Hougang is like part of a bigger scheme of things
Under normal circumstances this could still be the honeymoon period for the elected ruling party to ferment whatever it wants to do. The next GE is another four years away. This is the period for more increases in everything and whatever unpleasant policies, now is the time to throw them to the people. There will be some pain and unhappiness, but the people will get used to it, get over it over time. Then comes the last chapter, the pre election phase when the wounds are healed and little goodies would do the trick to prepare the electorate for more good years.
The Hougang by election must have come at an inopportune time. With this in the air, with the people getting political again and being agitated by all kinds of issues, and introducing or implementing tough policies would give the opposition a good platform to shout them down. Not doing so would have to delay it further down the road and may be too close to the next GE.
Whichever way, the temper of the people would not be given a chance to take a break. The temperature will rise again as in all elections. And expectedly, the opposition would rub the salt in wherever there is an open wound, or would open up old wounds. And it is defending time. The full backs and the goal keepers would not be able to rest or sleep soundly. Where are the goal keepers?
The other important development coming out from Hougang is the closing ranks of all the opposition parties. This is one of the rare instances that the oppositions are coming together to fight a common enemy. It would be interesting to see who would be speaking in the WP rallies. It would also be an opportunity for the opposition parties to rally together, to seek common grounds and build a closer rapport and understanding before the next GE. Hougang could pave the way for a better understanding among the opposition parties, and more give and take later on, and who knows, a united front that they have yet to forge after so many years.
Hougang could also be a testing time for people forced to reveal themselves to do damage to the WP’s cause. Many believe that there are plenty of moles in hiding in the opposition parties. It is a time to see the real stuff, the real enemies within, the desperadoes. But they are unlikely to cause a dent on the WP’s armour.
The PAP will, for the first time, be facing the opposition parties as a single bloc, speaking in unison. No more divide and rule, pulling strings here and there for the opposition parties to dance and bicker at each other. Maybe it is too premature to talk about this. It would be an interesting battle with more actors playing more important roles on both sides. All the big guns from both camps would be firing at the same time. A Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture in the air.
11 comments:
Red Bean, like you and as a concerned citizen, we watch the political social and economic situation in Singapore carefully. You will surely agree with me that the WP has achoieved little , if any, by way of satisfying the citizens`aspirations. Not from their performance in Parliament, nor elsewhere. Yet they exude a superior air about them. Yes, they manage to acquire Chen Shao Mao. Nothing concrete has been achieved since the last GE. When the other opposition parties declared that they will not contest the by-elction so as to leave the WP to fight the PAP alone, there was not even a word of thanks was uttered when it is a crucial to consolidate the opposition forces. They have come to believe that the people in Singapore them as the only credible opposition in their fantasy first world Parliament. If they continue to believe that Singaopreans wil only want a first world Parliament when their world around the made more difficult by the day they are sadly mistaken. Other voices will be chosen to represent them.
Hi Anon, this is the same thing an old hand spoke to me smugly. What have the WP done since the last election. They performed badly in Parliament too.
What do you expect them to do or to achieve? They are not the govt. There are only a handful of them. The laughters and jeers would have drown them.
I say, don't worry. A journey starts with a small step. When they have build enough fighting power, they will show you what they can do. Not now.
They know that it is not the time to try to be too clever. Nothing can be done until they have enough forces to make a difference. Now a little girl is seen as more talented than a successful international lawyer. This is the contrived truth that the people have to live with, for the time being.
That is why people like you must step up and be counted.
Dont be like "Catherine Lim", be bold and help us local Singapore to stand up.
We cannot wait for too long, else we become "extinct."
Haha, the people must want what they want badly to see change. Sinkies are still very happy with what they have. Only a small section is changing and wanting change.
So it is a straight fight between Png Eng Huat and Desmond Choo. No strays in the ring
The Two mavericks chickened out for fear of losing their deposits.
Anyway, for clowning around, they have lost whatever credibility left in them.
Whether the WP achieved anything at all is for Hougang voters to decide, not those who do not vote for them and yet expect miracles from them.
If they truly useless, how is it that Low Thia Khiang managed to hold on to Hougang for two decades and why people in Aljunied GRC still have faith in the WP by giving them the GRC and in the process kicking out two ministers?
I believe the other WP candidate was just a backup in case Png does not qualify to stand. You know strange things happen during nomination day and candidates can be disqualified over minor technical issues. The WP is now wary of falling into the 'James Gomez' saga over the years.
Now, maybe the PAP will change the rules to say that no two candidates from the same party can be allowed to submit nomination papers on nomination day for each constituency.
In this case, if Dr Poh really decide to contest, he can only be an independent candidate or join another political party.
Dr Poh was one step ahead. Pity he did not tell Low Thia Kiang of this possibility. Who can tell if at the last minute some forms or signatures were missing and the WP candidate got disqualified.
This is something all political parties should be mindful of. Low Thia Kiang must take note.
Low Thia Khiang should have made Dr Poh his Advisor or maybe due to lack of trust he did not do so.
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