I am perplexed by what I read in the papers yesterday by what DPM Wong Kan Seng addressed the media when he introduced three more PAP candidates in Foo Mee Har, Steve Tan and Desmond Lee on Wednesday.
In his speech he said: "In our parliamentary system, we have tried to ensure that all kinds of voices are heard including the opposition voice. Even if they fail to get into Parliament, we have the NCMP system and the NMP (Nominated MP) system so that opposition and alternate voices can be heard. In the coming election we have also changed the law so that if less than nine opposition candidates are elected, there will at least be nine opposition MPs in Parliament. I don't think any other countries have done that."
He continued, “What voters should take into account is to see which political party, which candidate can really do well for them, which is a stronger team, stronger candidate that will bring them forward in the future. If you ask why the opposition want to win a constituency, I think the intention is quite clear. Some of them say, 'we want to do that for renewal', others say they want to be the first one to break through into a GRC and win the GRC. But what is this election about? Is it about the interests and ambitions of political parties and individual interest to create a legacy and make a history? That is what voters should ask themselves.”
He ended off by saying, “This election is about the future. So when you cast a vote you are not casting a vote for the political party's future, you are casting for your future. So when you exercise your vote, think carefully which political party will do well for you, which MP will work hard for you and enable to achieve what you want to do. That is really the main question. You should choose the group that is strong and the people who can deliver for you. You deserve to elect the best for you."
With all due respect to Mr Wong Kan Seng, the NCMP and the NMP systems were introduced and subsequently increased in the number of seats in Parliament, as nothing more than a token gesture by the ruling party so that Parliament would not look too lop-sided with a majority of the House dominated by birds of the same feather. But the two systems are still considered unfair in that the members do not get to vote when certain Bills are passed. So what is the point of having more voices, yet these people do not get a fair share in dictating how national policies should be implemented???
I’m sure if given the opportunity to be elected, the opposition MPs would do their utmost to ensure that the votes for them do not be misplaced or mistrusted. Look at Hougang and Potong Pasir. Their incumbent MPs have done excellent jobs for decades now. Not even the threat of being made last in terms of upgrading their estates, have deterred the residents from staying loyal. More Singaporeans should denounce this climate of fear instilled and threats made by the ruling party by answering through their votes come Election Day.
Speaking of creating a legacy and making history, haven’t the PAP been doing that since 1964??? Hasn’t the famed “LEE-gime” been enough proof that PAP is nothing more than a legacy, not to mention getting the offsprings of current and former PAP members Ong Ah Heng, Lee Yock Suan, Ong Lian Teng, Dominic Puthucheary and at one point in 2006, Major Abbas Abu Amin’s son Ahmad Nizam (only for him to chicken out at the last moment), to continue where their fathers left off???
DPM Wong shouldn’t be a hypocrite and try to twist facts when others can see through what he said. The MSK fiasco will definitely resurface again come this Election cos people have not forgotten nor forgiven his grave mistake when he let his country down and became the laughing stock of the whole saga. He should be worried that Chiam See Tong and his merrymen are coming after the seat he has enjoyed walking-over for the past few elections…
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