I read through this post and I found several interesting
comments by the people here. I'll list them here and explain
why.
"Last time CSJ also shout at Kopi
tiam at Goh Chok Tong, i was very young then, but even as young as
i am, i still find the opposition very barbaric and ungentlemen to
call the then PM of Singapore, "Woei, Lau Goh..."
CSJ shout at Goh Chok Tong barbaric and ungentlemen?
1) Link:
http://www.fu-singapore.uni.cc/videos/pm_lee_fix_the_opposition.html
If the Opposition gets voted in, PM Lee will spend time FIXING
them instead of devising the right policies for Singapore.
Is this what you would call gentlemanly?
2) Link:
http://www.ibanet.org/images/downloads/07_2008_July_Report_Singapore-Prosperity_versus_individual_rights.pdf
Read the IBA 72-page report on rights in Singapore.
Defamation laws (Page 29-30)
"Dissenting political opinion is further deterred by reports
that no PAP
leader has ever lost a defamation suit against an opposition figure
in court. This has raised further questions about
the independence of the judiciary in Singapore when considering
free expression cases."
Defamation cases in Singapore 1959-1997 (Page
60-61)
"In the information above, it is evident that in just six
cases, PAP officials have been awarded over S$9 million in damages.
This excludes those cases, such as the one discussed above
regarding the Financial Times, which were settled out of court.
Meanwhile, the total for all seven non-PAP litigant cases is just
S$307,350. This
disparity is of serious concern for the independence of the
judiciary."
Is this what you would call unbarbaric and gentlemanly? Your
view, your call, your opinion.
"DO YOU HAVE A BETTER IDEA HOW TO
RUN THIS COUNTRY?"
No I don't. Simply because I'm not paid peanuts like our dear
and beloved ministers. However, without a better idea on running
this country, do I lose the right to voice my view and opinion or
criticise on their policies?
How many people who can't play soccer for nuts but yet shout at
the TV set at the players saying that they should do this, they
should do that, etc.
Besides, this is just me, I've seen articles suggesting
solutions/ideas on running this country more efficiently.
"Yes there was a poll on that my
dear, its called the general elections."
Using the general election as a gauge of how happy/satisfied
Singaporeans are is an ineffective measure.
"I'll vote for PAP this year, boy, because you enlisting into
the army, I don't want things to happen to you." - My Mum, a few
years back.
"I'm applying for HDB flat this time round, I better vote for
PAP this election."
One word; FEAR
Think about it, look around, listen to your neighbours, you'll
find out the interesting reasons they have for voting for the
PAP.
Secondly, Carrot dangling is another factor, although it did not
work to the extent that the PAP would want it to during the last
election.
MM Lee says there are no money politics in Singapore. I have to
agree with him. There are only 1) Progressive Packages, 2) GST
Rebates, 3) HDB upgrading, etc
Third, yes there are anonymous voting in Singapore. Hey, what's
this serial number on my ticket?
"No, Poh i'm not a PAP supporter,
but i don't really think the things you say here about PAP are
true."
Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Action_Party
"Internet
In February 2007, The Straits Times reported that
PAP's "new media" committee, chaired by Ng Eng Hen, has initiated an effort to counter
critics in the Internet. It has members posting anonymously at
Internet forums and blogs to rebut anti-establishment
views.[6]"
I notice one thing about PAP supporters, they would almost
ALWAYS start off with "I'm not a PAP supporter but..."
Now, I'm not saying you belong to PAP "new media" committee, I
just hope you are an ordinary Singaporean with a different view and
opinion. It would be totally pointless for me to talk to PAP's
loyal best friend, if you understand what I mean.
"We youth feel so sad that Uncles
today still unable to overcome the current ruling party, and in the
inability to do it, they try to force us to do it, saying we are
coward, influenced by media, inheritance voting and all kinds of
nonsense, what are they trying to prove when they cannot even wins
a single election after all these years."
They didn't win because...
1) Fear factor - See above
2) Carrot dangling - See above
3) Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerrymandering - Scroll down
to Singapore.
"Singapore
In recent decades, critics have accused the ruling People's Action Party
(PAP) of unfair electoral practices to maintain significant
majorities in the Parliament of
Singapore. Among the complaints are that the government uses
gerrymandering.[21]
The Elections
Department was established as part of the executive branch
under the Prime Minister of
Singapore, rather than as an independent body. [22] Critics have accused it of giving the
ruling party the power to decide polling districts and polling
sites through electoral engineering, based on poll results in
previous election. [23]Opposition parties have alleged that the
Elections Department decisions have given unfair advantage to the
ruling party and have affected the outcome of some electoral
battles.[24][25]
Critics point out the dissolution of the Group Representation
Constituencies (GRC) of Cheng San GRC and
Eunos GRC. Each was
dissolved by the Elections Department with voters redistributed to
other constituencies after opposition parties gained ground in
elections. [26] Such action was controversial. Critics
have speculated about the possibility of the Elections Department's
dissolving next the Aljunied GRC in
the next General Elections, likely in 2010 or 2011. The opposition
Workers' Party gained ground there in the General Elections in
2006, when it earned approximately 44% of the votes.
PAP strongholds, such as Tanjong Pagar
GRC and Ang Mo Kio GRC,
where Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and Prime Minister Lee Hsien
Loong respectively contest, have seldom been contested by the
opposition. When Ang Mo Kio GRC was last contested in 2006, the PAP
has won
66% of the votes."
4) High electoral fees
5) Other factors
Of course, other factors would/might include the possibility
that the opposition are not up to standard or expectations.
However, I'm sure all these factors interact with one another to
present the current beautiful situation in Singapore.
"Cos they knew that Sg Uncles are
only good in talking like a cockerel..."
I've seen several arguments challenging oppositions or
pro-oppositions to present a better idea to run singapore, to take
action and not just talk.
Have you ever wondered what CAN we do?
Submit articles to the media? Voice out opinions at Channel news
asia forums? Freedom of speech? Sounds good, until you realize that
everything is censored. You are reading what they WANT you to
read.
To conclude this, I would strongly encourage all pro-pap
Singaporeans to read the IBA-72 page report, it should give you a
some insight on the current situation in Singpaore.
However, if you belong the "new media" commitee of the PAP, I
would instead suggest you sue IBA for defamation/slander/libel or
whatever to prove them wrong. For years, oppositions have been sued
if they said anything deemed wrong by the PAP. Since the PAP said
that the IBA is wrong, why not sue them? Else, you would be
admitting to the authencity of the 72 page report.
