Opposition - Where To?

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Monday, 26 January 2009

Singapore Democrats

In an age of democratic change, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong continues to insist that a one-party system is good for Singapore. This is regardless of what the opposition and Singaporeans at large think and want.

But even as we debate on whether such a one-party state is desirable for this country, what are opposition parties doing to build confidence among the electorate for support? Is greater Opposition unity and cooperation a necessary, or even important, factor in attracting votes? Or is the authoritarian system making elections in Singapore a non-starter?

Also does civil society and the blogging community have a role to play in helping to develop a multi-party system? Given the state of politics here, is it desirable for the political opposition and civil society to work closer together to promote democracy? If so, in what ways?

These are important questions that will be tackled at a public forum organised by the Singapore Democrats entitled Opposition - Where To?:

Date: 7 Feb 09, Saturday
Time: 2-5 pm
Venue: Aerides Room, Copthorne Orchid Hotel, 214 Dunearn Road
Admission: Free

We are honoured to have the following party and civil society leaders as panel speakers:

1. Desmond Lim, Secretary-General, Singapore Democratic Alliance
2. Ng Teck Siong, Chairman, Reform Party
3. Sin Kek Tong, Chariman, Singapore People's Party
4. Sebastian Teo, President, National Solidarity Party
5. Gandhi Ambalam, Chairman, Singapore Democratic Party

Representing civil society are:

1. Chia Ti Lik, blogger and activist
2. Mohd Jufrie, activist and former election candidate
3. Ng E-jay, blogger and activist
4. Tan Kin Lian, blogger and financial activist
5. Seelan Palay, blogger and activist

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Comments (25)

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ashinigami - Mon 26 Jan 2009 8:19 PM

Frankly, such a debate is nothing without a PAP stooge to give a good show.

seebeng - great work SDP Mon 26 Jan 2009 8:20 PM

I look forward to see opposition unity in Singapore similar to that in Malaysia. We want a united opposition in facing the authoritarian regime.

The SDP seems to be keen in bringing together our own Pakatan Rakyat. Good luck.

ghormax - Where's the Workers' Party? Tue 27 Jan 2009 3:36 AM

it is strange that one of Singapore's most active opposition party does not take part in this discussion!

tan - United we stand, divided we fall. Tue 27 Jan 2009 6:54 AM

It is heartwarming to see different parties coming together. It is a good start. This is something which the ruling party lacks, namely trust and the willingness to share. I hope the PAP can learn from this.

seaporter - Tue 27 Jan 2009 6:29 PM

Unless there is a drastic change in the politics of PAP, election will still be unfair with changing electoral boundaries. Young adults nowadays has few chances of voting. I am aghast when redhill, farrer park, commonwealth and some younger estate are under Tanjong Pagar. In the coming election, I think we will see more drastic change at Aljunied.Again, what they warn us again will be: vote for us for jobs(which is the fact now) and praising themselves of their hard work and w/o them our wives will be maid in developing countries! Opposition surely need to gain some new grounds and put thru the facts and figures and the future of opposition or the reason of voting the opposition, else we will see the PAP winning again in close margin. See how many went to the PAP rallies. They have nothing that interest the people while the opposition rally are always full of people, but will that translate to votes? I hope so ...

tewniaseng - Tue 27 Jan 2009 7:30 PM

Cheers to SDP for organising such forum.The two opposition MPs should join in,where are they ??

seebeng - what about WP? Wed 28 Jan 2009 2:52 AM

Looks like all the opposition parties, including SDA of which Mr Chiam is the leader, are represented except the WP.

What happened to the Workers Party?

AnnA - Singlish Speaking :P Wed 28 Jan 2009 6:34 AM

Why ask about WP? WP got standard already...
Where can join like this? They have their place nicely in Parliament. Don't want to jeopardize the seats. Furthermore, how can hurt "uncle's" (papa's good friend) feeling? Already good relation mah...

:P

Never mind not therelah.. I don't think it's a good idea. It will only give other political parties in bad reputation. 3 people in there totally cannot be trusted liao. You don't need them.

Robox - Wed 28 Jan 2009 4:42 PM

Phew!

There are so many comments I would like to make on the topic of opposition unity that I will probably write several short posts on the topic instead.

My bottom line view, however, is the rhetorical question raised in the article: the PAP's authoritarian system (which reeks of the fear of all real competition and reflects a chronic lack of self-confidence within the PAP if it does open the system up to competition) has preempted any possibility of non-PAP parties making headway.

Having said that, I will nevertheless delve into the topic of opposition unity.

In my view, there are at least two fronts where opposition unity might be perceived as prerequisite:

1. unity of purpose; which would in turn inform,

2.unity in strategy (I don't confuse "strategy" with "methods" or "tactics").

I'll break down the arguments and counterpoints for each of those in point form.

Unity Of Purpose

a) Following from my bottom line view that there the way forward for any non-PAP party is an exercise in futility (if they persist in the parliamentary route) precisely because of the authoritarian system, then reform of that system should be the logical strategy to pursue; reform is the purpose of inter-party unity.

b) However we have parties like the spectacularly useless Workers Party who are clearly out to sabotage this purpose; their non-attendance at the above event should add further proof of their readiness to burn bridges with other non-PAP parties.

c) This begs the question: should unity be pursued with spoilers like the Workers Party? Ever tried talking to a brick wall? (I believe this question needs to be answered within the context of my point/s on unity in strategy.)

Unity In Strategy

1) So far the only significant unity in strategy that I can see in effect today is the tactic among the parties to avoid three-way contests.

2) There is nothing too greatly wrong with this tactic. However, given the already existing lack of unity on the need for reform, a lack of unity spearheaded by the Workers Party, I wonder what the outcome might be in the first election that the PAP loses its majority (if that's possible in a system mangled beyond belief) if this tactic of "no three way contests" persists as part of the strategy.

Let me illustrate with one highly possible scenario.

For the sake of simplicity, let's say there were a total of 20 parliamentary seats in the House, a mix of GRCs and single member constituencies.

At the first election that the PAP loses, it nevertheless wins eight seats in Parliament. The remaining 12 seats are won by the RP (2 seats), the SDP (6 seats), and the WP (4 seats).

These means that the reformist faction - the RP and the SDP - is still a minority in Parliament.

Is it safe to assume a coalition government with the RP AND the WP, especially given the WP's established track record of myopic, self-serving actions?

How possible is reform then with the WP taking sides with the PAP to maintain the status quo?

(Please note that I will not even for moment recommend that the SDP be the third party in any three way contest to oust useless MPs like Low Thia Khng and Chiam See Tong. The anybody-but-the-PAP voter would never forgive the SDP for this. Should ousting of deadweights be deemed necessary it would most safely be done by Independents who have no other goal but to oust the scum, and who don't have any intention to run again under other parties' banners.)

AnnA - Correction Wed 28 Jan 2009 7:38 PM

"3 people in there totally cannot be trusted liao. You don't need them."

What I meant was 3 people in Worker's Party. You know who?

1) The person who didn't seize the 3 seconds moment to agree that WKS should resign and the opportunity to say LHL should also be accountable for 'fighting' on the wrong side of integrity and make him accountable (resign) as well.

2) The person who had curiously declared himself voting for his opposition. The purpose of being a WP's member? Gone. - Don't know whether he is a fickle minded person or a person with a corrupted mind. Simply said, an agenda to proof that oppositions has no strong foundation.

3) The person whom eventually agrees to all policies in the end after a wayang debate. Always gets a red carpet in media. And a father who used to be (or might still be) the godfather's friend.

Lastly in other word, Worker's Party looks more like a mini PAP.

_____________________________

Robox

You've said it well.

(I ever try to talk to a brick wall. No answer. More geram!) LoL

seebeng - your insight fascinating Wed 28 Jan 2009 8:41 PM

AnnA, your insight into WP is fascinating.

Do you also happen to know why The Online Citizen has not reported (as far as I know) about this forum, while it covered the People’s Association Youth Movement (PAYM)forum at which a PAP MP was the guest-of-honour and panelist?

Seelan Palay - Wed 28 Jan 2009 10:27 PM

seebeng, I believe TOC will put up the advert on it soon.

As for the report on the PAYM forum, it was written after the event. I'm sure TOC will attend and cover this forum too.

Anyway, I was at that forum. And upon hearing one part of my question/comment, PAP MP Irene Ng actually frantically took it down and said something to the extent of "Wow, that is liable for a defamation suit".

Muhammad Shamin - The first step... Thu 29 Jan 2009 12:11 AM

This will be the first step to setting up a united coalition against the PAP. But where is the representation for workers?

seebeng - Let's wait and see... Thu 29 Jan 2009 12:11 AM

Let's hope that the online citizen will put up the advert soon. For forums organized by WP, I've read its postings before the events.

Robox - Thu 29 Jan 2009 9:45 AM

Thank you. AnnA

seebeng - To Muhammad Shamin Thu 29 Jan 2009 6:08 PM

But where is the representation for workers?

You mean the NTUC!?

jacys - Thu 29 Jan 2009 11:49 PM

What a sham ! WP will not grace this non-show by turning up.

How can the 5 bloggers be representing civil society when 4 of them are from SDP ???

Perhaps SDP shld change the name to "SDP bloggers" instead to reflect the truth.

Unless SDP can get prominent civil society leaders like Messrs Remy Choo and Andrew Loh to speak at the event, they should stop misleading the public !

And lastly, this forum should be held by WP with 2 MPs in Parliament and not by a party which is going to be bankrupted soon !

Seelan Palay - re: Fri 30 Jan 2009 4:35 AM

What a sham ! WP will not grace this non-show by turning up.

Wow. An impostor is calling this a sham.

AnnA - jacys Fri 30 Jan 2009 9:29 AM

"And lastly, this forum should be held by WP with 2 MPs in Parliament and not by a party which is going to be bankrupted soon !"

Hahahaha... jacys, you wait long long lah for WP to organize this type of forum. They won't have this kind of initiative. They sem more on the copycat side. They see other party can make it popular and get more trust then, you'll see your idol will start to do the same. Like I've said before, this time for real, the WP needs to win PAP's heart not the people.

Boleh jalan lah... (ki chao lah or go away) talam dua muka! (two face!)

Seelan Palay - re: Fri 30 Jan 2009 10:40 PM

How can the 5 bloggers be representing civil society when 4 of them are from SDP ???

Perhaps SDP shld change the name to "SDP bloggers" instead to reflect the truth.

Unless SDP can get prominent civil society leaders like Messrs Remy Choo and Andrew Loh to speak at the event, they should stop misleading the public !

And just so everyone is clear, other members of civil society, including Braema Mathi of AWARE were in fact invited, but they declined.

loller - Sat 31 Jan 2009 2:59 AM

mr ng...... good work in falsifying wp and toc reps.... you yourself are speaking at that forum leh..... dun think people dun know your dark dark secret.... hope when you speak that day..... no one will pelt eggs on your face.... lol

ngejay - we respect the wishes of all Tue 03 Feb 2009 1:02 PM

Dear Seelan Palay,

Thanks for your clarification that many people, including Ms Braema Mathi was invited.

We respect their wishes whether or not to speak, and I believe the doors of SDP are open to them anytime.

And I also believe SDP will continue to reach out to all opposition parties and NGOs to foster greater solidarity and friendship.

I wish to record here that a Straits Times Online report published on 02 Feb 2009 quoted Mr Yaw Shin Leong, Org-Sec of WP, as saying that WP "received the SDP's invitation last week but did not respond to it".

Mr Yaw declined comment when asked for the reason of the non-response.

Beyond WP's lack of response, and Mr Yaw's not giving a reason for such lack, I believe SDP will continue to work hard to bring the other parties together to forge a credible and robust relationship, and work towards common understanding based on mutual respect.

God speed to SDP, and God speed to Opposition politics in Singapore. May the PAP feel pressured in the face of such a united front.

E-Jay

seebeng - unitee front Tue 03 Feb 2009 9:28 PM

To Mr Ng,

The opposition united front seems to be taking shape at last. Of course, the WP, a PAP-approved renegade is absent. It's a good sign.

ngejay - To: loller (the comment just before mine) Tue 03 Feb 2009 10:42 PM

Hahha, darkcloud/ahchui2/yamobe, welcome to SDP's forum.

(But please dun mention eggs pelting my face all the time, I ate quite a lot yesterday already ... *yummy* .. LOL!)

Redwood - Unity never come over night Fri 06 Feb 2009 8:17 PM

Singapore Opposition Able to Unite but

1) Only Mr Chiam and Mr Low had track record, other MP and NCMP only one term. Other leader unable to prove they can win in General Election. This is the reason why we cannot unite when come debate how built an alliance.

2) Other Oppostion leaders, Ex-MP and Ex-NCMP had to patient for work together. Nobody had track record. Nobody is leader. We shall work in a committee who can accept funny ideas and funny actions or behavior.

3) Attacking National Leaders, Non violent action and dirty trick that PAP had done on us. We shall not be trap. We must more alert and smarter than PAP MP.

4) We can start a civil society website that operate by Political CEC members and Civil Society CEC members

5) We shall had monthly Hong Lim Park Forum about current affairs by each party organising secretary or Civil Society Secretary.

6) Our opposition supporter are come from Post 65. We must let our young leader to recruit new members. We must let our young leader to speak and lead our voters.

7) Young Leader also must give support and respect to Pre 65, who want to serve the community and help the needy.

8) Politic is not just make policy or developing political dreams. Our voters always need to know what opposition able to help them.

Thank you

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