- Joined
- Dec 30, 2010
- Messages
- 12,730
- Points
- 113
Singapore’s PAP would surely have taken note of Cambodia’s and Malaysia’s election results. Comfortable winning margins in one election can vanish by the next. This is particularly since there are many similarities among Cambodia, Malaysia and Singapore, not least of which is the fact that the respective ruling party in each country has been in office a long time. Electorates tend to get tired of long-lasting regimes. All three countries have seen incumbent governments use heavy-handed tactics to entrench themselves in power, including measures (such as detention without trial, defamation suits, intimidation of opponents, control of mainstream media) that do not pass democratic muster. Each of the three governments too has been accused of cronyism and blamed for neglecting social justice, even if the economy as a whole isn’t tanking.
But a striking difference is that where Cambodia in 2013 had a major opposition party (CNRP) and Malaysia had an opposition alliance (Pakatan Rakyat), in Singapore, our opposition parties are still uncoordinated. However, for the sake of visualising the future, let’s assume that we’ll soon get to the point where either (a) several of our opposition parties can form a united front, or (b) one of them grows sufficiently to contest all seats, presenting itself as a viable alternative government.
When that happens, I reckon that there is a real chance that an electoral upset may occur, and we wake up to a new government the morning after.
- http://yawningbread.wordpress.com/2013/09/03/surviving-a-post-pap-mess/
But a striking difference is that where Cambodia in 2013 had a major opposition party (CNRP) and Malaysia had an opposition alliance (Pakatan Rakyat), in Singapore, our opposition parties are still uncoordinated. However, for the sake of visualising the future, let’s assume that we’ll soon get to the point where either (a) several of our opposition parties can form a united front, or (b) one of them grows sufficiently to contest all seats, presenting itself as a viable alternative government.
When that happens, I reckon that there is a real chance that an electoral upset may occur, and we wake up to a new government the morning after.
- http://yawningbread.wordpress.com/2013/09/03/surviving-a-post-pap-mess/
