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| Rush hour at Bishan MRT station |
This picture was taken at Bishan MRT station during rush hour - it was a frightful experience but a daily reality for many Singaporeans who rely on the MRT for commuting to work or school. This is already the kind of overcrowding you have with the population at 5.5 million - good luck to you when it rises to 6.9 million, as the PAP intends to whether or not the local infrastructure is able to cope or not. How can you have any faith in a government like that? So many Singaporeans experience this kind of overcrowding on a daily basis - yet they still gladly voted for the PAP, go figure. Whilst my friends in Singapore are just depressed with a deep sense of doom today, I am shrugging my shoulders from my flat in London, knowing that I got out at the right time back in the 1990s.
I am thinking back to our own election earlier this year in the UK, when many people (including myself) didn't quite get the results we wanted. I was hoping for a status quo - for us to retain a coalition government of sorts (Tory with either Lib Dems or any other minority party), but when we got a Tory government I thought, okay, I didn't get what I wanted but it's not the end of the world, it's not too bad, I am sure we can work with this. I am comparing this to the kind of sentiments expressed by my Singaporean friends on Facebook last night, which was totally different. It was just utter despair, as opposed to, "well let's see if we can get through the next four years with this group of PAP politicians".
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| Well they won again. |
At the end of the day, it is a democratic process - the voters did have a chance to kick out the PAP if they wanted to but instead they chose to embrace the PAP again. The PAP had a swing of nearly 10% from the last election - I do wonder about this 10% or so of voters who changed their minds and switched allegiances this time, how do they justify their choice? Have they somehow fallen in love with the PAP again? Have they given the opposition a go but gave up? Or is it simply because they were not presented with credible opposition candidates to vote for? I have a feeling it may be the latter (would you vote for Roy Ngerng or Han Hui Hui if given the chance)?
The story that epitomized my frustration with the opposition was the three-cornered fight in MacPherson which Tin Peiling won comfortable - the NSP candidate Cheo Chai Chen had an embarassing 0.82% of the vote (just 215 in total),Surely with Hazel Hoa's resignation over the issue and the fallout after his incredibly sexist remark, they should have realized it was going to be a total catastrophe if they went ahead. But nope, they still insisted on going ahead when the warning signs were there; thus Cheo had effectively destroyed the NSP's chances in this election by not withdrawing from the contest. Even Han Hui Hui got over 10% of the vote (2629 votes in total) and hardly anybody even half took her seriously - so with opposition parties like NSP, it does go some way to explain why the PAP were handed such an easy victory. I'm afraid the opposition in Singapore has a long way to go and have much to learn.
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| What do you make of the NSP? |
So what next? I suppose things are never going to change in Singapore, not in my lifetime anyway - so if you are as frustrated as some of my friends are, maybe it is time for you to look into how you can move away from Singapore if you're not happy with living in PAP-land (population 6.9 million) with plenty of PRC neighbours. You were warned. Greener pastures await you abroad. Any thoughts, please leave a comment below. Many thanks for reading.
Seriously can't help not to think about gerrymandering. It's pretty well known that the government has been practicing this to dilute the opposition votes so that they can continue to stay in power. But for this time GE I felt it on a personal level. I was being pushed back to a constituency where I no longer reside, making my privilege to vote a compromised one. I was indeed upset and had outright expressed my unhappiness and written them all over my face. Some were telling me to take it easy. Anyways, my one vote won't make much of a difference (best encouraging statement ever made - this sucks). We have a lot of Singaporeans thinking this way. This level of complacency is really worrying and saddening to see. Though WP has managed to retain Hougang SMC and Aljunied GRC giving us some glimmer of hope, this fine silver lining seems to be too weak to sustain. While remaining hopeful, I think it's harmless to start thinking of moving to a greener pasture.
ReplyDeleteIt could never recover, people who are frustrated will leave Singapore and the incumbent will bring in new citizens, who will vote for them out of gratitude. This becomes a vicious cycle, sustaining PAP's power forever. It pains me when good quality opposition candidates, clearly competent and sacrificed so much but lost this fight. I do not blame the hard core brain washed, PAP citizens, rather those last minute balls shrink voters who voted the other way. Those people must not complain for the next five years cause they deserve it.
ReplyDeleteAlexis de Tocqueville’s concept of “soft despotism“.
Delete”Thus, After having thus successively taken each member of the community in its powerful grasp and fashioned him at will, the supreme power then extends its arm over the whole community. It covers the surface of society with a network of small complicated rules, minute and uniform, through which the most original minds and the most energetic characters cannot penetrate, to rise above the crowd. The will of man is not shattered, but softened, bent, and guided; men are seldom forced by it to act, but they are constantly restrained from acting. Such a power does not destroy, but it prevents existence; it does not tyrannize, but it compresses, enervates, extinguishes, and stupefies a people, till each nation is reduced to nothing better than a flock of timid and industrious animals, of which the government is the shepherd.”
Oh God yes. It broke my heart when marine parade and East coast lost. You won't ever get better opposition candidates than the ones who ran there.
DeleteAnd it's not just the defeat, it was the margin of defeat as well. Outrageous. They didn't deserve that. I hope intelligent people don't get discouraged from running for the opposition but honestly now I don't even care anymore. I can wait till get the hell out of here.
Can't *
DeleteIf you never had your hopes up, then you will probably not be disappointed. That was the way I reacted, when I actually went out to watch a movie at the cinema theater after going to vote and having my afternoon workout and working part-time. There was disappointment among my parents though, especially my mother, who was of the mind that the opposition was having more confidence than before. I am planning on an eventual return back to Australia with more resources financially, and starting all over again with a new career. This elections has only consolidated my desire in many ways.
ReplyDeleteAlex, like you i didn't expect much of this round of elections and was not disappointed since i had given up all hope in Singapore many years back.
ReplyDeleteThere is inertia in so many levels that it would take more than 50 years to even contemplate a change in the current political system.
There is an entire generations of people, like your parents and mine, who are unquestioning and easily swayed by PAP's rhetoric of showing gratitude and pork barrel initiatives like the PG card and SG50 goodie bag.
Then there are so many newly minted citizens, whom like you have pointed out, aren't really sophisticated voters since they are in effect economic migrants. Those would probably have no interest in local politic and vote for PAP since it is the status quo. Real talents like Eduardo Saverin aren't so stupid to actually get citizenship in Singapore. They are just here to safeguard their money are will leave at the first signs of trouble.
And as for the majority of working age Singaporeans (like your sisters). They are too busy with work and their lives to find out any more about the opposition or to deconstruct the PAP's propaganda being broadcast on local media. These are the apathetic group who thing nothing of taking on 30 year loans for a HDB flat and car and work 12 hour days just to get by.
I was, and still am, utterly disappointed to say the least. I didn't harbour very high hopes, but I honestly didn't expect such a huge swing. There could have been many reasons, as speculated by many but in essence, the results go to show that the majority of Singaporeans are just so selfish to look at themselves, instead of the big picture. I guess this only motivates me to pack up and leave asap and whenever there's an opportunity.
ReplyDeleteOne small consolation I have noted for GE2015 vs 2011. While the average swing back to the incumbent is about 9.8%, this is not even across the board. The average loss of vote shares for the Workers Party and Sg Democratic Party was in the ~5% range but almost 15% for the weaker National Solidarity and Singapore People's Parties. The general sentiment was also that WP and SDP fielded higher quality candidates who could deliver their proposals better than the other parties. Although the swing voters as a whole are largely protest voters, that the two parties with better candidates and clearer proposals could differentiate themselves and withstood the swinging rout better than others.
DeleteThe swing voters are I believe largely apathetic and unsophisticated and will only start railing when they feel pain. Without the sting of pain, they are unlikely to take much interest in politics and come polling day, vote the least unfamiliar or risky. Which means that a consistent party brand with recognisable value is still important. A change in strategy and tactics to connect with the apolitical is thus crucial in order to have success. At present, WP and SDP appeared to have withstood the rout better than the other parties and is a signal that the Sg electorate is still a very conservative and fearful bunch.
It was the vocal minority opposition "supporters" who nailed the results. The online triade of negativity that implied racism, xenophobia and misplaced nationalism was seen alarming for the majority of the population who are generally fair minded, rational and generous human beings.
ReplyDeleteThe fact of the matter is PAP's vote share increased by almost 10% and every eligible voter got to vote i.e. no walkovers etc. I think the SG50 and Mr Lee Senior's passing did play a role in the "swing" but I don't think the impact was significant.
ReplyDeleteI believe in giving credit when it is due. The PAP has worked hard to better engage S'poreans and tackle the "hot button" issues surfaced during the last election. I think the people recognised that and voted accordingly. Moreover, the quality of the opposition leave much to be desired, as they track progressively leftwards, in their attempts to attract voters. While those policies are good to have ($300 per month for citizens under 18. What's not to like?) S'poreans I believe are generally fiscally conservative and would need to be convinced on the sustainably of the policies. Those questions were not answered.
On the issue of economic success vs freedom of speech etc, S'poreans as you've mentioned exercised their democratic rights and voted for economic prosperity and stability. That is their choice.
The fact of the matter is PAP's vote share increased by almost 10% and every eligible voter got to vote i.e. no walkovers etc. I think the SG50 and Mr Lee Senior's passing did play a role in the "swing" but I don't think the impact was significant.
ReplyDeleteI believe in giving credit when it is due. The PAP has worked hard to better engage S'poreans and tackle the "hot button" issues surfaced during the last election. I think the people recognised that and voted accordingly. Moreover, the quality of the opposition leave much to be desired, as they track progressively leftwards, in their attempts to attract voters. While those policies are good to have ($300 per month for citizens under 18. What's not to like?) S'poreans I believe are generally fiscally conservative and would need to be convinced on the sustainably of the policies. Those questions were not answered.
On the issue of economic success vs freedom of speech etc, S'poreans as you've mentioned exercised their democratic rights and voted for economic prosperity and stability. That is their choice.
I felt very disappointed by the election results. They have a chance to make a change and they let it slipped. Singaporeans are just too brainwashed and selfish to think of the big picture. And now the other 30% who voted otherwise had been made to suffer with it.
ReplyDeleteI had a reverse culture shock when my partner and I came back after a year stint in Geneva just recently. They can be so rude. Not to mention the nation obsession with material goods and long working hours. Right now, we are just waiting for the right opportunity to move to Aussie. I hope it do come because I can fathom living with 6.9million people in this tiny island.
I think Kenneth Jeyaretnam comment on Singaporeans hits the nail on the head. Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOT4ABvOlB8
I was really surprised when they release the sample count. How can the swing be so wide. Even Chiam's former Potong Pasir constituency won by a big margin. It worries the future of this nation that Singaporeans are so easily persuade by a few goodies thrown at them. And the PAP didn't have to campaign hard.
ReplyDeleteI see our opposition members leaving their full time job and be a full time MP without the support of grassroots members and receiving so many hurtful comments on the pro PAP side.
This election just show the kiasu mentality of Singaporeans. They want opposition members to be in parliament but when they seen the strength of the opposition at the rallies, the chickened out and voted for the PAP for fear of a freak result.
I can understand if other opposition parties receive low percentage but even WP wasn't spare the swing. I told my friends living in wards that are contested by WP that at least you have a credible slate of candidates to choose from.
I am not sure if this is the new normal. But if Singaporean are so scared by the fear mongering of the PAP, they can only blame themselves when the population gets to 6.9 million.
Don't complain about the overcrowdness.
Don't complain about small HDB houses.
Don't complain if infectious diseases strikes Singapore and spreads rapidly due to high population density.
Don't complain if cheap foreign talents replace you.
Don't complain if you have to live in underground houses.
You voted for it.
It is only the beginning. 6.9 million is only the beginning. I technically do not think it would be a problem IF the government had even learned to accommodate it via their addressing of basic infrastructure changes, BUT this will not happen as with the PAP and their cadres of silly and lazy over-paid associates.
DeleteHi Limpeh,
ReplyDeleteOn the night of the results I had some JC friends over. My friends are all highly educated and very westernized and are in fact, mostly currently overseas. My husband is very anti-PAP, and I am quite moderate (but mostly I share the same view as you, that the opposition lacks credible candidates that I would gladly vote for.)
Though I grew up knowing this bunch of intelligent, well spoken people that were highly critical of government and policies in GP lessons and exams, somehow after a few years they've all become quite staunchly pro-PAP. I have no idea what happened. I wonder if this phenomenon is present in others? The reasons they cite are pretty valid, such as that the PAP being such a large majority allows them to make unpopular but 'good' policies in the long run, but I was very surprised at the change from years ago.
Michelle, I had mentioned before that the friends I grew up with have all switched sides. I no longer associate with these PAP believers. I don't know what has happened to these otherwise intelligent individuals. Perhaps they were abducted by PAP aliens. All I know is they have sold their souls to the devil.
Delete@Di that is the power of brainwashing. Wouldn't be used if it wasn't so effective.
DeleteI'm not sure either. I had a friend who two years ago was criticizing how the government always blames opposition for the smallest mistakes and makes use of the mainstream media. He even said how absolutely mad he is that the government refuses to own up to mistakes like blaming the death of an NSF on himself (for not reporting sick) instead of the superiors that clearly flouted the regulations of maximum two smoke grenades. He then praised WP as a good party with potential to take over the government.
DeleteFast forward to two years later, he just moved into a DBSS building in Aljunied GRC. Apparently there was this standstill (between HDB and WP town council) of who should clean up the flats, since the flat is condo-ish. He claimed the PAP grassroots called Vincent (which I think is Victor Lye) came down to sort down the problem earlier than the WP MP (whom he claimed is "so fake"). He then claimed that WP broke promises to build shopping malls and facilities (which as far as I know, WP never made any kind of municipal promises in GE 2011, and promising facilities is never something WP does).
He then says that he will vote for PAP, and that he's confident that PAP will regain Aljunied. When I asked why would he vote out the last few opposition MPs, the MPs that stood up and voted against overpopulation? He said that "people" does not care about politics, they care about facilities and shopping malls. PAP is able to give them that and WP cannot. That's it. Doesn't matter whether it's fair or not. I asked him further that okay people may think that but why would YOU think that? And he struggled to give me an answer. I suspect when he said "people", he is one of them.
The incident almost broke my friendship with him because one of the most common basis of our friendship back during army days will be the unfair and undemocratic system lived under the current government, and for him to just turn his back on these ethical issues for facilities was heartbreaking for me. I'm not sure how he got the idea that WP broke their promises, when these promises were never made in the first place. I don't know who and how he got misguided, but I finally see him as the typical Singaporean. He wants an opposition voice, and still does, but not in his backyard.
If he had lived anywhere else, I would not have minded so much. The fact that he was so vocally against the government, and then now had a 180 turn, and prepared to vote out the sole opposition MPs almost totally broke our friendship.
The only problem now? Due to a technicality, he had to cast his vote in another constituency back in his old home. I really don't know where this friendship will go now.
Comparing 2011 vs 2015, I can guess that many of these swing voters are short termist and generally comfortable with a paternalistic but familiar govt. They are not moved by the need for checks and balances to build safety nets in the mid to long term. They will protest when they feel pain but are not concern over the details of the solution or whether the treatment can result in future problems and side effects. Essentially, their protest voting style is "I don't care, just fix it for me", which explains why they are also easily pacified by short term quick fixes like what the government implemented prior to GE2015. For GE2015, the PAP did not notably address broad national issues and instead stuck largely to municipal improvements, familiarity, stability and the usual personal attacks on the oppos. Oppos like Chee Soon Juan, Paul Ananth, Daniel Goh and Leon Perera were rallying on proposals and policies like minimum wage, healthcare financing and education. Which worked? PAP won this bet. They knew they were not dealing with sophisticated folks. Since CPF, costs of living and rising overcrowding did not seem to gain any traction, it further convinces me that 2011 was nothing more than protest voters. The oppos read it wrong.
DeleteWith so many working class Singaporeans caught up in working long hours, dual incomes and fear over healthcare costs, they stopped thinking about how their own self defeating mindset is the root of all problems. Thus, any largesse and handout is appreciated greatly and the fear set in that a change to oppo party equates to a loss of handouts and instability. Without realizing that those are public money and funding will continue regardless of which party is forming the govt.
In the long term, the future prospect of Sg is extremely hazy, fuelled by an intellectually lazy and complacent electorate that is too comfortable with an increasingly outmoded governance model. That Sg had not slipped to Malaysia 1MDB mode is really a miracle rather than a given. Yet folks still had not seen the need to future proof against this, especially when PAP is far more dominant than UMNO BN in every aspect of life in Sg. When a political crisis or scandal similar to Malaysia hits in Singapore (which it likely will down the road), the tumble will be extremely severe when the shit literally hit the fan. Thank goodness I have decided to hedge my bet by planning to GTFO of Sg.
Same here, Di. The majority of them seriously all got abducted by PAP aliens in Australia, Canada and elsewhere, and the funniest thing was, they are living abroad now. So this dispels the myth that overseas voters are necessarily anti-PAP and pro-opposition because of dissatisfaction with Singapore. In fact, the majority of those living overseas who have gotten citizenship elsewhere are quite pro-PAP and said that even if the opposition wins, the country is not ready for it. Where has all the level-headedness and foresight about the PAP's imminent ability to run the country down gone?
DeleteI initially thought that there might really be some changes but after observing some friends and colleagues and the general public, I quickly readjusted my expectations. I became very unpopular among some friends when I said that not much will change and I anticipated a big win instead for the incumbent. While all the fervour at rallies suggests an apparent interest, I have always thought that it is more a case of the typical groupie mindset and busybody interest, rather than a real zeal.
ReplyDeleteMy personal experience is that Singaporeans are still largely apathetic and uninterested and do not see that political discourse, social freedom and checks and balances cannot be separated from economic freedom. I doubt that many will actually bother to obtain news about civic society and politics from various sources. The results in GE2015 are however very telling on the mindset of the Singaporean electorate. SG50, LKY's death and AHPETC issues are contributors but I seriously doubt they would result in such a big swing to the incumbent. Looking at the TV commentators and the PAP bigwigs victory speeches, my sense was that even the PAP leaders did not expect such a big win. Nonetheless, the results relative to GE2011 is very telling about the Sg electorate.
1. Not much interest in checks and balances. 2. Not bothered by authoritarian governance and loss of civil liberties from repressive state measures. 3. Unable to differentiate between govt vs party vs parliament. To most, PAP = Govt = Sg.
I strongly suspect that the outcome from GE2011 was no more than a protest result. Folks were upset over several key issues (housing, jobs, overcrowding) and their means of signaling their pain was to vote against PAP in protest. Once the govt reduce the acute pain from these issues (raise the grant ceiling, intro PG package, slow FT intake), the protest voters reverted to type and swung back to PAP. End of Part 1
It is amusing to me that the writer of this blog and many of the commenters here just summarily label those who voted for PAP as daft, brainwashed and what have you. 70% constitutes about 1.5m people and they are all so daft? I dare say many of them are brighter than some of you.
ReplyDeleteAnd only you people who are anti PAP have the brain power? How arrogant. Don't insult people who disagree with you to prove that you are so clever.
There are various reasons why more chose PAP this time and whether they made the right or wrong decision it is for them to decide and not for you self-appointed judges or referees.
Hello sy Tan and finally, a pro-PAP comment! I was getting bored as I thought I was preaching to the choir here, welcome welcome!
DeleteHoney, I can't say about who's daft or who's smart etc - but I know what I am made of when I look back at what I have achieved in life and I didn't get to where I am today being stupid; it took a lot of brain power, ingenuity, creativity and innovation. It's never as simple as "I vote for this political party therefore I am smarter than you." No, in case you're very new to my blog Tan, I am not Singaporean and I don't live in Singapore - I am actually British and I live in the UK and I support a political party that is not in the mainstream (the Liberal Democrats) and I actually know far more about how multi-party democracies work as I actually participate actively in one. I am very used to taking on people with different political persuasions and it is never a question of who is cleverer than whom, so the cleverer person is right.
That's a painfully, childish and Singaporean way to look at the issue.
Heck, I have a former VJC classmate (Henry Kwek) who is now a PAP MP - we did economics S paper today back in the day and were good friends then. I would never call him stupid for joining the PAP (I am sure he's getting enough out of it to make it worth his while to go down this path - they will pay him very handsomely), but it suffices to say that him and I have profound disagreements when it comes to our political views.
So who is right and who is wrong? Are you suggesting that we should start comparing PSLE scores to determine who the winner should be? Or how much money we earn etc?
Why are you so concerned about who is cleverer - you're a like some desperate kid running around trying to compare PSLE scores.
It's not a question of who is cleverer, it's a question of whether you will enjoy living in Singapore when the population is 6.9 million. And I don't - I hope you enjoy a more crowded and congested Singapore full of rude PRCs. Bwahahahahaha. Better you than me! Think of me in London the next time you try to change trains at Dhoby Ghaut or Bishan during rush hour, okay? And thank the PAP for their population white paper.
No doubts about it. This GE results have help many to pack up and go, including many who are still in school. This is not surprising given the huge mismatch between the completely different mindset and aspiration of the younger Singaporean generation. Of course a completely mercenary PAP will not bat an eye by replacing the frustrated and angy 'diaspora' with even more Chinese and Indians and Europeans.
ReplyDeleteBut at the same time, secretly the PAP realised that the 70% have just shifted on to its shoulders to perform or else. In the coming decades too the PAP can expect the new citizens to start making political their own socio-economic and political association plans when there heve the critical mass with all sorts of support from their respective 'old country'. I predict confrontation between/among these groups which would be rendered even more complicated if any members of them are inducted into PAP politics and various associations and groups. Such challenges would not be that easily charged down by the PAP tactics we see today since these groups have completely different and diverse upbringing and experiences in their 'old countries'. We have a hint of this in the Chinese SMRT bus drivers who took illegal (by Singapore law) industrial action, the Little India riot and recently we saw two Chinese nationals kneel in the middle of the road over some disputes and their many disgusting anti-social behaviour and habits reported in social media. Meanwhile, a substantial number of Singaporeans would have either gone for good - permanently or for long period 'outstation.
Just a point of note: by the time Cheo Chai Chen made that sexist comment, he had already been nominated. So he had to fight to the bitter end. This is the age of social media. People know that in a three corner fight, you have to either vote for the PAP or the best opposition party candidate, and anything else is spoiling the vote. So it would be very clear to all that Cheo Chai Chen was the "anything else" candidate.
ReplyDeleteI think that people who vote for the PAP already accept your argument that the government has caused plenty of problems during that terrible 2006-2011 term. But they think that the government is also trying to fix it. Regarding the transport problems. everybody knows that the expansion of the MRT is in the pipeline and they're willing to wait for the solution. On the other hand, there hasn't been the improvement in the opposition that people have hoped for. Worker's party is still decent, but can't say about the rest. I don't think the quality of the people who want to join the opposition is the issue. The issue is party leadership. Even if people want alternatives, they aren't just going to take any alternative that's on the table, simply because it's the only alternative. I don't think they're incapable of understanding the concept of "vote for change" but they also understand the concept of "jumping from the frying pan into the fire".
Myself? I didn't vote. I didn't qualify as an overseas voter.