Gilbert Goh Riddle !

[scroobal]

This character has certainly intrigued me beginning in early 2011 when he wrote an account on how he met KJ prior to joining Reform Party. It was a very interesting article as it appeared that the candidate was heavily courted and that he was interviewing the boss and not the other way around. I was wondering who this guy was that KJ seemed desperate to recruit and thats the impression he gave me.

This was followed by an equally interesting account of the exit from RP. Then the post GE comments by GMS about this chap followed by TFBH's comments and GMS's retort.

So the usual weekend (nicely put by Raiders) foray to pick up the scent. See next post.

 

[scroobal]

(those in the opposition camp, please correct)

Gilbert Goh Keow Wah had in 2008 left with his wife and a child to start a new life in Sydney on the back of his wife's migrating visa. He has since come back a few times and is now permanently back and is no longer holder of any visa. He also recently became a divorcee while his wife and child have become PRs and reside in Sydney. What is interesting is that while in Australia temping, he wrote articles encouraging emigration and even asked Singapore to cast its net wider and not just bring in PRC and Indian Indians but other nationalities as well. Here is an example of one letter he wrote to Today.

About racial harmony, respect and tolerance

Date : 30 July 2008

TODAY - Treat foreigners the way you want to be treated?

30 July 2008

Letter from Gilbert Goh Keow Wah,
Sydney, New South Wales

WHENEVER I read about the challenges facing permanent residents and work permit holders in Singapore, I have mixed feelings, for I am a Singaporean who has just left the country to live and work in Sydney. So far, in Australia, I have yet to face any of the discrimination of which I have been warned. But, I feel how foreigners in Singapore may feel and hope that the locals will welcome me, and not see me as a threat to their livelihood.

In Sydney, I have seen a medium-sized company of about 100 employees boasting people of 10 different nationalities.

Such a diverse workforce not only allows creativity to take place but also creates respect and tolerance for one another’s culture and religion.

There are two distinct nationalities settling down in Singapore: the Chinese and the Indians. They have formed almost 75 per cent of all our foreign talent for the past five years.

Many are competent professionals who are deserving of their residency in Singapore, but their cultural habits and working attitude are not much different from the local Chinese and Indian workforce. There is not much diversity they can bring to the workforce. In order to boast a strong cosmopolitan work force, our Government needs to cast the talent hunt search wider, from Europe, Africa, the United States and so on.

But, no matter where they originally come from, Singaporeans must welcome such foreign talents, which is what good global citizens should do. At the very least, we must not give them a hard time. For, one day, you may end up working and living abroad. Just like me.

So why the sudden change.

It also appears that Gilbert did learn one thing while in Australia - how to focus on a cause, put it on a platform of charity but use politics to drive the agenda. This is common place in the US, UK and all the western countries. It is perfectly acceptable in these countries and have long being established norms of society. Except for the US, where all charities must send their accounts to the Tax authorities and their submitted returns are available for public scrutiny, most countries do not require the transparency and they need not reveal much though some do it publicly.

In essence, Gilbert is no politician but has realised that politics brings tremendous benefits to his charity and thus plunged into it. Politics gives him the platform and the forum to raise his profile and that of his cause.

So is this good or bad? See next post.

 

[scroobal]

Credit must be given to Gilbert for picking unemployment and underemployment amongst Singaporeans as his cause celebre. It is probably the result of his friends, associates and acquaintances whose age group has been the most impacted as a result of the influx of cheaper foreign labour. He had a ready reservoir of experiences from those of his age group and they would also be his ready followers. Only a fool would not realise that the employment situation facing locals is a direct result of the govt poor manner of handling entry of foreigners into SIngapore and into the workplace.

A charity and a highly credible cause and now the profile lifting avenue - politics. Thus his entry into RP, then NSP and GE 2011.

So what does Gilbert bring to the table that those in the opposition cannot? For one, he is not bound by the CEC of a political party or any other form of constraints faced by a political party. He is a member of NSP but he is not acting as a politician or acting for NSP. But it does help his cause to be associated with the opposition. Yet he is a free agent. He therefore cuts across political parties, any form of association including NGOs.

So what are the dynamics where the NGOs are concerned. Singapore NGOs are typically very focused, disciplined and tend to avoid any form of deviation. Those that dable in politics tend to well educated and socially of a higher order. Strong with their principles but careful who their associates are. Some bordering on the champagne socialist mould. They also prefer move only on published materials and actions are very much evidence driven. Siew Kum Hong's outburst is quite telling.

So Gilbert has managed without the manacles of the local society's norm to outmanoeuvre everyone and lead the most successful civic protest in the nation's 47 year history - the 6.9M white paper protest on 16 Feb 2013 at Hong Lim. It made the news across all the world's new agencies.

In essence he has nothing to lose and so much to gain.

So is he doing the right thing. See the next post.

 

[glockman]

I think a person is entitled to a change of opinion along the path of life. We calibrate our beliefs and opinions based on life's experience. Nothing to be alarmed about.

By organising the Feb 16 protest and the upcoming May 1 protest, he has provided Sporeans with a channel to vent their sentiments in acceptable ways. Based on the turnout on Feb 16, I'd said he has done well. I don't see him as a politician, but an activist.

 

[scroobal]

The latest unhappiness is over the speaker's list for the upcoming May Day Rally. They all want to be part of it, they want their views to be considered and their suggestions taken up. It is not going to end. They also are realising that he is using opposition politics and politicians for his own cause and grabbing the headlines.

Then there is also the inevitable - his charity and the accounts. Questions will be asked and he has to be more transparent.

He also has to understand that he cannot use the opposition parties and those who stepped forward and not acknowledge their contributions. He needs to know that Hong Lim Park is the result of the Chee and the SDP. WP and SPP also made massive inroads since 1991 and the Govt is not vicious as in the past. Most importantly he has to understand that he cannot do this alone for much longer.

Now for the big picture:

The cause is just, the pressure must continue to be applied and the Govt must act in the interest of its fellow SIngaporeans and not hold the GDP as the God to be worshipped.

 

[scroobal]

Do agree. The fact is that he made Feb 16 a great success.

I think a person is entitled to a change of opinion along the path of life. We calibrate our beliefs and opinions based on life's experience. Nothing to be alarmed about.

By organising the Feb 16 protest and the upcoming May 1 protest, he has provided Sporeans with a channel to vent their sentiments in acceptable ways. Based on the turnout on Feb 16, I'd said he has done well. I don't see him as a politician, but an activist.

 

[kingrant]

I too think along the lines of glockman and felt that what he advocated in Australia shld not be an albatross around his neck. Had this govt not stuffed up, our country could have assimilated more foreign talents much much better and what he wrote in his letter would be sounding upbeat and acceptable today. As things have developed badly, his outlook must have changed, so what he said in Australia and what he does in Singapore will be two different but equally acceptable things.

Going forward, I concur that he shld move and tread carefully in order not to antagonise people and parties to whom credit must be acknowledged.

 

[Sinkie]

I went to Australia because I wanted a break from the hassle and bustle of Singapore. Now that I'm adequately rejuvenated, I've decided to come back to change the status quo.

 

[myfoot123]

This character has certainly intrigued me beginning in early 2011 when he wrote an account on how he met KJ prior to joining Reform Party. It was a very interesting article as it appeared that the candidate was heavily courted and that he was interviewing the boss and not the other way around. I was wondering who this guy was that KJ seemed desperate to recruit and thats the impression he gave me.

This was followed by an equally interesting account of the exit from RP. Then the post GE comments by GMS about this chap followed by TFBH's comments and GMS's retort.

So the usual weekend (nicely put by Raiders) foray to pick up the scent. See next post.

10 years ago, he has gained much publicity for being jobless and published a book which has attracted msm attention. He conducted talks about being unemployed and became "quite famous". As the years wear on, PAP leadership has turned from bad to worse leading up to May 2011 election. More Singaporeans became unemployed and sidelined by laxed immigration policies and many PAP policies suck and became unbearable across the board. Gilbert saw the situation was dire and decided to join politics and send clear signal to PAP.


Unsurprisingly, along with him, many top notch candidates you have never imagined joined SDP, WP, NSP and SPP with a common goal to bring the sick PAP to its knees.

Words like "you can choose whether to board the train by Saw Phiak Hua, Singaporeans need more spur from foreigners by Lee Kuan Yew, you can go to Johor or Batam if you cannot afford healthcare by Khaw boon Wan, Singaporeans and not foreigners are the reason for high housing price by Mah Bow Tan, Singaporeans should be cheaper better and faster by Lim Swee Say".... to say the list of various arrogant statements from our elected MP that even God could not bear any longer by sending lightning to hit our Merlion.

As long as PAP remains in power, many new faces will stand up against it other than those famous fighters. GE2016 will be a very exciting watch election after PAP has lost its two recent Bi-elections.

With the white paper rolled out without consulting Singaporeans whose lives have not picked up after suffered for the last 10 years, PAP is expected to lose big and I can't wait to see a new govt surface after 3 years from now.

 

[kingrant]

Sure or not? You went to Oz when everybody was going thataway, and now everybody's coming over to this side, you are also joining the flow ah?

Go with the flow, as they say.

I went to Australia because I wanted a break from the hassle and bustle of Singapore. Now that I'm adequately rejuvenated, I've decided to come back to change the status quo.

 

[Sinkie]

Sure or not? You went to Oz when everybody was going thataway, and now everybody's coming over to this side, you are also joining the flow ah?

Go with the flow, as they say.

Listen cock, I was retrenched. What you want me to do then? Ask the lame duck CDC for help? Have you ever tried talking to them? They think you're begging and it's very difficult to get any of them to lift their little finger to help a bit, so forget it. Since my ex-wife has opportunity in Australia, you would do as I did, but we're still second class citizens there. So why not be second class citizens in Singapore and champion for change here, since we're after all legitimately Singapore-born citizens. Besides, alimony cost is not a trivial thing, you know?

 

[Bigfuck]

Listen cock, I was retrenched. What you want me to do then? Ask the lame duck CDC for help? Have you ever tried talking to them? They think you're begging and it's very difficult to get any of them to lift their little finger to help a bit, so forget it. Since my ex-wife has opportunity in Australia, you would do as I did, but we're still second class citizens there. So why not be second class citizens in Singapore and champion for change here, since we're after all legitimately Singapore-born citizens. Besides, alimony cost is not a trivial thing, you know?

Are you GG?

 

[Sinkie]

Are you GG?

Some say I am, some say I'm not. You say leh?

 

[enterprise2]

"....can't wait to see a new govt surface after 3 years from now." This is very optimistic. The realistic hope is to see one or two more GRC fall.

 

[johnsp]

Reminds me of this thread http://www.sammyboy.com/showthread.php?145026-This-Gilbert-Goh-is-a-confusing-prick

No offense but seriously, this Gilbert guy just seems to be banking of whatever is politically sexy. I'm sure if it was politically sexy to have all Singaporeans shipped off to another country, he would probably jump on that bandwagon as well. I'm not too fond of people who are popularists bcause then they would not have the best interests of people at heart.

 

[@rmadill0]

"....can't wait to see a new govt surface after 3 years from now." This is very optimistic. The realistic hope is to see one or two more GRC fall.

Agree. I foresee at least one GRC and an SMC to fall though.

 

[enterprise2]

Reminds me of this thread http://www.sammyboy.com/showthread.php?145026-This-Gilbert-Goh-is-a-confusing-prick

No offense but seriously, this Gilbert guy just seems to be banking of whatever is politically sexy. I'm sure if it was politically sexy to have all Singaporeans shipped off to another country, he would probably jump on that bandwagon as well. I'm not too fond of people who are popularists bcause then they would not have the best interests of people at heart.

I think I will be careful of this fellow. Think even LTK/Sylvia and co are very cautious associating with him!!

 

[bullfrog]

Relac, bro Sinkie! I think kingrant was just yanking your chain!

Listen cock, I was retrenched. What you want me to do then? Ask the lame duck CDC for help? Have you ever tried talking to them? They think you're begging and it's very difficult to get any of them to lift their little finger to help a bit, so forget it. Since my ex-wife has opportunity in Australia, you would do as I did, but we're still second class citizens there. So why not be second class citizens in Singapore and champion for change here, since we're after all legitimately Singapore-born citizens. Besides, alimony cost is not a trivial thing, you know?

 

[IamTiong]

Obviously you didn't read yesterday's wanbao :p

Credit must be given to Gilbert for picking unemployment and underemployment amongst Singaporeans as his cause celebre. It is probably the result of his friends, associates and acquaintances whose age group has been the most impacted as a result of the influx of cheaper foreign labour. He had a ready reservoir of experiences from those of his age group and they would also be his ready followers. Only a fool would not realise that the employment situation facing locals is a direct result of the govt poor manner of handling entry of foreigners into SIngapore and into the workplace.

A charity and a highly credible cause and now the profile lifting avenue - politics. Thus his entry into RP, then NSP and GE 2011.

So what does Gilbert bring to the table that those in the opposition cannot? For one, he is not bound by the CEC of a political party or any other form of constraints faced by a political party. He is a member of NSP but he is not acting as a politician or acting for NSP. But it does help his cause to be associated with the opposition. Yet he is a free agent. He therefore cuts across political parties, any form of association including NGOs.

So what are the dynamics where the NGOs are concerned. Singapore NGOs are typically very focused, disciplined and tend to avoid any form of deviation. Those that dable in politics tend to well educated and socially of a higher order. Strong with their principles but careful who their associates are. Some bordering on the champagne socialist mould. They also prefer move only on published materials and actions are very much evidence driven. Siew Kum Hong's outburst is quite telling.

So Gilbert has managed without the manacles of the local society's norm to outmanoeuvre everyone and lead the most successful civic protest in the nation's 47 year history - the 6.9M white paper protest on 16 Feb 2013 at Hong Lim. It made the news across all the world's new agencies.

In essence he has nothing to lose and so much to gain.

So is he doing the right thing. See the next post.

 

[BuiKia]

Do you look like this?

Some say I am, some say I'm not. You say leh?