escape from paradise
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Visit this site to loose your innocence.
Great website to make you grow up and see the real world as it truly is.
Click below:-
http://www.escapefromparadise.com -
wow.......
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Thank you for your comments.
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nonsense. its not THAT unavailable... don't exaggerate.
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Yor're right. It was unavailable the morning (Singapore time) of Nov 2, and 3. Thanks.
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How did you figure that the book is still not available ?Originally posted by jbharding:Yor're right. It was unavailable the morning (Singapore time) of Nov 2, and 3. Thanks.
How did you figure that this subject had appeared in this forum ?
Are you still a resident in Singapore ?
Are you not worried of being litigated in the Singapore Courts for the contents of the book ?
It is indeed remarkable that such an event can happen in this day and age in Singapore - the unilateral threats and pressure in banning the book, and the Sale of the Properties in Holland Road.
Good luck to you and your wife in your journey - and look forward to reading the list of casualties. -
i don't see any reason for the big hoo-ha...
is anybody actually THAT naive to believe that we truly live in paradise on earth?
come on... paradise was lost the day raffles set foot on the island in 1819.
Sg is certainly not what it seems. things happen under the table, stuff are swept under the carpet and injustice is just around the corner where u care to dig into it.
but tell me... which place isn't like that? of hand, i can think of many other places where the rule of law is bent to the whims and fancy of the rich and powerful.
what is the injustice of one vocal individual compared to the silent sufferings of the faceless thousands?
sure, Sg is good with facade... so maybe that's why people are exceptionally offended when they realize that they've been fooled all these years?
welcome to the real world.
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"come on... paradise was lost the day raffles set foot on the island in 1819."
One man's dream is another man's illusion; likewise - one man's paradise is another man's hell hole.
For a system that boasts loudly to the world of its high standards of practises in all areas that it aspires to be "Numero UNO", we should be wary of our own internal practises that nullify these efforts.
Without checks and balances in the political system when any credible opposition with ability to stand up to the system is demolished; with the newspaper reporters only allowed to investigate petty events from its citizenry (Joo Chiat squabble or Jurong nude family news standard); with the claws of strong personality control over all institutions in the country; this will result in hidden abuses that will be heaped one upon the other.
It will result in the deterioration of standards that the early goals set for our country - as envisaged by those earlier group of founding fathers, who have struggled in and out of the system, and now passed on to paradise.
This paradise was not interpreted from the dreams of any one single personality.
It was made from the dreams of people who migrated from afar, some remain as the down trodden economic digits, others became power house tycoons, others in opposites side of politics, and some others became power house by their own judgement.
Is this the future paradise that we are working towards for ourselves and for our generations to come ?
Is this the final end that the "Stayers" will reap, in the current debate of "Stayers and Quitters" ? -
Originally posted by Atobe:
who's to blame? PAP for coming to power and refusing to leave? the opposition for being so inept? the policies of the gov't that has marginalized the opposition?
Without checks and balances in the political system when any credible opposition with ability to stand up to the system is demolished; with the newspaper reporters only allowed to investigate petty events from its citizenry (Joo Chiat squabble or Jurong nude family news standard); with the claws of strong personality control over all institutions in the country; this will result in hidden abuses that will be heaped one upon the other.
i say blame the 3 million voters who voted these fat cats into power in the first place. and lets them stay after every election. blame and kick yourselves for being so easily deceived by electoral rhetoric.
blame yourself for not stepping out and making yourself heard for fear of being clamped down like the rest.
blame yourselves for lacking the will and the courage to face change.It will result in the deterioration of standards that the early goals set for our country - as envisaged by those earlier group of founding fathers, who have struggled in and out of the system, and now passed on to paradise.
romantic rhetoric... well said but what's your point? this paradise is intepreted from the dreams of one dominant personality who had the focus, the will and the brains to use the people around him to bring it about.
This paradise was not interpreted from the dreams of any one single personality.
It was made from the dreams of people who migrated from afar, some remain as the down trodden economic digits, others became power house tycoons, others in opposites side of politics, and some others became power house by their own judgement.
i'm not a big fan of him and i don't agree with many of his ideas but i would give him the benefit of a historical footnote. u can't deny him that.Is this the future paradise that we are working towards for ourselves and for our generations to come?
that really depends if the 3 million+ voters are willing to do more than talk.
Is this the final end that the "Stayers" will reap, in the current debate of "Stayers and Quitters" ?
what have we done lately other than complain?
u can't say "i'll stay if they change!" that's cowardly. if staying means so much to us and the events happenning around us are so unbearable, then we should step out and bring change to make our stay worthwhile.
u want to be the passive majority that hates it but can't and don't want to do anything, then u're better off gone. -
1) The book was on sale at Kinokuniya. In Feb 2002, I telephoned them to see how things were going and they told me the book had been withdrawn from sale as "someone" had objected. It took me until July to finally locate a Kinokuniya manager who told me that Helen Yeo was the person who objected to the book.Originally posted by Atobe:How did you figure that the book is still not available ?
How did you figure that this subject had appeared in this forum ?
Are you still a resident in Singapore ?
Are you not worried of being litigated in the Singapore Courts for the contents of the book ?
It is indeed remarkable that such an event can happen in this day and age in Singapore - the unilateral threats and pressure in banning the book, and the Sale of the Properties in Holland Road.
Good luck to you and your wife in your journey - and look forward to reading the list of casualties.
2) I figured out that the book had appeared in this forum through our website access logs.
3) I am no longer a resident of Singapore, but live in Arizona.
4)I have no worry about being sued in the Singapore courts. There is nothing defamatory in the book. What we published on the website (after Helen Yeo's attack) was NOT in the book, but it is much worse for her. We held back in the book which was checked over by three US lawyers prior to publication.
Naturally, if Helen Yeo were to sue in Singapore, she would win. To collect a judgement, she would have to apply to the court in Arizona. She would then learn that WE have already filed a lawsuit against her in the US District Court of Arizona. Helen Yeo, if she appears legally in the US, would then have to face a jury trial in Arizona.
5) Yes, I am amazed that one person can unilaterally ban a book and have it thrown out of Singapore's National Library, as well. This may, however, backfire on Helen Yeo. The book has been read by CJ Yong, and three members of LKY's immediate family (so far as we know). Only Helen Yeo has objected.
6) Thanks for wishing us good luck, and we hope you enjoy reading the URL Escape from Paradise Body Count.
John -
Wait a moment that damn book book is still found in all the National Libary branches in Singapore.So what makes you so sure it is totally banned?
I think you are simply out to give us a bad image. -
I am sorry for your remarks. Our book does not give a bad image to Singapore. My wife and co-author is very proud to be a native born citizen of Singapore.Originally posted by CenturionMBT:Wait a moment that damn book book is still found in all the National Libary branches in Singapore.So what makes you so sure it is totally banned?
I think you are simply out to give us a bad image.
Your statement that our book is still found in all the NLB branches is incorrect.
According to the National Library Website, only one copy of Escape from Paradise is found only at the National Reference Library under Restricted Distribution.
Originally, there were 25 copies available at NLB.
On 9 September, we received the following email from NLB -
Dear Mr Harding
Thank you for your feedback.
We regret any inconvenience caused over the labelling of the status of this publication as "Item not available for loan yet."
As mentioned by my colleague in the email dated 14 August, we confirm that this title is designated as a restricted publication. It has been removed from circulation and will not be considered for loan. This title's status in our Catalogue has since been updated to "For Restricted Use Only".
Although not for lending, it will be available for research and reference upon request of the customer at the National Reference Library.
Thank you.
Regards,
Prabhjit Singh,
Quality Service Management
National Library Board
Insofar as banning our book in the bookstores is concerned, please read Helen Yeos letter to me.
Helen Yeo is the person making the bad image for Singapore. -
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"Originally posted by CX dd 5 November 2002
who's to blame? PAP for coming to power and refusing to leave? the opposition for being so inept? the policies of the gov't that has marginalized the opposition?
i say blame the 3 million voters who voted these fat cats into power in the first place. and lets them stay after every election. blame and kick yourselves for being so easily deceived by electoral rhetoric.
blame yourself for not stepping out and making yourself heard for fear of being clamped down like the rest.
blame yourselves for lacking the will and the courage to face change."
Should we blame the 3 million voters for voting the same "fat cats" into power, and let them stay after every election ?
In all fairness, the 3 million voters were often blackmailed by threats (subtle and explicit) of real and imaginery means; cajoled and bribed with political treats (e.g. upgrading, SGP Shares); and what else that has been unashamedly done to this population that is respected only during election time.
More importantly the 3 million voters are HELPLESS in being constantly relocated by absurd election boundaries that redefine the wards beyond logical comprehension and fairness, except to guarantee the political survival of one party rule.
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"romantic rhetoric... well said but what's your point? this paradise is intepreted from the dreams of one dominant personality who had the focus, the will and the brains to use the people around him to bring it about.
i'm not a big fan of him and i don't agree with many of his ideas but i would give him the benefit of a historical footnote. u can't deny him that."
The danger of personality cult exist in every society - be it in Communist North Korea or an idiot government in Botswana.
In a society such as SGP, with a population of only 3 million (??), it is amazing that one single family can produce superior ace talents that is beyond the capacity of all other SGP families.
You hit the nail on the head, with the statement of "having the brains of using the people around him" but should also add "and discarding them with expediency when they are of no further use, and sworn to secrecy by the Official Act for the office that they have held".
In SGP, there do not seem to be any provisions for Official Archives to be opened for Public Scrutiny after a run out date and made freely accessible without restriction to any interested party - as in UK and the USA.
This will allow information if good governance of the country has been practised, and to be scrutinised by students and researches of Politics and Government for the sake of the development of a good political system for SGP.
The danger of having ONE strong brain over riding all opinions, is that when the brain decays, imitators will use the name of this BRAIN to continue the legacy despite its own ineptness.
What price can SGP afford to pay, before the ineptness scrape its abcess way to the surface ?
Feedback ? What Feedback ?
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"that really depends if the 3 million+ voters are willing to do more than talk.
what have we done lately other than complain?
u can't say "i'll stay if they change!" that's cowardly. if staying means so much to us and the events happenning around us are so unbearable, then we should step out and bring change to make our stay worthwhile.
u want to be the passive majority that hates it but can't and don't want to do anything, then u're better off gone."
Brave talk ?
Instigation at best ?
Can action truly take any form in SGP ?
What has been the price paid by the few that surface beyond the political fray and succeed - even for those Opposition who managed to squeak into Parliament ?
Only muted SILENCE in awe or prudent fear of the DOMINATING Brain.
What price has been paid by those who struggle to speak the truth about events in Singapore, and remain in Singapore ?
If ONE personality or entity holds itself as the ONLY righteous and GOD sanctioned right to exist, and MANIPULATE the system to ensure its own perpetuity, something is dangerously developing that will in time result in this paradise being merely an illusion.
If we read the entire history of politics in SGP, from the fight for internal self-rule to independence, the right to freedom of speech and gathering, the right to a place for dignified treatment from the rulers towards the ruled - then it is best that we read also the book "Animal Farm" - (this "innocuous" book was banned or had restricted circulation imposed during the 1960's and up to the 1970's - one can only wonder why).
We should wait eagerly for future memoirs, as each of the founding fathers of SGP Politics write their OWN footnote for the sake of posterity.
It will be nice to see what other hidden skeletons remain in this tight SGP closet.
Certainly, the SGP electorate cannot be blamed for a system that is flawed to start with, when those whom they elect to office begin to fine tune the system to tighten its hold on the electorate. -
Just a point to note. I can't remember the last time all of Singapore's eligible electorate voted in a GE (presidential vote notwithstanding). From what I know the figure being unofficially bandied about for the 2001 GE was 30% of the electorate voting. 3 million voters? Nowhere near, CX
The fault of the opposition for the FUBAR state they're in now? Maybe, but I think only the most blinkered among us here would put the blame for the state of the opposition on their own doorstep. They cannot be absolved of the blame, but at the same time you cannot say the there exists anywhere near a level playing field in Singapore.
Which of course, really makes one wonder that if the ruling party is as good as they are, why not make it a real fair fight, and "may the best man win"?
But then, we know better....
You said
blame yourself for not stepping out and making yourself heard for fear of being clamped down like the rest. Blame yourselves for lacking the will and the courage to face change.
Is that not being done here right now? Ineffective as here is, if theres a more effective means to do so, I will gladly.
u want to be the passive majority that hates it but can't and don't want to do anything, then u're better off gone.
I wanted to, but for
1) My constituency was not contested. It used to be a opposition hotbed but surprise surprise, it became a 5-man GRC last time round
2) The powers-that-be, using the extremely lame(understatement for want of a stronger word) excuse of post 9/11 terrorism fear, happily jumped on the chance and took away my(and all overseas Singaporean's) overseas vote. Just because I'm overseas pursuing a degree to contribute to my own, and hopefully my country's, well-being does not make me any less Singaporean or deserving of a vote than you or any other Singaporean. -
the oppsition did not get marginalised overnight. it is not necessary to get into a history lesson here but anyone here worth his salt will know how it eventually came about.
Viper52,
i agree with u... many wards are not contested because the opposition is weak. why is the opposition weak? because the pap has marginalised them over the years. how can they break out of it? by getting their act together and running in more wards. why don't they do that? because they're weak both financially and organisationally.
see the circular argument?
more to it... will u run for election under an opposition banner?
i might not. but people are sorely needed to strengthen the opposition. would u?
Atobe,
you heard me right. i don't think he's a genius or some fantastic leader. i certainly do not subscribe to his personality cult and i still think that fat cat didn't ride the tiger
his memoirs are biased beyond belief. its pure crap pretending to be the "historically" accurate account of a great man. memoirs and memories are not objective to begin with.In all fairness, the 3 million voters were often blackmailed by threats (subtle and explicit) of real and imaginery means; cajoled and bribed with political treats (e.g. upgrading, SGP Shares); and what else that has been unashamedly done to this population that is respected only during election time.
i don't agree with that. grey-mail is no excuse. it boils down to one thing: what prices freedom? if a voter cares to sell his vote for cash and cheap lies, it reflects both on the voter and the party utilising such tactics.
i still say blame the people. they sold their vote, their freedom and their soul for cheap gains.More importantly the 3 million voters are HELPLESS in being constantly relocated by absurd election boundaries that redefine the wards beyond logical comprehension and fairness, except to guarantee the political survival of one party rule.
that is true. no arguments there. has anyone seen lately how big marine parade grc is?
all i can say is, the people should remember. the issues facing us transcends electoral boundaries. the problem is primarily that the PAP redefines the boundaries every now and then and secondly, the people have short political memories.
i don't advocate activist action. it doesn't do anything but get u thrown in jail.
but the opposition is not providing a credible platform to unite the people's disgust for the fat cats. and again, we bring us back to the eternal circulr argument as above. why is the opposition weak? -
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originally posted by CX
"why is the opposition weak? because the pap has marginalised them over the years. how can they break out of it? by getting their act together and running in more wards. why don't they do that? because they're weak both financially and organisationally. "
CX,
Much of your views in your reply are the general frustration that is being felt by the ground.
However, the Opposition being weak is not entirely of their own doing.
1. The general fear is not without substance in SGP, when the GLCs is so pervasive in their existence, that a large number of the populace are employed in the GLCs.
2. Contribution to the Opposition funds above $2k (or is it $5k) will require the name of the contributor to be declared, and no cash for such amounts, only cheques.
3. Given the tenacious prosecution of the Government (a.k.a. Ruling Party) against ALL Opposition, who in the SGP Citizenry will openly dare to risk his own and his family economic survival that is tied up with the GLCs - (directly as an employee taking wages, or indirectly as a Contractor / Supplier to a GLC Company).
4. Without funding, how can the Opposition Party ever make any head way - with the negative rules developed and fear factor purposefully aroused, to the advantage of the Ruling Party and to the disadvantage of the Opposition.
This is the other circle that is not entirely the fault of the Opposition, nor the Electorate. -
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Originally posted by CX
"his memoirs are biased beyond belief. its pure crap pretending to be the "historically" accurate account of a great man. memoirs and memories are not objective to begin with."
Unfortunately, most parts of his memoirs are accurate - like it or not.
The missing parts are probably the juciest parts that will never be exposed - those behind the scenes intrigues, and skeletons of mistakes made that will always stay in the closet.
It is not possible for anyone to be GOD and remain infallible for over four decades of active political life - let alone being in the thick of experimentation, as SGP finds its way out of so many road blocks. (According to the Genesis from the Old Testament of the Bible, even GOD had made the mistake of creating the snake, which tempted Eve, and condemned mankind and the snake to its present being).
The memoir is only unbelievable by not including records of mistakes made.
" -
you misunderstand... i did not mean to say historically inaccurate, but rather, unobjective. and by virtue of it being a memoir of an individual, it is necessarily biased.
i'm sure the chronology is correct. but how much credence can we give to his intepretation of the events if, like u say, there is no freedom of information act in Sg?
in the USA, u could be listening to the nixon tapes just as the poor man, may God rest his soul, is saying "i never said that!". (i've read a new york times article about a bunch of recently declassified nixon tapes 2 hour long harangue against jews, fags, drugs, etc, etc... in poor kissinger's presence)
you'll never get that here
i've talked about this before. the common perception then (a few months ago) expressed by pig ignorant posters was "isn't that already done???" DuH...
i still say we kick ourselves for having let them do this to us.
don't bother looking up towards the opposition candidates now. many are not who u wanna vote for anyway (would u vote chee???).
take it from the ground. the fat cats are there because the people are not aware enough, not politically sensitive and too cheap to see that they sell their soul every election for cheap gains.
they are like that because the pap has succeeded in making us politically apathetic.
something is fundamentally wrong with the state of people's minds in Sg. any change has to be brought from the bottom up if the opposition is ever to succeed.
funding is an issue. i agree. there is no choice. a benefactor has to be found so there's no use complaining. -
Quote:
Originally posted by CX:
"don't bother looking up towards the opposition candidates now. many are not who u wanna vote for anyway (would u vote chee???)."
How is your opinion about him formed ?
With information from the SGP media that is formed by GLCs which are controlled by the Government ?
Can we believe the hate propaganda that has been built up against this poor fellow (Dr Chee), who has the personal courage and temerity to put himself onto the political stage ?
Can someone - who major in psychology - be so insane to put himself in the limelight only to have his character assasinated ?
Can anyone truly blame him for his inexperience - given the fact that active involvement in politics is discouraged even in the early formative years of tertiary education ?
His outburst during the last election campaign, was that of any human being who have encountered frustrations at every turn; with every effort being stymied by the Ruling Party - that has established itself in a pervasive manner that reaches every core of the social, economic cultural, and political life of SGP.
Even some famous and favored political personalities have displayed before, their personal frustrations in public outbursts of anger; and yet with the help of the controlled media, such behaviour is positively portrayed and made acceptable.
Politics in the more mature political systems - such as UK, USA and Australia perhaps - would not have responded in the manner in which all public forums and media are mobilised against a single individual (as they are seldom in the hands of those in power).
The truth behind the scene of Dr Chee's coming into the SGP Political Scene will probably never come to print, neither will his intentions, goals, and objectives of coming into politics be properly and accurately printed and made freely available to the public. -
if u attribute his outburst to frustration and his trouble with the law to inexperience, then i can only come to the conclusion that in the cutthroat world of politics, his inability to master his emotions and his overly gentle learning curve renders this individual extremely unsuitable for such a venture.
don't overrate academic qualifications. a Phd means very little outside academia. it certainly does not guarantee one's success in politics
to me, it (a Phd) merely signifies a recognition of that individual's contribution to his discipline through an original and well thought out dissertation. (some of which aren't very well written either)
the most important thing a politician must possess, is credibility to his constituents. chee has lost that. u don't need SPH to tell u that.
lets be realistic. in Sg, people worship success. they do not worship martyrs. chiam has been around for years and people respect him as a relatively successful opposition politician. chee crashed and burnt and people ridicule him for being so dense.
but enough about chee. will u run and try to make a difference? or would u just stand by the sidelines and cuss PAP and applaud chee for taking the crap PAP throws at him? -
Originally posted by CX:
“if u attribute his outburst to frustration and his trouble with the law to inexperience, then i can only come to the conclusion that in the cutthroat world of politics, his inability to master his emotions and his overly gentle learning curve renders this individual extremely unsuitable for such a venture.”
Much of what we have seen and hear to form our opinion of Chee is from a manipulation of the media that saturate the airwaves and prints with the official sanctioned views of Chee or any citizen who dare stand up to the Ruling Elite - so as to portray them to be inept and bungling fools.
Any credible member of the SGP Citizenry who will not bend to “reason” of the Elite will be labeled as a dangerous wild card radical that will need the full force of the Government machinery to knock it out as early as possible - so as not to interfere or threaten the succession of the "Prince", whose existence has been carefully nurtured despite all claims otherwise.
The statement of Chee's “inability to control his emotion” is largely my own presumption and is not necessary a valid one as a result of some profession psychological or psychiatric deduction of Chee.
His learning curve – whether gentle or steep – should not be a measure of his suitability to be in politics; I would put more emphasis on his perseverance and principled stand of issues of public interests, should be a better measure of the man’s suitability.
Quote from CX Posting:
”don't overrate academic qualifications. a Phd means very little outside academia. it certainly does not guarantee one's success in politics
to me, it (a Phd) merely signifies a recognition of that individual's contribution to his discipline through an original and well thought out dissertation. (some of which aren't very well written either) “
With the overly emphasis of the “Paper” in this Society, what other better way of introducing one’s qualification to a public entry into the world of politics. (see your post - 2 quotes below).
Quote from CX Posting:
”the most important thing a politician must possess, is credibility to his constituents. chee has lost that. u don't need SPH to tell u that.”
How should one judge a personÂ’s credibility in the world of politics?
The tactics that the Ruling Party has used to stack the hurdles as high as possible and in all dimensions, so as to prevent the Opposition from ever succeeding are massive.
So far, the bumbling effort on the part of a young Opposition Member in the form of Dr Chee is almost like that of an enthusiastic Young Graduate trying to learn the ropes to enter a Multi-National Corporation – whose team members are not the least co-operative.
This can be the only reason for the Ruling Elite to feel more threaten by Chee's enthusiasm, and the possibility of him embarrasing them for their own shortcoming in representing the electorate honestly.
Otherwise, why the strong effort to ensure his inability to enter politics - right from the start, with dredging up of old travel claim vouchers that were approved by his Faculty Head who is a member of the Ruling Party?
If at all any credibility should be loss, it should have been the credibility of this Head of the Faculty and that of the Ruling Party - but the media is in the hands of the Ruling Party that forms the Government, and a blitz simply overwhelms the numbed mind of the economic digits of the SGP Citizenry.
What has the Ruling Party to hide from an enthusiastic SGP Citizen to enter Parliament, so as to be an outspoken and an alternate voice that is not held back by internal party restrictions to speak and to vote honestly according to each memberÂ’s conscience?
Quote from CX Posting:
”lets be realistic. in Sg, people worship success. they do not worship martyrs. chiam has been around for years and people respect him as a relatively successful opposition politician. chee crashed and burnt and people ridicule him for being so dense.”
Chiam is a relatively successful opposition politician because of his playing politics to the hilt and “staying alive”; but is a failure in not being able to make any dent to influence the outcome of any issues.
He does not have the strength and vitality of the mind as that of a more celebrated Opposition in the form of David Marshall.
“People ridicule him for being so dense”?? People as polled by -?
Quote from CX Posting:
”but enough about chee. will u run and try to make a difference? or would u just stand by the sidelines and cuss PAP and applaud chee for taking the crap PAP throws at him?”
To be in Politics, one needs the animal instinct of survival in the political jungle where the fittest survive.
If I am a professional – as a Lawyer, or better still as a Doctor – I will make it into Political Life and offer myself to the electorate.
Unfortunately, I am an economic digit that is dependent for my own economic survival working for GLCÂ’s; and have no independent economic opportunities to allow myself the liberty to stand for office.
At present, I can only offer my voice in this forum (and also some others) to participate in discussions and learn from each other.
However, when the circumstantial push comes to shove, when the economic mess that we are experiencing continues with jobless population increasing, and the Government remains deaf to the cries for relief from further price hikes, and I become one of the jobless economic digit in a prolonged downward economic spiral, perhaps there is nothing further to lose but to offer myself as a voice who hopefully can stand up to public scrutiny.
Will you then make a decision too to stand up and be counted when the need arise?
Whose side will you stand on?
To help in one's education in SGP politics, read also "Animal Farm" written by George Orwell - this book was banned or had restricted circulation placed on it during the 1960's and 1970's.
Then read up on the early days of the fight for SGP's Internal Self-Rule to Independence in Malaysia, and the fight for equal treatment within Malaysia.
Then compare the battle cries of those early days of our Political History, with what is being practised today, it makes a good setting for a real life play of the Animal Farm.
It is not surprising that the events around a book such as "Escape from Paradise" should surface in a society where the Elite think that they control this restricted SGP world, where each Elite is known to the Other.
To survive in this environment, you will have to scratch my back, and I will scratch yours - provided you will abide by the rules of conduct that the Brain has set.
Who will set rules for the Brain to function? -
Atobe, you are a very angry person. Calm down a little. You're also very paranoid. The government has been very receptive to criticism, especially in the last decade. There are many NMPs, civic leaders and NGOs that routinely question and criticize policy without repercussion. It is disruption and insolence that the PAP cannot abide.
The PAP is not perfect, but the question is whether there is a superior alternative. They, along with the civil service they have created to serve them, do extremely well with the resources and limitations they are under. The only government run better is the Canadian government, IMHO. Don't criticize a man until you've walked a mile in his shoes.
If you're not happy with the PAP's policies, do something about it! Enter the political arena. You can do it the easy way, by joining the PAP and working from within. They welcome all comers. You can do it the hard way by being in the opposition. You can do it from the side by being a civic or grassroots leader and/or contributing to fora and talkback sessions. You can do it from above by writing actively about Singapore, as this lady has done. Don't just sit here and complain!
The only thing worse than the PAP's high-handedness is the average Singaporean's smug apathy. It's easy to complain. It's easy to criticize policy, especially after the fact, when hindsight is 20-20. The government does not have the luxury of knowing "what if". They have to act and live with the consequences.
The only thing that makes the "elite" elite is that they are willing to act. Look at the people in Parliament. They aren't all scholars and highly educated people. Many are simply businessmen or working class individuals. What seperates them from you and me? You might be cynical and claim that the difference is their willingness to lick the PAP's boots. I think the difference is that they were willing to do anything at all, which is a hell of a lot more than the average Singaporean.
About Chee in particular, I feel that he had his time in the sun and squandered it. The skillful use of the by-election effect won him a lot of legitimacy, if not necessarily seats in Parliament. Obtaining nearly 50% of the "popular vote" (in contested districts only) gave him and the opposition a voice.
However, he never had anything useful to say. He turned out to be nothing more than a complainer. He had no agenda. He had no direction for the nation. His only goal was to act as a hinderance to the PAP, whether it made sense or not. He rarely had an alternative for the policies he attacked in Parliament, and what he had never stood up to scrutiny. He turned out to just be an angry and paranoid guy. I was not very surprised when his public infighting with other opposition members gutted the opposition from within. Singapore has given up on this man.
JBJ and Low Thia Khiang (heck even Tan Liang Hong) were more credible opposition. At least they had some message, even if I disagreed with them. At least they represented a CHOICE for Singaporeans, rather than a non-choice like Chee and the SDP in general. Now he is reduced to sniping from the sidelines -- still without a vision for the nation. Sad. -
dkhoo, thanks for your calming effort, but I am quite fully conscious of the fact that I am a product of the environment that has been created by the Ruling Elite for the last four decades.
If I am seen to be paranoid, then I am a product of the paranoia that has been the hallmark of the Ruling Elite towards its Citizens that it governs.
However, I have not been ungrateful for having been given this environment to grow up in, and have given the best years of my youth to perform my NS with enthusiasm, when those around me (and my other similarly mad enthusiastic bunch of good mates) were “eating snakes” most of the time.
This island state is as much my land as that of the Ruling Elites, and one can only view with alarm how the political landscape has changed under the strong influence of a Strong Guiding Hand – despite claims of consensus decision.
The danger to an island state such as SGP is that we cannot afford to be dependent on ONE Strong Guiding View, with the entire apparatus being in the hands of ONE Ruling Elite Group, controlled and heavily guided by the influence of ONE Guiding Hand.
Every Government Department, Statutory Boards, GLCÂ’s, and Public Support Systems are headed by Government sanctioned Appointees who are politically acceptable; and protected by law from being thrown out without the approval of Parliament.
First, the Ruling Elite has de-politicized the Civil Service. Secondly, having tamed the Civil Service, the Ruling Elite place their own Appointees that are politically inclined towards themselves.
This is repeated throughout the entire system of government – from those in the First Line of Control and Command, to the Second and Third Lines of Support and Administration – in the important Justice Department, Legal Service, Police Force, Military, Statutory Boards, Foreign Service, GLC’s, GIC’s, PA, PWD, PUB, PSA, Universities, Institutions, and any other Government Departments that are part of the machinery to run SGP.
The danger of such a system is that when a popularly elected Opposition Party ever comes into Government, its performance will be sabotaged at every turn.
Can these “Political Appointees” be mature enough to act as independent and disinterested apolitical animals to listen and obey the commands of a New Political Master?
Or will they only act to hamper, delay, disrupt, obstruct, confuse, and leak information to the ex-Ruling Elites who have been voted out of office?
This is unlike the scene acted out in Taiwan, when the long established Kuomintang Party was shockingly kicked out of office, and a much-ridiculed Opposition Party was voted into Office; and the Political Appointees in the various command structure of the Government Machineries began to act their role.
If our previous First Elected President could not make any headway to learn of the ‘extent of the hidden wealth’ that belongs to SGP, what else can we expect of this Ruling Elites that insist on behaving in secretive ways.
The events that were finally revealed by the First Elected President was surprising, considering that he was elected to office by popular mandate, and whose role was to guard the one of the Two Keys that access the SGP Reserves.
Those events should serve as a wake-up call but for a controlled press that remain muted.
It is surprising that in the GIC, its Chairman is not the current PM, but remained with our SM (who was the previous PM), and a DPM is on the Board of Directors.
Will this same set up be repeated when Goh steps down and become an SM, and the present SM steps out of political life?
Will Goh as the next SM become the next Chairman of the GIC, and the next DPM becomes a member of the Board; or will the new PM take over again the Chairmanship of the GIC because of the surname being common to the stronger of the founding fathers of SGP?
Is this country the sole preserve of only one family?
What will happen when this one family tree dries up, and cannot throw up the next successor to provide “leadership” in the successive decades of this country's existence?
Can the system of Government be allowed to continue to function based on the present set up where Political Appointee run the entire machinery?
The System of Government must begin to evolve where it is answerable to the Public that it serves, and where any Political Party that forms the Government will be served by the System of Government that is Politically Blind, and only exist to serve the Citizen and the Government that it elects.
This country cannot belong only to the Elites. -
Quote:
Originally Posted by dkhoo:
If you're not happy with the PAP's policies, do something about it! Enter the political arena. You can do it the easy way, by joining the PAP and working from within. They welcome all comers. You can do it the hard way by being in the opposition. You can do it from the side by being a civic or grassroots leader and/or contributing to fora and talkback sessions. You can do it from above by writing actively about Singapore, as this lady has done. Don't just sit here and complain!
Do the PAP members have any say of what the PAP Elites are doing?
The PAP system is a reflection of the political system that they have established for SGP – that being a 2 tier system; one for the Ordinary Members, and the other for the Elites.
The Ordinary Members of the PAP have no voting power to influence the outcome of the selection of any person to the role of Elite Appointees. They exist like cows in the field, only to produce milk and beef, and unlike the real cows in the cattle farm, they do not have the privilege to produce any offsprings for the bull stud.
Quote:
”The only thing that makes the "elite" elite is that they are willing to act. Look at the people in Parliament. They aren't all scholars and highly educated people. Many are simply businessmen or working class individuals. What seperates them from you and me? You might be cynical and claim that the difference is their willingness to lick the PAP's boots. I think the difference is that they were willing to do anything at all, which is a hell of a lot more than the average Singaporean.”
Those that enter Parliament is but just one cut above the average Citizens, but are they the “Ruling Elite”?
Here again the 2 tier system also exit in Parliament.
Do the Ruling Elite listen to them at all?
Yes, having entered Parliament is only half a step closer to the “Ruling Elite”, but when the talk stops, and the voting begins; are the votes cast in Parliament according to the person’s conscience in representing honestly the electorate, or submitting themselves to the rules of voting as imposed by Party Politics of the Ruling Elite?
Can anyone make any serious contribution towards positive change for SGP by joining the Ruling Party?
Some of the Public Figures in office today, are singing a different tune from that sung in their youth and as common citizens.
This is largely due to their Animal Instinct to survive in this Political Jungle.
Quote:
”About Chee in particular, I feel that he had his time in the sun and squandered it. The skillful use of the by-election effect won him a lot of legitimacy, if not necessarily seats in Parliament. Obtaining nearly 50% of the "popular vote" (in contested districts only) gave him and the opposition a voice.”
”JBJ and Low Thia Khiang (heck even Tan Liang Hong) were more credible opposition. At least they had some message, even if I disagreed with them. At least they represented a CHOICE for Singaporeans, rather than a non-choice like Chee and the SDP in general. Now he is reduced to sniping from the sidelines -- still without a vision for the nation. Sad.”
You are comparing the personalities of two different generations with different experiences.
Chee is in his early 30Â’s, while JBJ and Tan Liang Hong are beyond 60Â’s; Low Thia Khiang is older then Chee by another 10 years.
If age is the measure of wisdom, give Chee the opportunity to be hit a few more times, and he will learn.
Even Einstein did not realize his full potential until much later in his years. -
u bore me. u just keep harping on the same point.
yes, i know how the PAP came into power and stayed in power. i don't need a crash course on that.
u can't change that. they're already entrenched. complaining and bitterness won't help.
i do not think that chee has been slimed by sph any more than he has let himself be slimed.
i distincty remember last year's election fiasco. i happened to be having dinner at hougang that night. the coffeshop was showing the news and there was chee screaming his head off at the PM...
the table next to me (consisting of retirees and 30-40 somethings chugging beer) cheered at the outburst... then sank into a more private conversation about how absolutely "KAM LAN" that outburst was cos he's just gonna get sued again.
it doesn't take very astute political observers and very sophisticated sense of hindsight to tell that this man is not weighing the consequences of his actions.
Atobe,
be objective. i'm no big fan of SPH publications. and SPH did not slime him the day after that outburst. it was reported, refuted and rebutted by the PM and the whole thing was phrased in rather calm and detached language.
the point is, people were already laughing their heads off at his stupidity hours after the outburst (and hougang is no PAP stronghold).