My 'essay' on why SG opposition should unite

[Velma]

You have been warned, it is a Wall of Text and it may take up some time. You can exit if you do not like such stuff.




Across the Causeway, the Malaysian opposition parties have united under the coalition of Pakatan Rakyat. Component parties are the PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat), PAS (Parti Islam SeMalaysia) and DAP (Democratic Action Party). Interesting part is, all three parties do not really have the same goals.

PKR fights on a justice multi-racial platform and has so far, garnered the votes of the modern Malays and the Malay youths.

PAS based its ideals on an Islamic Malaysia, where Muslims are to follow the Quran religiously (no drinking, etc).

DAP fights for the rights of the minority (Chinese and Indian) and is expectedly not popular with the Malays.

The funny part is, these 3 parties have managed to last for two years without having a split-up. The problems they face are the occasional defections and the sudden by-elections. Definitely, there were differences but somehow, they managed to settle it amiably without any side threatening to split or part ways.

So my question is, if communal-based Malaysian parties are able to stand as one and put their differences aside, why are Singapore parties that is non-communal unable to unite under a banner?

Most of the opposition parties in Singapore are fighting for a Singapore government that cares for the people and has greater accountability and transparency. Therefore, I feel, the common goal part is pretty much settled.

You may ask, why unite under one banner when the opposition parties are already avoiding a three-cornered fight. People, by nature, are either intimidated or in awe when they see a strong and united force.

Example: A war breaks out somewhere. The defending forces are down to their last men. Help comes in two ways.

1. A coalition of forces made up by French armour, British infantry, German pilots and Italian battleships. Co-ordination is going to be a nightmare because four sides have different cultures and languages.

2. US Marines, consisting of American marines, battleships and aircrafts.

It is quite obvious which side looks more assuring.

Now to conclude, Opposition should strike when the iron is hot, most Singaporeans are really disgruntled with the government (FT, YOG, Distance Fares, etc.) In fact, the government made so many gaffes that it will be wasted if the the Opposition do not seize upon the chances, which will lead to the next GE and by then, 40% of the voters will be FTs.

Carpe Diem.


Thank you for wasting your time to read my 'essay'. :p:p

Feel free to disagree or agree.

PS: This 'essay' is solely Velma's thoughts.

 

[aurvandil]

Thank you for wasting your time to read my 'essay'. :p:p

Feel free to disagree or agree.

PS: This 'essay' is solely Velma's thoughts.

Good essay although it is not very likely to happen.

There is a "prophecy" going as far back as the mid-1990s that PAP rule over Singapore will wane by 2020.

To prevent this "prophecy" from being fulfilled, the PAP did two things.

The first was the identification of likely leaders that will bring down the PAP. Instead of finishing them off, many of them were co-opted into the PAP. The largest number came from a group pretty much like the group that hangs out at this forum. They called themselves the "Roundtable" before they don the white robes.

The second was to try and introduce a slew of measures which would they hoped would make the PAP hip and happening with the young. This include a group of MPs that did a hip-hop dance and the latest YOG which was supposed to win the hearts and minds of a whole generation of Singaporeans.

Unfortunately the "prophecy" could not be thwarted. The "Roundtable" leaders turned out not to be the leaders foretold in the "prophecy". Instead they turned out to be the very people that would cause the downfall of the PAP. In spite of millions of dollars spent, none of the initiatives could change the inevitable demographic tide.

The year now is 2010. The cracks will emerge by 2012. by 2017, the 2/3 domination is likely to be lost. THe future beyond 2017 is uncertain. The emergence of a 2 party system seems unlikely at this stage. Instead what we are likely to see is a coaliation system with the PAP being one of the larger parties.

 

[Ramseth]

Example: A war breaks out somewhere. The defending forces are down to their last men. Help comes in two ways.

1. A coalition of forces made up by French armour, British infantry, German pilots and Italian battleships. Co-ordination is going to be a nightmare because four sides have different cultures and languages.

2. US Marines, consisting of American marines, battleships and aircrafts.

This is amusingly imaginative. France, Germany and Italy have nothing to with Singapore and won't send any of their forces here to help.

 

[Velma]

This is amusingly imaginative. France, Germany and Italy have nothing to with Singapore and won't send any of their forces here to help.

I am not talking about Singapore, I am talking about somewhere on Earth.

It is just an example.

 

[Maximilian Chua-Heng]

Not too much of a wall of words as I have expected.

You miss out the single most important unifying factor - Anwar Ibrahim, who was the ex-DPM, ie the next-in-line-to-be PM.

No Opposition figure has the clout or charisma like Anwar yet in sg.

Politics is all about pedigree and presentation.

 

[Velma]

Good essay although it is not very likely to happen.

There is a "prophecy" going as far back as the mid-1990s that PAP rule over Singapore will wane by 2020.

To prevent this "prophecy" from being fulfilled, the PAP did two things.

The first was the identification of likely leaders that will bring down the PAP. Instead of finishing them off, many of them were co-opted into the PAP. The largest number came from a group pretty much like the group that hangs out at this forum. They called themselves the "Roundtable" before they don the white robes.

The second was to try and introduce a slew of measures which would they hoped would make the PAP hip and happening with the young. This include a group of MPs that did a hip-hop dance and the latest YOG which was supposed to win the hearts and minds of a whole generation of Singaporeans.

Unfortunately the "prophecy" could not be thwarted. The "Roundtable" leaders turned out not to be the leaders foretold in the "prophecy". Instead they turned out to be the very people that would cause the downfall of the PAP. In spite of millions of dollars spent, none of the initiatives could change the inevitable demographic tide.

The year now is 2010. The cracks will emerge by 2012. by 2017, the 2/3 domination is likely to be lost. THe future beyond 2017 is uncertain. The emergence of a 2 party system seems unlikely at this stage. Instead what we are likely to see is a coaliation system with the PAP being one of the larger parties.

No matter how much I dislike Old Fart's policy, I cannot deny that he is politically shrewd. After all, he was one of the few leaders who asked his colleagues to step down for the 2nd generation (GCT, Tony Tan, etc). Some of the old-guard were quite peeved naturally, but the action strengthened the hold of the PAP on the then-young generation.

The identification of likely future leaders do apply to certain ministers. Heard from people that Vivian was quite anti-PAP during his younger days. GCT approached him and told him that if he did not like PAP, why not join PAP and change it yourself? The rest is history, except for the fact that he probably became one of the ministers who only collect salaries and do nothing for the poor.

PAP has often tried to reach out to the young, George Yeo (and other MPs) created a facebook account to reach out to the young ones. As you mentioned, Hip-Hop Show (totally unnecessary). However, I feel it is the wrong method. People will vote for you, regardless of age, as long as the policies benefit the citizens.

For the part in bold, it might have a 70% chance of being accurate. The split might be between the English-educated elites and the just-promoted-to-MP Chinese-educated grassroot leaders. No matter how one denies, English-educated people do think differently from the Chinese counterparts.

 

[Velma]

Not too much of a wall of words as I have expected.

You miss out the single most important unifying factor - Anwar Ibrahim, who was the ex-DPM, ie the next-in-line-to-be PM.

No Opposition figure has the clout or charisma like Anwar yet in sg.

Politics is all about pedigree and presentation.

No denying Anwar is really charismatic. He was helped by the fact that Mahatir jailed him and falsely charged him for sodomy, hence the public see him as a victimised hero fighting for ordinary Malaysians.

Dr Chee Soon Juan could have been equally popular in Singapore if he had not shot himself in the foot on certain occasions by being mega-confrontational and instead of rebutting normally, proceeds to scold and 'curse' PAP, giving the excuse for PAP to use their "sue-till-you-drop" and "mainstream-media humiliation". Chiam is good but unfortunately age has not been kind on him.

There are some young talented Singaporeans with pedigree and presentation, however from young, they are taught to worship or fear PAP , so they stay away from politics.

 

[Ramseth]

Anwar's charismatic alright. Two years back, a few of us went to his Hari Raya Aidilfitri lunch function at Club Sultan Sulaiman, KL.

Locke Liberal shaked his hand and said, "Thank you, thank you for having come to J.B. Jeyaretnam's funeral." (Anwar did came to the funeral earlier.) Anwar just smiled.

Later Anwar asked me at one side, "I didn't know J.B.J. got a Chinese son. That fellow, married British woman and fooled around with Chinese mistress?" I almost choked on the satay gravy.

 

[Queen Seok Duk]

This is amusingly imaginative. France, Germany and Italy have nothing to with Singapore and won't send any of their forces here to help.

You're amusingly incomprehensible, at times.

Sometimes you exhibit sharpness with a good blend of experience and knowledge. That is the Ramseth I like. However, if we can't manage to catch you during one of your 'lucid intervals' your comprehension skills can send the discussion veer off the runaway. And you can go on and on until you hit the Control Tower.

 

[Velma]

Anwar's charismatic alright. Two years back, a few of us went to his Hari Raya Aidilfitri lunch function at Club Sultan Sulaiman, KL.

Locke Liberal shaked his hand and said, "Thank you, thank you for having come to J.B. Jeyaretnam's funeral." (Anwar did came to the funeral earlier.) Anwar just smiled.

Later Anwar asked me at one side, "I didn't know J.B.J. got a Chinese son. That fellow, married British woman and fooled around with Chinese mistress?" I almost choked on the satay gravy.

If he was trying to joke, it was rather tasteless.

 

[Alamaking]

SG opposition care too much on their 'face' liao, ask them unite sure quarrel 1, LOL.

 

[Queen Seok Duk]

There is a "prophecy" going as far back as the mid-1990s that PAP rule over Singapore will wane by 2020.

Who is the prophet ?

I can't wait till 2020. I want to send them packing on the next GE.

 

[Queen Seok Duk]

If he was trying to joke, it was rather tasteless.

You missed the point lah.

The point is he rubbed shoulders with Anwar. Got it ?

 

[Velma]

SG opposition care too much on their 'face' liao, ask them unite sure quarrel 1, LOL.

This has always been the burning question. Malaysian parties of different races and agendas can form a decent coalition whereas Singaporean parties of same missions cannot cobble one coalition together. I think as Max Chua said, there is a lack of a charismatic leader on the Opposition sides.

LKY can cobble a coalition in Malaysia with the different Malaysian parties and form the Malaysian Solidarity Convention. This, I give credit to his charismatic skills in convincing.

 

[Ramseth]

If he was trying to joke, it was rather tasteless.

I think he wasn't trying to joke. He was bewildered by Locke Liberal and enquired charismatically.

Anyway, half of the club were filled with DAP Chinese politicians. That's good example for learning co-operation and unity.

 

[aurvandil]

Who is the prophet ?

I can't wait till 2020. I want to send them packing on the next GE.

A group of statisticians studying demography and the relationship with voting patterns. As a result of this we have the now famous P65 term.

By 2012, those born before 1965 and those born after 1965 will approximately be 50:50 of the voting population.

By 2017, the ratio will roughly be 25:75 of the voting population.

If you cross reference the age distribuition of the GRC and who is anchoring that GRC, you will have a good idea of PAP's electoral strategy. The constant redrawing of the electoral boundaries is to ensure that there is a good mix between the old and the young voters.

 

[Ramseth]

Who is the prophet ?

I can't wait till 2020. I want to send them packing on the next GE.

According to Islam, the first prophet was Adam and the last prophet was Muhammad. Notably important prophets in between were Musa (Moses), Daud (David) and Isa (Jesus).

 

[Velma]

I think he wasn't trying to joke. He was bewildered by Locke Liberal and enquired charismatically.

Anyway, half of the club were filled with DAP Chinese politicians. That's good example for learning co-operation and unity.

Who is Locke Liberal?

If Malay parties can get along with a Chinese party after the years of the discriminatory New Economic Policy, I don't understand why our predominantly-Chinese opposition parties cannot even be together.

 

[Queen Seok Duk]

According to Islam, the first prophet was Adam and the last prophet was Muhammad. Notably important prophets in between were Musa (Moses), Daud (David) and Isa (Jesus).

Are you looking at Foyce Le's picture on the table with one hand on the keyboard and another hand under the table ?

 

[mollusk]

No matter how good our opposition party is, they still need the vote from the people below.sinkies should try to put their difference aside and be united.but from the look of it,very difficult.squabble about race is the main issues here.y can'they all wake up their fucking idea.