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Thursday, 05 March 2009

Singapore Democrats

There are those who still don't understand the SDP's strategy and approach to politics. Why do Singapore Democrats insist of defying the law and ending up in court instead of doing the ground work necessary to win elections?

The answer is simple: Because the PAP has absolutely no intention of allowing the opposition to win power through elections.

The ruling party will continue to introduce new laws and amend existing ones to block any meaningful inroads the opposition makes in elections. The introduction of the GRC system, the increase of election deposit, the restriction of the use of the Internet by opposition parties, etc are done to ensure that opposition parties remain crippled.

There is even a law that prohibits five or more people from “demonstrating opposition to the actions of the Government” or to “promote a cause or campaign” under the Miscellaneous Offences Rules.

Already the SDP and its supporters have been charged under such a law simply for distributing flyers. What's there to stop the Government from applying this law to the other opposition parties especially if they start making political headway?

And isn't the opposition's work all about promoting a campaign or cause? How can we limit our numbers to less than five in public if we want to reach out to the public more effectively? Most important, if the opposition cannot demonstrate opposition to the actions of the Government, why exist at all?

The one reason why the opposition has fared so poorly at the polls is that we have always been one step behind the PAP. When its support eroded, it introduced the GRC system. When the opposition adopted the by-election effect, it threatened the voters with HDB upgrading. When we started to attract more quality candidates, it upped the election deposit.

If we don't arrest the rules-changing, we will forever be chasing our tails. We need an independent elections commission, not an elections department that says "Yes sir" to the PM all the time.

We must stop letting the PAP fool us. More important, we must stop fooling ourselves that under present arrangements the opposition will be able to entrench ourselves as an institution.

Does this mean then that the opposition should abandon electoral politics in Singapore? No, of course not. The Singapore Democrats have said many times before: Elections are the only way for a party to come to power and govern society.

So why does the SDP participate in elections that are neither free nor fair?

Because they are good a opportunity to raise awareness of political issues. With the advancement of cyber technology, we can use elections to educate the people on their rights and responsibilities as citizens, as well as the benefits of an open and democratically accountable government.

But remember, elections only last for nine days and the excitement dies down very quickly. It is the interim four or five years that the opposition needs to get down to serious work to reform the system.

With the Internet, our work is greatly facilitated and there is no excuse for the opposition to retreat into its shell in between elections.

The success of the SDP's effort may not be immediately apparent, but like all responsible leadership we understand the need for delayed gratification. We are confident our work will bear fruit in the not-too-distant future.

In that vein we ask all Singaporeans not to be seduced by the temptation of instant success. Just as Rome was not built in a day, democracy in Singapore will take time to entrench.

But the work to reform the political system must start now.

Elections must be part of the strategy, not the strategy itself. We need to work amongst our own opposition parties to foster greater cooperation and understanding. We need to help civil society to develop civil society. And we need to encourage our fellow citizens to become actively involved in this coming elections and thereafter the work in democracy-building.

In other words, we need to invest for the future. There is not a moment to tarry.

Some interesting facts about civil disobedience

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Comments (11)

Fri 06 Mar 2009 6:59 AM | maxchew - Persistence, patience and perseverence.....

Agree with you guys 99%......You have my unwavering support.Pl continue to do what you are doing.
My very best wishes. There is always light at the end of the tunnel.
As long as you are confident you are right and on the right track, your patience, persistence and perseverance will be rewarded eventually....

Fri 06 Mar 2009 7:44 AM | vipersonic

Often, when I ask people if they supported the PAP, the answer is usually no. When asked if they will vote for the opposition, they will say "it depends on who the opposition is." When I mention about Dr. Chee, they would give me a ridiculous look and say no, the reason being that he is crazy for protesting against these laws. And when I asked them about what they thought about the government's unfairness towards the opposition, they would simply answer,"That's Politics".

Singaporeans seem to think that this is how politics are and thus would not want to go against it. I guess that is what close to 50 years of Propaganda did to Singaporeans.

Fri 06 Mar 2009 9:38 AM | leesjuanpat

The opposition parties must stay united
and cohesive to face the PAP.
Opposing the injustice imposed by the PAP government is not wrong, but putting in perspective, with PAP controlling every aspect of life under their obsolute rule, it is just not
worth to fall into PAP's trap to
have a head-on collusion.

Working the ground is important to foster a closer relationship with the voters. In this respect, PAP stood out
because of the CCs and RCs. All are stooges and running dogs of PAP. And all CC have a PAP MP or Minister as adviser to oversee the stooges. This is where the
opposition find it difficult to relate
well on the ground level.

Singaporeans are very mild and law-abiding. Many simple folks do not understand the complexity of why the oppositions are fighting the PAP and
with the press's impartial reporting
on issues, a bias judgement is formed
to make like the oppositions are trouble-makers.
So ability to work the ground is of utmost important, becauses there are
many folks who never use a computer for source of real information. And hearsay can be distorted. With 50 years
of indocrination and propaganda, PAP
will always be ahead in their unjust
schemes.

I believe nothing beats sincerity in what we do. A strong exposure on the ground is a must.

To consolidate the ground, opposition
has to perserve from day one, not wait till election is coming to work the ground.

On this note, as friendship develops
with voters and when the people assess
the crediblity of the opposition candidates which have become familiar face to them, the votes will come in.

Saying is always easy, but with true grit and determination, no difficulty is insurmountable. Strategy can be that effortless to stay rooted with
the people and work the ground to defeat the PAP. Nothing is impossible.

Fri 06 Mar 2009 5:23 PM | | seebeng - who is crazy?

Yes, to the PAP Dr Chee is crazy. So were the late JBJ, Tang Liang Hong and Francis Seow.

To the autocratic family fiefdom, the only "credible" opposition are Low Thia Khiang, Chiam See Tong and Sylvia Lim.

In Lee Kuan Yew's rubber stamp parliament, there's no place for genuine oppositionists. That's why the late JBJ, an elected MP was kicked out of "parliament" by LKY, using his kangaroo courts that subjected JBJ to a series of "mistrials".

Dictatorship cannot be changed through "elections" whose rules and regulations are set by the dictator himself.

Singaporeans remain helpless, both politically and economically because of PAP's invisible corruption, nepotism and cronyism.

The so-called "credible" opposition stands together with the PAP to maintain its autocratic system. The rewards for such a treachery are huge MP salary, life-long pension, bungalows, luxury cars, etc, etc.

Fri 06 Mar 2009 7:15 PM | leesjuanpat

I totally agree with 'seebeng' in his post. Any government in the world, who fully controls the country with absolute powers, become autocratic,authoritarian, PAP is no exception. LKY is one such dictator, his son though is the PM is still living under LKY's apron.

It is a sad true that all the good
oppositions as mentioned were victimised and many has to live in self-exiled without a fair trial. Is there a fair trial in LKY's courts ?

With downright nepotism, cronynism, and legalised corruption, the Lee dynasty has amassed greater wealth for themselves and their immediate running dogs and relatives, all in high-paying jobs.

So, as citizens of Singapore who read
this SDP website, we are the only people who can change the destiny of
Singapore with our VOTES against the PAP.

LKY had the feel of the adverse sentiments on the ground and said that
"no purpose in holding polls before 2011" and in the main headlines in ST on 5 March, "MM does not rule out GDP
shrinking 10%.

Is MM controlling all facets of the government and where is daddy's boy
Lee Hsien Loong? The MM is also PM.
Daddy's boy is an obedient son.

Now who controls Singapore?? A dictator in sheep's clothings.

Fri 06 Mar 2009 7:28 PM | Paul Poh

SDP, come to my Jurong GRC in coming elections, I will vote for you.

It is time to bring an end to PAP rule in Singapore.

50 years of their f**king rule is enough, Singaporeans are not happy at all under their despotic rule.

Fri 06 Mar 2009 8:26 PM | jacys

Stop wasting your time, Chee and SDP - you will never win an election !

Mr Low Thia Kiang has been a MP for 17 years, what about Chee ?

The results speak for themselves, stop giving lame excuses.

If the PAP's laws are unfair, how do you explain Low winning elections after elections ?

Fri 06 Mar 2009 10:06 PM | AnnA - jacys

To jacys :

Yes, LTK has been a MP for 17 years. Great right? Greeeat.... of doing?? Did he help Singaporean to understand anything? He is infact trying to figure out himself what he is doing in parliament. He has NEVER pass to speak for Singaporean in 17 years, baby!

[b]LTK in parliament for 17 years looks the same as if he isn't in parliament at all!!![/b]

Well, the truth is, if LTK is the opposition to fight against PAP in my area, I will still vote for him. No worry. It is also part of the 'strategy' to oust PAP out.

Only you are still blinded. Damn you!

Fri 06 Mar 2009 10:33 PM | AnnA

One more action in the one part of the strategy, that is;

[b]People need to know that they need not fear for the serial numbers on the balloting papers.[/b]

Example : ONE fearful relative of mine has said to me on 30th November last year - "No, we must vote to PAP". I asked why? She said, "They will not let you get GST or help you in anything". When asked how come? She said, "Because they can check on the voting papers to see if you vote for them, based on the serial number". I'll be damned!! Arghh.. How PAP has succeeded to make her in 'fear' and totally ignorant of the real situation. I wonder how many more of my relatives that are so ignorant with this system. Luckily I have myself as an example. (Had voted for them once due to being ignorant at young age lah, still dependent on my mother during that time). Told her that I would normally not vote for PAP and that I didn't have any problem getting anything if it is within my rights to get it. The conversation between me and my relative was recent. I am sure many many many people still hold that kind of mentality. They need to know.

Sat 07 Mar 2009 12:26 AM | ahsayman

Please lah jacys..

If it had been Dr.Chee who won Hougang, you think the PAP will tolerate that?

Anna is right. I concur with her. What had LTK achieved over 17 years to "advance" democracy in Singapore?

How many times had they been able to stop the Lee Kuan Yew marauding damages to Singapore?

Sat 07 Mar 2009 12:27 AM | | seebeng - Why only Potong Pasir and Hougang

Why only Low and Chiam are repeatedly elected? Don't tell me in the entire Singapore, only the voters in Hougang and Potong Pasir are fearless and enlightened to cast their ballots for the "opposition"?

Looks like the only brave people in Singapore are those in Hougang and Potong Pasir!