tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081742307252789733.post594103829150907872..comments2024-02-14T04:53:18.295-08:00Comments on Singapore Dissident: Singapore. Why the blame lies on the Opposition Politicians for Singaporeans having to live as slaves.Gopalan Nairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15399145588654603667noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081742307252789733.post-34544462773426403132007-07-31T01:36:00.000-07:002007-07-31T01:36:00.000-07:00Since the fall of Shah of Iran in the 80's, the US...Since the fall of Shah of Iran in the 80's, the US government adopted a foreign policy to maintain good relationship with opposition parties in other countries, just in case they might come into power someday.<BR/><BR/>Such a foreign policy it seems is now shared by other governments.<BR/><BR/>Therefore if you are an opposition figure in Singapore, particularly with CEC status in a fairly prominent party, you are likely to get special favours and opportunities from foreign governments in your business ventures - should you know how to approach them.<BR/><BR/>With such side benefits, after some time, even an initially idealistic opposition politician in Singapore might prefer to play it safe with the Singapore political system so as to maintain their opposition status. <BR/><BR/>Not many people know about these things.<BR/><BR/>Aside from this, a few established opposition politicians have already made their seeming mark on the Singapore political scene.<BR/><BR/>They either want to maintain the pathetic status quo (Chiam) or extend party clout by winning more Parliamentary seats (Low).<BR/><BR/>As for the latter we know for a fact should more of his candidates get into Parliament they will just be as handicapped as him by PAP's sophisticated arrangement or "fix" inside. <BR/><BR/>They will be loaded down with committees' and sub-committees' work and what have you.<BR/><BR/>They will be allowed a few minutes to make their Parliamentary speeches and proudly lay claim to having them recorded in the Hansard for posterity. <BR/><BR/>But the PAP will make sure they get no credit for any new or changed government policy. <BR/><BR/>Unless there is a landslide victory in the coming elections, with opposition MPs outnumbering the PAP's, until then there will be no effect whatsoever on the PAP system.<BR/><BR/>But is such a landslide victory realistic in the foreseeable future? <BR/><BR/>And why wait till that happens to make an impact on policy-making when issues can be whipped up right now - through frequent press conferences and press releases. <BR/><BR/>Why are issues like the Ship Corp multi-billion dollar misadventure, mega civil service salaries, GIC paying S$1.47 billion for a small 4-storey building in London, lack of social welfare and the scandalous NKF saga among others VWOs overseen by govt-created NCSS not being rigorously tackled by the opposition?<BR/><BR/>Only CSJ addresses many of such issues in his write-ups ; unfortunately press reporting on his activities is next to nil - apparently being prohibited by a <BR/>PAP edict to the press.<BR/><BR/>Actually the said controversial issues - which have been hot talks of the town - represent opportunities for the opposition parties to raise their profile with the people. But they failed to do so.<BR/><BR/>That being the situation, might as well let there be no opposition parties in Singapore so that the people can evolve and/or look to alternative socio-political leadership - say, to letter writers and bloggers, to friendship and neighbourhood groups in writing petition letters with many signatories to press the government on various issues.<BR/><BR/>I believe society is capable of evolving new and novel solutions if it sees a vacuum.<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately the existence of the opposition parties is giving our people the wrong impression that they are or want to be the solution to the political conundrum in Singapore. <BR/><BR/><BR/>I happen to think otherwise. I think the opposition is in fact partly responsible for the current political situation in Singapore, based on what I have just written above.<BR/><BR/>I am not romancing the opposition as many others do over the Internet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081742307252789733.post-72648580988889401302007-07-28T23:21:00.000-07:002007-07-28T23:21:00.000-07:00CSJ is always trying to get the world's attention ...CSJ is always trying to get the world's attention of the undemocratic political situation in Singapore.<BR/><BR/>It used to be that the US would care. No longer, because of PAP'S very close relationship with the US now.<BR/><BR/>So CSJ turns to European's politicians. It is futile.<BR/><BR/>His other publicity stunts particularly meant to attract the attention of international media or joining international democratic movements are also just as futile.<BR/><BR/>In fact they may work against him.<BR/><BR/>This is because ordinary Singaporeans might think he is collaborating with outsiders to fix Singapore. They breed mistrust against him. <BR/><BR/>That's the side-effect. <BR/><BR/>It is the support of Singapore voters that need to be won. Don't expect them to think like intellectuals, like well-informed individuals. <BR/><BR/>So how? By getting all opposition parties and candidates into one big alliance. <BR/><BR/>Even if no one gets into Parliament there will be an civil authoritativeness when such an alliance speak. <BR/><BR/>When such an united opposition speaks it will be like the voice of the people. <BR/><BR/>Without such an united opposition front getting a few more seats in Parliament will be quite useless.<BR/><BR/>The PAP has already created a system inside to fix them up when they get in. <BR/><BR/>It was not really a slip of the tongue when the PM said they have to think how to fix up the opposition MPs.<BR/><BR/>Low and Chiam should know better about this but they are not saying anything. <BR/><BR/>The opposition of the 60's despite their much larger Parliamentary presence failed to make any difference. LKY just did what he wanted to do. So they walked out of Parliament in disgust and frustration only to be arrested and put in cold storage.<BR/><BR/>So why does the current opposition believe that a few more opposition voices in there will make a difference when the net has become tighter inside.<BR/><BR/>What is really important is mass perception that the opposition represents the people, even if not elected. <BR/><BR/>Only a truly united front can do this.<BR/><BR/>However before this can come about, great selflessness on the part of prominent opposition figures to risk being effaced within such an alliance would be needed.<BR/><BR/>But is that too hard to ask from them when the fate of the nation hangs in the balance?<BR/><BR/>What Singapore really needs now is a strong civil voice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081742307252789733.post-26247151913559458762007-07-26T16:12:00.000-07:002007-07-26T16:12:00.000-07:00The opposition in Singapore does not seem to recog...The opposition in Singapore does not seem to recognize that it is its own worst enemy.<BR/><BR/>Their inability to unite into one big alliance or even a party shows that they continue to diminish their chances of getting elected. <BR/><BR/>Election after election they refuse to learn and reform for the better. <BR/><BR/>Look around the world. All opposition parties that make it big are always alliances of varied parties and individual candidates. <BR/><BR/>Individual small parties never stand a chance with the voters. <BR/><BR/>But in Singapore opposition people are operating like little egos trying to establish their own legacies in politics. <BR/><BR/>And there are so many differences among them. And this works neatly into PAP's strategy.<BR/><BR/>If the opposition wants to win and win big, they have to forget their own selves (never mind you are JBJ, Chiam or Low Thia Kiang or what), personal interests and fiefdoms. <BR/><BR/>They have to be selfless, "spiritual" in serving God, if you will, as politicians<BR/><BR/>Only then can they put aside their differences and collaborate closely.<BR/><BR/>In fact if they have no such higher ideal I strongly feel they should not be in politics in the first place. <BR/><BR/>Only this way they can find headway. <BR/><BR/>Only then will they gain a mindshare among voters and fill a political vacuum which PAP is unable to fill because it is built on one very inflated ego.<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately the situation hitherto among the opposition is that when a oppositon politician is being destroyed by PAP, other opposition parties are quite content to stand by and watch, and for some even in glee.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081742307252789733.post-75645989750428601622007-07-25T22:45:00.000-07:002007-07-25T22:45:00.000-07:00I tell what is really going on with the opposition...I tell what is really going on with the opposition in Singapore.<BR/><BR/>Some are actually thinking of CSJ like PAP does. They are mind-washed by PAP that CSJ is such a crook and what have you.<BR/><BR/>But exactly what did CSJ do to deserve all these?<BR/><BR/>His condemnation started when elected as SG of SDP and Chiam felt bitter enough to run down the whole CEC through the press.<BR/><BR/>Of course all this was further aided by subsequent mud-slinging from PAP and from then on, CSJ and SDP went downhill.<BR/><BR/>I thought CSJ was democratically elected by the CEC so why should anyone feel it is wrong?<BR/><BR/>If anyone wants to run an opposition like a kingdom, don't set up a party in the first place.<BR/><BR/>Go set up something else and tell the world that it is an exclusive club or simply a friendship team. Nothing wrong with that.<BR/><BR/>CSJ is like pariah among the opposition because the latter have no thought leadership. <BR/><BR/>They want to part of the PAP game rule, you see.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081742307252789733.post-27230530721246532582007-07-25T20:21:00.000-07:002007-07-25T20:21:00.000-07:00Very simple the real solution.Opposition parties s...Very simple the real solution.<BR/><BR/>Opposition parties should become one big alliance and people will respond accordingly with big votes.<BR/><BR/>If opposition parties are vying for their own glory and personalities, wait then for next life to make it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081742307252789733.post-29017099708482004762007-05-31T14:15:00.000-07:002007-05-31T14:15:00.000-07:00Though I disagree with your suggestion of Singapor...Though I disagree with your suggestion of Singaporeans as slaves, one would really prefer to be a slave with a full stomach than a master with a belly ache out of hunger.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081742307252789733.post-55120977366143897722007-05-28T03:26:00.000-07:002007-05-28T03:26:00.000-07:00Brilliant! Such prose!Hardhitting yes! But for goo...Brilliant! Such prose!Hardhitting yes! But for good reason. The opposition mindset and goal is to enter parliament. I tell you, my good sir, it is foolish. They cannot hope to achieve this. We cannot vote out a sophisticated dictatorship and in this context, we are constantly fighting a losing battle.<BR/><BR/>The way of nonviolent protests, acts of civil disobedience are key factors, not speaking in tongues which has no legislative value in parliament. Opposition politicians should all shed their differences and merge to a sole powerful entity. <BR/><BR/>There the first stone will be cast.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8081742307252789733.post-234274320240726272007-05-27T19:54:00.000-07:002007-05-27T19:54:00.000-07:00Your refrain of "do more" goes on ad nauseum.Inste...Your refrain of "do more" goes on ad nauseum.<BR/><BR/>Instead, why don't you give a list of examples of what they should do?<BR/><BR/>- BarryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com