Awaiting Singapore’s moment of change
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Awaiting Singapore’s moment of change
Thursday, 6 November 2008, 8:50 am | 1,248 views
Dhevarajan Devadas / Guest Writer
On November 4, we all witnessed history being made. The US elected its first ever black president. A nation that once regarded its
black citizens as slaves has elected an African American to the
nation’s highest office. I salute Mr Obama for his inclusive and
positive campaign that has invigorated the normally apathetic youth
voters to come out in droves to exercise their democratic right to vote.His victory speech in Grant Park, Chicago, struck a chord in me with its message of inclusiveness and bipartisanship. I find this severely lacking in Singapore.
PAP leaders don’t really bother with campaigning really hard and fighting for votes. They appeal to Singaporeans to support them during campaigning and then spend the next five years talking down to us, making important decisions without meaningful consultation (remember the casino issue?) and chiding us for expecting the government to help when we are in a crisis (minibonds and high notes issue).
While Obama vows that “to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too”, former PM Goh Chok Tong openly threatened constituencies that voted for the opposition that their HDB estates would “become slums”. His exact words were, “Your [housing development] through your own choice will be left behind. They become slums. That’s my message”.
He said this on Nomination Day in 1996. He had the audacity to threaten Singaporeans because he was confident that Singaporeans would not complain too aggressively against such blatant discrimination and would vote for the PAP anyway.
Obama also graciously thanked his opponent John McCain for his congratulations and promised to work together with him in the future. I can only dream that PM Lee can thank his opponents for a worthy and challenging campaign. He is highly unlikely to stand in a rally and say, “I thank my worthy opponents from [insert political party] and promise to work closely with the opposition to ensure the progress and prosperity of this nation which we all call home”. PAP leaders are never really gracious anyway.
The PAP titled its 2006 election manifesto “Staying Together, Moving Ahead”. But it has failed to live up to this promise.
1. It has denied our gay community the right to equality.
2. It has failed to ensure that the rights of all Singaporeans to freedom of speech, assembly and association are protected.
3. It has failed to keep the population informed by not disclosing information such as GIC and Temasek Holdings’ full financial records, the breakdown of HDB flat costs and even the financial statements of town councils that invest our money.
4. It has denied the rights of Potong Pasir and Hougang residents to public housing upgrades available to PAP constituencies, violating their right to equality.
5. It has prevented non-PAP politicians from playing a decisive role in Singapore politics by trying to create and maintain political hegemony. This denies Singaporeans our right to take part in public affairs and isolates us from the political space and process.
PAP leaders, especially MM Lee, love to claim that the Western model of democracy is bad for Singapore as it is too individualistic and that Singapore’s model safeguards the welfare of society as a whole ahead of the individual. Barack Obama has shattered this lie. He has shown that when the situation demands it, Americans can and will elect a president who promotes the welfare of society as a whole while at the same time protects their fundamental liberties.
Obama is promising to do in America what the PAP has consistently failed or refused to do in Singapore. As a Singaporean youth who will be eligible to vote in 4 years time, a message of hope, inclusiveness and change appeals to me more than the message of political restrictions, blatant discrimination and threats.
I await Singapore’s Obama and our moment of change.
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Haiz.
In Singapore, people talk of "fixing" the opposition and threaten residents with no lift uprading.
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also, if you think some asshole like that no-EQ attention-whore CSJ who has been DEMOCRATICALLY REJECTED MANY TIMES by the people to effect a change, you're smoking too much of that funny grass..
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DEMOCRATICALLY REJECTED MANY TIMES
But he was attacked by PAP in media and he could not retaliate.
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Originally posted by Poh Ah Pak:
Awaiting Singapore’s moment of change
Thursday, 6 November 2008, 8:50 am | 1,248 views
Dhevarajan Devadas / Guest Writer
On November 4, we all witnessed history being made. The US elected its first ever black president. A nation that once regarded its black citizens as slaves has elected an African American to the nation’s highest office. I salute Mr Obama for his inclusive and positive campaign that has invigorated the normally apathetic youth voters to come out in droves to exercise their democratic right to vote.His victory speech in Grant Park, Chicago, struck a chord in me with its message of inclusiveness and bipartisanship. I find this severely lacking in Singapore.
PAP leaders don’t really bother with campaigning really hard and fighting for votes. They appeal to Singaporeans to support them during campaigning and then spend the next five years talking down to us, making important decisions without meaningful consultation (remember the casino issue?) and chiding us for expecting the government to help when we are in a crisis (minibonds and high notes issue).
While Obama vows that “to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too”, former PM Goh Chok Tong openly threatened constituencies that voted for the opposition that their HDB estates would “become slums”. His exact words were, “Your [housing development] through your own choice will be left behind. They become slums. That’s my message”.
He said this on Nomination Day in 1996. He had the audacity to threaten Singaporeans because he was confident that Singaporeans would not complain too aggressively against such blatant discrimination and would vote for the PAP anyway.
Obama also graciously thanked his opponent John McCain for his congratulations and promised to work together with him in the future. I can only dream that PM Lee can thank his opponents for a worthy and challenging campaign. He is highly unlikely to stand in a rally and say, “I thank my worthy opponents from [insert political party] and promise to work closely with the opposition to ensure the progress and prosperity of this nation which we all call home”. PAP leaders are never really gracious anyway.
The PAP titled its 2006 election manifesto “Staying Together, Moving Ahead”. But it has failed to live up to this promise.
1. It has denied our gay community the right to equality.
2. It has failed to ensure that the rights of all Singaporeans to freedom of speech, assembly and association are protected.
3. It has failed to keep the population informed by not disclosing information such as GIC and Temasek Holdings’ full financial records, the breakdown of HDB flat costs and even the financial statements of town councils that invest our money.
4. It has denied the rights of Potong Pasir and Hougang residents to public housing upgrades available to PAP constituencies, violating their right to equality.
5. It has prevented non-PAP politicians from playing a decisive role in Singapore politics by trying to create and maintain political hegemony. This denies Singaporeans our right to take part in public affairs and isolates us from the political space and process.
PAP leaders, especially MM Lee, love to claim that the Western model of democracy is bad for Singapore as it is too individualistic and that Singapore’s model safeguards the welfare of society as a whole ahead of the individual. Barack Obama has shattered this lie. He has shown that when the situation demands it, Americans can and will elect a president who promotes the welfare of society as a whole while at the same time protects their fundamental liberties.
Obama is promising to do in America what the PAP has consistently failed or refused to do in Singapore. As a Singaporean youth who will be eligible to vote in 4 years time, a message of hope, inclusiveness and change appeals to me more than the message of political restrictions, blatant discrimination and threats.
I await Singapore’s Obama and our moment of change.
how do you expect this moment of change to come about?
The US spent billions of dollars on both sides, how much we should pay here?
The US got Obama, we are waiting for Rajindra.
every minute passed by has become history, wait long long......
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Originally posted by Poh Ah Pak:
But he was attacked by PAP in media and he could not retaliate.
Yes, he could not retaliate...so whose fault? you think PAP should let you retaliate huh...wait long long.
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Yes, he could not retaliate...so whose fault? you think PAP should let you retaliate huh...wait long long.
That is why I support media reform.I don't support PAP regime monopolise media to spread their propaganda.
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why not u go do the change, instead of the usual whining
and also, obama also haven started his works, u talk to much
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why not u go do the change, instead of the usual whining
What about you?
What are your views on current political situation in Singapore?
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At least these citizen led projects are causing some change.
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Originally posted by Poh Ah Pak:
But he was attacked by PAP in media and he could not retaliate.
that's life. live with it..... actually he did retaliate, but keep saying stupid things, beat around the bush, attack the wrong points.... so don't every say he could not retaliate...
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Originally posted by the Bear:
also, if you think some asshole like that no-EQ attention-whore CSJ who has been DEMOCRATICALLY REJECTED MANY TIMES by the people to effect a change, you're smoking too much of that funny grass..
Can any change ever happen in Singapore, when supposedly educated persons like you behave like a “Drama Queen” for all your ingenious creativity in slandering CSJ ?You surely must be a “Narcissist” to slander courageous Singaporeans willing to face the brutish gangster politics played by none other than a senior Citizen such as LKY.
With the kind of political attitude such as yours, it is little wonder that the Third World Politics practised by the PAP continue to exist.
Are the political process in Singapore DEMOCRATIC - on the same level that allow the Americans to experience the kind of openess that see a African-American to break 400 years of racist attitude and to become a President of such a big country ?
It seems that you have been breathing too much smoke blown up your arse by the PAP, whom you claimed not to support.
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Apparently Obama is coming to Singapore in November 2009 for the Apec Leadership Summit.
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wow u fight for the g4ys =p
fight between parties? not nice..
look at malaysia/thailand etc
the current government has done a great job as compared to other governments
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More importanly, Obama has shown that the policies of rewarding the rich and the companies; then hoping that the wealth will trickle down to the citizens have failed!
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Obama shows that?
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Originally posted by sgdiehard:
how do you expect this moment of change to come about?
The US spent billions of dollars on both sides, how much we should pay here?
The US got Obama, we are waiting for Rajindra.
every minute passed by has become history, wait long long......
mmmmm.......profound.
to change, i didn't know we need to spend (b)illions of dollar. just to keep it factual, how many billions did mccain and obama spent? pls enlighten.
and i wonder how many billions corazon aquino or nelson mandela spent?
(observe, reflect, infer - not necessarily in that order) -
Change and America's new president
Wednesday, 05 November 2008
Chee Soon Juan
Historic. Inspirational. Change.
These are the words used to describe Mr Barack Obama's election as the 44th President of the United States.
Historic because only a few decades ago, black people were not even allowed to occpupy the front of the bus, let alone the White House.The Reverend Jesse Jackson who was at the side of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr when he was slain by a sniper's bullet watched Mr Obama give his victory speech with tears streaming down his cheeks.
Inspirational because Mr Obama reached across a broad section of American society and appealed for support across the demographics of race, age, gender, and class. He called on the better nature of his fellow citizens to support his message of hope for a better America and a better world.
But of the three, change is what most signifies this election. It is the one most important thing that Americans wanted in electing their new leader. The faces of anticipation and determination as voters stood in line, many for hours, just to cast their ballot; of awe as they realised the historic nature of the election; and of jubilation as they heard their President-elect invite them to “join in the work of remaking this nation.”
Elections, true democratic elections, are more than just choosing between politicians. The ability to get involved in the process, to campaign for the party you support, to openly congregate to debate the issues, and finally to see your vote make change is gratification that defies quantification.
It builds pride in one's country and support for the institutions that provide stability. It bonds a people, it encourages change.
Can we in Singapore find anything to learn from all this? Listen carefully and we just might:
“And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn,” the new leader says, “I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.” In Singapore, our government refuses to build lifts that stop on every floor for the elderly because one of its candidate is not voted in.
Mr Obama points out that the “true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.” In Singapore, our leader measures his success by the number of billions he accumulates in the reserves.
The new president exhorts his people to look forward to the future because change “cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.” The true genius of America, he extols, is that "America can change." In Singapore, when we talk of change our government never fails to remind us of the Maria Hertogh and Hock Lee bus riots that happened more than half-a-century ago.
America elects a 47-year-old leader who promises: “I will listen to you, especially when we disagree.” In Singapore, we prop up an 85-year-old who declares: “We do what is right, never mind what the people think.”
In America, people come together to argue, to celebrate, and to change. In Singapore, the police arrest you and the judges imprison you.
While Americans take pride in their vote and protect that right jealously, we in Singapore look nervously over our shoulders and wonder whether our votes can be traced.
While Mr Obama lifts up his people: “Yes we can,” our government pounds down: “No you cannot!”
While Americans tonight all over the world celebrate their nation, Singaporeans cannot wait to leave theirs and our youths profess no loyalty to this island.
Fifteen years ago, I wrote a book called Dare To Change. I warned that without change we will pay the price of progress. Fifteen years hence, our government continues to refuse contemplating change.
Change. It's not just a word, it is the key to survival. Americans know it, the world knows it. But Singaporeans are still too frightened to embrace it and fight for it.
But change is one of those things that will seek us, even if we don't seek it. The difference is that when change comes involuntarily, its consequences don't bring promise. -
Originally posted by Poh Ah Pak:
Fifteen years ago, I wrote a book called Dare To Change. I warned that without change we will pay the price of progress. Fifteen years hence, our government continues to refuse contemplating change.
what has changed...
let's see.... can use internet for political stuff, can go hong lim square protest, NS now 2 years, now got SMU....
got change what.
if by change, CSJ means he become PM, can ask him to suck balls lah
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It is time for change in Singapore.
We cannot continue life here in Singapore like we did for the past 50 years under PAP rule.
Change that Singapore needs.
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what has changed...
let's see.... can use internet for political stuff, can go hong lim square protest, NS now 2 years, now got SMU....
got change what.
if by change, CSJ means he become PM, can ask him to suck balls lah
You are still afraid of change.
Change. It's not just a word, it is the key to survival. Americans know it, the world knows it. But Singaporeans are still too frightened to embrace it and fight for it. -
everyone like to use the word change, but nobody want to specify change what, and why.
want to change regime from PAP to opposition. why? is it better?what will the oppostion do? what do you want to change?instead of blindly asking for change, hoping that people you don't like die, it makes more sense to know the what and why of change.
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Originally posted by Poh Ah Pak:
You are still afraid of change.
Change. It's not just a word, it is the key to survival. Americans know it, the world knows it. But Singaporeans are still too frightened to embrace it and fight for it.change what? why?
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everyone like to use the word change, but nobody want to specify change what, and why.
want to change regime from PAP to opposition. why? is it better?what will the oppostion do? what do you want to change?instead of blindly asking for change, hoping that people you don't like die, it makes more sense to know the what and why of change.
change what? why?
You are still afraid of change.
Change.It's not just a word, it is the key to survival.
Americans know it, the world knows it.
But Singaporeans are still too frightened to embrace it and fight for it.
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zzzzzzz....
you seriously have no idea what to change, do you