People’s Power in Sin City

People’s Power has been an alluring phenomenon around the world since the days of President Aquino. The People’s Power swept her to the Presidency of the Philippines, to overthrow the Marcos family. People’s Power has filled the streets of other Asian and African countries where people took to the streets in demonstrations against their govts. The Arabs have had their Arab Springs. The Hongkies, Taiwanese and the Malaysians have had their mass demonstrations. Even in PRC, mass demonstrations are quite common.

In Sin City, you are not going to see such a public outcry against the govt. The laws forbid it. 4 persons together in a public area is illegal assembly except when approved like in Hong Lim Park. The only public demonstration of a similar nature was the spontaneous celebration of the by election victory in the last Hougang election.

Would there be a surge of People’s Power in Sin City in the same mould as those happening around the world? It is not going to be under the present govt and legal constraints. The kind of People’s Power that is showing signs of life is likely to be of a different nature. It would be the voices of the people, to be heard and listen to. We have just witnessed a nascent stage of People’s Power last week when strong views of the netizens were recognized and acted upon by a political party, the SDP.

The SDP was quite adamant to throw in the gauntlet in the by election. The voices of netizens were loud and clear, get out or you will be history. Much as SDP would like to contest the by election, rational voices in the party understood the ground sentiment and voted against those who wanted to join in a multi corner by election that would spoil the chances of the opposition parties. Yes, the voices of the people, the voices of reasons are echoing loud and clear. Dismiss them at your own peril.

The same voice was and is very harsh on the Presidential candidates that led to a candidate that most did not favour while the favourite candidate was ousted. The people were angry and still harping on the missed chances. They find it very difficult to forgive and would take every opportunity to lambast those they felt have cheated them of the right to choose their President.

The Sinkies have found a new power tool to let their voices heard and be taken seriously. They will not walk down the roads to confront the forces of power. But that did not stop them from telling the power of the day, the political leadership of what they want. This is a new kind of People’s Power in Sin City. And this Power is going to be stronger and louder by the day. The Sinkies have found their way, a measured and effective way to be heard and to be noticed and be taken seriously. The people matter and the Power is with the people.

Listen to the voices of the people or court your own doomsday.