3 Jun 2006

PAP rethinking strategy for Potong Pasir, Hougang: SM Goh

Washington DC: The People's Action Party is re-thinking its strategy for the opposition-held wards of Potong Pasir and Hougang in the wake of the recent General Election results.

Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, who had been tasked to help win back these two constituencies in the May 6 polls, shared his ideas with reporters during a news conference at the end of his 2-day visit to the United States.

He also revealed that the defeated PAP candidates might not stand in those wards in the next election.

Over at Hougang and Potong Pasir, it has been quiet on the PAP front since last month's General Election.

There were no Meet-the-People sessions.

And it looks set to continue that way.

For a long time, residents there had enjoyed the so-called 2-in-1 effect - an elected opposition MP and a PAP man who also worked for their interests.

But Mr Goh said that could change as the PAP assesses its next move in the two opposition wards.

He said: "They would have to revise their strategy. For the time being......do what is minimal. That is what the opposition have been doing - do minimal, only criticise and have been able to get support. See what happens for the time being. At least half way through, may change tactic."

The tactic for now, though, is for the PAP grassroots organization advisers to look critically at whatever may not be working in their respective constituencies.

Mr Goh also revealed that PAP's Eric Low and Sitoh Yih Pin might contest other constituencies in future.

Mr Goh said: "While they'll be fielded in the next elections, may not be in Hougang and Potong Pasir because in our view, as party leaders, it's unfair to field Sitoh and Eric Low if we think they don't have a chance."

So who will stand there instead?

Mr Goh said: "Doesn't matter, can field new candidates and after 1-2 elections, that person would have his teeth cut. He would be a better person - he has fought and he can be an MP elsewhere.

"So why not Hougang? Since the residents have chosen to have an opposition MP, let them continue to have an opposition MP because the desire for an opposition is strong and the PAP is not out to have a clean sweep, but at the same time not wanting to let opposition grow."

But at the end of the day, Mr Goh said, he hopes that Singaporeans understand that stability and good governance is important.

Turning to the role of the Internet, he said that the government would have to liberalise the use of podcasting in future and learn to work the system to its advantage. - CNA/ir

1. Why was this announcement made in Washington D.C, of all places? It doesn't quite make sense, to be talking about such a relatively small issue over there, when perhaps, the order of conversation should have been FTAs or bilateral relations.

2. Look closely at the bolded words.
  • For a long time, residents there had enjoyed the so-called 2-in-1 effect - an elected opposition MP and a PAP man who also worked for their interests.
    The opposition wards have NOT been enjoying a 2-in-1 effect. They have been deprived of the basic privileges extended to every other constituency in the country. Why aren't the PAP men there campaiging for upgrading, if they were really working to better the constituency?
  • That is what the opposition have been doing - do minimal, only criticise and have been able to get support.
The opposition candidates have NOT been doing minimal, and simply criticising. If that was the case, the politically seasoned people of those constituencies would not be voting them in every single time. That's the PAP's job - criticising the opposition at every election, and having no real election issues.
  • Doesn't matter, can field new candidates and after 1-2 elections, that person would have his teeth cut.
So those constituencies don't even matter to the PAP anymore - they are a training ground, it seems.
  • but at the same time not wanting to let opposition grow.
Oops! Looks like someone let slip the true intention behind PAP.

Cutting through all the rhetoric, one message emerges loud and clear: if the opposition wards want to commit suicide, the PAP will only stand and watch. The exact same message was repeated in 1984, after a particularly "shameful" un-landslide election. See here for details.

Now we know how much they care.

3.
Turning to the role of the Internet, he said that the government would have to liberalise the use of podcasting in future and learn to work the system to its advantage.

Let me translate please, I speak the language of PAP very well. Learn to work the system to its advantage? Clearly, this, coming on the heels of Denis Phua's message about "managing" the internet, is PAP for learning to "control" the internet, and the bloggosphere. And note, this was left at the end of the article, almost as a casual remark. Kind of off-topic too, in what is an article about elections.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

seems like the 2 work dogs of pap needs to be retired. too many years of not winning yah? they must be unhappy to be sent to sure lose wards for so long, and not being MPs like they were promised. hahaha

Anonymous said...

and thats where the GRC system comes in, to free ride these candidates into Parliament, where they couldn't get elected on their own, like Mah Bow Tan, Andy Gan, Heng Chee How etc.
Forget all their bullshits about the GRC idea was to bring in minority candidates.

Anonymous said...

beware...they are "working the system"...before you know it..the internet will be a sub-internet, like a giant glass bubble..just for Singapore...so all gateways will be covered. You can then do the podcasting ..with a permit from the govt.. the new Virtual ERP for a giant firewall! but it will get no where out...remember Singtel? they are our gateway out to the world...no one else.

Anonymous said...

Control is not the only way to work the Internet to one's advantage. There can always be spies and conspiracies infiltrating the system silently while the unsuspecting ones continue to harp happily about how impossible it is to control them. Here comes the i-ISD!

Anonymous said...

seems like this guy kena hantam real hard for failing to win back the wards. so much so that go US also must talk about it. isn't it funny that woody talks about the impact of internet while the IPS(idiotic pathetic s.o.bs?) released the most ludicrous finding that the internet didn't play any important role to shape voters' sentiments in the election past?
maybe mediacock and sph had a hand in the results? otherwise lots of jobs would be gone. it's all about money, money, and lots of money...$ingapore.

PanzerGrenadier said...

SM Goh's comments (all the way from the US and to talk about Singapore politics!?!) with regards to internet reveal truly the lack of understanding of what it truly is --> an agglomeration of disparate individuals, who separately through thinking through issues, analysing the information (and misinformation) available collectively agree that the "PAP doesn't get it"!

It again reveals the disconnect between the PAP leadership, whose age and generation are of those who are used to to the pre-dot.com bricks and mortar era but who have let the clicks and google revolution overtake them totally.

The only feeble response they have to being overwhelmed by the internet and information revolution is still the words of "manage, control and deal." If they are sincere in engagement, discussion and genuine inclusiveness, you open up yourself and your world views to be changed by the very group it intends to "work (over) to its advantage".

Anonymous said...

Those measures sound pathetically desperate.

The lunatic fringe is spot on - Mr Goh just hasn't got it.

Under the traditional mainstream media, the government has hijacked the language of fear.

With the internet there is a more even playing field and people are waking up and thinking more for themselves.

You can make some of the people fear you some of the time. You can't make everyone fear you all the time.

One third of the voters can't be so wrong. Abandon your fellow citizens in the opposition electorates at your own peril.

Democrary must allow people to think and vote differently not act to prescription.

Anonymous said...

As an active PAP member, the government must close the internet during the build up to the next GE. Bloggers must not be allowed to disturb the working of a votyed in parliament.
Following the election, political blogging must be ouitlawed.Anonymous postings must also be outlawed.

Anonymous said...

you party member? post your membership card and prove it

sound like SDP agent to me

PanzerGrenadier said...

"Anonymous said...

As an active PAP member, the government must close the internet during the build up to the next GE. Bloggers must not be allowed to disturb the working of a votyed in parliament. Following the election, political blogging must be ouitlawed.Anonymous postings must also be outlawed."

Irony - the posting above is by anonymous.

lol hehehe

Anonymous said...

the workers' party did not critise anyone. when i watch the news about the elections, the workers' party were being honest and really sincere. they did not 'target' anyone.

Anonymous said...

just having opposition makes the government better; they dont need to say/do anything; that way, you never make mistakes

CSJ's problem, he was always doing something, and doing it wrong

Anonymous said...

PAP looks worried and frightened now.

First Lee Kuan Yew say can support opposition but cannot change government

Now, Goh Chok Tong also say the same thing.

Last time, both said THERE IS NO NEED FOR OPPOSITION !!!

Even an Ah Beng or Cha Kway Tiao man in their shoes will say the same thing.

It is all about protecting self-interest and their own iron rice bowl and riches, not protecting Singapore.

They keep using the excuse of foreign investors. Even foreign investors wants a choice too when negotiating with governments, not to mention civil servants, people and unionists.

PAP sound as if Singapore will not be attractive to foreign investments once Worker's Party form the government.

PAP make it sound like Singapore will turn into East Timor overnight and Singaporeans becoming unruly bloodhounds if PAP lose power.

What scare tactics and nonsense is this ?!?!?

If the PAP government did its job and introduce the correct economic fundamentals and systems while in power, foreign investors will still invest in Singapore even if PAP lose power.

PAP is not Singapore and vice-versa.

Foreign investors is investing in Singapore as a country and not investing in PAP as a political party.

If PAP's theory is correct, then investment in countries like Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Europe, Australia and US should be very low because they change governments every election year and considered politically unstable.

Countries like China, North Korea, Vietnam and Myanmar should be a heaven for foreign investors because they are the same ruling party for decades,not years and considered very politically stable.

WHAT RUBBISH ?!?!?!

Maybe this argument can work 30 years ago when Singaporeans are uneducated but now Singaporeans can think. Besides we have living examples of successful democracies and successful economies cohabiting side by side. Mind you, we are talking about the richest nations in the world.

Countries like Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Europe, Australia and US have scandals but it never seriously rock the economy or markets because they have a sound system and trust which Singapore do not have.

Singapore have one NKF scandal and it almost cause the charity industry to collapse overnight because of lack of trust, transparency, laws, system and opposition (TT Durai ruled like PAP). It shows how weak the systems in Singapore are.

Singapore had a power loss cause by Conoco Philips for exactly the same reasons as NKF. (because of lack of transparency, laws, system and opposition)

If the same NKF incident happen on PAP and there is not a ready strong Worker's Party to take over, my god, PAP will drag down Singapore as well. Our CPF, Reserves, Assets etc might have been plundered then but it will be too late.

PAP can collapse but please leave Singapore alone.

This is why Worker's Party must grow, grow and grow and be strong enough to form the next government. Singaporeans then can buy some insurance for themselves.

I have worked with foreign investors and most agree they do not care whether PAP remains as government. As long as the civil service, business laws, rules and regulations are in place, they will still invest in Singapore.

In fact, foreign investors prefer Singapore to open up politically so that they have a choice too because they do not want to be held ransom by only PAP. They prefer to negotiate with more than one choice.

Furthermore, foreign investors prefer PAP to start creating safekeeping systems to keep Singapore running even if PAP collapse. In fact many investors did not invest in Singapore because of the one-party system.They do not want an Indonesia consequence.

Indonesia consequence: Indonesia was chaotic for awhile after Suharto collapse because Suharto did not do his duty of preparing Indonesia for life without him while in power. But Suharto did prepare very well life for himself without Indonesia. Indonesia has now stabilised and may grow from here.

Moral of the story: PAP should start preparing Singapore for life without PAP or without the Lees. This is PAP's duty when in power.

It is PAP's moral obligation to Singaporeans so as to lessen the impact of PAP's demise to Singapore. PAP should start separating itself from unions, businesses and grassroots organisations.

Presently, foreign investors have to deal with GLCs all the time and they complain our business climate is not as competitive and liberal as Hong Kong. GLCs stifle thier investment chances in Singapore.It may boost foreign investment instead if PAP no longer remain the government.

If PAP collapse, Singaporeans may see positive changes they never ever thought of they could experience before.

When Goh Chok Tong begin new PM, he said he wanted a new Singapore with less fears and a more consultative PAP government.

He wanted a fresh start, a more open Singapore, give PAP backbenchers more criticising power and a fresh Singapore.

Goh Chok Tong says he wants his government to be softer than Lee Kuan Yew's government.

After Goh Chok Tong stepped down, nothing seems to have change much. It was 15 years later.

Fear still remained and PAP still as dirty as ever.

Now Lee Hsien Loong became new PM, he repeated the same old fresh start with open society blah blah etc....

Do we want to believe Lee Hsien Loong's sincerity or wait until he stepped down then find out...?

I am not going to be cheated a second time. Too long liao.

Anonymous said...

PAP thinks that singapore will not do well without them. i agree with the person (Anonymous) above who said that,' PAP is not Singapore and vice-versa'. even without the support of PAP, i believe singapore will continue to do well and improve more! PAP thought that the oppsition was 'nothing'. However, this year's election, prove them wrong. the votes for the opposition increased. PAP, WAKE UP! DON'T ACT 'BIG' ANYMORE!

Anonymous said...

PAP and the famiLEE work SELFLESSly for our nation. They pay themselves peanuts. How can we survive without them? Yet you guys only know how to complain.

Really UNGRATEFUL!

Anonymous said...

Singaporeans have lost their magical touch. I have been away from the Island for seven years, to discover lazy work patterns, an internet meddling with the last GE, attempts to make the Island a sports hub, and many more problems.

The workers have become too soft. the countgries that surround us are eating away at our former advantages; we must institute a six day working weeking week, and a twelve hour day if the island is ever abale reach those old Halcyon days.

Internet must be curbed, and our stupid ideas of sports supremacy must be adandoned. We are not a natural sporting nation. Singaporeans are bred to show the world just how to work efficiently.

Remember Singapore is the PAP, and the PAP is singapore, the worker comes last. He is lucky to be employed.

It is evident that old man Lee is beginning to soften.

Finally tight media control is necessary if we are to keep singapore's work force on track. Our delicate minds must not be corrupted by information from the outside world.

As time progresses, the West will become useless to our cause, our future is in chinas hands.

Anonymous said...

i agree that PAP is not Singapore..

in any case, the current govt has not led Singapore more roundedly.

the govt could invest $$ setting up the world class systems collecting money... ERP, GST, Income taxes etc.. you name it..

but fare badly in providing reasonable level healthcare; childcare; eldercare etc.. at affordable levels..

where is the transparency? where did all the money from taxes go?

in any case, working in singapore is worse than lemons... you see sugar canes in hawker centres? after being squeezed by machines once, they folded and squeezed again..

Anonymous said...

i used to support PAP. however, that all changed when i start to get a bad impression of PAP. i realised that PAP always say that they would cater to our needs. but they would have to collect $$$ from residents. when i say $$$, it really refers to lots of money. PAP said that they would help Singaporeans, especially the poor. YA RIGHT. by increasing cost, like transportation fares etc. PAP thinks that they have all the power in Singapore. PAP talk bad about the opposition and feel proud about it. 'That is what the opposition have been doing - do minimal, only criticise and have been able to get support.' Mr Goh said. the opposition work really hard and all PAP can say was this. look who is criticising!