I am responding to Mr Goh Meng Seng's facebook message to Andrew Loh, editor of TOC.
Andrew Loh had written a facebook message expressing his appreciation for SDP in helping to campaign against the mandatory death penalty over the years. Those who are "friends" with Andrew Loh can access his article over here: http://www.facebook.com/yoursdp#!/notes/andrew-loh/paying-tribute-to-the-sdp/472192425459
Andrew's article prompted a response from Goh Meng Seng, which I found to be overly-defensive, which in my opinion was not warranted.
Goh Meng Seng wrote that
We are all sensible people who understand that with limited resources, opposition parties like NSP and RP cannot campaign or even comment on every issue.
But what Andrew Loh said is fair. Apart from having a few lines in their manifesto against MDP, what has WP done? Has WP ever come out to say even a few words? What has RP commented so far, apart from showing up at the speaker's corner?
But don't be mistaken: I am not accusing oppo parties of doing too little, and I'm sure it is not Andrew's intention to do that. All Andrew has said is that SDP has done more than others, and as such, is worthy of his thanks and appreciation.
Also, why is GMS commenting on behalf of RP? Shouldn't that be left to Kenneth Jeyaretnam? Why is GMS also being overly-defensive on behalf on WP? Can't WP supporters on facebook weigh in on the issue?
GMS should focus on NSP and his party's stand. His FB message come across as being overly-defensive. This suggests that he has taken Andrew's message too seriously and feels the need to argue that other parties are also against MDP.
That to me is unwarranted.
Andrew Loh had written a facebook message expressing his appreciation for SDP in helping to campaign against the mandatory death penalty over the years. Those who are "friends" with Andrew Loh can access his article over here: http://www.facebook.com/yoursdp#!/notes/andrew-loh/paying-tribute-to-the-sdp/472192425459
Andrew's article prompted a response from Goh Meng Seng, which I found to be overly-defensive, which in my opinion was not warranted.
Goh Meng Seng wrote that
@Andrew, kudos to you for all the passion and energy in taking up this course.
However, I think it is a bit off to say that all other opposition parties do not care. As far as I could remember, WP has stated in their manifesto that they are against Mandatory Death Penalty. Individual politicians such as KJ and I were against Death Penalty as well, though we may not be seen as actively campaigning against it, we will and have done our little part whenever opportunity arises to explain the fine technicalities of Mandatory sentencing to others.
Having said that, I guess for political parties like RP and NSP, our primary objective is to raise issues with wider and more obvious impact on the voters. There are many priorities to take care of for political parties, unlike NGOs or social activists who could concentrate on a single or just a couple of issues. However, that doesn't mean that we have forgotten the principles of fair justice. I believe that many of us will raise hard questions on the Mandatory nature of sentencing in parliament if the opportunity arises.
My response to Goh Meng Seng:However, I think it is a bit off to say that all other opposition parties do not care. As far as I could remember, WP has stated in their manifesto that they are against Mandatory Death Penalty. Individual politicians such as KJ and I were against Death Penalty as well, though we may not be seen as actively campaigning against it, we will and have done our little part whenever opportunity arises to explain the fine technicalities of Mandatory sentencing to others.
Having said that, I guess for political parties like RP and NSP, our primary objective is to raise issues with wider and more obvious impact on the voters. There are many priorities to take care of for political parties, unlike NGOs or social activists who could concentrate on a single or just a couple of issues. However, that doesn't mean that we have forgotten the principles of fair justice. I believe that many of us will raise hard questions on the Mandatory nature of sentencing in parliament if the opportunity arises.
We are all sensible people who understand that with limited resources, opposition parties like NSP and RP cannot campaign or even comment on every issue.
But what Andrew Loh said is fair. Apart from having a few lines in their manifesto against MDP, what has WP done? Has WP ever come out to say even a few words? What has RP commented so far, apart from showing up at the speaker's corner?
But don't be mistaken: I am not accusing oppo parties of doing too little, and I'm sure it is not Andrew's intention to do that. All Andrew has said is that SDP has done more than others, and as such, is worthy of his thanks and appreciation.
Also, why is GMS commenting on behalf of RP? Shouldn't that be left to Kenneth Jeyaretnam? Why is GMS also being overly-defensive on behalf on WP? Can't WP supporters on facebook weigh in on the issue?
GMS should focus on NSP and his party's stand. His FB message come across as being overly-defensive. This suggests that he has taken Andrew's message too seriously and feels the need to argue that other parties are also against MDP.
That to me is unwarranted.
