Temasek Review - 30 January 2010
Alex Tan sells toothpicks and T-shirts online to raise
funds for his election campaign
Written by Our Correspondent
Vocal online critic of the PAP Mr Alex Tan, who embarrassed two
PAP MPs with his sharp and pointed questions during a YPAP Forum
last month, had started selling tooth-picks and T-shirts on his
blog, according to a report by Lianhe Wanbao:
Alex had just joined the Singapore People’s Party led by veteran
opposition leader Mr Chiam See Tong. The 22 year old is currently
working as a project engineer and he has indicated his interest to
take part in the next general election.
The proceeds from the sales will go to paying the $15,000
deposit each candidate has to put up to stand for election. He has
raised $772 so far with one donor paying $400 for a toothpick.
The toothpicks cost $1 each while the yet to be printed T-shirts
cost $12 each.
Alex first shot into fame last month over his protracted online
“flame war” with YPAP members which subsequently led to his
eviction from its Facebook.
He has been making the headlines for his relentless criticisms
of the PAP as well as a complaint he lodged against YPAP member
Sear Hock Rong over possible conflict of interest between his
business interests and grassroots work at Eunos.
Despite the (usual) attempts by the mainstream media to portray
him as a “radical”, Alex has won the support of many netizens. His
“Vote the PAP
out” has garnered more than 2,800 members in less than
two months and already exceeded the membership of the YPAP
Facebook.
Most of the friends on his Facebook are young Singaporeans
between the age of 18 to 30. This is unimaginable a year ago.
Alex wrote on his Facebook that he would continue to fight for
as long as it takes till he enters Parliament one day to speak up
for Singaporeans.
Though Alex may have limited financial resources right now,
there are many Singaporeans out there, especially retirees who will
have no qualms contributing to his election campaign.
The Malaysian political tsunami in 2008 was triggered partly by
fresh, young graduates like Alex Tan who toppled senior politicians
in their maiden election like Tony Pua, Jeff Ooi and Jernice
Tan.
If the opposition has more Alex Tans joining them, they will
stand a good chance of winning a few more seats in the next general
election.
Based on public sentiments at least in cyberspace alone, the
tide is turning against the PAP. What is lacking now is a platform
to link the IT-savvy young Singaporeans with the disgruntled
Singaporeans who do not surf the internet which may snowball into a
wider people’s movement on the ground.
If you are keen to support Alex Tan’s efforts, please visit his
blog here.
