Is this a local election to elect a Member of Parliament to represent a constituency or a mini referendum on the performance of the PAP Government?
In my view, it is both; and more inclined towards the latter.
Local election
Both candidates have good points and deserve the support of the voters.
Desmond Choo of the Peoples’ Action Party has been working hard and “wearing his socks out”. He has also promised to continue to work in the constituency, even if he is not elected in this round. He does get good media coverage – which is a benefit of contesting under the PAP banner.
Png Eng Huat of the Workers Party has been working in the grassroots in Hougang for five years. I know of this fact, as he was my former colleague. I know Png to be reliable, helpful and friendly. He may appear to be “low key” but I watched a video of his speech at the previous general election – and he talked sense!
Whoever wins on 26 May will be a win for Hougang voters.
Mini Referendum
I expect that this by-election will be a mini referendum on the performance of the PAP Government over the year since the 2011 general election.
Positive Points
Here are the positive points that voters can give credit to the Government
1. It carried out a salary review of government ministers and implemented a cut of one third of their previous salaries. Link.
2. It accelerated the building of HDB flats. When completed in a few years time, the new supply is likely to moderate or reduce the cost of HDB flats. Link.
3. It reduced the issue of work passes for foreign workers and declined to renew some existing passes. Link.
4. It invested $1.1 billion to provide more buses for public transport. Link
5. It launched the Financial Advisory Industry Review to look into consumer issues in the finance sector. Link
6. It promised to review the insurance schemes for medical and long term care. Link
These are commendable efforts, although many critics were able to find fault with the pace, extent and direction of these initiatives.
Negative Points
I give demerit points to the Government on the following issues.
1. It refused to amend the Internal Security Act, in spite of a similar act being abolished in Malaysia. Link
2. It delayed the calling of the Hougang by-election unnecessarily, which prompted a resident to take this matter to court. Link
3. It appeared to be rather weak, depending on a few experienced ministers to look after several key ministries and to rely on new ministers that are inexperienced in their portfolios.
4. It refused to recognise the flaws in past policies that caused the bad outcomes, and to make fundamental changes, preferring instead to “tweak” the ineffective policies.
My vote
If I were a voter in Hougang (and I am not), I would place my vote for the Workers Party. It is important to pass a message to the PAP Government that several existing policies need a fundamental review and change. They should also change their style of government and be prepared to listen more to the “common sense” of the people in deciding on the future direction of Singapore.
Tan Kin Lian
www.tankinlian.blogspot.com
In my view, it is both; and more inclined towards the latter.
Local election
Both candidates have good points and deserve the support of the voters.
Desmond Choo of the Peoples’ Action Party has been working hard and “wearing his socks out”. He has also promised to continue to work in the constituency, even if he is not elected in this round. He does get good media coverage – which is a benefit of contesting under the PAP banner.
Png Eng Huat of the Workers Party has been working in the grassroots in Hougang for five years. I know of this fact, as he was my former colleague. I know Png to be reliable, helpful and friendly. He may appear to be “low key” but I watched a video of his speech at the previous general election – and he talked sense!
Whoever wins on 26 May will be a win for Hougang voters.
Mini Referendum
I expect that this by-election will be a mini referendum on the performance of the PAP Government over the year since the 2011 general election.
Positive Points
Here are the positive points that voters can give credit to the Government
1. It carried out a salary review of government ministers and implemented a cut of one third of their previous salaries. Link.
2. It accelerated the building of HDB flats. When completed in a few years time, the new supply is likely to moderate or reduce the cost of HDB flats. Link.
3. It reduced the issue of work passes for foreign workers and declined to renew some existing passes. Link.
4. It invested $1.1 billion to provide more buses for public transport. Link
5. It launched the Financial Advisory Industry Review to look into consumer issues in the finance sector. Link
6. It promised to review the insurance schemes for medical and long term care. Link
These are commendable efforts, although many critics were able to find fault with the pace, extent and direction of these initiatives.
Negative Points
I give demerit points to the Government on the following issues.
1. It refused to amend the Internal Security Act, in spite of a similar act being abolished in Malaysia. Link
2. It delayed the calling of the Hougang by-election unnecessarily, which prompted a resident to take this matter to court. Link
3. It appeared to be rather weak, depending on a few experienced ministers to look after several key ministries and to rely on new ministers that are inexperienced in their portfolios.
4. It refused to recognise the flaws in past policies that caused the bad outcomes, and to make fundamental changes, preferring instead to “tweak” the ineffective policies.
My vote
If I were a voter in Hougang (and I am not), I would place my vote for the Workers Party. It is important to pass a message to the PAP Government that several existing policies need a fundamental review and change. They should also change their style of government and be prepared to listen more to the “common sense” of the people in deciding on the future direction of Singapore.
Tan Kin Lian
www.tankinlian.blogspot.com
6 comments:
My gut feeling is that nowadays, more eligible voters are aware of an urgent need to build a two-party political system in Singapore. There is no such thing that the ruling PAP can and will do something to 'check and balance' themselves.
I salute Hougang residents for their courage and determination in defending the democracy over the past decade.
Keep it up! Hougang voters, cheers...
Kudos to TKL for voicing boldly, should he be a Hougang voter, he would vote WP. But the fact is PAP wouldn't give a damn to his opinion, or to anybody's opinion outside this ward.
But we agree with Michael 13, no matter how much 'perceived changes' PAP would wan us to see, people still wan more opposition in Parliament, just to counter the arrogance of PAP. That gutsy Indian female cleaner is one voter who dares to push the boundary to challenge the PM to know his place in our society - the threats of "bankrupting" her with Costs by the AG is a big laughing biscuit, simply she has no money whatsoever to pay. She would just say "OK, no money to pay, jail me lah". Jailing her would make the PM look comical, imagine bankcrupting or jailing a poor Indian woman who has no money in her pocket. The whole world watching this wayang would be in stitches too.
Hope there would be more Singaporeans like this woman, her lawyer Ravi, and TKL, who dare to stand up and be counted.
By uttering threats, this AG has simply, no common sense, maybe too highly educated has blurted the ability.
@yuyuan.
My statement is for the PAP to take note, if they wish to. If not, it is all right.
My statement is also directed to the voters of Hougang. I hope that there are those, sitting on the fence, who might be persuaded with my statement.
maybe too highly educated has blunted the ability to use common sense."
The PM has cleverly averted this law suit with the BE announcement, would the AG's blurting out showoff jeopardize the PAP's chances at the BE, perhaps the PM is hopping mad at his AG now.
What are Positive and Negative Points on Worker's Party?
I fully agreed with you view regarding the merit and demerit points given to PAP. Until PAP learned to acknowledge, apologise and remedy past policies errors, size able population will never forgive and trust them.
Post a Comment