5/04/2011

A civil election campaign…so far

Who says we can’t be civilized and need to behave like gangsters and thugs in a GE? Who says that all the dirty gutter political tricks and antics will be rolled out to destroy an opponent in a GE? Till today, the last two days of the GE campaign, the hustings have been pretty civil and respectable from both camps. No video of people romping in hotel bedrooms were aired, no ransacking of people’s cupboards and drawers for pornographic art were flashed in the media, no silly people were reported checking on people’s bus fare or taxi claims. Of course there were a couple of incidents that bordered on gutter politics, hitting below the belt, but quickly put off as the opponents realized that such conduct will reflect badly on themselves. And don’t forget that no one has the monopoly of the media and can speak and demolish his opponents while the latter is refused a chance of reply or fair comments. There is an alternative media out there waiting to pounce on anyone that crosses the line. And the alternative media need not be civil and can be very vicious and ugly. So far everyone is polite and gentlemanly. Two more days to go and if they can keep it that way, we can have a really clean and decent GE to be proud of. And organizations that are in possession of private and confidential data and information should guard them zealously and prevent nincompoohs from exploiting them in breach of the rule of confidentiality, privacy, ethics and personal integrity. No one should abuse his position of power to assess confidential information of candidates to hit anyone below the belt. Be warned that the internet brigade will do even worst when provoked. The contest is a contest of ideas and it is very encouraging and pleasant to see ideas being challenged and dutifully reported in the media. This is a sign of progress. Just keep the fingers crossed that the ugliness will not raise its head after the election with lawsuits, and candidates and their families being persecuted and have to run road. I have faith that we are maturing as a people and need not return to the days of being young and wild.

11 comments:

gene said...

How would you characterise the accusation by the incumbent that LTK has mismanaged town council funds?

Nothing civil about this accusation!

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

Hi gene, welcome to the blog.

In a political campaign, both sides would want to score points and discredit their opponents by questioning what they have done. Nothing wrong with Hwee Hua asking about the accounts. Low TK had replied quite well.

I think he could have done better by simply telling Hwee Hua to go and ask the MND or Auditor General if she is unhappy as they have approved the accounts. Questioning Low now is as good as questioning MND and the AG. Is she saying that she does not trust the MND or AG? All the papers are there for her to see. Go and read the papers and show MND and the AG where or what were wrong. Otherwise, what is there for Low to answer.

There is nothing wrong for Low to react by claiming that it is a personal attack. He will have to show the people why it is a personal attack. These are part and parcel of election husting.

Low can ask the same questions about the accounts of those Town Councils affected by the investment losses and ask them to tell and be transparent.

Then the people be the judge.

Anonymous said...

IMHO, it's still early days to draw this conclusion.

If the Opposition were to win some GRCs, law suits from certain party may start flying again!

Renho

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

Agree, the before and after can be very different. They could have a fall back plan if they lost.

Anonymous said...

Civil because it is no longer a case of you dig my garden, I have no way to dig yours.

The Internet is a marvelous godsend. It is not like the MSM in the old days, used exclusively by one party to air opponents' skeletons.

Of course, accusations still fly, but some accusations are now more like clutching at straws. They are raised more to distract rather than being essential issues.

The opposition are raising more of the relevant issues, like minister's pay, the unfairness of GRCs, escalating HDB prices, crowded public transport and foreign workers problem.

And telling Singaporeans only now, that we care for you, we understand your concerns, we are your servants etc. What for? Something should have been done to tackle those issues the last 5 years.

Yet, just recently we have been told of more foreigners waiting to come in, HDB will be affordable when it obviously is not, and brushing aside Singaporean's complaints as 'noises'.

We have enough, given enough time and taken enough slaps on the face.

Anonymous said...

The Internet seems to be the best police force and better than any court of law. It can even prevent or reduce sin.

After about 4 decades of infrastructure, cultural and social national developments, discontentment , anger and angst started to surface in the Last Decade. The Leadership had at least ten years of exposure to such grouses and sufferings of the People but It ignored for just as long.

It resorted to scheme after scheme till many bleeded dry and have to work till they drop despite beyond 60 year old. Many able body and intellectuals can't bear to see the fast rising number of such people. They started blogging and others came into politic in their attempts to help. This where we are today.

It is a blessing that we do not have to wait till turmoil and revolution have to happen. Say whatever anyone wishes; Singaporeans are very sensible and tolerant. Bearing hardship for decades proved that most are civil and thus a civil election campaign is only to be expected.

However, it is still very disappointing to see and hear candidates resorting to smears and character assassinations.

patriot

Anonymous said...

The Internet seems to be the best police force and better than any court of law. It can even prevent or reduce sin.

After about 4 decades of infrastructure, cultural and social national developments, discontentment , anger and angst started to surface in the Last Decade. The Leadership had at least ten years of exposure to such grouses and sufferings of the People but It ignored for just as long.

It resorted to scheme after scheme till many bleeded dry and have to work till they drop despite beyond 60 year old. Many able body and intellectuals can't bear to see the fast rising number of such people. They started blogging and others came into politic in their attempts to help. This where we are today.

It is a blessing that we do not have to wait till turmoil and revolution have to happen. Say whatever anyone wishes; Singaporeans are very sensible and tolerant. Bearing hardship for decades proved that most are civil and thus a civil election campaign is only to be expected.

However, it is still very disappointing to see and hear candidates resorting to smears and character assassinations.

patriot

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

My god, just as I thought this will be over quickly, the shit is oozing out from the gutters. Spencer Ng of NSP in Marine Parade and Shanmugam are hit by smears, the former from a girl friend some 4 years ago and the latter from his ex wife.

This is cheap stuff. Would the leaders put a stop to this or shall the fire burns?

Anonymous said...

Old habits die hard.

Anonymous said...

So, don't play play with womanfolks, they go for the jugular and tear their hated preys to pieces to claim vengeance.

Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️ said...

The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.
H. L. Mencken