Friday, October 07, 2005
PAPa Don't Preach

Here we go again...big boss justifying PAP's near-monopoly in the Nation-Builder Times.Listen to the propanganda and admire...my comments in red (surely my last before I am hauled up for sedition)

S'pore will set its own political model: PM
Transparency and openness (Well, in that case,maybe we could start having a look at Temasek Holdings' accounting books then?) will be hallmarks, even if Western model is out

EVEN as Singapore changes to become a global city in 20 years, one thing is for sure: The Western liberal model will not be the system of government here (This,surely,is the green light for all opposition parties to disband since hey,they'd never be part of the government anyway.Notice the green light concept...we never know when or what to do till PAPa says "yes" and so opposition,please take the cue).

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was unequivocal yesterday in explaining why Singapore was not headed down that road.

The reason?Singapore has a system that works, with parliamentary democracy (You mean PAPa members dare to say stuff that goes against party lines?), free elections (After the Presidential "Elections",you tell me it's "free elections"?And if I remember clearly,for the last GE,there were so many walkovers,the GE was over before it even began.If you really want free elections,fight mano-a-mano,don't hide behind all those GRCs lah) and an electorate with an overwhelming confidence in the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) (Is it confidence or is it a lack of alternatives?).

'And for good reason - because it is a party which has delivered (good word,delivered...delivered occupants away from their homes to build the Circle Line), a party which has a strong team and is one which they have confidence in for the future.'

Mr Lee was responding to a question by Reuters journalist Geert De Clercq during a Foreign Correspondents Association luncheon at the Raffles Hotel.

Mr De Clercq had asked if Singapore's bid for a more vibrant city a la London and New York would see a concurrent move to a Western-style of governance.

PM Lee's answer was a 'no'. 'I do not even see a Western model which you described in an idealised form as being the target which we want to aim for,' he said (Boy oh boy,never were truer words spoken...especially if it could cost you your job).

In sketching the journey ahead for Singapore, PM Lee foresees a system shaped by Singaporeans and their values (And unfortunately we cater to the lowest denominator,don't we?Case in point...the Buangkok elephants case...put up a few elephants and police clamp down.What's the concern?Well,it's not for causing public nuisance...it's for putting up posters and displays without a permit for "Public Entertianment".Hahahah.And apparently,the police only investigated because someone complained?I wonder who and complain for what?Especially since it's not causing a public nuisance...so I suppose that person complain because the elephants were not well-drawn?). Not any magic formula or Constitution.

He also expects a system marked by openness and transparency as the people seek solutions to national problems (My same point about Temasek...but it's not a problem,you say.How you know?You know what they invest in,the cashflow,the gains and losses ah?).

'If there's something which we are not happy about or is not right, we will speak up and we will discuss. Nothing is verboten, nothing cannot be discussed (What about "political films" or rather any films about opposition leaders?) and everything can be examined (But really,it's much easier to just break into people's properties [even if deserted] to do fogging as we see fit,ain't it?Why talk when you can just whack?),' he said, using the German word for 'forbidden'.

Mr Lee spoke on a wide range of issues during the 45-minute question-and-answer session, including economic, population and terrorism issues.

Earlier, in his speech, he identified several key obstacles confronting Singapore.

They include terrorism from Islamic extremists, the ageing population, nurturing the next generation of Singaporeans to produce a diversity of talents, and developing a broad leadership in all spheres of life.

Singapore, he said, is an improbable nation and therefore cannot be compared to such places as South Korea and Taiwan, which swung from martial law to liberal political systems.

It has 'some basic imperatives which will remain constant'. For example, Singaporeans will always have to earn their own living (Duh?You mean we even got a chance of becoming a welfare state?Hell,we work so hard and can't even touch our own CPF money), racial and religious harmony must always be maintained, and the country must always outperform bigger and better-endowed rivals (Hear that,Malaysia?Malaysia boleh?Losers...).

Mr Lee also cited the Japanese system, noting how it had not evolved into a Western liberal model (Don't know about that,all I know is that Jap girls are nice,white and fluffy). Even then, it was not without its flaws of corruption (Aiya,corruption,no corruption...if you are not caught or cannot be caught,who knows if you are corrupt?)and pork-barrel politics with the government spending in exchange for political support.

Like Singapore, it has a dominant political party that has brought stability and long-term growth to the country.

'So how do we maintain our system and not end up like them? There's no magic formula,' he said. 'I think it depends on the team, the ethos of the whole leadership group.'

He acknowledged that continued strong support for the PAP hinges on its performance (Are you sure?I thought you guys can perform poorly and still get walkovers anyway), renewal and ability to continue to deliver results and show 'unambiguously that this is the best team, Team Singapore (or is it Team PAPa?), work for it, it will work for you.'

In the immediate future, he is more than confident it has the backing of Singaporeans. That will be clear enough in the next General Election, which must be called by June 2007, he said, in reply to another question.

'I have no doubt that when we go, we'll have strong support, including a strong mandate (I have nothing to say...).'

Ok...after all that talk by our esteemed leader,I can only conclude with one picture.