MR TAN Siong Kuan argues that the People's Action Party's (PAP)
youngest new candidate in the upcoming general election, Ms Tin Pei
Ling, should be fielded in a single-member constituency so that she
can prove herself ('Wrong to let young candidate sneak in';
yesterday) .
It is extremely unfair to expect that of a young candidate. In
fact, if the PAP were to field a candidate with little experience
in a single-member constituency, I will not vote for that
candidate.
I will not, simply because of the confidence factor and the fact
that the candidate is new and unfamiliar.
Because of these reasons, it would be poor political strategy
for any party to pit a young and inexperienced rookie in a straight
fight.
The situation is different when a newcomer is grouped with
experienced politicians. I believe in leadership renewal. The
arrangement of having a new candidate understudy the experienced
veterans allows for a smooth transition.
It also gives the new candidate hands-on experience and
simultaneously allows the public to judge whether the new candidate
is indeed capable, without jeopardising public interest.
Monica Chia (Madam)
One test for all
'No party should let their new candidates ride on the shoulders
of heavyweight leaders.'
MR TAN HO GIAN: 'New candidates of all
political parties should be tested in a straight fight to prove
that they can stand on their own and gain the voters' respect
('Wrong to let young candidate sneak in' by Mr Tan Siong Kuan;
yesterday). These candidates should be fielded in a group
representation constituency (GRC) team only after completing at
least a term in Parliament. A straight fight should be the first
test of their mettle. No party should let their new candidates ride
on the shoulders of heavyweight leaders. New candidates should earn
their political spurs the hard way like the previous generation of
leaders. By the same token, the People's Action Party should not
let an MP who won in the previous general election through a
walkover join a GRC slate. All candidates must be tested on their
own steam, and earn their place in Parliament to gain the respect
of all Singaporeans.'
Earning her spurs
'It is unproductive for Ms Tin to spend precious time countering
negative comments.'
MADAM YEAP KIN HAN: 'My view, as a housewife,
is different from Mr Tan Siong Kuan's ('Wrong to let young
candidate sneak in'; yesterday). It is unproductive for the PAP's
youngest new candidate, Ms Tin Pei Ling, to spend precious time
countering negative comments. The simple reality is that she will
prove herself when she works the ground. Many may agree with Mr
Tan's argument that she should stand in a single ward to prove
herself, but we should remember that we all needed a mentor or
mentors to help us gradually fulfil our potential while we were
schooling, or embarking on a career. Mentoring is even more
important if one is serving the country. It takes hard work and
sacrifices by many people to create a peaceful, vibrant society. We
should not take for granted what we are enjoying now.'
If the arguments to sneak her into the GRC under the coat tails
of a heavy weight minister are valid, then where does one draw the
line?
Isn't the purpose of an election to elect the people's choice of
a candidate(s)?
If that is not the case, then they will soon come up with a rule
that states that GRCs are automatically excluded from any voting
exercise since candidates are the party's choice and not the
constituents'. 
