Duh
I'd love to meet this brain-washed fucker who responded to my letter to ST here.
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Why insist on voting when there is no need to?
I REFER to the letters on politics in Singapore and the openness of Singapore society (ST, Jan 14). I take issue, in particular, with the views expressed by Mr Kenneth Tan Kok Chye ('Voting gives sense of ownership').
Firstly, he suggests increasing the number of single-seat wards radically. He asserts that this will give larger sections of the populace the chance to vote and thus improve Singaporeans' sense of ownership.
However, what he failed to note is that with the already small number of single-seat wards available, the opposition could hardly trounce the People's Action Party (PAP) convincingly in elections.
What purpose then would increasing the number of single-seat wards serve? Already we have opposition candidates that wear slippers to walkabouts, or who consistently work to undermine Singapore's reputation. Singaporeans are too smart to choose such candidates over those with a proven track record, such as the PAP candidates or even opposition politicians such as Low Thia Khiang and Chiam See Tong.
Why insist on political participation when there is no need to do so, especially as many opposition parties can hardly send a handful of credible candidates to contest elections.
Secondly, Mr Tan seems concerned about the opinions of Warwick University and American billionaire George Soros about the apparent lack of openness in Singapore.
Singaporeans should start having more confidence in their own mode of governance and stop being judged by Western observers.
Mr Soros claims that 'the use of libel and financial penalty can be a tremendous hindrance to freedom of speech and freedom of expression'.
One should note that the PAP has taken politicians to task only when untrue allegations that sully the reputation of others have been made.
Perhaps Mr Soros' idea of an open society is exemplified by the political slugfest that so often degenerates into personal attacks that is prevalent in Western politics, but I believe this idea would not appeal to sensible Singaporeans.
Singaporeans are a pragmatic lot and do not appreciate the criticism of outsiders who feel that our political system, though successful, does not resemble what is commonplace in the West.
Tim Mou Hui
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/forum/story/0,5562,365892-1137707940,00.html?