Political change - Abandoning a sinking ship

The once dull, placid and uneventful political scene of Singapore where the PAP dominates and controls everything is showing signs of life, excitement and suspense. Cheng Bock just announced that he is forming a new party, Progress Singapore Party. There are many aspects of this party that are going to change the status quo. Cheng Bock's party would have many members coming from the PAP, a chip of the old block.

In a way this is what Singaporeans are waiting for, have been waiting for this to happen, yes, a split within the PAP. This may not be technically correct in the sense that Cheng Bock's members are likely to be ex PAP and not serving MPs/ministers or card carrying members. A split would be a case of current members breaking away to form a new party to challenge the PAP. I may be saying this a bit too early as this is just the beginning. When things gather momentum, there is always a likelihood that PAP members and cadres could switch camp before the next GE.

People are speculating as to who are the 12 founding members of Cheng Bock's new party. Big names have been thrown into the ring with some mentioning Hsien Yang and even George Yeo may make a comeback. People are anticipating surprises, hoping for surprises, wishing for surprises. And what could they look for, would there be current MPs and ministers switching camps?

The premature retiring of some ministers in the recent PAP reelection must have made some ministers not very happy or even disgruntled. The two DPMs that are standing down are very young, at the prime of their life and have many good years to contribute to the country and people. Would they be happy to be retired so early and be cast into the wilderness?

Then there is the possibility of some wanting to jump ship, abandoning a sinking ship. Though the PAP is still look formidable, just like UMNO was in the last GE before they were defeated. No one would expect UMNO to become a sinking ship once the result was final. This incident would provide fruit for thought in the Singapore context. Is the PAP a sinking ship like UMNO but not showing sign that it is sinking? Would it be prudent to jump ship before it is too late, like the case of UMNO when it was too late once the rice is cooked?

The new Progress Singapore Party can prove to be an attractive proposition if more big wigs join the bandwagon and start a rush for safety, or if there is a strong and attractive pipe piper taking the lead.

Everyone is making his own assessment of the health of the PAP. There are many factors and developments recently that may be read as bad signs for the PAP. Is the PAP still as strong as it was or is it at the terminal stage of cancer and it is better to jump ship before it is too late? If the decision is to jump, Cheng Bock's new party is a good and easy choice to make the switch.

The new party is giving hopes to many that change is coming, change is now before the curtain falls on the PAP. If there are enough people believing in change, change it will be.