General Election 2006!

As the whole of Singapore knows, the GE was on 5/5/06. This GE, unlike the previous one, was more keenly contested. For me, there was a whole greater meaning.... I seriously didnt think much abt politics in Singapore during the last election. Furthermore, I was in Dragon Lee's ward... who would think that there will be suicide squads in Singapore...

This time round, despite being miles away from home, I followed the happenings with more interest. While I didnt read the news daily, I did keep up with the major happenings... (on Gomes' adventure, and the "fixing" promise of his truly).

I must say I was rooting for the opposition, especially the seemingly more credible WP. I think it's high time for an alternative voice... not a whimper from someone within the same party, not two or three cats meowing... but at least have 5-6 dogs barking (didnt mean to insult anyone)... so much that we can put up the sign "BEWARE OF DOGS" to the ruling party...

The whole experience was enhanced by a few blogs that I read, that I feel, did a better job at presenting the different perspectives of the parties involved in election, than our Channel (PAP) News Asia, and Media (pardon my language) Cock Suker.....

I have always know that press in Singapore is very much controlled, and that we always should try to expose ourselves to views outside local sources. However, due to the nature of the country (only a small red dot), I didnt see much news that concerns Singapore. Thanks to the Internet, we are now able to explores other sources within Singapore... the voices of People like you and me... obviously people who can write better... with views that are not slanted too much to one side....

The blogs that I am impressed with are sg Election 06 and rockson. From these blogs, i found out how the media in Singapore refuses to recognise the large crowd that visit the opposition rallies... and how much of an opposition basher it is (out of 10 pieces of news regarding election.... 9 on how good PAP is doing... the tenth on how poor opposition is).

A few funny articles concerning the "fixing" that PM wanted to do made the articles less difficult to digest....

There are a few issues that raises my concerns too... being a Singaporean who reads a decent bit about the election when it is near.... I am always read about the carrot that are dangled in the opposition wards. The $80 mil upgrading... the $100mil improvements.

I used to think...it's all dirty politics... none of my concern. It's only in one of these articles that i read that opened my eyes.... the "$80 mil" and "$100 mil"..... arent these the money of Singaporeans? Are these the funds of PAP, such that they can use it to their advantage? Are they actually using our money to dictate what they want us to do? I felt a bit unjust, and despite not living anywhere near these two opposition wards, I feel victimised by the ruling party...

That being said... I must admit that (and I never stop telling Americans I meet) PAP has done a brilliant job in bringing the country to where it is... how can a country that is smaller than Houston be that developed, be that advance... and all the good things that there is..

However, it may come a time when alternative voice is desired... not in a disruptive way (such that the PM must spend ALL HIS TIME fixing), but in a way that reduce the possibility of NKF happening... that will stop Straits times from increasing the price from 60cts to 80cts without giving true accountability to the public... that the transport companies will think hard before they raise the fare again... (I think it's due to that stupid TV... I watch it though... hehe)

I would like to quote my ex-colleague, now a friend, 6% of Aljunied, YOU COULD HAVE CHANGED SINGAPORE! While I think it's brought to a little extreme....I somewhat was hoping Aljunied is lost... It's more of my support for a opposing voice, than being against whoever PAP has placed in the GRC...

I certainly hope Sylvia Lim will do a good job as an NMP... and increase her profile such that she can be a full MP in the next election. I hope the government will not resort to dirty politics to bring her down (fat hope!) as she seems like a decent Singaporean...

Like one blog described people like me... "educated, but lost heart... lost hope... so couldnt care less about politics in my own country"....

I hope this could signal a return of hope and heart for pple like me....