Like JBJ, CSJ has courage which alone is not sufficient to
inspire the people.
Many people have been brought up to believe in kiasuism emphasising
on bread and butter, 5 Cs and their own jobs and material
comforts.
Given this kind of population, the incumbent party offers them some
appeals. They will continue to take a step back and say that
whoever can deliver bread and butter and move the cheese will be
their preferred government.
This is the name of the game. How do opposition offer people
something more than such materialistic gains and change this state
of people's beliefs.
JBJ and CSJ have made their contribution even if they could be be
counted upon to be capable to lead the cause of the oppositions.
They are still peope's defenders.
Song Jiang of Liang Shan, Kissingers and Chu Ke Liang are the kind
of leaders who are needed to lead the cause of the opposition not
just people with degrees and qualifications.
To begin with, Song Jiang was able to espouse a common cause for
the Liang Shan brothers who believe in his good faith and stick
with him to the last. Kissinger was smart and strategic enough to
bring out the new order of peace which consists of liberalising the
people against the common oppressions of people of his time -
suffering of people due to wars and ideological struggles.
Singapore oppositions do not yet come up with the kind of democracy
and openness the people need and want to realise the many new
challenges and struggles and to open up new venues of challenges
and opportunities.
The existing governing philosophy is one which may be described as
legalistic autocracy - gerrymandering of laws and legislation to
control dissent and present lop-sided views of the state to
perpetuate one-party rule.
The New philosophy which will engender the people will have to go
beyond getting people with qualifications and titles to join the
parties as ordinary people also need to be empowered to be part of
the common causes in the struggles. They too have the aspirations
and needs and they will want to be part of the overall challenges.
The new philosophy will have to offer them something tangible to
struggle for and triumph irrespective of their background training
and qualitifications.
Mass participation and practical knowledge application are the
common aspirations of most people. So beside manifesto, motherhood
statements, objectives the new philosophy will have to cater to the
common people who will then understand and thrive for a common
cause.
Our current legalistic autocracy has not sustained beyond
empowering the elites. Most ordinary people have failed to identify
themselves with such a system which to them is only Wayang or Cho
Hee.
Food for thoughts for all forumers during this period of election.
Good luck to Singapore oppositions. Keep thinking along this line
and keep trying and they will be rewarded.
