7/27/2015

PAP taking things for granted without knowing that things have changed

The ground is sweet and things should go according to plans. The way the PAP conducts its election campaign has been honed over 5 decades and it must be presumed that other than some changes in the players, the execution of the election campaign would be very similar to the past, with a few minor touch ups here and there. It has been a winning plan, a winning formula though losing effectiveness, but another victory is just a formality.

The GRCs continue as a main concept to carry most of the candidates to Parliament despite the damage it can cause for each GRC lost. The tea party will continue to pick the best candidates to replace the ageing and less performing ones, and also as part of a renewal exercise. Some new faces will come, and some old faces will depart. All other things will more or less remain unchanged.

The theme or war cry may take on a new focus and emphasis. And that would be well discussed and taken care of.

What I think will be a major issue, other than the many hot potato issues, for the election would be the part time versus full time MPs. At $16,000 a piece, it is no small change to the average voters. The PAP may not think this is a big deal as they are accustomed to millions of dollars and would not see this as an important issue. To the voters, they will be thinking why they should be voting in a part time MP for $16,000 a month when they could get a full time MP working for them. Would they be thinking that they have been short changed by getting a part time MP? Would they be thinking that this part timer may not be fully committed to looking after their problems and issues affecting them? How much could they expect from a part timer when there is someone willing to work for them full time?

The concept of part time MP may not be acceptable today when the allowance is a healthy $16,000 a month and with a lot of perks, like being courted to be directors here and there. For such a lucrative position, why should the voters be content with a part timer?

There is a shift in the mindset of the voters today. They are demanding value for money. Spending quality time and disappeared, even disappearing from Parliament sessions would not be taken lightly. This is an area that the PAP did not think needs changing. And this is a point that may decide who the voters would vote for.

Do you want a part timer serving you or a full time MP? Would the voters take it kindly when offered a part timer by one party and a full timer by another party? Why settle for less?

6 comments:

  1. THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IN THE COMING GENERAL ELECTION
    IS TO STOP
    CRONYISM.

    CRONYISM IS THE CURSE
    PLAGUING
    OUR SOCIETY.

    patriot

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  2. Aiya.Who cares whether its part time or full time.
    I am more concern on the quality of the candidates coming to my Tampinese GRC constituency.
    Last time Gilbert......now Kevryn , Jan, Sebastian ...I am not interested in those fanciful angmo names .Make me wonder whether these people understand my Hokkien if I see them to seek help? My kopitiam kakis mostly resettle from Changi sua teng all speak dialects..........
    Can these teenagers other than having fanciful angmo names ,speak dialect at kopitiam or on stage.They shd get at least one Goh Ah Gong to speak dialect if are serious .

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  3. @ RB:

    >> Do you want a part timer serving you or a full time MP? <<

    It is interesting to see that redbean thinks that election can be won/ lost by answering logical questions.

    In Singapore politics, the highest EARNERS get into office. It is not whether you serve your CONstituents. It is how much you can "ketok" out of the system LEGALLY and appear to "do a good job".

    $16k for partimer---chicken feed lah!

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  4. For $16,000 many honest Singaporeans would do it full time.
    MS, you think you very rich ya?

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  5. I, a voter in Tampines GRC, will give my vote to whoever who meets these criteria:

    - Be a full-time MP. $16K/month is more than my entire household income.
    - Attend all parliament sessions, unless you are ill.
    - Speak up for Singaporeans.


    Me, I am SUPER sick and tired of people who are just after the $$ and perks of an MP.

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  6. With so many problems to CORRECT and improve on, but PAPPIES instead spent so much time and efforts sabotaging AHPETC. Wrong priority of a ruling government!!!
    Singaporeans must send the right message to the PAPPIES.
    Concentrate on your jobs to make Singapore truly a better place for Singaporeans.
    More VTO!

    ReplyDelete