Lee Hsien Loong apologised for the mistakes made by his administration at a rally yesterday - probably the first time ever that a PAP Prime Minister has done so
By Nigel Tan
Chief Editor
At yesterday afternoon’s lunchtime rally in the Central Business District, Lee Hsien Loong uttered the words we thought we would never hear.
“If we didn’t get it right, I’m sorry. But we will try better the next time.”
Many in the 1,000 audience must have been pinching themselves. A PAP Prime Minister apologising publicly and pledging to put things right?
Yet, by the time Mr Lee was done with his speech, the crowd warmly applauded and cheered. Though the applause was polite, it was also genuine and spontaneous. For the first time in this campaign, applause for a PAP candidate came naturally, without having to be prompted by any of the manufactured choreography normally present at PAP rallies.
That Mr Lee has found it in him to swallow a slice of humble pie and publicly apologise for the mistakes of his administration is an affirmation of his increasing political maturity; a sign that he has learnt that he can no longer ignore the frustrations of ordinary Singaporeans who believe that his party has grown complacent, arrogant and out of touch.
It is also an indication that perhaps he is finally becoming his own man, stepping out of the immense shadow of his father, who during his time as Prime Minister ruled Singapore with an iron fist, and indeed, who many Singaporeans believe still calls the shots.
In his speech, Mr Lee took pains to draw a clear line between his style of leadership and that of the Minister Mentor, stressing that “our policies have been updated, our approach has shifted, our style has changed”.
“MM will be MM, whether it is election time or not. He tells it like it is. I think you’ve gotten used to our style. We don’t try to do it MM’s style. We do it our way, we spend some time to talk, to explain.”
“Good as we are, we must never be self-satisfied. Wearing white does not give us an automatic right to govern. No government is perfect, and we will make mistakes. We made a mistaken when Orchard Road was flooded. We made a mistake when Mas Selamat escaped. But when it happens we should acknowledge it, we should apologise, take responsibility, put things right. If we are to discipline somebody, we will do that, and we must learn from the lessons and never make the same mistake again.”
Mr Lee’s words will have come as a welcome change to voters who are expected to deliver a blow to the PAP at this Saturday’s polls. The PAP that they are determined to vote against was best personified by the Minister Mentor himself when he told them that they would have to “live to repent” for five years if they chose to vote in the Workers’ Party in Aljunied – the only Group Representation Constituency in which the PAP stands a realistic chance of losing.
Could it be that this election will bear witness to the birth of a new, cuddly PAP – one that will, in the words of Mr Lee, treat its citizens like masters instead of servants? Could it be that Mr Lee’s speech will mark a departure from his party’s age-old formula of paternalistic government, and the dawn of a new age of consultative, people-oriented leadership that will seek to engage and consult us instead of likening us to economic digits who need spurs stuck into our sides?
Could Mr Lee's speech herald the beginning of a new era of compassionate, consultative government?
To expect that the PAP will transform overnight is perhaps one step too far, and indeed, it is probably wishful thinking. However, to hope that the PAP has at long last rediscovered the moral compass of its founding fathers is not.
The likes of Goh Keng Swee, Toh Chin Chye, Hon Sui Sen and Ong Teng Cheong were genuine servants of the people. It is not unfathomable that Mr Lee, who grew up in their midst, could be seeking to resurrect the ethos and spirit that the PAP espoused during their time. He has brought in some new cadres – most notably Tan Chuan Jin and Ong Ye Kung – who appear at face value to be sincerely motivated by the spirit of service, unlike some of the men who currently hold office as ministers.
It is important to ask ourselves, however, exactly why the Prime Minister has changed his tack.
He certainly didn’t just wake up one morning and decided that his party would be more humble; not even the most naive of individuals could possibly believe this to be the case.
Rather, the truth is that Mr Lee has chosen to take this softer approach because of the efforts of the opposition. It has not escaped him that people are incensed with the fact that they are struggling to make ends meet, that they have to compete for jobs with foreigners, that they have to squeeze into overcrowded buses and trains every morning.
He now knows that people perceive his government to be elitist, uncaring and solely driven by self-interest; that they, despite the denials of his Senior Minister, are outraged by the fact that he is paid more in an hour than some of them are in a month.
He knows this not because he himself has had to squeeze into the MRT during rush hour, nor because his job is being threatened by so-called “foreign talent”.
He knows this because he can see, from in front of his computer screen inside his plush office in the Istana, that his people are making themselves heard on Facebook, Twitter and at least a dozen other websites. He can see that his people are flocking to attend opposition rallies, standing in muddy fields and braving the rain to lap up the messages of hope and change.
Passionate crowds have turned up in force at opposition rallies, a reflection of public sentiment against the PAP
He knows that when they cheer their hearts out for the Workers’ Party, they are doing so because those very same hearts have been broken by the PAP that they once loved and trusted.
He knows that when they turn out in droves to support Mr Chiam See Tong, they are moved to tears not by his brilliance or astuteness, but by his spirit of selfless service – the same spirit that is so woefully lacking in his infinitely more talented comrades in the cabinet.
He knows that the cheers that they shout and the tears that they shed are manifestations of very raw, deep-seated emotions, at the very core of which lies a sense of yearning to once again belong to their country – a birthright that has been denied them by the cold, calculating, profit-driven policies of the PAP.
And despite his privileged and sheltered upbringing, he is certainly intelligent enough to know that these emotions cannot be artifically re-created by his legion of so-called grassroots leaders, RC chairmen and civil service staffers, no matter how much they spend on chartered buses, clappers or floral garlands.
The Prime Minister has changed his tack because he knows that if the PAP wants to retain its moral authority to govern, it has got to go back to basics and work at building an inclusive community, from the bottom up. He knows that he has got to start listening to people in order to find out what they really want, and that the era of the PAP just paying lip service in order to win votes has to end.
Which is precisely why a strong opposition is essential in the process of nation-building – because it serves to keep the government on its toes. It serves to remind the government that it cannot take the people for granted; that it cannot continue to lord it over the people with impunity and arrogance.
And this year, even before a single vote has been cast, before a single one of its candidates has been elected, it has already managed to achieve its primary objective. By contesting nearly all of the seats, by fielding a slate of candidates unprecedented in terms of quality, and by inspiring millions of Singaporeans with its message of change and compassion, the opposition has already proven its point resoundingly.
The point being that when a nation stands united, anything can happen. Including getting a PAP Prime Minister to admit that his party is not perfect, and to issue a public apology.
–
The author is the Chief Editor of The Satay Club.
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PM Lee, your apology is not enough. We want to hear apologies from your father. The man who bankrupted and jailed his opponents who were good men. The man who was responsible for the “stop at two” policy that resulted in our birth rate declining to its present sorry state, leaving us wiht no choice but to import FTs by the truckload. The man who threatened to use the army to control us if we voted the PAP out. The man who said that we were animals who needed spurs in our hides.
I have no idea why LKY is still clinging on to power despite being 87 years of age. PM Lee, if you want to draw a line between you and your father, then please face the hard truth. He is a dinosaur. He is out of touch. We are living in 2011 and not 1971. If you truly repent, then SACK THE MM NOW. We don’t need to pay him $3 million a year to utter stupid comments about “repenting” and disparaging our Malay bros.
i would firstly like to thank all of you guys for your most sincere response and views about the current GE2011. to be one of the many few first timers @ voting, it was an eye opener for me to learn how much the public feels about the up and running govt lately. Those bottled up feelings are truly my sentiments which i believe most of us were afraid to voice out, because of security issues (civil servant), etc.
From my point of view although i am a 100% PAP supporter, i would prefer the other party to win a seat in the GE. These would definitely make PAP step up their game. (prolly the only way, Spare the rod and Spoil the child thesis)
LHL has apologised unreservedly for the numerous blunders of the PAP. It is the nature of Singaporeans ready as always to show magnanimity in acknowledging that mistakes as they happen now and again are an inherent trait in the attributes of human beings.No one can ever make the claim that he has not made a single mistake in his life.
However in considering each case , let us not confuse human error with incompetence, which certainly is the direct consequence of complacency, ignorance, ineptitude, nonchalance, laisser-fare, the escape of the terrorist from detention.is one such incident
How could this ever happen when taxpayes have always been re- assured that we are paying huge salaries because of the people administer our welfare and safety are second to none worldwide.
It was not only one error of omission that allowed the escape. There were a whole series of lapses that only a fool detainee could not have capitalised upon as an open invitation for an escape attempt which he would already have assessed as a high possibility for success
Had it been an escape from a military detention center as it rightly should be for such terrorist captives, the personnell including those in higher echelons who hold the responsibility to ensure safety of the country and its citizens would have to face a cout-martial proceeding
Mr WKS still continue to remain adamant and feels that a word of apology should suffice and absolve him of any blame whatsoever He still has not yet grapsed the seriousnees and the danger he has exposed Singaporeans on account of the escape
The fact that there was no surveillance of the relative’s apartment where shelter was sought shows that the Home Team have not lived up to expectations.
The Freak Results of GE2011 will be all PAP win.
If that happens, myself and many S’poreans will voluntarily omit our names from the
electorate registrar and never vote again as democracy and all basic reasons have failed. & SG will not be my country where wolfs in white are allowed to roam and bully all. Singaporeans will decide my fate.
Trust me. They won’t win 87 seats. Even if they manage to win Aljunied, Hougang is not so easy to win. The people there have character. They are not easily swayed by money and upgrading carrots.
As an analyst, have to say that PAP is in serious decline. In fact, it started even in those few years before LKY left PM post. He is still holding the reins though, otherwise the party will decline even faster.
They have no ideas at all, all they know is bring in foreigners to grow the economy – that is not even an idea, its economic suicide.
It is in fact the oppostion who have come up with the ideas this time and all the paps do is just criticise.
Comments made by ministers confirms that there are mulitiple splinter factions within pap. Tharman says good to have oppoosition, then PM comes up with an opposing view. Notice there is no communication between the ministers. Look at their body language when they are together. Even when they attacked WP’s Low, they looked like individual snipers taking potshots rather than a cohesive team at work. GCT once was very close to LHL, now they seem like strangers. Perhaps PAP ministers are now shooting at each other’s backs.
Very serious problems with the PAP candidate selection process. Out of the 24 candidates, 1 dropped out for mysterious reasons, the rest are C to D grade material, on a scale of A to F. Imagine these becoming ministers. This selection process was something they boasted of in the past, but now they don’t even dare talk about it. Now they can’t even attract talents into the PAP.
These are just a few issues, you may have more to share to share with fellow Singaporeans.
As an “analyst”? What kind of analyst are you? You are just an armchair analyst. Your comments show a complete lack of depth, in fact your “analysis” is flawed and shallow. You sound more like a kopitiam uncle than an expert.
So please stop coming here and insulting other people’s intelligence with your poorly thought-out analysis.
PAP is in decline? More like the opposite. PM Lee has sounded the rallying cry for the PAP to re-invent itself. After this election is over, PAP will become stronger than ever.
So many comments made by rabble rousers targeting the PAP’s so-called high salaries. Honestly, do you think people really care, as long as they are getting the job done? If your government delivers first-world living standards for you, do you really care if they get paid $3m, $4m or even $5m? And I mean seriously, come on, we can’t afford to have mediocre leadership so we need to attract the very best talents. I mean people who can seriously make policies and run ministries. This is not as easy as some of you think. These top talents can easily find jobs that pay more in the private sector. Just consider how much Ng Eng Hen and Shanmugam were making before they entered politics… easily double or even triple of what they are earning now. So, to the people who are complaining, ask yourself if you would like a mediocre government?
We can read this online http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/05/single-party-govt-made-up-of-elites-and-scholars-not-good-for-s’pore/
Single-party govt made up of elites and scholars not good for S’pore
Posted by theonlinecitizen on May 3, 2011
by Alicia Wong
The more legitimate reason to have more than a single party in the government. Voted out PAP! Support the people who cares for you in the opposition party.
IMPORTANT:
Reminder For Singaporeans Before Election Day
Especially future “Repenting Singaporeans” & “footloose” Young Singaporeans As MM Lee
branded you.
HARD TRUTHS:Looking Back at PAP: From 1950s to Now
Before your votes are cast, remember this:
1. In Year 1981 a small time Singaporean call Joshua Benjamin Jeyaratnam (JBJ)broke the PAP’s dominance and full control of power since independence by winning a seat in Anson(the first opposition in a 100% PAP parliament under Lee Kuan Yew)
2. It was late JBJ who raised the issue on corruption by PAP and former HDB minister Tay Cheng Wan who later commited suicide after investigation.
3. It wa JBJ who raised the question of special discounts given to Lee Kuan Yew and his son Lee Hsien Loong while serving as PM for property purchases in Orange Grove (high end).
4. Fast forward,Few years back when MM lee’s wife collapsed in UK, he decided to use the entire SQ SIA plane as makeshift hospital to bring her back to Singapore. Only after public questioning and outcry, he told through government he will bear the costs for that flight back.
5. The assumption that he owned SIA as his decries the very notion he is the public servant and not master as nothing is “given” nor he owns Singapore.
6. The financial losses from 1990s during Singapore’s first foray into China – Suzhou project saw losses of more than $40 Billion dollars lost under a new in charge Raymond Lim under Lee Kuan Yew.
7. LKY later told public it was ok and a good lesson learnt and moved on to bring Raymond Lim as a new PAP minister with various portfolios.
8. Neither LKY nor Raymond Lim was made answerable for that loss and brushed off without any censure from public, media nor PAP controlled parliament.
In 1990, $40 Billion was a huge sum like today.
9. The last 5 years GIC under MM Lee Kuan Yew, Tony Tan and PAP appointed Ho Ching who heads Temasek Holdings saw terrible losses and bad investments of more than $150 to 300 Billions of dollars and were never questioned, censured and most importantly fired from their jobs like in any normal financial organization or government.
10. Ho Ching was a PAP appointee by Dhanabalan who heads Temasek as recommended by her father in law Lee Kuan Yew and this was done not by proper corporate selection agst the best from the financial industry with proven track records.
11. A perverse family control of Singapore’s finances and reserves have been maintained by Lee kuan Yew who took on as chairman of GIC which he stills holds, Lee Hsien Loong as Finance minister (only appointed PAP man Tharman as Finance Minister few years ago) and his wife Ho Ching remains Head of Temasek Holdings as untouchable despite various losses.
12. Both Lee Kuan Yew and Ho Ching do not come with proven investment track records, financial experiences as heads of investment funds like in normal business investment environments other than what they claim to be and backed by a PAP parliament which does not question, censure or hold them accountable.
Basically not qualified as in today’s times.
13. In all none of them have been accountable whereas in major developed countries like USA, Europe finance ministers, heads of major banks like BOA, Citibank have been fired for bad investments, poor performance and accountability.
14. With a dominant PAP parliament stronghold wo any opposition this accountability has been continuously forsaken by the ruling party especially MM Lee, Ho Ching, lee Hsien Loong and PAP government.
15. It should be noted that there were many accomplished and proven financial investments experts available and ready to be hired from open markets in Singapore and elsehere who can take over and provide better returns and good investment decisions for Temasek, GIC then current incumbent.
16. These are professionals vs Lee Kuan Yew and Ho Ching but sensitive reasons provided to keep our reserves under the family control of Lee Kuan Yew in today’s times where many accomplished professional are available for hire.
17. In the financial crisis of 2007,2009 even PAP town councils and ministries made terrible bad investments in toxic investment products and were quickly dismissed as one off and nobody was censured, held accountable or fired. All these again with tax payers’ monies.
18. During the time of late Elected President Ong Teng Chiong, PAP government was asked to provides accounts on our national reserves and detailed data for his scrutiny.
19. This was not honoured by a troubled majority ruling PAP government under MM Lee and Lee HSien Loong with Goh Chock Tong.Again accountability was brushed off.
20. Simple mediocre answers were given that it will take years to consolidate and out down all our assets and reserves details.
21. When Islamic Terrorist Mat Selmat escaped from Singapore’s prisons under the watch of DPM and then Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng again he was left without much censure and neither did he resign nor was fired.
22. Still again no accountability and worst PM Lee went on to public declare it is not the policy of PAP government to fire any of it’s ministers or MPs for mistakes done as will upset their government or political makeup angering Singaporeans.
23. Again party and stronghold interests of ruling elite became first and important than accountability and option to answer to public.
24. Fast forward the YOG budget under Dr Vivian Balakrishnan was over estimated with huge losses (as over costing due to bad calculations and planning)
by inexperienced, inacapable minister and yet still left off the hook by majority PAP government without censure nor accountability.
25. Public did get a single apology nor accountability until 2 days before election where Dr Bala apologises and admits his mistakes.
26. Normal cases people are fired for such mistakes and yet again PAP protects its core people.
- So now Singaporeans do you think this nonsensical and above the law, Ivory tower and elite group of untouchable ministers and MPs of PAP should be brought down to earth and made answerable to the very public they are serving?
- Can we have accountability and people like Ho Ching needs to be fired and replaced by capable professionals.
- Can we break this family owned mentality and take back our national reserves and keep it under the professional management of people accountable to the government with multiple voices and public they are serving.
- Our reserves are not ,NOT ,NOT, NOT ,the ATM for any single family, person or ruler to paly with without accountability but the Public’s and SIngaporeans.
- Do we need another 5 years of proven “Yes” men to serve you and yet remain unaccountable serving PAP party and all might lord MM Lee?
Or we take our rights, country, reserves and our lives back into our hands and vote in the Opposition for a start.
You decide what you want Singaporeans on May 7th 2011.
Singapore for Singaporeans.
I really want to vote for the opposition. I am not convinced by PM Lee’s apology at all and I think most Singaporeans can sense that this is just an election ploy to win some sympathy votes because he now has no choice. I am so outraged by the PAP’s arrogance that I have just been dreaming of voting for the opposition in my ward (Bukit Panjang) and sharing the spirit of Potong Pasir and Hougang.
But while my heart is willing, my flesh is weak. I’m a civil servant, so I have no choice. I hope fellow Singaporeans don’t blame me for looking after my career and my family first. It’s already very tough to make a living as it is.
Your vote is absolutely secret. Even if you vote for the opposition no one will know, unless you tell them. There are many civil servants who have voted for opposition and nothing has happened to them. Don’t worry. Explanations of your vote being secret: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eS0FMe3dZG8 (By Sylvia Lim) and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDeIFUw1K1o (by Maruah)
Civil servants having to vote for the PAP is a myth. Please don’t let it affect your vote. If your heart really is for the opposition but feel way too scared even though your vote is secret, do nullify your vote. This is the least you can do for yourself.
Has someone in your office been telling you that you are not allowed to vote for the opposition?
Hmm.. I’m a civil servant too, and I’ve often wondered about this question. If they can’t trace your vote, then what’s the point of the serial numbers? I have voted PAP in last 2 elections just to safeguard my career and job security.. even though my heart wanted to vote for another party.
Tan Jee Say voted for the opposition when he was in the civil service: http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_664736.html
Do not fear!
Sorry is the most expensive word!
Why do we pay billions of dollars to hear ministers say sorry, cry in public and screw up?
PAP always advise voters to look at track records.
Why should voters continue to pay billions of dollars for such a dismal records?
Will voters want to give these pathetic candidates a blank check and then look back five years from now and have more crying ministers and a “sorry” PM?
Can these people be trusted to secure our future?
If they can’t, then don’t secure THEIR future!
The men (and women) in white are wolves in white sheep skins. The reason why they keep putting top scholars in their den is to make use ot their top brains cunningly against the masses. LKY and LHL are the two most claring examples.
Don’t let them trick you voters again and again. From the way they pay themselves with 8 months’ or more bonuses plus $multi-millions salary, there is no doubt whatsoever that they are more interested in taking care of their own multi-million-dollar rice-bowl than our rice-bowls.
Vote wisely, vote for our children’s future, not the PAP’s leaders’ future.
Hhhhmmm…..I tot I just heard the PM apologies for the flood & saying about learning the pass mistake & not making the same mistake again…well we still under water evertime its rains heavily…… wonder if there will be any accountability……
This time………… AMK also flooded.
PM LHL can apologise timely, for the flood…………. 3 days before polling day.
PAP takes 5 years to understand and yet only during election started to apologies it seems odd. My answer please search for another 5 years my vote will be given to the opposition.
Could it be that for the first time, he has finally cut the apron string and try to run his own show? Different style as he said…nice !
PARABLE of THE LIONS & THE WOLF
The Creator put 2 large flocks of Sheep in the field, one in the North, one in the South.
The Creator also given them 2 types of Enemies : one is Lion, the other is Wolf.
The Creator said: “If you choose the Wolf, I will put One on your land. It will eat you as he like, but they are smaller size than the Lion therefore smaller appetite. If you choose Lion, I will give two Lions but you can choose which Lion to be put there and you can change it anytime you want.”
So, if you are one of the Sheep, which one would you choose?
Well, the flock in the South thought : “The Lion is more violent than the Wolf. Better choose the Wolf.” So, they chosen to have the wolf. The flock in the North thought : even though the Lion is more violent, but we get to choose which Lion. So, they chosen two Lions.
The Wolf entered the South and started to hunt for the Sheep. Due to its small appetite, it ate only a sheep in a few days. Therefore, the flock will only be hunted once in a few days.
In the North, the Sheep chosen one of the Lions, and the other Lion was placed at the Creator’s place. The Lion was more violent and bigger appetite than the Wolf. It ate one sheep in a day. Therefore, the flock has to run for their lives every day. So, the Northern herd quickly asked the Creator to switch the Lion. But the other Lion has starved for a few days therefore more appetite than the earlier Lion. The Sheep has to run for their lives all day long.
The Southern flock started to laugh at the Northern flock and felt glad that they have chosen the right enemy. The Northern flock has regretted and asked the Creator to change the enemy to the Wolf. But the Creator said : “Once you have made your choice of your enemy, you cannot change. Your only right is to make a choice between the Lions.”
So, the Northern flock has to keep on switching the Lions. But both Lions are violent, therefore they were suffering with either choice. At the end, they finally decided not to change regularly since they were the same : they kept one of the Lion with them until the other one is starved until so thin and almost dead then only they switched the Lions.
Realization
Soon, the thin Lion realized that its fate was in the hands of the Sheep. The Sheep can send it back to the Creator anytime they wished and let it starved until almost dead. So, it treated the Sheep very well this time. It promised that it’ll eat only those that are sick or dead and it will not harm those healthy ones. The lambs were very happy and suggested to keep only the thin Lion and let the fat Lion starved to dead. An old sheep quickly reminded them : “Do not forget, the thin Lion is afraid that we send it back to the Creator to starve, that’s why it is nice to us. If we let the fat Lion die, we will loose our choice and the thin Lion will be back to its true colour.” So, the rest thought he is right therefore they switched the fat Lion back after it is starved to almost dead.
The fat Lion is now so thin with only skin covering bones. It also realized that its fate is in the control of the Sheep.
In order to stay with the Sheep longer, it even be more self-controlled : it ate only those dead sheep and being very nice to the Sheep. It just wished that it can stay longer here instead of starving at the Creator’s place. So, the Lion that was sent back to the Creator was very very very sad. After all these trials, the Northern flock finally can enjoy their lives with freedom and fearless of the Lion.
As for the flock in the South, the Wolf has no competitor therefore it became wild and hegemony. It killed the Sheep in tens and twenties daily – it was sick of the mutton and now would just enjoyed to suck the warm blood. When sucking the blood, it didn’t allow the Sheep to make noise. Whichever make noise, it’ll kill them. Sometimes, it will just hunt the Sheep and killed them for fun. The Southern flock now regretted : “If we knew it’d be like this, we should have chosen the Lions.”
We must exercise our choice correctly – having 2 lion is better than 1 wolf !!
My mother and father (bless their souls) were die-hard PAP supporters. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought my very religious mum fasted one day of the week for the well-being of Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s Prime Minister when I was growing up. She would have gladly taken a bullet for him. I kid you not. She was that fiercely loyal.
My dad was not as hardcore but still…nutty enough. He believed that only Lee Kuan Yew understood the true value of Indians to Singapore (he was a shipyard worker) and demanded that I vote for PAP at my first GE. He also added the practical bits of me having to apply for a flat some day (‘you will be last in queue if you vote for the opposition’ he’d say) and also that I should keep open the option of being a civil servant.
I did vote for PAP that GE. My MP was a standout guy, Goh Chee Wee, who could connect with aunties and 21year olds like me. It was a no-brainer.
I have only voted once since – the Presidential election which was probably the first ‘middle finger’ Singaporeans struck out at PAP. Against an established party man like Ong Teng Cheong, a reluctant candidate garnered 48%+. Yessireee, 48%+ and the man only started campaigning two weeks after nomination.
GE 2011 shall be my second time voting in a GE and I’m 44 years old.
I have lived through three Prime Ministers – Lee Kuan Yew who was as hard-ass as they come. Goh Chok Tong who seemed like a nice guy but was always seen by my generation as a seat warmer. And PM Lee Hsien Loong.
In my conscious memory, I have never seen any of them apologise to the people of Singapore. Till this morning (4 May, 2011).
The Straits Times, which has lost whatever goodwill it had in these two-odd weeks, reported that PM Lee apologized not once but twice at yesterday’s lunchtime rally at Raffles Place.
Call me a softie but…I do believe his apology. I do feel it has dawned on him that Singaporeans are supremely pissed off with his party, pissed at some key individuals in particular and I dare say, pissed at his shoots-his-mouth-and-gets-his-son-into-trouble dad.
If it is a strategic move, it is a masterstroke coz I do feel human beings are more tuned to forgiveness than out and out pound-of-flesh. And PM Lee is the right man for the apology. He has been above most politics in this GE and he does look genuinely stressed/concerned. Like the smart kid in class who wants to connect but perhaps just not fun enough or engaging enough to hang with.
And if it is indeed a strategic move, it has come a little too late in the game I feel. It’s the equivalent of trying to retain a talented employee after he has resigned with all sorts of promises.
But that’s not why I won’t be voting for the PAP in this GE.
See as a bona fide Singaporean born, bred and educated here (can even curse in all official language and almost all dialects), I have always been cynical of my fellow Singaporeans when it comes to elections.
The stereotypes play out at each GE.
The middle-class will ALWAYS vote for PAP because they are selfish and only care for their assets. The English-educated will also almost always vote for PAP because the opposition (till this GE) used to be viewed with disdain because they couldn’t speak well, couldn’t carry an argument or were not accomplished enough. The majority of Indians will vote for PAP because they still haven’t shaken off their civil service leanings from days gone by. The Malays, well, they hardly ever factor (sorry, bros…saying it like it is). So it’s invariably down to the Ch8 Singaporeans to make the difference. The difference they made in 1992. And have ever since in Potong Pasir and Hougang.
When parliament was dissolved, I half believed that GE 2011 would be more of the same and only the Ch8 Singaporeans will make a difference if they so chose.
The rest of Singapore, well, they will humour the Opposition as they stake their claim, make some valid points, stoke the crowds at rallies but will send them home politely as they want a predictable ending.
I have been proven wrong.
In my life, I would have never imagined Singaporeans raising $50,000 as deposit money for opposition candidates.
In my life, I would have never imagined the passion and conviction of Singaporeans who dare to speak out, write lengthy essays, caricaturize and even lampoon the PAP as they have done in this GE.
In my life, I would have never imagined Singaporeans so worked up about the near dictatorial regime they have been under all these years, training their guns at PAP lieutenants who should have been held accountable for their fuck ups but were not. (Thousands against Vivian B is no laughing matter.)
In my life, I would have never imagined seeing an opposition, while not impressive across-the-board, get its act together even if for a brief two weeks.
And in my life, I would have never imagined the fire and gumption of Singaporean youths, most of them first-time voters, who seem to be up to the task of deciding their own fates and futures and not be beholden to the past (or parental pressures as I faced).
There is a palpable tension in the air. And we as a nation, as a people owe it to ourselves to take it to the logical conclusion.
Are we mature enough to take ourselves seriously? Are we ready?
Singapore needs an Opposition in Parliament and a Parliament with an elected Sylvia Lim, Low Khia Thiang, Pritam Singh, Michelle Lee, Ng Jee Say and the dawn of a new era, Nicole Seah things can only make for robust debate and discussions.
But not all of them will make it to Parliament (better luck next time guys) but those who can, with our support, with our every vote deserve to be given the opportunity. For risking their lives and their livelihood.
And that is why, I will not be voting for the PAP. (Sorry ma, pa.)
The PAP, so well admired all these years for its Plan A, B and C, has been caught completely off guard in GE 2011. It has got obese on its own diet of self-admiration and self-congratulation.
As evidenced, with all its collective brainpower, by its misreading of how Singaporeans truly feel about having their first world city flooded, spending millions in security only for a limping fugitive to escape, for vanity projects like the YOG to spin out of control, for Singaporeans to feel like second class citizens in their own country and for living costs to skyrocket…as if to keep in tandem with ministers’ and MP salaries.
The PAP needs to wake up (yes, it has indeed fallen asleep at the wheel).
GE 2011 is a watershed because Pandora’s Box has been opened. The Internet, the one thing that even LKY fears, is here to stay and it will be the instrument of accountability from this election forth – active citizenry at its best.
If the PAP goes back to its business-as-usual and give goodies at the end of the election year only to take everything back in Years 2 and 3 then start handing out sweeteners in Year 4 and 5 as they normally do, they are definitely going to be held accountable.
They need to be held accountable. Starting, 7 May 2011.
I have been asleep but this time I woke up!!
Truly well said – you sounded much more passionate and concerned about our country than some of the PAP candidates! Hear out Teo Ser Luck – couldn’t help laughing out loud, almost choking on my own saliva!
Please don’t embarrass yourself here by spouting senseless nonsense. Teo Ser Luck? Do you know what he has achieved? Do you know how important he is? He used to be General Manager of DHL which is a private sector company. He is also the current Chairman of Young PAP. He is definitely PM material and I won’t be surprised if he is our PM one day. Then maybe you will regret what you said about him.
No hard feelings. I hope the PM understands now that talented as one may be, it is impossible to understand all his people’s viewpoints and experiences in his current 87 member party. People who have no need to worry about spending, listen to stories at the MPS sessions but go home thinking like Nani. Non so deaf as those who will not hear. Thankfully, he is not as deaf and has acknowledged the realities of life as a Singaporean. Moving on, what does he propose? He will have to concretize his apology quickly, 1 day left to announce changes to his current track.
Maybe he and his party can use 5 years to repent. Think through why there are so many displeasure with them. Then come back in 2016 to fight sincerely.
Just a little pressure by the OPP and lhl starts apologizing. It shows that having strong opp works. So what do we do?? Vote the opp to see more good things from pap. I’ve always felt that pap will perform better with a strong presence of opp. This is already happening. It’s time to see pap perform and they will do better only with strong opp in government.
I am sorry. Does that count? I am truly and sincerely sorry. I apologize undeservedly for my netizen who has posted the comment that is due to mistake against someone here who supported all that PAP has to offer. We will post better words next time. Please vote the alternative!
Do not fall for the trap of this “repentence” and vote for them in again.
Didn’t he say just recently that he would still continue the policy of denying opposition
wards the govt funds for upgrading?
The reason he is saying this is because he knows the ground is not sweet and the opposition and the people are putting the pressure on him and he is trying to tug the heartstrings of the anti-PAP voters.
The truth is, as long as the Grand oldman, his father is still in Govt and calling the shots, nothing is going to change.
HEY AH LOONG!!!
GUESS WHAT??
SORRY NO CURE!!!
Sorry is not enough. LHL and PAP will be HAMMERED on May 7 starting with George Yeo who will be the first to be hammered out of Parliament. A pity not Mah Bow Tan.
I applause his courage to make an public apology! But is it sincere??
To prove that he is sincere; he should:
1. Announce that LKY will not be invited into the new cabinet after the election since his methodology and values is not common with the younger generation of PAP leaders.
2. Reference to WKS reply to GCT remarks on the escape of mas selamat, which reflect a lack of solidarity with in PAP, which cast doubt on the leadership and representation of LHL for the party. He should invite LKY, WKS, MBT, Vivian and others to make a public apology.
3. In line with PAP traditions of not taking mistakes likely; those who has apologies for their mistakes should not be invited into the new cabinet.
We can ONLY accept his sincerity; after he has carry out the above announcement before the polling day. Or else, it could be just another empty election promise design tactically to woo the netizen back..
Hey folks, LHL has NOT apologised! Because he qualified his “apology” with the word “IF”. Don’t be fooled!!!
Pingback: Daily SG: 4 May 2011 « The Singapore Daily
hmmmm.. i think someone here whose family combined income with 25K (still can credit pap for their own hardwork); all they do is hijacking everyone’s post and telling us how PAP has done good for Singapore; just make everyone don’t like the whites even more..
anyway, too late for apologies i guess… now den start to do service recovery to the singaporean? how about try harder next GE?
Wow! 25k a month? It takes me 1 year to get this salary and I also have to worry everyday will I get retrench from my boss and will I be paid the 13th month bonus at the end of year to reach that number. The labor policy is such a crab that it the company decided to fold and move away, I just be paid peanuts. It is not like Australia, or India where the company can just suka suka shut down by giving one month notice. Sorry is the word I have heard it many times before. Mostly from my employer who has to let me go because of company not doing well and CEO changes company policy. No hard feelings, I just have to move on and find another job with my own effort. We live to fight another day.
so true..
WP!
well, before someone (25K) come hijacking my post saying that im jealous of his monthly income (den why did he mentioned in the first place?)..
let’s just focus on wot we Singaporean wants!
Just look at your own defeatist mindset and no wonder you are in the state that you are in. Singapore is a meritocratic system. Those who are ambitious and hardworking will succeed. You are leading a mediocre life earning $2k a month because you have a “blame others” mindset, and you focus your energies on complaining instead of working harder. No one is to blame for your predictament, not the PAP, not the foreigners, not the boss, but yourself. Do you understand? Your mindset needs changing. I am not going to allow welfarist parties like WP/SDP to come into power and force me to pay 30-40% taxes just so that I can subsidise your healthcare and education, why should I do that? You should be responsible for yourself. In countries like the UK, hardworking citizens have to pay huge taxes because the unemployed idiots receive allowance from the state. Knowing your mindset, you are probably wanting the WP to come into power so that you can sit on your ass all day and do nothing, while getting free subsidies and benefitting off the hard work of other citizens. This is not the kind of society that we should promote. We got to where we are today because of the hard work of our forefathers like LKY, Goh Keng Swee, Lim Kim San etc. We are not going to allow all this to go down the drain because of the WP’s warped agenda to turn Singapore into a welfare state. You noticed that the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer? Well there’s a damn good reason why that is the case.
Listen fool.. how about you donate 40% of your salary every month to the road sweepers in the name of “equality”? Since this is what you want. If the WP or SDP comes to power, the top income earners will be penalised with higher taxation to subsidise transport, healthcare, education when it should be people themselves who are responsible for their own lives. Under the PAP system, if you make it, you are rewarded handsomely. This is called MERITOCRACY. It is what got us to where we are. I can tell you, Singapore won’t be what it is now if not for meritocracy. This is because everyone has an INCENTIVE to be ambitious and productive. Under the welfarist system, no one has an incentive, and in fact the system encourages complacency and laziness since the state will give you generous subsidies for your own needs (which are in fact YOUR responsibility, not anyone else’s). If you want a welfare state, please go and live in a communist country where everyone receives the same pay no matter what. Don’t sabotage what we have in Singapore with your own selfish agenda and your screwed up mindset of “let me benefit from someone else’s hard work”. The majority of us are happy with the way things are.
“Meritocratic system” my foot. I believe in “Survival of the fittest”. How would you know I have a defeatist mindset? I have 2 degrees from overseas and living and working in overseas before. I work hard and the policy maker is also working hard to put me down. I just want to envy you with your close thinking of what you have and the fruits of your effort under the PAP system where everyone else in Singapore do not have. The general public do not live in this state of mind. Keep living in the wonderful state of Happy mind. When it is time to vote, the voters have the right to decide what is proper and the right policy to govern. The choice is mine!
It seems to me that you are earning big bucks to be saying things like that. Singaporeans DO NOT need OPP party to make high earners to pay for the poor. Poor people in Singapore have backbone too! Why jump into conclusion? We just want to be heard, want our needs to be heard. If we poor people are selfish, I think you are no better. Thinking for yourself, fearing to pay the poor what you earn. Did we ask you to pay? You pay taxes now is all for the poor? How sure are you about that? PAP used to be a good government, please see the records for the past 5 years. If its for the good of our own citizens, OPP won’t even get the chance to smell smoke in the Parliament.
@Aljunied Resident:
You said that I have a closed mind and that I am enjoying “fruits of my effort under the PAP system that most Singaporeans do not have”.
Well, let me ask you. Have you ever lived in a HDB flat, or do you know anyone who lives in a HDB flat? Did your parents own a HDB flat? That is a PAP contribution right there for you. Without PAP, no one would be living in HDB flats. We would all be living in kampungs or shophouses.
Second, do you use the MRT? Have you ever used the MRT? Are you not proud of our efficient MRT system which doesn’t suffer frequent breakdowns like those in New York and London where there are breakdowns every single day? Without PAP, there would be no world-class MRT system.
Thirdly, do you have kids? Are they going to good schools? You said yourself that you have 2 degrees, so you are an educated person. Do you think that without PAP, we would have an opportunity to be educated to tertiary level? Singapore’s first-class education system is highly regarded internationally. Reputable institutions like Harvard, MIT, Columbia, Cambridge, Oxford and LSE all look very favourably upon Singaporeans who apply for places there.
You and I owe all of these to the PAP government.
Look around you in South East Asia. Do you see the Indonesians or the Thais enjoying all of the above things that I listed?
So please don’t be an ingrate and at least have the decency to acknowledge the good fortune we have had. As MM Lee said, all of you just don’t appreciate. The cure to that is a good dose of bad government. If WP takes over as government, the economy will be destroyed, the stock market will crash and your property will become worthless. Then Singaporeans will really need to repent for 5 years.
I lived in HDB. I take MRT and Bus. MRT got delayed and crowded and have to wait for the next train. While Bus broke down many times and I was given complementary ticket but only valid the same day. I was educated overseas but that is not the result of PAP government. My parents paid for my education till A-level. My own money to pay for the air ticket to go US. PAP pay me nothing. I got scholarships from US University. I got retrenched 2 years ago after working for MNC for 12 years and government policy agreed with MNC they can move anywhere if they decided to move and not competitive here and just pay the employee the number of years in service divided by 2. I do have my rights to disagree with the government policy of robbing the poor and enriching the well to do and they themselves think they are elite and cannot be touched. No all scholars are cut out to be politician. I would consider myself a scholar too since I also do research for US agency. I am more than what others are and capable of in make my own decision to select who I want to be in the government. I am sick and tired of all the acronym PAP. Period. May 5th is the day to vote out PAP.
I lived in HDB. I take MRT and Bus. MRT got delayed and crowded and have to wait for the next train. While Bus broke down many times and I was given complementary ticket but only valid the same day. I was educated overseas but that is not the result of PAP government. My parents paid for my education till A-level. My own money to pay for the air ticket to go US. PAP pay me nothing. I got scholarships from US University. I got retrenched 2 years ago after working for MNC for 12 years and government policy agreed with MNC they can move anywhere if they decided to move and not competitive here and just pay the employee the number of years in service divided by 2. I do have my rights to disagree with the government policy of robbing the poor and enriching the well to do and they themselves think they are elite and cannot be touched. No all scholars are cut out to be politician. I would consider myself a scholar too since I also do research for US agency. I am more than what others are and capable of in make my own decision to select who I want to be in the government. I am sick and tired of all the acronym PAP. Period. May 7th is the day to vote out PAP.
@Aljunied Resident:
You should seriously consider the implications of your vote. You said you believed in “survival of the fittest”. You should not vote WP just because you are angry at getting retrenched. The PAP system is there to ensure survival of the fittest. If you really believe in it, then why are you now complaining that you got retrenched? You are just a sour grapes loser who is trying to find someone to blame for your own predictament. Remember, PAP is NOT to blame for your retrenchment, neither is your boss, the only person to blame is YOU YOURSELF. Let me ask you, why did only YOU get retrenched and not your other colleagues? If you say that 1,000 people got retrenched, I can guarantee you that 2,000 people didn’t. If you are genuinely a talent, you will have no problems finding a job in another company. So please focus on upgrading yourself. Don’t come here and whine. And don’t vote against PAP purely out of angst and your desire to find a scapegoat for your problems.
Period.
@Aljunied Resident:
You said you lived in HDB, took the MRT and bus. Please think carefully. Without PAP, you won’t even have HDB, MRT and bus. Singapore would still be a third world kampung. Just answer my question.. do you think Indonesians and Thais have it better than us?
Here is my view too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWHlNn8Hpuk&NR=1
I am off to WP rally. Who created this Cooling Day???
Haha, please. Does anyone really think that LHL intends to apologise? I hope Singaporeans aren’t that naive, even though I suspect that they are. This is just a cheap tactic to win some sympathy votes, because he knows that people are unhappy. HAving said this, I am suspecting that PAP will have some stunts in the next few days and will be returned to power with all 87 seats. That will be doomsday if it happens. Remember, if we give PAP a strong mandate, that just means that 900,000 FTs will soon be making their way into Singapore.
The question we voters have to ask ourselves is, why apologise now 4 days from polling day? Is this really sincere? If we were to give PAP a 66.6% mandate again, would they be forgetting about their apology and going back to their old antics again?
In fact, only on the eve of polling day that they “humbled” themselves proves one thing. The more that we need to vote many oppositions into parliament so as to “remind” them to be humble in their governance everyday!
Wah, if PM Lee said sorry, and then GE returned all 82 contested seats, then how? Back to normal again? Leopards don’t change spots. One free of charge sorry can undo damage meh? If really like that, Singaporeans real gullible. (You really, then, deserve the government you have voted for)
Saying sorry will not effect the changes people are looking for. Its not just the mistakes but the sacred cows of fundamental policies which have made life very difficult for people. Its no use saying sorry without the effort required to question and change these fundamental policies.
I cant imagine the incumbent party replacing their obsession with GDP growth with a greater concern for the people. Its not going to happen. The party in power want to remain in power. If LHL is sincere about his apology, then he has to announce wholesale changes in policy in education, housing, employment, transparency in management of our reserves etc. I dont see any attempt at real change in their manifesto.
Are we going to have a mass media which will REALLY begin to explore both sides of the argument?? Will they bring to account publicly the conduct and the policies of the next government? I dont think so.
No need to apologise….I just dont see these changes taking place.
Look, what more do you want? He already said sorry. Do you want him to resign? Tell me whether you would like Low Thia Khiang as PM? Chiam See Tong? Sylvia Lim? Put your hand on heart and tell me that these people can replace him as PM?
At the end of the day, no one is more qualified to lead the country. PAP has all the best talents. They have been humble enough to say sorry even though they don’t need to. Singaporeans should not take PAP for granted. Maybe what MM Lee said was right, we need a good dose of bad government to teach us a lesson.
Why only NOW? And I doubt his sincerity, this is only to save his party and his own skin. Why the DENIALS all these years? Why keep shoving everything down singaporeans’ throats? Now asking for sympathies, what a shame! VOTE WISELY, vote OPPOSITION!
@Nani: I seriously wonder if you are even staying in singapore
PAP has all the best talents? r u even living in singapore? if they are really the best talents, then all these mistakes from orchard road flooding to mas selamat to YOG over expenditure should not have happened because they are supposed to be smart enough to PREVENT mistakes from happening. For the amount of pay they are getting, they are NOT ENTITLED TO MAKE MISTAKES AND SHRUG IT OFF!
They don’t need to say sorry? IF they are really correct and right in everything, why such high level of unhappiness and dissent among the common Singaporeans? IF they really did not do anything wrong and had governed with common people interest as priority, why are singaporeans so pissed at them?
I respect MM Lee for his contributions in forging Singapore during the early years. BUT HE IS NOT GOD. HE IS NOT OMI-POTENT. What makes it so certain that any other policy except their “One-Party One-Government” will be a bad government?
Instead of us needing a lesson, should it not be them needing a lesson in humility and rediscover their origins on WHY PAP was founded and its goals and visions set during the early years?
How can you know that Low Thia Khiang, Chiam See Tong and Sylvia Lim can’t do any better than our very own PM? How do you know that they are not qualified to replace him? Who are you to judge them? You are neither him nor them. Think about it.
This is to Nani:
It is very obvious that you are a frog in a well . Have you ever worked abroad ? or lived abroad ?
Why do you compare with Thailand and Indonesia when you should be comparing with the Sweden and Finland ? Based on our current Minister’s salaries you should draw fair parallels.
By reviwing your comments , I can come to a reasonable conclusion that a ride in efficient MRT system is a highlight in your life . Please do not assume that all people have the same aspirations .
I can come to another conclusion that you have never been in a leadership position or explored uncharted areas outside your comfort zone . Your mentality is that off a sheep but the only thing that puzzles me that usually these traits are not so blatant but more subtle .
You must be either a dud planted by a party or a new citizen starting to enjoy Singapore facilities.
Who are you?
.
@ Island Dog:
I have lived abroad and worked abroad. I have an MBA from Columbia. And I have also lived in London and Paris. That is how I know that Singapore has a great system of governance that can’t be taken for granted. Those countries are often paralysed by strikes, protests, etc. If you think the MRT is overcrowded, you should try taking the London Underground. You are the one who is the frog in the well. Don’t resort to name-calling and personal insults when you can’t win an argument. As for why I am comparing Singapore with Thailand and Indonesia instead of Sweden and Finland, the answer is simple. We are in South East Asia. We have been independent for only less than 50 years. If Finland or Sweden have bad governments, they go back to being in a European situation. If we have a bad government, we go back to being in a South East Asian situation. I didn’t say this. MM Lee said this. And I think he would know better than you and me what it is like to be in a South East Asian situation. If you can’t even appreciate what we have, then you are truly an ingrate and living in a bubble.
Response to SM Goh’s dismissal of economic proposal by ex-aide
Extracted this following writeup from Shareinvestor.com
Today:
Marine Parader
One of the comments:
Yi Zhu Liew
Hi Mr Goh, I read your comment in ST actually but decided to come and post
here to give you a perspective.
This is really from my heart because my family wouldn’t want any of this out
here in this way.
All my family members had voted for PAP throughout every single election. My
grandmother was highly active in the women’s wing from its formation till
her death and had nothing but good words to say abt its leaders and their
dedication. We grew up hearing those stories.
I can say my household are white collared folks – well, originally at least.
My mum got retrenched in 2009 after working almost 30 years for the same
bank. Right after retrenchment aged in her late 50s, she cannot find any
other job. It’s almost heartbreaking seeing her waking up every morning at
8am and faithfully sending out PDFs (yes, she is PC-literate and had to
learn so much of the gizmos on her own) after PDFs to any employer that she
can find on the newspapers, online etc. She had even signed up for e2i,
NTUC, NE district..whatever.
NTUC in particular, held a job matching programme and told her to turn up at
10am but saw her only at 5pm. For almost the whole day, she sat there not
daring to leave just in case she loses her place in the queue, not eating
lunch. Unfortunately, it resulted in nothing.
All that she has yet to do is probably go and see the MP. So for 2 years
now, that’s her routine.
Initially, she came across adverts put up by hospitals for patient admin
clerks. She applied for that but heard nothing from them. When she went to
the same hospital for her medical appt, she saw Filipinos manning the very
same counter for which the job advert was placed and upon enquiring, found
out they were recruited +/- the same time as she had applied.
What are we to think? The only job she could find was a data entry clerk -
and this, we are talking of an ex-VP of a bank. So she swallowed her humble
pie and took it. To her horror, the supervisor of the data entry pool is a
Filipino! What’s happening here? You mean to say, there are no Singaporeans
who are able to work as a Supervisor? I think therein, my mother felt
betrayed and if she doesn’t, I would feel so on her behalf. Regardless, she
ploughed on. This as a contract staff with no benefits whatsoever such as
medical leave (something that’s so basic). When she has the flu, a cough,
whatever, she worries for her daily-rated job.
I’ve told her to give up, don’t do cos it’s so miserly- $4/hr, but she says,
she doesn’t know what else to do and if she doesn’t work, she would really
be very bored. For your added benefit, this job was found not thru’ any of
the aid agencies but on her own. Even so, it’s nothing secure. The projects
come and go for a few weeks. A sprinkling here and a little there. By the
time she takes the bus and MRT to her workplace, I really don’t know why she
bothers.
Are we the only ones suffering like that? No. My mother also had her peers
who were similarly retrenched by the same bank. They too, have found jobs
such as night-time taxi driver, food court supervisor (sounds nice but it is
actually i/c of clearing tables and spit).
Why are things like these happening? I am sorry for this long rant here but
I hope that you do not sugar coat what is happening, the painful examples
that abound. So maybe my mother is now the 420,001th blue-collared worker
but she at least, would hope that maybe what Mr Tan says has merit so she
can continue to work in the capacity that she has trained for.
BTW, this is not about money – she had left the bank with compensation, but
it’s about your sense of worth as a human being…sometimes u wonder if all
u are capable for is clearing a plate on the table or punching in mindless
numbers.
Therein lies the daily torture. I am finding my feet in the working world
but now, I worry a lot about my own future. After a degree and all this,
don’t tell me one fine day I have to eat the same humble pie and settle for
something beyond mediocre? Also, we have nothing against foreigners per se,
so don’t get me wrong. We just think that somewhere along the way, a
particular govt policy is to be blamed for our predicament. Don’t you think
so? Why don’t you just seriously read what Mr Tan had taken pains to write,
contrast it with what your cabinet has set out, find a middle path maybe?
Rather than dismiss it immediately as something without merit. Please
reconsider. Thank you and so sorry once again for the length of this post.
Wow.. thanks for showing us this. A really sad story that encapsulates the issues facing the country today.
I worry for mine too after reading your post.
I received this article via email from Internet and am happy to share it here.
Should I sack my current maid?
I need your urgent advice about employing a maid. As a busy mother, I
need someone reliable to help out at home.
My maid is from Profits Agency Pte (PAP) and she has worked for me for a
long time. Her mother worked for my parents and did an excellent job, so
I had faith in her. For several years her performance has been very
good, but recently she has become arrogant and insensitive, and is
making lots of mistakes.
For example:
1) She flooded my kitchen – she told me that the drain pipe has
blocked (she was supposed to clear it once a month but didn’t). Then she
assured me that it is very rare (once in 50 yrs) and won’t happen again
in the near future. Guess what? It flooded again within a year!
2) She didn’t close a window and my terrier dog escaped. I was so
worried cos he is dangerous and could bite lots of people. After the
incident, she didn’t apologise and just shrugged her shoulders saying
“What to do, it has happened.” Fortunately my neighbor found the dog and
we locked it up again.
3) Without consulting me, she has been bringing in strangers for
my house’s maintenance work. She says they charge low wages and keep
costs down, but they eat my food, make a lot of noise and rest on my
bed. I think they even tried to seduce my husband. It stopped feeling
like my home, more like a cheap hotel, and I don’t always want to come
back at the end of the day.
4) When she first came to work for me, I instructed her to clean
the different parts of the house at least once a week. But for some time
she has stopped taking care of the bedrooms of PP and H; they are now
dirty and messy. I asked why and she told me that the kids had been
disobedient, so she was neglecting their bedrooms as a punishment (she
has forgotten that she is paid to clean all the rooms).
Even though my maid has worked for me for many years and I value what
she has done in the past, I think she is now getting complacent. Her
attitude is imperious and dismissive. She ignores my comments and
basically treats my feedback as “noise”. I wrote to the agency about
her behavior; they assured me that they are the best agency around and
all their maids are “Commited to Serve” – but I think it is just
rhetoric and I don’t see that in her actions. Her salary is much higher
than maids in other countries, but the agency say this is to keep her
honest and stop her moving to another employer. They say there is a
limited supply of maids, and isn’t big enough for more than one good
maid agency, so I should not trust their competitors.
I have to decide whether to renew my maid’s 5-year employment contract.
When we discussed this she said that she is now part of a team, and if I
want her I must also accept her friends doing part-time work for me. One
friend is very inexperienced, can’t do basic tasks or explain what she
intends to do. I suspect that she is actually underage. When
interviewed, she only seemed interested in her days-off and visiting
Universal Studios. When she couldn’t answer my questions she stomped her
foot and exclaimed, “I don’t know what to say!” But I am still expected
to pay her a high salary.
Now there happens to be a few other maid agencies – Workhard Pte (WP),
New Solutions Pte (NSP), Super Personnel Pte (SPP) and Star Domestica
Pte (SDP) – that offered me some helpers who seem sincere, genuine and
intelligent. They are keen to work, willing to assist me and have a good
attitude. I know that they may take a bit of time to learn how
everything works, but frankly I am inclined to give them a chance.
People say that the devil you know is better than one you don’t. But I
feel that I can’t tahan my current maid anymore. Do you think I should
sack my current maid and try out a new one?
Dear Aljunied resident,
WOW, what a piece.
I hope each and every worthy citizen wake up and do the RIGHT thing on 7 MAY.
BAD PEOPLE walked the streets because GOOD PEOPLE did nothing.
MAJULAH SINGAPURA
What is more interesting to me is whether LHL is really in charge? Seems like he has been trying to run a clean campaign, and to his credit he has avoided any smear tactics, but it seems that Vivian, George, MBT and GCT (plus now Lim Hwee Hua) are all running their own shows. GCT’s remarks attacking WKS, MBT and Raymond Lim are especially puzzling.
Also, in another separate incident, GCT was at some dialogue session with young kids in Marine Parade. Someone asked him about MM Lee’s comments about “repenting”. GCT’s reply was to ask the kid to concentrate more on PM Lee’s comments and not MM Lee’s comments. Obviously the old man is becoming increasingly isolated.
Now that PM Lee has apologised, Singaporeans can let him “live and repent” for the next 5 years by voting in the opposition. Then we will see if he actually repents or spends his time trying to “fix” them instead.