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Why S’pore need to have elected opposition MPs in parliament and not token representation – 13 Dec 09
•December 13, 2009 • Leave a Comment (Edit)
The “reforms” introduced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to allow up to 18 non-PAP MPs in parliament as NMPs and NCMPs in the next general election is nothing more than a gimmick to satisfy rising demands from Singaporeans to have more alternative voices in the august chamber. It is akin to giving a child throwing tantrums a candy to shut him up.
Singaporeans should not be deceived again by such juvenile antics from the ruling party to entrench themselves in power for token opposition without a grassroots base in parliament is no threat at all to its political hegemony.
In the first place, the PAP still retains its traditional two-thirds majority in parliament which enables it to ram down unpopular policies down our throats without consulting the people. (remember GST hike, salary hike for ministers, casinos and the large number of foreigers flooding our shores?)
In other words, while the non-PAP MPs are allowed to voice “alternative” views to the establishment in parliament, they are hugely ineffectual and will have minimal impact on the policy-making process.
Furthermore, it may hamper the opposition’s chances in the next election as it gives Singaporeans less incentives to vote for the opposition now that they are able to enter parliament as a “best loser” NCMP even if they lose the election.
What Singapore really need is genuine political competition on a level playing field which enables its citizens to toss out non-performing and unpopular ministers from office.
Though the PAP has done much good for Singapore, it is not entitled to govern forever. Under a democratic system, all political parties should have equal chances of winning power so long they have the support of the people.
The PAP will not feel threaten by having more non-PAP MPs in parliament since they still call the shots. The status quo will remain and nothing will ever change.
Some PAP apologists have been going around applauding Prime Minister Lee’s move to “open” the political space for debate by allowing more non-PAP MPs in parliament via the NMP and NCMP routes.
One YPAP member and new citizen from India Mr Fredric Fanthome claimed that this was “unheard of” anywhere in the world.
Yes, nowhere in the world do we have a country which is synonymous with the party which manipulates the system to suit its own partisan interests in flagrant disregard for the Constitution, a sham democracy when the opposition is so weak and divided that the ruling party has to “appoint” them into parliament because they are unable to win a seat on their own.
Without a constituency of their own, opposition MPs are deprived of a grassroots base to build up their party as well as to better understand the concerns of Singaporeans on the ground.
Unlike the PAP losing candidate for Potong Pasir Sitoh Yi Pin who is still able to conduct his own “Meet-the-People” sessions in the constituency, NCMPs are unable to do so.
During the dinner bash held last Saturday at Potong Pasir to commemorate Mr Chiam See Tong’s 25 MPs as a MP, he was swarmed by residents the moment he appeared with many clamoring to shake his hands.
Mr Chiam’s popularity and rapport with his residents is built up slowly over time. It would not be possible if he did not win his first five-year term as a MP. There are currently no other avenues for NCMPs and NMPs to reach out to the people.
Political parties in Singapore have to depend heavily on grassroots support for funds, manpower and other resources especially during election time.
Without first securing a base to begin with, it will be difficult if not impossible for the opposition to build up its strength and support thereby putting themselves forever at a disadvantage as compared to the ruling party which is able to mobilize the grassroots organizations to serve its interests.
The opposition will also be unable to prove their worth and capabilities which will further perpetuate the erroneous public impression that only the ruling party has the means and experience to run a Town Council well.
Only when there is a real threat of a government losing power will it be bothered to sit up and listen attentively to the concerns of the people and implement pro-citizen policies instead of unpopular ones.
Eighteen non-PAP MPs in parliament will never be able to exert the same amount of political pressure as half the number of opposition MPs.
Why is this so?
Because the NMPs are appointed on a two-yearly basis and the NCMPs do not have a base of their own to increase their ground support and national profile.
On the other hand, voting in nine opposition MPs will change the political landscape radically. They will be able to show the people both inside and outside the parliament what they are capable of and provide a alternative to the ruling party.
The government will have to think twice before talking down to Singaporeans or taking them for granted again because the nine opposition MPs can hold them accountable in parliament and if it is not careful, the number may increase in the next election which can even threaten their positions.
For example, the Malaysian government has become more attuned to the needs of the ethnic minorities only after losing its two-third majority during the 2008 elections.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said in his inauguration speech that the era of ”government knows best” is gone and he would listen more to the people.
Recently, a minister called ex-premier Dr Mahathir the ”father of racism” for continuing to defend the controversial BTN course which many had decried as being racist.
These developments would be unimaginable before the 2008 political tsunami which changed the face of Malaysia politics forever. The ruling Barisan Nasional coalition is aware that if it is not careful enough, it will be booted out of office by the opposition in the next election.
In many first-world democracies, the opposition is merely a “government-in-waiting” and it provides the people a real choice as to whom they want to lead them.
Singaporeans need to lend more support to the opposition so that talented people will step forward to join them. With a credible opposition in place, we will not need laughable rules to “guarantee” 18 non-PAP MPs in parliament.
Why S’pore need to have elected opposition MPs in parliament and not token representation – 13 Dec 09
•December 13, 2009 • Leave a Comment (Edit)
The “reforms” introduced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to allow up to 18 non-PAP MPs in parliament as NMPs and NCMPs in the next general election is nothing more than a gimmick to satisfy rising demands from Singaporeans to have more alternative voices in the august chamber. It is akin to giving a child throwing tantrums a candy to shut him up.
Singaporeans should not be deceived again by such juvenile antics from the ruling party to entrench themselves in power for token opposition without a grassroots base in parliament is no threat at all to its political hegemony.
In the first place, the PAP still retains its traditional two-thirds majority in parliament which enables it to ram down unpopular policies down our throats without consulting the people. (remember GST hike, salary hike for ministers, casinos and the large number of foreigers flooding our shores?)
In other words, while the non-PAP MPs are allowed to voice “alternative” views to the establishment in parliament, they are hugely ineffectual and will have minimal impact on the policy-making process.
Furthermore, it may hamper the opposition’s chances in the next election as it gives Singaporeans less incentives to vote for the opposition now that they are able to enter parliament as a “best loser” NCMP even if they lose the election.
What Singapore really need is genuine political competition on a level playing field which enables its citizens to toss out non-performing and unpopular ministers from office.
Though the PAP has done much good for Singapore, it is not entitled to govern forever. Under a democratic system, all political parties should have equal chances of winning power so long they have the support of the people.
The PAP will not feel threaten by having more non-PAP MPs in parliament since they still call the shots. The status quo will remain and nothing will ever change.
Some PAP apologists have been going around applauding Prime Minister Lee’s move to “open” the political space for debate by allowing more non-PAP MPs in parliament via the NMP and NCMP routes.
One YPAP member and new citizen from India Mr Fredric Fanthome claimed that this was “unheard of” anywhere in the world.
Yes, nowhere in the world do we have a country which is synonymous with the party which manipulates the system to suit its own partisan interests in flagrant disregard for the Constitution, a sham democracy when the opposition is so weak and divided that the ruling party has to “appoint” them into parliament because they are unable to win a seat on their own.
Without a constituency of their own, opposition MPs are deprived of a grassroots base to build up their party as well as to better understand the concerns of Singaporeans on the ground.
Unlike the PAP losing candidate for Potong Pasir Sitoh Yi Pin who is still able to conduct his own “Meet-the-People” sessions in the constituency, NCMPs are unable to do so.
During the dinner bash held last Saturday at Potong Pasir to commemorate Mr Chiam See Tong’s 25 MPs as a MP, he was swarmed by residents the moment he appeared with many clamoring to shake his hands.
Mr Chiam’s popularity and rapport with his residents is built up slowly over time. It would not be possible if he did not win his first five-year term as a MP. There are currently no other avenues for NCMPs and NMPs to reach out to the people.
Political parties in Singapore have to depend heavily on grassroots support for funds, manpower and other resources especially during election time.
Without first securing a base to begin with, it will be difficult if not impossible for the opposition to build up its strength and support thereby putting themselves forever at a disadvantage as compared to the ruling party which is able to mobilize the grassroots organizations to serve its interests.
The opposition will also be unable to prove their worth and capabilities which will further perpetuate the erroneous public impression that only the ruling party has the means and experience to run a Town Council well.
Only when there is a real threat of a government losing power will it be bothered to sit up and listen attentively to the concerns of the people and implement pro-citizen policies instead of unpopular ones.
Eighteen non-PAP MPs in parliament will never be able to exert the same amount of political pressure as half the number of opposition MPs.
Why is this so?
Because the NMPs are appointed on a two-yearly basis and the NCMPs do not have a base of their own to increase their ground support and national profile.
On the other hand, voting in nine opposition MPs will change the political landscape radically. They will be able to show the people both inside and outside the parliament what they are capable of and provide a alternative to the ruling party.
The government will have to think twice before talking down to Singaporeans or taking them for granted again because the nine opposition MPs can hold them accountable in parliament and if it is not careful, the number may increase in the next election which can even threaten their positions.
For example, the Malaysian government has become more attuned to the needs of the ethnic minorities only after losing its two-third majority during the 2008 elections.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said in his inauguration speech that the era of ”government knows best” is gone and he would listen more to the people.
Recently, a minister called ex-premier Dr Mahathir the ”father of racism” for continuing to defend the controversial BTN course which many had decried as being racist.
These developments would be unimaginable before the 2008 political tsunami which changed the face of Malaysia politics forever. The ruling Barisan Nasional coalition is aware that if it is not careful enough, it will be booted out of office by the opposition in the next election.
In many first-world democracies, the opposition is merely a “government-in-waiting” and it provides the people a real choice as to whom they want to lead them.
Singaporeans need to lend more support to the opposition so that talented people will step forward to join them. With a credible opposition in place, we will not need laughable rules to “guarantee” 18 non-PAP MPs in parliament.
