|  |  |  | |
| | THE TEMASEK REVIEW | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| |
|
The widespread public opprobrium and anger against Tin Pei Ling continues to snowball as it claims another unlikely victim in MediaCorp’s Cheryl Fox.
Ms Fox was heard reading the news at Channel 5 last night that the comment on Ms Tin’s Facebook was posted by her administrator and removed within 20 minutes:
Her coverage of the fiasco was not well received by some netizens who thought she was ‘covering up’ for Ms Tin.
Peter Bleach wrote on TR’s Facebook:
“CNA wayang. Before investigation is over, cna already said that the comments were posted by an administrator. If this was an alternative party member, the person would have been ravaged by the msm.”
Nicolas Poon added:
“News report used ‘Miss Tin’s administrator’ had removed the post 20 minutes later after posting on her wall. MediaCorp had already internalized that the whole compliant is a misunderstanding. Not surprise though, but applauded their courage to continue stay bias even given the current sentiment among citizen and netizen. Old habits die hard.”
Min Chew was appalled at the integrity of the state media:
“She was never interviewed and yet Channel 5 News is taking whatever the PAP candidate said as an excuse to be the gospel truth… This says a lot about the integrity of the media in Singapore!.”
It is still not known if Ms Tin or Ms He had posted the comment as the latter was not even listed as a moderator on Ms Tin’s Facebook page in her election declaration form. (view it here)
In the meantime, Ms Tin (or Denise He?) has all but ‘disappeared’ from her Facebook page with her last posting made a week ago on 9 May 2011 thanking her supporters, activists and friends. |
| |
| | |
| |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| |
|
Many netizens are infuriated that the authorities have blatantly refused to investigate PAP MP for Marine Parade GRC Tin Pei Ling for flouting election laws on ‘Cooling off’ day.
The Election Department conveniently asked the complainants to lodge a police report while it had earlier taken swift action to disqualify an opposition team for submitting their nomination papers 35 seconds late.
It remains to be seen if the Singapore police will dare to investigate Ms Tin now that a formal report was lodged against her by a member of the public.
In contrast to the leeway Ms Tin seems to be getting from the PAP regime and the media now, then WP candidate for Aljunied GRC Dr James Gomez was hounded relentlessly by the PAP, police and media for a seemingly trivial mistake made when submitting his nomination forms in 2006.
Dr James Gomez had wrongly accused a staff at the Election Department for misplacing his minority certificate which he promptly apologized for.
However, a police report was made against him and the police acted the very next day to investigate him for ‘criminal intimidation’.
How the police managed to interpret a simple honest mistake like this as a form of ‘intimidation’ is anybody’s guess.
The mainstream media devoted an entire 7 days to the saga, character-assassinating and smearing the hapless Dr James Gomez with PAP strongman Lee Kuan Yew calling him a liar publicly:
“When I call a man openly, you’re a liar, you’re dishonest, and you do not dare to sue me, there’s something basically wrong. And I will repeat it anywhere and you can’t go and say, oh, I have apologised; let’s move on. Can you commit a dishonourable — maybe even one which is against the law — an illegal act and say, let’s move on because I’ve apologised? You may move on but you’re going to move on out of politics in time.”
(Source: Channel News Asia, May 2006)
For some strange reasons, Lee Kuan Yew has remained largely silent on controversy enshrouding Tin Pei Ling who has yet to apologize for her mistake.
While Ms Tin can continue her work as a MP without worrying about being harassed by the police, Dr James Gomez was not so lucky. He was arrested by the police at the airport after the election when he was about to board a flight to Sweden where he worked then.
Dr James Gomez was never charged for any offence and was let off with a ’stern police warning’, an euphemism for ‘no case’, yet the state media chose to kick up a ruckus over it as if he has committed a crime.
With public confidence in the Singapore police force reaching an all-time low, it remains to be seen if the police will brush the matter quietly under the carpet again. |
| |
| | |
| |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| |
|
Many netizens are infuriated that the authorities have blatantly refused to investigate PAP MP for Marine Parade GRC Tin Pei Ling for flouting election laws on ‘Cooling off’ day.
The Election Department conveniently asked the complainants to lodge a police report while it had earlier taken swift action to disqualify an opposition team for submitting their nomination papers 35 seconds late.
It remains to be seen if the Singapore police will dare to investigate Ms Tin now that a formal report was lodged against her by a member of the public.
In contrast to the leeway Ms Tin seems to be getting from the PAP regime and the media now, then WP candidate for Aljunied GRC Dr James Gomez was hounded relentlessly by the PAP, police and media for a seemingly trivial mistake made when submitting his nomination forms in 2006.
Dr James Gomez had wrongly accused a staff at the Election Department for misplacing his minority certificate which he promptly apologized for.
However, a police report was made against him and the police acted the very next day to investigate him for ‘criminal intimidation’.
How the police managed to interpret a simple honest mistake like this as a form of ‘intimidation’ is anybody’s guess.
The mainstream media devoted an entire 7 days to the saga, character-assassinating and smearing the hapless Dr James Gomez with PAP strongman Lee Kuan Yew calling him a liar publicly:
“When I call a man openly, you’re a liar, you’re dishonest, and you do not dare to sue me, there’s something basically wrong. And I will repeat it anywhere and you can’t go and say, oh, I have apologised; let’s move on. Can you commit a dishonourable — maybe even one which is against the law — an illegal act and say, let’s move on because I’ve apologised? You may move on but you’re going to move on out of politics in time.”
(Source: Channel News Asia, May 2006)
For some strange reasons, Lee Kuan Yew has remained largely silent on controversy enshrouding Tin Pei Ling who has yet to apologize for her mistake.
While Ms Tin can continue her work as a MP without worrying about being harassed by the police, Dr James Gomez was not so lucky. He was arrested by the police at the airport after the election when he was about to board a flight to Sweden where he worked then.
Dr James Gomez was never charged for any offence and was let off with a ’stern police warning’, an euphemism for ‘no case’, yet the state media chose to kick up a ruckus over it as if he has committed a crime.
With public confidence in the Singapore police force reaching an all-time low, it remains to be seen if the police will brush the matter quietly under the carpet again. |
| |
| | |
| |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| |
|
 Hi,
I have been reading and enjoying articles from TR.
GE 2011 I voted for the NSP at Marine Parade GRC.
Despite the myth of voting for PAP as long as being in the Civil Service. I am from SPF/MHA.
I reiterate that I enjoy reading articles from TR and I do share some ideas.
What I like to point out here is in situation like the one in Potong Pasir.
Yes. The Police were called in to disperse the crowd. That does not mean it is their fault and they should be called with names, “Singapore Poddle Force”? The officers were merely upholding the law that they took oath upon. These officers are also Singapore Citizens. They should be taking fire for the desired laws written by PAP for their security.
I just find it sad that while TR is trying to bring awareness to the people about the PAP government, they took down the SPF (Upholding the law) at the same time.
The SPF is not PAP. The officers job is to uphold the law, written by PAP or the Opposition.
As Subject, My Sentiments.
.
Lim |
| |
| | |
| |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| |
|
Singaporeans are the second biggest loser in the world, according to an article in the Economist which was not reported by the state media. (read more here)
Each Singapore adult resident lost about $1,800 in 2010 to the two casinos in Singapore.
The statistics were obtained from gambling research firm H2 Gambling capital.
With the opening of the two casinos, the PAP regime imposed a $100 levy on Singapore citizens and PRs to deter them from visiting them.
Unfortunately, the amount is too small to stop eager gamblers and addicts from trying their luck.
The levies which go to the pockets of the PAP regime impose further financial strain on Singaporeans.
The PAP regime should take a leaf out of the Chinese government which limits the number of visits its citizens can make to Macau to stop them from visiting the casinos or South Korea which impose a blanket ban on all its citizens from entering them.
Under the present regulations, Singaporeans are not only ‘contributing’ to the casinos, but to the deep pockets of the PAP regime as well. |
| |
| | |
| |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| |
|
 I WAS taken aback by the results of this general election which saw the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) garner 60.1 per cent of the vote, the lowest since independence.
I am baffled by how the opposition managed to put up such a strong performance. Their members failed to strike me as credible candidates. I thought they proposed questionable alternative policies and stoked emotions in their rallies by blaming the many problems the country faces on the PAP government.
In contrast, the PAP candidates contesting in my constituency (Tampines GRC) produced plans for the next five years. I thought the PAP did its best to explain its performance while in power. I also appreciated the fact that it did a good job the last five years, most notably in leading the country out of the financial crisis. The PAP teams looked strong.
I am particularly upset that the constituents of Aljunied GRC were in favour of a team of relatively unqualified candidates against a PAP team that had served them well for more than two decades and had strong candidates.
Have Singaporeans chosen to listen and believe in the rhetoric of the opposition and failed to appreciate the excellent track record of the PAP in leading the country whatever its perceived flaws? I am less convinced that my fellow Singaporeans were rational when voting for the future of the country in this general election.
.
Soh Wei Jie
* This letter was published by the Straits Times on its forum pages on 14th May |
| |
| | |
| |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| |
|
The National Solidarity Party (NSP) is now pursuing the case against beleaguered PAP MP for Marine Parade GRC Tin Pei Ling after deciding initially to let the matter rest.
NSP has earlier lodged a formal complaint to the Election Department over alleged flouting of ‘Cooling off’ day regulations by Tin Pei Ling who posted a derogatory comment about her opponent Nicole Seah on her Facebook on 6 May at around 1.33pm.
Ms Tin claimed that the posting was made by one of her Facebook administrators ‘Denise He’, but Ms Tin declared herself as the only moderator of her Facebook in her election declaration form on online advertising.
For some strange reasons, the Election Department, which had been quick to disqualify an opposition team from contesting in Tanjong Pagar GRC because they were 35 seconds late, refused to investigate the matter and ‘direct’ NSP to the Singapore police instead.
A member of the public lodged a police report against Ms Tin yesterday followed by another complaint made to the Prime Minister’s Office.
The reports sparked a massive outcry in cyberspace with many netizens calling on the police to investigate Ms Tin.
When contacted by the state media, NSP Chief Goh Meng Seng said he will now pursue the matter:
‘Now that someone has filed a police report, we can pursue it once we have the police statement … This is good for Singapore too. Cooling-off Day is a new rule and we don’t know how the authorities will react to the filing of reports. This will set a precedent for future elections.’
Sounding unfazed by the controversies surrounding her, Ms Tin said she will ‘cooperate fully’ by the police if she is contacted.
In the meantime, Ms Tin is continuing her part-time work as MP for Marine Parade GRC under the ‘mentorship’ of Mr Goh Chok Tong which is costing Singapore taxpayers $15,000 monthly.
Join our Facebook page here |
| |
| | |
| |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| |
|
The People’s Action Party lost its first battle after 15 years of monopoly of power since independence in 1981 Anson by-election. Mr. JB Jeyaratnam has dented PAP’s strong hold of power back then. In 1984 General Elections, PAP lost two seats in total: Mr. JBJ retained his Anson seat while Mr. Chiam See Tong won Potong Pasir beating Mah Bow Tan hands down with a respectable 60% of valid votes.
Ever since then, PAP was worried about losing more seats in the years to come. They squeezed every drops of brain juice they have, from suggesting some people may have two votes instead of one to tweaking the electoral system. Eventually, they came up with this BRILLIANT idea of GRC. Basically, the GRC system literally up the stakes for every electoral contest.
They have succeeded in preventing losing more seats in 1988 GE with a close shave of winning Eunos GRC with Workers Party’s Team losing by merely 1%. Predictably, they are so dependent and addicted to the GRC system that they subsequently increased the size from 3 to 4 and eventually created the giant 6 man GRCs. It basically up the stake further just like a gambler who thinks he will sure win all.
Of course, PAP has very thick skin to ignore all logical criticism of its “kiasuism” (mentality of being afraid to lose). At one point of time, the Prime Minister even proudly joke openly about Singaporeans being “Kiasu” (afraid to lose), “Kiasi” (afraid to die) “Kiabo” (afraid of wife). However, ironically PAP has become like a gambling addict who keep increasing its stake in electoral contests.
It is indeed a paradox. While PAP is afraid to lose, it thought that it could prevent losing by increasing the stake for all. The most ironic argument I heard during this GE 2011 is that PAP has actually accuse Workers Party of making things difficult for Aljunied voters by “forcing them to make difficult choice”. It could even be interpreted that WP is “holding voters at ransom” by fielding Mr. Low Thia Khiang and Sylvia Lim together in Aljunied GRC.
It is PAP who is trying to hold Singaporeans at ransom by setting up the GRC system. Not only did it try to use HDB upgrading as the carrot ransom, it also uses subtle threats of depriving voters funding for various services. The ultimate ransom is the argument that the Nation will lose two ministers plus one Speaker of Parliament along with one potential ministerial candidate.
But wait, isn’t this PAP’s own doing? It tries to gamble big by putting TWO ministers in Aljunied GRC. In fact, it is gambling away its “ministerial talents” by putting ministers in each and every GRCs! It just thinks that Singaporeans will not “sacrifice” its ministers and thus those who contest along with these ministers will have a safe passage way to parliament.
PAP’s high stake gambling habits has cost it dearly. If you think the cost of this gambling is merely two or three ministers, think again. The implications of this lost in Aljunied GRC is much wider and deeper.
First of all, which PAP minister would be willing to risk their million dollar pay to contest in Aljunied GRC next round in the bid to win it back? Even George Yeo and Lim Hwee Hwa have bowed out of the game! Would it mean that once a GRC is lost, PAP will never be able to win it back again?
Secondly, after this defeat, how could PAP convince “high flyers” to quit their jobs like BG or superscale civil service positions to join them and promise them a safe passage way to become ministers? There is no longer SAFE Passage to parliament. BG Tan should understand this very well!
Thirdly, even the recruitment of backbenchers for PAP will face problem! No more hiding behind heavy weights so to walk into parliament safely!
Last but not least, there are several GRCs in “danger zones” which opposition parties have achieved more than 40%. These include East Coast GRC, Bishan Toa Payoh GRC, Marine Parade GRC, Tampines GRC, Moulmein Kallang GRC and Nee Soon GRC. There are two GRCs which are near 40%: Holland Bukit Timah GRC and Choa Chu Kang GRC.
It basically means that PAP will be fire fighting in all these places next round and I do not think it has enough ministers to have two ministers fielded in each of these GRCs. If PAP is not careful enough, it may face the possibility of losing more ministers.
It will be double whammy for PAP. On one hand, it will not be able to attract and convince talents to join its rank while on the other hand, it will keep losing ministerial talents.
PAP will do the same thing they did in the mid-1980s: think of some genius way to prevent the tide of losing more. They may try to raise the stake again (well, maybe turn Singapore into only 5 GRCs, North South East West and Central GRCs) or implement the one man two votes system for people who reach certain age. Else the only option is to go for some kind proportional representation.
Implementing proportional representation system may see PAP’s percentage of seats dropping in parliament but it will help to prevent any further loss of ministers.
It seems that the implementation of proportional representation system would benefit Singapore. It will make sure that our parliament will maintain diversity of views for better debates on policy issues and at the same time, secure enough ministerial candidates to serve the nation.
The PAP has lost big time for GE 2011 and I hope that it will wake up in time to carry out the necessary electoral reforms to embrace diversity and cater to Singaporeans’ urge of having more opposition voices in parliament.
.
Goh Meng Seng
*The writer is the Secretary General of NSP and he blogs at Singapore Alternatives. |
| |
| | |
| |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| |
|
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has been slammed by PAP supporters in the Straits Times Forum for showing ‘disrespect’ to former prime ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong.
The duo had recently announced their departures from the Singapore cabinet though they will remain as MPs in parliament.
In a brief press release, SDP said it welcomed the move and urged the Prime Minister to trim down the Prime Minister’s Office to save taxpayers’ monies on unnecessary ministerial positions such as the one and only ‘Minister Mentor’.
Though SDP’s view was shared by many young Singaporeans, some PAP supporters who have been ‘indoctrinated’ by years of ‘education’ by the Straits Times find it hard to stomach.
The Straits Times Forum actually dedicated one single column ‘SDP’s remarks’ to lambast SDP without offering its supporters a right of reply.
Goh Siok Noi wrote that she was ‘appalled’ by SDP’s remarks:
“Given the contributions made by MM Lee Kuan Yew and SM Goh Chok Tong, such remarks were uncalled for. I hope future opposition leaders will set an example for graciousness rather than offer disparaging remarks to spark another round of debate against the People’s Action Party.”
Thomas Richard Prakasan criticized SDP for ‘misinterpreting’ the election rules:
“Even lay citizens like me understand that they contested as MPs, not Cabinet ministers. If this is how the SDP interprets election rules, I would be worried if it gains power.”
For some strange reasons, there were no letters published supporting SDP.
The Straits Times should remember that SDP garnered 36.1 percent of the votes in the election held on 7 May 2011 and that 4 out of 10 Singaporeans voted for the opposition.
Its continued biased coverage and blatant astroturfing to manage public opinion by censoring and publishing selected letters will only peeve off more readers and cause them to turn to the new media to seek alternative viewpoints. |
| |
| | |
| |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| |
|
The Workers’ Party will pose a serious threat to PAP’s rule in the next general election due to be called by 2016 if it is able to build on the momentum and attract more qualified candidates into its ranks.
Combining the total number of votes in a head-to-head contest between PAP and WP in the election held on 7 May 2011, WP actually won 47 percent of the votes compared to PAP’s 53 percent, well above the national average of 39.9 percent gained by the opposition.
This means that WP is becoming a recognized brand name among Singaporeans and has a loyal following of voters who will vote only for WP and no other opposition parties.
WP was the best performing party among all the non-PAP parties. Besides winning Hougang SMC and Aljunied GRC, it also gave PAP a fright in Joo Chiat SMC and East Coast GRC.
It managed to obtain an average of 58 percent in the remaining constituencies it contested despite fielding much weaker teams. On the other hand, the SDP ‘A’ team in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC only garner 39.9 percent of the votes.
WP’s success at the polls can be attributed largely to its track record of managing Hougang, its disciplined and close-knitted team as well as extensive positive coverage given to its candidates by the mainstream media.
The ringing endorsement of WP as a ‘credible’ opposition party by PAP leaders a couple of years back as well as the constant smearing of the other opposition parties like SDP by the state media also help WP built up a positive image among Singaporeans which will be hard to erase in their minds.
With 6 elected MPs and 2 NCMPs in parliament now, WP is expected to obtain much greater publicity than the other opposition parties thereby raising its profile in the next 5 years.
The success of WP in capturing a GRC will open its doors to more qualified candidates to join its ranks and it is expected to field a more credible slate of candidates in the next general election.
If WP is able to manage Aljunied GRC well in the next 5 years, it will greatly increase the confidence of Singaporeans in its capability and leadership.
Another 6 percent shift in votes in the next general election will see Joo Chiat and East Coast GRCs falling into the hands of WP and even Nee Soon and Moulmein-Kallang GRCs may be in danger as the example of Aljunied has shown.
The Workers Party is likely to win at least one-third of the seats in the next general election. If it is able to field credible candidates to contest in all the seats, it may even win a simple majority to form the government, thereby relegating the PAP to become an opposition party for the first time since 1959.
Singaporeans have made it loud and clear that they want a strong, credible and responsible opposition party like WP instead of many small and weak opposition parties.
Credible opposition candidates like Tan Jee Say, Dr Ang Yong Guan, Dr Vincent Wijeysingha, Michelle Lee, Benjamin Pwee, Jeffrey Lee, Tony Tan and Hazel Poa should join WP to stand a better chance in the next general election. As the example of Punggol East SMC has shown, WP will have no problems winning three-cornered fights and cause the candidate from the other opposition party to lose his election deposit.
With young Singaporeans supporting WP in droves, it is definitely the party to watch in GE2016 and Singapore may see a change in government for the first time in its history.
Join our Facebook page here |
| |
| | |
| |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| |
|
The Workers Party has remained strangely silent on the abrupt departures of MM Lee Kuan Yew and SM Goh Chok Tong from the Singapore cabinet.
While all the opposition parties have since issued public statements on the matter, the leaders of the Workers Party are nowhere to be seen or heard, according to journalists from the state media who tried in vain to contact Low Thia Kiang, Sylvia Lim and Chen Show Mao.
Unlike other opposition parties, the Workers’ Party has largely refrained from criticizing the ruling PAP perhaps out of fear of offending its leaders.
Its non-confrontational approach won praises from PAP strongman Lee Kuan Yew who endorsed Low Thia Kiang as a ‘credible opposition politician’.
WP’s success in the general election can be attributed partly to the extensive positive coverage given to its candidates by the mainstream media as well as a public backlash against the PAP in Aljunied GRC due to MM Lee’s insensitive remarks.
In the aftermath of the election, Low Thia Kiang proclaimed that WP’s ’success’ showed that Singaporeans want a ‘credible, rational and responsible’ opposition.
In Singapore, a ‘credible’ opposition is often associated with one which stays quietly in the background and does not confront the PAP on national issues.
It remains to be seen if the ‘conservative’ style of WP will be welcomed by the younger generation of voters who are clamoring for more vigorous debate in parliament to hold the PAP accountable.
Join our Facebook page here |
| |
| | |
| |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| |
|
 The Temasek Review (TR) learnt that an official complaint has been filed with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong over the alleged violation of cooling-off day regulations under the PEA by Ms Tin Pei Ling.
Ms Tin reportedly posted a snide comment about her opponent Nicole Seah on 6 May at around 1.33pm on her Facebook which read:
| "OooOoooOooh so that's what REALLY happened? Wow. I think tears in Parliament is worse than ANYTHING ELSE!" |
Though the comment was taken down after 20 minutes, a snapshot of it was taken and circulated in cyberspace, sparking a massive outcry among netizens.
Ms Tin later claimed that it was her administrator 'Denise Ho' who posted the comment by 'mistake', but a quick check on the election declaration forms for online advertising revealed that Ms Tin was the only approved moderator on her Facebook.
According to the email sent to the PM Lee and copied to TR, the complainant (name removed) wrote:
Dear sir,
My name is -name removed-. As a Singaporean citizen, I would like to know why no action has been taken on the part of the Elections Office of Singapore with regards to the issue of MP Tin Pei Ling’s violation of cooling-off day regulations.
According to her, the post on her facebook wall, which violated cooling-off day regulations, was not posted by her, but by her assistant, one Denise He.
However, in the publicly-available Declaration of Election Advertising form submitted by Tin Pei Ling, it is quite clear that she is the only official moderator of her facebook page. Attached is the form. I would like to know why nothing is being done to correct, or even look into, this breach in regulations.
As a Singaporean, I expect every general election to be fair and just, and I have a right to know why no action is being taken against an obvious violation of regulations.
-name removed- In addition to the latest formal complaint filed with PM Lee, a member of the public had also lodged a police report against Ms Tin for the same alleged violation on cooling-off day, bringing the number of complains against Ms Tin to a total of 3 (inclusive of the initial complaint by Ms Nicole Seah of NSP).
A facebook page asking for Ms Ting to resign/be removed from her Member of Parliament post has gathered more than 62,000 likes and still growing.
Although PM Lee had during the election promised Singaporeans that his government will start ‘listening’ to its citizens, that has been dismissed by many Netizens as an election ‘wayang’.
It left to be seen if PM Lee will bother to prove sceptical Netizens wrong by walking the talk and call for a formal and transparent investigation against Ms Tin, whose husband happens to be his (PM Lee) Principal Private Secretary. |
| |
| | |
| |
|  | |  | |
|
