Reflections On GE-2006
The GE 2006 has ended two weeks ago. It is good to reflect on the hustlings during the 9-day campaign trail and its outcome on 6th May.
The campaign started off with a big bang on the controversy over Mr. James Gomez’s ‘missing form. It was blown out of proportion by the main media to take centre stage to the exclusion of more pressing issues that voters deserved to hear. The ’wayang’ went on for seven days before PAP realized its mistakes. However it did not attract any attention from opposition parties. They simply concentrated on raising national issues.
During the campaign trail, I noticed that the Workers’ Party focussed on their main issues very well. Its leaders conducted themselves so gentlemanly in a manner that befitted of their status. They not only refrained from launching scurrilous attacks on their rivals but also avoided being dragged out of focus when being taunted by them persistently.
On the other hand, PAP went off course for seven days over the ‘missing form’ before it found its direction. In its hustling for votes some of their leaders lost their cool by belittling their rivals.
Acts like questioning the physical fitness of Mr. Chiam See Tong, aged 71 years old; challenging the Workers’ Party to lower oil price; and labeling opposition MPs as troublemakers were totally uncalled for. These acts would not only reflect adversely on their personal character but also tarnish the image of PAP.
The main media had been biased against the opposition parties in their coverage of the rallies. Whatever the ruling party said were considered newsworthy, but many major issues brought up by opposition parties were either ignored by them (the main media) or scantily reported if they ever decided to oblige. A distinctive case of biased coverage was the customary victory speeches supposed to be delivered by M/S Chiam See Tong and Low Thia Khiang upon their re-election. They were not telecast live on TV at all.
Gone are the days when the general public were at the mercy of the biased media for well-balanced dissemination of information. With the birth of cyberspace, it became easily accessible via internet which has played a vital role in the recently concluded GE. With this technology, a totally a different ball game will emerge in succeeding GEs; and the media will have to review their modus operandi to stay relevant.
The PAP scored a landslide victory with 66.6% of the votes cast by American standard. It won 82 out of 84 seats contested under the ‘First Past the Post’ system coupled with the creation of GRCs (Group Representation Constituencies) which disadvantaged the opposition parties, but the euphoria was eclipsed by the sensational result at the Prime Minister’s stronghold in AMK GRC where a group of six young rookies garnered about 34% of the votes cast.
At the start of the race, the Prime Minister regarded them as ‘suicide squad’; and its Chairman, Mr. Lim Boon Heng, predicted a victory of at least 85% of the votes cast. It shocked the political pundits. What went wrong? Could it be due to their arrogance? Only PAP had the answer.
It was gratifying to note that Mr. Chiam See Tong and Mr. Low Thia Khiang were re-elected to Potong Pasir and Hougang respectively with increased majority of votes. The voters had sent a strong signal to the government that they would not be intimidated with withdrawal of facilities rightfully theirs; and that they would not be easily bought over with offer of upgrading their estates. However, when given free shark’s fin soup, abalone porridge and breakfast again, they will accept , but they will still vote with their conscience without fear. What an admirable lot!
With about 40% of the voters comprising those born after 1965 nobody could fathom out how they voted. However, the results of voting showed a consistent pattern. Parties putting up better quality candidates tended to get higher percentages of the votes cast. It showed that the voters had voted intelligently, and signaled that they still wanted opposition MPs in the Parliament to play the role of watchdogs and not troublemakers. It augurs well for a new political scene to emerge in the not too distant future.
The campaign started off with a big bang on the controversy over Mr. James Gomez’s ‘missing form. It was blown out of proportion by the main media to take centre stage to the exclusion of more pressing issues that voters deserved to hear. The ’wayang’ went on for seven days before PAP realized its mistakes. However it did not attract any attention from opposition parties. They simply concentrated on raising national issues.
During the campaign trail, I noticed that the Workers’ Party focussed on their main issues very well. Its leaders conducted themselves so gentlemanly in a manner that befitted of their status. They not only refrained from launching scurrilous attacks on their rivals but also avoided being dragged out of focus when being taunted by them persistently.
On the other hand, PAP went off course for seven days over the ‘missing form’ before it found its direction. In its hustling for votes some of their leaders lost their cool by belittling their rivals.
Acts like questioning the physical fitness of Mr. Chiam See Tong, aged 71 years old; challenging the Workers’ Party to lower oil price; and labeling opposition MPs as troublemakers were totally uncalled for. These acts would not only reflect adversely on their personal character but also tarnish the image of PAP.
The main media had been biased against the opposition parties in their coverage of the rallies. Whatever the ruling party said were considered newsworthy, but many major issues brought up by opposition parties were either ignored by them (the main media) or scantily reported if they ever decided to oblige. A distinctive case of biased coverage was the customary victory speeches supposed to be delivered by M/S Chiam See Tong and Low Thia Khiang upon their re-election. They were not telecast live on TV at all.
Gone are the days when the general public were at the mercy of the biased media for well-balanced dissemination of information. With the birth of cyberspace, it became easily accessible via internet which has played a vital role in the recently concluded GE. With this technology, a totally a different ball game will emerge in succeeding GEs; and the media will have to review their modus operandi to stay relevant.
The PAP scored a landslide victory with 66.6% of the votes cast by American standard. It won 82 out of 84 seats contested under the ‘First Past the Post’ system coupled with the creation of GRCs (Group Representation Constituencies) which disadvantaged the opposition parties, but the euphoria was eclipsed by the sensational result at the Prime Minister’s stronghold in AMK GRC where a group of six young rookies garnered about 34% of the votes cast.
At the start of the race, the Prime Minister regarded them as ‘suicide squad’; and its Chairman, Mr. Lim Boon Heng, predicted a victory of at least 85% of the votes cast. It shocked the political pundits. What went wrong? Could it be due to their arrogance? Only PAP had the answer.
It was gratifying to note that Mr. Chiam See Tong and Mr. Low Thia Khiang were re-elected to Potong Pasir and Hougang respectively with increased majority of votes. The voters had sent a strong signal to the government that they would not be intimidated with withdrawal of facilities rightfully theirs; and that they would not be easily bought over with offer of upgrading their estates. However, when given free shark’s fin soup, abalone porridge and breakfast again, they will accept , but they will still vote with their conscience without fear. What an admirable lot!
With about 40% of the voters comprising those born after 1965 nobody could fathom out how they voted. However, the results of voting showed a consistent pattern. Parties putting up better quality candidates tended to get higher percentages of the votes cast. It showed that the voters had voted intelligently, and signaled that they still wanted opposition MPs in the Parliament to play the role of watchdogs and not troublemakers. It augurs well for a new political scene to emerge in the not too distant future.
posted by Socaps at 6:59 AM
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