Ladies & Gentlemen: A Great Letter to Straits Times
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This, is what I call an airing of opnion in black and white.
Very well written indeed!
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Strong mandate? I beg to differ
May 9, 2006
The Straits Times
I AM not alone in wanting to beg to differ that it was a strong mandate that was given to the ruling party. Being in denial that there is genuine unhappiness and discontent among Singaporeans with regard to policies, cost of living, health care, disbursement of funds, etc, will only sway more voters to favour the opposition in the next election.
For every vote that was lost represents a voice that is asking for accountability, for answers, for checks, for changes, for help and, perhaps, more transparency.
The fact that voters in the opposition wards of Hougang and Potong Pasir rejected the ruling party's $180 million offer linking ward upgrading to the election of its candidates proves that votes cannot be 'bought'.
Let's not forget that regardless of which ward they come from, each and every one of them is a taxpayer and deserves the same amenities and packages lined up for the PAP wards. The ruling party has a duty of care to all Singaporeans young and old, pro-PAP or otherwise.
Such calculated measures should have no place in a First World nation that strives to produce a gracious society. When integrity has been made to be synonymous with the name PAP, then it should be applied in this aspect as well.
I also hope that the minority-candidate-form saga would be closed for good. There are far more important issues.
The ruling party has encouraged open and serious debate and though the country may have progressed and moved forward, very little improvement has been made to help Singaporeans with the high cost of living.
There is a wide gap between the party members and the people simply because while the party members have made big leaps in this race to get us forward, the people themselves continue taking small steps to catch up.
There seems to be only one set of opinion that is allowed and I felt stifled reading the papers and watching the broadcast media in the past nine days.
Voters have evolved dramatically over the years and they should be given a choice in every aspect, for the good of this nation.
Phyllis Christe (Ms) -
PM LHL is stretching his victory to the limit that is possible to justify his own mandate from the 66.13% who voted in favor of his GRC of six persons.
He should realise that there remain 33.87% who have given their votes to six UNKNOWN and UNTESTED NEWBIES from the Workers' Party; and this had happened despite his position as the Leader of the Party and the Country !!!
The simple fact that his percentage of votes have gone down, when compared with the increase in votes given to LTK of WP and CST of SDA in this Election 2006 - is clear indication that this is NOT a strong mandate given to the POWER OF ONE.
How can he seriously claim to have a STRONG MANDATE when 43.92% of the Aljunied GRC had given their votes to FIVE UNTESTED NEWBIES that formed the Team A from the WP - all of whom have never been in Politics ?
With the other 37 election wards being uncontested, who knows if the percentage of votes going to the Opposition would have increased ?
The attitude was correctly set in PM LHL speech on Sunday - that the Ruling Party and the Opposition DO NOT have all the solutions; that both sides have the talents to move together to solve problems facing Singapore.
Unfortunately, it seems that it is mere rhetoric only, and the "moving together" has begun by treating the Chairman of the WP - Sylvia Lim - with caustic suspicion in the continued persecution of James Gomez, an incident that is blown up by only ONE PERSISTENT VOICE from MM LKY.
Instead of wasting energies in persecuting Political Opponents - similar to Third World countries - one would have thought that an intelligent POWER OF ONE would have started some efforts to regain the confidence of the other 33.87% of the Electorate that voted for the Opposition.
Sadly, we have a POWER OF ONE claiming to be in a Class with the First World, but in effect behaving no better then the uncouth and bearish behaviour so characteristic of Third World Politicians. -
actually, we should learn from the PAP and kick a man when he's down
and no, i ain't talkin' 'bout Gomez (he's a moron and that's punishment enough by itself )
i'm talkin' 'bout the Dragon Prince..
so far, he's disgraced himself, he's clutching at straws, and (to steal a line from Ling How Doong) even a blind man can see that he's trying to convince himself as much as everyone else by repeating the nonsense he's sprouting...
but most of all, if he doesn't get his head out of his ass and start working to better the lives of the people (that's his job!) instead of trying to "fix the opposition", we as his employers (yes! we, the citizens of Singapore, are his employers!) can fire his ass the next time the "performance reviews" come around..
in the meantime, let's see who gets more work done, and who gets more jawing done...
we, the citizens of Singapore, are growing up.. we're more educated, we can't be hoodwinked so easily anymore..
so, Dragon Prince, quit jawing and start earning your pay...
you have been given notice! -
Well said Atobe.
More inputs anyone??
I hope they're reading this... -
everytime i read this, i want to laugh.
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Is PAP given a strong mandate?
In Aljuied, why would 43.9% of voters voted for a team of new players , including a 'liar', led by a lady with no political experience, against the PAP led by veteran politician George Yeo, 10 years older, had much international experience in negotiation, blah blah...?
In AMK, why would 33.9% of the voters voted for another group of inexperienced new players, mostly below 31 years of age (except for Gopal) against PAP led by the PRIME MINISTER of Singapore???
In Potong Pasir, why should Chiam's winner shares increase although he was old, he had no money to upgrade HDB lift (according to GCT), when his opponent had the full support of GCT, and a $80 million carrot? imagine if Chiam were to have the $80million...
In Hougang, why would more people want to vote for the teochew apeh who are no good in english (according to MM)?
If I say they are blind, would I be sued?
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Originally posted by sgdiehard:Is PAP given a strong mandate?
In Aljuied, why would 43.9% of voters voted for a team of new players , including a 'liar', led by a lady with no political experience, against the PAP led by veteran politician George Yeo, 10 years older, had much international experience in negotiation, blah blah...?
In AMK, why would 33.9% of the voters voted for another group of inexperienced new players, mostly below 31 years of age (except for Gopal) against PAP led by the PRIME MINISTER of Singapore???
In Potong Pasir, why should Chiam's winner shares increase although he was old, he had no money to upgrade HDB lift (according to GCT), when his opponent had the full support of GCT, and a $80 million carrot? imagine if Chiam were to have the $80million...
In Hougang, why would more people want to vote for the teochew apeh who are no good in english (according to MM)?
If I say they are blind, would I be sued?
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm rather dissappointed with MM & SM with that sort of First world gov attitude..... -
oh mine...haaaaaOriginally posted by www:everytime i read this, i want to laugh.
i really pap going down the drain... -
REMARKABLE FAMILY
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lets follow the swiss way of governing and VOTE for everything... then we shall see how the PAP and their policies will hold up... lets see what the people say...
altogether... people is what makes up a nation. not the government. People should not be afraid of the Government , the government should be afraid of the people -
Can you define 66% as a strong mandate when only 1.2million people voted out of 3.5million. He only received the approval of 700,000 people. walkovers are not mandates but no contest due to our ridiculous GRC structures and finding candidates. what is LHL exactly talking about?
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In order for that to work, the MAJORITY of singaporeans must poll their vote in support of change.Originally posted by the Bear:actually, we should learn from the PAP and kick a man when he's down
and no, i ain't talkin' 'bout Gomez (he's a moron and that's punishment enough by itself )
i'm talkin' 'bout the Dragon Prince..
so far, he's disgraced himself, he's clutching at straws, and (to steal a line from Ling How Doong) even a blind man can see that he's trying to convince himself as much as everyone else by repeating the nonsense he's sprouting...
but most of all, if he doesn't get his head out of his ass and start working to better the lives of the people (that's his job!) instead of trying to "fix the opposition", we as his employers (yes! we, the citizens of Singapore, are his employers!) can fire his ass the next time the "performance reviews" come around..
in the meantime, let's see who gets more work done, and who gets more jawing done...
we, the citizens of Singapore, are growing up.. we're more educated, we can't be hoodwinked so easily anymore..
so, Dragon Prince, quit jawing and start earning your pay...
you have been given notice!
For that to happen, the MAJORITY of singaporeans have to suddenly become OBJECTIVE and INFORMED CITIZENS.
At the moment, that is simply not possible. -
like i said, we are growing up as a people.. slowly, slowly
too many sudden changes in a country has never produced anything good in recent times.. i would think the slower transition is good..
at the moment, it's not possible, but doesn't mean it'll never be possible..
look on the bright side and work hard towards that...
Originally posted by BillyBong:In order for that to work, the MAJORITY of singaporeans must poll their vote in support of change.
For that to happen, the MAJORITY of singaporeans have to suddenly become OBJECTIVE and INFORMED CITIZENS.
At the moment, that is simply not possible. -
well tat's usually the kinda attitude wat a king in his position for too long will have..
in the hearts of the PM n PAP, they know its just an average mandate..however, we must not forget tat if the PM said it is a average mandate, wat will the international community see tat as??..hence, probably he has no choice but to say it as a strong mandate..
we can only hope he seek this as a wake up call n treat the pple better n start ditching his 'crown prince' attitude... -
I might not live long enough to see that happenOriginally posted by the Bear:like i said, we are growing up as a people.. slowly, slowly
too many sudden changes in a country has never produced anything good in recent times.. i would think the slower transition is good..
at the moment, it's not possible, but doesn't mean it'll never be possible..
look on the bright side and work hard towards that...
Anyhow,To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.
Winston Churchill (1874-1965)Nothing that I can do will change the structure of the universe. But maybe, by raising my voice I can help the greatest of all causes -- goodwill among men and peace on earth.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) -
we have a lot of number ones and firsts.Originally posted by gill_hfc:Can you define 66% as a strong mandate when only 1.2million people voted out of 3.5million. He only received the approval of 700,000 people. walkovers are not mandates but no contest due to our ridiculous GRC structures and finding candidates. what is LHL exactly talking about?
37 seats of walkover is definitely the no. 1 of all our number ones and the first in the world!!!!!
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give PAP another 20 yrs.. they might be struggling to survive by then.
the oppositions might have taken half the parliament seat liao. -
we never own anything... we just hold it in trust for our children
isn't that, in itself, worth working hard for?Originally posted by BillyBong:I might not live long enough to see that happen -
Don't worry.
If he sucks, the next election comes, he will pay. -
nevermind, u all complain about PAP somemore. Time to bring in the secret police and weed all of u out. U'll all disappear one by one.
PAP, to rule thru all means necessary! Death to all dissidents! -
by then i kee chia liao.Originally posted by Gwangetto:give PAP another 20 yrs.. they might be struggling to survive by then.
the oppositions might have taken half the parliament seat liao.
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Nigerian Elephants Play On Trees In South MalaysiaOriginally posted by Manager433:REMARKABLE FAMILY -
Watever the case.. lets not forget credits to ST for publishing this letter. Looks like someone did risk their neck on the chopping board.
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There are in fact a lot of well written dissenting letters published in ST over the past few days. That's an encouraging sign.
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Notwithstanding the brave front put up by LHL, it is clear to all that this election has sent a clear message to the government about the discontent prevalent in the population. Singaporeans are unhappy but they have stuck to the devil they know whilst waiting for something better.
The Opposition Parties have improved alot since I was able to vote, but Singaporeans have high standards. I am quite confident that the Opposition may get a GRC at the next elections. But first, they would have to get better candidates than the likes of CSJ and Gomez.