Why PAP MPs are no more but a “wayang” in Parliament
March 15th, 2010 | 
Author: By Richard Lu
I refer to Miss Chua Mui Hoong’s article ‘No wayang – MPs serve as early warning system’ filed under ‘From the Gallery’ section of the Straits Times of 12 March, 2010.
This article is a shaggy dog story. In it Miss Chua says “MPs play a valuable role in the political process, often as an early warning system on issues simmering on the ground but not yet on the national radar.”
I beg to differ.
ROLE OF MPs IN PARLIAMENT
The main functions of Parliament are lawmaking, controlling the nation’s finances, and ensuring ministerial accountability. By and large, it is the cabinet ministers and the public servants who have direct responsibility for drafting new legislation.
MPs can influence the Government policy by participating in debates in the House and in the Committees where new legislations are being formulated and thereby contributing both substantively and fine-tuning amendments. MPs sit in Committees where Government spending is discussed. They also lobby the ministers. MPs can also introduce ‘private members bills’. Opposition MPs use Question Time in the House to raise issues of concern and bring them to the attention of the public.
SINGAPORE MPs IN PARLIAMENT
MPs are the eyes and the ears of the people. They are voted into Parliament for this purpose and more. In Singapore, 82 of the 84 seats in Parliament belong to the PAP. Because of their overwhelming majority in the House for such a long time – 51 years, the PAP MPs have gone ‘soft’ and lazy and are relatively ineffectual. One only has to watch a session of a Parliamentary debate on TV to be convinced.
The debates are basically dour and docile affairs presented without much detailed research and barest of details. MPs cannot articulate and there is a distinct lack of flair, aplomb (lacking self-confidence) and passion. The ‘cut and thrust’ of debate or ‘off the cuff’ rebuttals and ‘humoring’ of fellow Parliamentarians are largely absent. Too gentlemanly.
MPs rely heavily on their scripted text and reading. Their ‘theatrics’ or ‘wayang’ – prepared questions and answers meant to praise or polish the ‘marbles’ of the ministers are too prevalent in these debates. But in the main, the abysmal quality of debates is reflective of the “poor quality” of the MPs’ persona (many having entered the House courtesy of the open “back door”).
Like the quintessential or arch-type Singaporean, these PAP MPs too are afraid to speak up for fear of retribution (or being dropped) and always want someone else to lead. Hence the “wayang” i.e. questions and answers prepared before hand as evidenced by the scripted text.
Maybe it is the “corruption” of the high MP allowances that keeps these PAP MPs in check – the pervasive “don’t rock the boat” and the “better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt” attitudes.
In the last session, the PAP MPs raised mundane, unexciting and inconsequential issues like cyclists on the pavements, number of steps on overhead bridges (good God, she can count – and up to 67!) and lifts. There was even a nonsensical question raised by a doctor MP asking the Minister of Health how he stays looking young. If this doctor does not know, who would? Many suspect he was merely “marble” polishing.
In the meantime, look at what had happened in Singapore under the MPs’ national radar that had escaped their attention entirely:
1. PRs buying up HDB flats and prices going up to the detriment of Singaporeans;
2. Foreigners imported in Singapore in such alarming numbers (3.6 million) and such fast rate;
3. The fast tracking and making of PRs and citizens;
4. Demand of private homes hitting the roof and these MPs still do not see the bubble being formed;
5. Hospitals and hospices are inadequate;
6. The productivity of the Singaporean workers has dropped and the MPs are not even aware;
7. Older Singaporeans out of jobs due to cheaper, faster and better foreigners;
8. The MRT & buses are choked ;
9. Unsavory behavior of our foreign imports;
10. Stagnant incomes, lower purchasing power, lower quality of life, etc.
The above are just some bread-and-butter issues tugging the heart-strings of Singaporeans that our MPs are so oblivious to. It was left to the vigilant netizens who relentless pursued and cajoled the Government in their postings and the 2 vs. 82 opposition MPs who championed these concerns and raised them in Parliament.
AN EXAMPLE OF THE PAP MP ROT
PAP’s Baey Yam Keng, a ‘back-door’ MP in MM Lee’s GRC, must surely take the cake. In a ‘Meet The People’ session in his Tanjong Pagar constituency at the end of last month, Mr. Baey promised to raise residents’ concerns in Parliament to ‘change’ government policies. Doesn’t he know that this is his basic and sacred duty as a MP? Has he been sleeping all this while?
He did stutter and splutter last week despite reading from a prepared scripted text. And what of the ‘residents’ concerns’ did this joker raised in Parliament? Setting up a food museum! How does MM Lee tolerate such fools? This Minister Mentor is surely not doing his job! MM Lee is NOT even mentoring his charges in his own GRC. Or rather, has he given up as a consequence such low quality inputs?
Where then is the early warning system, Mui Hoong? And look at what were also debated in Parliament recently:
a. $10 million to help migrants integrate;
b. Migrants need not perform NS or they may not want Singapore citizenships;
c. Migrants to join People’s Association;
d. Foreign workers are necessary for Singapore;
e. HDB flats are affordable;
f. Even Ministers asking Singaporeans to be “more realistic” over HDB flats and being tolerant to foreigners.
The old maxim “pay peanuts and get monkeys” is reversed here in the Singapore Parliament. Singaporeans pay TOP DOLLARS for monkey PAP MPs.
FAILURE OF PAP MPs
May I ask Miss Chua Mui Hoong how then do these MPs play a valuable role in the political process and more importantly how do they justify their shameless monthly MP allowances?
In 1990, the Nominated Member of Parliament scheme was introduced. Wong Kan Seng, DPM and Minister for Home Affairs and the then-House Leader, gave a reason for the scheme – the performance of the opposition MPs (there were four at that time) had been disappointing. But I suspect he too was of the opinion that the PAP MPs were as just as guilty of this fact.
Save for the former PAP backbencher Dr, Tan Cheng Bock and now Mr. Inderjit Singh, most of the other PAP MPs must either be from the mute association or the deaf association.
Some of the NMPs, Siew Kum Hong and Chia Shih Teck in particular provided spirited debates. But alas, their terms were not extended leading one to enquire if the Government was sincere in wanting diverse views or once again merely paying lip service.
Singaporeans are such simpletons and imbeciles that MPs can be easily milk them for their astronomical MP allowances and Ministerial pay! It is just taking candies from babies. And we will vote them in again come next election!
Even Abe Lincoln would have approved of this:
“You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can fool Singaporeans all of the time.”
JOURNALISM IN SINGAPORE
Like Rachel Chang, Miss Chua Mui Hoong too is doing ‘her ‘wayang’ …….. playing the tune for their political master and employer. Like good pets, they bark or bite when told to do so. Journalism in Singapore is dead.
My recommendation for Rachel, Mui Hoong, Main Stream Media journalists, reporters and presenters, are to embrace these 2 aspects for good journalism – i.e. journalist skills and journalistic principles.
a. 5 journalistic skills – curiosity, sense of adventure, need to share, joy of storytelling and making a difference.
b. 5 basic journalistic principles – accuracy, thoroughness, fairness, transparency, and independence.
Otherwise quit journalism.
CONCLUSION
Parliament is becoming a farce if not an outright “wayang” thanks to these non-performing, ineffectual and lackluster PAP MPs who are there simply as dummies to fill up the empty seats.
As PAP’s omnipresent octogenarian “Dear Leader’ Lee Kuan Yew puts it succinctly:
“To be the prime minister, you don’t have to know every instrument, but you got to recognise, ah, he’s a good violinist, he’ll be the first violinist, he’ll be the double bass. He will play the viola, he will have the trumpet, he will do the drums. Then you coordinate them and then you have great music. And if you already have a great orchestra, you can put a dummy there and you still got great music.”
[Source: Channel News Asia, 5 March 2008]
PAP MPs have failed miserably in their responsibilities to speak up for Singaporeans, let alone be an “early warning system.” They do not deserve a single cent of the $13,000 monthly MP allowance that taxpayers have been paying.
A real “wayang kulit” will be much worthwhile watching than the pathetic “wayang” these PAP MPs put up in Parliament to masequerade Singapore as a “democracy” to the world.
Read also:
10 most unforgettable quotes by PAP MPs in the recent parliamentary debates
Other articles by Richard Lu:
1. Independent judiciary in a liberal democracy
2. Why an independent judiciary is an important part of a liberal democracy
3. Advantages of an open and democratic society
Posted in 66 Responses to “Why PAP MPs are no more but a “wayang” in Parliament”
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if u r given million dollar salary n get many other bonuses / welfare / etc etc, n a confirmed rice bowl, will u rather to challenge ur master or b an honorable slave ?
The script are early draft for them to read in Paliament,Don’t need their work, the Master office has draft everything for them.Just after reading the script, they have plenty of time to sleep in air-con Paliament. Do the people paid them miliiom of Dollar to sleep in Paliament.Very weird, So evidence in photo shown that this is a wayang Paliament.
Just one question on the MP allowance. Is it $13000 or $18000 per month?
Yes, just like N korea and cuba, great, singaporeans voted in N.Korean and cubans leaders to lead them, just great, or should i say “WOW”
Another excellent piece showing how papies work in the doggy house.
I’ve heard that in MIW system, MPs have to “submit” the questions days before the debate to minister concern(so that he/she won’t embarrass the leeder)if he/she has questions to raise in the actual day of parliament “debate”. Is this true, can any TR reader comment.
In all other parliament/congress debates/sessions in other countries including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Philipines, ministers/cabinets are grilled on the spot by MPs/senators/congressmen !!!!
Brilliantly argued, Richard. The best thing about your letter is that those useless, Pyongyang-inspired journalists see already also dont dare to counter-argue or engage in a debate through the mainstream media, lest they open bigger cans of worms. In other words, they can only suck thumbs and swallow.
Great article Richard. You nailed this one solidly.
PAP = Pay & pay. pay raise every year & more..
The show goes on.
Well said, Mr. Lu, I applaud you in your wise and sagacious reasoning.
The PAP had laxed and their standard has drop which shine opposition MPs in a much better light. I am very perturbed by their outrageous monthly allowance of $13,000, when all they know is ask minister how to look young (do you think they are just taking up precious parliamentary time for void-filling purposes?)
If the PAP can claimed that opposition MPs are inexperience or not good for the job, then can the MM, SM or PM open their eyes and see for themselves that these back-door PAP MPs with no electorial contest experience is no better or worse than the opposition counterparts.
Good that u pointed out the unresolved issues, Richard. I hope the mui hoong will go squeeze into the mrt for a week, smell the banglas’ armpits and then tell us whether the congestion issue has eased for sporeans. kao beh so much, the transport issue has become very serious for several yrs, and where are the MPs? did they push the policymakers hard enough? And dont get me started on the housing debacle…
Anyone noticed that this year has been a really bad year for garmen? Either MPs say wrong things or someone affliated with MIW screw the wrong chicks.
I only started visiting TR start of this year. I’m impressed by the work so far. Keep it up TR! Keep our poor peasants informed so that 66.6% dun make the same mistake at the voting booths next GE !
Cannot 100% blame those MSM reporters lah. They just protecting their livelihood, career, condo, million-dollar mortgage, kids’ welfare and kids’ education.
They certainly don’t want to become the next negative example.
http://meltedpotsg.blogspot.com/2006/07/who-is-mano-sabnani-today-in-trouble.html
http://singaporeelection.blogspot.com/2006/11/behind-mano-sabnanis-resignation-at.html
http://singaporeelection.blogspot.com/2006/11/more-behind-mano-sabnanis-resignation.html
What is the difference between a caterpillar and a buterfly?
The answer is
a) a caterpillar eat voraciously in endless greed and sleep in lazy exhaustion of overfeeding and
b) a butterfly is willing to leave the safety of the cocoon and take responsibility for your work.
Don’t believe me? check this one out
http://jobs.st701.com/articles/Be-a-professional-butterfly.html
Why MPs say wrong things and screw the wrong chick,Now the Master is sick, no one to guide them,They’re panic now.This is just another story of the Three Little Pig, They have to go on their own.these elites are tooo ooooooo greedy.
Excellent article! Thanks!
Richard, nice one.
Hi fellow singaporean, there is no parliament in singapore,
it is actually called PAPliament,
some may call it Papayaliament.
Except the OPs voice, the rest are synchronized voices that wayang to the world to show we have democracy………
@#$%^&**!
“Like Rachel Chang, Miss Chua Mui Hoong too is doing ‘her ‘wayang’ …….. playing the tune for their political master and employer”
Try harder, RC, CMH, and other balls-carrier msm journalists, you guys are potential candidates for papy mp !!! That journalist-turn-mp (what’s that name? something ng?) inpires/motivates a lot to you people, doesn’t she?
bunch of pathetic, soulless, daftest jurnalists !!!
Could we stop this topic? Let’s not waste time discussing whether it is a wayang or not – people know the answer very clearly. Why try to justify something when the answer is already very clear to the citizens – a wayang kulit.
Let’s spend time discussing new ideas to help the poor or send useful feedback to the Govt.
Thanks
I wonder what chua mui hoong has to say about the absurdity of a food museum suggestion by a sissy when there are other pressing matters which many sporeans face.
Good write.But I opine the root of our problems lies elsewhere.
In ancient ‘democracy’ ,whether be it Athenian Greeks or the Indian village-level ‘panchayats’, the role of people representing people worked better than now since there were no allegiance to political parties.
When a MP is elected on the ticket of a political party he or she usually represents the position of his or her party in the parliament.This is quite typical even in the two-party parliamentary system.
The only grace here is the presence of free-press,NGO(s),pressure groups and other independent institutions such as the judiciary,civil-service and etc…Without these institutions there would no check and balance on the political parties who shares power.
PAP systematically over the years had castrated every group that existed in SG..Trade & Labor unions were the first casualty ..and now, even an individual protesting is illegitimate..
So,our real redeem lies in giving life once again to independent institutions who will put our politicians under scrutiny -for the people by the people.
Since politicians are like diapers. They both need changing regularly and for the same reason.
The Siahsway Times journalists have long sold their conscience for money. Every such piece of shitty article will not only earn them extra points in their appraisals but also extra bonuses which they’re so damn hard up for!
Journalists can, with the strokes of their pens save people’s life, change people’s fate and even save the world and bring peace to everybody. However, our SG journalists are more interested in being ball-carriers and be part of the wayang troupe just to have comfortable lives for themselves.
They’ve let down God’s gift for them to be journalists. For sure, God will punish them when the time is right!
Neutral – “Let’s spend time discussing new ideas to help the poor or send useful feedback to the Govt.”
Didn’t the PAP minister tell you they are deaf frogs? So why feedback? Better to spread the truth to more of the 66.6%.
1. When a leader demeans rather then encourages his charges… It SHOWS CLEARLY… That he has NO leadership qualities AT ALL!!!
2. When a leader BOASTS about his merits and achievements… It SHOWS CLEARLY… That he LACKS or DOES NOT HAVE… True ALTRUISM in Mind and Spirit of a good leader!!!
3. When a leader even resorts to SELECTIVE CIRCUMVENTING Of Problematic ISSUES he has created… It SHOWS CLEARLY… That he either has ABSOLUTELY NO Idea Whatsoever of HIS ERRORS f WAYS… OR… he IS just TOO INSINCERE from LACK Of Credible Ideas on HOW TO SOLVE Problem Issues of HIS OWN MAKINGS!!!
4. When a leader resorts to threats to BLAME those he has NEGATIVELY IMPACTED and AFFECTED SERIOUSLY… It SHOWS CLEARLY… That he has absolutely NO REGARD FOR “MUTUAL RESPECT”… Nor ANY WISH To… PUT Right his WRONGS… Except BY… “Indemnifying” his own FOOLISHNESS Policies from LACK Of FORWARD PLANNING and EXECUTION… VIA ACCUSATIONS… To DEFLECT.. THE CAUSAL TRUTHS from himself!!!
SO… Do YOU want to RETAIN SUCH Self-Professed “talented” and “over-the-hill” paid and EGOISTIC ELITIST ‘leaders’ who win General Elections or GEs BY DEFAULT MEANS… IMPLANTED BY their APAPA… Who… HAS NOT won a GE… but by cheating with “GRC” System, Election Boundaries REDRAWING at the LAST MINUTE, Hooligan type of threats and financially demolishing lawsuits at Oppositions Candidates and Parties… And thereby… SHOWING CLEARLY… That they ARE promoting self as “BETTER… FASTER AND HOLIER THAN THOU” TO Govern Singapore!!!… BUT ALSO… BRAGGING… tThat IT IS… BECAUSE… “They ARE PAID… DEVILISHLY HIGHER… THAN ANY Governments On Earth!!!
And of YOUR FEARS of being “marked” and “sacked” when you vote against pap… THINK AGAIN of the WISDOM In…
“TOGETHER WE STAND, divided we fall”!!!… So… HOW WILL pap get-rid of so many in the Civil Service and GLCs and subsidiaries???…. By Replacing YOU With FTs and FWs??? And CREATE MASS SOCIAL-UNREST FROM JOBLESSNESS in MORE Singaporeans… To make them become SinkGApooreans???…
Will this be good for pap??? And won’t they or rather the old gecko will then HAVE TO QUELL US like the Myanmar Military Junta???… POSSIBLE in OUR Tinny island and what of the DIRE CONSEQUENCES for him, his family and cronies too?… Gecko is no fool in this game… as you can bet your LAST dollar… That he will DARE to shoot down 200,000 students in Tienanmen Square due to China’s size and Communist Party Control for centuries!!!…
In fact China’s new leaders in Premier Wen Jiabao and President Hu Jintao are MORE RESPECTABLE leaders in compare!!!
Will this idiotic Chua please “SHUT-UP” and “KEEP QUIET”! When all decisions have been made by respective “wayang leaders” in the oligarchy group of the top-echelon of the miw clique prior to parliament debate and,
idiotic mps deliver their speeches for the sake of delivery liken to a “nut” disguises as a “SAINT” chanting sacred Buddhist-scriptures without real understanding of the scriptures,
perform “fictitious” debates in the parliament liken to putting-up clown’s performance in the circle,
last but not least, attacking the opposition mps for the sake of attacks liken to the farces demonstrated and acted by the third rated “holly-wood” stars in X-rated movies,
if you opine that those meaningless cum pretentious parliament debates are not wayang shows than what are wayang shows?
I am really cleansing my ears for her enlightenment!
Just watched the press conference given by China’s Premier Wen Jiabao, super impressive, dealt with questions from foreign media over live telecast, no reference to scripts in his replies. I wonder how many of our ministers got the guts to do that.
國會不是演藝界,我們不要什麽年輕貌美的小生或美嬌娃.這些人充其量只是花瓶,中看不中用!他們有幾個會把人民心聲帶進國會!很少,或沒有!
人民是徹徹底底的失望!
“Royal Singapore Navy”
Hey TR, is in The Straits Times, please help to find out lei.
Typo or they acutally want to test the market?
PM Lee would be the crown prince soon?
Ha ha ha!
If we get Premier Wen Jiabao to help SG , all issues and problems will surely be resolved within 6 mmths . He is tackling all issues and not just wayang and bullshit like our MPs . 1 Premier Wen Jiabao will make all th MPs work hard or else they will be sacked . why SG do not have such people around . If Premier Wen Jiabao is in charge ,he will get those stupid people accountable for temasek and GIC massive losses .
Peerless – Just watched the press conference given by China’s Premier Wen Jiabao, super impressive, dealt with questions from foreign media over live telecast, no reference to scripts in his replies. I wonder how many of our ministers got the guts to do that.
Not even MM! Even his recent dialogue session with NUS students was staged. All questions were vetted before and prepared answers for the “forcaster” to reply, remember?
I would like to correct a point you raised:
Instead of “Pay peanuts and get monkeys”, it should read “Pay peanuts and get TT Durai”.
LSS talked about the “frog” story in parliament.
In parliament, have they heard about the race between the hare and the tortoise? The arrogant hare found sleeping on the job and in the end the humble tortoise crossed the finishing line.
Replying to ……Peerless Stupidity on Mon, 15th Mar 2010 12:36 pm
The answer to your question: Only one (ie: MM Lee)
We all know too well Chua Mui Hoong is mentally unsound to continue to write stupid and biased articles. She probably find her jobs too easy and paid well thus she is still not quite ready to give that up. Unlike businessman who struggle hard for business, Chua Mui Hoong simply write hard for reward. Fact is simply not her cup of tea as long as it pleased her PAP masters. I have never bought her craps. Straits Times existed for partisan purposes – and die hard fans of PAP who has major stake in it. Please spread the news to everyone to read new media news because it is free.
@Neutral,
Though your intentions are well-meant, please lar, one must be an idiot to assume that we have a govt that values feedback or even views for that matter.
The local media is an embarrasment – is that not evidently telling of the kind of nation Singapore has become.
The way I see it is change of govt or a multi-party system that may usher in REAL change and benefit the n ation.
NCMP (correct ?) scheme is a charade and moreover simply wasting tax dollars!
The whole thing is a tragic comedy for all true citizens!
Parlaiment? what parlaiment? is there true democratic process?
Parliament is serious matter for the proper running of democracy…
Similar to the situation in California:
http://failedsenator.com/
Don’t forget the $40m the govt spent rejuvenationg Orchard Rd http://www.getforme.com/previous2007/091107_sgd40millioninfrastructureupgradefororchardroad.htm
Very good piece of article. Spread the word.
If it is NOT a wayang threatre, how come they can bring in those “UNELECTED” into the law-making chambers WHO DO NOT REPRESENT THE TRUE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE otherwise reachable by demolition of GRC circus?
Nowhere else is Parliament in any democracy degraded to the simplicity of stripped down parliamentary voting rights and informality of private invitation to participate instead of the UNENCUMBERED electoral route of only elected representatives in single ward election.
IT IS BLOCKING THE FRONT DOOR AND INVITING THE UNELECTED BY THE BACK DOOR – how can that be a serious forum of national agenda AFTER THE FACT?
iF IT IS NOT WAYANG, IT MUST BE A CIRCUS DOMINATED BY self-confessed FROGS?
while i agree with the author that “cyclists on the pavements, number of steps on overhead bridges and lifts” may be “mundane, unexciting and inconsequential issues” in the light of more serious,interesting and critical issues facing singapore now,
However anything that affects the individual which is caused by govt neglect or failure or power abuse should be brought up to parliament even if minor cases.
eg. cyclists on pavements affect ppl as they may get hurt by cyclists. there’s a law against cycling on pavements(except tampines), but obviously it isn’t being enforced. thus,the issue festers.
墙坏于其隙，木毁于其节，斯盖其分也。
Cracks come before a collapsed wall.
A tree is damaged by its decayed branches.
Such is how things can be broken (or conquered).
Cracks can now be seen everywhere of the PAP.
The decayed branches are also evident.
It’s just a matter of time they will be out.
You know good folks…
I can’t help but identify the MIW and their policy makers with the below youtube farce!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyakI9GeYRs
Xianz.
When Miss Chua Mui Hoong’s article ‘No wayang,
She meant
No wayang but only Movies & drama series…
Definitely there will not be wayang if PAP IS OUT POWER !!!
These bunch of idiots as MP are there to serve their Master not the people !
Vote PAP OUT to help majority native singaporeans
Vote PAP OUT if you want to live with dignity & peacefully
Vote PAP OUT if you want our children to have better future
Vote PAP OUT or New Citizens be dominating our life
Compulsory NS & Reservist : Native Singaporeans
Compulsory Free From National Service : New Citizens
Professionalism is absent, since only balls-carrying is rewarded.
If you don’t wayang , you are in trouble , like Mr Ong Teng Cheong
Well written.
Only deficiency is your lack of mention of the abysmal performance of Opposition MPs.
Should hv included in your list:
Suicides, HDB dispossessing people’s homes because of financial difficulties & Town Councils bankrupting HDB lessees for arrears.
Well, perhaps the PAP folks may certainly want to take a serious cue from the Chinese and the Thais as per this blog published in one of the Thai websites… Elitist policies can only work to a certain point but if the people in general is being neglected or worse being stepped on, this is a dangerous game…
=======
Elite need a rethink
Published: 15/03/2010 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
Can anyone explain to me why the Bangkok elite, as personified by Prime Minister Abhisit, seem to be unable to form an amicable connection with their fellow countrymen in the provinces?
The current struggle is a very basic conflict between the elite’s desire to cling to their power and wealth and the peasantry’s legitimate desires for more respect, better representation, a stable occupation with a decent wage, a fair market price for their various products, inexpensive yet comprehensive education for their children, good health care when they fall ill, decent infrastructure (transport, electricity, water etc.) in their locality, land reform, access to loans at reasonable interest when needed and all the other things that many more fortunate people simply take for granted.
I understand that Mr Abhisit is a decent man, perhaps forced to make deals with others somewhat less constrained, but he is not blessed with a fair share of baramee to complement his intellect and education. Why, however, is the Democrat Party’s public relations so appallingly bad? Why can’t they find a charismatic government spokesman, who believes in their policies, to persuade the people that Bangkok is working for their betterment and does indeed understand their problems?
All the various aspirations of the poorer peoples of this country could be addressed with a relatively small, but realistic budget that Khun Korn (for example) should be able to put together over lunch, perhaps partially financed by some of Thaksin’s ill-gotten gains, along with a cut in military spending (sell the aircraft carrier, for instance?).
The Chinese, in China, figured it out long ago, if government creates a situation where the people are allowed to prosper and yet are still helped by their government when needed, they will stay home, too busy making money to worry too much about what else happens in the capital city.
ANDREW ROGERS
This article solidly nailed the final nail on the coffin. VOTE FOR CHANGE, VOTE THE PAP OUT
The only warning systems and alarm bells aringing aloud now is this – Singaporeans are slowly and surely being alienated by the incumbent govt and what has made it worse is the ”lame media” is a complicit partner in these media charade and circus lah.
Where is the impartiality?, where is the social justice,? where is the professional integrity? Perhaps, these bunch of so-called journalists could not or cannot earn a decent living and took a dive lar. A dive that entails forgoing/mortgaging one’s ethics, one’s sense of justice, freedom, ingreity, social responsibility and so on for …
PS – lame media cos i doubt we actually have a MSM media!
It is okay, let them wayang for this moment.
When election comes, just Vote PAP OUT !
We had enough of their unreasonable reasoning !
Yes !!!
PAP must be Voted OUT !!!
Excellent piece!
Some Goals of a good government from http://www.buzzflash.com/perspectives/goals.html
- A government that makes policies beneficial to all, instead of just a few already rich elite.
- A government that works to protect its citizens by promoting safer and healthier workplaces, a living wage, and accountability from CEOs who use their companies for greedy and nefarious purposes.
- A government that is open to scrutiny and expects its actions to be monitored by its citizens.
- A government that assists the needy, without question, at home and abroad.
Are we asking too much?
They cannot even provide affordable flats/shelter….
heard their crap on news? many more jobs expected to be created. r these jobs created for the people or for the foreigners. Too much of emphasis on economy and making money. Can we grow in other aspects as well like human values, compassion, etcc other than always economy economy economy. There seems to be no balance. All i hear is about economy and the solution for all problems seems to be more money, less money , fine blah blah blah.
PAP MPs are required to field their questions before each parliament session so that the ministers have the time to prepare the answers and looked smart in front of the cameras. This also explains why whenever the opposition MPs raised a question, the MIW will make a fool of themselves when they attempted to answer them. Best stand up comedy in town! Better than TC@Parliament House!
I like to ask MPs, why you not join opposition given you are so talented that your talent will make opposition whiter than white and make singapore a better place?
Wayang and more wayang show to fool singaporean. Don’t know when will all these wayang ends.
Great piece.
Can any one advice beside the Fat pay packet our
brilliant MP are getting ( for Monkey act and Frog show )
What other incentive are given to this bunch of brainless ,
clueless nikumput!
Well, the situation in Singapore is currently that the PAP still has an effective monopoly over the information. The Staits Times has a readership of 500,000 daily and with the other language newspapers – SPH can hit more than a million people a day. Television and radio are exclusively SPH controlled and report pro-government.
Though I think online blogs are a positive development, I very much doubt that they will be able to affect a critical mass of people so as to have a substantial effect on election results.
That said, I would like to see more debate in Parliament. Some of the answers to even genuine questions are hardly satisfactory. Hopefully the people behind the scenes know what they are doing – and are working in the best interests of the people.
Wah!!! no pay increasment, Sleep, Hear of Salary increasement faster wake up to vote for it.8.8% pay increase, Per month extra income of $2,400/= Per year extra of $240,0000/
Have you ever observed any of MM Lee’s so-called “live” press conference are actually prearrange and aligned specific subject(s) based “interviews” of forums?…
So what you said about MM Lee also being able to field wide-ranging questions from a slew of well traveled and exposed professional journalists like China’s Premier Wen Jiabao is somewhat a puzzlement. For example… in a discussion forum a couple of years ago on CNA with some NUS and ex-NUS 20 something students… The subject matter was pre-aligned… and MM Lee was intimidating and even a boastful bragged of he being a lawyer and knowing about this and that even before the young adults were born!!!…
Now… if a self so-called “MM” was such a BRAGGART to those young enough to be his grandchildren and ALSO uses his position to intimidate such young minds… how can he ever be one who CAN STAND UP TO PRO-JOURNALISTS’ who do field question without OB markers??/
It will be nice if you can give us some real background to show us how well “MM” has performed in the past in SUCH AN ARENA. Thank you!!!
“Peerless Stupidity on Mon, 15th Mar 2010 12:36 pm
Just watched the press conference given by China’s Premier Wen Jiabao, super impressive, dealt with questions from foreign media over live telecast, no reference to scripts in his replies. I wonder how many of our ministers got the guts to do that.”
“toratoratora on Mon, 15th Mar 2010 2:06 pm
Replying to ……Peerless Stupidity on Mon, 15th Mar 2010 12:36 pm
The answer to your question: Only one (ie: MM Lee)”
When are we going to wake up from the myth that only people who got impressive paper qualifications can lead the country?
Old Fart want you to believe that, he stuff parliament with such people, all with impressive papers, highly intelligent ball carrier, Best paid Yes man and well rewarded and taken care of for life.
At the expense of Ordinary folks.
EEEh .. vote what out , my town always walk over how ?
One word to describe this ‘FAKE’.
Almost all of our MPS and Ministers, in spite of the academic qualifications are undeniably YES man/woman. Knowledge does not translate into intelligence. Does not translate into integrity, does not translate into reponsibility. Conviction and passion to serve the nation and the citizen – yes, there is a possibility lah.
To elaborate or cite egs of hypocrisy,untruths or … is being superfluous and to assume that these lot of so-called leaders are serving the people/nation is utter stupidity.
The mistake that Singaoreans made is allowing a one-party system to stay in power for much too long and today the price we have paid, and are paying, in many ways, is tangible and evident.
Though it is a rude awakening – it can be undone – just wise up and vote intelligently.
Hey People.. Comon give Mui Hoong a break. She had to serve and entertain the ministers to get where she is now.. Oops! (Mirror: Jerk Neo and Wendy Chong)