http://power2thepeoplesg.blogspot.com/
Voting for Opposition a bad move? What about Check and
Balances?
Fearful of supporting the opposition? I think, firstly its probably
due to the government swinging the Sledgehammer, with "ISA"
engraved on its side so prominiently in the past. Every time I talk
about how much I respect people like Jeyaretnam, Chiam See Tong and
about how much I root for the opposition parties... it really
saddens me, to the point my heart aches, to hear my loved one tell
me " Please think of your future, don't get into trouble".
Opposition politics is synonymous with trouble? It really saddens
me, it is a very real sign, to me, that there is an acute need for
political reform. To quote the venerable Mr Jeyaretnam "A complete
and thorough reform of the system" "no more tinkering".
Then there is another kind of fear, As Mr Lee Kuan Yew had once
said - paraphrase "Elections are about your futures and your
children's' futures" It really does make one, standing in the
voting booth stop and think doesn't it? Especially those who have
families or kids to raise. He does seem to have a talent for it
doesn't he? Striking fear in the hearts of people... one way or
another.
Many people worry, or fear, that voting the for the opposition will
threaten the security of this country, both civic and economic
security, if indeed, the PAP is to be ousted from its entrenched
seat of power. The operative word being "if". yeah, I know it
sounds kinda pessimistic.
A thought I was toying with, there are many people whom I have come
across, see the sledgehammer of the PAP and don't really like it.
Some would like to see more transparency and accountability from
the government. Some feel that more press freedom is in order, but
if these people voted for PAP, why?
My take?Here's where they trip, they are not willing to risk the
economic future for checks and balances. They don't see the
perceived required calibre within the opposition at the moment, so
"hmm ok I'll vote PAP for now till WP/SDA get better people"
becomes a common self justification line they use for voting for
the incumbents or PAP. But its no impossible to find capable people
isn't it? even in a coup de'tat like in thailand, they still found
people to run the country. But thats far from what we should be
doing tho, just saying that its not impossible to find capable
people.
So how will Singapore get a credible
opposition?
Firstly, a credible opposition doesn't equate to overthrowing the
government, or even a revolution. Overthrowing the government is
not the objective here. Placing a credible opposition in parliament
has to start gradually, by taking small steps....
Firstly, the opposition has to build up strength.... which so far,
WP is ahead among the opposition parties, but not enough, yet.
Although its a rather significant step. They do not have to match
the PAP, man for man. Its a big step, considering 15-20 years ago
or even 5 years ago, if a graduate were to openly join an
opposition party, chances are, that there was actually a social
taboo attached, even regarded as insane by some. Get enough talent,
win a GRC, or even 2. Establish a foothold.
Then the 1st real step to the main objective to establishing Checks
and Balances. Something I consider the Achilles heel of the PAP,
hard to get to, but when you get to it, its the key. What is the
most important key to rule? Its the absolute power and control of
the law. And what is the supreme law of the land? It is the
Constitution of The Republic of Singapore.
So the first step is to wrest away total control of the
constitution from the PAP. As many of you already know, 66% votes
in parliament gives them(PAP) the right to amend the constitution,
and thats where PAP gets its power. Having all but 2 out of 84
seats in Parliament, needless to say that the PAP has absolute
control over the constitution. Amendment to this act, introduce
that act, amend this act, introduce that act, easily done to
entrench themselves. Like what they did to the elections act, and
also amended the constitution to give the PM the power to appoint
Judges and CJs, on short term contracts, which means, also gives
him the right to "not renew" those contracts on "unsatisfactory
performance" and I leave the definition of "unsatisfactory
performance" you to your imagination.... I think it has got
something to do with Lee and son and all their libel
suits....
Anyway, I digress, first major objective, is to gain like 40% seats
in parliament.. PAP will still be in power, with most of their
ministers still in cabinet, just that the power over the law will
no longer be absolute. And when that happens, the opposition
parties will start to have more credibility to attract capable
people. Joining the PAP will no longer be a nobrainer for potential
politicians. Voting will then really involve serious deliberation
on the part of the voters. Bear in mind, the first step is to wrest
absolute power from PAP's hands
Competition can breed quality.... absolute power can breed
stagnation, and then corruption..
The ultimate goal, is to win at least 66% and then remove all
entrenching amendments from the constitution. Relinquish the power
from the Executive to appoint judges. The police force, answerable
to the whole parliament, not just 1 minister. These are things to
watch out for when a new party does take over. If a new party take
over, and still retains all the entrenching laws, we might just get
another PAP, but by another name.
Think about it, lending your support to the opposition may not be
such a big a risk as the PAP may have you and I believe. Do you
honestly think that singapore will crumble if PAP has 60%
seats?
Well thank you for reading this longish essay, if 1 out of 20
people who read this, begins to lend his or her support to the
alternative parties, I would be glad to have been able to even make
a small difference.
Competition can breed quality.... abosolute power can breed
stagnation, and then corruption.
