Alex Au: Beyond Michael Palmer’s love affair, bigger questions loom

[Confuseous]

So what really is the story with Michael Palmer? Does the PAP know more than they are telling? Or is there really nothing more to tell, in which case a damaging, moralistic precedent had been set.

* * * * *

A more pressing problem is the PAP’s short-sighted cowardice in maintaining that by-elections are almost entirely a matter of discretion for the prime minister. I know a court has ruled that this is the law (but is being appealed), but I’ll say this: the court is wrong and deserves all the disrepute it gets for having said what it said.

In trying to preserve maximum discretion for the executive, this government is again doing Singapore a disservice. Instead of building institutions and setting precedents that will evolve into hallowed conventions that are trusted and above politics, it would rather destroy them for its short-term tactical advantage.

If the prime minister doesn’t call a by-election immediately, we will know whether he’s an asset or a liability for us all.

In any case and as a general principle, calling and organising elections should not be left to politicians. A by-election should be automatically triggered and run by an independent elections commission once a seat falls vacant unless there is less than six months to the pre-scheduled next general election. So, going beyond the question of Punggol East constituency, Singapore needs to set up such a commission.

- http://yawningbread.wordpress.com/2...el-palmers-love-affair-bigger-questions-loom/

 

[halsey02]

He a liability than an Asset, to be frank, his daddy was a great Asset, warts & all...but that doesn't make me "love" him. " a spade is a spade"

 

[Dreamer1]

Alex-If the prime minister doesn’t call a by-election immediately, we will know whether he’s an asset or a liability for us all
Alex,we know from his dad's body language that PM Lee is a liability

 

[tualingong]

not only body language.but in speech too.
you know that.dummy in the orchestra?

 

[cass888]

Do those of us who matter really care what a cannot-make-anything-of-himself loser like Alex Au?

So what really is the story with Michael Palmer? Does the PAP know more than they are telling? Or is there really nothing more to tell, in which case a damaging, moralistic precedent had been set.

 

[enterprise2]

So what really is the story with Michael Palmer? Does the PAP know more than they are telling? Or is there really nothing more to tell, in which case a damaging, moralistic precedent had been set.

* * * * *

A more pressing problem is the PAP’s short-sighted cowardice in maintaining that by-elections are almost entirely a matter of discretion for the prime minister. I know a court has ruled that this is the law (but is being appealed), but I’ll say this: the court is wrong and deserves all the disrepute it gets for having said what it said.

In trying to preserve maximum discretion for the executive, this government is again doing Singapore a disservice. Instead of building institutions and setting precedents that will evolve into hallowed conventions that are trusted and above politics, it would rather destroy them for its short-term tactical advantage.

If the prime minister doesn’t call a by-election immediately, we will know whether he’s an asset or a liability for us all.

In any case and as a general principle, calling and organising elections should not be left to politicians. A by-election should be automatically triggered and run by an independent elections commission once a seat falls vacant unless there is less than six months to the pre-scheduled next general election. So, going beyond the question of Punggol East constituency, Singapore needs to set up such a commission.

- http://yawningbread.wordpress.com/2...el-palmers-love-affair-bigger-questions-loom/

PM is a liability because he does not put Singapore citizens as a priority. He rather flood the country with FTs and drown out the locals....