GE 2011 Chiam, Low should stay put

Clivebenss SG

I AM concerned that Mr Chiam See Tong and Mr Low Thia Khiang may leave their single-member wards in Potong Pasir and Hougang respectively to lead a team each to contest a group representation constituency (GRC) in the coming general election ('Gunning for a GRC'; March25).

There can be only two outcomes.

One, Singapore may lose two Cabinet ministers and up to 10 existing and prospective key political appointment holders.

The self-renewal process within the People's Action Party (PAP) may also be derailed.

Two, Singapore may lose two respected, veteran opposition leaders whose alternative views are valued by most citizens.

I appeal to Mr Chiam and Mr Low to do what is in Singapore's best long-term interest.

Already, there will be more single-member constituencies (SMCs) in the upcoming GE. A number of rules which opposition parties griped about have been relaxed.ï¿½

Mr Chiam and Mr Low have also told the press that opposition parties do not have the strength in depth to govern just yet.

I do not see how the electorate can win, regardless of the outcome, if the two opposition stalwarts up the ante by leading a GRC opposition team each.

Should opposition parties aspiring to form the government not take a longer-term view by preparing themselves better and not squander precious credibility?

Is it in Singapore's long-term interest if an opposition party wins a GRC in the upcoming GE?

Ang Kok Thiam

Clivebenss SG

MR ANG Kok Thiam ("Chiam, Low should stay put"; last Saturday) worries that Singapore would go down the drain if the opposition were to form the next government. His fear is valid at this point in time.

On a more likely scenario that the ruling party loses a group representation constituency (GRC), Mr Ang fears that Singaporeans will lose some key political appointment holders.

One implication of Mr Ang's suggestion is that the People's Action Party will always remain in power because of the GRC scheme. By putting one or more heavyweight ministers in a GRC, voters are told that "good leaders" will be lost if they do not use their votes carefully.

If this is true, it is sad for the opposition and Singapore democracy. Are political leaders from the ruling party indispensable?

Mr Chiam and Mr Low should not stay put. On the contrary, they should strive to do better, for themselves as well as for Singapore's political landscape. Even if they lose, we should salute them for trying.

The status quo will yield at best only two opposition members in Parliament whose voices will continue to be drowned by the overwhelming majority.

Daniel Chan

Clivebenss SG

freedom of choice.

Nelstar SG

Well, MIW can donate a few ministers:

1. Yakult Iblamerain

2. Marlboro Tan Boh Chu

3. Wrong Claim Sent

Clivebenss SG

Well, MIW can donate a few ministers:

1. Yakult Iblamerain

2. Marlboro Tan Boh Chu

3. Wrong Claim Sent

ok, they can recieve good $mil pension.

SevenEleven SG

Go for the GRC Mr Chiam. Politics is not all about degree and certificates. If Lina can prove that she has the passion to serve the people, she can win her seat in Potong Pasir, at least and not waltz in under the GRC system

Clivebenss SG

Mrs Lina Chiam may not be eloquent, but she has compassion that seems to be lacking in the whole debate. We need someone with a heart to serve the people. Skill can be acquired, compassion is a virtue.

Nelstar SG

ok, they can recieve good $mil pension.

Over-decentralisation is causing so much problem and the top brass is missing the important social points.

I rather pay them now, than to increase they pay to do worse. They could do much worse.

Clivebenss SG

Mr Ang Kok Thiam states his concern about opposition figures Chiam See Tong and Low Thia Khiang leaving their single-member constituencies (SMCs) to contest in a group representation constituency ("Chiam, Low should stay put"; April 2).

He advocates Mr Chiam and Mr Low remain in their SMCs for the long-term benefit of Singapore. By doing so, Singapore would retain the alternative views of these two opposition leaders and at the same time allow the People's Action Party (PAP) to continue with its self-renewal process.

However I respectfully disagree with Mr Ang's view.

I believe the potential loss of two Cabinet ministers, prospective key political appointment holders and the derailment of the PAP's self-renewal process cannot be equated to being against Singapore's long-term interest. We should not see the interest of a political party to be the same as the interest of our country.

Interestingly, if it is in the long-term interest of Singapore to both allow the PAP its leadership renewal process and to retain alternative views given by Mr Low and Mr Chiam, then perhaps while Mr Chiam and Mr Low should stay put, PAP also should not contest Potong Pasir and Hougang SMCs.

This I believe, makes a mockery of Singapore's democratic electoral system. Therefore, political parties should be free to contest wherever they choose to. Elections allow the people's will to be expressed and the best party will naturally win the elections.

Carl Yeo

ditzy SG

If those 2 opposition veterans have already made their decisions, its firm and final. No amount of letter writing is going to sway their decisions. So I recommend all singaporeans to shut up, sit down, wait, and see.