| Singapore's Sham Political Reforms |
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| Written by Our Correspondent | |
| Monday, 08 June 2009 | |
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Given the Singapore government's oft-repeated mantra that multi-party politics is not appropriate for a small city-state, it might have surprised outside observers when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong recently unveiled plan to boost the number of opposition MPs in parliament. Only last November at the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) annual conference, Lee insisted that a "two-party model cannot work in Singapore" and that "the country is much better off with one dominant party". Just seven months later, Lee seems to have changed his tune somewhat. Now, he acknowledges that "Singaporeans want national issues to be fully debated" and that the government should "improve our political system to encourage a wider range of views in Parliament, including opposition and non-government views". The government thus plans to change the constitution to ensure that there are at least nine opposition MPs in Singapore's supine Parliament (currently just three of the 85 voting MPs are not PAP apparatchiks) by expanding the existing system whereby the best-performing electoral losers are awarded parliamentary seats with watered-down powers. Coming after recent decisions to permit public protests (albeit only in one specified location) and allow the release of some political films (subject to government vetting), it almost appears as if the prime minister and his PAP allies have undergone some sort of damascene conversion to liberal democratic principles. But, in reality, the latest reforms are nothing more than Trojan horse politics, designed to head off the growing clamor for more alternative voices and to sow discord between Singapore's spattering of brave but fractious opposition politicians. The PAP has maintained an iron grip on power since Singapore won independence from Britain in 1959 not by locking up its opponents, although it does occasionally resort to such tactics, but by dominating public discourse, castrating opposition politicians through libel proceedings and manipulating the electoral system to its advantage. Lee junior's proposed parliamentary reforms are just the latest example of this approach. From its once-impregnable lock on power, the ruling party's share of the popular vote has declined steadily, from 75 percent in 2001 to a still-formidable 66.6 percent in 2006 and, with Singapore facing the worst recession in its history, the PAP is concerned that support could fall even further at the next general election, which is due by 2011. While most political parties around the world can only dream of winning such support, the PAP remains nervous because it knows that the rapid rise of the internet has eroded its ability to control public opinion through state-owned newspapers and broadcast news outlets. Although many of the city-state's bloggers and citizen journalists dedicate as much time to bashing each other as they do to taking on the government, the PAP fears that the next generation of Singaporeans, who are internet-obsessed, will be much less craven than their parents. By guaranteeing a limited amount of greater opposition within Parliament, the PAP hopes to defuse the growing calls for more debate without giving up any control. For the real bulwarks of PAP rule – control of public debate and gerrymandering – remain fully intact. To illustrate the first bulwark, you need look no further than Amnesty International's latest annual report, which concluded that "a climate of fear and self-censorship discouraged Singaporeans from fully participating in public affairs". With regard to the second pillar, the bizarre system of Group Representative Constituencies (GRC), in which the party that wins the most votes in a single constituency sees their whole slate of candidates elected, remains intact despite some minor tweaking. Although officially intended to ensure that ethnic minority (i.e. non-Chinese) MPs are elected, the GRC system provides a massive boost to the PAP as the embattled opposition parties cannot risk losing five or six of their best candidates in a single battle where the odds are tilted heavily against them. While the reforms do nothing to weaken the PAP's electoral position, they will further undermine the public credibility of the opposition, which has already been damaged by persistently negative government spin and a tendency for internecine warfare. The election of "best-losers" – who are known officially as non-constituency MPs (NCMPs) – began in 1984 and led to bitter divisions among opposition politicians, who differed about whether it was better to feed off the PAP's crumbs or take a principled stand and turn down the opportunity to gain a rare seat in Parliament. The proposed expansion of the NCMP scheme will only deepen the tensions between Singapore's handful of opposition politicians, who are damned if they do and damned if they don't. Accept the NCMP scheme and some activists will criticize them for being unprincipled, self-aggrandizing lackeys. Reject it and the government can once again paint the opposition as irrelevant, ungrateful and uninterested in the real machinery of democracy. Sylvia Lim, an existing NCMP from the Workers' Party, has welcomed the latest reforms cautiously while others in her party remain opposed to them as do competing opposition groups such as Chee Soon Juan's Singapore Democratic Party. Opponents point out that NCMPs are second-class representatives, without the right to vote on amendments to the constitution, motions of no confidence or issues relating to public funds. Devoid of a physical constituency, it is also extremely difficult for NCMPs and their parties to build the support bases that they will need if they are to be anything more than isolated voices singing in the wind. Those who reject the scheme also insist that the government guarantee of nine opposition MPs in Parliament will only add to the PAP conceit that there's no point in voting for the opposition. Singapore's voters are habitually threatened by the PAP that upgrading projects for their shabby housing estates and other manifestations of government largesse are solely dependent on their support for the ruling party in general elections. The opposition, by contrast, can make no such promises or threats. With the presence of nine alternative parliamentary voices guaranteed, Singapore's cautious and brow-beaten electorate will have even less reason to cast their compulsory vote for anyone other than the PAP.
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(48)
 written by abooburn , June 17, 2009
Singapurapura..... ahhh Banana Republic (yellow on the outside, white in the inside). LOL
Votes: +1
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written by sadsack , June 16, 2009
http://seelanpalay.blogspot.co...visit.html
Votes: +1
Read accompanying websites below abovementioned website article. report abuse
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written by thinker , June 15, 2009
http://singaporerebel.blogspot...h-new.html
Votes: +3
FORUM WILL BE HELD IN QUALITY HOTEL ON 28-6-09 report abuse
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written by eyeopener , June 12, 2009
http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Votes: +6
THE GREAT SINGAPORE BLOGGER REVEALS. report abuse
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written by well read , June 12, 2009
http://singabloodypore.rsfblog.org/
Votes: +3
more news and movies for the ignorant immigrants. report abuse
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written by thinker , June 12, 2009
http://singaporerebel.blogspot...elled.html
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The invitation to the talk cancelled on 20/6/09 Saturday, at Bestway. report abuse
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written by non-communist , June 11, 2009
The Singapore Flag depicts - 1, cresent - young nation
Votes: +4
- 5, stars - democracy,peace,progress,justice,equality. The Chinese Flag depicts -1, big star - the communist party -4, small stars - the people (subservient and regimented). I BELIEVE WE HAVE THE REVIVIAL OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF MALAYA, INFILTRATING THROUGH OUR TRUSTING SINGAPORE SYSTEM. we should get our investigation team into action! report abuse
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http://chiatilik.wordpress.com/
Votes: +5
A TRUE BLOODED SINGAPOREAN, WITH NO RACIAL LINES. WHO CONSIDERS HIMSELF A WORLD CITIZEN. GOES ALL OUT TO HELP THE VICTIMISED. report abuse
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written by THE LATE JBJ, A TRUE BLOODED SINGAPOREAN. , June 11, 2009
http://jbjeya.org/blog///index.php
Votes: +8
A TRUE BLOODED SINGAPOREAN, WHO WOULD SACRIFICE HIS LIFE FOR SINGAPORE AND IT'S CITIZENS, EXPECTING NOTHING IN RETURN, WITH NO ULTERIOR EVIL MOTIVES. HE LIVED BY EXAMPLE. report abuse
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written by moviemaker , June 11, 2009
http://singaporerebel.blogspot.com/
Votes: +5
SOMEMORE MOVIES FROM TRUE BORN SINGAPOREANS (also who have done N.S.) report abuse
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written by thinker! , June 11, 2009
http://theonlinecitizen.com/20...lic-forum/
Votes: +2
You are all invited to a talk, see website. It will be good for all new immigrants. Especially Malaysian immigrants to Singapore. report abuse
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written by downthunder , June 11, 2009
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.a...-c16x.html
Votes: +7
THIS SHOULD IMPROVE UR GENERAL KNOWLEDGE BLONDIE ! report abuse
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written by ah soh , June 11, 2009
Please read the following for better understanding of Singapore
Votes: +2
http://wherebearsroamfree.blogspot.com/search/label/Racism report abuse
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http://theonlinecitizen.com/20...singapore/
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZldlyeR8DU PLEASE READ AND WATCH THE MOVIE ON THE ABOVE TWO URLs ! I suppose all the money collected from the taxpayers goes to the defence budget,for a vulnerable tiny Singapore. Maybe the costly defence budget could be used to take over the whole of S.E.A. and handed over to mainland China. Whereby everyone in S.E.A. follows chinese culture. Now knowing the ulterior motives of the ungrateful backward chinese, I wish no civilised country would give them any immigration status. Otherwise your countries would end up like the "ANIMAL FARM." report abuse
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Mercer 2009 Quality of Living Survey., Lowly rated comment [Show]
Malaysia Land Of Scum, Lowly rated comment [Show]
Semua Pendatang Lah, Lowly rated comment [Show]
written by ah peh , June 10, 2009
Grateful Malaysian you would be better off living in China. Where non chinese are treated second class. Malaysia belongs to the Malays and we as immigrants accept the host country's requirements. If you wish Singapore to be like China, which I doubt it would as it's multi racial. You are in chinaland and have no concerns for other races in Singapore. Typical selfish traits of a backward chinese. Take yourself and your family and live under communist rule, where you can practice chinese culture. Have you ever thought why your forefathers left china to migrate to Malaysia to accept malaysian multi racial culture? You would not be able to write your ABC, if not for your western education. so be grateful to the Western and Malaysian hospitality and be more gracious to a multi racial society.
Votes: +7
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Transparent, Lowly rated comment [Show]
I Love S'pore, Lowly rated comment [Show]
written by captain blackbeard , June 09, 2009
This is exactly my idea of how a piracy should be run. Bluff the people into believing they have a democracy and then fix them with a piracy. Am I not glad to be here! S.E.A is a great place for pirates and pirate wanna-bees. Of course my fellow Brits and Americans are waiting to be roped too. After all they have a foothold here already. Soon all of S.E.A will be called Association of S.E.A. Pirates.
Votes: +7
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Moralists?, Lowly rated comment [Show]
Don't smell conspiracies, Lowly rated comment [Show]
..., Lowly rated comment [Show]
written by Sherman Tse , June 09, 2009
Singapore gives democracy a bad name. Why can't they admit they're a fascist dictatorship and get over the hypocrisy? Even China is less autocratic and more democratic.
Votes: +9
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written by Trojan Horse , June 08, 2009
Best strategy for opposition is to join PAP and then create an internal revolt and party division when the time is ripe. In fact it may be too late now for this strategy, or on the other hand, perhaps one is already brewing unseen unknown.
Votes: +5
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written by hawkeye , June 08, 2009
Residents of Potong Pasir are are faithfull, politically matured residents for the opposition. They are not interested with all the material promises and comforts, as handouts. What they wish for is a trusted MP with compassion and understanding. The majority of the residents living in P. Pasir are ex-residents of the old SIT flats Kim Keat area. Whose flats were demolished for present high rise flats in K Keat.. They are still sore about it, being let down. Having the (closely knit) old neighbourhood scattered in P.Pasir and eslewhere. Potong Pasir, a relaxed housing estate with a closely knit neighbourhood. Would still be won by caring, Mr. Chiam See Thong, who is always been trusted by the residents and who LOVE him genuinely, even today by all races in P Pasir.
Votes: +14
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Singaporean Democracy, Lowly rated comment [Show]
written by 7th Son , June 08, 2009
"One dominant party, apparatchiks, watered-down powers, sow discord, castrating opposition, bizarre system of Group Representative Constituencies, control of public debate and gerrymandering, persistently negative government spin, brow-beaten electorate"...
Votes: +8
That litany virtually describes Singapore to a T. The republic is stuck at a level of political paraplegia worse than that of Taiwan during Chiang Kai Shek's reign and South Korea during General Park Chung-hee's dictatorship. Those nations have shrugged off their dark days and they progress rapidly towards becoming civil societies but Singapore continues to limp along far behind, trapped under the hubris of its octogenarian retard. That the PAP maintains its iron grip by 'occasionally' locking up its opponents is putting it very mildly indeed. It has incarcerated dissidents from its very inception and arguably has never honestly earned the legitimate mandate to govern. 1963's Operation Coldstore roundup of 'pro-communists' obliterated Lim Chin Siong and the Barisan Socialis Party, the PAP's opposition nemesis, using a bogus and convenient pretext. Many of the 111 detainees rotted in prison for up to 17 years without charge or trial. Three years later in 1966, another group protesting the split from Malaysia were similarly treated to the joys of the Internal Security Act for once again being 'pro-communists'. This gave rise to Mr. Chia Thye Poh, the Prisoner of Sentosa, the longest-serving political prisoner of the 20th century anywhere in the world, who was imprisoned for 23 long years. Need we say, 'without charge or trial'? 1983 saw J.B. Jeyaratnam jailed on politically-motivated charges. 1986's Operation Spectrum flung 22 Catholics, social workers and professionals into jail (and torture) for allegedly 'plotting to form a Marxist state'. Fast-forward through the many prison episodes of political opponents Dr. Chee Soon Juan, Gopalan Nair, various SDP members and we arrive at 2009's latest martyrs, jailed for wearing kangaroo T-shirts. Is it any surprise that any government with this sort of track record would feel slightly nervous? Perhaps the chicken-hearted electors of Singapore are masochistic enough to want more of the same, perhaps not. In any event, the PAP's insidious electoral gerrymandering will ensure certain victory for the incumbent whether there be 100 impotent NCMPs crying in the wilderness or none. Freedom House, in it's 2004 Annual Report, did after all observe that "Citizens of Singapore cannot democratically change their government." report abuse
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written by Ah Beng , June 08, 2009
"Although officially intended to ensure that ethnic minority (i.e. non-Chinese) MPs are elected, the GRC system provides a massive boost to the PAP as the embattled opposition parties cannot risk losing five or six of their best candidates in a single battle where the odds are tilted heavily against them."
Votes: +8
Actually if you bother to check the facts, the PAP came VERY CLOSE to losing a GRC in each of the previous 2 or 3 general elections. If only Low was brave enough to step out from his comfort zone of Hougang, and join hands with the best people in his team, they could have made history. We need the GRC system to ensure multi-racial representation. The commitment of keeping it smaller is actually a kind gesture from the government. Let's give credit when credit is due. If possible I would prefer a GRC to ensure multi-religious representation... currently it is over represented by a single religion if you get what I mean.... Ah Beng report abuse
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Potong Pasir
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written by Dynas Tee , June 08, 2009 Check out the trend please. What're results over the few elections. Downhill. Last - mere 51%! So, what's your take at the next? Opposition - yes. But not my ward, please . . . . . Ha! Ha! Ha! report abuse
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written by Dynas Tee , June 08, 2009
Potong Pasir residents have been treated shabbily because it is an opposition constituency. There is not even a single bank, post office, super-market and other conveniencies here unlike the other constituencies. Despite these shortcoming, the residents even reject a very substantial offer of Singapore $80 million to upgrade the estate if it switches to PAP in the last election.
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The island republic sends forth yet another electoral Trojan horse 
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