Reform Party - Nuts and Bolts of Communication - Feedback

[scroobal]

Firstly congrats to RP for coming out with a well designed website and many of its good features including their calendar. The guy who did it has an excellent visual eye and EQ. Simple, effective and not loaded with gimmicky stuff. Now for content and direction;

However here are some observations

1) Singapore electorate covers the entire spectrum of society many of whom cannot follow one paragraph of what KJ is saying or what he thinks. Just relying on excerpts of his speeches is not going to cut the mustard or in this case the potato.

2) The image of the party is inadvertently and slowly heading towards young and middle aged well educated and socially mobile singaporeans whose values will revolve around those in the altruistic bucket of freedom of expression, speech cop etc. The fact that "Truth, Justice, Freedom, Transparency and Inclusion" forms the backdrop to the KJ's picture is telling. Here is the problem - the young well educated singaporean and socially mobile lot are already converted. There is no need to address them. It pretty much a waste of time preaching the converted. These guys can help RP to run the programs, fight the battles and rope in the non-believers.

Here are some suggestions

1) Everything that a Political Party does must resonate with the majority of electorate. In this case, HDB heartlanders and their daily issues in life. The airport cleaner staying in Tampines cannot for fucksake connect with words such as Freedom, Truth, Transparency etc when she keeps seeing singaporeans of all ages gathering at Changi Airport, travelling to all continents of world. What matters to her/him are the following
- security of tenure
- decent wages
- affordable and convenient travel
- clean housing estates
- to be treated as a valuable citizen
- opportunities for their offspring
- a lift at her level as she grows old
- a welfare net in case, she/he becomes disabled, ill or has just grown old etc

How does Political Party carry those messages. Well, there must be a conscious effort by the Party break down all communications to a level that will grab the attention of the majority of voters.

2) Any good Ad man will tell you that bite size message will get more bites. Therefore one needs to complement high end materials in the website with bite size messages. There is no need to compete with SPH editorial or commentary whose purpose is to give the illusion of sophistication, knowledge and substance.

3) Please get people who look like Ah Bengs, Ah Sohs, Ah Lians, Mats and Mamas to be part of the party. JBJ great touch was that he was surrounded by chaps of this genre. I can't even recall a single sophisticated looking person next to JBJ when he was campaigning. Reform Party's photos and images resemble that of California Redwood Forest Weekly Poetry Reading Group that is looking for an economic solution.

Reform Party has to understand that the Parents of the sophisticated, socially mobile and well educated singaporeans will vote the PAP everytime not because they agree with them but they know clearly which side of their bread is buttered.

A simple approach is to form a sub-committees to ensure that the uncles and Aunties of HDB world get the message each and every time.

To all the kanteng crowd in the party. your first challenge is make sure your rich parents are converted to the cause and they vote for a truly democratic system.

 

[scroobal]

Following on;

1) Every policy of the govt is an opportunity to highlight issues of concern to the general public. Be agreesive if the faults are deep and fundamental. There is no need to confirm to PAP or SPH version of decorum and protocol in highlighting issues and demanding answers

2) Make it clear that you oppose the obvious undemocratic practices such as GRCs, high deposits and that the party is particiapting under protest and they have no other avenue. It has to a stage where veteran opposition members have resigned to the fact that it is democratic.

3) Don't assume status quo. Apply for permit to hold gatherings, to have venues for meet the people sessions etc. If knocked back or denied, write about it in your mag, or website. Why confirm to one practise of visiting hawker centre and shaking hands. Apply for table to be set up under a HDB flat for membership drive. Accumulation of permit denials are good talking points and force people to push the envelope.

4) Identify early and quickly approach people who can make an impact. Kelvin of Kent Ridge Common is a good example.

 

[lockeliberal]

Dear Scroobal

Ouch u sure can punch where it hurts in your observations :_)). A truth you might have yet to learn, Politicians tend to have egos the size of the moon, Smart politicians learn to listen to smart people and to balance out dissent which is inevitable if you get smart independent people, first amongst equals :_)). In Singapore Its first and thats it



Locke

 

[scroobal]

You are probably right. I have been watching RP since KJ took over and clearly the trajectory is wrong. I can swear that his mob is closer to the bourgeois and not the petty one at that. You got the see the facebook exchanges and the language used to realise that Planet Singapore is not where the action is. They will be absolutely at ease if KJ told them that they bought the greenpeace franchise.

So far the only link that Reform Party has with Planet Singapore is the name "Jeyaretnam". If they were wise, the party chaps use the full name Ken Jeyaretnam rather than KJ.

For a start, they should gather at Blk 55, Bukit Merah and not at Starbucks.

A truth you might have yet to learn, Politicians tend to have egos the size of the moon, Smart politicians learn to listen to smart people and to balance out dissent which is inevitable if you get smart independent people, first amongst equals :_)). In Singapore Its first and thats it
Locke

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

Oh well, you are on KJ's facebook? Hope you are not on mine!

Reform Party under KJ did attract a few good people. They may need slightly more time to get in tune with Planet Singapore but I do not doubt their sincerity to serve.

Actually it is good for you to give them this feedback. Some reporters actually told me in private that the ideas that KJ gave seems to be so "alien" to Singaporeans. eg. Totally Free Education in Singapore where Singaporeans are so used to the phrase "there is no free lunch in this world". The differences in world view and perspective may be due to KJ's economic learning in Europe. If you study Economics in Singapore, you will learn many things in Singapore's context. But if you study it in Europe, the context would be totally different.

I guess we will just need to let Reform Party to have some time to recalibrate itself.

Goh Meng Seng

You are probably right. I have been watching RP since KJ took over and clearly the trajectory is wrong. I can swear that his mob is closer to the bourgeois and not the petty one at that. You got the see the facebook exchanges and the language used to realise that Planet Singapore is not where the action is. They will be absolutely at ease if KJ told them that they bought the greenpeace franchise.

So far the only link that Reform Party has with Planet Singapore is the name "Jeyaretnam". If they were wise, the party chaps use the full name Ken Jeyaretnam rather than KJ.

For a start, they should gather at Blk 55, Bukit Merah and not at Starbucks.

 

[scroobal]

You know me. My intention is to make the opposition a formidable fighting machine when it comes to taking on the PAP.

I hope RP members read this forum and take it in the right spirit or some one can pass this on to them.

I have been watching them for sometime. I know they are committed, sincere and serious and so are the people in Greenpeace, Aware and the politically correct and fashionable stuff that we see. The Ah Soh in Choa Chu Kang would have no clue what the Minke whale is or cares and neither will Alfred staying in Laguna care much about it.

If its an issue with fundraising, then one has to ensure that materials that hit the fund raising crowd remain but the stuff that hooks the voters are also prominently tackled.

I saw the excerpt of the interview done by Amanda Lian and KJ's replies. To one question, he replied that a press release has already being made and seemed hesistant. Every media contact is an excellent opportunity to build a profile and case. Its repeating the mantra at every opportunity. Even when a question is not asked, throw point of view in.

If he is cautious of reporters and the media crowd which is very understandable, he should get his offsiders to handle every media contact, do a background checki and get those interviews going. He should be able to milk the friendly ones as well as the hostile ones. His father did that that very well. I see Low, Sylvia, Sebastian and you doing a good job with the media. And when they get it wrong, you use the internet to make corrections early.

The PAP is not going to take on KJ based on his academic and vocational qualifications. He is on par with the best in PAP. They will go for the issues that he is going to bring up. The danger is that the PAP might not even have to do that if RP issues do not resonate with HDB land in the first place.

If you look at KJ's thrust of handling issues, he is offering solutions. In opposition, first and formost, you highlight shortcomings, flaws, bullshit and fluff put up by the Govt of the day. You seek answers and demand explanations. When your suggested solutions carry prominence, voters take it as an alternative but might not be aware of the shortcomings of the Govt.

In the corporate and social world, responsible criticisms has to be followed with alternative and better solutions. In opposition politics, there is so little opportunity to grab voters attention, that 99% of the time you have to deal with the Govt's shortcomings.

Actually it is good for you to give them this feedback. Some reporters actually told me in private that the ideas that KJ gave seems to be so "alien" to Singaporeans. eg. Totally Free Education in Singapore where Singaporeans are so used to the phrase "there is no free lunch in this world".

 

[scroobal]

Yes and the unfortunate part is that no one from the Party seems strong enough to tell him that he is in Planet Singapore for the elections.

The differences in world view and perspective may be due to KJ's economic learning in Europe. If you study Economics in Singapore, you will learn many things in Singapore's context. But if you study it in Europe, the context would be totally different.

 

[Communist]

And it never will help to have a mini Mardoff as your associate!

Comrade Gong Chan Tarn

 

[Areopagus]

I think that you guys are missing the point. KJ is using the same line that his Dad used.

I remember many years ago, visiting a friend in Silat. JBJ was giving an election rally speech after Wong Hong Toy had wound up the crowd. He spoke about the "sacredness of parliamentary democracy". I doubt that anyone in the crowd understood what he was talking about but after about 20 mins, the crowd went wild, people carried him on their shoulders around the car park. The "Hokkien Peng" types did not need to dissect the dialectic of his arguments. They could appreciate the sincerity of a person who did not need to a million dollar "incentive" to come forward to join politics to serve the people of Singapore.

Singaporeans are not stupid. They will vote for those who they can trust have their interests at heart.

 

[longbow]

Scroobal is right. Message should be distilled into simple catch phrases. That is why LTK is so successful - he can connect with the masses.

No point putting out a 20 minute discourse on why minimum wage will improve productivity and reduce need on FT workers.

Something simple like: FT take your job, PR take your children's job. Also can KJ speak Mandarin or Malay? Time to brush up on that.

Over in the US where the avg citizen have a higher level of education than Singapore, politicians still put everything into bite size pieces.

 

[scroobal]

JBJ was surrounded by people who looked like the common man in the way they dressed, spoke and interacted. Ever seen elite looking guy standing next to JBJ?

Though JBJ spoke on things such as freedom and such, you would have noticed that he constantly interjected phrases about PAP and their misdeeds. When he did that, he shouted out and the people in the rally will raise their hands and shout back in support.

KJ's content is closer to those of NMPs who fail to make a mark - dry, closer to neutral but positive contribution to society.

ps. his anson campaign in places like silat, Bt Merah, Lower Delta were fantastic. JBJ also managed to get the support of the Ellenborough Market stall holders in Chinatown and they always followed him after closing up their stall. And it was not even in his ward.

I think that you guys are missing the point. KJ is using the same line that his Dad used.

 

[scroobal]

The point about LTK is powerful. Even if the language is uncool, not savvy but colloquial as long as it does the job, that counts. I noticed that RP is getting members and there is lot of support and dedication. Sheer waste if "people catch no ball" - liak bo qu.

Examples (FT take your job, PR take your children's job) that you cite does the job followed by an explanation so that it does not appear as inaccurate or irresponsbile.

Message should be distilled into simple catch phrases. That is why LTK is so successful - he can connect with the masses.

 

[phouse3]

People from the dark side anticipated the focus will be on K Jeyaretnam instead of others and hence they are panicking. Just look at the following insinuations: -

http://www.sammyboy.com/showthread.php?t=45371
http://www.sammyboy.com/showthread.php?t=45364


Which idiot in this world runs for election using his initial instead of his own name?

Different people gets voted into parliament differently. K Jeyaretnam will be voted base on his fine pedigree and his fine degree. His current approach is correct. It just needs to be a bit more localised.

Already voters are laughing at the low quality of our opposition. So why should RP degenerate into another low intellect party?

 

[leetahbar]

People from the dark side anticipated the focus will be on K Jeyaretnam instead of others and hence they are panicking. Just look at the following insinuations: -

http://www.sammyboy.com/showthread.php?t=45371
http://www.sammyboy.com/showthread.php?t=45364


Which idiot in this world runs for election using his initial instead of his own name?

Different people gets voted into parliament differently. K Jeyaretnam will be voted base on his fine pedigree and his fine degree. His current approach is correct. It just needs to be a bit more localised.

Already voters are laughing at the low quality of our opposition. So why should RP degenerate into another low intellect party?

what about SDP? do they stand a chance to win anything? as usual, they probably shall get the lowest votes again.

 

[lauhumku]

as usual,

lanjiao sucking unemployed parasite old fart faggot fake monk PAP dog Bob Sim Kheng Hwee,

temple thief, swindler, fraudster, cheat, con-artist, liar, hypocrite, deceiver, betrayer, all rolled into one!

you stole temple donation money and the chief monk told you to fuck off!

you bashed your 80 y.o.father until bloody when he threw away your gay porn!

you called your mother LAUCHEEBYE when she reprimanded you for doing fuck all at home except prostituting yourself round-the-clock in cyberspace!

you also stole handphones and claimed that handphones waved at you!

you steal others forum password!

you tried to con a forummer's property!

you tried to con the same person to include your name in his will when he discovered you tried to con his property!

you cursed an old man at his death bed!

you tried to con laukwayboos but you end up only con some free makan!