A call for healing

The PAP leaders have been heard calling for a healing for all the political candidates and supporters in the GE. It is time to put down the differences and come together as one people, to serve the country. It is a nice gesture that has never been seen before. No healing was really needed in this GE. There were differences of views and ideas on how the country should be run. But that is exactly to be expected in a political contest for the vote of the people. All the parties were civil and focussed on issues and ideas, and not on digging people’s cupboard for skeleton, or checking if anyone has made excessive claims of bus fare or has one girl friend too many. There were two infringements that were nipped in the bud. And if there is any healings to be done, perhaps the transgressors could call up the victims and apologise privately. Demanding a public apology could be too much to ask for and too embarrassing on the violators. Yes, this election was conducted in a way that all parties were able to have a good night sleep without feeling guilty of offending anyone, and without the need to start sharpening the knives. I doubt anyone has any good reason to want to do so. No one was fixed. This election is a watershed in a way. It could pave the way for future leaders to emulate on what basic decency is all about and how a good election campaign should look like. Isn’t it nice when all candidates can now sit down and have kopi and regard each other as people of the country, not enemies? If there is any healings to be done, this will be a good opportunity to bury the hatchet of the past. Maybe a kind of amnesty for all past political opponents who have fled this country and unable to return for one reason or another. The ugly chapters of our political history need a little cleansing. The blood spilt needs to be wiped off, the wounds treated and healed, and the country can then move forward on a clean slate. This is a healing that needs to be done, and what better time than now, to bring a closure to all the acrimonies, and for Singaporeans to return home, free from political persecution or personal vendetta. They are our citizens, our people, and this is their home too. Maybe I am expecting too much. Then again, some were very sceptical that political campaigns could be conducted in an objective and dignified manner, minus the hostility and gangsterism. But it did end well, clean and honourable, it could be done.

A 10% swing is all it takes

The PAP’s popular vote has gone down to 60%. This came about after the great handouts just before the election, the unexpected apology and admission of mistakes by Hsien Loong, and a change of tact, no more threats but a pledge to listen and to be more humble. What if these three measures were not taken? The packing up of George Yeo and his team is a stark reminder that it can happen to any GRC. The margin for arrogance and aloofness the people is very thin. The man that called for reform and reflection is gone. Would those who are staying feel that they have fought a good fight and can go on as before, telling the people how great and deserving they were, and demanding for more pay and gratitude? Hsien Loong has taken the first step to humble himself, to be the servant of the people. The people have another 5 years to bear with the govt, the style and the policies. Would there be any change in govt policies and antics? Can the people look forward to a better life, to a change for the better? Well, they will have 5 long years to see the change, if they are going to be changes.

The vulnerability of GRC

The GRC was conceived and designed to act like impregnable fortresses or motherships that could not be taken down. It used to be defended by one minister in the prototype design but has since been reinforced by having two ministers in each ship. Couple with the fee of about $100k per ship, the barrier to entry is very high. The other difficulties are the availability of a number of quality candidates and minority candidates. Thus, putting up a GRC team to contest an election is a tall order. In this election the vulnerability of a GRC has been exposed. It is possible to bring them down. The high barrier to entry is not that insurmountable anymore. And with willing candidates stepping forward, the availability of quality candidates are also achievable. The Aljunied GRC is a pathfinder and more will fall in the same way. All it needed is a 10% of swing votes. In the last election, the WP polled 44%. This time round it polled 54.7%, an 11% swing of votes. And down the mothership came, like a big rock falling from the sky. Results of this election show that several GRCs are as vulnerable as Aljunied. Several polled more than 40% of popular votes for the opposition. East Coast has 45%, Tampines 42.8%, Bishan Toa Payoh 43%, Marine Parade 43.3% and Nee Soon 41.6%. All it takes is a 10% swing of votes and each of these will come tumbling down. The opposition parties have seen how it could be done and the next battle will be a different story. But the GRCs of tomorrow may not be the same or may not be around anymore. A lot of tweaking is likely to be introduced to strengthen the mothership. Maybe the $100k could be raised to $200k, maybe the number of candidates be raised to 10 or more, to raise the barrier to entry to a more painful level. Or maybe the whole scheme will be scrapped, as they are no longer that formidable and could no longer serve the purpose it was designed for.

A crooning song bird

A song bird with beautiful head gear crooning on stage. More pics on Art of RAR Gallery on top right of page.

The daft Singaporeans voted

The daft Singaporeans voted for the PAP to rule them again for the next 5 years with a majority of 81-6 MPs in Parliament. Despite the strong presence of able and credible opposition candidates, the opposition parties could not do much except for a little breakthrough in winning a 5 member GRC in Aljunied. The pattern and consistency in the way the daft Singaporeans voted are pretty predictable by now. They have seen what PAP could do and are enjoying the success and would only vote for good candidates if they are available. They are responsible and voted with their heads. There was a little disappointment in that a few GRC candidates from the opposition were equally good or nearly as good as those from the PAPs but only managed a closed fight. The best team other than the WP’s winners in Aljunied is perhaps the SDP team in Holland Bukit Timah, with every candidate matching those from the PAP. The next two good teams were the Bishan team led by Chiam See Tong/Benjamin and the NSP team helmed by Tony and Hazel in Chua Chu Kang. Both teams were handicapped by a weaker supporting cast while Chiam’s physical condition could have given voters a second thought. With hindsight, the popularity of Nicole, if included in the Tony Hazel team could boost them to victory in Chua Chu Kang. But no one could predict how well received she was for a 24 year rookie. She did very well to carry her team in Marine Parade to give Chok Tong something to worry about. Her losing came with a tinge of sadness for her supporters. A little sadness too could be felt with the defeat of George Yeo and his team in Aljunied. It was a big blow to the PAP that boasted of two ministers with George a core member of the PAP leadership. And there was Zainal Abidin, slated to be the next Speaker of Parliament, and young and promising unionist Ong Ye Kong. Now the morning after minus the storm and tsunami of a big political change that failed to take place, is there anything that has changed? For once, the PAP was humbled by the shift in sentiments against them. They sensed it during the election hustings. The knew that the people were angry. And they started to tone down their cocky and high and mighty approach even before Polling Day. Hsien Loong made a public apology for all the mistakes they had made. Very unnatural to have come from an elitist Party that claimed to have all the best talents in the island. They would now have to be more guarded about their claims and their demands for outrageous pay for themselves. George Yeo openly protested against the use of threats even when it came from LKY himself. The post election thank you speech too came out pretty well rehearsed. The cocky position of only looking after their supporters and treating those that did not vote for them with lower priority has changed, or has it? They claimed that they have heard and understood the people’s unhappiness and would want to win them back again. They promised to listen, to work harder, and Boon Wan said that all are Singaporeans and must come together as one people after the election. There is a concerted effort to want to heal the rift and change their aloof image. Those words were said last night. Now that victory is in their hands, would they have short memories and revert to their old self again comes Monday? What is important is that the people have shown that they were most willing to change if there are good alternatives. If the opposition can attract more good candidates, the next GE is going to see a better contest. The people of Hougang stood solidly behind the WP. And the people of Aljunied had taken the first leap of faith to reject the PAP. The sun rises from the East. It will get brighter over time. Nicole could have been the winner in Marine Parade if her team mates were stronger. And it is quite clear that this is the last term for the PAP in Marine Parade. It was a tough choice and a yearning for change, if only a better team was available. Nicole could not breach the wooden wall alone. Now the daft Singaporeans would have to live with their decisions for the next 5 years. Would they regret, would they repent, or would they rejoice? One thing for sure, don’t take them for granted, don’t bully them again.