Singapore Elections 2006

It has been an interesting election to follow for me, the first one of Singapore that I’m like totally engulfed in (before this 97 I wasn’t here yet, 01 I’m already in the states watching Al-Gore and Bush fight).

First a quote from the man who is old:

“Repression, Sir is a habit that grows. I am told it is like making love – it is always easier the second time! The first time there may be pangs of conscience, a sense of guilt. But once embarked on this course with constant repetition you get more and more brazen in the attack. All you have to do is to dissolve organizations and societies and banish and detain the key political workers in these societies. Then miraculously everything is tranquil on the surface. Then an intimidated press and the government-controlled radio together can regularly sing your praises, and slowly and steadily the people are made to forget the evil things that have already been done, or if these things are referred to again they’re conveniently distorted and distorted with impunity, because there will be no opposition to contradict.”

– Lee Kuan Yew as an opposition PAP member speaking to David Marshall, Singapore Legislative Assembly, Debates, 4 October, 1956

Ok, next, the saga. Apparently every election, I was told by the mainstream as well as alternative media, that PAP must belittle someone in opposition for something that has nothing to do with the big picture. This year it was Gomez being captured on camera. Too many blogs write about this – but as usual I favor the most direct one: rockson.

Forget to fill his form only what! The most can say he blur fuck. And never come out to say sorry is just stupid only what. In the end also say sorry liao.

But the PAP and the newspaper and TV all make him look like he rape his mother and sister and steal their money then go and take drug, and then fuck a dog, and then rob a bank and then kick a little girl until she die!!! What kind of fuck thing is this?

Then I found yzhuo working the ground 8) Fuiyo, looks terror in his PAP uniform leh!

Of course everyone would have known the results by the time I post this, LTK(WP/Hougang) and CST(SDA/Potong Pasir) against the usual crowd in Parliment, popular vote at 66% for PAP. Some say Gomez backfired, with 44% voting for opposition in Aljunied GRC, it came so close. Steve Chia lost CCK at 40%, so looks like Sylvia Lim will be the Non Constituency MP this time. (Do you know an Elected MP gets $13,500 while an NCMP gets $1600 per month?)

Young republic reminded me a lot about my days overseas, where young s’poreans will be bitching right at my face because I’m like the perfect devil’s advocate for all made-in-S’pore policies. Still a little bit shy/tired to join in the debate, maybe later.

Perhaps we could listen more, beyond this 9 days of campaigning. Former Perm Sec, HDB Corp chairman Ngiam Tong Dow did an interview in 2003. He said, in summary, that S’pore is Bigger than the PAP. I think of everything I read, this is very important, as it underscores my personal view about this election – that PAP’s attempt to make itself synonymous with the government has blurred its own view that things happen because everyone –  be it political or non-political, be it PAP-supporter or opposition or neutral etc. – has a part to play in making any country a great place to live in. If Harry Lee’s personality is too predominant, such that the people all emulate him, the country would be condemned to become a bickering congregation of lawyers, full of lawsuits pinpointing faults of others. The diversity in political, economical, social and other forces is what keeps any democratic society in its own “mental balance”, much like someone who works 9 to 5 needs a ECA for the weekends, a family to return to, and other things in life. The PAP only won the elections. Some people only got lift upgrades. But the country S’pore will only win if everyone is still free to achieve their dreams. Be very careful not to let S’pore become the Sparta in Mr. Ngaim’s interview.

Of course there are still a multitude of other random events that are worth noting for posterity sake. Here are some, just for reading fun. Of course, who would be there to substantiate them?

1. Apparently in a church who holds its services at Suntec, the great leader or whatever he’s called of the church urged his congregants “not to vote for stupidity (by which he meant Alternative Parties)” the week before election. Religion huh.

2. Apparently, it actually legal to sell Francis Seow, JBJ, and CSJ’s books in S’pore. An interesting incident in Kinokuniya – someone went to place a copy of CSJ’s book on top of each of LKY’s book. Who’s your daddy?

3. Podcasts are banned in this election. Sorry Steve, iPods are useless weapons here. So are electioneering websites that are not “sanctioned”. I wonder what they can do to those who tried. Another case of racist-blogger? (p.s. try mrbrownshow)

Alrite, good night S’pore. Be an empowered citizen like Malaysians ok?

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

One Response

  1. hi i’m a msian who studied in singapoe,and i totally agree with ur post. i would just like to hear ur view on what does it mean to be an empowered citizen. is that ok?

    thx 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to Top