SDP - Apr 2014 - PM should be careful with name-calling over PID issue

Cosmos10 · Apr 21, 2014

PM should be careful with name-calling over PID issue

http://yoursdp.org/news/pm_should_be_careful_with_name_calling_over_pid_issue/2014-04-21-5807

Added on: Monday, 21 April 2014

by the Singapore Democrats

Cosmos10 · Apr 21, 2014

PM should be careful with name-calling over PID issue

The developments over the celebration of the Philippines Independence Day (PID) by Filipinos at Ngee Ann City is cause for concern – a concern not just over the event but also over the wider and more pressing issue of immigration in Singapore.

Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-jin said that Singaporeans who oppose the celebration “peddle hate”, that such behaviour is “repulsive” and that they were engaging in “bigotry”. PM Lee Hsien Loong joined in, adding that these Singaporeans are a “disgrace to Singapore”.

The pushback by Singaporeans so accused has been vehement. For or against the PID celebration, one thing is clear: Social tension over the large number of foreign workers in Singapore is real and set to become more serious.

Cosmos10 · Apr 21, 2014

This country cannot descend into xenophobia and the SDP repeats our call to Singaporeans to focus our angst and energy on the root-cause of the problem which is the PAP's immigration policy and not on the people who come here to work.

It must be acknowledged, however, that the frustrations of Singaporeans are not fictitious: We face an over-crowded city where jobs are increasingly harder to come by, the cost of living is at a record high, and an infrastructure that is overburdened. This is a recipe for social conflagration.

Given such a circumstance, education and appealing to our better angels is the more effective way to manage social tensions. Giving alternative solutions due attention is also important. To this end, the SDP has drawn up an alternative immigration policy to limit the inflow of foreign workers into this country and implement the Singaporeans First policy. (To read the paper, click here.)

Cosmos10 · Apr 21, 2014

A question of moral legitimacy

At such times, we need leadership. But leadership cannot come in the form of Ministers hurling epithets at Singaporeans, however justified they think their comments are. Leadership must come from authority that possesses moral legitimacy. Think Gandhi, King and Mandela. Such authority governs through persuasion and education, not fear.

Does the PAP have the moral legitimacy over the PID situation – and, for that matter, over the bigger issue of foreign workers in Singapore? How can it when over the years it has chosen not to openly debate the immigration policy but rather force it on the community?

Cosmos10 · Apr 21, 2014

There is also the issue of public assembly. The Government's handling of the matter hardly inspires confidence. Does the PID event at Orchard Road have a permit? If yes (which, presumably, it does), then why were Malaysians arrested for holding a public event following their country's elections in 2013? Why were the Burmese stopped from their gathering (also at Orchard Road) to call for the stop of bloodshed in Myanmar?

Back then, the police had warned that foreigners "should not import their domestic issues from their countries into Singapore and conduct activities which can disturb public order, as there can be groups with opposing views."

More importantly, why are Singaporeans banned from commemorating events in our own country when Filipinos are given the green light? Members of the SDP were even prosecuted for marking National Day in 2008.

Then there are PAP MPs and Government-led organisations who are allowed to stage protests, including protests in security-sensitive areas like Parliament House. That right, however, is denied the opposition.

Cosmos10 · Apr 21, 2014

It is such arbitrary use of power and the disregard for the rule of law that has, in the eyes of many Singaporeans, eroded the moral standing of this Government.

The party claims that it derives its power from regularly held elections. Again, Singaporeans are able to see that the victory did not come from free and fair electoral practices but rather through the control of the mass media, the giving out of monetary packages just before polling, the threat of HDB upgrading, the use of lawsuits, the curtailment of the campaign period...

When moral legitimacy expires and the people don't trust those who rule over them to act in their interest, trouble is seldom far away. And when these same persons in authority ride the high horse and indulge in name-calling, the antipathy grows.

If circumstances deteriorate, the threat of force – and even the use of it – cannot win the cooperation of the people. The most fundamental lesson that any student of politics learns is that without the people's cooperation, a government is defunct.

Cosmos10 · Apr 21, 2014

At this crucial juncture, Singapore needs leadership – leadership that has moral legitimacy, not just executive power – and one that that will win back the trust of our people.

scroobal · Apr 21, 2014

Cosmos

Just some feedback to those in SDP who write these articles. These are written in near academic style. This appeals to the intelligentsia, and foreign journalists and social NGOs/activist. These will not get SDP votes and come election another wasted opportunity.

You can carry these articles but also mirror the commentary to appeal to uncle, aunty, lobert and Tiffany. It should be pointed and written wearing their shoes. At the moment liak boh qiu.

Cosmos10 said:
PM should be careful with name-calling over PID issue

The developments over the celebration of the Philippines Independence Day (PID) by Filipinos at Ngee Ann City is cause for concern – a concern not just over the event but also over the wider and more pressing issue of immigration in Singapore.

Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-jin said that Singaporeans who oppose the celebration “peddle hate”, that such behaviour is “repulsive” and that they were engaging in “bigotry”. PM Lee Hsien Loong joined in, adding that these Singaporeans are a “disgrace to Singapore”.

The pushback by Singaporeans so accused has been vehement. For or against the PID celebration, one thing is clear: Social tension over the large number of foreign workers in Singapore is real and set to become more serious.

Cosmos10 · Apr 21, 2014

scroobal said:
Cosmos

Just some feedback to those in SDP who write these articles. These are written in near academic style. This appeals to the intelligentsia, and foreign journalists and social NGOs/activist. These will not get SDP votes and come election another wasted opportunity.

You can carry these articles but also mirror the commentary to appeal to uncle, aunty, lobert and Tiffany. It should be pointed and written wearing their shoes. At the moment liak boh qiu.

Hi bro. scroobal,

Thank you very much for your feedback. :smile:

Actually, SDP does write differently for different target audience.

For example, the SDP newsletter, "The New Democrat", which is distributed to the uncles and aunties in our HDB heartlands during the SDP walkabouts and house visits, is written in a different style from what I normally post here in this forum.

Examples of one of the previous issues of "The New Democrat" are shown in the pictures below:

Cosmos10 · Apr 21, 2014

Here is another picture of a different issue of "The New Democrat":

Cosmos10 · Apr 21, 2014

Another picture of the same newsletter in English:

scroobal · Apr 21, 2014

Thanks Bro, make sense. Sorry I was not aware. I know it is ia tough, but might be worth it to carry the articles online as well to reach a wider audience and be part of the wider debate that goes on online. I would not suggest following the newsprint format but loose articles that focuses on the issue at hand and when the interest is at its highest.

Some thing along the lines as "HDB Tony says ......" than write a really topical article. People than overtime will start searching what "HDB Tony" says by using the search engine. Alex Au is a case in point. Something is on fire and we type yawning bread. And he articles are incisive and not academic.

Cosmos10 · Apr 21, 2014

Cosmos10 · Apr 21, 2014

Govt action over the event and immigration will cause further erosion of moral legitimacy.

When moral legitimacy expires and the people don't trust those who rule over them to act in their interest, trouble is seldom far away. And when these same persons in authority ride the high horse and indulge in name-calling, the antipathy grows.

At such times, we need leadership. But leadership cannot come in the form of Ministers hurling epithets at Singaporeans, however justified they think their comments are. Leadership must come from authority that possesses moral legitimacy. Think Gandhi, King and Mandela. Such authority governs through persuasion and education, not fear.

At this crucial juncture, Singapore needs leadership – leadership that has moral legitimacy, not just executive power – and one that that will win back the trust of our people.

Cosmos10 · Apr 21, 2014

Campaign for change!!!

According to boss Sam,
Forum: Political Issues
The campaign starts right here....right now!

borom · Apr 21, 2014

Good to hear a political party echo the voices and sentiments of the man in the street.

How about the opposition party with the most seats in parliament-no views?

How about the NMPs who are paid by public funds to contribute independent and non-partisan views in Parliament.
What a waste of taxpayers monies!

Cosmos10 · Apr 21, 2014

borom said:
Good to hear a political party echo the voices and sentiments of the man in the street.

How about the opposition party with the most seats in parliament-no views?

How about the NMPs who are paid by public funds to contribute independent and non-partisan views in Parliament.
What a waste of taxpayers monies!

Hi bro. borom, thank you for your kind words of encouragement. :smile:

Cosmos10 · Apr 21, 2014

borom said:
Good to hear a political party echo the voices and sentiments of the man in the street.

How about the opposition party with the most seats in parliament-no views?

How about the NMPs who are paid by public funds to contribute independent and non-partisan views in Parliament.
What a waste of taxpayers monies!

Hi WP brothers, what are your/your party's views (the opposition party with the most seats in parliament-no views?), as requested by bro. borom? Thanks :smile:

Cosmos10 · Apr 23, 2014

Singapore is a nation: a community and a home to its citizens.
It is not a marketplace to which travelers come when times are good and depart when things turn bad.
It is where we live out our lives,
bring up our children,
care for our elderly,
and look out for our neighbours
- for better or for worse.

Cosmos10 · Apr 23, 2014

BUILDING A PEOPLE
SOUND POLICIES FOR A SECURE FUTURE

by the SINGAPORE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

http://yoursdp.ucoz.org/_ld/0/8_Building_a_Peop.pdf

SDP - Apr 2014 - PM should be careful with name-calling over PID issue

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