James Gomez Arrested
Singapore opposition politician arrested for allegedly threatening election officials
By EN-LAI YEOH
Associated Press Writer
SINGAPORE (AP) -- A Singapore opposition politician was arrested Sunday for allegedly threatening the country's election officials, a day after he failed to win a seat in national elections, an aide said.
Workers' Party candidate James Gomez was arrested Sunday for alleged "criminal intimidation," his aide Jacob George said. Gomez was attempting to leave the country but was stopped by immigration officials, who turned him over to the police.
"We don't know the specifics, but it could be due to the minority certificate," said George, referring to an incident when Gomez initially accused officials of misplacing his election papers more than a week before Saturday's election.
He subsequently apologized after security camera footage showed he put the form into his bag. The academic claimed he was distracted.
Gomez was part of a five-member Workers' Party team that contested a multimember ward against the ruling People's Action Party, where a minority candidate is compulsory.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's PAP won 82 of 84 seats in Singapore's 10th general elections since independence in 1965.
"Police received a complaint against James Gomez from the Elections Department, and police are investigating," said police spokeswoman Siow Cheng Cheng. She did not elaborate.
A security official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with policy, said Gomez has not been charged. If found guilty for criminal intimidation, Gomez could be jailed for up to seven years.
It is not immediately clear why the elections department waited till after the polls to file the complaint.
The incident was played up by ruling party politicians and local media, which rarely deviate from the government line.
Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew, called Gomez, 40, "a liar" and a "bad egg."
"He's not a fool ... He's saying he's got brains," elder statesman Lee was quoted on state-broadcaster Channel NewsAsia's Web site as saying. "Well, what do you use those brains for?"
Lee is the father of the current prime minister and wields considerable influence as "Minister Mentor" in his son's cabinet.
The PAP said they targeted Gomez, a researcher with a Stockholm-based institute, as it was an issue of credibility.
It appears Minilee has decided to use his 64% mandate to fix Mr Gomez and institute long-awaited measures to deal with bloggers. The elections may have been concluded yesterday, but the endgame begins now.
95 comments:
let him go
Well, he messed up. If that's the sort of candidates we have, I really worry for the future of Singapore. Come on, at least get your application forms in order and check for personal errors before you try anything stupid like flinging accusations in public! Sheesh!
as if losing aljunied wasnt bad enough.... now this..
And do you think it is fair to get jailed for 7 years for an accusation?
Or to get banned from next election in 5 years for that accusation?
Or the fact that he made remarks to the Elections Department that no one else would've known, except the Whiteshirt party (and how come they knew it?!) announced it on the news.
Let's just forget for a moment that Gomez is from WP, and that PAP is the incumbent party.
Then analyse facts (of course some of you will claim that these are distorted) as they are.
The elections concluded on Saturday night, and Gomez "attempt(s) to leave the country" on the following day. Let us not speculate, or be tempted into making claims like "this that reeks of a guilty conscience"; Mr Gomez might have genuinely wanted a holiday and a break from all the media attention. But still, this is some food for thought.
You are right that the endgame begins now, but that is politics.
Wobbly Guy, your sheer stupidity and inability to think has proven Li Ao right.
No, it is not politics. Politicans normally not jailing their opponents (okay, except some third world asian countries). Politicians normally decide their battles on fair and levelled-field elections, not by distorting the laws of their country to serve their opressive ambitions.
Dear Gomez,
You can say thank you to 2/3 of S'pore for your plight. It's not PAP or the Lees that put you through this despicable ordeal. it's US, S'poreans that push you down the road to bankruptcy, forced immigration and most probably...a criminal record too.
Economic prosperity can dull a group of people sense of injustice. Proven over and over again with time.
I 've only one thing for the likes of Gomez and CSJ wannabes, GIVE UP!! U IDIOTs!! It's not worth it.
~an accomplice~
This is the endgame. Citizens of Singapore, your role has not ended yet!
"Wobbly Guy, your sheer stupidity and inability to think has proven Li Ao right."
And I thought we were having intellectual discussions. Apparently not.
Apparently the ruling nepotish family is incapable of any intellectual discussion.
All that they can do is use their power.
I might have to disagree with you if you claim it isn't politics. Look at the First World democracies and count the number of politically-charged scandals that have occurred over the years.
As human beings, we all make mistakes, whether we sit at the top or slog at the bottom. But when you are contesting for a political position, your mistakes are highlighted, amplified, exaggerated. Even if it is an honest mistake.
Perhaps as an Asian society, we are much less forgiving, but politics is politics. But let us not detract from the issue that even in First World democracies, highlighting a scandal is used as a political tool.
High-handed, perhaps so. Politics, definitely yes.
This is so typical of the PAP post-GE.
If you truly feel politically oppressed, fight them. Join the opposition. Do something. Even migrate if you have to, although that means you're just running away from the issue.
Calling them names isn't going to help. I hope we don't have to stoop this low.
I am so ashamed to be part of a country with a ruling Govt that stoops to such depths of depravity.
A similar scenario of the Salem Witch Hunt will commence shortly in Singapore... and people like Wobblyguy will be the ones who will savour the massacre of those who chose to speak. This is indeed their way of 'fixing'.
Politically-charged scandal is one thing, using the police, the election department (which supposed to be independent...) and other parts of the public service (!!!) to charge someone with criminal acts is an other thing.
This you cannot find in any of those democracies.
Or where you find (e.g. Singapore), that is not a democracy.
If you believe one minute that the election results are bad for PAP, then believe they are now thinking/working to recover - not on gaining more votes, but to fix the opposition for good.
Now is time to get Gomez. Next, all the blogs. I don't know what next but it is frightening because the they will stop at nothing.
got petition for this?
We need to spread this news to foreign media outlets and we need to have a petition for this! is there someone who can start one?
Guys, mark down this site:
http://tor.eff.org/
This software is giving full anonymity to you. This is the hope for a lot of people in China. If the government really tries to shoot down internet, this can protect you from those whom are normally 'elected' to serve you.
A little RED Dot of Shame - Singapore...
Incidents like these by PAP that makes us ashamed to be a Singaporean!!!! And it's these immoral acts that makes other countries mock us.
Stop it PAP. we would have been content with you running the government if your entire team had not become threatening big bullies and overbearingly arrogant. honestly, few of us wld have complained if the PAp has learnt humility to learn to respect the citizens views and rights as individuals. So what if this is a prosperous nation when it reeks of such gutter practices and immoral politics??
I hope for our country's future, that PAP will learn to be more humble, listen more and to have a conscience as our leaders.
And MMLee, no disrespect meant, but your dictatorial style has outworn your welcome, so pls let go and retire while there is still some modicum of respect left for you.
As for Gomez- let the poor chap go - How many more lives will PAp ruin just to keep in power??
if they indeed try to "fix" the bloggers and all the thousands of patriotic singaporeans who were brave enough to post comments on the elections, then it will be a sad day of reckoning for this country.
There is strength in numbers. so let us not be afraid to speak. if we cna't even speak in cybersapce, then we will see increasinly more and more singpaoreans migrating and staying away . Is this what PAP wants? i doubt they can afford to drive the people away. So stay the course , it is OUR RIGHT to speak.
hello, they will import more people in.. u think they care?
Hey,
Before coming to unsubstantiated speculations, remember Gomez works in Sweden- He could be going back to report for work.
what a shame! so what if the country is rich and prosperous but lack humility and conscience. only know how to use force to deal with issues all the time.
Yes please note that Gomez works in Sweden. and if I were him I would also prepare to leave FAST before the PAP wanted to skewer me.
is there a petition for this?
If any of us here still has a shred of conscience, we SHOULD do something for the Workers' Party.
This is really NO FUCKING joke, if this really goes thru(e.g JG and WP leaders all sued/detained/jailed for whatever fuck reason), then we are REALLY telling the ruling Govt that they ARE free to do whatever they want because every Singaporean is AFRAID to stand up even for a man who tried to STAND UP for the rights of his Singapore comrades!
What is Singapore really turning into!?
Talk about a more gracious society... Ha! What a Joke...
Lee Kuan Yew is a traitor, he no longer has any conscience. The man is diabolical, he is a despot and nothing short of a popular revolt will topple him.
While there will certainly be uproar about the recent arrest, I just want to remind all good fellow Singaporeans: whether you support the PAP or not, I hope you don't let an issue like this divide the country.
As for Gomez, I hope justice will prevail. The people will judge for themselves.
Does anyone want to organise anything?!?!?
I'm writing something to Sylvia Lim right now, and I am going down to the Worker's Party Office tomorrow to deliver it. anyone got any ideas?
This is a new low, even for LKY. What about Minilee's promise of an open and inclusive society? What about Minilee's exhortation to people to speak out? Its lies, lies, lies.
All those cowards who voted for the PAP should be ashamed of themselves.
The Police Dept, is acting under the instruction of the Election Department!
Ya! I believe!
God bless them. I will pray for them.
"All those cowards who voted for the PAP should be ashamed of themselves."
Is this what you want in your so-called democracy? Name-calling?
Name-calling. Yes, it is a new low.
Yes. For instance when MM Lee calls people 'liar' or label others using their constitutional rights 'troublemaker'.
That's name calling.
Isn't it amazing how once the results have shown that PAP won, many pro-PAPers are suddenly popping up all over?
cos we don't want to die. we don't want to rot in prison.. remember prison got no broadband.
http://notliarsnotbadeggs.blogspot.com/
WE CANNOT LET THEM DO THIS! whichever party you have voted for, this has nothing to do with that! i appeal for your conscience in this matter, PLEASE!
"Yes. For instance when MM Lee calls people 'liar' or label others using their constitutional rights 'troublemaker'.
That's name calling. "
That's right. But then again, two wrongs don't make a right. Make your point if you have one. MM Lee has said that the WP are welcome to sue him.
"Isn't it amazing how once the results have shown that PAP won, many pro-PAPers are suddenly popping up all over?"
Will it make a difference if they speak before or after the results?
cos u all have no principle nor guts. U are the typical Talk No Action ppl.
When thing haven't happen, cheong to the front, thing happen all run to winning party kar chng.
"MM Lee has said that the WP are welcome to sue him."
That would be an argument in a country which has an independend judiciary system in place.
Singapore does not have.
If you sue MM Lee
1., You have no chance as all the system is under his control
2., Moreove, he will sue you back based on false accusation, get you bankrupted at least (JB for instance), into jail if you are not that lucky.
"Will it make a difference if they speak before or after the results?"
Of course it will. Voters tend to punish such obviously oppressive acts.
my fellow Singaporeans, please START THINKING. some of the above comments are making me feel so sad.
Before anyone says he is fleeing the country and coming up with strange theories,
James Gomez works in Sweden and his flight is to Sweden.
I do not think #140 will highlight that so strongly.
SM Lee called James Gomez a liar. If the police and court do not prove Gomez guilty, that means SM LEE and gang are liars. What do you think the outcome will be? Gomez jialak liao.
By the way, the progress package was given on 1 May during the election campaign period. I wonder Singapore citizens can jointly take PAP to court for "vote buying" and declare the election result null and void? But then again, who is so brave? Perhaps, Gansi better than Pasi as mentioned by LTK. Will there be any kamikaze group to challenge the PAP?
It is a sorry weekend for Singapore.
The saddest thing is, when tomorrow comes, those deprived of alternative media will still be in the dark. Anyone reckon a 'NKF'will happen to PAP? I hope it will, though there's not much of a chance in Singapore. It's really a sad day for Singapore. I am so disillusioned!
PEOPLE UNITE! LET'S DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!
Trust me, PAP will only aim at Gomez, the rest of the WP will be spared. This is the usual scare/bully tactic by LKY aimed at testing the resolve of opposition party and splitting them causing disunity.
If WP abandons Gomez, then WP is discredited and PAP can trump loudly about its claim that oppositions always attract bad eggs. Whatever credibility and gains the oppositions have built up over the years and during the course of the election will be wiped out. The 66% that voted for PAP will believe even harder than ever in PAP propaganda. And it will just get worse and worse in years to come, as if things now aren't bad already.
There is only thing left to do IMHO. All oppositions must unite now and stand behind Gomez. The bullying cannot continue and there is never a better time to address it than now.
QUOTE: "You take the blue pill and the story ends. You wake in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill and you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes..."
So what shall it be guys?
Guys, Email the PAP now! The Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng email is
wong_kan_seng@mha.gov.sg
and PM is lee_hsien_loong@pmo.gov.sg
cc your email to Low Thia Khiang if you wish.
ltk@wp.org.sg
You can email this:
Dear Sir,
I congratulate you for doing well in this election. However, we believe that you wanted to create an open and consultative society where every Singaporean matters. We ask you to release James Gomez immediately and allow him his basic freedom of speech and movement as granted under the Singapore constition. No matter what he did, you recieve your mandate from the people. I look forward to your reply.
Best Regards,
Tan H.W.
do u think they will even listen? how many times do u need to do that? dun u noe till now, they are still as authoritarian as ever? inclusive? inclusive of GST rather..
WE CANNOT kowtow to this. They can try to shove off one or two, but if we can all be united, they will have to listen up.
I think we all fight for what we believe in our own ways, so let's not put anyone down. If you don't think it will work out, nobody is making it your fight.
But before all this, can we at least get something straight before we all start jumping up and down in excitement - what is Gomez getting charged for?
Also, all this talk about being disillusioned with the 66% that voted for PAP, calling them cowards, I personally find it disgusting. To further one of the analogies, this group may have taken the blue pill. You can call them misguided, misinformed, or even "cowards". But I believe they have their right to choose as well. Isn't that the same thing some of you are fighting for? Don't set double standards, please.
the police will be fair..in another few days they will probably also question PM Lee on his mentioning of fixing the oppositions and buying votes back from it citizens if the oppositions made a police report..if not how will our citizens view our police for the double standards ?
regarding the above comments..my name is james but not the mr james gomez in question..if any case u people are wondering..
petition
http://www.petitiononline.com/7May2006/petition.html
"james said...
the police will be fair..in another few days they will probably also question PM Lee on his mentioning of fixing the oppositions and buying votes back"
you are kidding, aren't you?
Jail the liar. You reap what you sow. As for "vote bying", i get the $$$ but vote for CST. Growup boys. Know the facts right. He did not summit the form.
"Jail the liar."
You mean LHL for instance, who promised open society then it is even more closed down?
PAP MP said on TV , that jame gomes has committed a crime !! so now they are also judges in singapore . PAP MP ordered election department to take action .. so clearly, how independent can the election department be , when they are receiving orders from MP yeo???
malay voters will pay the price for the betrayal !!! in 10 to 20 years time... may 5 of 2006 is the turning point , now i know who to hate ... which community !!!
"Anonymous said...
malay voters will pay the price for the betrayal !!! in 10 to 20 years time... may 5 of 2006 is the turning point , now i know who to hate ... which community !!!"
care to explain what you mean? i feel offended by what you have just written.
MM lee said malay voters supported him... why is malay voters supporting a despot????
i never see a single malay at all WP rallies... why?????50 percent of chinese voted WP... 99 percent malay voted for PAP... we must educate the malay community that vote buying is wrong...
To those of you who starts racial discrimination comments here: F*** OFF. If you have nothing better to do, I suggest you go elsewhere and perhaps go figure how to operate your brain. My guess is, either you are really stupid or you are purposely writing provocating comments for your agenda of trying to get this site down on grounds of extremist racial comments. Probably you are a PAP supporter although I hope you are not. I hope you are just plain stupid. Same goes with pro-PAP poster here. Sure you have the right of perference to the political group you like... however, please note the context and situation where you make your post in. Would you go to a funeral where everyone's sobbing and cheer on the fact you won 4D? Would you go into a pub for Manchester united supporters and wear jersey of another football club? Would you like in the movie starring Bruce Wilis, wear a tag that says "I hate nigger" and parade into a street populated by black community? Like I said before, you are either very stupid... or are here to find trouble and hope someone takes your bait.
Anyway, to others: please ignore such senseless post. Let's not play into their game and get offended, pissed and start fighting here. It is not worth it. Let's concentrate on intellectual and constructive post here.
My worries is that all these injustice here (Gomez, JBJ, TLH and all) will get forgotten (or rather the PAP controlled press will try to make you) soon in matter of months. All it takes is a clever ploy of distraction in the form a some sensational news (e.g. NKF Saga II!, Superstar II, Casino debate II!, etc...). So, I hope everyone can continue to ACTIVELY (not passively) contribute to brainstorming or video news blogging and creating awareness in the community around you. This is the only way this spirit can be kept alive and grow. The general public need to know the truth. They need to be able to read unbiased news. Within the 66.6% PAP votes, I am sure a significant percentage of them is due to "Opposition does not seems reliable" rather than they really support PAP. These are the people that needs to be educated otherwise.
Please DO NOT spread hate messages like this on the internet! This extremity will only give them an excuse to close everybody down. Do not fall into their trap! This is extremely dangerous!
Yes, please stop the hate. We need to keep our freedom of expression here at least intact.
yes ...please stop all this nonsense..we are one people as singaporean!
many of the malays which are my friends votes for the oppositions too..dun forget more than 1 out of 3 person votes against the ruling party!we vote as we see correct..race has nothing to do with it...
I think the malay debate is trying to discredit Singabloodypore and an excuse for the PAP to arrest all the bloggers who write for this website.
Website owners, please delete such posts before you give PAP some excuse to "fix" you
I believe young Singaporeans are not going to play into the PAP's game of money politics such as upgrading and all. I live in Pasir Ris and I'm telling you my block does not need any upgrading for the next 10 years!
The Mee Pok Man is not done yet.
Yes, I agree totally on deleting the racist remarks. Leaving them here will only spur some people to want to add fuel to the fire... Please delete them fast before it is too late. Let's not create any excuses that websites like these causes Singaporeans to become disharmonious no matter whether the owners of the websites claim they have no liabilities for the comments made here...
People, if you wanna spread hateful racist remarks, think carefully. Are you helping at all? No, instead you are making the opposition supporters look bad. Be constructive please.
this is a sad day , this is what the dirty politcs has done- it is divisive and threatens to split the nation along racial lines and rich vs poor.
Let us not fall into that trap. Pls everyone, let us unite and help educate our friends and fmaily on the truth.
i am really curious...any lawyer here to advise us? Can we file a police report on what LHL had said over the lunch time rally?
if we could, will the police really call in the PM for investigation?
hey - i just read http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?7May2006the petition . It's way too strong. Suggest to tone down the peitition if you want to get more signatures. The end goal is to free and stop the pursuit of Gomez. leave the rest out of it for now.
"Although Mr. Gomez had initially remarked that the Elections Department had misplaced his document, he had later, retracted this and apologized most sincerely for his absent-mindedness. However, the long-ruling People's Action Party (hereafter, the PAP) has used the incident to try to discredit the opposition as incompetent or worse, repeating a pattern seen in previous elections of singling out opposition figures for alleged abuses and making them the dominant campaign issue."
Whoever wrote this is going to get him/herself sued as well. My honest suggestion, do get a lawyer to sort this out. Not only are you responsible for your own legal rights, you are also responsible for the rights of those who put their necks on the line to sign the petition. Like the previous poster said, the end goal is to stop the pursuit of Gomez, if it does turn out to be a travesty of justice.
Please, at least learn from the mistakes of those before you.
R we pretending 2b 1st world nation when we r actually 3rd world ?
Be very carefull fellow singaporians dont let wedge politics win .
Are they 'FIXING' James Gomez coz HE SEEMS SMART n a POTENTIAL CANDIDATE that might THREATHEN them?
i am so sad that many s'poreans are so naive to believe what the govt said.
I'm fine with name calling, actually. Part and parcel of free speech, after all.
Gomez did foul up(and badly), and the PAP may be digging itself into a hole by pressing the issue too hard. As ole Napoleon said, "Never interrupt your enemy while he's making a mistake. That's bad manners."
Both sides will deserve what they are going to get. The PAP may win, but it'll lose more sympathy. As to whether that loss of sympathy will lead to a loss of votes in the future, I doubt it. People have rather short memories.
I just find it unforgivable that a person running for public office could be so careless. The PAP probably avoids this by having a small army of assistants for every candidate. Maybe some of the good posters here could volunteer to do the same the next go-round?
TWG
"I'm fine with name calling, actually. Part and parcel of free speech, after all."
That I can't argue against. I have been less than gracious when calling for a stop to name-calling then.
Think then, the possibilities of having a truly free democracy. If people are not matured enough to handle free speech, perhaps they should give a free democracy a real long thought then. Or perhaps, they don't think? I'm sorry, must have lapsed into free speech again (name-calling).
For those of you who still live in wonderland and think that Singapore is highly respected, think again. Increasingly, we are becoming a nation of shame. And this worries me. Why do people in other countries laugh at us for our negatives? Chinese in China and Taiwan think we are stupid and gullbile. Middle Easterners think we are a nail hammered into a piece of wood and can run rings around our businessmen. And westerners think our democracy is a joke. And we are laughed at internationally for not being allowed to chew gum (even though we can but just cant sell it, the whole world still thinks the worst of us) and we can't smoke a joint even when overseas( not that I advocate it, but it is our life and our right isn't it? or dont we have rights even when overseas?)
And , get this we have been immortalised even in university textbooks! just read in an Amercian marketing book used internationally about Singapore Kiasuism !!! Authored by Terence Shrimp university of carolina, he said "many singaporeans apparently share a herd mentality - no one wants to be different" and that this kiasu mentality makes Singaporeans virutally sitty ducks for users of the scarcity tactic."
My point of bringing all this up is that, it's getting worrying. A nation once held up as a beacon of progress is fast becoming the object of international derision.
Obviously, something is very wrong with the way the country is ruled, the way it's creating negative attitudes , kiasu traits and a lack of creativity and worldly street smarts.
I hope Singaporeans and the PAP will wake up in time to wise up before we become the butt of the world's jokes.
It's no point glorifying ourselves when the rest of the world doesnt think you are great. it's like the fable the Emperor with no clothes. We dont live in a fish bowl but are but of a huge globalised world. So PAP, pls get real, learn humility and make us proud to be Singaporeans once again. PLEASE!
Don't use cold facts to make it look like you have no choice in how you feel. The very same facts you quote (and I'm according you the dubious assumption that they are true. Even if so!..) could be used to make a case for helping the Malays. But you have tried to justify hatred around here. And that is NOT WELCOME.
You can say what you want, hatemonger. But you underestimate all of us.
Pls be warned: It is a known fact that blogsphere is constantly being monitored esp those linked thru by sgrally.blogspot.com.
"This is the endgame. Citizens of Singapore, your role has not ended yet! "
Yes I understand my role Sir ! I will continue to work LONG LONG HOURS, even on public holidays and weekend! (FYI, I went to work immediately after voting) I love it!
I will work even harder inorder to continue to contribute more to the taxes even if I had to sell tissue or wipe coffee shop tables when I reach my 80s. Hey, the PM may come take photo wif me selling tissue leh!
I SWEAR NOT TO VOTE for the opposition because I want HDB upgrading, and lift on the floor I am living and I dun want my neighbourhood to be in the slums.
I will not question why hdb flats are not built wif lifts that stop on every floor.
I SWEAR TO use my progress package only to pay for the GST and Service charges.
I will try to listen only to Singapore Mainstreams Media (ST, Ch 5, Ch U, Ch 8) and avoid the internet for a 2nd voice, forgive me for reading this blogsphere becuz i am really curious.
I would not care for the residents living in the opposition wards because its their folly and stupidity to not vote for the PAP. I will not feel sympathy for old and aging residents who have diffculties climbing up and down the stairs. They DESERVED IT ! WHO
ASK U NOT TO VOTE FOR PAP ! STUPID. $180million !!! Plain stupid.
I am glad that my town council fees are rising. This indictates that more work and cleaning are being done than the opposition wards GRCs
I will not care for the poor and the lower income groups as its their fault for not working as hard as the rest of the fellow singaporeans.
I would donate money to support the idea of buliding old folks homes in Batam or thailand where the cost of living are lower. Old ppl are troublesome and annoying ! Who needs them ! I TOTALLY SUPPORT THIS IDEA ! GREAT IDEA ! No body cares about them already. Why not let them die alone overseas. Who cares ? No wonder our ministers are paid 100K per month. WELL WORTH EVERY CENT OF MY HARD EARNED MONEY. Keep up the good work ! Cheers !
I will not bother to attend oppostions rallies as what they say are all rubbish ! (Verified by oldL okie!) All opposition parties lack integrity and some are even LAIRs! This election exposed one of the greatest liar in spore election history. They even lie about submitting important forms like the miniorty form, i dunnoe what else they are up to. I am glad that efforts were spent to draft out an 11 page form to highlight Mr Gomez's sins and conspiracy to destroy the gov election integrity system. Who cares about rising health and living costs. I am earning 4K+ per month and can well afford it.
I voted for PAP next election cuz i am very satisfied wif their rule in Singapore ! I like it ! I am a happy singaporean
"Chinese in China and Taiwan think we are stupid and gullbile. Middle Easterners think we are a nail hammered into a piece of wood and can run rings around our businessmen. And westerners think our democracy is a joke. And we are laughed at internationally for not being allowed to chew gum (even though we can but just cant sell it, the whole world still thinks the worst of us) and we can't smoke a joint even when overseas( not that I advocate it, but it is our life and our right isn't it? or dont we have rights even when overseas?)"
How about some positives then? You have brought up several negative traits of Singaporeans that foreigners think of when they think Singapore. There is some truth, but I do not think it represents the overall impression of Singaporeans, nor is it an accurate description about most of us.
The danger here is this: PAP is not synonymous with Singapore; the foreigners may think very much so but it seems like even Singaporeans like us are making them out to be. And the view that our lack of creativity, gullible nature and what-not is the fault of the government's, and not our own is ridiculous.
I am proud to be a Singaporean, because that's who I am. Whether we have a free democracy or something less is beside the point.
And for those who haven't seen the outside world, and truly think kiasu-ism is reserved for poor Singaporeans, think again. It is human nature, folks.
Dude, your sarcasm is amusing, but your point is lost on me.
His point is being unquestioning, ignorant, uncaring and selfish are what contributes to a Happy Singaporean
Yet another view to this:
PAP's dispositional attribution - Gomez does not hand in the form and claims he did, because he is a liar.
Gomez's situational attribution - I did not hand in the form and claimed I did, because I was distracted by the hectic schedule.
From a psychological point of view, both are equally entitled to their point of views, and probably feel strongly about it as well. Even without the possibility of malice, let's accept that it is possible to have more than one view on things.
I agree that we have many positives as a Singaporean. however, I borught up the point that we are fast becoming an object of internatinal derision to wake up everyone. Manh of us have good attributes but what they government has done is create this negative image of our country. ye swe are know for properity and cleanliness but how much does that count for now when many other developing countries are fast catching up?? on the flip side, ask yourself the quesiton, why are we being mocked at more and more for being a bunch of sheep with little street smarts and real business savvy? How did we arrive at this sad situation?
We want a nation we can be proud of - not just for the hardware- but also software. We want to be proud to be Singaporeans - and not feel shamed occasionally. Alot has to be fixed before we arrive at this day. We are obviously not there yet as evinced by the numerous debates on the net on the issues.
"We are obviously not there yet as evinced by the numerous debates on the net on the issues."
Honestly, I don't think there will ever be a day when we are "there", or anyone else for that matter. I will be worried if someone proclaims that we are "there".
"ye swe are know for properity and cleanliness but how much does that count for now when many other developing countries are fast catching up?? on the flip side, ask yourself the quesiton, why are we being mocked at more and more for being a bunch of sheep with little street smarts and real business savvy? How did we arrive at this sad situation?"
I accept your point, but I think we are known for a lot more other positives. It is only human nature to remember the negatives.
"We want a nation we can be proud of - not just for the hardware- but also software."
I think you are giving the government too much credit though. We want freedom of speech, of thought, and a free democracy but we can't decide for ourselves what kind of a person we want to become? If a person is a sheep it is not because he or she is Singaporean, vice cersa for street smarts and business savvy. In fact, perhaps life in Singapore is too good, that is why people stop thinking. The paternalistic nature of our government is only as ridiculous as the welfare systems set up in parts of Europe and the States.
- Impassioned Singaporean
Post a Comment