the lky dialogue is a theatre

In his first comments on the controversial programme, Mr Lee Hsien Loong felt that the forum got Singaporeans to talk about significant issues, although he would have liked a broader range of subjects covered. Mr Lee also defended the 10 panellists, who have come under attack for the views they held and for the tone they used in the discussion. He said that they had nothing to be ashamed of and that Singaporeans who watched the forum should separate theatre from reality. "This is theatre. It's a programme. It's meant to achieve a particular objective. The form of it, the style of argument, the confrontation, the sparks – these are contrived," he said. The only character really playing himself that night, he said, was Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. As for the young panellists, Mr Lee felt that they were only reflecting a particular viewpoint. "What you see on stage of MM, that's his persona. That is him. But what you see of the panellists, I don't think that's all of them. That's not them. Their private views, the style in which they engage, the opinions that they hold – I don't think those completely came out. They were reflecting a particular view point which they highlighted, exaggerated and maybe slightly caricatured in order to prompt a response and have a good theatre," said Mr Lee. Echoing a point raised by MM Lee, Mr Lee was also of the view that the liveliness of the discussion was the essence of the forum. "I think it's better to have people who are speaking up than people who just sit there and say, oh yes, thank you very much, and I agree with everything you say. Then, I think there's no point in this." The above was reported in CNA. Now, if that is a theatre, the views contrived and stage managed, what a fabulous show! It's a good show to get Singaporeans all excited. And please don't scold the panellists for being rude. That was their programmed role.

geylang is transforming into a paradise

i was driven to geylang to sample some of the best cuisines on offer there. geylang is transforming itself into a paradise. and many of the operators were from china. now what were you thinking? the range of food on offer is simply fascinating. but not cheap though. and i had this expensive t shirt on, with its famous brand loudly embossed on the back, FCUK. i hope i am not doing a disservice to the product brand.

ge round 35: the glove is off

Heard over the news last night that Sue is back. And she is after Chee Soon Juan and all the guys in SDP. And the Straits Times has this heading, The Glove is Off. After several weeks of civility and friendly gestures, the heat of an election hustlings is now on. Will it be a case of no holds bar or will composure, maturity and calmness restrain the contenders and allow a more subdue approach to the political contest? Or will it return to the days of fiery speeches? Both sides would want to sway the voters to win. But how far would each party go to push their cause? The straw poll was seriously wrong to say that NKF will not be an issue. It has started the ball rolling as a super heated hot potato. And the opposition has to tread very carefully if they intend to pass it around. Any mishandling will get themselves burnt.

age of internet and general election

The general election is here. Though we have been talking about the election and election issues the last few weeks, we have not been organised or focussed in our discussion. This is the first election that the power of the internet can be put to full use to benefit all the parties and voters, to act as a communication tool to bridge the gap between what the parties wanted to do for the people and what the people want. In the past, communication tools, speed and method of transmission made it impossible to have a proper two way dialogue between the people and the parties. Today, internet has made this possible in a very convenient and expedient way. Now not only the political parties can tell the people what they stand and how they are going to serve the people. The people can now also reach out to the political parties to tell them what they really want to see and what they want the parties to do for them. We now have blogs and forums and we can either make ourselves useful to everyone or just waste our time talking aimlessly. In the first role, we can help to provide information for the people to make a considered choice on who and why they want to vote for a particular party. And we can help to forward the people's wishes and wants to the parties to consider. For these roles I am assuming that the parties are reading our postings and on our part we could gather objective and reasonable feedbacks for the parties to take note. And it is important that we remain as neutral and sensible facilitators and commentators posting views and information that are meaningful and useful to all concerned.

Singaporeans are so smart

One day Li Ao said Singaporeans are stupid and another day he said they are smart. In my view Singaporeans are the smartest cocks around. They know when to stay out of trouble when they smell one. Low Thia Khiang is asking for NKF case to be delayed to avoid trouble. And when I scan around the various forums, there is this unfamiliar quietness. Singaporeans are smart to the extend of being kiasu and kiasi. They know that there is an Elections Act that can be used against them. The best way is to stay far far away. But then again, they are so stupid. Just because of an Elections Act, they gagged themselves. They did not want to know anything more, whether what they say or do will contravene the Act. And worst, what the Act forbids is simply no campaigning like a political party, not no talking. Just like Hsien Loong telling the oppositions, they can talk about the NKF but not on things specifically about the charges. In an election, the political parties are selling themselves to the people. And the people must ask questions, talk about it and then make a considered decision to vote. If the people cannot talk about election issues, how then are they going to vote? Just by a one way process of listening? And this time the authorities have been quite explicit about people discussing election issues in the internet. They have made it known that they will use the light touch. And Boon Yang is also on record to say that when a blog or forum needs to register, a letter will be sent to them. See, the govt has given the people so many leeways to do things and still be on the right side of the law. But many smart and stupid Singaporeans will just disappear to no man's land. Not saying or doing anything is the safest thing to do in a situation like this : )