The Malik Affair - An Open Letter to Opposition Leaders

[aurvandil]

As for Malik, I hope the PAP reading this will ponder if they had overreacted and let Malik go with a slight warning WITHOUT the need for oppositions to work up their courage. This will tell us that they can self-govern. Today, PAP's insight into themselves is a more plausible safeguard for our welfare.

Are there still good men of conscience in the PAP?

Will they step forward when they see their colleagues abusing their authority?

Evil happens when good men do nothing.

 

[IR123]

Are there still good men of conscience in the PAP?

Will they step forward when they see their colleagues abusing their authority?

Evil happens when good men do nothing.

You should also ask the same of LTK and CST too since they are acknowledged and elected opposition leaders.

Yes, I believe that there are still good men of conscience in the PAP. They tried their best within the system.

Even if you believe that there are none, tell me, did LTK and CST do anything?

 

[scroobal]

Viv B thought enough to distance himself from the arrest. This case should be raised in parliament.

Are there still good men of conscience in the PAP?

Will they step forward when they see their colleagues abusing their authority?

Evil happens when good men do nothing.

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

Dear Scroobal, IR123 & aurvandil,

Personally, I have found it quite amusing for the police to carry out such "investigations" based on such interpretation of wordings which is totally out of context. It is unbelievable, indeed. It is either those who made the official complains lack the intellectual capacity as well as basic common sense or that they are just doing it blindly.

However, I would say, as I have stated in my FB, Malik himself has to bear part of the responsibility of such loose use of words. Especially so, he cannot just assume everyone who reads his statements could well understand such metaphor, no matter how simple or innocent it is.

Having said all these, I hate to think that this is some kind of "persecution" that PAP is carrying out. I reallly cannot relate such crude and silly execution to the image of World Class government that PAP tries to build for itself.

As Scroobal has pointed out rightly, it is really an unnecessary move by PAP in a year which we are expecting to have a General Elections. It has not only irritated the Malay community but also the younger block of voters. Anyone with just that bit of common sense and political acumen will understand such sensitivity, just like traffic police will always avoid giving summons to those cars parked illegally near a rally site during GE.

Correct me if I am wrong, I read the first report which says that it was MDA which reported this matter to the police. It is only right for Vivian to jump and clarify that he is not the one who made the complain because that would be the greatest insult to his high intelligence. It seems that MDA has suddenly become very active in playing its role as censor beyond the traditional media. It is just over zealous in its work though.

It is however, in my opinion, unwise to jump the gun at this moment. I would like to see whether the police will bring Malik to court and charge him with whatever laws they could find. I expect them to just let him off with a "stern warning", so to speak. But if they really charged him, then appropriate response would be made from my side.

IR123, I do not believe a ruling party with absolute power could "self-govern" without pressures from voters and opposition parties. It is just human nature, so to speak, for people to get carried away by the enormous power that they hold.

Aurvandil, with due respect, I believe in democracy basically because it is built upon the assumption that human beings are imperfect and will tend to be corrupted in the long run when they are entrenched in monopoly of power. If the leaders have conscience, that would be a big bonus, else, the only way for the system to be sustainable in the long run, no amount of adhoc conscience could replace effective political competition as the key foundation of stability within the system.

Goh Meng Seng

 

[aurvandil]

You should also ask the same of LTK and CST too since they are acknowledged and elected opposition leaders.

Yes, I believe that there are still good men of conscience in the PAP. They tried their best within the system.

Even if you believe that there are none, tell me, did LTK and CST do anything?

At this point in time, it is pretty unrealistic for our Opposition leaders to do anything. At best, they will be ignored. At worst, they themselves will be arrested.

If you can arrest a young boy on trumped up charges for critcising you, how far away are you from arresting an Opposition leader who looks like he might win an election and remove you from office?

At this point in time, the only people who can do something about it are the good men of conscience within the PAP. It is sad to see how despite the righteous values they claim to have, ALL have kept quiet. As pointed out by Scrobal, Minister Balakrishnan even quickly distanced himself from the arrest.

If good men of conscience within the PAP sit back and do nothing while their colleagues deploy repressive police state tactics to stay in power, then Singapore is well on its way to ruin. The good PAP men of conscience should not be just be restraining their colleagues as you suggest. They should be publicly speaking out to voice their opposition that such behaviour will not be tolerated. If necessary, they should have the moral courage to resign their lofty position and perhaps even join the Opposition to fight for the good of Singapore.

As is, Singaore is faced with a hostile economic, geopoltical global environment. The policy mistakes over the past 10 years have compounded the problems faced by Singapore. If we add in self interested PAP politicians intent on staying in power because they have become acustomed to the trappings of office, then it is hard to see how Singapore can have any hope.

 

[Perspective]

I still believe what kind of Singaporeans breed what kind of politicians, and the m.o. of politicians are based on collective Singaporeans - like it or not. Some forummers' concern for Abdul Malik is commendable, but you can see, even most of the political commentators in Sammyboy have not participated in this thread. That's very telling.

At least GMS is frank about it. Kudos to him.

 

[fivestars]

The Opposition Party Shall:-

Vision: Form an alliance government in parliament

Mission: Form an alliance party to contest in general elections

The Opposition Party Shall Declaration that the aims and purposes of the party:

(1) To accelerate Political Growth, Social Awareness and Political Power sharing in our General Elections and Parliament House.

:(
(2) To promote political peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among political parties.
:(


(3) To agreed on a concert of Singaporean outward looking, living in peace, stability and prosperity, bonded together in dynamic development and in one united nation of caring societies.

The Members have to adopt the following fundamental principles in their relations with one another:

1) mutual respect for the Aim, Vision, Mission, Objective, Principle, Election Manifesto, Integrity, Equality and Party Identity of all parties;
2) the right of every party executive council to lead its party existence free from external interference, subversion or coercion;
3) non-interference in the internal affairs of one another;
4) settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner;
5) renunciation of the threat or use of force;
6) effective cooperation among themselves.
7) each party member had the right to switch among the component parties (Democracy and Human Right)

 

[Thick Face Black Heart]

I still believe what kind of Singaporeans breed what kind of politicians, and the m.o. of politicians are based on collective Singaporeans - like it or not.

Does this apply to PAP politicians too?

 

[Perspective]

Does this apply to PAP politicians too?

Of course. The PAP is there because Singaporeans allow it. No government that has put up this kind of performance has this kind of majority. HK and Switzerland does better than Singapore in many areas and are still struggling to avoid hung parliaments. PAP can probably accuse their citizens of being ungrateful even more.

The people also don't take kindly anyone who doesn't bring issues close to their hearts like $$$. Even if SDP isn't the best scoring opposition party, I wouldn't expect the party to get such a "flat rate" of the votes. They should score a % around the level of what SDA got.

 

[ChaoPappyPoodle]

You should also ask the same of LTK and CST too since they are acknowledged and elected opposition leaders.

Yes, I believe that there are still good men of conscience in the PAP. They tried their best within the system.

Even if you believe that there are none, tell me, did LTK and CST do anything?

I would rather ask the 82 PAP MPs where their conscience is. I would rather ask the police commissioner and those responsible for the arrest where their conscience are.

You seem to pick on the oppressed instead of highlighting the oppressors.

It is you that has no moral ground to ask others where their conscience is.
:oIo::oIo::oIo:

 

[Thick Face Black Heart]

Of course. The PAP is there because Singaporeans allow it. No government that has put up this kind of performance has this kind of majority. HK and Switzerland does better than Singapore in many areas and are still struggling to avoid hung parliaments. PAP can probably accuse their citizens of being ungrateful even more.

The people also don't take kindly anyone who doesn't bring issues close to their hearts like $$$. Even if SDP isn't the best scoring opposition party, I wouldn't expect the party to get such a "flat rate" of the votes. They should score a % around the level of what SDA got.

So if we're angry with the PAP, sometimes we should also look ourselves in the mirror?

I believe $$$ has cost vote swings against the PAP before, like in the '80s when CPF changes caused a > 10% swing.

Not sure if this will happen again, as the issue now appears to be foreign talents (trash) and to a lesser extent, housing. ... housing is related to $$$, dat's why MBT blurted out that he's making those changes all for the elections....

 

[ChaoPappyPoodle]

Good points.

However open letters to closed minds will not men of courage make.

"We certainly don't need your help to run the economy or design the transport needs of this country. What then are you guys fighting for?" is worthy of a long analysis - "The Opposition - what you get when you voted for them - 20 long years of facts & fantasies." Countermanding this is "The PAP - what will happen if you endorse their policies with your vote." Put the two together and I may well too join in open letters except that I no longer believe that the myraid oppositions have any value or the PAP will care after the elections.

You need to take the good with the bad and live with the PAP. Maybe we can say goodbye to the likes of LTK and CST (no favouritism meant for the others, just in fairness they did not yet have the opportunity to prove the level of their worth)

...

What good has the PAP done? Any political party that cannot provide affordable housing, affordable and timely healthcare, progressive education, sufficient pensions, an open and vibrant media environment, stable and viable job opportunities and a good transportation system should not be allowed to govern.

And yet the PAP has been governing for almost 50 years! This group of incompetent, self-praising elitists should be voted out of parliament. It is as simple as that!

 

[ChaoPappyPoodle]

Of course. The PAP is there because Singaporeans allow it. No government that has put up this kind of performance has this kind of majority. ...

Typical Stockholm Syndrome symptom. I think you need some expert help.

Without the media being a PAP tool, they would have been kicked out ages ago. Not only do the media trumpet the PAPies every move, they also bash the APs. They also spew PAP propaganda. And lastly, the media doesn't question the many questions that should be asked of PAP MPs.

As you can see, whenever a PAP MP is questioned even slightly, they spew off bad PR and nonsensical garbage.

Hard to blame the people when the oppressors controls the media.

 

[fivestars]

The fact of Opposition Unity:-

1) Who are the Opposition Leader in Parliament?

Mr Low Thia Kiang

2) Who are the Opposition Deputy Leader in Parliament?

Mr Chiam See Tong

3) If we are not agree with fact, How?

We had no leader. We are Street Fighters party in the hand of ruling party.

 

[ChaoPappyPoodle]

The opposition leader today does not neccessarily mean he will be an opposition leader after the next election. The opposition leader by definition is the party with the next most MPs in parliament and this could also be the PAP after the next GE.

It's pointless making this an issue now when the cards have not been dealt with. I also do not see the importance of having an opposition leader in parliament.

 

[Perspective]

So if we're angry with the PAP, sometimes we should also look ourselves in the mirror?

For those who benefit from and vote PAP - no.

For those who vote for opposition - no.

For those who vote PAP because the opposition is this, that, this, that - yes.

One can safely say Singapore has the largest number of such voters in the world and helped PAP keep to its 95% majority. It reminds me of the kind of employers that look for experienced people. That might seem normal - until you realise some industries such as biomedical failed to take root because no one dared take the course offered by Polys and Unis. Which made Singapore go back to hiring foreigners again.

People here are just too resistant to change. In the end, the new party in power would be so risk averse that they will not change too much of what PAP did to Singapore, except maybe cut their own salaries.

 

[aurvandil]

People here are just too resistant to change. In the end, the new party in power would be so risk averse that they will not change too much of what PAP did to Singapore, except maybe cut their own salaries.

Under the most optimisitc of scenarios, the best we can hope for is the shattering of 2/3 majority by the 2016/2017 elections.

The tentative road map based on current available information is:

2010/2011 Election Loss of 1 to 2 GRC. Large number of freshmen opposition leaders enter as either MPs or NCMPs.

2016/2017 Election Loss of 2/3 majority

2021/2022 Election ???

If present trends continue, it is likely that we will enter an era of coalition politics in 2021/2022. The landscape will probably be similar to the NF system that has dominated Malaysia.

In the coalition era, the PAP will be the senior partner aka UMNO and they will most likely to rule Singapore with one or two junior coalition partners. As in all coalition politics, we then likely to see a number of MOS or even Ministers emerge from the Opposition ranks.

The PAP is desperate to prevent this future from happening. The recent YOG and the $9000 NS Man award were two measures to try and win over the Youth vote. These have however failed and the prophecy remains safely on track and on schedule.

 

[mollusk]

People here are just too resistant to change. In the end, the new party in power would be so risk averse that they will not change too much of what PAP did to Singapore, except maybe cut their own salaries.

too resistant?..i thought too stupid and scared....too know what is really good for them...

 

[scroobal]

You have just made a case for the Govt to act. Here are the operating words
- "he cannot just assume everyone who reads his statements could well understand such metaphor, no matter how simple or innocent it is. "

Maybe you want to change your party name to National Economic Solidarity Party and make sure that the manifesto clearly spells what you are prepared to do.

However, I would say, as I have stated in my FB, Malik himself has to bear part of the responsibility of such loose use of words. Especially so, he cannot just assume everyone who reads his statements could well understand such metaphor, no matter how simple or innocent it is.

 

[scroobal]

I am actually surprised that this sort of fear is still present. Many professionals do not contest the elections not because they fear this but more that the chances of victory is small because of the rules and obstacles such as the bias media. They also do want to put the PAP offside in case they impact their business opportunities.

I now realise the fear is still there after seeing GMS reply and they way that LTK pussyfoots around issues in parliament despite parliamentary privileges. Chiam was better but age has made him less responsive. Only Sylvia seems reliable.

If this sort of fear is still present what motivates those to contest the elections. What are their motives?

At this point in time, it is pretty unrealistic for our Opposition leaders to do anything. At best, they will be ignored. At worst, they themselves will be arrested.

If you can arrest a young boy on trumped up charges for critcising you, how far away are you from arresting an Opposition leader who looks like he might win an election and remove you from office?