Can PAP change? That’s seems to be the hope of some in the Silver Brigade

I was reading this article in TRE, ‘Can PAP change without being pushed to the edge?’ written by a Silver Brigade, a self confessed PAP supporter for 60 years. Having lived with disappointments after disappointments, he is still cherishing the hope of a PAP changing from it present belief system to the old PAP that was for the people, a PAP that won the hearts and minds of the Silver Brigade when they were young. What the article did not say is that the PAP has changed, no longer the party they would want to support. But no PAP leaders or believers would think otherwise and believe that they are still for the people and working for the good of the people. They said so. There is no need to pass a verdict on whose thinking is the truth. If anyone still cannot see the truth and unwilling to face the truth, he deserves to live the fate he so believed.

I would not touch on the PAP version of the truth, that they are a party for the people. Assuming they are right, let them believe so. Let those who believe so to keep on believing. Let me pick up from the view of this Silver Brigade veteran called Hawking Eye. Many in the social media shared his view that the PAP is no longer the same PAP they knew. The question therefore is whether this hope of a PAP returning to its old self, of being a party for the people and serving the people, is realistic.

Since 2011, has the PAP changed? During the electioneering, some thought that with Hsien Loong crying and pleading to be given a chance to right the wrongs, there was hope that things would change for the better. What happened? What has changed? I am not going to provide any answers as everyone will have his or her own answer to that. For those who believe in God, they may say God is kind and is giving the PAP a lot of chances to change.

Did the loss of Aljunied GRC make the PAP change? Did the loss of Hougang and the by election change the PAP? Not sure? A forced event in Punggol East to test the PAP, was the most unexpected, but another clear signal to see if the PAP was going to change? It led to a super talent biting the dust by an unknown and ordinary Singaporean. Would this wake the PAP up to change? One more chance, the Presidential Election and the dismal 34% must be a very clear indication that change is a must.

What do you think? Did the PAP change? Did the Little India Riot change anything on the foreign influx and immigration? Is there any change on the PWP? Is there any change on the CPF? Is there any change on the hiring of local PMEs versus foreigners? Did the Job Banks and FCF mean anything or make any difference? Are there real changes to the high cost of living, property prices, medical fees etc etc?

Got change or no change, you tell me lah? What is the AHPETC episode saying about the PAP? Is there any real hope of change or is it wishful thinking? Have the people waited long enough, hoping against all hopes? Should the people still be hoping for the PAP to change or they should give up hope?

For those who have seen positive changes, good. For those who are still not seeing any change and everything is just the same, then what? Where to go from here? Still hoping like Hawking Eye, for another 60 years for change, or hoping for God to give more warning signs that change is needed?

Should the people still be asking can the PAP change at this stage of the game? How many more years would the people want to continue asking this question? I know the Silver Brigade have not much time left and their places would be replaced by new members coming of age to join the Brigade. I know that people who are born daft would be daft forever. Those conditioned to be daft, when shown the way, should wake up and stop being daft. Or would they choose to remain daft as that is an easier and more comfortable way to live. Let things be, let’s live on hope. I think buying lottery tickets is another avenue for the hopefuls.

The asking of the question, can PAP change, is a giveaway answer.

Kopi Level - Red

The rats are greedy, so says the lion

The lion was feasting after a new kill. The carcass of the antelope spreaded below his dripping jaws of antelope meat. It was a great feast that would last several days. While the lion was enjoying his sumptuous meal, a few rats were hurrying around taking little bites at the meat. The lion did not bother as it was busy taking his fill.

Soon more rats appeared and started to nibble at the meat but staying away from the lion’s sight. One rat managed to rip a small piece of meat and ran away with it. Now the lion got angry when he saw that. ‘You rats are greedy!’ He roared and at the same time lashed his paw at the rats. ‘Why can’t you be satisfied with the nibbling and must tear a piece away?’

The rats meekly jumped back and stared at the mountain of meat before them and the eyes of the lion. That big chunk of antelope could feed the whole rat community for several days. Each rat would be very happy with a small bite of the meat. The lion was having his lion’s share and calling the rats greedy.

The rats could not talk back of course. They spoke in different language and would not understand the other. Size mattered too. No matter how angry the rats were, they could not do anything except watching the lion eating his hearty meal all to himself.

Many thoughts ran through the heads of the rats. Greedy lion still dared to scold them little rats as greedy for a small piece of the antelope. They kpkb but could only dream of what they could do to the lions and his greed if they had their way. As it was, nothing would happen to the rats and the lion.

This is the law of nature, the lion is at a higher pecking order and the rats are meant to be contented to be scavengers, picking the leftovers and the crumps. Any desire by the rats for more is greedy. Having a mountain of meat for itself is normal to the lion. The lions must have their lion’s share.

Accept your fate rats. Don’t be greedy or you will be squashed by the lion’s paw. Know your proper place and all things will be fine, all peace under heaven.

Kopi Level - Red

Air Asia QZ8501 - A sad piece of news to close the year

Air Asia flight QZ8501 from Surabaya to Singapore disappeared early this morning, 6.17am. It was due to arrive at Changi at 8.30am. No news has been heard from the aircraft after it got clearance from Indonesia Air Traffic Control to climb higher to avoid weather.

A full Search and Rescue mission has been going on since this morning from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. 155 passengers and 7 crew were on board, mostly Indonesians, with 1 Singaporean, a Briton, a family of 3 Koreans and a Malaysian.

Our hearts are with the families and friends of those missing.

Children handcuffed by police for theft

The photo shows 2 young boys being handcuffed by police officers at the traffic junction near I12 Katong. In the post, Ms Ang, who is a volunteer for children’s development needs, said, “I just saw three very young kids under handcuffs. Pains my heart that the police (would) handcuff young kids.”
The boys had allegedly stolen some shoes. They were then driven to a police station in a police car. (Full article in TRE).

The above is copied from a post in TRE titled, 'Police handcuff very young boys for theft'. I am not going to say anything. Just ask, 'Are we proud of this?' To build smart city more important or to bring up smart people? This is what happens to a country of daft people.

I wept.

PS: The American police shot dead a boy with a toy gun. They could not make out if it was a toy or the real McCoy when the boy went shouting, 'bang, bang, bang'.

A time for forgiveness, a time to let go

The politics of Thailand centres around one man, a man god, the Thai King. He is not involved in politics but he is politics. Thaksin Shinawatra was one of his politics. The former Prime Minister, a people’s Prime Minister, has been criminalised and forced to exile from Thailand. Many politicians that were not in the right side, including Yingluck pending prosecution, were also charged and found guilty of whatever crimes the court could prosecute them.

The Thai people have thus been divided, and there were even talks of a breakaway Thai Republic from the power centre in Bangkok. This was found to be just wishful thinking. A better and less dramatic development would be to hope for a King’s amnesty to pardon all the political ‘criminals’. This has not happened and not much time is left for the King to have a change of heart and to leave a legacy of a divided Thailand that could precipitate in a final break up of the country when the King is passé.

In the last few days of the King’s reign and time, many Thais are hoping for a national healing, a time to forgive and to start a new chapter of national reconciliation. Would the King’s last act be an act of generosity and magnanimity for the good of Thailand? Or would he leave behind a Thailand in a state of tension and leading to a rejuggling of power and control, or worst, in his absence? The King is still able to make his last wish come true for the good or bad of Thailand.

Singapore may not exactly be in the same dilemma but shares a lot of similarities. Behind the façade of law and order and stability, many unseen forces are at work and waiting to happen. When there is still time left, would it be good that some kind of amnesty equivalent or mercy be shown to the fallen and the exiled that happened to be on the wrong side of the political divide?

Amazing Grace is a very power song to heal the wounds and cleanse the souls. An act of Amazing Grace can remove a big boulder on the hill top that was placed there strategically, and waiting to be rolled down the slope to flatten whatever on its path of fury and vengeance. There is an urgent need for healing, to bury the hatchet, to shake hands and let the past fade into history with minimal acrimony.

There is never a good time, never too late, to bring home our Singaporeans overseas who still believe and call this island home. Any time is a good time to bury the hatchet, bury the hate and bitterness of past rivalry. These are the things that one should not keep in the heart forever or to bring along to paradise.  Better to settle the debt in this world and go with a clean conscience, they say RIP, or it would be paid by the next generation. The sons and daughters of Singapore have a right to return to home. This honour and graciousness would be extended to them sooner or later. And many would like to take credit to bring joy to the hearts of Singaporeans, to see our long lost sons and daughter coming home, to be one of us again.

Goddess of Mercy too would put on a smile should there be an amnesty for all Singaporeans wanting to come home. Lay down the butcher’s knife, look back, the shore is beckoning. 

The time is now and here. 

Kopi Level - Yellow