After watching both forums, SDP's Dr Vincent Wijeysingha was very eloquent and sharp in attacking PAP's policies. The worst performer IMO is Mrs Chaim and I believe that she is not well drilled by her party to prepare her for her debate. In many occasion, she mentioned the government should do this do that (she seem to have forgotten that she represents her party and have to stand against the rest especially ruling PAP to show case Singaporeans her party's views, policies and visions)
In both programs, PAP's candidates were very eloquent, but sadly, they do not speak for the Singaporeans that they represents (no, they have walked overs, they did not elect them). I suspect that the PAP's whip had a profound effect on them, and that is why more opposition MPs should be represented to have a whole-some check and balance of Government's policies. The best example of the lack of check and balance was the approval of the President's Salary increase; it was passed without a fight.
PAP had lost touch with the ground with the help of "ball carriers" of the grass-root members whom the PAP had inherited from the earlier Singapore self government. Ever time, those PAP MPs come for community events, everything were swept clean and car park lot even reserved for PAP MPs. How can they ever realised what is happening?
(As some of the comments left stating that I was wrong about Mr Zhuo, aka Mr Alec Tok, the statement in red italics are wrongly written. He had picked up a perfect northern China slang in his Mandarin, therefore, I will used a famous quote by someone famous; I stand corrected)
More info on Mr Alec Tok and here (he was from SAF MDC)
I was surprised that in the Mandarin Political Forum aired on Sunday, Reform Party's representative was Mr Zhuo a "New Citizen" from the PRC. I was feeling funny about his accent when I realised who he was. Although I was not pleased to see the so called "New Citizen" becoming a potential candidates from both ruling party or opposition parties.
I realised that the Media coverage for opposition parties is really lacking. Our reporters under the rules set by PAP had become lazy and complacent.
The Election Department is also zzz because it failed to set the rules independently because its under the PMO's office. Which democratic country's Election Department is under the PM's office? They should set the minimum years a new citizen can stand for election, but it can't because PAP is also having 2 new citizens as candidates.
In the case of Mr Zhou, is it the cause of the split within Reform Party of their members happened recently?
Talking about Tin Pei Ling, it seems that xin.msn is under PAP's political control; another source of PAP's propaganda. The political forums seem a loosening of Political activities, but tightening in another form; "control" of Internet. I am sure that there are many Hotmail Account holders in Singapore. After logging out, users will be directed to xin.msn, another media controlled by PAP.
It had an article defending Tin Pei Ling's youth and the writer even wrote:
"We take a look at some members of parliament who took office before they turned 30 years old. One is, gasp, only 18!"
Please! These young MPs are from countries with free electoral process and people voted them into Parliament. If Tin Pri Ling is so good, then PAP should consider putting her in a SMC so silent critics instead of just asking her to ignore "noises".
(Source: xin.msm)
Mr Zhuo AKA Alec Tok is not a PRC, he is a trueborn Singaporean. Don't judge someone by their accent, jeez.
ReplyDeleteWatch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnxL3Qdx0Hc
Yes he is a Singaporean - just that he likes to use that shingshangshong accent that only certain Northern Chinese do. Just like how some pp like to speak like Americans. Sigh!
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing wrong with Alec's Mandarin accent. it is standard Mandarin, nothing Northern or Southern about it.
ReplyDeleteSingaporeans are so conditioned to listening to bad English and Mandarin that they find it strange when someone can speak the languages properly. SIGH!!!
I believe Alec Tok is plying his trade in Beijing, which would explain his accent. What this suggests is that he has actually integrated with the Chinese society where he is based to some degree, which is laudable. This is not an easy thing, and is much more than what you can say about some of the PRCs we have in Singapore.
ReplyDeleteAlec is active in the theatre scene in Shanghai and has a company there, so the accent is no surprise.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are right! Thanks for highlighting this :)
ReplyDeletealec tok, an ex-faculty mate of mine, did his undergraduate degree in NUS, served the army and speaks fluent english.
ReplyDeletehis ability to speak top notch mandarin pleasantly surprises me..
but i might suggest to him one tip and that is, don't frown so much when delivering speeches, appear to be more cordial and just deliver logical alternatives to present day issues :)
let's channel our oppressed feelings to good use...
ReplyDeletefrom now until polling date, let's use our energy to educate people around us on why we should never allow pap to continue to have 2/3 majority in parliament..
afterall, this is what we all are trying to achieve right? a more democratic political system and an accountable government, both which do not exist today with pap in power.
our individual one vote, it is enough to send opposition candidates into parliament. we just need this individual commitment to turn into a concerted effort. we need to stand united against a political crisis from worsening. we cannot allow pap to do a they wish without proper check and balance of their power.
this we can achieve, if we all vote in unison against pap, it will very surely kick these complacent people out of office.
we must seize this golden opportunity to vote for a change ! let it not go to waste. it has been more than 50 years since every citizen get to vote. that's one generation of democracy lost. if we allow pap to be in power again, your children's generation will lose their right to vote !!! i guarantee you this!!!
let us trust our judgement that other Singaporeans are also logical and sensible to cast their votes for our patriotic opposition candidates. so, vote for the opposition confidently. you will not be alone.
there is really no need to fear about voting secrecy. it has been established that it is secretive enough. in any case, so what my vote is not a secret? does it mean, we should allow pap to intimidate us into voting them for the rest of our lives? life isn't all that rosy any more under pap's rule, how much worst will it get if our vote to opposition is known? i, for one, will not be afraid to openly tell everyone that I will vote for the opposition. so, vote for the opposition confidently. be proud of your decision and i dare say, it will be the right one.
(go read the "do's and dont's" in Election Department website. It is stated that we must not ask others how they voted, but it says nothing about not being able to tell others voluntarily how one voted)
please do NOT spoil the vote.
please do NOT sell your vote away for budget handouts, lift/car park/playground upgradings ! our principals are not for sale !!
finally, let us perform our duty to Singapore. let those of us who are convinced that we need to remove pap from having majority seats in parliament, to educate other Singaporeans.
let us logically argue our case and appeal to the common sense of our uncles/aunties/ah kong/ah ma. these Singaporeans may not follow the political scene as much and have no idea why they are working as cleaners/sweepers at a time when they should be enjoying their retirement. they may not understand why their children/grandchildren are unemployed.
take the time to explain and talk to our lesser informed Singaporeans. so that they will also help to secure a better for us, by voting against pap.
our action starts now, and ends at the polling station :!: :!: once the opposition candidates become MPs, they will do their jobs. and if they dont do well, we will kick them out 4-5 years later.
our vote = our destiny
Opinions! Wow!
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, with regard to Tin Pri Ling:
It's true that political parties in other countries do occasionally field candidates who might appear to be lacking in years.
They only do so where it appears that candidate has a better chance of winning them votes than any other they might field, however.
It seems to me then that the PAP must have cause to believe Tan Pri Ling will be able to win it as many votes as any other candidate could, and that it means to voice its support for her just as political parties do in other countries are wont to do for their candidates.
And perhaps the only reason anyone really minds about them doing that if because they can't very easily picture the media giving the same number of column inches to members in any other established party who wanted to voice their support for a first-timer?
Hi,
ReplyDeleteAppreciate very much the government can help
the generation of baby boomers to reduce their
costs on medical bills and transportation costs by reducing the senior citizen age from 60 to 55.
Thanks
Chan
Whenever PAP members talks, I roll on the floor laughing at their shenanigans. Didn't realise circus is in town!
ReplyDeleteas a individual that has lived in China since 1998....after NUS graduation, I can safely say that Alex is just speaking good Mandarin...
ReplyDeletePlease channel our energy positively.....I am seriously considering flying back to cast my vote. The opposition candidates are very impressive. Their passion, spirit and not the structured PAP style of people whose main regret is not bringing her parents to UNIVERSAL STUDIO.
Just look at Tan Pei Ling....and we will know how the PAP has lost touch on the ground....I cannot imagine how low PAP has come to.....I like LHL but he surely know that there are problems....SM GOH is unconvincing when defending her too
I may be a Singaporean living overseas but it doesnt mean that I have lost contact with my home country.
Singapore BOLEH! OPPOSITION BOLEH!
Hey just wondering if it is at all alright (or even legal) for parties and/or their agents/supporters to use FTs to assist them in their campaigning? I just noticed that the PAP supporters/campaigners using their "maids" to distribute PAP flyers in our estate while they seat in the void-deck debating about the outcome of the GE. Anyone care to comment?
ReplyDelete