This had been called a watershed year for Singapore politics by both the incumbents and the opposition.
While this might have been the case, what with the number of opposition candidates and the astounding turnout at the rallies, the results are simply NOT.
Admittedly, we Singaporeans were not looking for a complete overhaul of parliament.
In all fairness, our ruling party has done a commendable job over the years. Despite all our grouses, we shouldn't overlook this fact.
Singapore IS one of the best countries to live in; we're safe, we have education, we have a pretty efficient transport system, we have access to excellent healthcare, unemployment rate is low, our GDP keeps growing, ... ...
And I also realised what I just listed is simply a rehashing of what is in our social studies textbook, what the media thrusts in our faces and perhaps the all too glossy picture of Singapore that the world seems to have.
While I cannot dispute the fact that our government has performed comparably well in so many aspects, what Singaporeans are looking for this time round, is more than the achievements I listed above.
We need Heart and Soul.
We need to feel the compassion and to know that our government feels the people's plight and are taking the steps to alleviate our pains.
What the man on the street felt is our leaders would be much better leaders if they could connect with the people or rather, REconnect. They have done it before so why not again?
The opposition parties tapped on the people's grouses, tapped into that strong undercurrent of unhappiness and used it to their advantage. They spoke the voice of the people and they spoke it loud. They promised what the people perceived to be lacking.
The people, They responded by turning up in droves to catch opposition rallies.
They responded by shearing margins off some of PAP's wins.
With results like this, our newly elected ministers have to step up their game to capture the hearts of the people. They have 5 years or risk losing more voters which is highly likely if the current state of play continues.
Aljunied - the hotly-contested seat, was won by the WP. The result could have swung either way.
On one hand, a much-loved veteran opposition MP who ventured out of his traditional stronghold to make his maiden campaign for a GRC and on the other, a much-respected Foreign Minister who is widely acknowledged as one of the best ministers around.
Aljunied voters were caught in the middle. You win some, you lose some, but the stakes were so high.
It is a shame that a minister with better standing among Singaporeans was lost while others, who do not resonate with the masses, were nevertheless voted in.
I sincerely hope that the WP would put in its best efforts to make a difference after securing this win, not only for Aljunied residents who have taken a leap of faith by entrusting their next 5 years to them, but also Hougang - who stood by the WP. The scene at Hougang Stadium was indeed epic. A sea of blue shirts, subdued by losses and erupting into raucous cheers when the wins were announced.
Marine Parade - the controversial seat. It was expectedly won by the PAP. How could we vote out our own SPM? It would have been a clear win if not for one candidate who did not seem to appeal to a majority of voters. If we are embracing change, respecting the need to listen to the people, doing something about this is a first step in that direction.
I really do not see how a Gen Y voice could be counted as such when Gen Y does not identify with it.
Hougang - I applaud the stoic resolve of Hougang residents to stand by the WP and LTK despite the change in candidate. This showed their faith in the party to represent their voices in parliament. This showed their trust in the party to put the people's rights above everything else.
Obviously, the WP must be doing something right. LTK must be doing something right for the people to place their future in his hands. All these years, when the people rejected upgrading to continue supporting WP, there must have been a strong pull factor which our ministers should seek to understand. It is that sort of connection which Singaporeans want, not a smooth-talking politician with no heart.
Did you see the coverage of Hougang? Did you see the block of flats which said "Welcome to Hougang"? It has looked like that since I was young, perhaps with just a fresh coat of paint.
It's time for an upgrade of that area, don't you think?
Potong Pasir - It was a bold move for the much-loved MP to contest a GRC this time round. Despite his loss and also the loss of PP, his is a legacy which should be recounted to our future generations. We did have exemplary politicians who spoke the voice of the people and devoted their lives to fighting for change. Have you seen where he held his Meet the People sessions? Have you watched him in parliament trying to sound out an alternative voice?
I was deeply touched.
My general sentiment is that Singaporeans are not wholly apathetic. Yes, there is the silent majority who might or might not have grouses but are unwilling to take a step forward. There are also those who have ideals and who want to make their voices heard. These are the people who can steer society towards a coherent sense of thought.
We shouldn't just be angry. We should offer up solutions. We should listen to alternatives and compare to the status quo. We want alternatives; are alternatives better? Be rational.
The youth are often portrayed as anti-establishment and angry but if you consider what they have to say, some might have legitimate reasons to be resentful. Singaporeans are not taught to want change. We are not taught to rock the boat. We are often satisfied to gripe in the company of friends but maintain our silence when asked for our suggestions.
However, we DO care, even if we are unwilling to voice it out.
I did not support any particular party and would not. I want what is best for Singapore, just like so many others. What I do not need are the rich and famous, the elites parroting the status quo and attempting to influence society through their comments. I myself, remain cynical and cannot help but wonder if they had even considered the lower-income classes, the less educated, those who are living in a completely different world from them. The status quo benefits them so they accept it without feeling the need for any checks and balances, is a display of self-interest.
No comments:
Post a Comment