Having more single seats will help the PAP

Chew Bakar SG

ST forum Feb 4, 2010

I REFER to the opposition's interest in contesting at least two group representation constituencies (GRCs) in the next General Election. The People's Action Party (PAP) may wish to reconsider which of the constituencies should remain as GRCs while redrawing the rest as single-member constituencies (SMCs) for three reasons.

First, the opposition seems confident of winning the Tampines and Bishan- Toa Payoh GRCs. The opposition almost won the Eunos GRC in the 1988 General Election with 49.1 per cent of the votes. In subsequent general elections, the opposition garnered more than 40 per cent of the votes in a few GRCs. And judging from ground and online sentiments, a GRC victory or two for the opposition is a strong possibility.

Second, such a loss may mean losing 10 seats in Parliament altogether. If, however, the 10 constituencies are redrawn as SMCs, the ruling party may still keep more than half the SMCs.

Third, many citizens are unhappy that some MPs entered Parliament by piggybacking on party heavyweights through the GRC format.

The PAP should consider having more SMCs so that more of their fresh candidates can prove their worth by winning a seat on their own steam.

How many SMCs? At least half of the total parliamentary seats.

Dr Jason Wong

Fantagf SG

LHL has already stated that there will be more SMCs. Let's wait and see if he really means what he said.

Chew Bakar SG

LHL has already stated that there will be more SMCs. Let's wait and see if he really means what he said.

Doesn't matter, it's just how much lost they are facing.

Fantagf SG

Doesn't matter, it's just how much lost they are facing.

For the past few elections, their winning percentage dropped - from bad to worse. This time round I hope to see lesser percentage of their winning compared to the last election.

Chew Bakar SG

For the past few elections, their winning percentage dropped - from bad to worse. This time round I hope to see lesser percentage of their winning compared to the last election.

They will face another round of percentage cut, just how much stop loss measures. Redrawing boundaries won't help much if the dissatisfaction is across the island.

Fantagf SG

They will face another round of percentage cut, just how much stop loss measures. Redrawing boundaries won't help much if the dissatisfaction is across the island.

I actually predict a further drop in their winning percentage. But I get myself ready if there are many who are kiasi kiasu who base on their fear to vote familiar, experienced party who run Sg, then it would be different from my prediction. New citizens can add to their winning percentage, too.

Chew Bakar SG

Well in due time when the locals becomes minority their rule will also end. Singapore may no longer exist too.

Fantagf SG

Well in due time when the locals becomes minority their rule will also end. Singapore may no longer exist too.

Possible. Sg may be sold to China, hahahhahaha!

Short Ninja SG

They will face another round of percentage cut, just how much stop loss measures. Redrawing boundaries won't help much if the dissatisfaction is across the island.

The people should start drawing the lines too>

Fantagf SG

People draw line but still ks ks go on to vote them.

Chew Bakar SG

The people should start drawing the lines too>

They will be charged for vandalism.

Chew Bakar SG

ST Forum Feb 6, 2010

I REFER to Thursday's letter by Dr Jason Wong, 'Having more single seats will help the PAP'. I feel his reasoning is somewhat myopic and he has made certain assumptions which may not be accurate, stemming from observations of polling results in Singapore in the past.

First, he mentioned that maintaining 'vulnerable' group representation constituencies (GRCs) such as Bishan-Toa Payoh and Tampines may be detrimental to the People's Action Party (PAP), as opposed to converting the 10 seats in these GRCs to single member constituencies (SMCs).

Even though in the next general election, Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC may be led by Mr Chiam See Tong (unanimously the strongest opposition figure based on his track record in Potong Pasir over the past 25 years), an opposition victory is unlikely. In 1997, led by the late Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam, the Workers' Party still lost in Cheng San GRC. Moreover, the opposition has not come close to winning Tampines GRC in the past 20 years, bearing in mind that the greatest opposition threat in the east was in Eunos GRC 22 years ago.

Second, Dr Wong seems to suggest the PAP may have a better chance of winning SMCs when this may not be the case as younger and less experienced PAP candidates may be pitted against opposition heavyweights who have worked the ground over the years. If the number of SMCs is expanded, these less experienced PAP candidates may no longer have the 'shield' of contesting a GRC led by a PAP heavyweight.

However, I agree with Dr Wong's suggestion to increase the number of SMCs as this will aid the ruling party in quashing criticism that many PAP newcomers become ministers without a proper 'fight'. More important, it will also address the age-old criticism of the GRC system being just an excuse to win more seats by the winning party, as a multiracial nation like Malaysia does not resort to GRCs to ensure that minority MPs are represented in Parliament.

Robin Chee

Chew Bakar SG

Honestly it doesn't matter.

The idea is how to "fixed" the oppositions.

noahnoah SG

i wonder Mr Chiam See Tong

can tong for how long le

Chew Bakar SG

i wonder Mr Chiam See Tong

can tong for how long le

As long as he can tong.

Short Ninja SG

Apa machiam Mr WonderChiam?

Don't want to tong also must tong for the sake of future politics in Singapore.If jesus made water into wine Mr Chiam can split a grain of sand into 2.That is why he is the Champion of Potong Pasir.

mancha SG

Graceful exit.

He don't want to be seen to lose Potong Pasir, which he feel is coming. He is old and the PAP is going to chiam see his tong.

So he goes to the GRC, good probability of losing and exit politics as a martyr, but if he wins the GRC he can supported by the other four MP, and just play an advisory role in the GRC.

Chew Bakar SG

Apa machiam Mr WonderChiam?

Don't want to tong also must tong for the sake of future politics in Singapore.If jesus made water into wine Mr Chiam can split a grain of sand into 2.That is why he is the Champion of Potong Pasir.

It's Po(tong) Pasir. if it's Po(tan) Pasir, shorty Mah would have won years ago.

ahtansh SG

Those heavyweight ministers will never feature in a Single ward as they are too busy performing their Ministrial role and can't do their MP duties well. They need other MPs to help run their estate/GRC.

Chew Bakar SG

Hmm.. how about the time before GRCs, don't those ministers also do their own backyard cleaning?