Lack of civility on the ground

[Maximilian Chua-Heng]

ST Forum
Home > ST Forum > Online Story
May 21, 2011
Lack of civility on the ground

DR WILLIAM Wan of the Singapore Kindness Movement Secretariat captured only the demeanour of the politicians, which was nonetheless good to observe ('Kinder Singapore'; May 13).

Sadly though, that demeanour was not reinforced on the ground, in the HDB heartland and in social media arenas where the absence of civility was more telling and worrisome.

I observed the public demeanour during the General Election. It was definitely unprecedented, though I must add it was not completely out of control.

Singaporeans saw on television how some people did not even bother to restrain their anger in front of reporters. There were also reports of heckling of electoral candidates and vandalism of campaign posters.

Many netizens defended their preferred political party with such anger, abuse and sarcasm that it was hard to believe they were educated and from affluent First World Singapore.

I was in a heartland coffee shop on Cooling-Off Day and I heard a few individuals in their 30s swearing loudly about their unhappiness with certain political parties.

Even the obviously friendly Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the country's highest political office-holder, was not spared. Netizens, seemingly youngsters, showed him disrespect and some were even rude.

I am concerned whether Singaporeans will see the day when we as one people can be gracious and civil to one another in the heat of differing political orientations.

Jolly Wee

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_670773.html

 

[po2wq]

... Even the obviously friendly Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the country's highest political office-holder, was not spared. Netizens, seemingly youngsters, showed him disrespect and some were even rude.

I am concerned whether Singaporeans will see the day when we as one people can be gracious and civil to one another in the heat of differing political orientations.

Jolly Wee ...

ah jolly ...

where were u wen 1 burger called u daft? ... were u deaf wen dat same fella tel u 2 regret n repent? ... :oIo:

 

[Cruxx]

We aren't the ones brandishing hatchets and challenging political opponents to meet in the cul-de-sac.

 

[makapaaa]

This only goes to show the consequence of one dynasty rule that is deaf to 'noises' for the last 50 years.

 

[Cruxx]

I am concerned whether Singaporeans will see the day when we as one people can be gracious and civil to one another in the heat of differing political orientations.

Typical Sinkie sheep who views politics with a sense of levity. Would you treat your maid who let in her friends and their Bangladeshi boyfriends into your house with the same decorum you expect from us? If not, why shouldn't we curse and pour our vitriol onto those who open our borders to swathes of cheap labour from third world countries that depress our wages, compromise our productivity and unhinge the social fabric of Singapore?

 

[Windsor]

Typical Sinkie sheep who views politics with a sense of levity. Would you treat your maid who let in her friends and their Bangladeshi boyfriends into your house with the same decorum you expect from us? If not, why shouldn't we curse and pour our vitriol onto those who open our borders to swathes of cheap labour from third world countries that depress our wages, compromise our productivity and unhinge the social fabric of Singapore?

Plus dump dead body into the water tank of a HDB block?

 

[myfoot123]

ST Forum
Home > ST Forum > Online Story
May 21, 2011
Lack of civility on the ground

DR WILLIAM Wan of the Singapore Kindness Movement Secretariat captured only the demeanour of the politicians, which was nonetheless good to observe ('Kinder Singapore'; May 13).

Sadly though, that demeanour was not reinforced on the ground, in the HDB heartland and in social media arenas where the absence of civility was more telling and worrisome.

I observed the public demeanour during the General Election. It was definitely unprecedented, though I must add it was not completely out of control.

Singaporeans saw on television how some people did not even bother to restrain their anger in front of reporters. There were also reports of heckling of electoral candidates and vandalism of campaign posters.

Many netizens defended their preferred political party with such anger, abuse and sarcasm that it was hard to believe they were educated and from affluent First World Singapore.

I was in a heartland coffee shop on Cooling-Off Day and I heard a few individuals in their 30s swearing loudly about their unhappiness with certain political parties.

Even the obviously friendly Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the country's highest political office-holder, was not spared. Netizens, seemingly youngsters, showed him disrespect and some were even rude.

I am concerned whether Singaporeans will see the day when we as one people can be gracious and civil to one another in the heat of differing political orientations.

Jolly Wee

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_670773.html

Straits Times at work again. It allows itself to be used as political tool to silence the voice from society. Straits Times should have asked why Singaporeans have accumulated our angers for so many decades because of Straits Times. It doesn't report fairly and mostly allows itself to function like a machine TO CRITICISE SINGAPOREANS instead of helping the people. This is very in line with PAP style and arrogance of viewing the people at large.

Expect more of Straits Times bashing the citizens to help PAP take revenge in times to come.

 

[Bigfuck]

It will get worse, dogs of PAP. And the harder you try to crackdown, the scarier it will become. It is becoming clear that PAP is only good at fixing people than problems. What do you expect of people who talk about eugenics in a small population pool? If you still do not get it by now, I am afraid the people will teach you and then PAP will have nothing to rule. As the prostitute times and media continue their crap, their international respect and domestic respect will hit the bottom of the barrel and then.............

 

[Cruxx]

Plus dump dead body into the water tank of a HDB block?

Precisely. Basic concept of economics: negative externalities. You take in cheap labour, they bring with them their third world habits and customs. You gotta spend more $ fixing the problems they cause than the $ you save employing them. Fucking PAP no QC at all. Just simply allow any Indian with enough rupees for a fake degree to come in.

 

[democracy my butt]

Civil MY ASS! That s luxury! Not Allowed!:oIo:

 

[jw5]

Ahhh, Jolly Jolly Jolly.

What do you want?

 

[seiyup warrior]

Singaporeans can be gracious and civil.

Lee Kuan Yew,you first

 

[glockman]

Another useless letter, published by an equally useless media. This Jolly Wee deserves a tight slap. Can't seem to see or understand that after decades of repression and being treated like trash by the govt we elect, people are ready to explode. We should all be happy that more Sporeans, young and old, are not politically apathetic anymore. This makes for a more vibrant society and a more considerate and hardworking govt.

 

[scroobal]

Dear Jolly

The unemployed, the displaced and the neglected Singaporeans does not have the luxury nor the means to enjoy being gracious neither can find a reason to be civil. Would you.

See it in this light - what was the reason behind this kind of behaviour, where did the hatred come from and why now.

Every now and then, you hear of similar behavior and conduct from first world countries such as Australia, United Kingdom and the US. John Howard, Australia's longest serving PM was pelted and booed as he approached the front gates of a University for a speech and had to be bundled away and had to cancel his session. He was subsequently thrown out of his long held constituency. The similar treatment are again seen in the first world when pedophiles and child rapist are brought to court. Notice the similarity and by your standards also 1st world.

I am concerned whether Singaporeans will see the day when we as one people can be gracious and civil to one another in the heat of differing political orientations.

Jolly Wee

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_670773.html

 

[Fool_Me_Hard]

PAP did not show a good example in the past and showed plenty of ungracious behavior until this election is over. Calling Singaporeans daft, stupid, forgotten where we come from, and suing political opponents for defamation. No wonder, these young people also learn from PAP monkey see monkey do and behave rudely in front of the reporters and also tear down or vandalise the PAP posters.

 

[Debonerman]

I will be civil.......Excuse me, how long more before Lee Kuan Yew die painfully from a heart attack gasping Choo!.....choo! ....Chooo!?