(This prose written in response to 'Immigration issues dominate discussions on REACH'[CNA, 7Sept2010].)
It is my observation and concern that perhaps the Singaporean wariness, if not contempt against foreigners might be a 'transference' of PM Lee's extreme paranoia and prejudice against opposition politicians in Singapore.
If the PM finds it so difficult to work with other equally well intentioned politicians, albeit those with differing or neither partisan memberships, to the extent that he very publically declared (in GE2006), smack in the heart of town about his predisposition 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.."[YouTube/@1m10s], how then, can it be logically expected that the electorate- the citizens of the republic whom are (quote: "concerned about competition from foreigners for jobs and housing.- ..worried about over-crowding and the cost of living"[CNA, 7Sept2010]) be expected to accept foreigners wholeheartedly.
Noting the similar problems of partisan politics (British and Australian) that resulted in a temporary 'hung' parliament- the immediate result in both recent elections, aren't these cases proof enough that an educated electorate ought to be so equally split between uniquely attractive political parties/ ideologies, with no one political party/ politician having monopoly over the best ideas about the future of a country- that a hung parliament ought to occur? That for the sake of adopting all the best ideas unique to each and every party, 'partisan politics' and divisive tendencies ought to be relegated to national interest; politicians of all partisan leanings ought to shed their inhibitions, bury party whips, and close ranks for the good of society.
With environmental, economic and social challenges facing both Singapore in particular and the world at large, is there time enough for politicians to luxuriate in self aggrandizement whilst faltering in the light of these challenges?
Perhaps the PAP has gone too far in its manipulation of elections [A1forums, 25Aug2010], state coffers and its encroachment upon rights and responsibilities of opposition MPs [GeraldGiam, 3Oct2009]. It is perhaps time, if not overdue for PAP pick up its socks and resist the temptations of self aggrandizement [YouTube/@1m10s] and entitlement mentality [ST 26June2006] and [ST- 8Oct2009]- that if left unchecked, would as surely as the sun rises, lead to the downfall of the PAP if not Singapore.
Only time will tell.
Majulah Singapura.
Quoted References:
- 'PM Lee says countries worldwide respect and admire Singapore's proven system': "What is the opposition's job? It's not to help the PAP do a better job... ...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]
- 'Immigration issues dominate discussions on REACH': "Replying to Channel News Asia queries, REACH said the immigration issue accounted for 30 per cent of the overall discussion on its various channels, such as the Discussion Forum, Facebook, email and over the telephone." [CNA, 7Sept2010] (full excerpt below)
- 'Betrayal of the original intent of the GRC system of elections. (By SMC minimization)' [A1forums, 25Aug2010]
- 'HDB should be neutral and stop playing politics': "The PAP’s Eric Low claimed that the upgrading 'is a result of our efforts over the years'. What utter rubbish! It was the Workers’ Party’s Low Thia Khiang who had asked in Parliament after the 2006 elections for the promised $100 million to be released to Hougang for upgrading. But the National Development Minister stoutly refused, saying that the funds were conditional on voters choosing the PAP. [GeraldGiam, 3Oct2009]
- 'GRCs make it easier to find top talent: SM': "Without good chance of winning at polls, they might not be willing to risk careers for 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]
- 'Lift upgrading: Why Chiam and Low are not fronting it': "This is because the HDB's practice is to deal with a constituency's grassroots advisers - who are appointed by the People's Association - for all its upgrading programmes. The advisers will then explain the programmes to residents. - Likewise for the ongoing programme to provide lift landings on every floor for selected blocks.
'I don't expect the MP who is not a government MP or PAP MP to go and front it, and explain why the Lift Upgrading Programme is like that...,' said Mr Mah. 'The adviser is always the one doing it, no different this time around,' he said, referring to such programmes in Potong Pasir and Hougang.
In wards held by the People's Action Party, the elected MPs are also the grassroots advisers.
In the two opposition wards, however, the current advisers are the PAP candidates who lost in the last general election - Sitoh Yih Pin in Potong Pasir and Eric Low in Hougang."[ST- 8Oct2009]
Unquoted Reference(s):
- 'Singaporean general election, 2006'- ('Goh Chok Tong's special assignment')- "Goh had suggested that if Eric Low and Sitoh Yih Pin won the election, they would be given extra latitude when speaking and voting in parliament and not be subjected to the political Whip. Goh also said that he would help Sitoh to gain a post in the new Cabinet if he was elected.[29] Hougang and Potong Pasir residents were also been promised housing upgrades worth $100 million and $80 million dollars respectively if PAP was to retake the two seats. Since they were won by opposition parties, both of these constituencies have not been selected for housing upgrading or provided with lifts that stop on every floor. When the PAP shaved the Worker's Party's vote share from 58% to 55% in the 1997 General Election, then prime-minister Goh offered to upgrade Hougang estate if the WP's chief's share of vote was reduced to 52%.[citation needed] Nonetheless, Hougang remains in opposition hands." [Wikipedia:SG:GE2006]
Title : Immigration issues dominate discussions on REACH
Date : 07 September 2010 1943 hrs (SST)
SINGAPORE : Immigration was the hottest topic discussed on the government feedback unit REACH.
It received comments from more than 1,200 members of the public after the Prime Minister's National Day Rally speech.
Replying to Channel News Asia queries, REACH said the immigration issue accounted for 30 per cent of the overall discussion on its various channels, such as the Discussion Forum, Facebook, email and over the telephone.
REACH said many contributors agreed with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that Singapore should remain open to foreigners, and also acknowledged the need for foreign workers.
But they were concerned about competition from foreigners for jobs and housing.
They were also worried about over-crowding and the cost of living.
There were also calls for the government to exercise stricter criteria to ensure immigrants can truly contribute to Singapore.
Some raised the issue of integration and suggested new citizens could serve at voluntary welfare or grassroots organisations.
Feedback contributors also felt that "brain drain", where talented Singaporeans give up their citizenship, should also be addressed.
REACH said the issue of foreigners and social cohesion has remained the top 5 topic of discussion over the last 12 months. - CNA /ls
URL : http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...079692/1/.html
Posted to/ related:
A1forums:
8Sept2010: CNA: Immigration issues dominate discussions on REACH.
HWZ:
8Sept2010: CNA: Immigration issues dominate discussions on REACH.
CNA:
8Sept2010: CNA: Immigration issues dominate discussions on REACH.
SGforums:
8Sept2010: CNA: Immigration issues dominate discussions on REACH.
VRzone:
8Sept2010: CNA: Immigration issues dominate discussions on REACH.
8Sept2010:
8Sept2010:
8Sept2010:
8Sept2010:
8Sept2010:
No comments:
Post a Comment