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http://www.temasekreview.com/2010/0...as-anti-pap-sentiments-rise-to-all-time-high/
Strong turnout at SDP’s pre-election rally as anti-PAP sentiments rise to all time high
September 25th, 2010 | Author: Your Correspondent
Despite the light drizzle, nearly 400 Singaporeans from all ages and race turned up at Hong Lim Park on a Saturday evening to attend the Singapore Democratic Party’s marathon pre-election rally which lasted four hours from 5pm to 9pm.
The evening was kicked off by the Young Democrats who took to the podium to share their dreams, vision and aspirations for a more open, equal and democratic Singapore. among them is 27 year old Abdul Malik who was arrested by the Singapore police for criticizing PAP minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan over his handling of the YOG on Facebook.
In his short maiden speech, Mr Malik made an appeal to Singaporeans to give ex-offenders like himself a second chance in life and thanked his employer Mr Michael Ong for his understanding and support during his recent ordeal.
After a short break of 10 minutes, the senior members of the SDP took turns to criticize PAP policies and outlined the party’s alternative economic proposal for Singapore.
The hot topic of the day revolved around immigration as SDP leaders lampooned the PAP for their open-door immigration policy which has caused untold amount suffering to ordinary Singaporeans.
They stressed that they are not against genuine foreign talents who can contribute to Singapore, but against the indiscriminate influx of foreigners which has changed the demographics of Singapore beyond recognition.
Mr Tan Kin Lian, who is a guest speaker, proposed a minimum wage for Singaporeans which is supported by new SDP member Dr Vincent Wijeysingha who holds a PhD from the University of Sheffield.
Dr Vincent Wijeysingha proposed legislating a minimum wage of $6.80 per hour as well as unemployment benefits for Singaporeans who will be given 75 percent of their last drawn pay for the first six months of unemployment followed by 50 percent for the next six months and 25 percent subsequently for them to tide through the interim period.
Veteran opposition politician Jufrie Mahmood drew laughter from the crowd when he took a pot shot at PAP strongman Lee Kuan Yew for being a very expensive “fortune teller” whose “forecasts” are almost always wrong.
Former ISA detainee Mr Vincent Cheng shared his traumatic experiences of being abused and assaulted by ISD officers during his three year detention and called for the abolishment of the Internal Security Act.
The night was capped by an inspiring speech from SDP’s Secretary-General Chee Soon Juan who urged the crowd to make use of the rare opportunity presented to them in the next general election to vote for the SDP into parliament to speak up for them.
The huge turnout surprised even SDP leaders themselves as SDP’s pre-election rally was not given any publicity by the mainstream media prior to Saturday and only a Zaobao journalist was there to cover the event. There was no crew seen from Channel News Asia.
There was a palpable sense of tension and anger in the air as Singaporeans turned up in numbers towards the end of the rally to listen to SDP with loud applause heard as PAP leaders were criticized publicly for their astronomical salaries and dismal performance.
From the turnout and response of the crowd, it is pretty obvious that the wind of change is blowing across Singapore and the PAP may be in for a rude shock in the coming general election.
MORE REPORTS AND PHOTOS TO COME TOMORROW
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Strong turnout at SDP’s pre-election rally as anti-PAP sentiments rise to all time high
September 25th, 2010 | Author: Your Correspondent
Despite the light drizzle, nearly 400 Singaporeans from all ages and race turned up at Hong Lim Park on a Saturday evening to attend the Singapore Democratic Party’s marathon pre-election rally which lasted four hours from 5pm to 9pm.
The evening was kicked off by the Young Democrats who took to the podium to share their dreams, vision and aspirations for a more open, equal and democratic Singapore. among them is 27 year old Abdul Malik who was arrested by the Singapore police for criticizing PAP minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan over his handling of the YOG on Facebook.
In his short maiden speech, Mr Malik made an appeal to Singaporeans to give ex-offenders like himself a second chance in life and thanked his employer Mr Michael Ong for his understanding and support during his recent ordeal.
After a short break of 10 minutes, the senior members of the SDP took turns to criticize PAP policies and outlined the party’s alternative economic proposal for Singapore.
The hot topic of the day revolved around immigration as SDP leaders lampooned the PAP for their open-door immigration policy which has caused untold amount suffering to ordinary Singaporeans.
They stressed that they are not against genuine foreign talents who can contribute to Singapore, but against the indiscriminate influx of foreigners which has changed the demographics of Singapore beyond recognition.
Mr Tan Kin Lian, who is a guest speaker, proposed a minimum wage for Singaporeans which is supported by new SDP member Dr Vincent Wijeysingha who holds a PhD from the University of Sheffield.
Dr Vincent Wijeysingha proposed legislating a minimum wage of $6.80 per hour as well as unemployment benefits for Singaporeans who will be given 75 percent of their last drawn pay for the first six months of unemployment followed by 50 percent for the next six months and 25 percent subsequently for them to tide through the interim period.
Veteran opposition politician Jufrie Mahmood drew laughter from the crowd when he took a pot shot at PAP strongman Lee Kuan Yew for being a very expensive “fortune teller” whose “forecasts” are almost always wrong.
Former ISA detainee Mr Vincent Cheng shared his traumatic experiences of being abused and assaulted by ISD officers during his three year detention and called for the abolishment of the Internal Security Act.
The night was capped by an inspiring speech from SDP’s Secretary-General Chee Soon Juan who urged the crowd to make use of the rare opportunity presented to them in the next general election to vote for the SDP into parliament to speak up for them.
The huge turnout surprised even SDP leaders themselves as SDP’s pre-election rally was not given any publicity by the mainstream media prior to Saturday and only a Zaobao journalist was there to cover the event. There was no crew seen from Channel News Asia.
There was a palpable sense of tension and anger in the air as Singaporeans turned up in numbers towards the end of the rally to listen to SDP with loud applause heard as PAP leaders were criticized publicly for their astronomical salaries and dismal performance.
From the turnout and response of the crowd, it is pretty obvious that the wind of change is blowing across Singapore and the PAP may be in for a rude shock in the coming general election.
MORE REPORTS AND PHOTOS TO COME TOMORROW
Please join our Facebook page here and invite your friends to do so to create awareness of the current affairs affecting Singaporeans. Please use our online web form to contact us.
