I have read widely from the main media and social media and have come to the conclusion that the Aljunied GRC voters are like children, just about 12 to 14 years in mentality. And I think that was the reason why they voted for the WP in the last GE. You see, children are playful and like to have fun, even risking their future, even defying the warning that they would have to repent for 5 years if they voted for the WP. And they really did. Very rash indeed!
In a way this is the rebellious nature of children. You cannot blame them. The more you threaten them, the more ‘kuai lan’ they will become. So you tell them not to do it, they would purposely do it. This is very different from mature adults who would think very carefully before they make such an important decision like voting for their representatives to Parliament. Unfortunately Aljunied voters are all immature kids.
Assuming that the Aljunied residents are still like the last election, still like children, never grow up, I can think of two strategies for the WP to win the election. Treat them just like immature kids and understand how immature kids will behave. One strategy is to defy them or threaten them like the last election. But doing this will be more like committing hara kiri. If the WP were to threaten them that if they vote for the PAP the WP would not return to serve them anymore, than surely they would vote for the PAP. Got it? Never threaten kids, they will be in defiance. Have some respect for them even if they are kids. And don’t call them kids.
The other option is to treat them like children, unthinking children or immature kids. Then offer them a lot of ice cream and lollipops. Kids love ice cream and candies, cool stuff. If can afford to, buy them the latest iPhones. But this one can be seen as bribery. I still think free ice creams or lollipops, like free porridge or chicken rice can leow. These kinds of thing got precedence so no problem. Like that sure to win their votes.
Be nice to them. Allow them to write graffiti on the walls of HDB flats by designating a few walls just for their spraying pleasure. Tell them it is better and safer than painting graffiti on trains or on top of HDB flats. That would be illegal.
See, the recommendations are so simple when you are dealing with immature kids. No need to think too hard. Oh, tell them it is hip and cool to vote WP. See the colour of WP, cool light blue. Little children like to be cool. Yes, that’s it, Be cool, Vote cool blue. Wow, nice slogan.
What do you think? Would the children of Aljunied bite?
Chua Chin Leng AKA RedBean
*The writer blogs at http://mysingaporenews.blogspot.com/