Betrayal of the original intent of the GRC system of elections.(By SMC minimization)

Betrayal of the original intent of the GRC system of elections. (By SMC minimization)
"The GRC system was established in 1988 to ensure that the minority racial communities in Singapore will always be represented in Parliament..."~ Source: [ElectionsDeptSingapore].

This paper, using simple performance indicators, seeks to determine the EXTENT to which democracy, not withstanding the original goals of implementing the GRC system of elections in Singapore, has been compromised by PAP partisan interest, since its inception in 1988; briefly seeks to explain how this might be the case and proposes solutions towards a more fair and EQUITABLE means of ensuring MINORITY RACE REPRESENTATION in parliament whilst keeping partisan political prejudices to the minimum electorally possible.

The indicators (and their corresponding calculations), are (starting left column):
(a) Ensured Minimum Minority Rep. (EMMR) (as a % of all parl. seats available).
(b) EMMR as a % of true Popn. Minority (%) - pls note that the most recent figure preceding the year referenced is used from the chart '(Wiki) ethnic composition'- this measures the degree to which the 'original intent of the GRC system of elections' is met- the key measure of 'policy effectiveness'
(c) GRC seats as % of All parliamentary seats (a reflection of the proportion of parliamentary seats the GRC system consumes)- a key measure of 'policy harm' in achieving (b); this is because unlike SMCs, GRCs are excessively partisan according to current electoral policy.
(d) Comparative Effectiveness {(c) as a fraction of (b)}: denotes relative effect of (c) as compared to (b)- any value above 100% is unacceptable- as it shows policy benefits being surpassed by the unjustifiable harm such policy incurs.

. . . . . . . . (a) . . . . . . . . . .| . . . . . . . . (b) . . . . . . . . | . . . . . . . (c) . . . . . . .| . . (d) . . . . . . . .
Ensured Minimum Minority | EMMR as a fraction of `| GRC seats as % of `|Comparative Effectiveness
Rep.(EMMR) (% of t.seats)| True Popn.Minority (%) | All Parliament Seats | (c) as a fraction of (b)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1984: NA or = 00.0000% | 00.000/21.7 = 00.000% | 00 / 79 = 00.000% | NA (pre GRC era.)
1988: 13/81 = 16.0494% | 16.049/21.7 = 73.960% | 39 / 81 = 48.148% | 065.100%
1991: 15/81 = 18.5185% | 18.519/22.3 = 83.043% | 60 / 81 = 74.074% | 089.200%
1997: 15/83 = 18.0723% | 18.072/22.3 = 81.042% | 74 / 83 = 89.157% | 110.013%
2001: 14/84 = 16.6667% | 16.667/23.2 = 71.839% | 75 / 84 = 89.286% | 124.286%
2011: 14/84 = 16.6667% | 16.667/25.8 = 64.599% | 75 / 84 = 89.286% | 138.214%

Chart notes:
i) Since inception in 1988 GE a minimum of one minority rep. per GRC is necessary to form a GRC team. [PARL ELECTIONS ACT Cap. 218]
ii) 2006 is not shown for brevity of presentation but its figures exactly duplicate that of 2001 in this context.
iii) The figure of 84 parl. seats and 14 GRCs for 2010/11 GE is an approximation based upon GE 2006 and are subject to confirmation prior to the coming GE2010/11.
iv) Note: 'SMC' = 'SMD' (Single Member Districts)- 'Table 1'

Observations:
Whilst the effort to "ensure that the minority racial communities in Singapore will always be represented in Parliament" might be a pertinent one, This cause must be balanced up with ground realities such as:
- "Singaporeans want greater say when it comes to political activities like policy making as compared to ten years ago." [AsiaOne, 02Aug2010]
- The rising Gini Coefficient [wiki] that an obtuse GRC system probably does nothing but widen: "The Gini coefficient - a statistical measure of income inequality - has risen from 0.41 in 1990 to 0.48 currently. It is lowered to 0.45 after the various Government assistance schemes to help the less well off" [TDY 31Jul2010]
- "Singapore’s history has shown that, in the past, minority candidates stood and won single seats. PAP MPs such as Mr Dhanabalan, Mr Rajaratnam, Mr Sidek Saniff and Mr Zulkifli Mohd have done so; so have opposition leaders like Mr Jeyaretnam in Anson, a predominantly Chinese constituency. This was so even in the 1984 GE." ['sgpolitics', 28Aug2008]
- In response to Dr Mahathir Mohamad's casual reminder to Malaysian Malays "not to become like Singaporean Malays", Berita Harian Singapore editor Guntor Sadali's response was: "We do not believe in being spoon-fed or being too dependent on government help. In other words, we do not have a crutch mentality." [LKSblog, 28Jul2010].
- If indeed life for minorities was 'bad' in Singapore, then the progressive percentage fall of the majority Chinese population, since 1980, need be explained. The purpose of this mention is in support of the arguement that ''12' the correct number of (3-Memb) GRCs for Singapore.'[A1forums, 6Aug2010].

Conclusion:
As figures show, the original good intentions of the GRC system of elections have since been overwhelmed by obtuse manipulation for party political interest such that "GRCs serve the PAP’s interest rather than the original objective of "ensuring minority representation": When Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong spoke of the PAP’s recruitment challenge in 2006, he admitted: "Without some assurance of a good chance of winning at least their first election, many able and successful young Singaporeans may not risk their careers to join politics." ['sgpolitics', 28Aug2008]

That said, not all is lost for the GRC system of elections and its sister act- the NCMP scheme, though a complete reconsideration of the intentions behind each need be publicly discussed and revealed. ''12' the correct number of (3-Memb) GRCs for Singapore.'[A1forums, 6Aug2010] - I hope, might be helpful in this regard as it tries to balance equitably, the need to 'ensure minority representation' whilst minimizing the harm caused by GRCs depriving the electorate of "say when it comes to political activities like policy making" [AsiaOne, 02Aug2010]
After all, if we "allow vicious falsehoods to perversely masquerade itself as the truth, we will eventually lose our moral authority and with it, our effectiveness to achieve our mission.." [CNA, 3Aug2010]- (different context, same meaning)

May the Singapore electorate not be hoodwinked by the secret political doings of the PAP: "I'm going to spend all my time thinking what's the right way to fix them, to buy my supporters votes, how can I solve this week's problem and forget about next year's challenges?" [CNA:03May2006] [YouTube/@1m10s].

In respect of the current policy construct of the GRC system of elections, Singaporeans must seek askance of themselves if it is one in pursuit of national 'progress', or rather that of partisan political gain.
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.': [Matthew 25:40]

Have a happy National Day Singapore.
Majulah Singapura.


Key References:
- 'Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs)': "The GRC system was established in 1988 to ensure that the minority racial communities in Singapore will always be represented in Parliament. .. " [Elections Department Singapore](last accessed 23Aug2010).-
- 'Singaporeans want more say': "Singaporeans want greater say when it comes to political activities like policy making as compared to ten years ago." [AsiaOne, 02Aug2010]
- 'An activist Government focused on helping the poor: Tharman': "The Gini coefficient[wiki] - a statistical measure of income inequality - has risen from 0.41 in 1990 to 0.48 currently. It is lowered to 0.45 after the various Government assistance schemes to help the less well off" [TDY 31Jul2010]
- 'Sylvia Lim opposed motion to revise Parliamentary Elections Act because the motion sought to entrench GRCs': "Singapore’s history has shown that, in the past, minority candidates stood and won single seats. PAP MPs such as Mr Dhanabalan, Mr Rajaratnam, Mr Sidek Saniff and Mr Zulkifli Mohd have done so; so have opposition leaders like Mr Jeyaretnam in Anson, a predominantly Chinese constituency. This was so even in the 1984 GE." ['sgpolitics', 28Aug2008]
- 'The Malays in Singapore – no crutch mentality': "Berita Harian Singapore editor Guntor Sadali: 'We do not believe in being spoon-fed or being too dependent on government help. In other words, we do not have a crutch mentality.'" [LKSblog, 28Jul2010]
- 'Sylvia Lim opposed motion to revise Parliamentary Elections Act because the motion sought to entrench GRCs': "GRCs serve the PAP’s interest rather than the people’s interest: When Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong spoke of the PAP’s recruitment challenge in 2006, he said: “Without some assurance of a good chance of winning at least their first election, many able and successful young Singaporeans may not risk their careers to join politics.” Are we to infer that the PAP candidates these days are not what they used to be? It also seems that the GRC is a recruitment and training tool for the ruling party."['sgpolitics', 28Aug2008]
- ''12' the correct number of (3-Memb) GRCs for Singapore.': [A1forums, 6Aug2010]
- 'Parliament amends Constitution to change NCMP & NMP schemes': “The NCMP position is a unique feature of Singapore politics. … With the changes, Parliament can have up to nine NCMPs, up from six.” [CNA 26 April 2010]
- 'GRCs make it easier to find top talent: SM': "Without some assurance of a good chance of winning at least their first election, many able and successful young Singaporeans may not risk their careers to join politics" ; with hosting site footnote: "In Singapore, a Group Representation Constituency is a super-sized constituency where 5 or 6 candidates from the same party have to stand for election as a team. Voters vote for the party, not for individuals, thus weak candidates can still win a seat in Parliament by riding the coattails of stronger candidates."- [ST 26June2006]
- 'S'pore must defend integrity of institutions of justice & law enforcement: DPM Wong': ""If we do not do so and allow vicious falsehoods to perversely masquerade itself as the truth, we will eventually lose our moral authority and with it, our effectiveness to achieve our mission to keep Singapore safe and secure. " [CNA, 3Aug2010]
- 'PM Lee says countries worldwide respect and admire Singapore's proven system': "...I'm going to spend all my time thinking what's the right way to fix them, to buy my supporters votes, how can I solve this week's problem and forget about next year's challenges?"..." [CNA:03May2006][YouTube/@1m10s]
- 'Holy Bible': "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' [Matthew 25:40]

Other references:
- 'GRCs to shrink, but they will stay': "Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told Parliament yesterday there should not be too many six-member GRCs, as this makes it harder for voters to identify with the whole slate of MPs." [ST, 28May2009]
- 'Singapore: Drawing Districts to Ensure Super-Majorities in the Parliament': [aceproject (?date?)]
- 'Question about Integrity of the GRC system of elections Singapore.' Facts and figures from (Table1) Yeo Lay Hwee. “Electoral Politics in Singapore”, [Chart wiki: Constituencies of Singapore], [Chart wiki: Ethnic composition (%) of resident population], ~B.C.: [A1forums, 1Aug2010]
- 'The GRC Election System Fair Representation of the People?': "With almost NINETY PERCENT of Singaporeans living in HDB Flats, and the "Racial Ratio of Tenants" allowed to occupy each block (including resale flats) subject to HDB-Government Approval and Control, is it still necessary to have the GRC system to ensure a fair representation of "Minority Races" in Parliament?"~ 'Atobe' [SGforums 17Dec2002].
- 'Singapore ministers set for million-dollar pay hike': "'If we don't do that ... corruption will set in and we will become like many other countries,' Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean was quoted as saying in the Straits Times last week." [Reuters5Apr2007]
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Post/ related material also viewable at:
A1forum:
1Aug2010: Betrayal of the original intent of the GRC system of elections?

2Aug2010: What will happens, after the election.
2Aug2010: The Institute of Policy Studies - shows increased demand for political participation

25Aug2010: Question about Integrity of the GRC system of elections.
HWZ:
25Aug2010: Betrayal of the original intent of the GRC system of elections?
VRzone:
25Aug2010: Betrayal of the original intent of the GRC system of elections?
SGClub:
1Aug2010: Betrayal of the original intent of the GRC system of elections?

25Aug2010: Betrayal of the original intent of the GRC system of elections?
SG Forums:

25Aug2010: Who came up with GRC system?
S Boy Forums:

25Aug2010: Suspect betrayal of the original purpose of the GRC system of elections.

REACH forum:

27Aug2010: Betrayal of the original intent of the GRC system of elections. (By SMC minimization)

CNA:

26Aug2010: Betrayal of the original intent of the GRC system of elections. (By SMC minimization)

Politics forums:

27Aug2010: Betrayal of the original intent of the GRC system of electio

TOC:

03April2011: GRC system: Wool over eyes (Part 6 of 6)