ONESINGAPOREAN urges WP supporters to get a grip

Exhilarating read: onesingaporean warns WP supporters against becoming an embarrassment

If I were to quote the parts I like, 9 out of the 15 paragraphs would appear here.

 

 

 

Catherine Lim on the Real Winners of GE2011

Boy, can this woman write.  Long readable articles are not easy to do.

Paragraph 7:

If the people had wondered about their gains in GE 2011, they could not have been given more concrete evidence of it. For they had virtually been handed them on a plate, like a winner’s glittering trophies. Never had any PAP commitment been more unequivocally given, in terms of its wide media coverage, high public visibility and its setting the stage for full transparency and accountability. It was as if the PAP, once they had made up their minds, wanted no half measures. Even skeptics must admit that if there is disappointment with the actual outcome of the review, it can only be with the details, not the substance.

At paragraph 23, I thought I was nearing the end of the post, only to realise that it was only the start of her sharing.

Paragraph 26:

Since the guidelines are going to play a significant part in my deliberations over the coming months as I watch the political scene, I have put them in the form of simple personal self-instructions and resolutions (rather like reminding notes stuck on desks and mirrors!):

1) watch closely to see if the GE 2011 commitments made by the PAP leaders translate into action, but also be aware that just as they have promised to listen to us, we should endeavour to listen to their explanations about constraints faced, and problems encountered. Some promised corrections can be made easily; others will take time and may even be made extremely difficult by conditions outside their control. As long as there is honesty, transparency and accountability on their side, there should be understanding and patience on ours.

2) understand that there is a price to be paid for the democratic gains of freer expression and open debate. The cost can be seen in two situations:

a) More noise and disorderliness in parliamentary debates, taken up and amplified in the Internet and social media. But, provided that there is no violence and threat to our security, we should be prepared to accept that some messiness is good for the political education and exposure of young Singaporeans.

b) the stronger opposition voice which may cause delays in the implementation of an important policy, resulting in public loss of time, convenience, opportunity etc. But it should still be seen as a worthwhile trade-off for the democratic gain of open, public debate and criticism without which democracy’s prized tool of the checks and balances of power can never be utilized.

Overall, there will have to be a constant balancing of the pros and cons of democracy as applied to the Singapore context. Hopefully, our relationship with the PAP leadership will not be confrontational, but a continuing dynamic of robust engagement. The ultimate gain is the evolution of our own model of democracy, in keeping with the special socio-political character of our society, continually adjusting to the changes of a world in flux, in order meet the special needs and aspirations of its people.

3) encourage fellow Singaporeans, especially the younger generation, to make full use of the various channels of communication and feedback provided by the government to speak up, even on issues previously deemed sensitive, out-of-bounds, or taboo (I will make use of the snippy, snappy advice I once gave to a group of Singaporean university students: ‘Think through, speak up, stand up, and try not to be too afraid!’)

5) endeavour to set a tone of respect and courtesy in all political commentaries, no matter how strong the criticism; brutal honesty and polite delivery can actually go together.

6) above all, set an example of open-minded, honest, reasonable, sensible and responsible behaviour for young Singaporeans who will form the future citizenry. That means that whatever remains of the rancour, meanness, disingenuousness and blustering of the GE 2011 hustings must be permanently left behind.

Don’t ask me what happened to point number 4, it was never there in the first place.

Cynicism – PAP’s main battle

In the meantime, I would encourage cynics to not be too quick to dismiss PM Lee’s promise. Give him time. Reform, in this case, means changing current ways of doing things, of adopting new belief systems, and of painting new landscapes of the future. It means the PAP having to change in five years what it is accustomed to the last 50 years. It’s no small feat.

But change it must, of course. If PM Lee does not keep his word, then perhaps it won’t be too late to register your displeasure when the time comes.

You will have an opportunity to do this, for sure.

And PM Lee knows it too.

In the meantime, lets hold off the cynicism.

Seriously, let’s heed theonlinecitizen’s call and not let cynicism be our first reaction to every PAP action and/or proposal.  Too much skepticism blinds us from the change that is happening, the changes we’ve been yelling for.

TODAY: Besides ERP, any other solution?

Letter from Matthew Yap | May 30, 2011 6:00

I REFER to the report that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is looking into the possibility of implementing a new Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system (May 25).

I would like to share my views on the issue of traffic congestion that the ERP system was introduced to tackle.

First, on the width of expressways. I am thankful that the LTA has been adding lanes to the Central Expressway (CTE).

However, the LTA should study the cost-benefit analysis of building highways with seven to eight lanes in each carriageway vis-a-vis a three or four-lane one and adding lanes regularly.

There is room for expressways like the Kranji Expressway (KJE) now but this pre-emptive move is lost when housing is built.

As a business development director for a multinational company, I travel widely and often marvel at highways that cope with heavy traffic flow. The Middle East countries have a lower traffic volume than Singapore but they build highways with seven-lane carriageways at the outset.

This means there is no need for any road work in the short to medium term to cope with any increase in traffic.

As for optimising existing road use, I was impressed by the introduction of an Olympic lane for tournament vehicles during last year’s Singapore Youth Olympic Games.

The optimal use of roads by time and space offers a strategy to regulate traffic flow.

Jakarta requires there to be three persons per car in order for them to use the highways during peak evening traffic. California requires there to be two persons per car in order for them to use the overtaking lane. The penalty for breaching the rules is a punitive fine.

In Singapore, a noticeable difference should be apparent in a short span of time. The land available is largely fixed but the flexible use of roads can help.

The issue of car ownership has brought about much debate in the press and among netizens as to what is fair, and what loading or taxes to introduce for second or third cars.

My take is that a world-class public transport system does little when many people load the system during the morning and evening peak hours.

I am certain the LTA can learn a lot looking at the road policies employed in the Middle East, Europe and the United States.

It should gather feedback from the public before going ahead with a potentially expensive ERP exercise trial that may turn out to be yet another exercise in futility.

______________

10th paragraph reminds me of carpool exclusive lane encountered in most recent driving experience in USA.

2 things:

1. effectiveness?

2. the how-to of determining ‘car-pool status’ by the authorities <- either too manual/labour intensive or too advanced

Tweet-ards

26/05/2011 14:19

26/05/2011 14:26
Somebody had to wake these tweetards up:

I Love Lightning

A friend’s facebook status “Xiaxue = xia suay” instigated me to check Xiaxue’s blog for a post-GE post and I found Xiaxue’s Aftermath post.

Favourite part as quoted below:

2) For a PAP ruling party.

I concede that my articles were VERY biased. I wrote nothing good about the opposition and chose to delete any comments Pro-Opposition/Anti-PAP, even if they were well-reasoned.

Why? Because Pro-Opposition sentiment is already very strong everywhere. I mean look at the opposition rallies’ crowd! Everywhere I looked, people were coming up with more and more anti-PAP articles, and yet nobody was speaking up for them. That’s not because nobody believes in them – it’s because it is such a given that they will dominate the parliament that there was NO NEED to defend them. People only liked to give support to the underdog.

Besides, the anti-PAPs are so fierce that nobody dares to say anything Pro-PAP! You’d be immediately called a dog, brainwashed, ignorant, stupid etc.

I feared for Singapore’s future. I think that with the strong anti-PAP sentiment going on online, PAP might not get majority seats and we might have a complete change in government. No matter what PAP’s mistakes are, I didn’t want that. Especially not some inexperienced ah bengs with left wing commies giving away citizens’ money and undoing all we have achieved over the years.

Why didn’t I trust Singaporeans to make their own judgement by providing a neutral, objective article? There wasn’t a need to. Anti-PAP articles are everywhere. I was trying to provide a balance.

I agree we needed more opposition voices in parliament. But I didn’t want to lost George Yeo. And I didn’t want it to go overboard and topple PAP.

And true enough in many areas the PAP win was only a very close one. What’s going to happen in 5 years’ time when many of the old folks loyal to PAP are dead and the impressionable youths have only read about what an evil dictator PAP is? I didn’t want that. I didn’t think it was fair.

Some (okay, many) of the comments I ‘liked’:

Sadness
Just my view on those who voted for WP in Aljunied GRC:

Do voters really know what they are doing? What they have actually done? Years and years of hardwork and service from George Yeo and his team. Even the opposition admited it, GY and his team did nothing wrong, they did everything they could for the people. What did he get in return?

What did Aljunied voters do to repay him? Voted him out in favour of an untested, unproven team. Voted him out because they buy into the idea of “First World Parliment”. Voted him out because for this far-fetched theory of “Checks & Balances”. Do people REALLY realize the consequence of their actions, what they have done?

There is no groupthink within the PAP. Even within their own ranks, not all PAP members agree with government policies. Look beyond their party affiliation, they are just citizen like you and like. You don’t need opposition to give a balanced view. PAP members DO voice out their differing opinions and alternatives, they do debate and argue it out rationally. This is the “Check & Balance” you are looking for, this the “First World Parliment” you want, where different views and opinions are voiced out and debated upon. Sadly, people seem to buy into this idea that ONLY opposition candidate can give “alternative view”, ONLY opposition candidate can fight for the rights of the citizens. They get swayed by lofty rhetorics and ideals and kicked out an experienced team of leaders.

Y
Hi Xiaxue,

I just wish to say a big thank you for speaking up for the government who has worked so hard for Singapore. I feel sad when I see so many anti PAP sentiments around especially when I don’t think they deserved it. A country’s policies can never benefit everyone, the optimal point is always a balance. In saying that, you create some tradeoffs, helping majority of the people but as a result, a minority gets left behind. I don’t think those people should blame the government because they should take a look around the world, the impact of globalization is affecting every country and Singapore has to go along with it to survive. This has forced to government to make certain policies to ensure the survival of Singapore in the long term but as this point, some people just don’t see it. Moreover, I think Singaporeans should stop blaming the government for some of their situations because ultimately, you make the decisions in your life. The government is responsible for the general well being of the nation but individually it’s your call. I don’t know how to get it across to my friends that “hey it is not only the government’s responsibility to help the poor, it’s our social responsibility too.” Many sit there and blame the government but they don’t do anything to help. This scares me especially when I think about the kind of society we may face in the future because of all these mindsets. People now blame the GRC system for causing the loss of Mr George Yeo, but do they realize that it was their votes, the decision that they made that created this? I just hope many of them will move on now that George Yeo graciously has, and concentrate on ensuring that WP fulfills every single one of its promises. The GRC system was created to ensure that minority groups get represented better in that area. It was created because the government was afraid that a single MP may not be able to relate to everyone of different races and religions and therefore implemented this to ensure every citizen, regardless of race, language and religion gets heard by their GRC team.

Many Pro PAP supporters don’t speak up because maybe the anti PAP sentiments are too overwhelming and I think it can be pretty much of a waste of time when you try to reason with people who are not listening at all.

June

And, I believe it’s NOT that pap doesn’t listen, but rather problems can’t be solved as yet, because leading a country is NOT easy in the first place. Can people just stop seeking perfection? We should have alternative voices, but those voices should be of high-quality, at the very least on par with the incumbent and not at the expense of good ministers? People said WP-A team, PAP-? team. You are obviously blinded, because if WP has an A team, then pap has an A+++ team, with experiences and credentials that are on par, and even exceeding that of the other side. You believe that WP will be your alternative voice, I respect your decision, but people need to stop insulting the other team and gloating over their loss!

M
The opposition can’t do that as they don’t have the power they need to make a difference. Honestly, if the opposition were to hear you (they did hear many Singaporeans out, therefore they highlighted the issues of the GST, government salary pay, tax etc), the opposition will take note of the good suggestion you pointed out. But they can’t promise you anything thats all. Besides I personally feel that PAP has changed over the years. They sure do govern the country well, but they must remember to hear the citizens out. We have good suggestions, but they don’t hear us out One example is their salary pay, I really wish they can cut their pay by half, and use the rest to help the poor in Singapore, or perhaps reduce the GST to 6% or 5%… I would really be happy. Im sure other would too, and you as well

Reply:

Jasmine S.
Ur examples just show how ignorant you are about how economy works, just like the rest of the Opp so-called supporters.How about PAP hear people out and slow down, re-focus on people instead of economy, take out money to help the poor, reduce GST, don’t import foreign talents. People will be happy for a while but in the long term, Singapore’s GDP will slow down, less jobs are available, the rich become poorer, the poor even poorer, the country’s reserves drop, economy crisis hits and we are unable to recover as quickly. I am certain that if that happens, people will be saying to PAP, but you should know better than us, as our leaders you should have done what’s right and good for us instead of blindly listening to us. No matter what PAP decides, at the end of the day, just cos they are the ruling party, anything goes wrong, people put all the blame on them.

Guest

Hi. I’m from MY and I have been following SG’s elections. The opposition have been targetting social media and are nothing but all whines and complains. Real estate prices go up, blame gov. Too many foreginers, blame gov. Money misused, MAGNIFY it. It is unevitable that real estate prices increase, given how much land singapore has. The opposition is just trying to use peoples’ hatred to gain support. If people had really done a comparison, they’d know that the lower income group in SG does have a higher quality of life compared to other ASEAN countries. Opposition shouldn’t be all about opposing the gov per se. The foreigners brought into SG are all highly-skilled professionals, so what’s the problem in that? Without these people and their contribution, the resource-limited SG wouldn’t be how it is now. At least there is control over imigrants to SG and legal procedures are followed. Unlike here where most of the imigrants are bangla labours without permits. Money mismanagement happens occasionally. Minor mistakes once in a while for a lesson learnt is worth it. But in MY, the government does it repeatedly. There are huge numbers of our taxpayers money spent to pay equipments over-priced due to corruption. Singaporeans have to be more appreciative of the government, in which their achievement is something other countries long for.

rakshel
sigh, it’s my exam period now and the lost had affected me so much i couldn’t study. everywhere i go i hear ignorant singaporeans talking about how lousy the governement is, and almost everyone is pro-opposition. but i’m an economics student. i know how every policy has it’s pros and cons and i’m so bewildered that how anyone can just shoot off their mouth and introduce their own policy based on their ridiculous expectation. hello? that’s why you (the anti-pap) are not the government.good leaders means u know how to say ‘no’ when it’s hard to. just like what dumbledore (haha) says, ‘you have to choose between what’s right, and what’s easy’. people get roused when the opposition offers dreamy solutions but the repurcussions are way beyond your imagination. minimum wage? even the most mediocre economic student will tell you it will result in social inefficiency. people wants to hear nice things, but nice things might not be good for us!

and it’s so unfair for nicole seah to keep saying that pap neglected the poor. how much help does she really wanna give? does she realise that every change in the amount of help given to the poor is very delicate? if too much help is given to the poor, people might get reliant and dependent on the governement. the right amount is important to drive people to work hard and ensure the poor has some form of subsidies. people get lured by her views because people are idealistic and don’t wanna see the practical side of the issue.

C

Major love for PAP. I know they are not perfect. They have nt looked into many areas and cared for every single person who has fallen thru the cracks. They even failed to invest in Sg stocks when there was an economic crisis to save Singaporeans; they invested in China and India stocks. This I truly do not understand. Yet I love them, because I have seen with my own eyes, the contributions they have made to Singapore. No one I know have no home, no jobs, no education. As compared to other countries, I find ourselves very lucky. I believe in our own hard work even tho there are still improvements that can be made by the PAP. And like u, I think talk is cheap. The oppositions can suggest better solutions instead of just pin pointing problems. How to make housing even more affordable? How to let the minority walk out of poverty? If HDB is soooo affordable and everyone pays up within 10yrs, then everyone can afford to buy two or three properties, then its supply and demand again that will drive up the cost of property. And over building will cause another dip in everyone’s property prices. So who do you want to satisfy? buyers or sellers? There is no perfect policy, and politicians are not God.

kickass_spunkchick
Hello XX,Keep blogging, i love your outspoken, genuine and “in your face” posts, love the last few entries on the GEs. It’s a pity that Singaporeans don’t know what they have, and what PAP and MM Lee have done for this tiny nation. If not for their hard work and tough love and strict rules, Singapore wouldn’t have risen to its current status from being just a dangerous, and poor slum city 40 odd years ago. I’m a Singaporean studying abroad and miss everything about Singapore while i’m here.

Silly Singaporeans really don’t know and don’t cherish what they have, something as important as safety has been long taken for granted back home. When you’re out and living abroad, you’ll realise how much the PAP government and MM Lee have done to ensure that our streets are safe no matter what time, and that we get clean tap water that is drinkable, education, 24 hours police stations, 24 hours shops, macdonald’s etc etc and the list goes on.

All these have been taken for granted and people just got carried away with what the OP/WP have promised. Those are mere words, well, the people have chosen. Time will tell if the WP/OP CAN actually deliver. You think the grass is greener on the other side, wait and see, time will prove it all.

Guest
See how your PAP’s healthcare polices are affecting everyday normal Singaporeans here
http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/05/six-months%E2%80%99-wait-%E2%80%93-just-to-do-a-scan/

Reply:

Guest

why the inefficiency must be blamed on the PAP? arent the doctors and nurses your fellow Singaporeans? blame your fellow Singaporeans who are slow and inefficient. must the govt meet them personally to hurry them so that you can get your scan done?

_____________________________

Guest

A good MP will get a grip on her emotions, wipe the tears of the poor and help them to help themselves. Not just help them by asking the government to give them more handouts becos then, these poor can never live in dignity. As the saying goes “Teach the man to fish and he will eat for a life time”, and this is exactly what the PAP has always been doing, teaching us to be independent and take charge of our lives. It takes a lot of courage to stand up to the ignorant and the a lot of wisdom to tell the right from wrong.

Related articles

• GE 2011: Is there a need for change? (20114t.wordpress.com)

Today's Viral Tweets

Who let the kids out?

Are we blind or spoilt?

From as HUGE as the review of ministerial salaries and letting go of 7 ministers(2 voted out, 2 stepped down and 3 asked to go due to popular demand) to finer details such as replacing a rooftop water tank, the ruling party has worked fast to show that they are listening and willing to put into action what viable suggestions they hear.

The above, to me, are all changes.  I could sense the sincerity in PM Lee’s very well thought-out swear-in speech.  I rejoice in their courage and commitment to take up the challenge to change.  I look forward to them stand united in this resolve for the 5 years to come, despite how netizens brutally continue to credit this change to the surgence of opposition.

It bewilders me how such a proportion of our highly-educated populace fail to see that the government is giving them exactly what they’ve been screaming their lungs out for:

– you we don’t like how Mah Bow Tan describe HDB flats as affordable.  result: Mr Mah becomes retiree Mah

– you we are ashamed of and cannot forgive Wong Kan Seng for the escape of Mas Selamat and find all explanations laughable. result: Mr Wong becomes retiree Wong

– you we got played by Workers’ Party’s contest for Aljunied GRC, convinced we want opposition voices so badly that you we voted out a capable team comprising of 2 ministers, one of them being our first full female minister.  No by-election, as stated before polling day.  Takes a lot to stand firm and let go a loss of this magnitude.

– you we curse and swear MM Lee every chance you we get, calling him names and hurling abuses of the most malicious kind his way.  however formidable or foul he is, he helped your grandparents raise your parents who now feed you.  Nobody’s requesting you to vote for PAP out of this gratitude.  Just asking for the minimal respect you would give your elders, even if you don’t find them agreeable.  If on this basis, you give up greeting them altogether, you are probably not worth the effort and better off in a foreign land far away from people you can’t stand.

Votes-wise, we were to be stuck with Mr Mah and Mr Wong for another 5 years.  They really didn’t have to go (or be let go) if either them or the party is still as arrogant and thick-skinned as they’ve been so crowned.  All these are happening because of your voices and to your tone.  Yet, you don’t see it as so.  I profoundly wonder if it’s a matter of ability, as in ‘you CAN’T see it.’

Every action and proposal has been criticized to the pits.

These people you hate.  They lose and have to resign, you say they have no heart.  They win, didn’t have to retire, step down nor apologise but still did, you say it’s tardy and irresponsible.

If everything is dictated by the PM like you always say, how is this not him taking heart and heed?

How is it at this juncture, you credit this to opposition and their voters as if it was their call or decision to make?

Do you firmly stand somewhere? Or do you simply sway at whim?

You may say all this is stemming from their fear of losing their rule or their thirst for power.  I say at least they still care enough to want to continue to lead an immensely rude and unappreciative population.  A thankless task, to say the least.

Have we been granted so much good we’ve become spoilt and gotten used to keep on demanding for more?

Are we frogs in a well?  Or worse, bats?

Typical Profile?

“I see #NicoleSeah & #TPL as two different persons. Nicole => Capable, Caring. TPL => Materialistic. #SGelections”

http://twitter.com/#!/ArrowManUp/status/71624686571757568

A 19 year old whom I can describe using 5 adjectives all beginning with ‘s’.

Example #20110521 of Twisted "opposition is angel, PAP is devil" Notion

PAP candidates lose, we will retire ($$$$$). Opp lose, we will be back! Really show really have heart http://bit.ly/mkHmOE #fb #sgelections

http://twitter.com/#!/DewZW/status/71821509018140672

Sent from Echofon – http://www.echofon.com/

Come on, this is crap! The ministers that Aljunied GRC residents voted out must resign because being our minister was their FULL-TIME JOB. Having no part to play in neither Parliament nor the cabinet, they have been rendered jobless. To harness the word ‘resign’ (as opposed to ‘fired by the people we have served for 20 years’) is really taking it upon themselves rather than blaming the voters.

Let's go back to 2006

Links to the Mr. Brown ‘saga’ 5 years back.

That TODAY article

Diary of A Singaporean Mind: Mr. Brown Silenced