This, is what I call an airing of opnion in black and
white.
Very well written indeed!
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Strong mandate? I beg to differ
May 9, 2006
The Straits Times
I AM not alone in wanting to beg to differ that it was a strong
mandate that was given to the ruling party. Being in denial that
there is genuine unhappiness and discontent among Singaporeans with
regard to policies, cost of living, health care, disbursement of
funds, etc, will only sway more voters to favour the opposition in
the next election.
For every vote that was lost represents a voice that is asking for
accountability, for answers, for checks, for changes, for help and,
perhaps, more transparency.
The fact that voters in the opposition wards of Hougang and Potong
Pasir rejected the ruling party's $180 million offer linking ward
upgrading to the election of its candidates proves that votes
cannot be 'bought'.
Let's not forget that regardless of which ward they come from, each
and every one of them is a taxpayer and deserves the same amenities
and packages lined up for the PAP wards. The ruling party has a
duty of care to all Singaporeans young and old, pro-PAP or
otherwise.
Such calculated measures should have no place in a First World
nation that strives to produce a gracious society. When integrity
has been made to be synonymous with the name PAP, then it should be
applied in this aspect as well.
I also hope that the minority-candidate-form saga would be closed
for good. There are far more important issues.
The ruling party has encouraged open and serious debate and though
the country may have progressed and moved forward, very little
improvement has been made to help Singaporeans with the high cost
of living.
There is a wide gap between the party members and the people simply
because while the party members have made big leaps in this race to
get us forward, the people themselves continue taking small steps
to catch up.
There seems to be only one set of opinion that is allowed and I
felt stifled reading the papers and watching the broadcast media in
the past nine days.
Voters have evolved dramatically over the years and they should be
given a choice in every aspect, for the good of this nation.
Phyllis Christe (Ms)
