Especially those Opposition supporters who shout that the Oppo will win the next GE*. They ever thought that if the PAP is as bad as what they claim is the case, the PAP won’t steal the election Cambodian style?
Last yr, in a closely fought election, the governing party (the PM says LKY is a hero of his) won a majority of seats in the parliament. The Oppo alleged fraud and refused to take their seats and called for fresh elections. The govt passed laws to its satisfaction in the absence of an oppo in parly.
Now a deal has been struck. The electoral commission is at the heart of the deal. The CPP-dominated National Election Committee—widely derided as a puppet of the government—is to be overhauled, which requires that the constitution be changed. The two major parties will now have four members on the committee, with a ninth independent member to be agreed on by both sides.
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The timing of the deal, so near the anniversary of the contested election, might not be a coincidence. Both sides were feeling the public pressure to reach an agreement. For the opposition, the question was how long they could keep operating as a political force with only rallies and public protests to bind them together, while laws were passed without them in the assembly. The government was faced with the prospect of having to keep defending that one-party parliament to the international community.
The violence the government employed to disperse protesters drew a steady stream of criticism throughout the year. Security forces beat and arrested demonstrators, and at least seven were shot dead.
http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2014/07/cambodian-politics
Just as S’poreans should be watching developments in Thailand,
– http://atans1.wordpress.com/2014/07/05/more-on-when-there-is-a-freak-election-result/
we should follow developments in Cambodia. There are lessons to be learner especially about the importance of the election organisers (here under PMO).
Interesting the Thais have introduced a law banning gatherings of five people or more. They learnt that from us?
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*None of the Oppo parties believe this is possible. Ask SDP, NSP, People in light blue, SDA, JBJ Remebrance Party, Chiams, TJS Team and Pwee Gang.
Cynical Investor
*The writer blogs at http://atans1.wordpress.com/