5 May 2006

PM apologises for comments

SINGAPORE : The press secretary to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has clarified remarks made by Mr Lee at the lunchtime rally on Wednesday.

During the speech, the Prime Minister had addressed the issue of opposition MPs in Parliament.

Mr Lee had said that if the opposition were to hold 10 to 20 seats in Parliament, he would have to spend much more time thinking what was the right way to "fix" them.

Explaining Mr Lee's remark, his press secretary said Mr Lee had meant to say that if there were many more opposition MPs in Parliament, the government and opposition would spend all their time and energies countering each other, and Singapore would be worse off for it.

Mr Lee used direct language to get this important point across to a mass rally crowd and is sorry if the words had offended anyone. - CNA



Source

Why send his press secretary to apologise, why not apologise to the people during a rally like James Gomez did?

Also, it is telling that while he took the effort to clarify his use of the word "fix", he did not explain his use of the phrase "buy more votes".

43 comments:

Anonymous said...

They're once again playing divisive politics. Lim Boon Heng commented that he wouldn't give their oppositions like Steve Chia help in regards to unemployment in his constituency (if he wins). This is obviously discriminating.

Omg, until recently then I've truely and personally seen their colours.. i can even see the colour of their hearts.

come on to Workers' Party RALLY 2nite! it's the last charge! and particularly for those who haven't been to a rally this time round.. feel the passion with WP. yippee!

Anonymous said...

I tink PM owns us an explanation...sorry is not enough...jus like they feel Gomez owe them an explanation...

I guess Minilee is just too tired...

akikonomu said...

The really offensive phrase was not about fixing the opposition, but about BUYING his supporters votes.

"I'm going to spend all my time thinking what's the right way to buy my supporters votes"

Minilee must apologise for this as well, then STEP DOWN and withdraw his candidacy from the AMK GRC contest.

Anonymous said...

A little thought... To all oppostition party who intend to go full barage on the PM tonight due to this incident, please be careful. This seems like a perfect situation where emotions can run high and highly defamatory speeches could be made unwittingly. Be rational, attack the speech, attack the ideas... please refrain from performing a CSJ, JBJ, TLH.. etc. These are exciting times not to be marred by silly lawsuits... Now Mr LHL, you were mentioning something about BUYING VOTES... have you got an explanation for this as well?

Anonymous said...

Be tolerant folks! His is a sorry and confused state. He dropped 3 boulders on his feet so no need to apologise to anybody. His press statement is only his first loud scream of pain. There should be more coming. And even if you do not hear the screams, you just smile in sympathy. He is smouthering himself to save his pride.

Anonymous said...

Well, we are paying a million bucks a year for this First World prime minister.

Anonymous said...

This is not an apology. There is no such headline in CNA. It's just a clarification. Perhaps, it's because we Singaporeans cannot understand the meaning of "fix"?

Anonymous said...

Don't you think that pap is trying their luck for more sueing cases so they can eliminate all opposition at once??

They always urged ppl to vote for our future, but then did they give fair chances to the opposition to speak out as well??? What makes them think that the opposition parties candidates isn't qualify?? What makes them look down on the opposition parites that they can't run the country as "well" as them??

take a look at the newspapers, tv channels, all are mainly boardcasting pap!! they shorten the opposition's speeches or news and so on. they are controlling everything that the ppl can seek for real truth of their dirty sins.

it's sometimes sickening of their overdoing that makes ppl vote for opposition.
why don't they take a look at themselves on their actions and speeches. Isn't they also defamed those opposition parties using "Liar" for James Gomez and those words they said abt Mr Low and Mr Chiam?? What facts they have for using these words??
They are doing personal attackings rather than focusing on their plans for singaporeans future. it's only recently they said out their plans on what they are intending to do. Sickening isnt it??

another most sickening is that, we give taxes to them and we are at their mercy for upgrading of our flats. isn't it their responsibilities to look after the welfare of the ppl?? it makes us looked like their slaves! And moreover, they took our $$ and build small little flats at those sengkang area whereby no one wants to move it coz it's so small that it's not meant for humans' living!! they wasted our $$ on poor buildings like such and how are they going to account for this??


Unless they come clean on their salaries and the failed investments that used our $$, or else i see a future of opposition supporters more than theirs. explain themselves instead of asking James Gomez to come clean!!!

Anonymous said...

LHL must personnally come clean like Gomez did.
Do it on the rally tonight! let all voters heard it!

Anonymous said...

No, he should just withdraw, just like he had asked the WP to withdraw Gomez! If we believe in fairness, that's the only thing this fool of a Prime Minister can do!

Anonymous said...

Did you guys see the expression of minilee? he looks abit stressed up and pretty serious during his speech. I guess the three boulders on his foot really hurt.

However, I'm afraid it's still quite tough for WP on Aljunied GRC. More of the voters here represents the elders which seems to be more on PAPPIES side.

And something for you guys to ponder. My frend told me that Serangoon (previously under Marine Parade), has been divided into two (half goes under aljunied and the other remains marine parade) i wonder why is that so since they're all under the same road name, Serangoon.

However, I still pray for WP and SDA. Hope their efforts are paid off. And all of the opposition's supporters here, have you guys ever considered joining any of the workers' party group?

akikonomu said...

Serangoon Road stretches from Little India to Euro-Asia Apartments slightly after Boon Keng MRT station. The entire Serangoon Road is under Jalan Besar GRC, although a part used to be under Kolam Ayer SMC the last GE.

Perhaps you mean somewhere else, anon.

Anonymous said...

Yes, Serangoon garden was formerly under Marine Parade GRC. Lim Swee Hua was i/c of that part and has been removed to join Aljunied GRC this time. Though Marine Parade GRC now is smaller but 6 MPs i/c headed by Goh CT.

Anonymous said...

Serangoon, under Marine Parade GRC, is located in b/w Potong Pasir and Hougang. Last, last election was under Goh Choon Kang and only won marginally. After which, that means, last GE, Serangoon falls within Marine Parade GRC in order to win.

Now, it was announced that if they win, Potong Pasir and Housang can merge into one constitutency, can you believe it?

Anonymous said...

Urh.. akikonomu, sorry for the misunderstanding caused, i meant boundary road, Serangoon Ave 1,2,3,4,central and garden. some part within this district is divided. :D

I wonder if those who goes around filming could get the rallies uploaded by tonight just b4 the election tomorrow? I would appreciate if that would be possible. And also, a last thanks for those whom have put in so much for providing these videos.

I'm really afraid to see the leesults tomorrow.. tonight will be the finale!

akikonomu said...

You are referring to Serangoon New Town and Serangoon Gardens, which are very far away from Serangoon Rd (they're actually nearer to Upper Serangoon Rd)...

=D

Anonymous said...

Serangoon New Town is along Upp S'goon Road. S'goon Gdn is off Boundary Rd

Anonymous said...

Boundary Road is adjacent to Aljunied Road, somewhere around old Paya Lebar police station.

Anonymous said...

Put it this way, Boundary Road is near to Lor Ah Soo

Anonymous said...

Check out their World Class education system....

Is this the way to teach children? By insulting and demeaning them?

http://xialanxue.blogspot.com/2006/05/first-class-education-system.html#links

akikonomu said...

Aljunied Road is in MacPherson SMC!
Aljunied GRC stretches as far as Temasek Poly's staff apartments =D

Anonymous said...

"Lim Boon Heng commented that he wouldn't give their oppositions like Steve Chia help in regards to unemployment in his constituency (if he wins). This is obviously discriminating."

Well, if he, being the NTUC leader, could increase union subscription fees when the retrenched workers has made a request to the NTUC to reduce it instead? From this, you could gauge what he is.

Anonymous said...

James GoMess has no secretary.

Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️ said...

In other words Lee wants the unfettered ability to shove any legislation true without any checks and balances, without resistance or dissent.

Which means he wants absolute power.

Anonymous said...

poor old minilee, a declining singapore parliamentarian, trying to kid the Island he is a priminister on the level of to0ny blair in london or cherac in paris.
problem, Singapore's pityful government is no more than a small european town council, without the opposition. Minilee or the seak mod sbefore him have never had to fight a real election and attempt to contrpol ma government with real opposition.
In thelds eyes mkinilee will become a laughing stock if he continues to use phrases like, I will fix the opposition or how to I buy my votes.
Look at the European and american press, especially the washington post, the london financial times and guardian, they all have the measure of minilees antics.

Anonymous said...

I guess they really need a political renewal. I mean tricks renewal. Nowadays, the youth are getting more aware of such tricks.

Maybe because of david blaine's magic show that we got to know of more tricks and magic.

Rally is going to start very soon.. hope all of you would spare some time and support the opposition!

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Anonymous said...

I will definately support PAP, they have doe very well for Singapore and we can see the results. No way i will risk voting for opposition party and risk ruining SG and my life. You will not know what they might do to Singapore from the uncultured way they talk in front of the media.

Anonymous said...

If Singapore do not have first class system education, will u guys speak and write such good english? Think of what SG goverment had done for SG and us and compare with other countries like malaysia or indonesia and u should learn to appreciate what the goverment had done for us.

Anonymous said...

you guys really gota check this video out.

http://xialanxue.blogspot.com/2006/05/first-class-education-sys

wat an eye opener... i'm amazed.

Anonymous said...

this election is not one PAP wants to remember; first it was very boring; second the campaigning was very poor, and keeps confirming doubts rather than removing

leopsyche said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
leopsyche said...

anon 6:26pm:

A truly first-class education system produces independent people who can make good informed decisions based on observed facts. I am sure Singaporeans know what to think for themselves.

Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Pls read Yawning Bread - Retreat & Harakiri
http://www.yawningbread.org/

Anonymous said...

Please first class education? I beg you to open your eyes more before you even say that. A one-size fits all system isn't first class. If you can't study in Singapore, you are basically screwed for the rest of your life. Studying redundant subjects in JC is good? What has advanced chemistry/physics got anything to do for example with Sociology in Uni?

And Singaporeans speak and write good English? Don't make me laugh. The level of our English is pathetic compared to western countrires. We are at most of average quality, able to get our point across when needed but that's it. Just visit a few SG forums and I'm sure you know what I mean.

I will start appreciating the PAP when they can learn to start opening up, giving other people EQUAL chances, realize they aren't the only one in this world and stop with their dictorialship in Singapore. I can't stand a totalitarian state, unfortunately, regardless of economic status.

Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️ said...

WOW! Apology... The Moral High Ground!

“Hence today I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator" - Adolf Hitler

Anonymous said...

If Chiam can do lift upgrading with half of HBD prices . I think HBD need to explain to HBD onwers why their cost is double than Chiam lift upgrading prices.

Anonymous said...

You want to know why the gov gives Progress package in May... they want the employment figures to look good before announcing the election date.

That is the reason why you need to register to get the monies!!!

Anonymous said...

Sorry orso must exprain!

Anonymous said...

http://xialanxue.blogspot.com/2006/05/first-class-education-system.html#links

Anonymous said...

This post has been removed by the P^P

Jon said...

Thanks for the link Jolynn. Nothing new to me, but nontheless never fails to apall me everytime.

"A truly first-class education system produces independent people who can make good informed decisions based on observed facts. I am sure Singaporeans know what to think for themselves."

I couldn't agree more with leopsyche. Obviously some people have different yardsticks to measuring quality education. Unfortunately, mine doesn't include immature, unprofessional acts of demeaning, verbal abuse, chalk/duster/miscellaneous stationery-throwing. Makes me wonder sometimes if Woodbridge is a favourite MOE recruitment agency...hmm.

Anonymous said...

Commentary on last WP Rally

Hi guys! Wrote an partisan commentary on the last WP rally. Take a look if interested!