Recently, the PAP seems to be sweet taking the electorate and embarking on a major PR campaign. Accordingly, I have little doubt that the next general elections may be coming soon, very possibly before the end of this year. As this happens, average Singaporeans should not be fooled to thinking that the PAP has changed but to see this as a ploy to stay in power before life for Singaporeans will continually go downhill.
Let me explain why.
Telling signs of gearing up for elections?
In my opinion, there are 3 incidents which I believe point to a possible early election. Firstly, the PAP has recently come out to introduce 5 new candidates, an unusually early move considering the elections are supposed to be held in 2016. Secondly, minister-without-a-portfolio Lim Swee Say has also decided to announce his intention to run in East Coast even though he has previously decided not to run. Why did he make such a statement at this juncture?
Last and perhaps most importantly – the PAP and Ah Loong seem to be embarking on a major PR campaign. For example, the Guest-of-Honour at the annual Ministerial forum would usually be a junior minister (or a full minister in charge of a smaller portfolio) but Ah Loong decided to grace the event himself this time. In addition, his decision to invite 1500 guests from the pioneer generation to the Istanta is unprecedented.
Why 2014 : A key external factor?
The ASEAN Common Market will be very likely to be established by the end of 2015, marking the beginning of an era where there can be free movement of people and capital within the ASEAN region. We do not know the exact details as yet but if the CECA can be used as a precedent, then such open agreements would not be in best interest of Singapore or the job market for locals. In short, the backlash from mass immigration would be massive and - from the perspective of the PAP - it would be better to lose a few seats now than to be kicked out in 2016.
Income and equal balance leading to massive immigration?
The income statistics are telling. Singapore accounts for only 0.9% of the ASEAN population but its GDP contributes to a staggering 12% of the bloc’s GDP. In addition, its GDP per capita is also the highest in the bloc and is more than 100 times that of its poorest member Myanmar. Given this inequality, it is intuitive as to which country people from the region would choose to move to in search of better career opportunities. With little legal barriers or protection, the economic benefits will go to the rich business owners but the main brunt of negative effects will be bore by middle-class Singaporeans.
Future implications for the job market?
Singapore’s labour law currently does not offer protection to PMETs earning more than $4500 a month, a law which is largely archaic given that times have changed - these people have the least job security as compared to the 1980s. Looking more closely, there have been plenty of incidents where people in the IT sector have been replaced with people from India.
Given that the region – especially Vietnam and Philippines – have been producing plenty of graduates in areas such as accountancy, finance and engineering, there will be more local PMETs who could lose their jobs because of influxes.
Future implications for crime and safety?
The concept of the rule of law is something inherent in most Singaporeans. As dying strongman LKY once used in his analogy where he compared us with dogs, there is little need to train the population if they have been brought up rightly.
However, the concept of the rule of law is alien to many of these immigrants from third-world countries. While there are no official statistics due to its inherent nature, we have seen an increase in crime where foreign nationals have been the perpetrators. This also extends to more serious crimes such as Indian National Harvinder Singh committing murder as well as the Little India Riots. Singapore is expected to be more chaotic should the PAP remain in power.
Future implications for the housing, transport and infrastructure?
The PAP has a track record of failing its citizens, as seen in the high HDB houses, MRT breakdowns and infrastructural strain. If we examine the underlying root cause, one would realise that this is because of the massive immigration and incompetence of the PAP. For example, the PAP only build 3050 HDB units in 2008 while letting in 145,000 foreigners causing a shortfall of 30,000 units and the resale index rose by 10 to 12% year on year.
With more foreigners expected to come in, such problems will be more than plentiful. Should overpriced HDB flats, overcrowded MRTs, massive inflation and lack of hospital beds entice you, please continue to vote for the PAP as the ASEAN Common market will allow them to screw you up even more.
Concluding Remarks?
The PAP is not stupid and there is a high chance that they will be calling for an election soon given that the surrounding circumstance. Such a ploy is a thinly disguised Trojan horse and falling for it could be worse than ever. The need is more pressing than ever for there to be a third of parliament to be filled with opposition members so as to veto the PAP’s push for Singapore to be included in the ASEAN region, for which there will be negative consequences for the average Singaporean.
Joseph Kheng-Liang Tan
*The author is a 21 year-old polytechnic graduate who is currently pursuing his law degree in Australia. Widely quoted for his views, he has contributed extensively in his personal capacity to top socio-political sites such as TRS and TRE. He is also supremely homophobic and would rather vote for the PAP if the opposition sends in a homosexual representative.