Why Hougang by-election is not a local election

[Confuseous]

This article is a response to DPM Tharman’s statement that Hougang by-election is a ‘local election’ and it’s more about choosing an MP on a constituency level rather than national level.

I wish to highlight arguments that support my assertion as per article title.

Firstly, whether or not an election is local or national should be considered based on dimensions such as geographical area and boundary of political influence. I wish to put forward that, given the fact that Singapore is really a ‘small red dot,’ even by-elections on a constituency level can be viewed as a national election. This is because elections don’t come often (in fact, it’s once every five years or so), thus the chance to vote may indicate voters even consider national issues such as public transport, education and costs of living. In addition, the extent to which policies by the ruling party affects people cuts across all constituencies, be it GRCs or SMCs. The ongoing train breakdowns, for example, also affect Hougang residents, thus it is definite that they take it into consideration when voting. Perhaps the term ‘local election’ is more appropriate in bigger countries such as the US where states are governed differently.

Secondly, it is obvious and noticeable that grassroots adviser Desmond Choo, the PAP candidate running for the by-election, would not have been so successful in his ‘porridge programme’ if there weren’t other forces such as the government or ruling party. I would not have agreed the by-election is local since his programme is funded by taxpayers’ money which should be used on a national level.

Thirdly, a by-election occurs when an existing MP is no longer able to represent its constituency in Parliament, but this should not affect the nature of the voting process among voters. In relation to my first point, will anyone disagree with me that Hougang voters are not affected by national issues? As such, it is still necessary that residents will consider national issues and not just issues restricted to within Hougang SMC.

- http://theonlinecitizen.com/2012/05/why-hougang-by-election-is-not-a-local-election/

 

[kopiuncle]

i old uncle don't understand what is local election. singapore so small got local election meh? maybe in australia or china somewhere in some old rural town or county, local election lah.

singapore, the whole isiland is so small still got local and minute election.

for old folk like me, hougang is a water-shedding or tear-shedding election: the outcome will also reflect national sentiments: so it's not a local bohchap election. tioboh?

also , the potential mp standing on a party ticket can be independent meh? why say all these things? if independent, then stand as independent lah.no need to get full backing from one particular party.

why so scared. win or lose, if it's a local bye election, no scared one. lose or win nevermind lah.the show still goes on.lamparment still continues .rules still continue.majority continue to clobber the minority.the rich and powerful, the influential and the smart ones continue to bully the weak, the stoopid and the igoramus ones. local erection maybe?

 

[johnny333]

Aren't ALL MPs paid using the same pay scale

No doubt LKY gets more $$$ from being a director of so many GLCs, titles of "special advisor", etc , However if one is an an MP, they are paid an MP's pay.

 

[Fook Seng]

In a larger country, there is such a thing as local or provincial government and national or federal government. In Singapore there is only national law-making body. Is the DPM trying to demote the functions of a local law-maker?

 

[halsey02]

In a larger country, there is such a thing as local or provincial government and national or federal government. In Singapore there is only national law-making body. Is the DPM trying to demote the functions of a local law-maker?

It is an neh talking, I am tone deaf when they speak!