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3/02/2011
Tampines uncut
Tampines GRC is one of the few that were left practically unchanged in the redrawing of boundaries. Might as well since any redrawing does not give the PAP any advantage over the opposition, be it Tampines or anywhere else. However, Tampines presents a very interesting case for speculations given the opposition’s assessment that it is one of the very likely GRC to fall.
Then why is Tampines left uncut? Would it also be that Mah Bow Tan will still helm the GRC in the no horse run race? Assuming that it is a win or lose situation, what does it mean? One possibility is that the housing problem is already resolved by all the remedial accelerated housing programmes. The house hunters, especially the first time owners, must have been appeased and their housing needs taken care of. So it would not be an election issue any more. Tampines is safe.
Another possibility is that Tampines will be the sacrificial lamb. Well, if the reading is that some GRCs will fall, might as well let Tampines go without too much hustle to redraw the boundaries. It is already too far gone. Let there be no complains from the opposition that its boundaries were redrawn to protect the ruling party’s interest. It looks like a pretty fair proposition, boundaries intact and the GRC team intact, maybe with one or two changes for renewal. And Mah Bow Tan is going to dig in and defend his turf like a man.
My guess is that Tampines will go to the opposition unless they fumble again in the last minute and got themselves disqualified. Pray no such idiots surface to overturn the apple cart. Why am I feeling so nervy that this is gonna happen?
why do u presume that mah bow tan will still helm the tampines team? PM could well do so, on the grounds that AMK is safe. or mayb MM will move in? or teo chee hean.
ReplyDeleteas the pap has done these switcheroos several times in the past, there is no reason why they shouldn't do so again.
as such any alternative party with half a brain should SHUT UP and ACT COY about where they are going to stand until they actually register at where ever they will actually stand.
otherwise, it is like showing what cards you have in your hand to your opponents. would any mahjong player be so stupid as to do so?
“Why do u presume that mah bow tan will still helm the tampines team?"
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely spot on.
There is going to be a big beautification project at the Tampines Central Park as announced not too long ago. This project will bring Tampines closer to being a premium town, it having scored several firsts.
My mother is staying in Tampines and she is definitely a great supporter of the incumbents. Doubt if anything will change her mind as anything she wants, she gets like free mannah from heaven all provided by her grandchildren and yours truly. And there are many like her, satisfied with the old and never even thought about the need for change.
If they think that MBT is a liability, we might just see some heavyweight stepping into the ring to take his place.
And personally, I do not think that the NSP is potent or organized enough to take them on and win.
Not this election.
Hehe. :o)
I was personally told that Mah Bow Tan and his team will remain to contest Tampines by one of his fellow MP during their walkabout.
ReplyDeleteAnd I was telling myself that if I were them(the PAP Team), we're as good as won the coming election.
Reason?
Tampines is a matured HDB heartland and most of the residents are as matured as the Estate. Most have paid up for their (HDB)properties. Minister Mah have increased the values of their homes, although it is just paper gains or no gain at all, DAFT and greedy Singaporeans
do think their properties have made them richer.
Those who had witnessed reactions and responses to the walkabouts by political parties should know by now how the singaporeans typically react to their presences. When the PAP Teams come around, Singaporeans from all over the island will come in bus loads and the GRASSROOT members alone will make their walkabouts appear as though all the residents are their supporters; in fact most are; i suspect.
WHEN OPPOSITION MEMBERS do their walkabouts, You can see for yourselves that THE SINGAPOREANS AROUND treat them like cartoons or invisibles. THEY APPEAR EVEN 'SCARED' TO TALK TO THEM AND I LAUGHED WHENEVER SINGAPOREANS LOOK AROUND BEFORE BUYING OPPOSITION PARTY NEWSLETTERS. I BELIEVE THERE IS THE UNKNOWN AND UNFATHOMABLE FEAR THAT HAS GRIPPED AND CRIPPLED THE THINKING PROCESS OF SINGAPOREAN.
THIS PSYCHOLOGICAL INTIMIDATION IS WHAT IS GOING TO DO THE OPPOSITIONS AND SINGAPOREANS THEMSELVES IN.
The Oppositions are in perpetual disadvantaged position SO LONG AS SINGAPOREANS ARE NOT ABLE TO FREE THEMSELVES FROM THE 'FEAR'.
VOTING IS COMPULSORY IN SINGAPORE AND VOTING IS THE DUTY, AS REQUIRED BY OUR LAW, OF EVERY CITIZEN. LL THE CONTESTANTS ARE PARTICIPATING LEGALLY AFTER BEEN APPROVED AS CANDIDATES. THEREFORE SINGAPOREANS HAVE TO BE FAIR TO THEM IT IS ABSOLUTELY THE VOTERS' RIGHT TO VOTE IN THE BETTER CANDIDATES, NO MATTER WHICH PARTY THEY BELONG TO.
PLEASE DO AWAY WITH YOUR UNDUE FEAR WHEN ELECTING YOUR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, BE FAIR TO THEM AND TO YOURSELF!
patriot
Sad, very sad that we let it come to this state.
ReplyDeletePsychologically, the fear has been inbued into peoples' minds long ago already. No amount of assurances by opposition camps will allay that fear, which is even grounded in job security fears of civil servants, should they vote the opposition.
Added to that, the use of state money to upgrade precincts that vote for the ruling party while denying that for opposition voters is another factor that is skewed against those wanting to vote for the opposition.
Singaporeans are destined to be screwed till eternity. No way out!
'Would it also be that Mah Bow Tan will still helm the GRC in the no horse run race?'
ReplyDeleteDid I presume?
I'm not surprised this GRC is left untouched despite the heat being put on MBT and his housing policies.
ReplyDeleteThey have done their sums, and deemed this GRC as low risk.
Election 2006, the PAP won 68.5% of the votes. To lose this GRC, there have to be a swing of more than 18.5%.
Despite all the hot issues, such as high cost of living, HDB prices, healthcare and FTs, it is highly unlikely that it would translate to a swing of 18.5%. My guess is probably 5-8% at most.
Tampines will be safe for them, unfortunately.
MP Irene of Tampines helped an Indonesian to get PR status, according to his facebook.
ReplyDeleteThis is good fodder for NSP to use to boot out this former ST leeporter cum FT lover.
Falling in love and getting married are very subjective stuff. Some may say it is all fated. Wish her well.
ReplyDeleteI believe Wally will fall in love with everything he sees in Lijiang and want to marry all of them: ) Just a natural inclination, very human. Not feeling the same is inhuman.
Helping a FT, if deserving, should not be too big an issue. Our main concern is the belief that FT is the panacea to all our economic ills. It is being injected into our system like morphine.
The fear is over dosed and dependency on drugs.
> Our main concern is the belief that FT is the panacea to all our economic ills. <
ReplyDeleteThey are -- because they are harder driving and harder striving ;-)
Hallelujah for Open Borders!
A state is a collectivity where the group seeks comfort, growth and protection. If a state behaves like a prostitute and does not offer comfort, growth and protection to its people but to mercenaries, the state no longer is worthy of its citizens.
ReplyDelete