I was greeted by such good news from across the causeway : http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big-story/punggol-east-election/story/punggol-election-workers-party-wins-punggol-east-2013012-0http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big-story/punggol-east-election/story/punggol-election-workers-party-wins-punggol-east-2013012-0
I am simply elated as it is not only a harbinger for a regime change
in Malaysia it is a small step for Lee Li Lian but a giant leap for
women representation in politics !!
One of Lee Li Lian main platform is against migrant worker and that includes Malaysian having Permanent Resident status working in Singapore. Right now some have difficulties getting their Singapore work permit renewed and you are elated that is happening? Instead, I would have thought it is sad day for Malaysian working in Singapore. Are you a Malaysian?
ReplyDeleteDear Anon, I am elated because of two reasons :-
ReplyDelete1. a ruling party even stronger than BN (across the causeway) was beaten by a much weaker opposition; and
2. the candidate who won is a female.
The last time I checked, I am still a Malaysian.
But a sad day for Malaysian worker working in Singapore because I have friends now having difficulties in renewing their work permit.
DeleteAs for your 1st reason, I have a very different view. Instead of how strong or weak a party, I am more interested in which party is more 'right'. IMO, Lee Li Lian is wrong because her view is anti-migrant wanting LEGAL immigrant worker with work permit like Malaysian and Chinese and Indian worker to go back to their own countries. She is ignoring the contribution these people had made Singapore what she is today. How would you feel when those racist BN MPs calling Malaysian Chinese & Malaysian Indian citizen to go back to China and India because they think the Chinese/Indian are talking away the jobs of Bumi? Look at it this way, would you still be elated Lee won the by-election?
1. I am in DAP because it is the "right" party.
Delete2. Even though increased job competition from foreigners was one of the issues. However, I think the main reason was a general unhappiness with PAP and government. This is a continuation of the trend since 2006 (remember Nicole Seah?)
There other issue was include transport crowding and rising prices. The government had indicated post-GE2011 it was prepared to do some tweaking. The people thought they hadn’t seen any meaningful results.
One suspects therefore that people have just grown more sick of the government, its style and its attitude. And this is something much harder for the PAP to change. The kinds of people it has recruited into its top ranks aren’t going to change their spots overnight, if ever. They may try a larger dose of public relations, but people will see through it as quickly as they saw through Dr Koh Poh Koon’s plastic smile.
Analysis wrote she won on mainly 2 issues. Higher cost of living and migrant worker. I fault her on migrant worker issue. She is almost as bad as those racist BN MPs telling Malaysian Chinese to go back to China.
DeleteEven though increased job competition from foreigners was one of the issues. However, I think the main reason was a general unhappiness with PAP and government. This is a continuation of the trend since 2006 (remember Nicole Seah?)
DeleteThere other issue was include transport crowding and rising prices. The government had indicated post-GE2011 it was prepared to do some tweaking. The people thought they hadn’t seen any meaningful results.
One suspects therefore that people have just grown more sick of the government, its style and its attitude. And this is something much harder for the PAP to change. The kinds of people it has recruited into its top ranks aren’t going to change their spots overnight, if ever. They may try a larger dose of public relations, but people will see through it as quickly as they saw through Dr Koh Poh Koon’s plastic smile.
Some of the sure but unethical ways of getting votes would be:
ReplyDelete1. Play the religion card. Singapore is a secular country so can't play this one.
2. Play the race card. The Chinese are already the majority so only limited play, if any.
3. Play the 'blame the migrant' card. Easy card to play with little political repercussion. While one could argue this migrant card doesn't contribute much to her winning, the fact that she played this card at all makes me dislike her. But I suppose some are OK with it.
in singapore wp or lee li ian case,i think they are voted more as a requirement to check the government rather than for their capabiity though they may be capable.
ReplyDeleteit may not be so much against the government policy for some but rather in the origin of the immigrants. i have some talks with the youngters there via fb and they revealed no objection with malaysia origin against the chinese. also they just want to maintain some oppositions in the cabinet for check n balance . they are very sure if the pap capability.
however, it is totally the reverse over here where you have an extremely inefficient and corrupted government to be urgently disposed.