I refer to the articles, ‘Opposition parties start getting ready to do battle’, ‘Opposition plans battle formation’ & ‘Electoral boundary changes: Chatter on the ground’ (Straits Times, Insight 14th March 2009)
For any reader interested in Singapore politics, the above mentioned articles in the Straits Times are indeed interesting and fuel further speculation that the elections are around the corner. Since the publication of a government gazette outlining the boundaries of altered polling districts on 18th February and the order by the Prime Minister to revise the Register of Voters, there seems to be no end to the speculation.
I would like to urge a stop to these senseless speculation. When asked by residents on the timing of the elections during my weekly house visit to residents in the North-Eastern Area, my answer albeit a tongue-in-cheek one is “Let me call the Prime Minister and I will be able to give you an answer.”
Yes. When is the next Singapore general elections going to be held? Personally, I think it will not be this year. But generally, I have no idea. Why not ask the Prime Minister?
At a recent Singapore Tripartism Forum, when asked on the topic of Singapore’s General Election which is due by 2012, Prime Minister Lee said: “When it comes, you will know.”
Let me just say, the ruling PAP government has no idea when is the next election. By revising the Register of Voters and by publishing the boundaries of altered polling districts, the ruling party is laying the groundwork for ease to call for an election as and when they desired. Much depends on the American economy.
When the government publishes the latest Electoral Boundaries Map depicting all the Group Representation Constituencies (GRC) and the Single-member Constituencies (SMC), we will know that the elections are near. Very near.
As of now, any speculation is mere talk. But what is the media portraying as outlined in its latest articles on 14th March 2009?
Let me put across a simple idea that the ruling government would want Singaporeans to believe – The Workers’ Party and the opposition camp in general appears only once every 5 years or in the words of Wong Kan Seng, “fly-by-night” operators.
Let me offer my perspectives on this. Foremost, the Workers’ Party is actively involved in the lives of Singaporeans over the last 52 years. Even though there are instances when the WP has been accused of being overtly conservative and silent, there is no doubt that WP remains well and truly active in its grassroots work.
“Grassroot politics” is the route to securing parliamentary democracy in Singapore. It is intensive and extremely tiring and requires the tireless efforts and committment of members and activists to see through the success of any activity. It is not angled to be of any particular interest to the media. The character of the Workers’ Party are exemplfied by ” Grassroots politics” – Consistency, Determination and Selflessness. Grassroots politics is synonymous with my Workers’ Party experiences over the last two and a half years. Week in week out, we are out there, furthering the cause of Singaporeans, listening to them and engaging them, not asking for any form of material reward. All of us are working for the same cause, rallying behind the same vision, A more caring, compassionate, fair society in a vibrant democracy.
I do not know about the other opposition parties becuase I have no working experience with them but the Workers’ Party is certainly not fly-by-night operators. It constitues an insult to the tireless efforts of party veterans, memebrs and volunteers over the years. DPM Wong Kan Seng’s words has no truth at all, at least for the Workers’ Party.
In short, the Workers’ Party will never ever quit in its quest to see a Singapore built upon equality, social justice, compassion and fairness, where power, wealth and opportunity rests in the hands of many, not a mere few.
A poem dedicated to all past, present and future members, activists and volunteers of the Workers’ Party.
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow–
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor’s cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out–
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit–
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.
– Author unknown
Filed under: Politics @ WP , @ WP
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