Reinvention

As the PAP's soul searching continues 4 months after the party's most disastrous poll performance, PM Lee Hsien Loong is urging his careers first, country second, politicians to "reinvent" themselves.

The word "reinvention" normally has a positive spin to it. The Internet reinvented the way people connected and. Apple reinvented the cell-phone into a lifestyle accessory. Lady Gaga reinvented fashion...just kidding.

Then he continues "to anticipate and counter attempts to score political points by those who do not want us to succeed; and to gain recognition for the good work of the Government."
Two things can be inferred here
1) That people voted opposition because they don't want PAP to succeed
2) PM Lee still feels this current government has done good work

Firstly, people voted opposition because they want Singapore to succeed. This is another example of how PAP politics puts party above country. Remember numerous party members chanting "Majullah PAP" during elections?

Secondly, as long as the current generation of leaders continue to live in fantasy world and believe they have been performing well, there will be no reinvention.
There will only be repetition. Repetition of the same old party serving policies.

Case in point, the PAP is now using research carried out by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) to justify the need for this relentless influx of foreigners. The paper made Nobel prize-worthy discovery that our population will decline without migration. It somehow also generated a mind-boggling 48 different population scenarios, far more elaborate than Paris Hilton's social life.
Oh by the way, the IPS is chaired by the venerable Lee Kuan Yew himself.

Falling birth rates is common in many developed nations. Western European countries are no different.
Nordic countries like Sweden and Norway have managed to raise their birth rates close to 2. (2.1 is the universally accepted rate for a population to replace itself). Some of the common features of their success include:

• About 12 months of paid leave for working mothers
• Weeks or months of paternity leave, in some cases mandatory
• Generous if not full subsidies for state run child care
• Flexible work schedules

In a nutshell, these countries have implemented schemes to take the financial burden off early parenthood.
Contrast with PAP run Singapore:

• Mothers get max 4 months paid leave
• Fathers get a total of 6 days childcare leave, subject to time spent at current employment
• Average subsidies in place but mothers must work for at least 56 hours per month. Close to none for non-working mothers
• Flexi hours exist in Singapore???

So instead of focusing on long term solutions, PAP simply disburses one time monetary amounts through the Baby Bonus scheme and then wonder why fertility rates continue to decline.

Like a gambler going for broke, the government then imports inordinate amounts of foreigners to boost population growth. This turns the rat race into a sprint so most Singaporean couples just don't want the burden of raising kids.

Further, who does rising population growth really benefit?
Singaporeans?
Unless you call these benefits:
1) Stagnant wages
2) No job security
3) Rip off housing prices
4) Expensive healthcare
5) Elusive CPF savings
6) Overcrowded public transport and spaces
7) etc

Population growth benefits the PAP.
Let's take a look at the commonly used equation for GDP.
GDP = private consumption + gross investment + government spending + (exports − imports)

GDP is the holy grail for our ministers. It not only determines their bonuses, it also masks the real story behind the country's standard of living so long as GDP keeps growing.

As you can see, the more people there are on this island, the more private consumption increases.
When the Indian national eats at a food court, that contributes to private consumption.
When the PRC masseuse buys a bar of soap, that contributes to private consumption.

So you can see why the government will never accept falling demographics.

Still, there is one reinvention that is more powerful than the rest.
The reinvention of our political landscape is the key to how Singapore survives the next 50 years.
40% of the populace have reinvented themselves and given us these.

Reinvention is cool.

What do you make of the Workers' Party's silence?

It's been over 2 weeks since the Workers' Party historic victory in Aljunied GRC.
I was one of the thousands of Singaporeans rejoicing in this momentous event.
Born are five heroes who will take the battle to 81 other PAP MPs in Parliment.

I'm not ashamed to admit that I'd deliberately driven into Aljunied GRC just this past weekend to get a feel of the change in the air.

Since then, a number of significant things happened- Stepping down of MM and SM, reshuffling of the Cabinet, Ministerial salary reviews, Woodlands water tank incident etc.

But the Workers' Party has kept largely silent. The only comment of note was Low Thia Khiang quoted in Straits Times "praising" the Cabinet musical chairs.

While it's WP's prerogative when the want to comment, some people think they are adopting an overly cautious approach in their quest for a first world parliment.

Personally, I urge Singaporeans to give this new GRC team time to prove their track record.
History has shown that it doesn't pay to take the confrontational route with PAP.
However noble the causes, Dr. Chee's and his party's image had suffered all these years due to the media's portrayal of them as the "rebellious" bunch.
If not for this, one could argue that the SDP could have performed even better this elections.

Singaporeans, especially the older generation, are too used to LKY's  approach where he has moulded a whole generation into obedient and apolitical people who view rebels with an admonishing eye.

So I feel WP knows this very well.
And I hope that the five Aljunied GRC MPs will take the good fight to PAP in Parliment and be that alternative voice they have promised voters.

Best summed up in Pritam Singh's May 5 rally.- "We raise national issues rationally, respectably and responsibly..."

General Elections 2016- battle plan?

I was just studying the 2011 electoral boundaries.
While we know that boundaries are redrawn every election, one thing I could conclude is that the PAP has everything to worry about.
Also, if the Opposition can fully get their act together, work the ground alot harder, better strategise where to send their teams etc, the gains could be significant.

If you look at the map below, the red areas are Aljunied GRC and Hougang SMC.
I've pinked out those constituencies where the Opposition came close to winning.

My advice to the Opposition is band together and form a bastion in the East. Send your A teams to take down these wards and we could have a solid Opposition base in eastern Singapore.
It's often cited that the Opposition lacks the funds and economies of scale to wage a successful fight. With this scenario, they can consolidate resources by banding these constituencies, which are all adjacent to each other, together.

Now we all know how staunchly PAP is in the West- Jurong, Choa Chu Kang, West Coast (biggest GRC by land area) and to some extent Holland-Bukit Timah.
So if the Opposition can consolidate power in the East, they can use that as a springboard to tackle these more stubborn areas.

For the PAP, they have to seriously consider:

• Who will repalce SM Goh in Marine Parade
• If Lim Swee Say can improve the performance in East Coast,  considering that he faced off with what was essentially, no disrespect, WP's 'B' team
• If they can they stretch Pasir-Ris Punggol boundaries even more to take advantage of Teo Chee Hean's safe status
• If MBT should continue in Tampines

We have a battle on our hands. Looking forward to GE 2016.

PS: Notice how tiny Tampines GRC is. Looks like the PAP had little faith in MBT.

Bring back George Yeo....but why?

So many people are hoping that George Yeo gets somehow reinstated in Parliment.
I mean let's think rationally for one second...something PAP Ministers like to urge Singaporeans to do.

While it could be argued that George didn't really put a foot wrong, and he certainly looks more competent than a number of PAP Ministers, what significant contributions did he make as Foreign Minister?
Our relations with neighbouring countries probably has not improved. Wiki Leaks exposed our MPs talking down on other political figureheads in the region which isn't the most effective way to forge closer ties, is it?
Then there are the numerous outstanding bilateral issues with Malaysia and Indonesia.

Wise men say that the sin of commission is as bad as the sin of omission.

What's worse, George Yeo, together with two other members of his defeated Aljunied Team Lim Hwee Hwa and Zainul Abidin Rasheed, have quit politics just after one loss. They chose the easy way out by walking away instead of working harder to make amends.
Are these the type of people we want serving our country?

But again, it is a relatively easy decision to make considering that retired Ministers receive millions in pension on top of the millions they have already made with their astronomical salaries.

In the Forum pages of today's Straits Times, there are some letters criticising the electorate for kicking these Ministers out. They are about as far away from the truth as Jupiter is from Mars.
The only part of the electorate that should be criticised is the 60% who foolishly voted for another five years of more bad policies.

So it's evident that the PAP political system has created politicians who serve only for the money and not the greater need of the people.
This is why they will continue to import thousands of workers to prop up GDP so they can continue to pay themselves bonus after bonus.
This is why they don't see the need to raise subsistence to the poorest in society with one Minister summing up the party's stand in his now infamous "three meals in restaurant, food court or hawker centre" retort.
This is why they will never understand the trials and tribulations of the majority of Singaporeans because they sit in Ivory Towers made of gold.

On the other hand, Chiam See Tong has been a true servant to the residents of Potong Pasir and Singapore. Despite two strokes, he continued to fight for democracy by laying down his health and his 15k allowance, stepping out of his SMC comfort zone to contest the hitherto immovable GRC.
Despite all the monetary and political obstacles thrown into his path, he continued to serve his residents in the humble surroundings of a void deck and ensured that they don't pay a cent for lift upgrading.

Despite the SPP's setback in these elections, he has yet to call it quits and will continue to work the ground with his wife to ensure the party makes a comeback in 2016.

For sanity sake, please discontinue these petitions to bring George Yeo back.

Let's continue to focus our emotional and social energies on people who put servitude ahead of personal wealth.

Same old PAP?

Barely a few days into the new government term, reports have surfaced online regarding typical PAP behaviour towards the opposition and their supporters.

The 60% daft Singaporeans thought a hasty apology from PM Lee signalled a change in the PAP mindset.
While it may a little too early to judge, the signs aren't too good.

Aljunied residents have complained about a spate of apparent sabotage after PAP got voted out.
Town Council services stopped, employees sacked, garbage not cleared etc etc.
The TCs and RCs are doing Singaporeans a big disservice if they halt essential functions. You are NOT part of the PAP even though MM Lee would like you to think so.
You have a duty to all Singaporeans, regardless of language, religion or political association.
If the allegations are true, they are classic PAP tactics to instill fear into opposition voters.

In fact, the ominous signs were there seconds after the results were announced. Dr. Vivian B, in his thank you speech said "many PAP policies are right but their implementation and communication can be improved".
Looks like we might get the same old shit policies shoved down our throats, in improved ways, thanks to silly Singaporeans who failed their duty to do their bid in toppling a few more GRCs.

MM Lee too couldn't resist another pot shot:
“2011 has seen a generation that does not remember from whence we came, but that is to be expected. But I do, and those amongst you who are over 50 will remember”

As I'm writing this, the Police are apparently dispersing the peaceful crowd gathered at Blk 108 Potong Pasir to sign a petition for by-election.

To the 60% of Singaporeans, you were given a very important vote and wasted your cross on the wrong box for the umpteenth time. This Aljunied resident summed it up best.

Repent?

The "Aljunied Roar"

For those who haven't heard the "Kallang Roar", this is it.

Some PAP ministers wanted to bring back the roar... But even with their million dollar salaries, they couldn't see that all they needed to do was to give the people their voice in Parliment!

PM Lee...just listen to the people of Aljunied GRC.
It is so good to be Singaporeans again!

Rally action- May 5

"NCMP scheme is designed to bring in powerless people to Parliment"- Low Thia Khiang, leader of the Workers' Party makes a valid point on final day of campaigning.

NCMPs do not have voting rights on policies, including no confidence votes. There's nothing they can do to stop the PAP.
That's why we need real opposition MPs to keep PAP in check.

PM Lee spotted at Aljunied GRC rally

With 45 minutes left till cooling day, I'd better get in some final thoughts.
Apparently, as my friend pointed out to me, expressing political opinions on blogs is also disallowed on "cooling off" day. Can anyone else verify?

Anyway, PM Lee was spotted at Ubi to give support to their Aljunied team.
Now, if George Yeo and his band of MPs are so qualified to the extent that PAP has warned voters of their "great loss" to the country if voted out, why is PM Lee campaigning on their behalf, on the final day of campaigning?
Sure he can always lend a hand as party sec-gen but is he saying that Marine Parade GRC, Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, West Coast, CCK, East Coast and his own AMK GRC are less important than Aljunied?

So does George Yeo look indispensible now?