I enjoy watching CSI. The original CSI.
You know the part where they present incriminating evidence to suspects in the interrogation room?
Yes that's where most suspects start to "lawyer up".
The ancient city of Homs is one of Syria's biggest industrial cities. There is significant Opposition presence and Bashar Assad's has opted to mercilessly lay seige upon anyone and everyone who lives there in a bid to quell political dissidents and maintain grip on power. This at the expense of thousands of innocent lives and the ire of most of the international community.
China has allegedly unleashed violence on dissenting Tibet. There are unconfirmed reports that civlians and even religious have been beaten and imprisoned. The want-away Xinjaing province is apparently also subject to similar actions.
Adolf Hitler consolidated power by absolutely crushing political dissent. Those who were against party ideology were sent to concentration camps or executed. The rest is history. Nazi Germany was totally devastated in a gruelling six year war that left many dead.
But the PAP has refined the art of suppressing alternative voices without resorting to violence. And it's called "lawyering up"!
At the first sighting of one of the founders of the increasingly popular political website TR Emeritus, who up until then (much to PAP's chagrin) were annonymous, PM Lee Hsien Loong immediately served a lawyer letter demanding the removal of a certain posting. The letter "alleged that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong secured or was instrumental in securing the appointment of his wife, Mdm Ho Ching, as the chief executive officer of Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited...."
In the days following local media (or government mouth piece) field day with Yaw Shin Leong's fall from grace, there was online buzz that some of PAP's own were also involved in marital indiscretions. This prompted Law Minister K. Shanmugam to immediately threaten legal action.
When Chee Soon Juan was taken to court by MM Lee, yes lawyering up indeed, for allegedly defaming the latter, it was reported (actually not reported by Mainstream media) that even the incomparable statesman had to rely on his counsel to defend cross examination from Dr. Chee. And we all know how the verdict went.
The late Opposition icon JB Jeyaretnam shocked the then impenetrable PAP by winning a seat in the Anson ward and then subsequently getting re-elected. But he was subject to so much legal pressure by PAP leaders that he was eventually bankrupted and expelled from Parliament.
I guess the point is if there is nothing to hide, why the need to stand behind legal representatives?
What happened to good old fashioned debates and then letting citizens decide for themselves?
In the case of Yaw Shin Leong, the right thing to do is to hold the by-election immediately. Let the people of Hougang judge the Workers' Party, not PAP. If anything, WP did the right (and accountable) thing to expel Yaw. Would PAP have done the same to an office holder in similar circumstances?
It is the PAP who would have let voters down if a by-election is not called asap.
Or maybe they are waiting to "find" more dirt and unleash the ultimate weapon... lawyers!
Showing posts with label Workers' party. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Workers' party. Show all posts
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Thursday, 15 September 2011
MP sitting on the floor
Many PAP Ministers like to sit.
None more so than Ang Mo Kio GRC's Yeo Guat Kwang, who in addition to his cushy MP seat, sits on the board, panel, council of 64 other organisations!
Even Superman can't be in 65 places at the same time! So he's either short-changing these 64 organisations or the Singaporeans that elected him into Parliament. Go figure.
Some others like to sit on piles of cash. Despite his hearty monthly MP allowance and fat pay cheque from NOL, Pioneer SMC's Cedric Foo gives out $4 ang paos!
Nothing wrong with that except that the dude's filthy rich.
Then there are those that like to sit on pressing issues. Health Minister Gan Kim Yong is apparently dragging his feet to reform nursing homes after the well publicised shocking abuse of an elderly patient by foreign nurses at a home, claiming that "these are long-term issues that will require very careful analysis and understanding of the impact".
Careful analysis? Some poor old woman got abused... I don't know how much more straightforward it gets.
In contrast, a certain other nobody, well actually a member of the Worker's Party's Aljunied GRC team, sits unassumingly on the floor in effort to mingle with residents. So much so that the politicised People's Association decided it was better to kick this MP and his fellow colleagues out of most public spaces so they have nowhere to sit.
Now with one of their own sitting on the President's throne, it remains to be seen if the 81 PAP MPs can descend their ivory towers and sit among ordinary Singaporeans.
Oh by the way, the nobody MP is a chap called Chen Show Mao.
None more so than Ang Mo Kio GRC's Yeo Guat Kwang, who in addition to his cushy MP seat, sits on the board, panel, council of 64 other organisations!
Even Superman can't be in 65 places at the same time! So he's either short-changing these 64 organisations or the Singaporeans that elected him into Parliament. Go figure.
Some others like to sit on piles of cash. Despite his hearty monthly MP allowance and fat pay cheque from NOL, Pioneer SMC's Cedric Foo gives out $4 ang paos!
Nothing wrong with that except that the dude's filthy rich.
Then there are those that like to sit on pressing issues. Health Minister Gan Kim Yong is apparently dragging his feet to reform nursing homes after the well publicised shocking abuse of an elderly patient by foreign nurses at a home, claiming that "these are long-term issues that will require very careful analysis and understanding of the impact".
Careful analysis? Some poor old woman got abused... I don't know how much more straightforward it gets.
In contrast, a certain other nobody, well actually a member of the Worker's Party's Aljunied GRC team, sits unassumingly on the floor in effort to mingle with residents. So much so that the politicised People's Association decided it was better to kick this MP and his fellow colleagues out of most public spaces so they have nowhere to sit.
Now with one of their own sitting on the President's throne, it remains to be seen if the 81 PAP MPs can descend their ivory towers and sit among ordinary Singaporeans.
Oh by the way, the nobody MP is a chap called Chen Show Mao.
Wednesday, 24 August 2011
Can Tan Jee Say win?
A crowd of about 20,000 turned up yesterday at Toa Payoh Stadium to support Tan Jee Say.
Whether or not it is reflective of how the votes will go, its anybody's guess.
In my opinion, Tony Tan started as the front runner, implicitly backed by the PAP machinery.
A few weeks later, Dr. Tan is just about clinging onto the lead and this shift in momentum is largely due to the fairly rapid rise of the obscure dark horse Tan Jee Say.
I think many neutrals have been turned off by Dr Tan's wishy washy statements, his son's unprecedented 12 year deferment from National Service and his new starring role as the "Interruptor".
So PAP, and credit to them for always having "plan B", realises this. If you've been reading between the lines in State Media these past few days, they've thrown more weight behind Tan Cheng Bok. The man whom many in the current establishment saw as the party pooper may actually be PAP's best hope if Dr. Tan's popularity continues to dip.
To any rational citizen, the President must be independent, not just independent-minded, but independent of the ruling party.
Most of us have fond memories of our schooldays. 20, 30 years after leaving school, many of us still hold a sense of pride and loyalty to our Alma Mater, whether or not we've been actively involved in alumni activities.
I still reminisce my first job about a decade ago. Ten years later, I still hold a degree of attachment to that company and from time to time turn to them for certain services I require in my current capacity.
The point I'm trying to make is that we are all human beings and one of the things that makes us unique among living creatures is memory and nostalgia.
Last I checked, all four Presidential candidates are human beings.
Now do you seriously believe that Tony Tan, Tan Cheng Bok and Tan Kin Lian, each with 2-3 decades of ties and service to the PAP, can suddenly erase all the emotional and nostalgic attachment to the regime?
As Tan Jee Say puts it, "there may be constitutional constraints in what the President can or cannot do but there is no limit to what I can do as a Singaporean for Singaporeans".
A President that has cultivated decades of ties to the PAP is very likely to be alot more limited in what he can do for Singaporeans.
And that is bad for us because the PAP will continue to shove unpopular policies like immigration, unrestrained investments by GIC and Temasek and CPF withdrawal age/sum down our throats without aa moral authority to protect Singaporeans.
The power of independence and alternative views cannot be taken for granted.
Many Singaporeans are appalled by the People's Association move to ban Workers' Party MPs from attending grassroot events in their own Aljunied-Hougang Town Council.
The move is obviously politically motivated and serves to diminish the WP's outreach effectiveness.
But today, State Media reported that the PAP has sort of retracted this probably in response to public anger which may hurt its candidates chance in the Elections.
The four candidates had also come out to question the move by PA and HDB (some from the heart, others to score voter points) Is this an "exercise" of moral pressure?
I think it's clear that if used courageously and wisely, the President has significant influence over day-to-day operations of the PAP.
It will be a close fight down to the wire but I feel that Tan Jee Say has a genuine chance of winning this.
1) He has some sort of machinery behind him. His campaign posters are suddenly everywhere. His merchandise also pretty deccent. Presence = votes
2) We don't know how PAP candidates Tony Tan and Tan Cheng Bok will split the votes. We do know they will
3) I don't think Tan Kin Lian will have as big an effect on Jee Say's votes. I admire what he tried to do for minibond investors but I just don't think he has the machinery or aura for this job
4) Public anger over the WP v PA incident, transport fare increase, SMRT vandalism, weak economy etc etc could sway swing voters toward the alternative vote
5) His rag to riches story- washerwoman mother and poor childhood to successful civil servant and investment banker and now, running for the highest office in the land
In the meanwhile, coming to a polling booth near you, I present the blockbuster "The Interruptor".
Whether or not it is reflective of how the votes will go, its anybody's guess.
In my opinion, Tony Tan started as the front runner, implicitly backed by the PAP machinery.
A few weeks later, Dr. Tan is just about clinging onto the lead and this shift in momentum is largely due to the fairly rapid rise of the obscure dark horse Tan Jee Say.
I think many neutrals have been turned off by Dr Tan's wishy washy statements, his son's unprecedented 12 year deferment from National Service and his new starring role as the "Interruptor".
So PAP, and credit to them for always having "plan B", realises this. If you've been reading between the lines in State Media these past few days, they've thrown more weight behind Tan Cheng Bok. The man whom many in the current establishment saw as the party pooper may actually be PAP's best hope if Dr. Tan's popularity continues to dip.
To any rational citizen, the President must be independent, not just independent-minded, but independent of the ruling party.
Most of us have fond memories of our schooldays. 20, 30 years after leaving school, many of us still hold a sense of pride and loyalty to our Alma Mater, whether or not we've been actively involved in alumni activities.
I still reminisce my first job about a decade ago. Ten years later, I still hold a degree of attachment to that company and from time to time turn to them for certain services I require in my current capacity.
The point I'm trying to make is that we are all human beings and one of the things that makes us unique among living creatures is memory and nostalgia.
Last I checked, all four Presidential candidates are human beings.
Now do you seriously believe that Tony Tan, Tan Cheng Bok and Tan Kin Lian, each with 2-3 decades of ties and service to the PAP, can suddenly erase all the emotional and nostalgic attachment to the regime?
As Tan Jee Say puts it, "there may be constitutional constraints in what the President can or cannot do but there is no limit to what I can do as a Singaporean for Singaporeans".
A President that has cultivated decades of ties to the PAP is very likely to be alot more limited in what he can do for Singaporeans.
And that is bad for us because the PAP will continue to shove unpopular policies like immigration, unrestrained investments by GIC and Temasek and CPF withdrawal age/sum down our throats without aa moral authority to protect Singaporeans.
The power of independence and alternative views cannot be taken for granted.
Many Singaporeans are appalled by the People's Association move to ban Workers' Party MPs from attending grassroot events in their own Aljunied-Hougang Town Council.
The move is obviously politically motivated and serves to diminish the WP's outreach effectiveness.
But today, State Media reported that the PAP has sort of retracted this probably in response to public anger which may hurt its candidates chance in the Elections.
The four candidates had also come out to question the move by PA and HDB (some from the heart, others to score voter points) Is this an "exercise" of moral pressure?
I think it's clear that if used courageously and wisely, the President has significant influence over day-to-day operations of the PAP.
It will be a close fight down to the wire but I feel that Tan Jee Say has a genuine chance of winning this.
1) He has some sort of machinery behind him. His campaign posters are suddenly everywhere. His merchandise also pretty deccent. Presence = votes
2) We don't know how PAP candidates Tony Tan and Tan Cheng Bok will split the votes. We do know they will
3) I don't think Tan Kin Lian will have as big an effect on Jee Say's votes. I admire what he tried to do for minibond investors but I just don't think he has the machinery or aura for this job
4) Public anger over the WP v PA incident, transport fare increase, SMRT vandalism, weak economy etc etc could sway swing voters toward the alternative vote
5) His rag to riches story- washerwoman mother and poor childhood to successful civil servant and investment banker and now, running for the highest office in the land
In the meanwhile, coming to a polling booth near you, I present the blockbuster "The Interruptor".
Monday, 23 May 2011
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..."
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..."
Saturday, 14 May 2011
Sylvia Lim resigns day job to be full time MP
Sylvia Lim, the Workers' Party Chairman, has resigned from her day job as law lecturer at Temasek Polytechnic.
This is fantastic news as it would probably mean she can focus on being a full-time MP.
It may also give her more time to "fix" the PAP.
In any case, I hope to see more MPs, PAP or opposition, resign from their day jobs to concentrate on the important task of taking this country forward in the right direction.
Of all the parties, I believe only SDP and NSP candidates had made the pledge to become full-time MPs if they had won their seats.
Using PAP's driver analogy and coming up with one of my own, an MP with a day job is like someone using his/her mobile phone while driving, without the hands free!
It's little wonder the car has crashed a few times over the last 5-10 years.
In any case, 15,000 a month is sufficient money to "get by", no?
Well done Sylvia!
This is fantastic news as it would probably mean she can focus on being a full-time MP.
It may also give her more time to "fix" the PAP.
In any case, I hope to see more MPs, PAP or opposition, resign from their day jobs to concentrate on the important task of taking this country forward in the right direction.
Of all the parties, I believe only SDP and NSP candidates had made the pledge to become full-time MPs if they had won their seats.
Using PAP's driver analogy and coming up with one of my own, an MP with a day job is like someone using his/her mobile phone while driving, without the hands free!
It's little wonder the car has crashed a few times over the last 5-10 years.
In any case, 15,000 a month is sufficient money to "get by", no?
Well done Sylvia!
Monday, 9 May 2011
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!
It is so good to be Singaporeans again!
Thursday, 5 May 2011
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.
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.
Rally action- May 4
Celebrity or not, Chen Show Mao is simply brilliant. Looking forward to seeing him in Parliment.
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Rally action- May 4
"Are you going to continue letting opposition MPs conduct meet-the-people's-session at HDB void decks"- Pritam Singh takes aim at PM Lee and his "apology"
Rally action- May 3
Low Thia Khiang successfully rebuts Lim Hwee Hua's baseless accusation that Hougang HUDC privatisation accounts are "messy".
Focus on the issues please...
Focus on the issues please...
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Monday, 2 May 2011
Rally action- May 1st
"Losing PAP candidates can stay in parliment as NCMP"- Pritam Singh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6JtcwqrtuU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6JtcwqrtuU
Friday, 29 April 2011
Workers' Party rally 2- Your vote is secret!
I was at the Workers' Party rally at Serangoon Stadium. Here are a couple of shots from my ordinary iPhone camera.
Like the first rally, I reckon there were about 50k people in attendance. Pretty amazing.
The key point that was driven home tonight is that your vote is secret.
1) You place your votes on poll day. Note that the serial number is just to make sure one does not vote twice.
2) Votes are taken to counting centres. Votes are counted by civil servants from different departments in full view of candidates from each contesting party.
3) Ballot boxes sealed and party members will sign on the seal. They are then taken to the vaults in Supreme Court and locked up for six months.
4) After six months, the sealed boxes and signatures are inspected by all parties and sent to the incinerators. Members of all political parties will be present to witness this.
There is no way your vote can be traced.
So you see, vote without fear!
Like the first rally, I reckon there were about 50k people in attendance. Pretty amazing.
The key point that was driven home tonight is that your vote is secret.
1) You place your votes on poll day. Note that the serial number is just to make sure one does not vote twice.
2) Votes are taken to counting centres. Votes are counted by civil servants from different departments in full view of candidates from each contesting party.
3) Ballot boxes sealed and party members will sign on the seal. They are then taken to the vaults in Supreme Court and locked up for six months.
4) After six months, the sealed boxes and signatures are inspected by all parties and sent to the incinerators. Members of all political parties will be present to witness this.
There is no way your vote can be traced.
So you see, vote without fear!
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