Is the Workers' Party too quiet for Singaporeans?

[Perspective]

Agree with you on your 3rd paragraph on the deafening silence by the opposition important issues.

I do however feel that one dismisses the internet as a valuable communication platform and forum at its peril. It just too valuable to ignore. Merely using it as a homepage cum webite is not enough.

While I think you have described the ideal situation, the reality is not so simple. The opposition not only has to engage on the net but also have to deal with the distortions and twists of everything they say. The former doesn't take a lot of time, but the latter does. I do not know how much resource the opposition has to deal with that.

 

[ChaoPappyPoodle]

I have given up on the WP since they started wearing their uniforms to counter the PAPies' all white atire. Only fascists and communists require their members to be in uniformed attire. The WP has done nothing but to display themselves in such a way as to allow for the approval of the PAPies.

Even that sylvia went public with her belief that the judiciary is independent in Singapore.

Go for the RP and forget about the WP. They are better than the PAPies but that is all because they are also just as bad.

 

[Robert Half]

I have given up on the WP since they started wearing their uniforms to counter the PAPies' all white atire. Only fascists and communists require their members to be in uniformed attire. The WP has done nothing but to display themselves in such a way as to allow for the approval of the PAPies.

Even that sylvia went public with her belief that the judiciary is independent in Singapore.

Go for the RP and forget about the WP. They are better than the PAPies but that is all because they are also just as bad.

I would say WP is well-organised and made their voices heard more maturely :p

 

[scroobal]

I do agree that it is the best organised of all the Opposition parties. It has depth and people in the party are genuinely sincere in representing Singaporeans. I just wish that they are able to get their message to reach more people and to engage them more readily. They need to raise the profile. Low has been in parliament for the last 18 years and it cannot be business as usual.

I would say WP is well-organised and made their voices heard more maturely :p

 

[scroobal]

The uniform is drab and thats an understatement. If there is a law forbidding 5 or more people gathering with bad sense of fashion, they will be fined.

I have given up on the WP since they started wearing their uniforms to counter the PAPies' all white atire. Only fascists and communists require their members to be in uniformed attire. The WP has done nothing but to display themselves in such a way as to allow for the approval of the PAPies.

Even that sylvia went public with her belief that the judiciary is independent in Singapore.

Go for the RP and forget about the WP. They are better than the PAPies but that is all because they are also just as bad.

 

[Robert Half]

I do agree that it is the best organised of all the Opposition parties. It has depth and people in the party are genuinely sincere in representing Singaporeans. I just wish that they are able to get their message to reach more people and to engage them more readily. They need to raise the profile. Low has been in parliament for the last 18 years and it cannot be business as usual.

I believe that Low did tried to grow opposition in numbers.

In GE 2001... WP fielded 2 candidates

In GE 2006... WP fielded 20 candidates

As for reaching more people & engaging them.. it will depend on whether the people accept the opposition parties as part of their lifestyle. For example, in GRC like Tampines & Pasir Ris-Punggol where I stayed & worked there for many years.. people there dun like opposition members & unlikely want to listen to their talking

 

[Perspective]

I do agree that it is the best organised of all the Opposition parties. It has depth and people in the party are genuinely sincere in representing Singaporeans. I just wish that they are able to get their message to reach more people and to engage them more readily. They need to raise the profile. Low has been in parliament for the last 18 years and it cannot be business as usual.

To digress, there has to be some reason why bland Low can attract the people with depth and those that led to the organising of it. I mean, some of them appear to surpass him, when unlike Low they are mere volunteers with no MP allowance.

Chee clearly appears to be more intelligent but I am certainly not impressed with those surrounding him, at least those who have shown their tails online.

Perhaps academic intellect plays only a small part in a party organisation. The rest, such as acumen or agenda, counts.

To be fair, expectations of them, such as those TOC has of WP, appear to be misplaced. Except for Low (not counting Sylvia Lim's pathetic NCMP allowance) the rest are volunteers - like the very TOC members themselves. Although unlike TOC who doesn't have to win votes, we cannot correct the fact that opp are equally volunteers just because it wants to win votes.

 

[Robert Half]

To be fair, expectations of them, such as those TOC has of WP, appear to be misplaced. Except for Low (not counting Sylvia Lim's pathetic NCMP allowance) the rest are volunteers - like the very TOC members themselves. Although unlike TOC who doesn't have to win votes, we cannot correct the fact that opp are equally volunteers just because it wants to win votes.

The NCMP allowance during 2001~2006 Steve Chia era was $1,780 a month.

Wondering how much it is now

 

[Perspective]

I believe that Low did tried to grow opposition in numbers.

In GE 2001... WP fielded 2 candidates

In GE 2006... WP fielded 20 candidates

As for reaching more people & engaging them.. it will depend on whether the people accept the opposition parties as part of their lifestyle. For example, in GRC like Tampines & Pasir Ris-Punggol where I stayed & worked there for many years.. people there dun like opposition members & unlikely want to listen to their talking

Actually WP was supposed to field 7 candidates in 2001 until a disqualification in Aljunied. The team in 2001 consisted of Gomez (who returned) Yaw (who went to AMK) Abdul Rahim (who went in East Coast GRC) Tan Bin Seng (who went to Joo Chiat) and one chap who has since disappeared.

 

[scroobal]

Excellent point. WP needs to shout this out loud and not be quiet. They badly need a person to take charge of publicity and profile building. 2 to 20 is massive by any means.

I believe that Low did tried to grow opposition in numbers.

In GE 2001... WP fielded 2 candidates

In GE 2006... WP fielded 20 candidates

As for reaching more people & engaging them.. it will depend on whether the people accept the opposition parties as part of their lifestyle. For example, in GRC like Tampines & Pasir Ris-Punggol where I stayed & worked there for many years.. people there dun like opposition members & unlikely want to listen to their talking

 

[Perspective]

The NCMP allowance during 2001~2006 Steve Chia era was $1,780 a month.

Wondering how much it is now

I understand that it is about the same.

At first NCMP allowance was equal to MP allowance which was around $7000 (it is about $11000 now). That was only for the start. The only beneficiary was Lee Siew Choh, the first NCMP from 88 to 91. 91 to 97 there were no NCMPs. When JBJ became NCMP in 97, the new reduced NCMP allowance came into effect.

 

[Robert Half]

Actually WP was supposed to field 7 candidates in 2001 until a disqualification in Aljunied. The team in 2001 consisted of Gomez (who returned) Yaw (who went to AMK) Abdul Rahim (who went in East Coast GRC) Tan Bin Seng (who went to Joo Chiat) and one chap who has since disappeared.

Thank for the reminder that there is a disqualification in Aljunied GRC in 2001.

I hope WP can can field at least 35 members in GE 2010

 

[Perspective]

Thank for the reminder that there is a disqualification in Aljunied GRC in 2001.

I hope WP can can field at least 35 members in GE 2010

That would be a good thing for WP, but might not be for the opp. If every opp party fields 35, there are bound to be 3 corners or even 4 corners all around.

 

[Robert Half]

I understand that it is about the same.

At first NCMP allowance was equal to MP allowance which was around $7000 (it is about $11000 now). That was only for the start. The only beneficiary was Lee Siew Choh, the first NCMP from 88 to 91. 91 to 97 there were no NCMPs. When JBJ became NCMP in 97, the new reduced NCMP allowance came into effect.

Then back in 1980 when NCMP scheme was introduced if NCMP allowance was equal to MP allowance,
the best losers in GE 1980 & GE 1984 should accept the invitation from govt.

Then govt offered 3 NCMP seats ..next GE 2010 govt offered 9 NCMP seats.

If I am best losers in 80s, $7,000 a month NCMP allowance I will accept invitation

If I am best losers in 1997 till now, $1,780 a month NCMP allowance I will turn down the invitation

 

[Robert Half]

That would be a good thing for WP, but might not be for the opp. If every opp party fields 35, there are bound to be 3 corners or even 4 corners all around.

I have doubt that in GE 2010 ..opp parties is able to contest all 84 seats.

At best ... 60 seats :p another 24 seats will be walkovers in Nomination Day.

 

[Perspective]

Then back in 1980 when NCMP scheme was introduced if NCMP allowance was equal to MP allowance,
the best losers in GE 1980 & GE 1984 should accept the invitation from govt.

Then govt offered 3 NCMP seats ..next GE 2010 govt offered 9 NCMP seats.

If I am best losers in 80s, $7,000 a month NCMP allowance I will accept invitation

If I am best losers in 1997 till now, $1,780 a month NCMP allowance I will turn down the invitation

The NCMP was actually introduced in 1984. JBJ had rejected it for MPD Nair, resulting in the latter quitting politics.

At that time, it was more fair as MPs did not have to run town councils and were only voices in Parliament. But right now, I do not agree that MP and NCMP should get the same pay, although the gap does not have to be so wide. You are right to say that the present NCMP allowance is inconsequential. Most people can earn more than that. I'm sure Steve Chia or Sylvia Lim didn't accept the NCMP seats for money.

 

[Perspective]

I have doubt that in GE 2010 ..opp parties is able to contest all 84 seats.

At best ... 60 seats :p another 24 seats will be walkovers in Nomination Day.

If WP field 35 out of the 60, it is bound to clash with other opp and independents. Am very sure the latter would not like it.

 

[Robert Half]

The NCMP was actually introduced in 1984. JBJ had rejected it for MPD Nair, resulting in the latter quitting politics.

At that time, it was more fair as MPs did not have to run town councils and were only voices in Parliament. But right now, I do not agree that MP and NCMP should get the same pay, although the gap does not have to be so wide. You are right to say that the present NCMP allowance is inconsequential. Most people can earn more than that. I'm sure Steve Chia or Sylvia Lim didn't accept the NCMP seats for money.

I do agree with you .. if for money then JBJ should not rejected it for MPD Nair, the latter would wanted to accept the invitation.

Steve Chia or Sylvia Lim accepted the NCMP seats for exposures & alternative voices in the Parliament.

How about the NMP allowance

 

[Perspective]

How about the NMP allowance

Same as NCMP. There are only 3 scales - one for MP, one for NCMP/NMP, one zero. Ministers are MPs but do not get MP allowance.

 

[sinren67]

If WP field 35 out of the 60, it is bound to clash with other opp and independents. Am very sure the latter would not like it.

IF WP has the capability to field 60 or even 84, PLEASE GO AHEAD.

"the latter would not like it?"
Wow, when did WP becomes Buddha! Hahaha...