Veteran opposition MP Mr Chiam See Tong had issued a short statement on a revamped Singapore People Party’s website opposing the “cooling-off” day.
Mr Chiam said the “cooling off” period is no more than “an attempt by the PAP to stave off the pressure put on it by the opposition.”
He described the move as one step backwards for democracy and added that “if Singapore is to follow Australia, Italy,etc in having a”cooling off” period then, we should know the polling date 6 months to 1 year beforehand.”
Besides the revamped website, the SPP also adopted a new slogan: “Singapore for Singaporeans” which is likely to struck a chord among many Singaporeans.
Immigration is likely to be the single most important issue which many Singaporeans are concerned about or unhappy with.
Due to the ruling party’s liberal immigration policies, the number of foreigners in Singapore has increased to 36 per cent of the population, up from 14 per cent in 1990.
The percentage of native Singaporeans out of the remaining 64 per cent of the population is unknown.
There are more than 20,000 new citizens and 90,000 PRs last year.
Given the rising resentment and frustration on the ground at the relentless influx of foreigners into Singapore, the opposition need only harp on the issue to swing the votes in its favor.
Unfortunately, with the electoral machinery in its hands, the PAP can always introduce last-minute rules and changes to cripple the opposition.
As Mr Chiam rightly pointed out, the election is unfair to begin with as the opposition is kept in the dark about the date of the polls while the PAP knows about it well in advance.
The electoral boundaries are also announced only in the last-minute thereby hampering the opposition’s preparations for the polls.
Furthermore, the mainstream media, police, civil service, grassroots organizations and all other state institutions are firmly controlled by the ruling party in one way or another.
The situation in Singapore is akin to a soccer match between Brazil and Singapore with the referee, linesmen and even the technicians in charge of the field on the side of the former.
First elected to parliament in 1984 when he defeated National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan at the polls, Mr Chiam See Tong will be celebrating his 25th year as an MP together with his constitutents this Saturday.
The event will be held at an open field near Block 119 along Potong Pasir Avenue 1. The expected turnout is 1,000 people, including leaders of other opposition parties. The dinner costs $30 per person.
View SPP’s new website here
Mr Chiam said the “cooling off” period is no more than “an attempt by the PAP to stave off the pressure put on it by the opposition.”
He described the move as one step backwards for democracy and added that “if Singapore is to follow Australia, Italy,etc in having a”cooling off” period then, we should know the polling date 6 months to 1 year beforehand.”
Besides the revamped website, the SPP also adopted a new slogan: “Singapore for Singaporeans” which is likely to struck a chord among many Singaporeans.
Immigration is likely to be the single most important issue which many Singaporeans are concerned about or unhappy with.
Due to the ruling party’s liberal immigration policies, the number of foreigners in Singapore has increased to 36 per cent of the population, up from 14 per cent in 1990.
The percentage of native Singaporeans out of the remaining 64 per cent of the population is unknown.
There are more than 20,000 new citizens and 90,000 PRs last year.
Given the rising resentment and frustration on the ground at the relentless influx of foreigners into Singapore, the opposition need only harp on the issue to swing the votes in its favor.
Unfortunately, with the electoral machinery in its hands, the PAP can always introduce last-minute rules and changes to cripple the opposition.
As Mr Chiam rightly pointed out, the election is unfair to begin with as the opposition is kept in the dark about the date of the polls while the PAP knows about it well in advance.
The electoral boundaries are also announced only in the last-minute thereby hampering the opposition’s preparations for the polls.
Furthermore, the mainstream media, police, civil service, grassroots organizations and all other state institutions are firmly controlled by the ruling party in one way or another.
The situation in Singapore is akin to a soccer match between Brazil and Singapore with the referee, linesmen and even the technicians in charge of the field on the side of the former.
First elected to parliament in 1984 when he defeated National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan at the polls, Mr Chiam See Tong will be celebrating his 25th year as an MP together with his constitutents this Saturday.
The event will be held at an open field near Block 119 along Potong Pasir Avenue 1. The expected turnout is 1,000 people, including leaders of other opposition parties. The dinner costs $30 per person.
View SPP’s new website here
