Predominant Party
System To End Soon in Singapore?
Written by: Gilbert
Goh
As this year draws
to an end soon, I wondered if there is any other year that is
filled more with drama.
From awfully regular
flooding in downtown Orchard Road to the recent demise of Mrs Lee
Kuan Yew, Singaporeans must be asking themselves if something
dramatic is about to happen soon.
It all started off
in July this year when there was much ground displeasure at
how the government could easily pushed its way through the
much-inflated Youth Olympics (YOG) $350 million budget
mismanagement.
Many also believed that
a single-party dominated governance may not be ideal for the
country as of late, the government seems lost and lacking in
direction.
Moreover, its
growth-at-all-cost direction means that many people suffer from the
consequences of its’ open-door policy as the effects of
globalisation took its toll on the low and middle income earners.
Many struggle to make ends meet and some have succumb to life’s
pressures with adverse consequences.
Increasing
Frustration Among Voters
There is also the
general belief that there is lack of transparency among the
policy makers and a PAP-dominated Parliament has ensured that
accountability can remain minimal with no apparent
consequences.
The general population
is increasingly frustrated that nothing can be done when they
feel that something is amiss. Many vented their
frustration anonymously on online socio-political platforms knowing
well that nothing can be done to change anything in real-life.
For example, the people
could not really bring the government to task when there is regular
flooding in the country whenever there is a heavy downpour.
The usual rhetoria issued by the PUB agency does not really
appease the frustration faced by most Singaporeans.
More importantly, many
have questioned: “Is there any other way that matters can be
resolved than constantly threatening the government with an
alternative vote?”
Worse of all, most
elections are won by the ruling party and many have took to
emigrating to escape the stifling political climate here.
In other countries,
strong interest groups have rose up and they have spoken out on
behalf of the people affected by certain policies in place. Many
interest groups were even invited by the government to present
their research papers so that they are always in consultation
before a legislation is being drafted out.
In fact, there is a fund
available for some interest groups to draw on so that their
activities can be properly financed.
Our government’s
ill-conceived fear that any interest group or society that
meddles into politics is harmful to the country has deterred
many from risking themselves too much in pursuing after their
cause.
After all, most social
causes have a political linkage and trying to draw a line between
the two is simply too naive.
There is no perfect
government in the world and those that function well has
learn to listen humbly and try to implement policies that
best meet the needs of the general population.
There will always be
some that will loathe whatever policies that are being put up by
the government but at least it must be seen to have shown
enough care and concern before a legislation is being
implemented that will affect the general population.
This is one reason why
our government is often being labelled as autocratic and uncaring
as the country is run like a corporation derived of any compassion
and emotion.
Its main aim is to
generate as much GDP as possible so that it is seen as doing well
when in actual fact, much of the population is living in poverty
due to a long period of depressed wages.
Predominant Party
System To End Soon?
Though our government is
trying to consult the population through mass meet-the-people
sessions, there is little to convince the people that
their ideas are being implemented. Some have even lamented
that such sessions are organised to show that the government has
done something to consult with the people even though the
legislation is already cooking in the pot unchanged.
Many also ponder
if there is going to be a general election coming this year
end. The million-dollar question to ask of course is: “Will
the opposition make any headway in our PAP-dominated
government?”
Some have optimistically
predicted that one or even more GRCs may fall to the
opposition in the next election due to the very bitter ground that
the government is now treading on.
To it’s credit,
the government has caught wind of the changing tide and
implemented a series of changes to appease the population:
1.The ever-rising
property prices were knocked back last month when the government
imposed a series of measures to intervene in the property market.
Many citizens have complained that they could not buy any
resale HDB flats as permanent residents compete aggressively for
such housing forcing them to retreat to a corner.
2. Slowing down the
influx of foreigners into our country. The government has promised
to slow down the intake of foreigners into the country as citizens
complained of crowded trains and lack of space at the
shopping malls. More importantly, the huge inflow of
foreigners mean that local citizens face intense competition for
jobs. Some have predicted that the reduction in intake of
foreigners may be seen as too-little-too-late as the
ramifications of the foreign-talent policy have taken root and many
citizens felt very displaced and disenchanted.
3. Knowing that ordinary
Singaporeans are very pragmatic people, the government has promised
to credit $9,000 to any male citizen who has completed
national service into their CPF account. Many netizens believed
that this is a desperate vote-snatching gesture which may not work
this time round as the money could not be immediately realised as
its placed directly into the CPF account for retirement
purposes.
Escalating
Political Interest Among Voters
Not since Singapore was
kicked out of Malaysia in 1965 did political interest reached such
a feverish pitch among the populace. Socio-political internet site’
readership gained new highs as Singaporeans tried to stay plugged
into the latest happenings. There was also heightened interest
among the young voters as they joined opposition parties in droves.
However, is this enough to drive political reform in our
country?
History has shown that
most democratic societies will face changes in governance after a
party has dominated for more than fifty years. We all have seen how
the powerful Malaysian UNMO party was miraculously deposed of its
majority rule by a resurgent PAS in the recent election. PAS
now controlled at least half of the states in West Malaysia
ensuring that a two-party majority system prevails there.
Mismanagement, talks of
widespread corruption in governance and racial politics have
all contributed to the political demise of UMNO.
In Japan, the same thing
happened when the Liberal Democratic party (LDP), holding office as
the governing party for the very long period from 1955 to 1993, was
knocked off its perch (source: insideasia.typepad.com).
The party splitted into
two factions during a turbulent period and political reform
came about when one reformed party managed to break free and formed
a coalition government with the opposition.
Political infighting,
corruption and a a strong opposition are all factors that led to
the downfall of the predominant party system in Japan in 1994.
Many have also predicted
that in Singapore, real political reform will only come about when
the PAP is splitted into two political factions competing
with each other at the polls.
Our weak divided
opposition has ensured that the government will remain in power
even though there are enough opposition voters out there. Many
simply do not have the chance to vote due to the walk-over
effect.
It is estimated that at
least one out of three voters will cast their vote for the
opposition in any contested constituency.
MM Lee Kuan Yew has
mentioned this political dynamics before when he commented that
there was a split within Parliament as a consensus could not
be reached on the issue of voting for two integrated resorts
to be placed in Singapore.
Nevertheless, such
political reforming looks a tall order here as our
Members of Parliament (MP) are tightly controlled and many do not
survive more than two elections. The short tenure means that
most MPs and even ministers do not have a strong political foothold
to do anything out of the ordinary. Our squeaky-clean political
environment also does not allow any dissent to generate
from the party chambers.
Most could not even vote
according to their conscience as the party whip is hardly
lifted.
Moreover, it is
clear that absolute power is held by a few strongmen in governance.
Besides the PM, the current crop of senior ministers such as
Minister for National Development, Mr Mah Bow Tan, the two deputy
PMs – Mr Teo Chee Yean and Mr Wong Kan Seng, still pull the power
strings behind close doors and remain very much in control.
Strongman MM Lee is also
a influential figure that could still hold the balance of
power if there is a possible conflict within the
government.
Singaporeans will
perhaps need to wait for at least another generation to pass before
real political reform can take place. After all, history has
shown that no political power can remain in power for more than 50
years and this must have provide clear relief for those
who are young enough to see through the political changes in our
country.
A good and common example of a TRAITOROUS Singaporean with
Rebellious Intent to cause social disruption to the peaceful
balance of all residents of Singapore.
The author, Mr Gilbert Goh should be ashamed being
a Singaporean and holding onto the Singapore passport...if he
is a Singaporean.
IT is a well-known facts that Singaporeans would restort to such
irrational and rebellious behaviour only when they have realised
that they are not in control of their own lives.
People who encouraged political reforms in times of chaos and
turmoil are regarded as Heroes and Revolutionaries.
People who encouraged political reforms in times of peace and
prosperity will be regarded as Traitors and Rebels. -
Such people are really the true idiots in our current society who
are constantly seeking some form of recognition to feed their
attention deficit syndrome.
So is Mr. Gilbert Goh a revolutionary writer or rebel? I'm sure
the readers are well-educated enough to think for themselves.
