Coined by one of the speakers at SPP's rally at Bishan stadium tonight, attended by well over 10,000 people.
The Group Representation Constituency or GRC was apparently created to ensure that there would be minority representation in parliment.
The notion sounds good except that over time, the GRC has been "creatively" reengineered to suit the PAP. Boundaries are redrawn election after election.
Before Obama, there has never been a black president in the United States. In Singapore, of the six Presidents we've had, only two were from the majority Chinese race.
This shows that minority representation in politics is becoming more prevalent around the world. It may also prove that this has never been the main aim of the GRC.
So, what are the effects of GRCs?
1) Placing opposition-leaning blocks into PAP strongholds. GE 2011 is no different with the three stronghold wards of Ang Mo Kio, Marine Parade and Tanjong Pangar redrawing and stretching their boundaries even more significantly.Since when is Farrer Road anywhere near Tanjong Pagar?
Is it coincidental that parts Aljunied GRC, hotly contested in 2006, are now under Ang Mo Kio?
Does the GRC system disadvantage the opposition?
2) PAP has accused the opposition of not turning up until elections. Imagine walking the ground for 5 years in a particular ward only to find that it no longer exists when elections arrive?
3) Neighbourhoods are supposed to foster resident identity and ultimately the Singaporean identity. What is it like to always be thrown around different constituencies each time an election comes around?
Bukit Batok residents, I feel for you. Your town is contested by at least three constituencies- Jurong GRC, Hong Kah North, Choa Chu Kang GRC and even Holland-Bukit Timah if I'm not wrong. But there is no Bukit Batok SMC or GRC.
While Hong Kah GRC is now defunct, a big banner showing Hong Kah GRC MPs is still displayed in Yew Tee.
How do residents feel a sense of belonging for their precinct then, yet alone country?
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