(Oop sorry title of post should read: Will post 65 MPs be better
than their predecessors like Tan Soo Koon?)
elitejudger1 wrote:
Friday November 10, 10:17 AM - chnanel newsasia
MPs decry whinging Singaporeans, call for soul searching
SINGAPORE: Instead of harping on what the Government can do to
bridge the social divide, the spotlight in Parliament on Thursday
fell on Singaporeans. And there were some home truths told,
too.
"A nation of complainers" and "a society increasing reliant on the
Government for help" were among the sadder - and harsher - labels
mentioned. Member of Parliament for Sembawang Group Representation
Constituency (GRC) Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman started the ball rolling
when he called for "reflection and soul searching" among
Singaporeans. Dr Maliki noted Singaporeans had become increasing
reliant on an "efficient system" that handles issues on the
municipal and national level. He said: "When the lift landing of
our flat is not clean
we call the town council; when there are
mosquitoes in the neighbourhood, we call the NEA (National
Environment Agency)
if things don't improve, we go to our MPs or
tell the media."
While not advocating that the Government be taken out of the
"equation", Dr Maliki hopes to see that the "responsibility to make
the society work rests not only on those in the chamber", but also
on "the collective interlocking hands of four million
Singaporeans". For example, he wanted Singaporeans to reflect on
what they, and not the Government, had done to strengthen
resilience within their own families.
MP for Marine Parade GRC Lim Biow Chuan called on Singaporeans to
be more gracious and compassionate and said Singapore is fast
becoming a nation of complainers. While the Government can set the
tone, he urged Singaporeans to be "encouragers" - not only in
encouraging fellow citizens, but also pushing the society to be an
inclusive and cohesive one.
"What makes a country great? It is not just the laws
the
efficiency or the beautiful buildings but the people that make it
great," Mr Lim said.
East Coast GRC MP Ms Jessica Tan urged Singaporeans and the
Government to also provide an environment where "people can run
their own race". Using the example of a weekend running club, which
she is a member of, Ms Tan said the encouragement from each other
helps members to complete their runs. Likewise, she hoped that such
encouragement would make "the journey much better" for all
Singaporeans.
SO WHATS NEW ?
Party in powers for years by means of GRCs and electoral
boundary re-drawing and use of estate upgrading and monies to buy
votes during election.
Use of defamation suit to shut out dissent or alternative
voices.
Press under licensing control, editor got sacked for not toeing the
line.
MPs who spoke up were sidelined whereas those who toed the line
were given promotions or at least retained.
Years of meritocracy, corporatization of essential public services
through creative accounting, double-charging on lands and
infrastructures already paid for by taxpayers resulting in pushing
up costs of living of citizens so much so that transport, utilities
are forming 40-60% of lower-income families.
Problems were not solved because of hypocrisy and selective
comparison with worse-off countries when we could have done better
by upgrading the skills and mass participation of people in all
areas of practical knowledge applications which were denied for
years due to over-reliance on elitism and meritocracy which could
not solve problems discovered during last two recessions.
Does Maliki understand the above-stated problems which were
actually caused by wrong elitist top-down assumptions in all the
past government policies posted in various threats and "20 major
government policy errors to feedback unit".
If government MPs like him cannot understand the root cause of all
the disaffective divide and the rising gap between the rich the
elites and the poor then how could he have the basic quality of a
MP and how could he communicate with his constituents and expect
them to listen to his advice to cooperate with the government. He
as a MP who has been given higher profile position should belong to
the category who will be inclusive in overall views and
perspectives and not seeing problems from the elites' point of view
as as happened in Wee Shu Min episode.
It is to be noticed that MPs are not assured that when they speak
up on the truths they will not be penalised on their advancements.
This fear among the MPs need to be addressed by the whole
government first if there is sincerity in asking them to speak up
for the younger populations.
