I read a number of anti-government websites. I was appalled by many of their anti-government comments and accusations. It should be interesting to know who were those commentators. Opposition candidates who lost in elections? Opposition party members?
The last general election was a freak election. It was held at a time Singapore was undergoing economy restructuring. Hard, painful but necessary measures had to be implemented for the long term interests of our country. World economy was badly hit by economic troubles of the US, Europe and wealthy Middle-east countries. Thanks to strong fundamental laid down by PAP government in the past 40, 50 years, Singapore was not badly affected by those world economic crises. We actually looked tall when compared to economies of US, Europe and Middle-east countries. Even then, our government refused to rest on its laurels. It continued implement hard policies and measures that will reap benefits for us 20, 30 years later. Those policies & measures caused short term pains. Since voters did not like pains and were unable to see long term, many voted against the PAP - the most reliable and steady hand that fed them for 40, 50 years. Now it came no surprise those persons sitting on opposition bench in parliament are discovered as incompetent.
Among opposition MPs, the most qualified is Chen Show Mao. Singaporeans had high hope of him. Sadly, the world most respected and most experienced political father, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, found him to be a disappointment. No surprise, actually. Chen has ability but he is under a useless party which can’t improve him, instead destroyed him with its western-bankrupt political ideology. Singaporeans are disappointed with Chen’s performance in parliament. One just has to compare Chen with new faces of PAP who joined politics at the same time as Chen to see the vast difference. Sim Ann, Tin Pei Ling and others improved leaps and bounds under PAP guidance and coaching system.
Workers’ Party as a whole is also a big disappointment. It could not perform in parliament. It could not run its town councils. Stall holders were unhappy with standard of market cleanliness. Town council was made to use outdated accounting software. Hawkers and the town council were charged in court on Chinese New Year season. Town council’s financial statements could not pass audit and now under investigation. Singapore founding father had predicted in 2011 Aljunied voters had 5 years to repent. How true.
Failure of WP and Chen Show Mao has far reaching effect. Singaporeans don’t just lose hope on WP, they become disillusioned with all opposition parties. If WP can be so bad, other opposition like SDP and NSP will be worse. If Chen Show Mao can be a big disappointment, Tan Jee Say and Nicole Seah will be worse.
Voters are not stupid. Their eyes can see, their ears can hear, their minds can think.
PAP government held a 1-year long fruitful conversations with Singaporeans immediately after last election. Those national conversations pay off. Singaporeans now understand and appreciate all hard policies implemented are necessary and for our country’s long term survival. Our population is aging yet people are not procreating, so replacement of population is needed through immigration. Immigration also drives up economic growth. Growth produces surplus and reserve to care for our aging population. Immigration also brought in foreign talents to prevent jobs in our economy being lost to overseas economies.
Singapore is a tiny island without natural resources. Our founding father Mr. Lee Kuan Yew took pains reminding us, Singapore did not even have many own talents. Many of our first generation ministers were from foreign countries. Even today, our top and best schools need foreign students to fill up their classes to avoid the dangerous pitfall of taking in less bright local students. The 1-year long national conversation has made Singaporeans understand our own natural weaknesses and accept the hard facts.
By and large, more and more opposition supporters are now convinced the PAP government has their interests at heart. The $8 billion pioneer generation package, $1.1 billion package to expand bus capacity, $10 million free early morning MRT rides are just few examples of government’s caring measures to improve lives of Singaporeans.
Singaporeans know in their souls and hearts, only the PAP has the capability, competence and experience to govern Singapore and provide for Singaporeans. No other political parties can take this job. WP failed. SDP not qualified. SPP is buried. The rest are not even worth mentioning.
Next general election shall see the PAP captures all constituencies, except Hougang ward. Without Low Thia Khiang, Png Eng Huat will lose Hougang ward in the election after next.
Christina Wong
*Article first appeared on https://www.facebook.com/christina.wong.96780/posts/1375808412696688?str...