Thus far Chee has been offering ideas and solutions. He has not made the link to why these ideas and solutions are needed by residents of Bukit Batok. In politics, you must point out clearly where the incumbent or the Government has failed and the impact on voters. The incompetency of the Government, the cover-ups, lack of transparency, the ridiculous salaries they pay themselves and accountability are the key planks of any election campaign.
The residents must realise and understand that these are issues which cost them dearly. The poor and the less educated in Asian societies in particular tend to assign their status to fate and religion. They do not hold the government accountable unless someone explains why. If Chee does not make it clear that residents of Bukit Batok have issues as result of a Government that has run rough shod over them, then there is not reason why the resident will change their mind.
Others have mentioned this in recent days - you have to bring in National issues. Again we are not talking about ideas and plans. None of which a single MP from one Party can carry out not matter how optimistic he or she is. The remit for an opposition MP in a Parliament where more than 2/3rd seats belongs to the governing party is to constantly demand answers, seek transparency and force good governance. National issues are what galvanises the electorate. It is highly emotive as the impact is wider. It cuts across demographics and society.
The hot topics are the frequent breakdowns of MRT, the managing of CPF and the integration of FTs in Singapore. If these and other similar issues are not raised, voters have no reason to cast their vote for Chee.
Things that fall into the trivia buckets that have little emotional appeal to voters include the management of town councils. It has never been an issue for residents of Bukit Batok. It becomes an issue if the accounts are suspect, performance and standards are well known to be bad. None of these have surfaced. Working full time as an MP, being easily available etc are not game changers.
The residents and voters of Bukit Batok have 10 days to decide the following
- do they have issues in their constituency and are there nationals issues that impacts them as well
- if there are, are these the results of the poor government and thus the PAP
The press and the media will never tell the residents that there are issues. That leaves Chee to tell the residents that there are a range of issues. From rats at local level to MRT breakdown, job losses etc.
If not the contest will be along the lines of Chee vs Murali personalities. Chee will get points for being more handsome, nice, smiles well, very fit, can jog a lot and has got many ideas and plans none of which he can be expected to do as he has no budget or the remit. Murali is a nice guy, same smile as Chee, successful professional, has worked the ground and backed by a behemoth. So do voters switch their insurance plan from Great Eastern to AXA or let it remain.
The residents must realise and understand that these are issues which cost them dearly. The poor and the less educated in Asian societies in particular tend to assign their status to fate and religion. They do not hold the government accountable unless someone explains why. If Chee does not make it clear that residents of Bukit Batok have issues as result of a Government that has run rough shod over them, then there is not reason why the resident will change their mind.
Others have mentioned this in recent days - you have to bring in National issues. Again we are not talking about ideas and plans. None of which a single MP from one Party can carry out not matter how optimistic he or she is. The remit for an opposition MP in a Parliament where more than 2/3rd seats belongs to the governing party is to constantly demand answers, seek transparency and force good governance. National issues are what galvanises the electorate. It is highly emotive as the impact is wider. It cuts across demographics and society.
The hot topics are the frequent breakdowns of MRT, the managing of CPF and the integration of FTs in Singapore. If these and other similar issues are not raised, voters have no reason to cast their vote for Chee.
Things that fall into the trivia buckets that have little emotional appeal to voters include the management of town councils. It has never been an issue for residents of Bukit Batok. It becomes an issue if the accounts are suspect, performance and standards are well known to be bad. None of these have surfaced. Working full time as an MP, being easily available etc are not game changers.
The residents and voters of Bukit Batok have 10 days to decide the following
- do they have issues in their constituency and are there nationals issues that impacts them as well
- if there are, are these the results of the poor government and thus the PAP
The press and the media will never tell the residents that there are issues. That leaves Chee to tell the residents that there are a range of issues. From rats at local level to MRT breakdown, job losses etc.
If not the contest will be along the lines of Chee vs Murali personalities. Chee will get points for being more handsome, nice, smiles well, very fit, can jog a lot and has got many ideas and plans none of which he can be expected to do as he has no budget or the remit. Murali is a nice guy, same smile as Chee, successful professional, has worked the ground and backed by a behemoth. So do voters switch their insurance plan from Great Eastern to AXA or let it remain.
