Tan Kin Lian's Blog: Alex Tan's talk at Speaker's Corner

Monday, February 15, 2010

Alex Tan's talk at Speaker's Corner

About 20 people (including TKL) turned up at Speaker's Corner. This was rather disappointing. Most Singaporeans are apathetic and will take the trouble to show their support for causes that they believe in, e.g. the need for change to our policies in Singapore.

Alex Tan gave a good speech. He said that it would be reported in Temasek Review. He intended to give a weekly speech at Speaker's Corner at 5 p.m. (most probably on Saturday afternoon).

I met Alex Tan for the first time today at Speaker's Corner. He had asked for my help earlier to publicize the event in my blog (which I agreed).

Alex Tan also organised a Facebook group on the need to make a change in the political system in Singapore. It attracted over 1,000 fans.

Update: A video of Alex Tan's speech is now available here.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...: If Alex is willing to post his video on youtube, he can reach a wider audience. there will be people who can't go or don't dare to go. Maybe Mr Tan can feedback this to him and give us the youtube link to watch it.; February 15, 2010 7:10 PM
Anonymous said...: In the Singapore context, I think outdoor speakers should not be too fixated with the physical turnout, whether big or small. It may not really matter.

For instance opposition election rallies used to have huge turnouts while those by PAP have pathetic turnouts. But what was the outcome?

I think it is more important for the opposition to be united as one, have candidates that match PAP and contest all seats in order to have the best chance to improve their gain or even vote PAP out.

Currently this may be a tall order for them.; February 15, 2010 8:01 PM
Alex Tan said...: hi Mr Tan

Thank you for your support today I truly appreciate it.

the facebook group you are talking about is here
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=153492722129&ref=ss

do create a facebook account and share your wisdom on the facebook group (:; February 15, 2010 10:20 PM
Alex Tan said...: my next speech will be on 21 February 2010 Sunday 6pm.

thank you (:; February 15, 2010 10:23 PM
Anonymous said...: Alex, you set your talk on New Year, a date that guarantee low turn up.; February 16, 2010 8:07 AM
Anonymous said...: I am willing to give the opposition a chance to do over the current policies which favours the richs...; February 16, 2010 10:08 AM
Anonymous said...: This is partly due to CNY.; February 16, 2010 10:17 AM
Anonymous said...: "This is partly due to CNY."

Not really, if judging from past like events.

In mid 2009 somebody organised a speech on unemployment which was then very high, and also widely publicised the event on the internet. Only 20 or so people turned up to listen.

In Mar 2008, Chee Soon Juan led a illegal protest march on inflation which was raging then. He only garnered 20 supporters including children for the event although there was a lot of street drama between them and the police. And since then I think he hasn't organised any.

So I think public speeches, rallies and protests (legal or illegal) outside of elections is not easy to get a crowd.

Maybe the public think it is a futile exercise here. This is unlike other countries where crowds can reach a frightening tens of thousands of people.; February 16, 2010 12:32 PM
Tan Kin Lian said...: We have seen large demonstrations, involving thousands of people, in other countries, such as Thailand and Indonesia. My friends in these countries tell me that the people are paid an allowance to demonstrate, and they do not really believe in the political cause.

So it is still the people with the money that manipulate in the background. So much for justice and democracy.; February 16, 2010 12:35 PM
Anonymous said...: Alex Tan is a brave young man. He will make himself known to all ordinary men and women in Singapore if he continue to give such public speech.; February 16, 2010 3:13 PM
Anonymous said...: Hi Mr Tan, great to have a brief meeting with you yesterday at HL. It is comforting to see you at the most unlikely place on the 2nd day of CNY to support a worthy cause.; February 16, 2010 9:16 PM
Anonymous said...: Alex,
Change is normally difficult and requires intensive planning before its carried out.
To advocate change, a total system is required, normally detailing the start to the end of change.
I suggest that maybe you can show us some of your proposals, your evaluation and implementation methods and your measurements of success.
I would also be interested to hear the alternatives you have considered as well as the research and statistics that you have acquired to advocate the need for change.
With that in place, i believe it will look more convincing and create a serious outlook in your campaign.
On the other hand, if a system is not proposed, it might look like an all talk, no show campaign.

All the best and good luck; February 17, 2010 12:07 AM
Anonymous said...: We need young and brave young men
like Alex Tan here.
Bravo, keep it up, Alex.; February 17, 2010 1:46 PM