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1/22/2013
Punggol East – What if the PAP loses?
At this point in time, the PAP and WP are looking quite evenly matched and it could be anyone’s game. If the PAP were to win this election, it would just be another by election and all things return to its normal state of affair. A new face just got elected to replace another PAP MP.
What if the PAP loses and WP wins another seat? There are many things to read into such an eventuality. Firstly, it is another chip off the PAP’s fortress. It would add another opposition party into parliament. What I think would be of greater significance will be the perception of the voters and future of the political scene. Would this win by the WP be seen a milestone of sort that will chart the direction of the next GE?
From the opposition camp, it will be a comforting assurance that things are looking brighter, that the PAP is no longer the party to watch. It will definitely be encouraging for those wanting to join the opposition in the next round. It will be much easier for the opposition parties to recruit more supporters and potential candidates.
On the other hand, those thinking of saying yes after being invited for tea could have second thought. When such a well qualified professional with all the potential to be an office holder could lose to an average Singaporean from the opposition camp, it must mean something. It would be a reminder of Chiam See Tong’s less than pristine academic papers beating an elite, the best of the best that the PAP could find.
The myth that a highly qualified candidate donning the PAP’s white and badge is a sure win formula will be just a myth. It is something else that is the deciding factor. PAP brand, high and impeccable qualifications, big potential, all the praises from the ministers and even the PM would mean nothing now.
What is this new element that will henceforth decide the fate of an election? What is apparent is that it is not about the candidate as long as the candidate is good enough, decent and willing to serve the people. Then could it be the party, PAP or WP? Or could it be the ruling party and any opposition party?
Or could it be the policies, the more good years that are being rejected by the people, that the people want change and the PAP brand is no longer what the people want? It may be a combination of many factors for the people to want a change, a breath of fresh air. The old formula and the old policies are no longer workable. The people have lost faith in a party that has lost its bearing and leading the people and country down the wrong path. This would prove very difficult and costly for the PAP to make a comeback.
Many will be wondering. Many academics will be thinking. Many strategists will be asking and wanting to know why, and to make new prescriptions. All will be back to the drawing board, to do some deep thinking, to seek enlightenment and hopefully a new way forward.
Yes, a resounding victory for the WP would send many reeling into disbelief.
Quite thought-provoking.
ReplyDeleteChin Leng - A great thinker and a great tactician. A masterpiece of a article.
ReplyDeleteIt was a 40% pro alternative and 60% pro Regime in the Last General Election and near similar showing at the Last Presidential Election. Had the Election Result translated into a cabinet comprises of the Percentage of parliamentarians from both sides as reflected, it would have been very ideal.
ReplyDeleteBUT, unfortunately, it is not to be; the Cabinet is made up of about 97% from one party, the PAP which has rule the Island for the Last Five Decades.
How and why it has ended up in such an unusual reality has been analysed and explained. Many suspected gerrymandering, GRC, Pro Regime Medias and other speculations. No matter how or what, it is quite obvious that the Ruling Party is getting lesser supports and the ground sentiment right now is showing most Singaporeans are losing trust and faith with PAP. In fact, a look into the Social Political Blogosphere will make anyone wonders and baffles how it is able to occupy the Cabinet by 97%.
Wonders aside, one aspect of the Local political development is clear. The Rulers are losing grounds fast. Their performances and personal integrities have greatly eroded.
Me will not be surprised if Ms Lee Li Lian of Workers Party is 8% higher in votes over
Dr Koh Poh Koon of the PAP in the Punggol East By Election.
patriot
Looks like a lose-lose-lose situation for the PAP.
ReplyDelete1) If PAP scraps by with a win of less than 54%, it would be seen as losing ground, compared to Michael Palmer's 54.54% win.
2) If PAP wins by less than 45%, the anal doctor will be seen as a lame duck and winning by default because of split votes due to Kenneth and Desmond.
3) If PAP loses (the most plausible scenario) what can I say? What do you think?
What I find utterly amazing is that I can't seem to be able to find any proof to my satisfaction over these last 3 years;
ReplyDeleteThat the PAP is capable of re-inventing itself.
It's like watching the Titanic sail directly towards the iceberg.
And the captain ordering his crew to re-arrange the deck chairs because they are out of alignment.
Seems like the captain is busy tweaking and re-calibrating his course, when he should be shouting 'Throw the engines in full reverse!"
PAP lose surprise meh?
ReplyDeleteOppositions shud have won more
if not for the daft sinkies.
Wat is so good about PAP
the big bully?
Pay n Profit Party defeated is no surprise and no big deal lah. Actually hor, quite expected lah.
ReplyDeleteYou know?
RB..the greater surprise will be if PAP wins...hehehe Any other government with such a dismal record of recent public policies would be packing their bags by now. But..if all the uncles/aunties can use handphones and carry i pads.then the days of the old man are of a bygone era..only kept in place by self serving draconian laws and heavy handed legal interpretations...Very soon, there may be room for another newspaper to keep SPH group relevant...hehehe
ReplyDeleteWhy not, PAPTimes.
ReplyDeleteWP will win. THis is the PAP strategy to make Singapore looks democracy. Ever wonder why other parties cannot even win but WP can?
ReplyDeleteAfter Aljunied GRC, nothing is going to make many reeling in disbelief.
ReplyDeleteIt will leave many in dismal shock that another elite has fallen by the wayside, despite all the heavenly praise heaped upon him.
But maybe after Mah Bow Tan and Ng Pock Too in Potong Pasir and George Yeo in Aljunied, anything is possible in the minds of 40% of Singaporeans. Just continue to chip at the mountain and it will soon be gone.
>> What if the PAP loses?
ReplyDeleteLife will still go on. And the people will get the government they deserve. ;-)
A better question would be: "How would you personally be affected if the PAP loses in Punggol East?"
My answer: it wouldn't make ANY difference.
What is severely misunderstood here is that the quality of government comes from the collective (cultural) content of CHARACTER of the people themselves. Lousy people = lousy government. (Immutable law of the universe. Feel free to disagree and conduct your choices accordingly)
PAP has to lose,
ReplyDeleteif they win they might think that everything is fine and in the long run it becomes more damaging to both PAP and singaporeans as a whole.
the current generation of PAP has already proven to be unable to plan for the long term. and pleads have become naught but wind to them.
without a minor lose and a lesson for them to learn they will move on to a bigger lose in the future.
loss*
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