I am really troubled by what some PAP supporters dismiss as trivial, incidents which have taken place recently just because such issues seemingly appear to be harmless. But if we are to properly reflect on them, in reality, we will come to the inevitable conclusion that they are very serious indeed. I am referring to discounts given to MPs and the 'theft' of toothpicks committed by a minister. I am beginning to wonder how rampant is this practice of giving discounts and 'gifts' to MPs (including ministers) "out of respect for their work and service to the community". In the 60s the offerings of gifts by businessmen and contractors to civil servants, especially during festive seasons like Chinese New Year, presumably in "appreciation and out of respect for them", were common.
Then civil servants and their political masters were not so highly paid as they are today but nonetheless this practice was eventually put to a stop for obvious reasons. Even postmen who receive ang pows have been brought to court and charged for corruption. Policemen who go drinking with members of the public and failed to justify their actions have also been taken to task. I see no reason why discounts given to highly paid MPs, no matter how small, should be tolerated. I am sure the PAP bosses take a serious view of this and are trying to find the right response.
This is also the reason why there has been no comment from them in support of Mr Baey or Mr SS Lim. The PM should conduct an inquiry to determine how rampant this practice is among all his colleagues and take appropriate action to put matters right. Citizens are watching to see whether they are swept under the carpet. Singaporeans at large cannot help feeling that besides the rich businessmen and the elites, MPs and Ministers are benefiting most from the wealth of the nation. As evidence we should just take a look at the type of cars these officials are driving.
When parliament next sits some volunteers should wait at the entrance and take note of the types of luxury cars driven by their representatives. Singaporeans cannot even withdraw their CPF savings until they are too old to enjoy them. Many just don't make it. This is indeed democracy and meritocracy Singapore style.
Mohamed Jufrie Bin Mahmood
*Article first appeared on his FB page here.