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[h=2]A divided National Day[/h]
August 9th, 2012 |
Author: Contributions
This National Day, Singaporeans have never been splitted like this ever since Independence. Intolerance of differing views have reached a new high with Singaporeans from all spectrum of life blaming each other for the sad state of affairs today. Pro-PAP Singaporeans call the anti-PAP camp “xenophobic”, “ungrates” and “narrow-minded”, and numerous anonymous sites like Fabrications About The PAP[Link] and Bodoh Politicians [Link], believed to be the work of the ruling party, were set up to attack Opposition MPs and continue the work of the government-controlled mainstream media in a bid to influence the largely dominating anti-PAP views in the internet. Fighting fire with fire seems to be the PAP’s aim, but unfortunately, these sites have only achieved greater divisions between the pro-PAP and anti-PAP camp.
Back to the real world, taxi drivers, students and the rest of the largely low and middle class are the key proponents of anti-PAP views on the ground. The elites, the rich, the foreigners, the businessmen, the People’s Association-appointed grassroot leaders and those who have connections and dealings with the government’s wide business network form the basis of pro-PAP circulations with the help of the propaganda mouthpiece mainstream media. This 2 camps have no interest in correcting each other and the isolation in either camp consolidated intense disregard leaving little or no room for civil discussions. Tolerance from the anti-PAP side, or the have-nots have apparently been used up when they see no Change taking place as the ruling PAP continued with their loose immigration policies coupled with a continuous rise in housing price after a supposedly water-shed election which saw the Prime Minister unprecedentedly apologizing to Singaporeans. Exploding anger is widely seen against foreigners and members of the ruling PAP with a MP set fire upon in a community event [Link].
PAP policies today remain largely disadvantageous to the middle and lower class, with some blatantly calling it sheer bullying of the poor. Poor Singaporeans who earn $3000/month and below never get to see their CPF as they are very unlikely to achieve the yearly-increasing $139,000 Minimum Sum after paying off an overpriced housing lease, as compared to their richer counterparts who benefits from low income taxes and a slew of pro-rich policies like the dollar-for-dollar matching Baby Bonus [Link] set by the PAP. Unlike other countries, the PAP is anti-welfare which resulted in many elderly working as coffeeshop cleaners for a meagre salary or prowling on the streets collecting tin cans and cardboards to earn a living. Despite the pro-rich and anti-poor policies, the PAP self-proclaimed that the poor in Singapore are less badly off than any poor in the world:
Anti-foreigners sentiments has also been on the rise especially with the latest bought-medals by Chinaporean table tennis players. There was no Olympic win that has splitted Singaporeans like this one. Singaporeans slammed PAP’s million dollar splurging of bounties on the Chinaporeans, while the PAP Minister of Sports Chan Chun Sing feigned ignorance claiming Singapore is unified by them [Link], when the truth couldn’t be any further with 8 in 10 Singaporeans disgusted by the Chinaporeans’ win [Link].
The PAP have little interest in bending their policies to improve Singaporeans’ dropping quality of life, with PAP Minister Lim Swee Say claiming he rather be voted out than be populist [Link]. In fact, there are no mention for policy changes as only “delivery” and “engagement” are emphasized:
Division has deepened to a point that there will no longer be any compromise. Singaporeans have engaged in little acts of defiance by not putting up the Singapore flag, and some claim they will openly celebrate Lee Kuan Yew’s death with a party [Link]. While the average and poor Singaporeans continue to be stepped upon and remain voiceless, every firework seems to celebrate only the success of oppression of the poor by the PAP policies. Inequality is rampant and is readily supported by the PAP for the fruits of this nation can only be enjoyed by the few elites. This National Day is all about polarizations and there is nothing worth celebrating.
.
Alex Tan ZhiXiang
This National Day, Singaporeans have never been splitted like this ever since Independence. Intolerance of differing views have reached a new high with Singaporeans from all spectrum of life blaming each other for the sad state of affairs today. Pro-PAP Singaporeans call the anti-PAP camp “xenophobic”, “ungrates” and “narrow-minded”, and numerous anonymous sites like Fabrications About The PAP[Link] and Bodoh Politicians [Link], believed to be the work of the ruling party, were set up to attack Opposition MPs and continue the work of the government-controlled mainstream media in a bid to influence the largely dominating anti-PAP views in the internet. Fighting fire with fire seems to be the PAP’s aim, but unfortunately, these sites have only achieved greater divisions between the pro-PAP and anti-PAP camp.
Back to the real world, taxi drivers, students and the rest of the largely low and middle class are the key proponents of anti-PAP views on the ground. The elites, the rich, the foreigners, the businessmen, the People’s Association-appointed grassroot leaders and those who have connections and dealings with the government’s wide business network form the basis of pro-PAP circulations with the help of the propaganda mouthpiece mainstream media. This 2 camps have no interest in correcting each other and the isolation in either camp consolidated intense disregard leaving little or no room for civil discussions. Tolerance from the anti-PAP side, or the have-nots have apparently been used up when they see no Change taking place as the ruling PAP continued with their loose immigration policies coupled with a continuous rise in housing price after a supposedly water-shed election which saw the Prime Minister unprecedentedly apologizing to Singaporeans. Exploding anger is widely seen against foreigners and members of the ruling PAP with a MP set fire upon in a community event [Link].
PAP policies today remain largely disadvantageous to the middle and lower class, with some blatantly calling it sheer bullying of the poor. Poor Singaporeans who earn $3000/month and below never get to see their CPF as they are very unlikely to achieve the yearly-increasing $139,000 Minimum Sum after paying off an overpriced housing lease, as compared to their richer counterparts who benefits from low income taxes and a slew of pro-rich policies like the dollar-for-dollar matching Baby Bonus [Link] set by the PAP. Unlike other countries, the PAP is anti-welfare which resulted in many elderly working as coffeeshop cleaners for a meagre salary or prowling on the streets collecting tin cans and cardboards to earn a living. Despite the pro-rich and anti-poor policies, the PAP self-proclaimed that the poor in Singapore are less badly off than any poor in the world:
“So if you are poor in Singapore its no fun, but I think you’re less badly off than if you were poor nearly anywhere else in the world”
~ PAP Lee Hsien Loong [Link]
It is such disconnect with reality of the pro-PAP camp that triggered the emotions of average Singaporeans. Unfriendliness started to take place against foreigners, statutory boards and government-appointed committees. Untactful comments by Ministers from time to time have also never failed to rile Singaporeans up, where even the good old Lee Kuan Yew was demanded to apologize(which he did so) after he made a comment on Malay integration in Singapore [Link].~ PAP Lee Hsien Loong [Link]
Anti-foreigners sentiments has also been on the rise especially with the latest bought-medals by Chinaporean table tennis players. There was no Olympic win that has splitted Singaporeans like this one. Singaporeans slammed PAP’s million dollar splurging of bounties on the Chinaporeans, while the PAP Minister of Sports Chan Chun Sing feigned ignorance claiming Singapore is unified by them [Link], when the truth couldn’t be any further with 8 in 10 Singaporeans disgusted by the Chinaporeans’ win [Link].
The PAP have little interest in bending their policies to improve Singaporeans’ dropping quality of life, with PAP Minister Lim Swee Say claiming he rather be voted out than be populist [Link]. In fact, there are no mention for policy changes as only “delivery” and “engagement” are emphasized:
“…although there’s greater engagement, the issue now is how to manage the public’s expectations”
~PAP Minister Chan Chun Sing
Corruption cases in statutory boards like SCDF[Link] and the NEA[Link], perceived-obfuscating judiciary judgments on several high level cases like City Harvest’s Kong Hee’s approved bail and famous surgeon Woffles Wu’s case [Link], have also caused serious dents of confidence in the system. Many Singaporeans believe Singapore’s judiciary system protects the rich and foreigners, while the poor citizens gets penalized.~PAP Minister Chan Chun Sing
Division has deepened to a point that there will no longer be any compromise. Singaporeans have engaged in little acts of defiance by not putting up the Singapore flag, and some claim they will openly celebrate Lee Kuan Yew’s death with a party [Link]. While the average and poor Singaporeans continue to be stepped upon and remain voiceless, every firework seems to celebrate only the success of oppression of the poor by the PAP policies. Inequality is rampant and is readily supported by the PAP for the fruits of this nation can only be enjoyed by the few elites. This National Day is all about polarizations and there is nothing worth celebrating.
.
Alex Tan ZhiXiang
