good close friends back in our army days.
When i ask him to comment on political issues, he would say something like “due to the nature of his job he is unable to comment”. I mean it was on a weekend and outside of office.
my point is, i suspect some GLC employees are really self censored to the extent that it has become second nature. Fully nurtured.
They are just humans. Its a mentality thing.
maybe the population is immature politically.
if people are happy and content, what need have they to make noise?
PAP might not be best beloved, but they are definitely the best option and most rational people can see that.
most opposition party supporters only make a fool of themselves by making noise.
@Kim Lian and PAP supporter….don’t be too arrogant!
39.9% of oppo supporter will remain determined to make a change!
Pappies should be very worried now. If they don’t try new trick to win GE2016, they will be history!
LHL can only use his sorry-trick once, pappies supporters will not trust him if nothing changes. Btw, nothing has changed so far!
We need a change for the better of ALL!
Things are, in fact, changing for the worse. Right after the GE, all kinds of increases that add to the cost of living took effect; and many more to come. Hdb flats still remain unaffordable. The call for Tranparency and Accountability remains unheeded.
What else can be expected from these selfserving style of governance?
How to remind ourselves before the next GE comes? Remember the neighbourhood dustbin with the poster “Let’s Bin It!”. The poster ought to be re-written as “PAP, Let’s Bin It!”, and come 2016, PAP will be into the Dustbin of History.
during every ge, the “silent majority” always have enough votes to give you-know-who to form the next govt. so, what is the point for “ghui” to write another long-winded story like this ?
Silent Majority is a myth created by MSM and govt to label and divide an undecided group of SIngaporeans to camps and direct their ways of thinking, over reliance on the ruling party and finally in their voting. But information, transparency, latest exposes of misconducts/corruption, bad management,problems in our tpt,husing and flooding incidents are slowly opening the eyes and minds of these Singaporeans and their way of thinking.By numbers the 40% did not automatically only include the younger political aware and non ruling party voters but the number of Singaporeans from this so called ‘Silent’ camp joining other opposition parties and in their votes. The PE2011 further highlighted this growing trend where even grassroots ruling party supporters moved away from party executive orders to vote agst our 39% party appointed President DR Tony Tan.The Ruling party’s poor showing in GE2011 is a clear indication of this growing migration of more SIngaporeans to alt . views and votes.So there is not Silent majority or even Netizens.Such terms are coined by MSM and govt to keep people divided by majority thinking but trend is changeing and this labelling is losing ground.Singaporeans use the internet, online mediums, and now more on social media via own handphones and mobiles,Ipads vs just the computers. So no Netizens here but technology savvy Singaporeans and in summary Singaporeans.Stop the labelling as Singaproeans decide and slowly becoming active, and aware of their rights,right for information and right to question even the government or ministers who are their ‘Public Servants’ to serve them (away from previous Demi-God like Status And Avatars created by MSM & Govts).So Singaporeans will decide the future votes (not Silent Majority,Netizens or other divided and labelled SIngaporeans).
@lame
your argument is flawed because Questioning is not Anti.
Questioning is part of an intellectual process. To understand more about policies which are usually perceived to be not transparent enough.
You may have gone to a school and been educated before.
If so, you would know that those who often come up with pertinent questions are usually good students with good results.
Those without questions all the time are not those who understand everything. they are SHY and do not know what to ask because they do not understand enough to even ASK.
I challenge you to Question the policies else you are basing on Trust and Believe.
How much is the Total Lost in all the investments?
How much does it cost to construct a unit of flat?
How is subsidy calculated for citizens who buy hdb?
Do you have evidence beyond doubt for all the claims?
Dont be a disgrace to singaporeans.
singaporeans are too politically immature resulting in status quo.
Without understanding the mindset of people, one can never hope for change. If that is your attitude, then what is the point of reading TOC or making any comments at all? This defeatist attitude really gets me down. I was enjoying the train of comments until I got to yours. The article was interesting and the comments enlightening. Your one line is one line too much and your sentence is one sentence too long winded.
sg, read the article that TOC has hyperlinked to this. If you had read it, you will understand. Clearly you have not so your comment is based on ignorance and carelessness. SAD
sg and fpc are really sad
Next elections onwards we shall put pressure on the PAP to stop their bullying tactic of putting the ISD tower next to the stage in all opposition party rallies, with its videocamera and telephoto lens pointing not to the candidate but to the audience. This is not acceptable anymore. What is the real purpose? Isn’t it to intimidate Singaporeans? What kind of benevolent government will stoop so low to intimidate its own people? I ask the PAP cronies/trolls here to enlighten me and also to pass the message to your masters!
Actually, there’s another factor that require consideration – that is “Walking the talk”. It takes guts – good guts – to walk the talk. Yes, if you go around talking to people on the street, chances are many will voice their dissatisfaction of PAP. But when it reaches the very day of the election, suddenly all sorts of fear will kick in, and votes will still go to PAP. Of course, PAP knows that, plus they too have their team of psychologists – and they control the mainstream media. So yes come 2016, they’ll still win…Question is, by how much.
I just hope that people posting comments in TOC use their real names. It is easy to post irresponsible comments online and hide behind anonymity. On the other hand, if real names are used, there is a tendency for one to check and moderate the language, research the facts, address your counterparts politely, and not just turn TOC into a public toilet into which people pour their emotional trash. If your conscience is clear, if you firmly believe what you say, you should back it up by putting your name (first and last names) behind it.
To pap symphatizers
do you agree that much information required by the opposition is not given to them?
If so, have you dig your conscience why? is it fair?
Are the Opposition MPs not sworn in by the Elected President of the Republic of the singapore?
Are they Legitimately parliamentarians? Of course!
So, is there Freedom of Information for Parliamentarians?
Come on 60%, lets debate and impress us how right you are.
You claim to believe your chocie is right.
Come, lets debate.
Real gold not scared grilling by fire.
The Government of Singapore under the ruling PAP is practising the culture of Exceptionalism. This means that whatever is the status quo is the exceptionally right thing for the Singapore citizenry. With such a formalism there will be room for any deviation from the norm. Thus we have to endure the out of this world salaries demanded by the PAP office holders; the denigration of democracy as unsuitable for this Nation under LKY, the disregard for Human Rights as an unworkable penance imitated of the derelict West in a Nation under the chopstick Asian culture and so on.
It is this very violation of Human Rights as described in the article by Dr Wong Wee Nam that the ISD flourishes together with an errant, compliant judiciary to scorch the land bare of political activism. In short the political types in the populace have been castrated over decades of PAP hegemony and today they have become cowed eunuchs who the PAP accepts to move around their harems. of political power.
It is no exaggeration that with Exceptionalism as a device, the Ruling Party accomplished its wildest dreams. The most savoured is the one now enjoyed by the Regime: total immunity from scrutiny and change. "We are exceptional says the PAP, we do what we want and you go to hell" it says to anyone who becomes aware of the true state of affairs in S as had the Human Rights Watch Report January 2012 for Singapore.
The question is, should we the citizenry accept the Culture of Exceptionalism and so perpetuate the crimes against us by the Government? Or should we reveal Exceptionalism for what it is, a pernicious deadly excuse to make a nation of political eunuchs, a safe field for the PAP to plow getting rich beyond the reckoning for officeholders anywhere in the world.
Without the 60.1%, the 39.9% does not exist. Without the 39.9%, the 60.1% does not exist either.
After all the PAP or the TOC, you are correlated. You like it or not, at the end of the day, you are somebody ( PAP supported )'s somebody ( WP supported ) relatives in these little country.
The illusion and self-deception trying to separate I AM RIGHT YOU ARE WRONG only continue to drive you to your own grave.
TALKING ABOUT HUMAN RIGHT, I think you must be kidding —- Try talk to Indonesia or Malaysia about your minority Right and they will tell you what right you have.
I think you all have watch too much western movie and too much bullshit from the west. Try telling your f**king below Hillary Clinton or Obama, how they just let the devil ( just got a rank demotion ) walk free from the killing of 23 innocent people in Iraq or coming close to million death in the Union Carbide Gas leakage in India.
Your human right and freedom of speech is really peanut… Check with Holy Goh and he will let you know
PAP or TOC…. all the same…. What happen to the minister pay….. Press right calculator ( MInister salary review committee ) or Left calculator ( by your belove WP ) … the number still the same. Better still…. whether civil servants or super-charge YSL ( Hougang MP ) on woman affairs and corruption… the same GENE… the same DNA.
本是同根生，相煎何太急。 For the "KAN NI NA" TOC and PAP who know only ANG MO and ROOTLESS soul, You are from the same root why are your fighting and discriminating each other?!!
Ghui, you should place your article at TRE, and hope you don't get screw left and right.