March 23, 2010 by admin
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Written by Our Correspondent
An obviously frustrated Singaporean by the name of Tan Hong Ngan
has written to the Straits Times Forum today protesting against the
GRC system which has denied many Singaporeans the basic human right
of choosing one’s leaders.
Since the GRC was introduced in 1988, the number of walkovers
has increased steadily as the opposition is unable to muster enough
resources and candidates to contest in all seats.
In 2001, less than half the number of seats were contested
thereby giving the ruling PAP a victory on nomination day.
He felt that “having gone through GRC elections for the past
20-odd years, many Singaporeans have been sidelined in walkover
wards.”
The GRC system enables new PAP candidates to enter Parliament
either through the “backdoor” or riding on the coat-tails of
heavy-weight ministers resulting in the lackluster performance of
some MPs presently who do not deserve to be in Parliament in the
first place.
Though it was initially set up to ensure minority
representation, the system was increasingly abused by the PAP to
perpetuate its political hegemony.
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong admitted himself that without the
GRC system to “guarantee” new candidates of an electoral victory,
the PAP may find it difficult to recruit talented people to stand
for elections under its banner.
Mr Tan floated an idea which has been on the minds of many
Singaporeans as well: do away with the walkovers.
“I suggest no more walkovers. If only one party stands in a
GRC, the poll should still be carried out. The lone party must win
enough votes to secure the parliamentary seat,” he wrote.
Mr Tan also proposed that if the sole contestant fails to secure
more than 50 percent of the votes, a second round of voting must be
called.
PAP leaders have always claimed that the opposition dare not
contest in certain GRCs because they know they will lose there due
to the “strong support” the residents have shown to the
PAP and by default, they have “won” the GRC.
Though the date of the next election has not been announced yet,
a mini election fever has gripped the nation especially in
cyberspace.
Many Singaporeans are yearning for the election to arrive soon
to cast their votes against the PAP which has becoming increasingly
unpopular in recent months due to its unfair and discriminatory
policies against native Singaporeans.
In the meantime, a Facebook group
has been set up for all Singaporeans who want to have a chance to
vote:
“This group is for all Singaporeans who care about the place
we call home. We are the world’s only advanced economy where huge
sections of the population have not had the chance to vote. And
it’s a shame.
It is time to see real political competition in Singapore,
because we want the best and only the best to represent us in
Parliament. We want people who truly deserve that S$13,000 monthly
allowance for MPs to speak up for us in Parliament.”
In the past, Singaporeans trust the PAP to select the “best” to
represent them. It appears that the trust has now been
destroyed by the disastrous performance of some PAP ministers and
MPs who were “voted” into Parliament during the last general
election.
EDITORS’ NOTE:
Please join our Facebook page
here and
invite your friends to do so and help us exceed the number of fans
on the official YPAP Facebook page.
