Commenting on its selection processes and the need to keep rejuvenating the party MM Lee is quoted in the media as saying:
"'We combed the whole of Singapore society to select those with the highest integrity and ability to chart the way forward for Singapore. We will never reach a point where we can be on auto-pilot so that any team can just take over. We are not living in Disney World".
Pointing out the many notable achievements his party and the country has achieved over past decades the clear inference is that if Singaporeans choose to 'rock the foundation' they stand to put these gains at risk.
I am not so sure that such a scare tactic will work this time around? In the past the calibre of opposition candidates has been 'patchy', to be charitable. This time though a quick glance through the electorate party lists shows that the alternative parties have a good raft of well educated and worldly wise candidates.
Pronouncements from sitting government MP's that a strong opposition could result in blocked policies suggests that they may be more concerned about the Opposition strength than they care to admit.
There is no doubt that the PAP will win the election and by a substantial majority. With a Westminster- styled government there is no danger of the government benches having their policies blocked.
Monitoring the social media 'buzz' (see research study below) shows a growing groundswell of support for the Opposition parties especially amongst the young, so there could well be more Opposition members voted in.
And, in relation to Disney World, it was of course Walt Disney who said: "If you can dream it, you can do it".
1 comment:
In an earlier article (http://singaporesojourn.blogspot.com/2011/04/ides-ofmay.html)I wrote "My hope is that Singaporeans don't adopt the approach of change for changes sake."
I stand by this, but it is clear that the PAP is facing a very real challenge in this age of the 'socially connected'. I was somewhat surprised to discover that there appears to be no official PAP Twitter in operation??
The ruling party scores well on Facebook.
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