1. With the overall openness of Singapore's economy, it is not surprising then, that its society will soon follow suit. It is not a matter of "whether" but "when", will we enjoy a constitutional democracy where a government is not only brought to power by the people, but also kept in check by the restricting powers of just laws. It may take time, but one thing for certain is that it will come.
2. It is not that I don't want more than 10 alternative parties in parliament, but would prefer the real voice or quality people.
3. I prefer continuity
4. Economy should get worse; PAP will lose greater ground than rally stronger ground support to see the people through this crisis; Credible alternatives to PAP may not emerge just yet.
5. I doubt most if not all of the current elite PAP MPs, had ever gone through any life's difficulties. They have lost touch with the ground.
6. Be strong and don't be naive. We need the change for a better life.
7. Nobody and no party is indispensable. For too long, Singaporeans are fed with the fear that Singapore will go down the drain if the PAP is not the governing party. This is a fallacy.
8. Many other countries like Hong Kong have done well, in fact better than Singapore, in many areas like transport, welfare, tourism, taking care of their elderly, etc. What we are experiencing in Singapore is not exactly booming, what with so many elderly in such dire straits and with a heartless government. Enough is enough.
9. The civil servants are the ones doing the work, NOT the ministers or MPs. If we can manage the civil servants well, any party can be the government.
"9. The civil servants are the ones doing the work, NOT the ministers or MPs. If we can manage the civil servants well, any party can be the government"
ReplyDeleteHi Mr Tan, I think this may be slightly inaccurate. Managing civil servants may be easy, but political leaders need to be visionary and capable to direct the civil service. If a weak party gets into power, the civil service can indeed carry out their policies effectively, but policies conceptualised by the political leaders may be inadequate.
I fully agreed on point 4, particularly on "Credible alternatives to PAP may not emerge just yet".
ReplyDeleteIn fact I would like to add that it may not even emerge at all.
I based it on the experience of other countries, as well as exacerbating factors like Singapore's small size and political history.
"It may take time, but one thing for certain is that it will come". This has been going on for a long time and may take a further longer time and "in the long run we have all be dead"
ReplyDeleteJohn Maynard Keynes