Lee, With Less Support, Gets Singapore `Wake-Up Call'
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Asia
Lee, With Less Support, Gets Singapore `Wake-Up Call'
May 8 (Bloomberg) -- Singaporeans returned Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to power with a smaller share of the vote at weekend elections, signaling a growing appetite for political change in the city-state, analysts said.
The People's Action Party, which has ruled since 1959, won 67 percent of votes cast on May 6, down from 75 percent at the last election in 2001.
While the economic policies of the People's Action Party have entrenched Singaporeans as the wealthiest in Southeast Asia, voters took a stand on domestic issues, personal liberty and the expense of day-to-day life, analysts said. The country's government has been criticized by groups including Human Rights Watch and billionaire George Soros, who have called for fewer restrictions on speech and political lobbying.
Young voters ``want more than just economic stability,'' said Dr. Terence Chong, a fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore. ``They want political openness and most importantly, more opposition in parliament, hence the overall good showing of the opposition this time round.''
Opposition groups for the first time since 1988 mustered enough candidates to prevent the People's Action Party from being reinstated without a vote. The government won 82 of 84 seats in Parliament.
`Change'
``Perhaps Singaporeans would like the style of government to change,'' said Jeanne Conceicao, research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies in Singapore. ``People are trying to get them to cut the cost of living. We can expect programs on this in months to come.''
Last month, Lee Kuan Yew, founder of modern Singapore, said the gap between the city's rich and poor was an ``increasing problem'' that might persist for a decade.
The government's election campaign, which highlighted the lowest unemployment rate in more than four years and the country's growth prospects, was overshadowed by lawsuits against senior members of the rival Singapore Democratic Party and a spat with opposition candidate James Gomez.
Gomez, the subject of a police investigation over complaints made by the elections department, was part of a Workers' Party group competing in the government-held constituency of Aljunied. Though Gomez and four colleagues failed to dislodge a team that included Foreign Minister George Yeo, the reduced margin of victory may have concerned the People's Action Party, at least one analyst said.
`Wake-up Call'
The Workers' Party in Aljunied drew 44 percent of the vote. In 1997, the government took 67 percent of votes in the area. The district is a so-called Group Representation Constituency, which may have as many as six members of parliament. In 2001, Aljunied was unopposed.
``The PAP nearly lost a GRC,'' said Conceicao. ``If a GRC is lost, it would be a wake-up call to all. In fact, because it was such a close call in Aljunied, we've woken up already.''
A Workers' Party victory in Aljunied would have more than doubled the opposition's seats in Parliament. The result suggests the electorate needs only a ``credible opposition'' in the future to give the government ``a run for its money,'' said Conceicao.
In the two seats retained by the opposition, Hougang and Potong Pasir, the government's share of the vote declined, even after it wooed voters with accommodation upgrades.
``The electorate is clearly telling the government they are willing to exercise their vote,'' said Antonio Rappa, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore. ``The PAP will have to pay attention to local issues. In future, the battle will be tougher.''
`Very Strong Mandate'
Prime Minister Lee called the election result ``a very strong mandate.'' It was hard to take the two opposition seats because Singaporeans had a ``natural loyalty'' to incumbents, he said.
About 94 percent of the 1.22 million Singaporeans who live in contested electorates voted. There were no polls in areas where opposition candidates did not stand.
The electoral system allows for extra seats to be provided in Parliament. As many as three members of the opposition and nine others unconnected to any parties may be selected.
The People's Action Party, after securing its 11th straight victory, is seeking to freshen its appeal with new candidates. After this year's election, 80 percent of lawmakers will be those who entered Parliament after 1997, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said.
The ruling party aims to bring in more than 20 new candidates at the next election, Prime Minister Lee said at a press conference.
The Asian Network for Free Elections yesterday recommended that the government create an independent elections department, make vote-counting accessible to the public, and liberalize the country's media.
Victory Margin
The margin of Lee's victory was the second-largest since 1980.
``I don't think this is the kind of result that will lead to much softening or reform,'' said Diane Mauzy, professor of political science at the University of British Columbia in Canada, who has written on politics in Singapore and Malaysia.
``This is really a pretty solid performance by the PAP and they must be secretly quite pleased and relieved,'' she said. ``The only way the opposition can improve its position is if the PAP runs into trouble, as dominant parties sometimes do.''
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000080&sid=ah.rCt6B1HR0&refer=asia -
i doubt there is anything the govt can do about rising cost.
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If they can do something about the cost of HDB housing to bring it down to levels closer to what public housing should be like, it will immediately lighten the burden to at least 80% of Singaporeans which will then bring down the cost of living significantly.
But this is a very complicated economics problem which is a lot more complex than just reducing the sale price of HDB flats. A crash in property prices is no small matter to national economy... -
of course they can! Only they are unwilling to do so. They can:Originally posted by dragg:i doubt there is anything the govt can do about rising cost.
1) reduce the price of water since many of us are either unemployed or underemployed. Moreover the price of water we buy from Malaysia has not changed, at 3 Malaysian cens, since we started buying from them forty years ago!
2) reduce or abolish the water conservation tax - this will bring down the utility bill
3) reduce the petrol tax - this will reduce the utility bill; for those who drive, reduce their expenses; for cabbies, reduce their cost.
4) disallow transport fares hike when the transport companies are making handsome profits.
5) disallow the hike in university fees when the reason given is something as bizarre as "it is a gobal phenomenon"
6) stop increasing the S&C charges when the opposition wards are able to maintain theirs.
there are many more. -
now, this is press freedom!
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Reducing their million dollar salaries might help too.
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News regarding SG are best to be view in the eyes other nations papers since there is so much censorship in SG papers
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This article is indeed very well written!
Written as it should be! Without all that MSG and artificial colorings!
Well done!
But again, what the hell can anyone do...? -
den they will ask u to take a 50% pay cut also...Originally posted by Rexdriver:Reducing their million dollar salaries might help too. -
we have no freedom. its a canned reportOriginally posted by FireIce:now, this is press freedom! -
we have a newsletter.Originally posted by leoloe:we have no freedom. its a canned report
Anyway, if you disagree with the SPH's view on things, just boycott the paper and do not buy it.I've stopped doing so for a long time.. why waste my money on crap? -
I agreed with PM Lee saying it is a strong mandate for him. You disagree somemore.
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"strong"?Originally posted by king108:I agreed with PM Lee saying it is a strong mandate for him. You disagree somemore.
..you see yesterday sun times and see the face of DPM Wong KS..... -
And we should be ashamed for disagreeing with him because.... ?Originally posted by king108:I agreed with PM Lee saying it is a strong mandate for him. You disagree somemore.
One-liners don't work. Substantiate your stand with arguments, or it's not a stand at all. -
Long time no see DPM Wong KS...Originally posted by duotiga83:"strong"? ..you see yesterday sun times and see the face of DPM Wong KS..... -
Originally posted by duotiga83:"strong"? ..you see yesterday sun times and see the face of DPM Wong KS.....
I don't know that you know how to see face..how to tell can teach? 
I don't know leh. -
This is call BODY LANGUAGE...you can see HIS BIG FROWN while PM LEE still HAPPY LOOKING in the conference.....Originally posted by king108: I don't know that you know how to see face..how to tell can teach? I don't know leh. -
you want the article? i can scan for you.......Originally posted by king108: I don't know that you know how to see face..how to tell can teach? I don't know leh. -
But this is a very complicated economics problem which is a lot more complex than just reducing the sale price of HDB flats. A crash in property prices is no small matter to national economy...
That is exactly the problem...a crash in HDB and property prices will also mean the poor will have to pay more out of the pocket because the mortgage value on their flat would have dropped. If you cannot afford to top up to service your loan, you may lose your flat AND be sued by the bank.
Singaporeans who are baying for lower property prices might not have taken that into consideration. -
[quote]Originally posted by pearlie27:
[b]
of course they can! Only they are unwilling to do so. They can:
1) reduce the price of water since many of us are either unemployed or underemployed. Moreover the price of water we buy from Malaysia has not changed, at 3 Malaysian cens, since we started buying from them forty years ago!
Disagree. We should reduce our reliance on water bought from KL for our own national security. Singaporeans should learn more water conservation
2) reduce or abolish the water conservation tax - this will bring down the utility bill
Disagree for above reasons
3) reduce the petrol tax - this will reduce the utility bill; for those who drive, reduce their expenses; for cabbies, reduce their cost.
Disagree about petrol tax. There must be a tax to discourage activities that pollute the environment. Petrol tax should be increased but those who drive hybrid and electric cars should have their petrol tax greatly reduced.
4) disallow transport fares hike when the transport companies are making handsome profits.
Agree
5) disallow the hike in university fees when the reason given is something as bizarre as "it is a gobal phenomenon
Agree. Undergrads in NUS and NTU are getting a raw deal. The hike in fees is necessary to attract top researchers to Singapore but students should not pay the price for that. Most of these researchers spend more time on their research than teaching students anyway.
6) stop increasing the S&C charges when the opposition wards are able to maintain theirs.
Agree. Although the way to lower charges might be to employ more foreign talent who accept low wages. You are prepared for that? -
wow, you sounded like the PAP, I very scare leh!
There are about 3,000 households in Singapore who are living without water and electricity because they have no jobs and therefore no money to pay for their utility bills. There are many more who are struggling to pay their bills. To these people every cent counts, do you think they will waste water carelessly and be charged more?
It is not that we want to rely on Malaysian water but do we have a choice? If the govt were to offer us another source of water at a cheaper rate, I'm sure we would gladly take it.
As everyone has a basis need for water, the water conservation tax should only be imposed after a certain usage has been breached and not from the very first drop of water one used.
Petrol tax in Singapore has never been used to discourage activities that pollute the environment. It is a good source of revenue for the govt.
The increases in S&C charges in PAP wards are due mainly to inefficient management of fund and the obession to fatten the reserves. -
Serious so bad? How these 3000 survive then? Is it true electricity bill more expensive than the water bill?Originally posted by pearlie27:wow, you sounded like the PAP, I very scare leh!
There are about 3,000 households in Singapore who are living without water and electricity because they have no jobs and therefore no money to pay for their utility bills. There are many more who are struggling to pay their bills. To these people every cent counts, do you think they will waste water carelessly and be charged more?
It is not that we want to rely on Malaysian water but do we have a choice? If the govt were to offer us another source of water at a cheaper rate, I'm sure we would gladly take it.
As everyone has a basis need for water, the water conservation tax should only be imposed after a certain usage has been breached and not from the very first drop of water one used.
Petrol tax in Singapore has never been used to discourage activities that pollute the environment. It is a good source of revenue for the govt.
The increases in S&C charges in PAP wards are due mainly to inefficient management of fund and the obession to fatten the reserves. -
one things i ahte..
they sue...make ppl unavailable to contest..
sigh...dirty tactic...
come over here..u will see deflamation of all sorts and kind...
i always look foward to GE here -
Food for thought?
Source http://www.elections.gov.sg/parliamentary2006.htm
Amk GRC total voters = 159,872
Workers Party = 49,468
Pappy = 96,591
Total valid votes = 146,059
This means spoilt votes/could'nt wake up to vote/squatting in QT remand so can't vote = 13,813
So our beloved elections department conviniently took the percentage of valid votes the Pappy won and declared that they took 66.13% of the vote, neglecting to mention that it is 66.13% of the valid vote.
Now if you look at it from the raw stats point of view,
AMK GRC Total 159,872 = 100%
WP = 49,468 = 30.94%
PAP = 96,591 = 60.42%
Invalid = 13,813 = 8.64%
Guess they calculated it the other way maybe because a 60% STRONG MANDATE (bwahahaha) might be a little too embarassing for the dragon prince? Apparantly the 13.8k voters who were too frightened to vote opposition but did not want to give a mandate to LHL did not matter to the elections department? Food for thought yes? -
Prime Minister Lee called the election result ``a very strong mandate.''
Strong mandate comes from my bloody ass, mate. Please don't hide the undisputable fact that the mandate has been reduced significantly since the last election.
Every taxi driver I speak too has voted for the opposition. And you call this a strong mandate? Stop fooling yourself please.