REX asked me to form a new political party as he thinks that the politicians from the alternative parties "lack credibility" and have baggage.
I have met many politicians from the alternative parties. Most of them are brave and sincere people and have the interest of Singaporeans at heart. They come from humble backgrounds and are able to represent the views of the people on the ground well.
These politicians have not been fairly represented in the mainstream media, which explains the negative impression that many Singaporeans had of them. I hope that Singaporeans will get the chance to know these politicians and be willing to give them a chance to prove themselves. They are likely to perform as well as Low Thia Khiang and Chiam See Tong.
Tan Kin Lian
The problem with 66.66% of Singaporeans is that they always think that any other political party coming into power cannot do what the ruling party does. They have been psychologically bombarded with this mentality over the last four decades, so change is difficult.
ReplyDeleteYounger Singaporeans may not be aware that even the ruling party started of with less than stellar or qualified MPs, some are barbers and hawkers. It was only in the later years that they were able to induct and attract more educated candidates, probably because of the sure-win promise in a GRC.
Which ruling party started off knowing everything about governing a country? Everyone has to start from scratch, even the PAP itself.
So, I agree we should give capable people from the opposition a chance to prove themselves, like Low and Chiam.
I fully agree, it is sad there are many people still stuck in the trap set by pap that "vote opposition only if they are credible, better than pap etc".
ReplyDeleteThese people simply do not realise that if you dont vote for ANY opposition, then the result is more and worse of what you have already seen from the existing ruling party.
There is no lack of talent in Singapore, these talents will surface once true democracy comes to Singapore.
[quote]REX asked me to form a new political party as he thinks that the politicians from the alternative parties "lack credibility" and have baggage.[unquote
ReplyDeleteI find Rex's comment disingenuous. The opposition has no track record in government, so how can it lack credibility - unless one's definition of credibility is paper qualifications. The PAP, on the other hand, has completely failed the credibility test.
When you vote you vote for a party and not the candidate.EG. in a GRC you vote the party becuase many of the candidates are untried and unknown.PAP are smart. They get some people in through the back door.
ReplyDeleteSimilarly, if you want an opposition just vote for any opposition candidate and not his credentials. The candidate can be anybody and it could be a pig too. The whole idea is to have an opposition is to let the ruling party that you are opposing and you don't like them. An opposition can make noise only or not make noise, they cannot change until they have reasonable number when they create louder noise ans any issue tabled by the ruling party can be challenged in a more forceful manner.
So if you want an opposition ask yourself what is your objective.The candidate doesn't matter.
In the old days many PAP candidates had no credible background yet they were voted in becuase the people wanted a PAP opposition or government not becuase the 'chee cheong fun' woman had the ability or could champion their cause in parliament.In any election this is how voting is cast, party labels.
I can sense that for some people the proverbial 'straw that broke the camel's back' has happened and more are undoubtedly willing to take the risk of voting in more opposition candidates.
ReplyDeleteOver the past decade, some policies have seriously and badly affected Singaporeans, in particular foreign workers, HDB pricing, CPF changes etc, so much so that talking about how well we have done over the years means little, when bread and butter issues of the poor are seldom addressed. It is always about taking care of big businesses, entrepreneurs, squeezing citizens to grow the reserves to show how rich we are.
I think change is coming, but not by the next election. Not yet.
Good evening Mr Tan.
ReplyDeleteThe first thing the opposition MUST do is to stop all the stupid and silly internal squabbling.
If that is not done, the opposition can forget about capturing more seats, let alone take over the govt.
Linked Article
I am sure Chiam, Low and Kenneth will welcome Tan KL to join their respective party. Amongst the 3, I believe Chiam needs more help, i.e. looking at the long term.
ReplyDeleteWhatever decision Tan KL arrives at, the least I hope to see is for him to stand as an independent.
Any other outcome will be a waste.
Rex comments as follows,
ReplyDeleteHi mr tan,
May i clarify that the point which i wanted to say in the other thread, was that it is not possible to change the views of the vast majority of people who are already hopelessly poisoned by the media to think that CSJ is a rascal and opportunist. This thread Brave and Sincere People, may succeed to some extent to open people's eyes to think otherwise. Then there are those who don't read your blog, how can they too be convinced? And, I wasn't offering my personal view at all that "CSJ is not creditable", far from it.
So, the point i make is that, because YOUR contributions and zealousness in nation building are already very well known, there is no necessity to reduce your chances by having to combine with another party which has a "baggage", real or imagined.
Weaker, less known candidates, need that kind of thing, to latch on to an established opposition for support, including basic infrastructure.
For you, Mr Tan, you ALREADY have what it takes to guarantee your success.
REX
TKL - please do not form another political party now. There are enough opposition parties in Singapore already. Some to me are quite credible. You are in contact with them. My experience is that it is harder to win an election as an independent!
ReplyDeleterex comments on anonymous,8.17 post
ReplyDeleteyou said "my experience"
In Singapore there had never been any experience where a former CEO of a big company become interested in politics.
What you "expereience" probably surely, refer to the handful of relatively less qualified, less famous independent candidates who had no name in themselves in the first place, when they ran for election. For sure, same will not win, not enough people knew them, neither did they connect with the public in any form whatsover prior to the elections.
Kin Lian .. He connects with the masses in numerous issues. He has the reputation due to his past employment. It is unlike any experience anyone had before in the history of Singapore.
My view is that if he stands independent, he will definitely get more than 66%. Because, many many people don;t like KJ (maybe race reason), dont like CSJ (maybe due to straits times), but have no problem with TKL alone.
That's why i see no point for him to combine with others. It's not about whether the other parties are right or wrong in absolute sense.
As to your concern that "there are too many opposition" already, well, it is a well known fact that oppostion parties avoid three corner fights.
REX
REX,
ReplyDeleteThere are some GRC where an Indian candidate is complusory. KJ is an asset in such GRC. Remember JBJ won in Anson against Chinese candidate.