Ok. Before I proceed, just wish to make clear that I do not have any stong inclination(s) towards any political party or ideology. Am not in favour of PAP or any opposition group either. Just an observer, who tries to keep a low profile, and go with the flow. I do however, have my opinions based on my observation of the public and the media. As a community, Singapore (and Singaporeans) are no different from any other society. You have the good, the bad, and the ugly. The rich, the poor, the struggling. The morally upright, and at the same time, the lowly scums and gripe monger losers as well. It is a mixed society. The reason (I think) many choose the PAP at the GE is because the PAP is perceived as being the provider of their relatively comfortable lives. Compared with nations around the region, Singapore is seen to be stable, economically, socially (racial and religious tensions do not exist, or rather, have been played down). Legal procedures take precedence over any issue, and the judiciary is generally fair. These, and a well-greased civil and municipal services, complimented by a progressive education system makes Singapore an envy for many nations. Now, all these, the policy-makers take credit for implementing and upholding, when all that happened was that the current Singapore inherited these in working and running order from the colonial British of the past, pre-independence era. The newspaper has been instrumental in instilling these sentiments. In fact among all the institutions here in Singapore, the Straits Times is the only institution I feel falls short of being a stellar performer (I don't buy the paper!). Every visitor to Singapore (almost), would feel that the shining city is like what it is because of the government. This I feel, does not do justice to the dozens, if not hundreds of city-planners, engineers, architects, construction workers, civil service workers, whom the government should be grateful to. And NOT vice-versa! Its the people who deserve the accolades, not the PAP or, worse still, the leader named Harry. With these stacked against the opposition party, and giving all the credits to the PAP, obviously they will be better off at election time. I am sure what I have just written is common knowledge, but the Straits Times is an effective tool in altering/sway9ing the sentiments of the public. More so when there isn't another daily newspaper to rely on for daily news and updates. The editorial forum is a good page to judge the angle the paper leans on- has it ever voiced an opinion contrary to government view?
IN a nutshell, I'll just say, the government of Singapore took the baton from the British and ran with it, without interrupting the momentum of progress which was well underway. And took credit for all that happened.
Cheers!