12/21/2014

Rule of Law or Rule of Thugs




It is not funny that I have to keep reminding the daft Sinkies that we are a democratic country and there is a rule of law to govern the way of life here. What it means is that either the people did not understand what is a democracy, what is meant by rule of law, or the country is not what we think it is. It is not a democracy, it is a rule by thugs. Of course things are not as simple as that. It is not a black and white case but with many shades and variations. Or sometimes it is a democracy or looks like a democracy but sometimes it is not. And sometimes the rule of law is supreme, sometimes it is the rule of thugs. It all depends.

In a simple and straight forward democracy, the people elect the govt once every 4 or 5 years to rule the country. In our case rule is more appropriate than govern though they are interchangeable. And the govt is made up of people from a political party who won a simple majority in a GE. A 51% is good enough to form the govt and dictates what is to be done. The 49% who did not vote for the ruling party would go about their life and take orders from the 51% govt. Some may kpkb a bit, but that is about all. They will accept the new 51% govt or even a 34% President as the legitimately elected govt and president. And life should go on as normal.

Things would get complicated if the loser segment of the voters refused to acknowledge the new govt and a 34% President. It would get ugly if they refused to even accept anything the new govt decides, like paying taxes, paying GST, driving cars but refusing to pay COEs. There will be a break down of law and order. There will be no rule of law but thuggery. Such a state must not be allowed, must not be encouraged, and anyone agitating such a state is guilty of treason, and if found, must be put behind bars.

Such a situation at the national level is not different to municipal matters at constituency level. The recent farce about residents refusing to pay S&CC fees to AHPETC is a case in point. Many thugs openly spoke about not willing to pay on the ground that they did not vote for the WP. And no one is shock or embarrassed to stand up to say anything about it. Are they encouraging it, are they backing this kind of lawless behaviour? Anyone harbouring such thoughts and acts, and anyone not thumping it down is as good as being in favour of the rule of thugs.

In every constituency there will be residents who are in financial trouble and have problems paying their S&CC charges. The average could be in the 5 to 10% bracket. Anything more is abnormal. Anything more than 20% or 30% is highly suspicious and could be the works of thugs.

The AHPETC must be clear and firm in the handling of this problem. The obvious case of people in financial difficulties can be dealt with compassionately and should be helped. The obvious case of defying the rule of law, refusing to acknowledge the principles of democracy and the elected party in the constituency is a challenge to the constitution, to the rule of law and must be put right with the use of the law. The AHPETC must come down hard on such thuggery, civil disobedience, lawlessness if the refusal to pay S&CC charges is anything other than financial difficulties, and worst, politically motivated. No one is above the law.

The AHPETC is well advised to throw the book at the violators of the rule of law. Bring them to court and sue them until their pants dropped, and make them pay for all the legal fees in obvious cases of defiance and challenging the rule of law. The courts would be judging such cases fairly and judiciously. The courts would not be a party or accomplice to the breaking down of rule of law. They are there to uphold justice and the constitution.

It cannot be imagined that breaking the rule of law, and undermining the constitution and democracy would be supported and upheld. This would lead to anarchy as the precedence set will be spread all over the country and anyone who did not vote for the ruling govt can defy all the laws and policies imposed by them, and refuse to pay taxes and S&CC as well.

Vile, did I hear anyone say vile? Unacceptable, unconstitutional and the violators must be brought to courts? All I heard is silence. Is silence meaning consent? Or are the residents who refused to pay just like the rogue retailers in Sim Lim, there is no law against them? They are very clever, they know the law and nothing can be done to them? This kind of thinking is unbelieveable in a 1st world country. 3rd world, it happens everyday and the rich and powerful will be behind it as they are the abusers of the rule of law to their advantage.

My apologies to ask so many questions on a Sunday morning. Enjoy your morning kopi.

Kopi Level - Yellow

17 comments:

The said...

The Golden Rule - he who holds the gold makes the rules.

Tyranny of the majority.

Tyranny of the minority.

No shades of grey. Only Black or White - either you are with me, or you are against me.

Anonymous said...

@ The

".. either you are with me, or you are against me"

Wha, you talk like George W Bush threatening the other countries before he started bombing Iraq.

Anonymous said...

Uncle redbean

Your headline 7 words.
3 enuf lah.
Winner Takes All

Virgo 49 said...

PAP governed sinkie land for over fifty odd years.

PAP supporters, civil servants behaved they are also your masters.

The daft sinkies bring cowed into obedience simply shrugged and obey without much resistance.

That’s why they can behaved like that. Only bullied the meek sinkies with policies shafting onto their throats without any sound.

Hope coming GE, the percentage shall be reversed with smart 60 % voting the opposition to become the ruling government and the daft 40% pap supporters sucking their thumbs.

Anonymous said...

The AHPETC must come down hard on such thuggery, civil disobedience, lawlessness if the refusal to pay S&CC charges is anything other than financial difficulties, and worst, politically motivated.
RB

Hahahahahaha.

But Teochew Ah Hia said they will eventually pay lah, based on his past experience.

So no worry one, and no need to come down hard.

The said...

/// Your headline 7 words.
3 enuf lah. ///

These 3 words:
Plutocracy
Nomenklatura
Amakudari

Anonymous said...

If I were Teochew Ah Hia, just enjoy the ride of discontent and collect $15,000 every month till retire .No need be a hero. Let other opposition members make the mistakes.

Just keep quiet, look smart and say a few smart words in Parliament that you know will not be carried out.

Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️ said...

@ redbean:

I have to correct you again and again: SINGAPORE *IS NOT* A DEMOCRACY

It is a republic governed by representatives chosen by democratic process.

i.e. you can only use "democracy" to choose your representatives. You cannot use "democracy" to vote in any whim or silly notion you like.

Have you got it yet?

Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️ said...

@redbean:

Actually there is no issue lah. If you live in a development, everyone--business and residential-- has to pay conservancy fees. There is no ambiguity, it is CONTRACTUAL.

Any non payment is a breach of contract, and it is up to the management to do whatever they need to resolve the situation--to recover, or to allow extension--whatever.

The non payers are BELLIGERENT, being defiant and hostile on purpose. So what to do? "Teach them a lesson"? Can, its management's prerogative. However if the culture is to change, Singapore has to move away from this "if you disobey me, I'll whack you until you drop" attitude of rooted in Confucian ideology.

Obviously they have reasons to be hostile and disobedient, and an "enlightened" 21st century management will make the effort and take the time to UNDERSTAND the grievances of the hostile contract-breachers.

Then they will move to settle the matter, preserving good feelings-- after all , this is a SMALL COMMUNITY where everyone more or less knows each other. Why have bad blood? Makes no sense.

Las t few days I've been moving around the place. WOW, the roads can be crowded with the rain and the "shopping season". Needless to say I experienced many instances of arrogant and IMPATIENT road behaviour. HORN HORN HORN...That's what Singaporean motorists resort to when they're stressed behind the wheel. They think using their horn to "scold" other road users is actually going to solve the traffic jam.

Again, IMO this behaviour has roots in Singapore's "tekan each other" culture -- based on holier-than-thou attitude, arrogance and impatience. No class lah Singapore, no class.

Anonymous said...

You a good example, everyday come here to tekan RB and anyone that thought you are not mad and tried to talk to you.

Anonymous said...

The shops in Singapore are well known for their friendly locally employed staff - they are all very friendly towards one another. Stuff you seems to be the national motto. Of course to them they're doing you a big favour.

patriot said...

Must say very impressed by the Matilah Singapura here.

Not saying You are good or bad, just sensible without the unnecessary, like the sounding of tge horn to calm ones own antagonism.

patriot

Anonymous said...

You idolising a filthy and vulgar mad man?

Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️ said...

@ 850:

WOW! Rarely has there been such an accurate description of my main attributes.

Got powers of observation?

Anonymous said...

Man? Not too sure. In the Internet no one knows if you are talking to a dog or a pig. I suspect it's a case of small men needing fast car. A lonely soul in a dark room with his tool.

Anonymous said...

Ego man, ego. Or is it insanity? When the worms hit the brain and eating it away, the outward signs are there for all to see.

b said...

" we are a democratic country"

- really. few countries are democratic. democracy is just an idea to enanct a smoke screen to protect the true powers. the true powers reside behind that smokescreen controlling and ruling countries.