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 opposition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label opposition. Show all posts
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Monday, 16 May 2011
Singaporeans first?
Now that the dust of the GE is settling, many anxious Singaporeans are waiting to see if there would be policy changes from the PAP.
Already, both MM Lee and SM Goh have announced their resignations from Cabinet.
The timing of their decisions is a moot point. How many people would have still voted SM Goh if they knew he was leaving his post?
How many swing voters would have voted Opposition had they known that LKY would no longer be MM?
It can be argued that Chiam See Tong failed in his GRC bid because many voters weren't sure if he could last the distance.
However, the biggest talking point amongst my peers, colleagues and acquaintances is the foreign worker issue.
We want the PAP to come out and declare a "Singaporeans First" policy. Most if not all of the Opposition parties have promised to do so if elected.
There have been more and more reports surfacing online about extremely lax immigration policy, not just in terms of numbers but quality of the foreign workers that have swelled up our tiny island.
One Indian national posted in the Singapore Expats Forum about how the Ministry of Manpower failed to detect his false educational qualifications. How many more such cases are there amongst the 1.5 million foreign population?
Just to clarify, I think most of us are aware that we do need unskilled workers to do jobs that Singaporeans won't want to do, eg. construction. Many countries around the world employ workers from developing countries for such jobs too.
Most people are taking issue with the foreign PMETs who compete for jobs that Singaporeans want to do or are upgrading themsleves for.
It is not that Singaporeans hate foreigners. It's just there are far too many of them in our country and it doesn't take a PhD to conclude that they must be taking away good jobs from the natives.
In fact, it's the PAP's flawed immigration policy that has created distrust between locals and foreigners. If you knew you can be replaced by a foreigner who's cheaper, has no NS obligations, has a Masters (Many Indians obtain higher degrees very easily!), wouldn't you be a little resentful and suspicious?
On that note, the Times of India reported that 60,000 Indian PMETs will be hired in Singapore this year.
Firstly, that's far too many for our liking . Secondly, how many of those will be on fake qualifications?
And it's not just the Indians. Our precious office spaces are filled with Filipinos, PRCs and Caucasians of all types. Don't get me wrong, some diversity in the workforce is good. If a comapny was selling into Indian state markets, it may make sense to hire a skilled Indian professional. A Caucasian with considerable regional business development experience could be an asset to a firm.
But it becomes farcical when we are employing foreigners to do jobs that Singaporeans can do, from receptionists to technicians and marketing execs.
A market research team in a big consumer goods MNC is entirely made up of Filipinos and Indians.
If the PAP is really doing some real soul-searching, please do the following:
1) Declare a Singaporeans first policy not just for jobs but other basic services like education and health care
2) Grind immigration to a halt this year. We don't want another 60k Indians on our shores or MM Lee's grand vision of another 900k foreigners!
3) Review the employment passes that have been given out. Set a quota to renew just 50% of these, obviously retaining the best talents with proper qualifications
4) Give Singaporean sons who do National Service a level playing field. Some things that could be done incldue reduction of NS time, priority in tertiary courses and further subsidies to school fees.
We hope we won't be disappointed.
Already, both MM Lee and SM Goh have announced their resignations from Cabinet.
The timing of their decisions is a moot point. How many people would have still voted SM Goh if they knew he was leaving his post?
How many swing voters would have voted Opposition had they known that LKY would no longer be MM?
It can be argued that Chiam See Tong failed in his GRC bid because many voters weren't sure if he could last the distance.
However, the biggest talking point amongst my peers, colleagues and acquaintances is the foreign worker issue.
We want the PAP to come out and declare a "Singaporeans First" policy. Most if not all of the Opposition parties have promised to do so if elected.
There have been more and more reports surfacing online about extremely lax immigration policy, not just in terms of numbers but quality of the foreign workers that have swelled up our tiny island.
One Indian national posted in the Singapore Expats Forum about how the Ministry of Manpower failed to detect his false educational qualifications. How many more such cases are there amongst the 1.5 million foreign population?
Just to clarify, I think most of us are aware that we do need unskilled workers to do jobs that Singaporeans won't want to do, eg. construction. Many countries around the world employ workers from developing countries for such jobs too.
Most people are taking issue with the foreign PMETs who compete for jobs that Singaporeans want to do or are upgrading themsleves for.
It is not that Singaporeans hate foreigners. It's just there are far too many of them in our country and it doesn't take a PhD to conclude that they must be taking away good jobs from the natives.
In fact, it's the PAP's flawed immigration policy that has created distrust between locals and foreigners. If you knew you can be replaced by a foreigner who's cheaper, has no NS obligations, has a Masters (Many Indians obtain higher degrees very easily!), wouldn't you be a little resentful and suspicious?
On that note, the Times of India reported that 60,000 Indian PMETs will be hired in Singapore this year.
Firstly, that's far too many for our liking . Secondly, how many of those will be on fake qualifications?
And it's not just the Indians. Our precious office spaces are filled with Filipinos, PRCs and Caucasians of all types. Don't get me wrong, some diversity in the workforce is good. If a comapny was selling into Indian state markets, it may make sense to hire a skilled Indian professional. A Caucasian with considerable regional business development experience could be an asset to a firm.
But it becomes farcical when we are employing foreigners to do jobs that Singaporeans can do, from receptionists to technicians and marketing execs.
A market research team in a big consumer goods MNC is entirely made up of Filipinos and Indians.
If the PAP is really doing some real soul-searching, please do the following:
1) Declare a Singaporeans first policy not just for jobs but other basic services like education and health care
2) Grind immigration to a halt this year. We don't want another 60k Indians on our shores or MM Lee's grand vision of another 900k foreigners!
3) Review the employment passes that have been given out. Set a quota to renew just 50% of these, obviously retaining the best talents with proper qualifications
4) Give Singaporean sons who do National Service a level playing field. Some things that could be done incldue reduction of NS time, priority in tertiary courses and further subsidies to school fees.
We hope we won't be disappointed.
Sunday, 15 May 2011
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:
PS: Notice how tiny Tampines GRC is. Looks like the PAP had little faith in MBT.
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
PS: Notice how tiny Tampines GRC is. Looks like the PAP had little faith in MBT.
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
An attempt to figure out the PAP voter base
I struck up a conversation with a taxi uncle today. No prizes for guessing that we spoke about the elections. He told me that he has three children, one of which is a Major in the SAF and the other an executive with DSTA. According to him, all of them, including the two public servants, voted for the opposition. He too voted against the PAP because he felt the overall standard of living was decreasing.
It's not surprising to see more public servants voting against the regime. Then how is it that the PAP still managed to cling onto 60% of the electorate? Where are the votes coming from?
Let me attempt to break it down. Please note that these are pure estimates. I apologise in advance if there are any gross inaccuracies. So here goes.
Public Service
This government website says there are about 124,000 officers working around various ministries. While it isn't clear, let's assume they are 2009 or 2010 figures.
Grassroots
According to TODAY, there are about 30,000 grassroots leaders Using the average household size of 3, there would roughly be 100,000 or so grassroots leaders and their families voting for PAP.
New Citizens
The PAP claims to need 20,000 new citizens each year. So you can deduce there would be about 100,000 new citizens from 2006-2010.
Older Voters
Referencing official stats, there are about 1.6 million citizens above 50 years. MM Lee claims that those 50 and above will remember the PAP contributions so I thought this would be a good gauge of PAP's staunchest demographic.
So the math is:
Further assuming that all New Citizens will vote PAP and applying 60% to the rest (based on popular voting results), the number would be 1,194,400.
And after taking into account overlap in the categories by applying 70% factor, the estimated number of assured PAP votes is 836,080.
Again, this is only an estimate at best but that's 40% of the 2.2 million voters in the PAP's corner even before a minute of campaigning.
Throw in Grow & Share monies, a rare apology by PM Lee and some apparent underhand tactics, it's not hard to see how they can easily swing another 10-20% of the voters to win a mandate.
It's not surprising to see more public servants voting against the regime. Then how is it that the PAP still managed to cling onto 60% of the electorate? Where are the votes coming from?
Let me attempt to break it down. Please note that these are pure estimates. I apologise in advance if there are any gross inaccuracies. So here goes.
Public Service
This government website says there are about 124,000 officers working around various ministries. While it isn't clear, let's assume they are 2009 or 2010 figures.
Grassroots
According to TODAY, there are about 30,000 grassroots leaders Using the average household size of 3, there would roughly be 100,000 or so grassroots leaders and their families voting for PAP.
New Citizens
The PAP claims to need 20,000 new citizens each year. So you can deduce there would be about 100,000 new citizens from 2006-2010.
Older Voters
Referencing official stats, there are about 1.6 million citizens above 50 years. MM Lee claims that those 50 and above will remember the PAP contributions so I thought this would be a good gauge of PAP's staunchest demographic.
So the math is:
| Type: | Votes: |
| Public Service | 124,000 |
| Grassroots | 100,000 |
| New Citizens | 100,000 |
| Older Voters | 1,600,000 |
| Total | 1,924,000 |
Further assuming that all New Citizens will vote PAP and applying 60% to the rest (based on popular voting results), the number would be 1,194,400.
And after taking into account overlap in the categories by applying 70% factor, the estimated number of assured PAP votes is 836,080.
Again, this is only an estimate at best but that's 40% of the 2.2 million voters in the PAP's corner even before a minute of campaigning.
Throw in Grow & Share monies, a rare apology by PM Lee and some apparent underhand tactics, it's not hard to see how they can easily swing another 10-20% of the voters to win a mandate.
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
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 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?
Why is the PAP worried?
If the elections were contested online, the opposition would have trashed PAP on every count. Nearly all the online polls conducted were overwhelmingly in favour of the opposition.
Despite the numerous attempts to woo young voters, including attempts at hip-hop, they seem to have difficulties connecting with the younger generation.
However, it was a triumph in the end for MM Lee, err PM Lee and his 81 MPs.
Why then is the PAP so concerned about the results?
Despite the numerous attempts to woo young voters, including attempts at hip-hop, they seem to have difficulties connecting with the younger generation.
However, it was a triumph in the end for MM Lee, err PM Lee and his 81 MPs.
Why then is the PAP so concerned about the results?
- 40% or 880,000 Singaporeans voted against them. If we exclude the estimated 100,000 new citizens whom we can safely assume , voted PAP, the figure is 43%.
- The PAP share of popular votes has plunged from 75% in 2001 to 60% in 2011. If the trend continues, they could see their share hit the crucial 50% mark in 2016.
- They have given literally everything in this fight: Grow & Share package, PM Lee's apology, smear tactics, MM Lee's threats, redrawing of GRC boundaries etc.
- They put their best minister in charge of Aljunied GRC and yet he lost to a coherent and formidable Workers' Party team. If George Yeo can lose a GRC, any other lesser minister can be vulnerable in 2016
- They are getting a real bitter taste of their own medicine. What is it like to lose three ministers and one future speaker of Parliment in one fell swoop?
- One of their strongest GRC anchors, former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, came within a whisker of a shambolic embarrassment. And their opponents? A bunch of unknowns including a raw 24 year old candidate. SM Goh has said this would be his last elections. Who then is going to helm Marine Parade in the next GE?
- How did they let TPL into their political ranks? Steve Tan? What happened to the screening process?
- How much more can they rely on MBT and WKS? If they had come up against opposition of the calibre of Low's team, these deeply unpopular Ministers would probably have lost. WKS, the veteran Minister, has mind-blowing number of "Likes" on Facebook-847 to be exact.
Sunday, 8 May 2011
More thoughts on GE 2011
A full day has passed since the GE and the reality of what transpired is totally sinking in.
Somehow, the well-oiled PAP machinery has steamrolled all but 2 constituencies.
It appears that whilst momentous in the making, the Workers' Party's superb victory in Aljunied GRC was a pyrrhic one. Although some opposition supporters may not admit it, it feels like we've taken one step forward and about two steps back.
Firstly, it is a mystery of unimaginable proportions how Tin Pei Ling is officially an MP and will actually be debating on serious country issues in Parliment. It is just as well the Singapore Parliment is not used to debates but serves as a legal ground for other pressing issues like the creation of a food museum.
Such is the undeniable consequence of the GRC system, a system supposedly designed to ensure minority representation in government.
Well the GRC certainly did just that by voting in a minority indeed. How often do you see someone of TPL's ability or lack of contesting in a General Election?
Secondly, how did candidates of real calibre like Dr. Vincent Wijeysingha, Tan Jee Say, Tony Tan and others not be serving in our country's highest office? Are Singaporeans going to continue to show blind faith in untalented and undeserving ministers? Is there something really wrong with the opposition's strategy? I will deal with this in future articles.
Thirdly, by giving a 81-6 mandate to PAP, are Singaporeans actually saying it's OK to have:
1) Public housing that is increasingly unaffordable to the masses
2) Rising healthcare costs with the PAP continually chopping its share of the burden
3) Unchecked immigration that have made our daily toil ever more suffocating and unbearable
4) Foreigners taking away jobs that Singaporeans want and can do
5) Ministers paying themselves millions of dollars while 30% of our population continue to earn about $1500 a month
6) Ministers talking down to us, calling us names and suggesting we ship our elderly to JB for cheaper nursing homes
7) Our CPF retirement age and minimum sums raised time after time while thousands are in dire need of their hard-earned monies
The bewildering actions of 60% of our electorate may have prolonged the hardships of the 40% by another 5 years.
Fourthly, how much of a role did our state-controlled media play in this elections? We all know that our media is ranked a shocking 141st in the Worldwide Press Freedom Index so biased coverage is but expected.
While this elections may be known as the social media election, I'm afraid that state media came up triumphant in the end, much to the PAP's delight.
My belief is that alot of the good messages from the opposition didn't reach the masses. It appears there are thousands of people, probably in the late 40s and up that don't access Facebook, Youtube or Temasek Review. Singapore may not be as highly wired as we think.
So long as state media is under total PAP control, the task of unseating them is always daunting.
Fifth, 40% of Singaporeans voted for the opposition but that yielded less than 10% of the Parlimentary seats. That is both an aberration and anomaly and there is little doubt that the GRC system is the chief cultprit. While my prayers are on the 6 brave souls that are going to be the voice of a million Singaporeans, we know that they would be powerless to stop the PAP should they still decide to pass laws on their whim.
I'm hoping or dreaming of a legislation that will ban electoral boundary changes for 3 or 4 elections.
Finally, how astute was the timing of PM Lee's "apology" on the penultimate day of campaigning? I actually think this was one of the turning points in this GE. Thousands of undecided voters would have felt the nostalgic tug on the heartstrings and failed to realise that they could be royally screwed for another 60 months. Further, we have already seen how monetary "gifts" during election time can seal lots of votes for the PAP. I think the "Grow and Share" package entrenched many Singaporeans grateful for the extra $800 to defray mounting expenses onto the side of the men in white.
Pity they didn't know the handouts are from the GST they paid or that the ministers would have received $1,000,000 each for their part of the package.
Somehow, the well-oiled PAP machinery has steamrolled all but 2 constituencies.
It appears that whilst momentous in the making, the Workers' Party's superb victory in Aljunied GRC was a pyrrhic one. Although some opposition supporters may not admit it, it feels like we've taken one step forward and about two steps back.
Firstly, it is a mystery of unimaginable proportions how Tin Pei Ling is officially an MP and will actually be debating on serious country issues in Parliment. It is just as well the Singapore Parliment is not used to debates but serves as a legal ground for other pressing issues like the creation of a food museum.
Such is the undeniable consequence of the GRC system, a system supposedly designed to ensure minority representation in government.
Well the GRC certainly did just that by voting in a minority indeed. How often do you see someone of TPL's ability or lack of contesting in a General Election?
Secondly, how did candidates of real calibre like Dr. Vincent Wijeysingha, Tan Jee Say, Tony Tan and others not be serving in our country's highest office? Are Singaporeans going to continue to show blind faith in untalented and undeserving ministers? Is there something really wrong with the opposition's strategy? I will deal with this in future articles.
Thirdly, by giving a 81-6 mandate to PAP, are Singaporeans actually saying it's OK to have:
1) Public housing that is increasingly unaffordable to the masses
2) Rising healthcare costs with the PAP continually chopping its share of the burden
3) Unchecked immigration that have made our daily toil ever more suffocating and unbearable
4) Foreigners taking away jobs that Singaporeans want and can do
5) Ministers paying themselves millions of dollars while 30% of our population continue to earn about $1500 a month
6) Ministers talking down to us, calling us names and suggesting we ship our elderly to JB for cheaper nursing homes
7) Our CPF retirement age and minimum sums raised time after time while thousands are in dire need of their hard-earned monies
The bewildering actions of 60% of our electorate may have prolonged the hardships of the 40% by another 5 years.
Fourthly, how much of a role did our state-controlled media play in this elections? We all know that our media is ranked a shocking 141st in the Worldwide Press Freedom Index so biased coverage is but expected.
While this elections may be known as the social media election, I'm afraid that state media came up triumphant in the end, much to the PAP's delight.
My belief is that alot of the good messages from the opposition didn't reach the masses. It appears there are thousands of people, probably in the late 40s and up that don't access Facebook, Youtube or Temasek Review. Singapore may not be as highly wired as we think.
So long as state media is under total PAP control, the task of unseating them is always daunting.
Fifth, 40% of Singaporeans voted for the opposition but that yielded less than 10% of the Parlimentary seats. That is both an aberration and anomaly and there is little doubt that the GRC system is the chief cultprit. While my prayers are on the 6 brave souls that are going to be the voice of a million Singaporeans, we know that they would be powerless to stop the PAP should they still decide to pass laws on their whim.
I'm hoping or dreaming of a legislation that will ban electoral boundary changes for 3 or 4 elections.
Finally, how astute was the timing of PM Lee's "apology" on the penultimate day of campaigning? I actually think this was one of the turning points in this GE. Thousands of undecided voters would have felt the nostalgic tug on the heartstrings and failed to realise that they could be royally screwed for another 60 months. Further, we have already seen how monetary "gifts" during election time can seal lots of votes for the PAP. I think the "Grow and Share" package entrenched many Singaporeans grateful for the extra $800 to defray mounting expenses onto the side of the men in white.
Pity they didn't know the handouts are from the GST they paid or that the ministers would have received $1,000,000 each for their part of the package.
Thursday, 5 May 2011
There has never been a more crucial time for Singaporeans
Some people feel that PM Lee's apology may have swayed some undecided voters.
While we know that it was a calculated moved, the PAP gamble may well pay off come May 7th.
It is estimated that there are about 90,000 new citizens this elections, translating to about 4% of votes.
With many battleground facing close fights, 4% can easily decide the outcome of the results.
The danger of a 87-0 Parliment is clear and present. If that happens, the only lesson the PAP would have learnt from this election is that they should have converted more PRs to citizens. Come 2016, there could be another 90,000 new citizens adding electoral support to their new masters.
By then, the Singaporean electorate will be powerless to do anything. And the harsh reality of native Singaporeans becoming second class citizens would have fully materialised.
The message to Singaporeans is very clear.... this might be your one and only chance to reclaim your natural rights as citizens who together with our forefathers, toiled to build the roads, parks, skyscrapers, malls, our financial service, our civil service and the works.
Our sons have sacrificed their blood and sweat in National Service only to hear a new PAP man and former chief of army apparently downplaying the signficance of NS.
One minister even remarked that if we make new citizens serve NS, they will all run away.
Opposition parties have gone all out to assure Singaporeans that voting is secret.
Unless Singaporeans overcome the fear that PAP has successfully manifested in us, we will have another five years of the same deficient policies that have lowered our quality of life- expensive HDB flats, overcrowded public spaces, foreigners taking away jobs, depression of local wages, MPs talking down to us, ever rising ministerial salaries and the unbearable cost of living.
I urge all Singaporeans to use Cooling-Off day to reflect and then disepl the irrational notion that our votes can be traced.
If we don't vote wisely, to paraphrase MM Lee, "we have five years to live and repent".
While we know that it was a calculated moved, the PAP gamble may well pay off come May 7th.
It is estimated that there are about 90,000 new citizens this elections, translating to about 4% of votes.
With many battleground facing close fights, 4% can easily decide the outcome of the results.
The danger of a 87-0 Parliment is clear and present. If that happens, the only lesson the PAP would have learnt from this election is that they should have converted more PRs to citizens. Come 2016, there could be another 90,000 new citizens adding electoral support to their new masters.
By then, the Singaporean electorate will be powerless to do anything. And the harsh reality of native Singaporeans becoming second class citizens would have fully materialised.
The message to Singaporeans is very clear.... this might be your one and only chance to reclaim your natural rights as citizens who together with our forefathers, toiled to build the roads, parks, skyscrapers, malls, our financial service, our civil service and the works.
Our sons have sacrificed their blood and sweat in National Service only to hear a new PAP man and former chief of army apparently downplaying the signficance of NS.
One minister even remarked that if we make new citizens serve NS, they will all run away.
Opposition parties have gone all out to assure Singaporeans that voting is secret.
Unless Singaporeans overcome the fear that PAP has successfully manifested in us, we will have another five years of the same deficient policies that have lowered our quality of life- expensive HDB flats, overcrowded public spaces, foreigners taking away jobs, depression of local wages, MPs talking down to us, ever rising ministerial salaries and the unbearable cost of living.
I urge all Singaporeans to use Cooling-Off day to reflect and then disepl the irrational notion that our votes can be traced.
If we don't vote wisely, to paraphrase MM Lee, "we have five years to live and repent".
Our opposition MPs have already begun to work for us...
It's amazing what a team of strong, credible opposition can do to the once almighty PAP...even before stepping into office.
PM Lee issued at rare "apology" at yesterday's lunch time rally, saying the PAP made mistakes on the floods, Mas Selamat, housing and a range of other issues.
What's so rare about apologies? Governments around the world apologise for wrong-doings all the time. Japanese and Korean lawmakers readily step down when they commit mistakes.
For the benefit of non-Singaporeans or Singaporeans who've been hibernating all this while, it is probably easier to catch a solar eclipse than to hear any PAP minister apologise.
Law and Home Affairs Minister now says that the PAP needs to communicate more with Singaporeans.
Dr Amy Khor, MP in charge of PAP's feedback unit "Reach", previously admitted in parliment that it was useless to give feedback to the government.
Lim Swee Say once claimed that he was deaf to all criticisms.
Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan has finally come out to explain his busting of the YOG budget and the now infamous "three meals" answer he gave to Dr Lily Neo in parliment--- albeit insincerely.
Khaw Boon Wan "cried" when someone asked him about this $8 heart bypass. He admitted to deficiencies in our healthcare system and probably cried because he's worried the voters will kick him out this time.
So you see dear voters, especially those still undecided.... just because we have a real political contest, 82 out of 87 seats, just because we have excellent opposition candidates of equal or better calibre asking the right questions and contributing viable alternative proposals during rallies and campaigning, we are seeing the PAP slowing taking responsibility for their past actions.
Imagine what 20-30 opposition candidates (hopefully more) in Parliment can do. They will absolutely make a difference in policy making and the end result is that our lives can only get better.
Do the right thing. The future is in our hands.
PM Lee issued at rare "apology" at yesterday's lunch time rally, saying the PAP made mistakes on the floods, Mas Selamat, housing and a range of other issues.
What's so rare about apologies? Governments around the world apologise for wrong-doings all the time. Japanese and Korean lawmakers readily step down when they commit mistakes.
For the benefit of non-Singaporeans or Singaporeans who've been hibernating all this while, it is probably easier to catch a solar eclipse than to hear any PAP minister apologise.
Law and Home Affairs Minister now says that the PAP needs to communicate more with Singaporeans.
Dr Amy Khor, MP in charge of PAP's feedback unit "Reach", previously admitted in parliment that it was useless to give feedback to the government.
Lim Swee Say once claimed that he was deaf to all criticisms.
Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan has finally come out to explain his busting of the YOG budget and the now infamous "three meals" answer he gave to Dr Lily Neo in parliment--- albeit insincerely.
Khaw Boon Wan "cried" when someone asked him about this $8 heart bypass. He admitted to deficiencies in our healthcare system and probably cried because he's worried the voters will kick him out this time.
So you see dear voters, especially those still undecided.... just because we have a real political contest, 82 out of 87 seats, just because we have excellent opposition candidates of equal or better calibre asking the right questions and contributing viable alternative proposals during rallies and campaigning, we are seeing the PAP slowing taking responsibility for their past actions.
Imagine what 20-30 opposition candidates (hopefully more) in Parliment can do. They will absolutely make a difference in policy making and the end result is that our lives can only get better.
Do the right thing. The future is in our hands.
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
An impassioned speech from a quality candidate.
"Change the performance indicators of the government... add median wage growth... quality of life (transport, housing indices).. social mobility"- Tony Tan
"Change the performance indicators of the government... add median wage growth... quality of life (transport, housing indices).. social mobility"- Tony Tan
GE: Majority not concerned about ministerial pay: SM
SM Goh claims that the majority of Singaporeans aren't concerned about minister salaries.
To me, that's a preposterous claim!
It is well documented that PM Lee earns at least 5 times the salary of President Obama and 10 times that of Hong Kong's Donald Tsang.
When questioned at a forum held at NUS recently, PM Lee's response was that US Presidents earn millions from speaking assignments and writing books!
A handful of my friends are pretty ambivalent about policies and politics but they all have one common grouse with the PAP--- overpaid ministers!
SM Goh, let Singaporeans remind you this GE that politics is about servitude. If you want to make money, go join a bank or GLC!
Most of our opposition parties have pledged not only to donate part of their MP allowance but also quit their full-time jobs to serve their GRCs or SMCs.
That's servitude. That's sacrifice. That's love for Singapore!
This issue may actually sway your swing voters....
To me, that's a preposterous claim!
It is well documented that PM Lee earns at least 5 times the salary of President Obama and 10 times that of Hong Kong's Donald Tsang.
When questioned at a forum held at NUS recently, PM Lee's response was that US Presidents earn millions from speaking assignments and writing books!
A handful of my friends are pretty ambivalent about policies and politics but they all have one common grouse with the PAP--- overpaid ministers!
SM Goh, let Singaporeans remind you this GE that politics is about servitude. If you want to make money, go join a bank or GLC!
Most of our opposition parties have pledged not only to donate part of their MP allowance but also quit their full-time jobs to serve their GRCs or SMCs.
That's servitude. That's sacrifice. That's love for Singapore!
This issue may actually sway your swing voters....
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Monday, 2 May 2011
Group Representation Conspiracy
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?
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?
Government is helping to address rising costs: PM Lee?
The PAP's solution is no solution.
No doubt they had spent the last five yeras creating new jobs and attracting quality investments, like what he said in the May Day rally... but to whose benefit?
6 in 10 jobs went to foreigners last year and the year before.
It's clear that the beneficiaries are not Singaporeans.
Also, it is one thing to create jobs and another to create quality jobs.
Would you rather have 30,000 more casino dealers than 30,000 teachers?
PM Lee, your party's policy of mass importation of foreign labour has inevitably depressed the wages of many Singaporeans.
According to the Ministry of Manpower’s Singapore Yearbook of Manpower Statistics 2010 – Active CPF Members By Monthly Wage Level, there were, in 2009:
- 65,141 people earnings less than $400
- 146,080 earning less than $800
- 74,568 less than $1,000
- 128,611 less than $1,500.
Taken together, this means that there were a total of 464,400 or almost 30 per cent of all active CPF members, earning less than $1,500!
That by all accounts, is surely not reflective of a first world government or Swiss standard of living!
With your current policies PM Lee, do you really think ordinary Singaporeans can cope with rising costs?
No doubt they had spent the last five yeras creating new jobs and attracting quality investments, like what he said in the May Day rally... but to whose benefit?
6 in 10 jobs went to foreigners last year and the year before.
It's clear that the beneficiaries are not Singaporeans.
Also, it is one thing to create jobs and another to create quality jobs.
Would you rather have 30,000 more casino dealers than 30,000 teachers?
PM Lee, your party's policy of mass importation of foreign labour has inevitably depressed the wages of many Singaporeans.
According to the Ministry of Manpower’s Singapore Yearbook of Manpower Statistics 2010 – Active CPF Members By Monthly Wage Level, there were, in 2009:
- 65,141 people earnings less than $400
- 146,080 earning less than $800
- 74,568 less than $1,000
- 128,611 less than $1,500.
Taken together, this means that there were a total of 464,400 or almost 30 per cent of all active CPF members, earning less than $1,500!
That by all accounts, is surely not reflective of a first world government or Swiss standard of living!
With your current policies PM Lee, do you really think ordinary Singaporeans can cope with rising costs?
SINGAPORE : Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said Singapore's best long-term response to cope with rising costs is to ensure workers have jobs and enjoy steady increase in real wages.
He added that the government's strategy of creating new jobs and attracting quality investments here has worked.
Mr Lee was speaking to 8,500 participants at the May Day Rally on Sunday.
The increasing cost of living is a concern the government is keeping a close watch on.
That is why Mr Lee said the government will continue to invest in the people and continue to make Singapore attractive to businesses.
He said: "Ensuring good jobs, whether for present or future workers, is the first responsibility of any government, and this is what the PAP (People's Action Party) has delivered and will continue to deliver. And this is what voters must ask any political party seeking your support.
"How will you create growth and jobs for Singaporeans? Do not just say you will have prosperity. The civil servants will know how to do it. Permanent secretaries know what to do. If the ministers do not know what to do, you can be sure things will mess up and with the PAP, we make sure that ministers know what to do and we make sure we have a successful formula which provides good solution, good pay, and good jobs over the long term."
Aside from long-term plans, Mr Lee said the government also has short-term measures to help Singaporeans.
These include keeping the Singapore dollar strong, and targeting help to specific areas for groups who need it.
He added that the government is also making special efforts to help low-income workers through initiatives like Workfare, to top up salaries for older employees.
Mr Lee said: "Nobody knows what the world will be like. It will be a different world, full of challenges but also opportunities. It will be a bright future for us, provided we work hard together. So let us cooperate to strive for better jobs, better pay and better lives for our workers and for all the workers of Singapore."
Prime Minister Lee said Parliament has a significant number of MPs from the labour movement. They make important contributions like looking after the interest of workers and ensuring that government policies are pro-workers and pro-Singapore. He said the current slate of PAP candidates includes a good number from NTUC and he called on participants to support them.
To ensure that NTUC remains relevant and effective, Mr Lee announced the a development fund to raise S$50 million for the NTUC50 Development Fund.
This is to build a three generation membership base of 1 million and to develop future generation leaders in the labour movement.
Mr Lee said the labour movement needs to raise S$12.5 million and the PAP government will give a grant of S$37.5 million.
He added that this shows the government's support for the union movement and Singapore workers.
Meanwhile, in his speech in Malay at the May Day Rally, Prime Minister Lee noted that the Malay-Muslim community is benefiting from the country's success.
He said Malay workers are doing well and many have gone for upgrading.
They have also taken up better-paying jobs.
Mr Lee said growing number of Malay students are going to the university.
Many are in the polytechnics and in the ITEs picking up strong technical skills.
Mr Lee believes they will be able to achieve better lives for themselves and help uplift the community and take Singapore to even greater heights.
- CNA/ms
He added that the government's strategy of creating new jobs and attracting quality investments here has worked.
Mr Lee was speaking to 8,500 participants at the May Day Rally on Sunday.
The increasing cost of living is a concern the government is keeping a close watch on.
That is why Mr Lee said the government will continue to invest in the people and continue to make Singapore attractive to businesses.
He said: "Ensuring good jobs, whether for present or future workers, is the first responsibility of any government, and this is what the PAP (People's Action Party) has delivered and will continue to deliver. And this is what voters must ask any political party seeking your support.
"How will you create growth and jobs for Singaporeans? Do not just say you will have prosperity. The civil servants will know how to do it. Permanent secretaries know what to do. If the ministers do not know what to do, you can be sure things will mess up and with the PAP, we make sure that ministers know what to do and we make sure we have a successful formula which provides good solution, good pay, and good jobs over the long term."
Aside from long-term plans, Mr Lee said the government also has short-term measures to help Singaporeans.
These include keeping the Singapore dollar strong, and targeting help to specific areas for groups who need it.
He added that the government is also making special efforts to help low-income workers through initiatives like Workfare, to top up salaries for older employees.
Mr Lee said: "Nobody knows what the world will be like. It will be a different world, full of challenges but also opportunities. It will be a bright future for us, provided we work hard together. So let us cooperate to strive for better jobs, better pay and better lives for our workers and for all the workers of Singapore."
Prime Minister Lee said Parliament has a significant number of MPs from the labour movement. They make important contributions like looking after the interest of workers and ensuring that government policies are pro-workers and pro-Singapore. He said the current slate of PAP candidates includes a good number from NTUC and he called on participants to support them.
To ensure that NTUC remains relevant and effective, Mr Lee announced the a development fund to raise S$50 million for the NTUC50 Development Fund.
This is to build a three generation membership base of 1 million and to develop future generation leaders in the labour movement.
Mr Lee said the labour movement needs to raise S$12.5 million and the PAP government will give a grant of S$37.5 million.
He added that this shows the government's support for the union movement and Singapore workers.
Meanwhile, in his speech in Malay at the May Day Rally, Prime Minister Lee noted that the Malay-Muslim community is benefiting from the country's success.
He said Malay workers are doing well and many have gone for upgrading.
They have also taken up better-paying jobs.
Mr Lee said growing number of Malay students are going to the university.
Many are in the polytechnics and in the ITEs picking up strong technical skills.
Mr Lee believes they will be able to achieve better lives for themselves and help uplift the community and take Singapore to even greater heights.
- CNA/ms
Sunday, 1 May 2011
Dear journalists...
I stand corrected on one thing. Back in one of my earlier posts, I actually applauded the local media for trying to be more objective for this GE.
However, we have seen over the last couple of days a 100% about turn in the PAP controlled media.
It's back to the days of gutter journalism.
Stories are published to further the agenda of just one party. And yes, that also includes you too- Channel News Asia.
What is the role of journalists? I quote from Wikipedia:
.....and they are often expected to report in the most objective and unbiased way to serve the public good.
Singapore main stream media, you have failed your duty to provide objective and unbiased reports. You don't serve the public good by spreading untruth and distorting the words of the opposition.
But thanks to social media, your influence over voters is not what it was.
Case in point: "Is he SDP's loose cannon"- from the New Paper.
http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/4795-does-this-look-like-a-protest-march
I was there at Woodlands Stadium and Dr Chee behaved like an absolute gentlemen.
That is all...
However, we have seen over the last couple of days a 100% about turn in the PAP controlled media.
It's back to the days of gutter journalism.
Stories are published to further the agenda of just one party. And yes, that also includes you too- Channel News Asia.
What is the role of journalists? I quote from Wikipedia:
.....and they are often expected to report in the most objective and unbiased way to serve the public good.
Singapore main stream media, you have failed your duty to provide objective and unbiased reports. You don't serve the public good by spreading untruth and distorting the words of the opposition.
But thanks to social media, your influence over voters is not what it was.
Case in point: "Is he SDP's loose cannon"- from the New Paper.
http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/4795-does-this-look-like-a-protest-march
I was there at Woodlands Stadium and Dr Chee behaved like an absolute gentlemen.
That is all...
Alternative policies for Singapore- part 1
National Solidarity Party:
Singapore Democratic Party:
- Reduction of GST to 5% and exempt necessities totally
- Reudction of National Service to 15 months. They cited Taiwan, a country fraught with military tensions with China reducing their conscript service to just 12 months. Is Singapore in greater military danger than Taiwan?
- Mandating all new citizens to serve National Service
- Personal tax policy that taxes the high income earners (those earning more than 300k annual) more
- All elected MPs to quit full time jobs to serve
- All elected MPs to donate 35% of MP allowance to help the needy
- Meet the people's session 5 days a week
- Singaporeans first employment policy
Singapore Democratic Party:
- $60 billion dollars to refresh our economy
- Creation of more noble jobs like teachers, nurses, doctors
- Focus on creative services like IT, arts etc to help young people fulfill dreams
- Halving class sizes from 40 to 20, building 300 more schools and creating 30k more teaching jobs
- Reduction of National Service to 12 months
- Singaporeans first employment policy
- Reduction in transport fares for the elderly
- All elected MPs to donate 50% of MP allowance to help the needy
- Conversion of void decks to polyclinics to ease waiting time
Saturday, 30 April 2011
GE: MM Lee cautions Aljunied voters of consequences of voting in opposition
As usual, the PAP is trying to paint doomsday scenarios if opposition gets voted.
Here's a line by line analysis of MM Lee's wise words.
SINGAPORE: Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has urged the voters of Aljunied GRC to exercise their vote carefully in the 7 May General Election.
This is because a wrong choice would mean they lose a strong team of office holders and ground parliamentarians. Mr Lee was speaking to the media after a visit to Tampines Central on Friday night.
"Strong team" to who? The people? or PAP?
What has George Yeo's team done?
Let me remind Aljunied voters that in 2008, Aljunied GRC was voted one of the dirtiest towns in Singapore. And George Yeo's strong team of office holders considered raising conservancy fees as a quick fix. Thankfully they made a u-turn in the face of a barrage of online criticisms.
You see, with more opposition in parliment, we will make the PAP think twice before passing unpopular policies.
Mr Lee's visit there was to support Mr Heng Swee Keat, PAP's new candidate in the Tampines GRC slate.
Mr Heng was once Minister Mentor Lee's principal private secretary during his career in the civil service. His last post before leaving for politics was as the managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
Mr Lee said: "He is the man who saw Singapore through the financial crisis and we recovered faster than other countries, but he's a potential Minister for Finance or Minister for Trade and Industry and we've got to have people like that in reserve."
MM Lee, is he also the man who oversaw our economy when we were the first Asia country to dip into recession when the crisis started?
So Mr Lee's advice to all voters and in particular those in Aljunied GRC is to look at the track record of the candidates and the programmes they have for the constituency.
We have looked into the track record. Unfortunately for your new PAP, it isn't particularly impressive considering that you have the most expensive ministers on the whole planet."During election time, all claims are made recklessly, but they are simplistic. Election rallies' slogans sell," he warned.
The Minister Mentor urged Aljunied GRC's voters to compare the property prices of their GRC with those in the neighbouring Hougang division, an opposition stronghold.
He said they would realise the prices are not the same. "You have the wrong government, you have your property prices go right down," he said.
Minister Mentor Lee went on to say: "If you are in Aljunied, ask yourself: do you want one MP, one non-constituency MP, one celebrity, two unknowns, to look after you? Or, have two ministers, one Speaker of Parliament, one very good ground worker (Ong Ye Kung) and Cynthia Phua to look after the place?
Isn't an elected government suppose to take care of ALL citizens, whether or not they are supporters?
Will Obama wash his hands off Texas because they are Republican?
So it shouldn't matter if the new team is made up of incumbent ministers or unknowns. We want to judge people on track record (yes I said it) and commitment to Singaporeans."What will happen to your property values and your own comfort, the drains and mosquitoes and so on in the five years? You have this celebrity, he has been away 30 years, he comes back, how does he connect with us?
We've given PAP nearly 50 years. Let's give this "celebrity" 5 years in office and then we will decide again. If he screws up, the voters will replace him in 2016. Let's not judge too early."It may well happen. If they win, in which case, the people of Aljunied live with the results. The only way people learn is when they have to pay a price."
And how do you know that? What if the lives of Aljunied Singaporeans actually get better? What will you say?Mr Lee was also unfazed by the large crowds at the opposition rallies, as he feels that does not translate into the final results on Polling Day.
Mr Lee also provided data to counter opposition's claims that foreigners in Singapore were taking away jobs from Singaporeans.
He said total employment in Singapore rose by 786,000 between 2006 and last year. That's a cumulative increase of 34 percent.
Last year alone, 115,900 jobs were added, with half going to Singaporeans.
Even if that were true, why are we creating 57,950 jobs for foreigners? Leave that to their own governments back home. I don't know of any country except UAE where the government creates as many jobs for foreigners. (Still, UAE citizens sit on top of the economic ladder so I hear. Not sure if it's the same here)
Preliminary estimates also show that total employment grew by 23,700 in the first three months of this year.
Mr Lee pointed out that the Singapore government has no reason to look after the interest of foreigners.
More foreigners means more spending on consumption no matter what. That will add to GDP de facto. Higher GDP growth means more bonuses for ministers. So there isn't any reason to look after the interest of foreigners?
He added that the PAP government has created more jobs than Singaporeans can fill.
That's because we have too many labour intensive jobs and exploitative MNCs on our shores. Move up the value chain, services chain-- Singaporeans are talented and hardworking and if given the chance, we can grow the economy by ourselves! Let our local run businesses thrive! Downplay the significance of MNCs.
I'm seeing ordinary foreigners taking away our PMET jobs when there are locals who can perform these jobs.
He said no country has done that except Singapore.
Mr Lee also released data stating that the overall unemployment rate was 2.2 percent last year.
The resident jobless rate was 3.1 percent, the second lowest over the period of 2000 and 2010.
Resident includes Singaporeans and PRs. PRs will have to be employed otherwise they will be out of this country. Stop skewing the statistics. Give us the jobless rate for Singaporeans only and we can judge.
Mr Lee added that foreigners are brought into Singapore to attract investments, in turn creating even more jobs for locals.
Some examples include how the equipment supplying company, Applied Materials, employs over 500 staff, and 85 percent of them are Singaporeans.
To be honest, I wouldn't expect any less. For every Applied Materials, there would be two Johnson & Johnsons or Citibanks.
And based on a construction manpower study done last year, which surveyed 1,000 contracting firms, two-thirds of professional, managerial, executive and technical positions are held by Singaporeans.
- CNA/ir
Here's a line by line analysis of MM Lee's wise words.
SINGAPORE: Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has urged the voters of Aljunied GRC to exercise their vote carefully in the 7 May General Election.
This is because a wrong choice would mean they lose a strong team of office holders and ground parliamentarians. Mr Lee was speaking to the media after a visit to Tampines Central on Friday night.
"Strong team" to who? The people? or PAP?
What has George Yeo's team done?
Let me remind Aljunied voters that in 2008, Aljunied GRC was voted one of the dirtiest towns in Singapore. And George Yeo's strong team of office holders considered raising conservancy fees as a quick fix. Thankfully they made a u-turn in the face of a barrage of online criticisms.
You see, with more opposition in parliment, we will make the PAP think twice before passing unpopular policies.
Mr Lee's visit there was to support Mr Heng Swee Keat, PAP's new candidate in the Tampines GRC slate.
Mr Heng was once Minister Mentor Lee's principal private secretary during his career in the civil service. His last post before leaving for politics was as the managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
Mr Lee said: "He is the man who saw Singapore through the financial crisis and we recovered faster than other countries, but he's a potential Minister for Finance or Minister for Trade and Industry and we've got to have people like that in reserve."
MM Lee, is he also the man who oversaw our economy when we were the first Asia country to dip into recession when the crisis started?
So Mr Lee's advice to all voters and in particular those in Aljunied GRC is to look at the track record of the candidates and the programmes they have for the constituency.
We have looked into the track record. Unfortunately for your new PAP, it isn't particularly impressive considering that you have the most expensive ministers on the whole planet."During election time, all claims are made recklessly, but they are simplistic. Election rallies' slogans sell," he warned.
The Minister Mentor urged Aljunied GRC's voters to compare the property prices of their GRC with those in the neighbouring Hougang division, an opposition stronghold.
He said they would realise the prices are not the same. "You have the wrong government, you have your property prices go right down," he said.
Minister Mentor Lee went on to say: "If you are in Aljunied, ask yourself: do you want one MP, one non-constituency MP, one celebrity, two unknowns, to look after you? Or, have two ministers, one Speaker of Parliament, one very good ground worker (Ong Ye Kung) and Cynthia Phua to look after the place?
Isn't an elected government suppose to take care of ALL citizens, whether or not they are supporters?
Will Obama wash his hands off Texas because they are Republican?
So it shouldn't matter if the new team is made up of incumbent ministers or unknowns. We want to judge people on track record (yes I said it) and commitment to Singaporeans."What will happen to your property values and your own comfort, the drains and mosquitoes and so on in the five years? You have this celebrity, he has been away 30 years, he comes back, how does he connect with us?
We've given PAP nearly 50 years. Let's give this "celebrity" 5 years in office and then we will decide again. If he screws up, the voters will replace him in 2016. Let's not judge too early."It may well happen. If they win, in which case, the people of Aljunied live with the results. The only way people learn is when they have to pay a price."
And how do you know that? What if the lives of Aljunied Singaporeans actually get better? What will you say?Mr Lee was also unfazed by the large crowds at the opposition rallies, as he feels that does not translate into the final results on Polling Day.
Mr Lee also provided data to counter opposition's claims that foreigners in Singapore were taking away jobs from Singaporeans.
He said total employment in Singapore rose by 786,000 between 2006 and last year. That's a cumulative increase of 34 percent.
Last year alone, 115,900 jobs were added, with half going to Singaporeans.
Even if that were true, why are we creating 57,950 jobs for foreigners? Leave that to their own governments back home. I don't know of any country except UAE where the government creates as many jobs for foreigners. (Still, UAE citizens sit on top of the economic ladder so I hear. Not sure if it's the same here)
Preliminary estimates also show that total employment grew by 23,700 in the first three months of this year.
Mr Lee pointed out that the Singapore government has no reason to look after the interest of foreigners.
More foreigners means more spending on consumption no matter what. That will add to GDP de facto. Higher GDP growth means more bonuses for ministers. So there isn't any reason to look after the interest of foreigners?
He added that the PAP government has created more jobs than Singaporeans can fill.
That's because we have too many labour intensive jobs and exploitative MNCs on our shores. Move up the value chain, services chain-- Singaporeans are talented and hardworking and if given the chance, we can grow the economy by ourselves! Let our local run businesses thrive! Downplay the significance of MNCs.
I'm seeing ordinary foreigners taking away our PMET jobs when there are locals who can perform these jobs.
He said no country has done that except Singapore.
Mr Lee also released data stating that the overall unemployment rate was 2.2 percent last year.
The resident jobless rate was 3.1 percent, the second lowest over the period of 2000 and 2010.
Resident includes Singaporeans and PRs. PRs will have to be employed otherwise they will be out of this country. Stop skewing the statistics. Give us the jobless rate for Singaporeans only and we can judge.
Mr Lee added that foreigners are brought into Singapore to attract investments, in turn creating even more jobs for locals.
Some examples include how the equipment supplying company, Applied Materials, employs over 500 staff, and 85 percent of them are Singaporeans.
To be honest, I wouldn't expect any less. For every Applied Materials, there would be two Johnson & Johnsons or Citibanks.
And based on a construction manpower study done last year, which surveyed 1,000 contracting firms, two-thirds of professional, managerial, executive and technical positions are held by Singaporeans.
- CNA/ir
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