8/17/2011

PAP beating a retreat

3 May at Fullerton Square, Lee Hsien Loong apologised to the people on behalf of the govt. It was an ominous gesture for the PAP. The GE saw the defeat of a key minister and the lost of a GRC. George Yeo had seen it coming. He related an incident to Hsien Loong of a voter telling him he was going to vote opposition a couple of days earlier.

The aftermath of the GE saw the stripping of 3 ministers from their posts and the stepping down of LKY and Goh Chok Tong. Since then, the PAP must have taken George Yeo’s advice seriously to reflect on themselves and their policies. And it has been on the defence, retreating all the way from their arrogant and I know best ways.

Many policies were revamped and the kpkbs of the people were taken heed. Yes, the PAP is taking very seriously the noises made by the people. The callous and bullying housing policies were dumped with a new minister in Boon Wan taking charge. He is not dictating to the people to live by his terms like his predecessor, but going all out to build more flats to meet the needs of the people, to restrain the rising property prices, telling the applicants not to screw themselves up by blindly applying for a flat with anyone in a hurry.

Measures were taken to slow the pace of immigrations even after LKY had said that another 900,000 foreign workers were needed. The MOM has come out with new regulations to limit a free flow of foreigners like TGIF. In a way Hsien Loong was arresting the fears of young Singaporeans losing out in the job market to hungrier FTs.

The cries for more university places were also heard and more places will be squeezed out for Singaporeans, with the intake of foreign students frozen at the current level. Yes, he is saying Singaporean First and doing it.

The new media is not giving up with their attacks and demands for a more Singaporean centric govt and policies. The new media was tolerated and permitted to carry on as usual, with bigger space to air their views.

The issuing of 4 COEs to presidential hopefuls is unthinkable and unprecedented. With all the discretion in the hands of the govt, it could easily tighten the screw and push through its endorsed candidate in a walkover by rejecting the other candidates. It was a huge concession, a huge step backwards, to appease the anger of the people.

Shanmugam, the elite and top notched lawyer minister was lambasted and had to beat a retreat from his interpretations of what a EP can or cannot do. Any minister or MP trying to make clever talks were not spared and were hammered relentlessly, including presidential hopeful Tony Tan, once a PM potential. The other once arrogant ministers were no where to been seen, probably trying to live by the new mantra that they are the servants and not the lords of the people.

The retreat by the PAP under Hsien Loong’s leadership is not in disarray. It is a measured retreat, taking a stand here and there not to concede too much ground. All the concessions were in response to the feedbacks from the people, primarily from the new media. The govt may not admit it officially, but there is a big battle going on with the govt taking stock of its positions and responding with changes in its policies.

Hsien Loong is leading the govt with a completely new style from his predecessors. Could he do otherwise if he is going to regain the confidence and trust of the people, and to extend PAP’s rule into the future? Another big concession is waiting to be served, the slashing of ministerial salary, including that of the ceremonial President. How much and how far will Hsien Loong be able to engage the people while on the defensive is still unfolding. The day is young.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Time to kpkb more:-)

agongkia said...

But I am still not convince that its George Yeo's advice that make them reflect on their policies.

I am one who believe PM is sincere but its his high handed and incompetent khakia that didn't get the correct message .
Instead of showing a good example and to be proactive in engaging citizen,they do the opposite.

I feel he understand but have to bear with some of the khakia and keep to himself..
Too bad,shortage of talent.
Just like a towkay shortage of good worker.....Bor Pian.

Blame the khakia,not the PM.

Anonymous said...

Wow, you daft Singaporeans are darn easy to placate.

Say a few words, throw in a few policies and you believe them lock stock and barrel?

Housing ceiling raised to 10,000, erm, 8,000 have not shifted since 17 years ago, thus on an inflation adjusted basis, you daft Singaporeans are being taken for a ride and still you cheer.

Foreign talent cap. By raising the salary levels and must come from a good university? First, what is the guideline for a good university? A good university in Timbuktu is considered good enough? And HELLO, he is missing the main crux of the problem...NUMBERS. Did he say he will restrict NUMBERS, NO, just the criteria you fools.

Do you daft Singaporeans know that if someone comes with an Employment Pass, they can bring in their whole family to Singapore! That is why you see some 60 year old PRC grandfather here as well. Is he contributing to our society?

Better treatment for the elderly, poor and disabled. My god, should this not be the most basic tenets of a government? Keeping policies that are obsolete and changing them to suit the times is worth cheering? It just means they are behind the curve you dumbos.

Pity the daft and dumb Singaporeans. Now i suspect they are >60.1%.

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

Sorry, post was truncated. Full article amended.

Anonymous said...

Daft singaporans indeed..so easily placated.
Go read this:

http://www.jackphanginvestment.com/2011/08/foreign-worker-policy-tightened-in.html

And another article in BT. A SME said no problem with the raise of $2800 - $3000. We just have to ask them to quickly apply for their PR and after that, they are safe and not subject to the fluctuations of the FW rules..!!
Study the devil people..look at the details and what's been said and done..it will take antoerh 1-2 yrs become comes into effect. Meantime, everybody still put up with the FT influx, and wait for them to covert to PR!!!

Anonymous said...

Those who think all the hullabaloo about changes after the election are real must be mistaken.

They are just being refined and repackaged, to muffle the noise. After all, the rulers, and even prataman, said that complaining by Singaporeans are purely noises.

More flats to cater for more immigrants or locals, since the immigrant's policy is just slowed down and may be reversed. More places for locals with perhaps a bigger intake of foreign students in the pipeline?

They have to put a stop to newcomers in order for changes to be effective. But they do not think it is necessary. And so the wayang goes on.

Anonymous said...

i could not agree more with Anon @ 10.57, 2.22 and 3.14. All the little tweaks - AND MUCH MORE - should have been made a long time ago. and they are mere tweaks, crumbs. it makes u want to cry.

the bottom line is yes, nothing is changing or will change. do read the Molitics blog on the semantics of LHL's speech.

Anonymous said...

Is there a chance to amend all the damages done?

Yes, when a Tsunami hits Sin and gives it a NEW START(Beginning).

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

It could be worst if Hsien Loong sees himself cornered into a cul de sac and someone offers him a knuckle duster.

Anonymous said...

Hahaha

"Hsien Loong is leading the govt with a completely new style from his predecessors".

Yeap, just substitute 'engage' for 'fix' and 'remind' for 'warn' and you have a new style of govt.

I like it. It sounds so soothing now, but....