Singapore - A New Dawn

First of all, enough of all the Yam Ah Mee jokes already. It was unfortunate enough that his deadpan poker face at the election result announcement drew amusement.

Now everybody is making fun of his name now.

I personally found mrbrown's podcast of the said subject to be of poor taste. The poor fella can't help his name as it was given by his parents.

Show some respect, people! We laugh with people. Not at them!

Personally, I think his deadpan emotionless expression when annoucing election is the right way to go as the Elections Department is supposed to be neutral anyway.

Anyway, the elections are over and the people have decided regardless if you are happy with the decision or otherwise.

We are sad to see the Chiams losing Potong Pasir but I feel it is wrong to denounce the result and raise a ruckus trying to petition for a bye-election. Unless there are severe discrepancies in the count, I do not see any valid reason to have to vote a second time. Those who voted for the PAP have, as much a valid voice as those who voted otherwise. Yes. PAP won this time and I felt it was done fair and square. Yes. It was a pity to lose by 100+ votes but I say suck it up and try again in 5 years.

If an election can have a do-over, simply because you do not like the eletion results, then on the same token, would you allow PAP to have a re-vote in the Aljunied GRC? I am just as sad to see George Yeo go too.

The whole democratic process is a sacred one. Not one that you sukah sukah want do it the way it makes you happy. Sorry hor but this is not Burger King.

Speaking of not happy. I am just as unhappy as everyone else as far as getting Tin Pei Ling into parliament via the backdoor.

However, a vote is a vote and 78,286 voters said yes to Ms Kate Spade & Co. and I would suggest that instead of throwing brickbats, digging up more dirt and lodging police report. How about letting her try doing her job as an MP instead since nothing can be done to reverse the decision made by these 78,286 people?

Stop distracting the poor girl and let her take her shot. Rest assured that if she sucked during this 5-year term, she will be yanked off Parliament by the voters during the next GE, if PAP has not eliminated her already.

Image Credit: http://s3.amazonaws.com; https://www.nas.gov.sg

- Voxeros

The Morning After

The Elections were over quite a few days ago but it took me a few day to digest everything that has come and gone. Hence the relatively late entry which partly is also due to my traveling schedule.

As I have predicted, PAP will return to power but with a lower percentage of the popular vote. PAP's 60.1% was not far from my predicted 59%.

Overall, I am satisfied with the Oppositions' showing although one more GRC and Potong Pasir would have been perfect.

Alas, not everything must be the way I want it to be. It was a collective decision of 2.2 million people.

While I may not be happy with some of the results, I nevertheless accept the outcome regardless.

I only have the following people to talk about.

• Desmond Lim (SDA) - My vote for the most cockanathan cockster of the Elections. Everyone knows that a three-way fight will favour the PAP as votes will only be split amongst the Opposition. Yet despite the knowledge of this, Desmond Lim wedged himself between Michael Palmer (PAP) and Lee Li Lian (WP).
  
  As a result, PAP won with a bigger margin than the nearest challenger and Desmond Lim himself garnered only 4.45% of the votes.
  
  I am happy he lost his deposit as a result.
  
  
  
• Nicole Seah (NSP) - The political future for this girl shines bright as she has won all of our hearts.
  
  While I do not expect her to overthrow ex-Prime Minister/Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong (on her first attempt), I am heartened by her gutsy 43.35% showing.
  
  
  
• Tin Pei Ling (PAP) - As much as we booed her for her backdoor entry into Parliament, the fact remained that she is in. So instead of continuing to throw stones at her, let her have the chance to prove us wrong.
  
  I don't profess to be always right and so I welcome her the chance to make me stand corrected. I hope she does well in her 5-year term. It will be for the good of the people, if she does.
  
  
  
• Mah Bow Tan, Vivian Balakrishnan, Wong Kan Seng - The Three Musketeers of candidates that people most dislike and yet they survived to keep their respective jobs. Despite all their supposedly screw ups, perhaps the people out there are more forgiving than I expect.
  
  
  
• George Yeo - As much as the GRC system was meant to be a way to protect the weaker candidates of the PAP from getting eliminated, karma has a dark humourous way of firing it back in your face as strong candidate George Yeo, who is popular among the people, ended up as the sacrificial lamb of this tragic comedy.
  
  Still, while it may be a loss for Singapore as far as losing a good Foreign Affairs Minister is concerned, I won't feel too sad for him as he should be laughing all the way to the bank with his obscene early pension.
  
  Besides, I am sure PAP would not just let an asset like him go so easily, perhaps a non-political appointment like an ambassador position somewhere?
  
  
  
• 
  Chiam See Tong and Lina Chiam - Perhaps the most heart breaking contest where Chiam See Tong not only lost in his valiant attempt to score a GRC but also lost his Potong Pasir, contested by his wife.
  
  Thus ended Chiam's 27 years of service to the residents of Potong Pasir.
  
  Now the folks of Potong Pasir are up in arms over this loss and have gone around starting a petition in their attempt to change the outcome.
  
  Hello! You should have expected when you anyhowly vote lor.
  
  I am against all protests against the outcome. As far as I was rooting for SPP to retain the Potong Pasir SMC, I nevertheless congratulate Sitoh Yih Pin for winning FAIR AND SQUARE.
  
  If the results can be altered, then how is it fair to the PAP man? Then what is the point of voting in the first place? Can re-vote simply because you don't like the result?
  
  Then can PAP do the same with Aljunied GRC?
  
  The Chiams may have vowed to return in 5 years' time but I doubt if that is going to happen. Sitoh Yih Pin may not return in 5 years too.
  
  Why?
  
  The way I see it, now that Potong Pasir has fallen in PAP hands, it will eliminated by merging it into a neighbouring GRC, during the next election, which I suspect would be Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC and thereby kill all chances of The Chiams returning, even if they want to.
  
  Can you spell CHAO KUAN?
  
  Well played, PAP. Well played. SPP is dead.

Image Credits: https://www.techinasia.com; https://themonitor.sg

- Voxeros

Words From The Heart

I like George Yeo. One of the rare few who knows what the hell he is talking about when he opens his mouth.

I have watched many speeches from the rallies posted online. Oh the marvels of modern technology!

In a way, the people in Aljunied GRC will be in an unenviable position. On the opposition front, we have quality candidates like Sylvia Lim and Low Thia Kiang and choosing them would risk losing George Yeo who has been a faithful and good servant to the people of Singapore.

I am glad I am not part of the Aljunied GRC for I would not know how to vote. 

As far as speeches are concerned, I can only single out a few who speaks well. People like Vincent Wijeysingha, Nicole Seah, George Yeo, Low Thia Kiang and yes, even Chiam See Tong, despite the slurring and being almost inaudible.

By speaking well, I am not referring to just their oratory skill. That is just one portion of the overall. I am referring to the heart behind the words for which they spoke.

Performance-wise, Harminder Pal Singh gave the best delivery but only because he is a motivational speaker by professional. So was there real heart in his words or just an excellent showcase of razzle and dazzle? Being a little biased, I confessed, in favour of the underdogs, I would give him the benefit of the doubt.

On the other end of the spectrum is Chiam See Tong who could hardly stand up straight and speak properly. Yes, despite the physical impairment, his determination to power through and complete his speech is something that we should all learn from. The people on the floor are gracious enough to keep their volumes down when he speaks so that people may hear. The people on the floor are gracious enough to wait patiently for Chiam in between lengthy pauses so that he may catch his breath.

Can you feel the love of these people for this one man?

Some people may feel that Chiam See Tong is too frail and weak to be their leader. Let me assure you that such perception is incorrect.

As a result of his physical impairment, it actually TAKES GREATER STRENGTH than a normal healthy person to do the walkabouts and shaking everyone's hands. It actually TAKES STRONGER DETERMINATION than a normal healthy person to get up there on stage and gave his speech until the very last full stop.

Let see you suffer a stroke and then do what he does.

You will be humbled, I assure you.

Image Credit: http://theonlinecitizen.com

- Voxeros

Kempeitai Or Gestapo In White

This youtube clip surfaced a few days ago, PAP cronies tailing NSP folks on their door-to-door visits.

Is it me or does these folks in white reminds you of the Kempeitai or the Gestapo?

做么穿白色的搞到好像黑社会?

- Voxeros

Eighty-Seven Zero

• The Online Citizen (29 Apr 2011) - Letter To TOC – Brace Yourself For 87-0

It was an excellent article and the headline alone got me to sit up and think.

87-0 is not that far-fetched a possibility.

In the past, opposition has always circumvented constituencies where there are PAP big guns, just so that they can boost their chances of a seat in parliament. Exactly the same reason why PAP came up with the cheating GRC idea to smuggle unworthy newbies into parliament. Using a strong incumbent like Goh Chok Tong (2006) to deliver 6 untested, undeserving cowards safely under the radar.

I dare them to walk with their heads held high.

iSpit.

The tide has change. The opposition are going for the big guns this time. Perhaps an inspirational lesson learnt back in 2006 where 6 virtually unknowns from the Worker's Party was able to walk away with almost 50,000 votes in the Prime Minister's Ang Mo Kio GRC.

While it was still a victory for the PM, I bet that slap in the face still stung till now. Orh-bi-goot.

So here's the situation. As far as the David opposition is hopeful against the Goliath PAP, the outcome is not known until the final ballot is counted. PAP strongmen are not without substance and is capable of pulling a significant number of votes for themselves.

In a close 50-50 fight, the one with 1 vote more than the other wins. Something that is not difficult and within reach for the strong candidates.

So having said that, we are faced with a stark possibility of a 87-0 landslide defeat of the opposition. While they may return as NCMP, they are all but toothless tigers without voting rights in parliament.

Still, I am also interested to see if my prediction of PAP scoring under 60% of the overall popular vote comes true.

If yes, then perhaps not this election that we pull these greedy cheaters down, but certainly a stronger chance next in 2016.

That. One. Vote.

Make. It. Count.

Make. It. Yours.

Image Credit: http://satayclub.net

- Voxeros

I Disagree

• The Online Citizen (30 Apr 2011) - Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew On...
  
  
• The Online Citizen (30 Apr 2011) - (Video) CNA Apr 30 - MM Lee Cautions Voters

I heard what MM Lee has said in the media conference and I disagree on several points in no particular order.

• "...your property values go right down."
  
  If you think about it, it may not necessarily be a bad thing. At least, there will be housing within certain income brackets' reach.
  
  When housing prices rises, while it is true you stand to make a profit but only if it is one that you don't live in i.e. for investment purposes. The rationale is simple and I am sure has been discussed to death.
  
  When you sell at a high price (as a result of market climate), you probably need to buy your next home at a high price too. So where is the profit? Like the wind, you know it is there but you just can't get hold of it.
  
  The only way to really enjoy this profit, as a result of this property bubble, is to sell the house and then get your entire family to sleep on the streets.
  
  Yes, you will be rich but without a roof over your head.
  
  Pitching a tent in the East Coast Park beach does not count.
  
  
  
• "...away 30 years and he comes back. How does he connect with us?"
  
  Well, some of our ministers are with us for 30 years. They too are not connecting with us all these while, are they? So your point being?
  
  
  
• "What is the track record?"
  
  Exactly. I ask PAP the same question. What is the track record? Escaped fugitive? Runaway housing prices? Uncontrollable cost of living? Massive Lehman losses of public funds? Massive Temasek and GIC losses of public funds? Ridiculous ministerial salary? Unsolved public transport congestion? Unjustified raising of public transport prices?
  
  I ask. What is the track record?
  
  
  
• "He's (Heng Swee Keat) the man who saw Singapore through the financial crisis and we recovered faster than other countries..."
  
  I'd give him the credit where it is due. I would vote for him solely on that count. So perhaps, it would have been wiser to let him stand in an SMC rather than risk some Sabo King in the GRC team to undermine his chances of entering parliament?
  
   
• "Do you want one MP, one Non-Constituency MP, one celebrity and two unknowns to look after you?"
  
  I ask the same question to the Marine Parade GRC of 2006. Do you want one senior minister and SIX unknowns to look after you?
  
  Well, obviously the people did and so why not one MP, one NCMP, one celebrity, two unknowns and a partridge in a pear tree?
  
   
• "...and your own comfort - your drains, mosquitoes..."
  
  Excuse me but it almost sounded like PAP holds some kind of a patent in pest removal than no one else can?
  
  As if by law that only PAP-approved cleaners and pest controllers are able to do the job of drain cleaning and mosquitoes exterminating?
  
  And that people living in opposition wards have to survive the mosquito onslaught by taking anti-malaria pills on a regular basis? Oh well, don't tell me that the pills are only available from polyclinics in PAP wards?
  
  Next, someone is going to come up and tell me that potable tap water will no longer be supplied to opposition wards and that households will have to go back to buying gas cylinders for their cooking needs.
  
  Want to throw in electricity generators and kerosene lamps while you are at it?
  
  I mean. Seriously?
  
  
  
• "If you like to try your luck, well, good luck to you."
  
  Thank you. Thank you very much.

- Voxeros