Aftermath - Bukit Batok By Elections

[scroobal]

http://www.straitstimes.com/politics/bukit-batok-by-election-5-factors-that-worked-in-paps-favour
Bukit Batok by-election: 5 factors that worked in PAP's favour

We analyse the results of the Bukit Batok by-election as the PAP's Murali Pillai beat the SDP's Chee Soon Juan by 61.2 per cent to 38.8 per cent.
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Lee Min Kok
SINGAPORE - The People's Action Party (PAP) candidate Murali Pillai on Saturday (May 7) repaid his party's faith in him by winning the Bukit Batok by-election.

Mr Murali defeated Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan with 61.2 per cent of the vote share. This was a nearly 12 percentage point drop from the 2015 General Election when the PAP won 73 per cent in the single-seat ward.

Then again, political observers have pointed out that Mr Murali faced some challenges, including the 'by-election effect', the circumstances in which his predecessor David Ong quit (an alleged extramarital affair) and how he was a minority candidate.

What were some of the factors that could have tipped the scales in the 48-year-old lawyer's favour? We examine five possible reasons.

1. THARMAN AND THE JURONG FAMILY

DPM Tharman congratulating Mr Murali on filing his nomination papers on Nomination Day. PHOTO: TNP
Don't underestimate the Tharman factor. Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, anchor minister for the neighbouring Jurong GRC, delivered a forceful yet effective rebuttal to the SDP's "alarmist" and "populist" approach as the last speaker at the PAP's rally on Thursday (May 5).

The crowd at the PAP rally at Bukit Gombak Stadium last night. Mr Tharman, the last speaker at the rally, said PAP candidate Murali Pillai can be trusted to serve.
Related Story
Tharman takes SDP to task for being 'alarmist and populist'

Mr Tharman first rubbished two claims by Dr Chee - that $800 billion had gone missing from the national reserves, and how only 100 jobs were created last year.

He then proceeded to decry populism - "promising the good things without saying how much it's going to cost" - by taking apart the SDP's healthcare proposals and calls for retrenchment insurance.

The PAP, particularly Mr Tharman and Mr Murali, have also repeatedly espoused the advantages of Bukit Batok remaining with the Jurong-Clementi Town Council, which Mr Murali said has the capability, resources and a good track record.

"A vote for us means a vote for certainty - there's no need to experiment," Mr Murali added.

2. IS DR CHEE REALLY A CHANGED MAN?

Dr Chee bowing to his audience after the SDP's final rally on May 5, 2016. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
A savvy use of social media, a more mellow and measured approach, and keeping his family in the public eye have all contributed to a softening of Dr Chee's previous image as a belligerent activist.

But Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's public criticism of the SDP secretary-general could well have contributed to lingering doubts over a man sued for defamation and remembered for his falling out with former mentor and SDP founder Chiam See Tong in the 1990s.

3. PAP'S UNASSAILABLE ADVANTAGE

PAP's Murali Pillai waving to residents and supporters outside the PAP's Bukit Batok branch office after the announcement of his win in the by-election.
Related Story
Bukit Batok by-election: PAP's Murali Pillai beats SDP's Chee Soon Juan with 61.2% of votes

At the 2015 General Election, former PAP MP David Ong secured a commanding 73 per cent of the vote share against the SDP's Sadasivam Veriyah (26.4) and independent candidate Samir Salim Neji (0.6). Dr Chee would have required a vote swing in excess of 20 percentage points to defeat Mr Murali.

But unlike the 2013 Punggol East by-election which saw unresolved national issues, stalled upgrading works in the ward and criticism of the PAP parachuting in its candidate ultimately undermine the ruling party's campaign, there were no such "hot button" issues for the opposition to leverage on in Bukit Batok.

The momentum was also arguably with the PAP, just eight months after it secured a strong mandate of 69.9 per cent as it rode a wave of positive sentiment.

4. BUKIT BATOK'S DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

Bukit Batok by-election candidates Murali Pillai (left) and Chee Soon Juan speaking at rallies.
Related Story
Bukit Batok by-election: 7 issues that stood out

Unlike the younger and possibly more liberal voters in Punggol East, over 30 per cent of Bukit Batok residents are above 50 years. A good 70.8 per cent of public housing also consist of three- or four-room flats.

Political watchers had suggested that residents might need more time to hear from Dr Chee, who is trying to shake off the image of a combative politician who was previously sued for defamation.

Singapore Management University (SMU) law don Eugene Tan had noted then: "I don't think voters here are going to make too much of Dr Chee being a long-time politician. Voters
will scrutinise the candidates on who they are, what they represent and what sort of confidence they inspire."

5. THE PAP'S TRACK RECORD IN THE WEST

PAP supporters attending a rally at Bukit Gombak Stadium last Friday. Mr Murali has served in Bukit Batok for 16 years and is a familiar face in the area. This connection to the grassroots could give him a lift.
Related Story
PAP: Murali's advantage is he's back on familiar ground

Unlike certain areas in the east and north-east of Singapore, the western region has traditionally been a PAP stronghold. Add to that how Mr Tharman is a popular figure in Jurong and the surrounding area, and it is not hard to see why the opposition have struggled to gain a foothold in recent times.

Mr Murali, a familiar figure in Bukit Batok after 16 years as a grassroots activist, had constantly played up the Jurong-Clementi Town Council factor and how the PAP had helped
to set up several social programmes in the ward over the past 40 years.

Unveiling a $1.9 million upgrading plan for a neighbourhood in need of renewal at the start of his campaign could also have possibly swayed voters.

 

[scroobal]

http://www.straitstimes.com/politics/bukit-batok-by-election-7-issues-that-stood-outBukit Batok by-election: 7 issues that stood out

Bukit Batok by-election: 7 issues that stood out
Lee Min Kok
SINGAPORE - Character, race and whether an MP should serve full-time were some of the hot button issues at the Bukit Batok by-election.

Here are seven issues that stood out in the contest between the People's Action Party's Murali Pillai and the Singapore Democratic Party's Chee Soon Juan.

1. CHARACTER (OR LACK OF)

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong raised questions about Dr Chee Soon Juan's character during a walkabout in Bukit Batok on April 30, 2016. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Dr Chee's character - and whether or not he has "changed" - became arguably the hottest topic of the by-election, after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's criticism of the SDP chief on April 30.

During his walkabout in the ward, Mr Lee branded Dr Chee as "hypocritical" for allowing earlier speakers at an SDP rally to criticise former PAP MP David Ong - he quit because of a "personal indiscretion" - before appearing on stage to say it was not right to beat a man while he was down. "But unfortunately, it's in character," Mr Lee added.

PAP candidate Murali Pillai and Dr Chee Soon Juan of the SDP both appealed to voters to consider the brand of politics they were choosing, and the character of each candidate.

In response, the SDP issued a statement through central executive committee member Paul Tambyah saying that the SDP believed in the "need to debate the issues, not engage in character assassination". He also said "a person is not defined by his or her own actions or words".

Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat then responded to say that SDP's argument that a person is not defined by his actions or words was "one of the most astounding statements ever made in the history of Singapore politics".

Following this, Dr Chee said at a rally that the character of an election candidate is important and something voters should be concerned with, but voters can see this for themselves. "Character is what people see in you, not what you tell people you have or you don't have," he said.

The character question also popped up during a guest appearance by veteran actress Neo Swee Lin at an SDP rally later, where she read a petition calling for an end to "gutter politics" and for the personal attacks on Dr Chee to stop.

But then came an almost bizarre twist - an online report emerged saying that "a Dr Lee Wei Ling" had signed the petition Ms Neo mentioned. Dr Lee, the sister of PM Lee, then came out to say that she did not sign the petition and in fact has "a very poor opinion of Dr Chee" and did not think he was fit to be in Parliament. "The man has not changed at all, though he is now posing as a changed man, using his family," she said in her post. "I will never support such a person."

2. FULL-TIME MP - TO BE OR NOT TO BE?

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu highlighted how Dr Chee had not held a steady job for many years on April 29, 2016. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Dr Chee had made it abundantly clear that Bukit Batok residents would get a full-time MP if he were elected, and had promised to hold more than one Meet-the-People session per week.

Chee Soon Juan says he has been working full-time to build SDP

In a dig at Mr Murali's remarks that he could put his residents first while continuing to practise law, Dr Chee pledged to be at the service of residents at any time of the day - and not manage the town council "by remote control from Shenton Way".

"Mr Murali's choice of not committing himself full-time to Bukit Batok... does reflect what is closest to his heart. Me? There is no question, my heart is here full-time in Bukit Batok," he added.

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu also waded into the debate at the PAP's first rally on April 29, when she highlighted how Dr Chee had not held a steady job for many years. "...That is his personal choice. But the work experience, or the lack of it, is a relevant fact when we consider the credentials of the candidate," she said.

3. CALL ME AH MU

Mr Murali had admitted the problem of a language barrier and adopted the nickname "Ah Mu". ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
As only the second minority candidate that the PAP has fielded in a single seat in recent years, Mr Murali had admitted the problem of a language barrier and adopted the nickname "Ah Mu" early on in an effort to connect better with Chinese residents.

PM Lee eventually addressed the issue of race during his walkabout, noting there were some openly racially tinged comments online, and of remarks circulating within the constituency where people said: "Just vote for the Chinese; that's good."

He also pointed out that comments on race on Dr Chee's Facebook page had not been refuted or taken down, and suggested the SDP could be using race to its advantage.

Dr Chee's reply? That the PAP "should stop playing politics". He said: "If the PAP wants to talk about racism, I refer you back to some of the comments the PAP leaders have made about the Malays - that's absolutely appalling."

4. UPGRADING - WHO'S IN CHARGE OF WHAT?

Mr Murali unveiled an upgrading plan to build covered walkways and a park for a neighbourhood in Bukit Batok. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN
Mr Murali, who began his campaign by unveiling $1.9 million worth of infrastructure plans - under the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) - to build covered walkways and a park for a neighbourhood in Bukit Batok, had pledged to see the plans through if he was elected.

"We will have the mandate to carry on only if we are returned at the by-election. If we don't have the mandate, then we won't have the ability to carry on because we will not form the Town Council. That's the rule," he had said in response to questions from the media.

His words sparked a flurry of statements, first from the SDP which suggested that what he said had been unethical and could be in breach of the law. In response, the PAP said the SDP's statement had been misconceived and its speculation absurd.

The sparring spilled over on Nomination Day, which saw Dr Chee criticising his rival's upgrading promises as a "knee-jerk reaction every time an election comes". This prompted the PAP to again issue a rebuttal and correct Dr Chee's understanding of the role a Town Council plays in estate upgrading.

5. BUKIT BATOK'S VOICE IN PARLIAMENT

Dr Chee said at the SDP's final rally on May 5, 2016: "Why would you want to elect someone to represent you in Parliament when you already have 82 PAP MPs to say the same thing and vote the same way in Parliament?"
The PAP already has 82 MPs in Parliament - would another one make any difference? This rationale has been one of Dr Chee's main weapons in stating his case for entry into Parliament.

Punctuating his campaign with constant promises to be an effective voice and to ask the hard questions of the Government, he memorably said at the SDP's final rally on Thursday: "Why would you want to elect someone to represent you in Parliament when you already have 82 PAP MPs to say the same thing and vote the same way in Parliament?"

Mr Murali, however, had vowed not to be muzzled in response to Dr Chee's criticism. He added that he would push to tighten the criteria for employment passes and get higher ElderShield payouts for the disabled, among others, in Parliament.

6. RETRENCHMENT INSURANCE

Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said Dr Chee only highlighted the benefits of retrenchment insurance while glossing over the costs. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
Helping retrenched residents get back on their feet was a key focus of both candidates. While Mr Murali's plan was for a job placement programme to match retrenched workers to potential jobs, Dr Chee has been vocal in his call for retrenchment insurance.

How Dr Chee's proposed system works: workers pay a fee to be included in the system, and if retrenched, they get 75 per cent of their last drawn salary for the first six months. The amount is lowered to 50 per cent for the next six months, and 25 per cent the six months after.

His proposal drew a response from PM Lee in his May Day rally speech, who said Singapore had something better than retrenchment insurance - it has schemes to help workers find jobs that are paid for not by workers or employers, but by the Government.

Noting that the worker has to pay out of his salary for the insurance, he added: "And then when he gets unemployed, you are subsidising him, helping him to stay unemployed while he looks for a job."

Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, speaking at the PAP's final rally on Thursday, acknowledged it was not a crazy idea and may have to be considered if there was high long-term unemployment, but said Dr Chee had only highlighted its benefits while glossing over the costs it would incur, adding: "Lay out the benefits, lay out the costs, be honest about it. Don't bluff people."

7. CONTRASTING TRACK RECORDS

Posters of the candidates being put up along a street in Bukit Batok on Nomination Day. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
Despite Mr Murali contesting in Aljunied GRC at last year's general election, much has been made of his 16 years worth of grassroots experience in Bukit Batok, where he also served as the PAP's branch secretary in the ward from 2007 to 2011.

The PAP sought to present Mr Murali as a familiar face returning to his roots to dispel any criticism that he been "parachuted" into the contest.

Dr Chee, on his fifth attempt to enter Parliament, was also contesting his fifth constituency, a point noted by DPM Tharman during Thursday's rally.

After his maiden election contest at the 1992 Marine Parade by-election, Dr Chee stood in MacPherson SMC (1997), Jurong GRC (2001) and, most recently, Holland-Bukit Timah GRC (2015).

 

[scroobal]

http://theindependent.sg/take-heart-sdp-and-take-heed-pap/
Take heart SDP, and take heed PAP
By The Independent - May 7, 2016 6 4414

By Howard Lee

It was perhaps a great deal of hope that Dr Chee Soon Juan would win the Bukit Batok by-election, but at the base of every hope there would be a bit of doubt.

That doubt was realised on 7 May. In spite of one of the best-run and most co-ordinated election campaigns I have seen, peppered with many heartfelt moments on social media, SDP lost to the People’s Action Party.

But what, really, should we have expected? Bukit Batok was PAP’s to lose with the odds stacked firmly against Chee and SDP. Right off the bat, the incumbent swooshed in offering an upgrading carrot even before nomination day. This was followed by a relentless barrage of character attacks on Chee himself, led by many cabinet Ministers including the Prime Minister himself.

Bukit Batok voters were left with the unreasonable choice of choosing between a PAP yes-man who would bring in the goodies, and a charismatic champion of social justice who would likely face unsurmountable obstacles in implementing any plans he can dream up. In Singapore politics, pragmatism always weigh heavy.

But SDP and its supporters should take heart, for there is definitely light at the end of this dark tunnel. While the results might be an anti-climax of the famed “by-election effect”, there is really a lot to cheer about.

For one, the margin. We need to look at the results in comparison to what Sadasivam Veriyah, the previous SDP candidate in Bukit Batok, achieved (26.4%) and what Chee achieved in Holland-Bukit Timah (33.38%). Looking even further back, Chee’s personal election record in either a general election or by-election, GRC or SMC, has never exceeded 35%. The results on Saturday, by comparison, is a commendable improvement over all this.

If we were to put the results next to the hustings, what can we infer? Clearly, an SDP led by Chee has made enormous headway into the electorate. In spite of the salvos of attacks on Chee’s personality, his perceived checkered past, the upgrading promises by the PAP, and the endless stream of support from PAP bigwigs – including the extremely popular Tharman Shanmugaratnam – something clicked among the voters of Bukit Batok.

Was it regret about the massive swing to the PAP in GE2015? Very possible, and all the more poignant given that this is a PAP stronghold resting on the safe shoulders of Tharman.

Nevertheless, we should also take heart that this by-election was rare in that a lot more was said about national issues. Chee’s dogged determination to ignore the assault on his character and focus media attention on his party’s policy proposals would likely have led to a refreshed awareness of SDP’s town council plans, healthcare plans and most significantly, the retrenchment insurance proposal.

Policy issues was covered to such a great extent that the PAP looked almost desperate when they finally trotted out “Thaminator”, the only person in PAP’s current fold who has ever taken on the SDP directly on its alternative policies, in a last-ditch attempt to debunk them.

By all counts, this by-election was an extremely good public relations project for SDP, one which they seized with gusto. Drowned out by the cacophony of petty bickering and “integrity slamming” at GE2015, the media attention for Bukit Batok was clearly different. While “character” still took centre stage, there were definitely more lines given to national policies, a forte that justly belongs to SDP.

Defeat is always hard to stomach, no matter how good the results might be. But SDP will surely live to fight another day, and Chee himself has clearly won a lot of ground.

For the PAP, this is hardly the time to gloat. Of course, there might eventually be some self-consolation on how Murali lost on the race card, but the fact remains that the PAP has pulled out every trick to multi-racialise him, including election posters and the affectionate “Ah Mu”.

But the swing in support for SDP is a sure sign that a lot more attention needs to be paid on two fronts.

The first would be a serious reconsideration of national policies that includes SDP’s ideas. And if you copy, admit it and give credit where it is due. If there is one thing that the electorate has shown contempt for, it would be hypocrisy.

The second, end the gutter politics. Character attacks on candidates should have no place in our political life. Focus on the contest of ideas.

There is no honour in winning by side-stabbing your opponents, or by side-stepping the issues. The voters of Bukit Batok have made that much clear, and we should respect them for edging up our political discourse to a new level.

 

[winnipegjets]

Until the Elections Department is independent, there is no way an opposition politician can win without the consent of the PM.

Opposition should no longer pretend that our election is free. Demand that the Elections Department be independent and it should report to a panel of parliamentarians with EQUAL presentation of each party.

 

[Brightkid]

My opinion, I think the conclusion was foregone years ago.

It is very simple as far as PAP is concerned. They have a large base of PAP/YPAP members, RC/PA members/workers and a huge civil service workers. Like it or not, a big % of these people will support they party even without any rallies being held. Business people who prefer a stable environment, coupled with the number of new citizens who will definitely vote PAP, PAP has easily almost half the voters vote way before the election even come into horizon. These people usually from mid to high level of population. Just like CHC, these members will support their party regardless what shit was dished out at them.

Tied in the carrots of upgrading, GST rebates, pioneer benefits, LKY legacy......etc, it will swing those lower level voters.

BB BE showed that with only 2 rallies against SDP's 4, and relatively quiet PAP campaign last few days and yet still win 61.2%, is a breeze for PAP.

In a simple nutshell, the battle was actually won long before the 9 days of campaigning, which maybe swing a very small % of voters, definitely not the low income group. It takes time and long period before people will accept and trust you, even if one's past is being dug out.

Hypothetically, if PAP is able to shift just a small % of these people into WP wards, WP will be history by 2020.

IMO, the battle is fought way before, not the 9 days of entertainment. If oppositions continue as is, by 2020, PAP can form a dynasty by then, and has to create a team B to be the 'opposition', which idea was already been floated at least 2 elections ago.

Above just my 2 cents, without GST, observation.

 

[Wunderfool]

Agree with all points. Perhaps one more point to add is that the election candidate for BB is not just Murali but it is PM Lee and his entire cabinet when they see that the opposition candidate is Dr Chee. You don't get their intense attention and involvement in the previous by elections. PM Lee by virtue of his stature weighed in on the outcome of the election. What he said whether true or not, would have a big influence on the voters.

You saw at the victory ceremony, they have all intentionally stayed away from fronting the media and allowed Murali and his campaign team to take the limelight so as to refocus the attention back to the main candidate. But you can see Murali was struggling with questions from the media. Without PM Lee and the cabinet weighing in, the margin of win may be lessened.

 

[scroobal]

I don' think that was the case. Of the 5 By-elections since 1980, WP won all 3 that they contested. The argument that PAP cannot be displaced especially in a by-elections where the Govt remains intact and it is a central form of government holds no water.

 

[Debonerman]

I don' think that was the case. Of the 5 By-elections since 1980, WP won all 3 that they contested. The argument that PAP cannot be displaced especially in a by-elections where the Govt remains intact and it is a central form of government holds no water.

It's no mystery as to why it is inevitable that Chee will lose from the word go! CSJ is to the Singapore voters what Bob Sim Kheng Hwee is to Sammyboy forum. He can try but chee will never be able to wash the stain and stink of his past doing. The saving grace is that he never called his own mother a laucheebye as what Bob Sim Kheng Hweee aka leetahbar aka God Meng Seng aka 3WhiteTigers did. He unlike Bob Sim Kheng Hwee never fuck his own mother to satiate his lust whenever he think of the high IQ dimpled face beauty. His mother never got an orgasm because of his diabetic limp dick.

 

[scroobal]

http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/swing-against-pap-bukit-batok-expected-analystsSwing against PAP in Bukit Batok expected: Analysts
SDP supporters at Bukit Gombak Stadium react after the sample count was announced showing PAP's Murali Pillai leading in the polls against SDP's Dr Chee Soon Juan in the Bukit Batok by-election.

BY
KENNETH CHENG
[email protected]ISHED: 2:41 AM, MAY 8, 2016UPDATED: 8:00 AM, MAY 8, 2016
SINGAPORE — Given that the Opposition has an inherent advantage in by-elections, the vote swing against the People’s Action Party (PAP) in the Bukit Batok by-election on Saturday (May 7) was expected, analysts said.

The political watchers TODAY spoke to had expected the ruling party’s victory margin to be slimmer than the one in last year’s General Election (GE), largely because of the “by-election effect”, where the Opposition is seen as having an intrinsic edge because voters have the assurance that the Government would not change even if they were to vote for a non-PAP candidate.

The Bukit Batok contest saw PAP candidate, lawyer Murali Pillai, garnering 61.2 per cent of the vote, about 12 percentage points lower than the 73 per cent the party had won in the GE last September.

One political observer had, in fact, expected the Singapore Democratic Party’s (SDP) candidate, Dr Chee Soon Juan — who won 38.8 per cent of the vote — to do better.

Apart from the by-election effect, the analysts also cited other factors that could have worked against the PAP in Saturday’s polls: The ignominy of the resignation of the ward’s former Member of Parliament David Ong, the effects of SG50 and founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s death wearing off, and the fact that it was up against Dr Chee, a high-profile Opposition figure.

Assistant Professor Woo Jun Jie, from the Nanyang Technological University’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, said the by-election effect played a significant role in the swing against the PAP.

“There is a tendency for people not to worry about voting the PAP out of government. So there’ll be a larger proportion of people than usual who would want to try a different party, a different candidate,” he added.

Agreeing, Institute of Policy Studies’ (IPS) deputy director of research Gillian Koh said the Opposition has “a natural advantage” in any by-election.

Given this edge, and the fact that the SDP had fielded Dr Chee, its secretary-general, Dr Koh said she had, in fact, expected the party to fare better.

“I would have thought it would have been closer a margin than that,” said Dr Koh, referring to the results of the by-election.

Others said Mr Ong’s resignation over an alleged extramarital affair could also have had some impact.

Associate Professor Bilveer Singh, from the National University of Singapore’s department of political science, said some voters, particularly religious and older ones, could have been “very unhappy” at being let down by Mr Ong.

In addition, Asst Prof Woo noted that the Republic was now further from events such as Mr Lee’s passing and the SG50 celebrations last year, which might have worked in favour of the PAP in the GE.

“Those feel-good factors have ebbed away from the minds of voters for the moment,” he said.

Also, Dr Chee’s prominence as an Opposition figure and party chief could have also accounted for the vote swing towards the SDP. “Being the leader of SDP itself, he has some level of prominence, some draw in there,” he added.

Despite Dr Chee recording his best electoral performance yet — and his party posting one of its best showings in a constituency since the 1991 GE, where it snagged three seats — some analysts said the Opposition party has to ponder seriously about its future, given that Dr Chee, 53, would be nearly 60 by the next GE.

Asst Prof Woo noted that because of Dr Chee’s age, his electoral life cycle is “running out”.

More broadly, the SDP, he noted, has not been very successful in leadership renewal compared with the Workers’ Party (WP), which raises “serious questions” over the SDP’s viability going forward.

Noting that SDP has not renewed its ranks with “credible, younger generations of potential candidates”, Asst Prof Woo said: “Unlike the WP, it doesn’t have people in their 40s, the likes of Daniel Goh, Leon Perera, Gerald Giam. (The SDP) doesn’t seem to have that generation prepared, waiting in the wings to take over.”

The SDP’s showing in the Bukit Batok by-election is its second-best in any constituency since the 1991 GE, when it won three parliamentary seats.

In 2011, the SDP team that contested in Holland-Bukit Timah Group Representation Constituency won 39.9 per cent of the vote. Mr Cheo Chai Chen, its candidate in Nee Soon Central Single Member Constituency in 1997, received 38.7 per cent of the vote.

 

[greedy and cunning]

Until the Elections Department is independent, there is no way an opposition politician can win without the consent of the PM.

Opposition should no longer pretend that our election is free. Demand that the Elections Department be independent and it should report to a panel of parliamentarians with EQUAL presentation of each party.

if sillypootians are not daft , kiasee and kiasue
it does not matter whether eRection Dept is independent or not.

also cheee past is not a factor to consider if sillypootians want to vote him
he is not going to be a misnister but just a mP
if sillypootians want to have a voice , cheee is the one.

 

[Brightkid]

So now GRC with objective of minority representation cannot be a valid reason to keep GRC?

Murali, being a minority, won on his own steam (whatever that means) in a BE which past history showed PAP was disadvantaged, with odds stacked against them given that PAP's government is secured.

 

[Thick Face Black Heart]

Gillian Koh has it backwards. CSJ's fielding worked against SDP. PT would have been a much better choice and given the result, am sure PT would have cleared the 40% mark.

Another key factor is that LLL or JBJ had much more time on the ground prior to the by election (PE and Anson respectively) and so had already connected personally to many voters prior to even the announcement of the BE.

 

[borom]

If the results goes totally against the sentiment on the ground, what's the point of contesting ?

Just let them win all the seats on nomination day.
Let parliament be a chitchat between the pappy and whoever they choose to nominate for whatever MP's they want to label-NMP, NCMP, you name it.
What difference does it make?-with their more than 2 /3 majority, its no difference from 100% in Parliament.They can pass any bill and change the constitution as they please. Why give them the pleasure of hammering the opposition in parliament?

Unless there is a system in place where there is a fair chance for the opposition to deny them a 2/3 majority, its a futile exercise.
Let them check themselves as they claim it can be done.
Its a wonderful new world for Pinoys, PRC's and Indian immigrants.
Locals?-who cares!
History has shown that there are many ways to change a nations/people's destiny.

 

[Debonerman]

If the results goes totally against the sentiment on the ground, what's the point of contesting ?

Just let them win all the seats on nomination day.
Let parliament be a chitchat between the pappy and whoever they choose to nominate for whatever MP's they want to label-NMP, NCMP, you name it.
What difference does it make?-with their more than 2 /3 majority, its no difference from 100% in Parliament.They can pass any bill and change the constitution as they please. Why give them the pleasure of hammering the opposition in parliament?

Unless there is a system in place where there is a fair chance for the opposition to deny them a 2/3 majority, its a futile exercise.
Let them check themselves as they claim it can be done.
Its a wonderful new world for Pinoys, PRC's and Indian immigrants.
Locals?-who cares!
History has shown that there are many ways to change a nations/people's destiny.

I am in full agreement. Oppo supporters are so deflated. It's the same syndrome post 2015 GE. It's like I don't want to talk about it. It's so quiet in the forum that I wish the gay gang would come back and fool around in their panties.

 

[Stompiss]

I am in full agreement. Oppo supporters are so deflated. It's the same syndrome post 2015 GE. It's like I don't want to talk about it. It's so quiet in the forum that I wish the gay gang would come back and fool around in their panties.

Dont wan to talk then fuckoff from forum la stupid doggie and dont come back.

 

[tonychat]

Until the Elections Department is independent, there is no way an opposition politician can win without the consent of the PM.

Opposition should no longer pretend that our election is free. Demand that the Elections Department be independent and it should report to a panel of parliamentarians with EQUAL presentation of each party.

how are you going to cause the Election Department to be independent..? do you have any plans to do that?

pls dun tell me you just want to post in the forum.. this is not really a plan..

 

[Debonerman]

Dont wan to talk then fuckoff from forum la stupid doggie and dont come back.

Fuck your mother puah cheebye lah! Masters degree with your level of English comprehension? You would have been born right if your mother had turned to me for a fuck!.....LOL

 

[Wunderfool]

Agree with all points. Perhaps one more point to add is that the election candidate for BB is not just Murali but it is PM Lee and his entire cabinet when they see that the opposition candidate is Dr Chee. You don't get their intense attention and involvement in the previous by elections. PM Lee by virtue of his stature weighed in on the outcome of the election. What he said whether true or not, would have a big influence on the voters.

You saw at the victory ceremony, they have all intentionally stayed away from fronting the media and allowed Murali and his campaign team to take the limelight so as to refocus the attention back to the main candidate. But you can see Murali was struggling with questions from the media. Without PM Lee and the cabinet weighing in, the margin of win may be lessened.

That is the reality of politics.

If they feel that you are a real threat to them, they will use every armament in their weapon arsenal to attack you ; every machine gun, every tank, every howitzer, every ground to air missile and every nuclear warhead. Because you appear like Kim Jong Un to them even though you want to appear like Mahatma Gandhi. The election that the PAP campaigned is not between Murali and Chee; but it is a contest between the PAP cabinet and Dr Chee; you either take Dr Chee or PM Lee and the PAP cabinet. The BB voters had decided. They want the PAP cabinet.

The subtle message of the BB by-election to voters is this : Do you not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish ?

 

[Bonut]

You ownself check ownself ah ?

 

[Wunderfool]

That is the reality of politics.

If they feel that you are a real threat to them, they will use every armament in their weapon arsenal to attack you ; every machine gun, every tank, every howitzer, every ground to air missile and every nuclear warhead. Because you appear like Kim Jong Un to them even though you want to appear like Mahatma Gandhi. The election that the PAP campaigned is not between Murali and Chee; but it is a contest between the PAP cabinet and Dr Chee; you either take Dr Chee or PM Lee and the PAP cabinet. The BB voters had decided. They want the PAP cabinet.

The subtle message of the BB by-election to voters is this : Do you not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish ?

The BB voters are realists. That explains why when the sample results were out, they just continued their business as usual. No euphoria. No punch in the air. It is all to be expected. Life just moves on. Apathetic realism is the mindset of the BB voters.