Losing The Democratic Soul

[Goh Meng Seng]

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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZGhF3EmILQ/UG2zXzSn-OI/AAAAAAAAAik/zmNvLFmh-hU/s1600/Aljunied.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZGhF3EmILQ/UG2zXzSn-OI/AAAAAAAAAik/zmNvLFmh-hU/s320/Aljunied.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Image from Fabrication of PAP FB<br />
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When I first read about this saga of WP controlled Aljunied Town Council using the "carrot" of attractive Lucky Draw Prizes to get favourable HDB upgrading poll result, I was devastated.<br />
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This brings me back to a very emotional past of mine. It was the Generation Elections held in early 1997 (2 Jan 1997). I was one of the voters of the "Legendary" Cheng San GRC, hotly contested by the WP team led by the late JBJ and Tan Liang Hong. For those younger readers who are interested to know more about this GE, please refer to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheng_San_Group_Representation_Constituency" target="_blank">Wikipedia here</a>. During the run up to polling day, the then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong put his reputation at stake by declaring himself as the "special candidate" of that battle. He reportedly <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.19999885559082px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">told Cheng San voters that if they returned PAP candidates to power in the election, they would get a host of benefits. These included access to better transport facilities such as the MRT and LRT, new housing projects, such as Punggol 21, and opportunities to upgrade their HDB apartments and public housing estates. The PAP emphasised that constituencies that failed to return PAP candidates to power would not receive priority in government upgrading programmes and might end up becoming slums.</span></b></blockquote>
This single incident back then became the main critical factor that decided my fate into the opposition politics. After the WP team lost with 45% of the votes, I wrote a very emotional article posted on soc.culture.singapore. I was emotional because I know some of my family members have voted PAP for fear of the very threat that it has put up, the deprivation of HDB upgrading.<br />
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I am against such pork barrel politics practiced by PAP, not only it is unfair, unjust and unscrupulous, but because it will create a social environment and norm that is detrimental to our future generations. It will set a very bad example and system to teach our kids the wrong values and discarding the up-righteousness of being who we are and what we are, without being bought over easily by materialistic favours.<br />
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It was with that in mind, I declared that either I would leave Singapore and migrate out, to find a better environment for my future generations or I stay and join the fight against such decay political environment that will shape our Nation very badly. The rest is history.<br />
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The first party I joined was Workers Party in 2001, right in the middle of the GE. This was the platform that I chose to carry out my fight against such decadence political environment. I remembered I made my most satisfying speech in Ang Mo Kio GRC, just outside Cheng San Primary School, declaring the Cheng San Spirit will not die and we will not succumb to PAP's pork barrel politics. That was really deja vu for me. That was the Democratic Spirit that I have upheld for decades until today: the fight against injustice, social injustice, pork barrel politicking, democratic development for our Nation, well being of our people and reclaim the rights and power of our people.&nbsp; <br />
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Ironically, I was devastated yesterday when I learn that WP has fallen into the trap of its own success.<br />
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According to the<a href="http://www.hougang.org.sg/media_release_04Oct2012.php" target="_blank"> "clarification" made by the Workers Party Aljunied Town Council</a>, they have decided to carry out the "Lucky Draw" for those who voted "YES" for the upgrading because they want to encourage the residents to get pass the requirement of 75% "YES" votes so to ensure that the whole precinct will get the upgrading. The first poll conducted by PAP right before GE2011 is merely 50%. The WP didn't specifically state that who paid for the prizes though it was mentioned that HDB has given them $400K to conduct the poll. It claims that the poll was not secret polling as it was "consensus finding" exercise and said it was a "common practice" by other town councils (well, presumably PAP Town Councils). It further said that the residents were informed BEFORE HAND through the 22-page booklet that those who voted YES will get to participate in the Lucky Draw.<br />
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What is wrong with all these? Do they seem to sound very familiar? Yes. Using material gain to influence voting process!<br />
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First of all, the excuse of "other PAP Town Councils have done it so we do" doesn't sound right at all! PAP doesn't respect the secrecy of such poll doesn't mean that an opposition party that have been fighting vigorously to uphold Democratic principles should not respect the secrecy of such poll! WP should lead the way in good Democratic practice and stay true to its belief of upholding Democratic principles in whatever it does, instead of following blindly of what PAP is doing, which ironically, has been attacked by opposition parties (including WP) all these years! <br />
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Secondly, to add salt to the wounds, instead of respecting the secrecy of the poll, WP has in fact EXPLOITED the polling process to practice the very DIVISIVE tactic that PAP has been using all these years to preserve its monopoly over power.... If you vote me, you got your carrot, if not, you will not get it! This is exactly what WP is doing, by declaring that if you vote YES, you will get a chance to win that 40 inc LED TV! In fact, WP has gone even further in this practice... at least for PAP, they could only know their support level at precinct level and cannot discriminate those who didn't vote for them in the precincts that supported them most. But WP actually pin point to EACH AND EVERY household to identify who support and who didn't! Is WP trying to be MORE PAP THAN PAP?<br />
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Last but not least, WP should learn to respect residents' choice. To use such method and in fact, implicitly declaring "I know who didn't vote for it" to residents to exert undue stress on them is totally unethical. This is what PAP used to do for the past decades as well.<br />
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I am puzzled on why WP is using all these desperate DEVILISH means that we have been criticising PAP all along to try to influence the residents' voting preferences. I remembered very clearly that Pritam Singh has just spoke on the rally stage during the Hougang by-election denouncing PAP's HDB upgrading vote buying tactic and Mr. Low Thia Khiang has also said on the rally stage during GE2006 to openly denounce PAP of VOTE BUYING when Goh Chok Tong dangled that $100million upgrading funds for Hougang. I am very shocked and devastated that WP, after winning the hard fought Aljunied GRC that I have contested in GE2006 as well, has resorted to the very unscrupulous tactic of PAP, trying to win votes of YES for HDB upgrading.<br />
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Maybe WP is just trying very hard to outdo PAP, wanting show that under PAP's management of Aljunied Town Council, they could not get that 75% YES votes for this upgrading but under WP, they made it. It just wants to show<span style="font-size: small;"> that WP is "better" than PAP in that sense. However, is it worth losing your Democratic Soul by using the Devilish means to achieve such little battle?&nbsp;</span><br />
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When a man just do whatever it takes to "win" without holding much principles, he will just become a wandering opportunist.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">When one tries to do everything to fight the devil and eventually won the devil by using the devilish means, you might have won a little small battle but lost the bigger war by losing your soul to the devil.</span> You will become the wandering soulless body with no vision nor light to the right path.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I really hope that while WP enjoys its electoral success and trying every means to "win" at every little battle, they should not lose their democratic soul, losing sight of what they are fighting for and why they are there fighting and who they are fighting for.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">&nbsp;The so call
"Clarification" has done more harm than good for WP. It has put lots of
doubts on whether WP is sincere in its fight for the democratic cause. </span></span>WP should apologize and admit that such UNDEMOCRATIC practice should not have been conceived and carried out in the first place. It owed all opposition supporters a big apology.&nbsp; Else, all confidence, goodwill and support it received will be squandered off. Who will want to support a party that is More PAP than PAP? </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I guess WP didn't really realize the great potential damage that this little episode could bring to them, as well as all other opposition parties at large. We do not just pay lips service to Democracy but we should carry out good Democratic practice whenever and wherever we can. Else, we will lose all the credibility and moral high ground that we held against PAP all this while.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Goh Meng Seng</span></span><br />
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[Clone]

GMS live and let live. The contractors doing the upgrading also got family to feed one lor.

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

For the record, I am not against any HDB upgrading. But similarly to the PAP's past despicable act of using HDB upgrading as the means of pork barrel politics, it is not WHAT has been done that matters but HOW it is done that matters.

Goh Meng Seng

GMS live and let live. The contractors doing the upgrading also got family to feed one lor.

 

[I_Hate_Pappies]

One uses upgrading as a bait and/or threat to get votes for them to remain in power.
One uses lucky draw to attract more votes in a bid to push for upgrading for the benefit of residents.
One uses this opportunity to seek personal revenge.

 

[cunnilaubu]

One uses upgrading as a bait and/or threat to get votes for them to remain in power.
One uses lucky draw to attract more votes in a bid to push for upgrading for the benefit of residents.
One uses this opportunity to seek personal revenge.

You are a wise man with wise words. Can't agree more.
Looks like he is at it again. Seizing on every opportunity ..........

 

[wikiphile]

You are a wise man with wise words. Can't agree more.
Looks like he is at it. Seizing on every opportunity ..........

Even if an ant has been accidentally squashed to death by a member of the WP, he will scream 'Murder!'

 

[valiant20]

One uses upgrading as a bait and/or threat to get votes for them to remain in power.
One uses lucky draw to attract more votes in a bid to push for upgrading for the benefit of residents.
One uses this opportunity to seek personal revenge.

Agree with Bro cunnilaubu... definately wise statement being made here.. *new found respect*

 

[elephanto]

One uses upgrading as a bait and/or threat to get votes for them to remain in power.
One uses lucky draw to attract more votes in a bid to push for upgrading for the benefit of residents.
One uses this opportunity to seek personal revenge.

Spot on ! The misguided Seng will always misapply some highfalutin ideal to continue his disdainful criticism on WP while seriously believing in his own inflated self-righteousness.

He is genuinely recalcitrant because his powers of objective reflection is voided by his intellectual conceit.

Same thing with his laughable open invitation to LHL to come live with him to experience a 'commoner's' life.

Man, if GMS is a Christian, he will insist that only those who have been to Heaven are qualified to preach about Heaven.

 

[spiritofchengsan97]

hell yeah - invoke the Spirit of Cheng San '97 !!

i was only 13 during the Cheng San incident in 1997 but it made me see really how pathetic and low our ruling party was.

but surely in these times of desperation, don't we need some clarity now and then? Opposition unity is clearly needed now !!!

The only way the opposition can defeat the PAP is by coming together . Just read up on the Venezuelan elections happening now, the opposition parties were only able to realistically challenge Chavez (in power for 14 years) by UNITING FOR THE GREATER GOOD !!

 

[jw5]

Even if an ant has been accidentally squashed to death by a member of the WP, he will scream 'Murder!'

Reminds me of an ex colleague who actually shrieked "Don't kill living things on my table" many years ago, after I squashed an ant on her table, while it was scurrying around our documents in the midst of a discussion.

This same person would also spend office hours gossiping negative things about her colleagues to the supervisor.

 

[wikiphile]

Reminds me of an ex colleague who actually shrieked "Don't kill living things on my table" many years ago, after I squashed an ant on her table, while it was scurrying around our documents in the midst of a discussion.

This same person would also spend office hours gossiping negative things about her colleagues to the supervisor.

What a fucking little whiny bitch, don't you think?

 

[cunnilaubu]

What a fucking little whiny bitch, don't you think?

Ehh.....指桑罵槐？　:p

 

[Fook Seng]

GMS live and let live. The contractors doing the upgrading also got family to feed one lor.

Who is interested with the contractors and their families or the common people for that matter? He is interested only in how to bring the WP down.

 

[jw5]

What a fucking little whiny bitch, don't you think?

agree except for the "little" part, she was huge and ugly.

 

[liongsum]

One uses upgrading as a bait and/or threat to get votes for them to remain in power.
One uses lucky draw to attract more votes in a bid to push for upgrading for the benefit of residents.
One uses this opportunity to seek personal revenge.

Too shallow for words.
Change with no change is the greater danger.

Will they surpass the PAP, if ISA is there for them to use?

 

[Thick Face Black Heart]

Even if an ant has been accidentally squashed to death by a member of the WP, he will scream 'Murder!'

OK, lets put this into perspective. When the PAP wants to buy votes, they are willing to dig into the national coffers and give $80 million to Potong Pasir. For an election that will secure them a seat in Parliament. That's called pork barrel politics. $80 million from tax payers money to buy votes, to secure Parliament.

WP offers an LCD as part of a lucky draw. It has nothing to do with securing WP's seat in Parliament. Last time I checked, Best Denki also offer LCD TV as part of lucky draw. Both not from national coffers. No taxpayer dollars involved. Nothing to do with securing Parliamentary seats.

Goh Meng Seng has lost his big blue marbles.

 

[mojito]

When I first read about this saga of WP controlled Aljunied Town Council using the "carrot" of attractive Lucky Draw Prizes to get favourable HDB upgrading poll result, I was devastated.

I had a good chuckle from the very first line. Thank you for brightening up my day!

 

[wikiphile]

OK, lets put this into perspective. When the PAP wants to buy votes, they are willing to dig into the national coffers and give $80 million to Potong Pasir. For an election that will secure them a seat in Parliament. That's called pork barrel politics. $80 million from tax payers money to buy votes, to secure Parliament.

WP offers an LCD as part of a lucky draw. It has nothing to do with securing WP's seat in Parliament. Last time I checked, Best Denki also offer LCD TV as part of lucky draw. Both not from national coffers. No taxpayer dollars involved. Nothing to do with securing Parliamentary seats.

Goh Meng Seng has lost his big blue marbles.

Hence by the same token, when WP offered a LCD TV (probably a cheap one at that), it carries a graver offense than say giving every singaporean citizens 500 dollars as part of the 'GST rebate'. I'm sure that whoever came out with the idea of a LCD screen for a prize will be reincarnated into a pig who is destined to be castrated and eaten.

I hope this will give GMS some solace and he can sleep at night knowing that all WP members and their supporters will share this gastronomical if somewhat gruesome fate in their next life.

 

[mojito]

Let me put it this way. It is definitely inconsistent for Pritam (and by extension, WP) to say that he abhors the PAP's scheme to provide upgrading for residents if they vote for them, then turn around and gives away an LCD TV to residents who voted for upgrading their estates.

However, that is just nitpicking. Given the history between GMS and PS, our political analyst is simply making a mountain out of a molehill.