It was a small step, but a meaningful one, for Singapore, on May 7th. The PAP's popular vote was slashed to 60% from the 66% of five years ago. And in Aljunied they were betrayed by their own foul creation, the GRC, losing 5 seats. It can no longer be disputed, that the PAP is in decline.
The voters of Aljunied rejected the PAP's old politics of threats and fear-mongering. Indeed, they rebelled against it. This despite a direct threat from Mr.Lee Kuan Yew, that they will 'regret' it. Mr.Lee had thought it was the 60's and that he could intimidate voters, while they have reminded him that it is 2011, and that it is the age of the Internet. We will watch with interest, and report, whatever the PAP does to Aljunied. Every act of 'revenge' that they attempt, will be another reason to vote against the PAP in the next General Election.
Mr.George Yeo is a casualty of the PAP's overbearing actions and policies. He had called for a more open system, but did nothing about it. He promised to be the 'voice of reform' in the PAP. He has had 20 years to do that. If he was the 'voice of reform', he was an ineffectual one. His line of promising to be one, 'from now onwards', is not something he should expect an increasingly sceptical electorate to buy. He is a lesson for other PAP parliamentarians, they had better walk their talks, now.
Mr.Goh Chok Tong has won, but has had his winning margin slashed. He will perhaps learn some humility now. Mr.Lee Hsien Loong will be wise to drop him from the cabinet, as he should drop Mr.Lee Kuan Yew. They are both outdated liabilities to the PAP.
The NCMP post, like the GRCs, is another, and equally foul creation, of the PAP. It's sole purpose is to convince Singaporeans to vote for the PAP, and think that there will be an 'opposition' voice in Parliament anyway. Oppositionists must stand on principle, and reject it.
A Political Eulogy
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A leopard cannot change its spots.
You cannot change a leopard from within.
Instead of you changing "The Party" from within,
"The Party" changed you from within.
George Yeo, Feb 1994 said:
"Remember your place in society before you engage in political debate...
Debate cannot generate into a free-for-all, where no distinction is made between the senior and junior party...
You must make distinctions -
What is high, what is low, what is above, what is below,
and then within this, we can have a debate, we can have a discussion...
people should not take on those in authority as 'equals"
But you are in good company. You have fellow travellers:
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan (2007):
"How much do you want? Do you want three meals in a hawker centre, food court or restaurant?"
"If ye love wealth greater than liberty,
the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom,
go home from us in peace.
We seek not your counsel, nor your arms.
Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen."
-- Samuel Adams
The PAP in decline was all along triggered by mindless support from 60% Sporeans. The 40% have done their part, but it may be too late to save Spore after 5 years. Look no further than the biggest dud, the PM himself! How to make things better when he replaces a dud with another dud?
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