I REFER to the report, 'Chiam's SDP exit: Wife speaks up' (March
29), and Dr Chee Soon Juan's response last Friday, 'No one forced
Chiam out: SDP chief'.
I do not know either of them personally, nor have I voted for
them. But I regard Mr Chiam highly as an opposition MP - he has
contributed in no insignificant way to Singapore politics.
Dr Chee, however, seems more intent on introducing a
confrontational Western-style democracy in Singapore. While that
model may work in some countries, it does not mean it is the best
and only model for us.
In the West, individualism is supreme. But at what price?
In the United States, something as basic and fundamental as
health-care reform has taken years to push through because of
bipartisan politics.
Teens continue to be shot at in schools because the right to
bear arms is more important than the lives and safety of children.
Politicians do what is necessary to be elected instead of doing
what is right.
Nearer home, look at what is happening in Thailand. Once a
peaceful country, it is now torn apart because of the
confrontations between two main parties.
Singapore is a young country with a multiracial population.
While we have enjoyed peace for many years now, our society remains
fragile. Harmony is key to our survival and our future. In this
scenario, political contests by rival parties based on a
confrontational approach are not the best model.
The West may not view this as democracy. But so what? What is
more important is that it works for Singapore and Singaporeans.
There are policies of the People's Action Party (PAP) government
I disagree with. And there are many areas it can improve on. But it
has to be admitted that the PAP has transformed itself over the
years. More and more, the focus is on bottom-up participation.
Also, under the PAP government over the years, Singapore has
continued to achieve progress and prosperity. The little red dot is
now the envy of people around the world.
To quote Chinese leader Deng Xiao-ping: 'It doesn't matter if
the cat is black or white, so long as it catches mice.'
The criterion should be what works and what does not, to enable
Singapore to achieve its best potential.
It does not matter if we have a full Western-style democracy,
partial demo-cracy or socialism that works the Singapore way. What
is important is that we continue to achieve happiness, prosperity
and progress based on justice and equality.
The opposition parties can and do have a role to play. That is,
if they are willing to be constructive, as Mr Chiam has been,
rather than destructive.
Patrick Tan
The article written by "Patrick Tan" is a no brainer to begin
with.
What has individualism got to do with confrontation
politics - and what has both to do with all the pitfalls of
American bi-partisan politics ?
Is American Politics the measure for all Western Democracies -
when there are closer models as featured in the British
Parliamentary System, and also the other democracies featured in
major European Union countries - as well as the model
democracies of small population countries such
as Israel and Switzerland ?
Since his first entry into politics in Singapore - has Chiam
been able to push his own relevance to make any impact to counter
or even influence the PAP thinking in any of the PAP policies
that were later apologised by LKY to be a mistake ?
Chiam has not even bothered with national politics beyond his
Potong Pasir Constituency - which allowed LKY and the PAP to accept
his existence.
If Chiam had been a force of some political substance - he would
have been deemed to be a threat to LKY's scheme of things planned
for LHL, and Chiam would never have been allowed to exist
politically.
Chiam should consider his lucky star to have lasted so long with
the blessings of LKY.
