Sunday, May 07, 2006
Well done WP and all other opposition parties. While the absolute figures stays the same, the percentages tell a very different story. Of course the GRCs are never in doubt, but the fact that the incumbents only garnered 55% in Aljunied seem to suggest possibility that given more time and better quality, the opposition may indeed be able to unseat the PAP in the huge GRCs.
That said and done this blog believes that its very true when Chiam said that its not the parties that won, but the people of Singapore. As everyone knows, monopolies causes inefficiencies and thus this will apply in politics as well. By giving a distinctly mixed result, the citizens of Singapore are effectively voicing the view that the PAP cannot operate as a law unto itself. While this is still far from a perfectly competitive environment, it is still very much an improvement from the status quo.
But then the issue of the capability and ability of the opposition is still very much in doubt. This blog cannot envision any of the current opposition parties being able to form a government that is able to govern and help Singapore progress. While the incumbents may be the devil at times, the opposition makes the alternative the deep blue sea. There is still a long way to go in the grooming and development of a credible opposition. It is also very superficial of the opposition to claim that the PAP practices gutter politics, when the PAP has a proven track record, while the opposition has yet to show any muscle in parliament or any concrete policy to improve the lot of the people. A starting point maybe the elaboration of a policy package that is distinctly and dramatically different from the PAP's model. Piece-meal packages that is based on the status quo will not go very much further in aiding the opposition cause.
All in all this is an interesting election, one that this blog suspect did not give the PAP the 'huge' mandate that they were gunning for, while at the same time not conceding anything to the opposition. But far from a lose-lose situation, this blog asserts that the juxtaposition of loses on both sides will spur and motivate both ends of the spectrum for the betterment of Singapore.
(Apparently this blog is able to find some happiness in the gloom surrounding the politics of the nation!)
3:52 AM
