CNA Debate: Opposition vs PAP

[Char_Azn]

Watching the Debate of opposition vs PAP. It now makes more sense that PAP has 2 rep coz it's basically 4 vs 2.

Initial impression: The Mat and Lina Chiam cannot make it. The mat obviously is not prepared to speak every time it's his turn. Lina Chiam another one, at one point he CNA lady had to urge her to speak up more on her own party's policies. The SDP and WP guy are holding off pretty well. Particularly impressed by WP rep. The 2 PAP rep doing a pretty decent job. countering them. They should kick out the Mat and Lina Chiam. Wasting time for the opposition

 

[Narong Wongwan]

Vincent impressed me with his performance. Speaks well and brings his points across. I will give him my vote if he is standing in my GRC

 

[seebaysong]

I didnt watch the debate, hope the hv it on xin.msn
From the comments, i think CST better stay at Pontong Pasir :o

 

[myfoot123]

SDA the malay chap - nailed the point but not very expressive. Malay should learn to pick up their
English Standard otherwise they lose out in debate like this.

SDP Vincent - outstanding performer, cool and calm like Dr Chee.

SPP Lina Chiam - did not quite deliver, under a lot of stress in her first show. Partly due to her age
too so she has to rely on her own template for answer

WP Gerald Chiam - Another excellent performer, like Vincent, spoke his mind freely and did not
falter.

PAP Josephine - Seemed like she already knew the question behand from CNA and able to
read smoothly like a story teller. Than again, her words did not reflect the same
sentiment faced from the ground.

PAP Tharman - First time seeing him flipping his own template restlessly, I bet this is the first time
he had such hold-no-bar debates and I almost thought I saw him perspering.
Again, quoting and comparing statistics with other countries, apple and orange are
the same to him. Bull-shitting his way thru the whole forum.

Moderator Melisa Hiak - She makes the whole forum "NERVOUS", with a stop watch on her head
and I thought Lina Chiam is going to die heart attack from such race.

Overal CNA forum - WP and SDP scores pretty well
PAP - standard rhetorics of how PAP has "helped" Singaporeans.
SDA - expression issue, otherwise he did raise some valid points
SPP - failed together with PAP.

 

[peterpan777]

A Political Forum on Singapore's Future

[video]http://www.channelnewsasia.com/gecountdown/forumvideos.htm[/video]

Part 1: Views on the long-term challenges of Singapore
Party representatives state their perspectives on the long-term challenges of economic growth, education, social and healthcare needs and upgrading the city.
PAP Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Finance Minister, and Mrs Josephine Teo, MP
SPP Mrs Lina Chiam, 2nd Vice Chairwoman
WP Mr Gerald Giam, Assistant Webmaster
SDA Mr Mohamed Nazem Suki, Assistant Secretary-General
SDP Dr Vincent Wijeysingha, Assistant Treasurer
[video]http://video2.channelnewsasia.com/cnavideos/specialreport/multiplevideos_no_watermark43.asp?skin=player108.s wf&bgskin=playerbackground08.swf&filename=ge_forum1.flv&adfilebefore=cna video2.flv&adfileafter=&playmode=S&videoTitle=GE forum 110402 part1[/video]

Part 2: Discussion on the immediate challenges facing Singapore
Party representatives discuss issues such as the cost of living, housing and the GST.
[video]http://video2.channelnewsasia.com/cnavideos/specialreport/multiplevideos_no_watermark43.asp?skin=player108.s wf&bgskin=playerbackground08.swf&filename=ge_forum2.flv&adfilebefore=cna video2.flv&adfileafter=&playmode=S&videoTitle=GE forum 110402 part2[/video]

Part 3: What each party has to offer to voters
An insight into the thinking of candidates and parties in the coming General Election with each party representative given two minutes to state their position .
[video]http://video2.channelnewsasia.com/cnavideos/specialreport/multiplevideos_no_watermark43.asp?skin=player108.s wf&bgskin=playerbackground08.swf&filename=ge_forum3.flv&adfilebefore=cna video2.flv&adfileafter=&playmode=S&videoTitle=GE forum 110402 part3[/video]

 

[Silent88scope]

That PAP charbo obvious put forth a lot of very official wayang answers that she already prepared before hand. She already knew what questions the moderator is going to ask her. However all her answers pertaining to the question of "hiring s'poreans first" is all bull shit. Is it really that 80% of the work force in all firms are s'poreans and only 20% are FTs? Just take a good look at all the banks, call centers, the 3 telcos in s'pore and you will get the truth. Do you really see all those help given to the old age and retrench s'poreans getting integrated back to the workforce successfully? Is the policy does work, you won't see so many taxi drivers and old aunties and uncles clearing plates and rubbish at coffee shops and hawker centers.

SDP Vincent is right that all the bull shit about improving productivity for firms does not work at all. We have heard about "improving productivity" since the late 1970s and we are still doing that for that sake of reducing the reliance of FTs to grow our economy? Obviously this productivity policy is a flop.

SDA Malay guy is definitely right about S'pore running the entire country like a firm. All PAP policies are out to make $$$ out from s'poreans instead of helping them make $$$ to sustain a living and yet the two PAP chap avoided this true issue entirely.

 

[GoldenDragon]

Vincent impressed me with his performance. Speaks well and brings his points across. I will give him my vote if he is standing in my GRC

He joined the wrong party. If he joined another, better chance even if NSP.

 

[peterpan777]

He joined the wrong party. If he joined another, better chance even if NSP.

If he joined another party, he may not even appear on today's forum.

 

[Forvendet]

By debating standards, in terms of language and content without political bias, I'd rate:

1. Vincent Wiyeysingha (SDP)
2. Tharman Shanmugaretnam (PAP)
3. Gerald Giam (WP)
4. Josephine Teo (PAP)
5. Lina Chiam (SPP)
6. Mohd. Nazem Suki (SDA)

 

[Char_Azn]

By debating standards, in terms of language and content without political bias, I'd rate:

1. Vincent Wiyeysingha (SDP)
2. Tharman Shanmugaretnam (PAP)
3. Gerald Giam (WP)
4. Josephine Teo (PAP)
5. Lina Chiam (SPP)
6. Mohd. Nazem Suki (SDA)

I was actually impressed by Vincent until the last part when he started raging at PAP. It's the kind of stupid thing that got Chee into trouble time and time again. The whole party needs to stop doing stupid like this and make it less personal. Debate their point, argue against PAP's policy but dun take things personal against the ruling party. if anything history have proven that SGreans in general don't like their politicians to stoop to using this kind of politics. Even the PAP themselves almost suffered a backlash back in 06 due to the James Gomez saga, not to mention it will get you into trouble via defamation suits.

 

[Char_Azn]

He joined the wrong party. If he joined another, better chance even if NSP.

I seriously doubt UFO Goh will allow anyone else but himself to appear on TV

 

[Forvendet]

I was actually impressed by Vincent until the last part when he started raging at PAP. It's the kind of stupid thing that got Chee into trouble time and time again. The whole party needs to stop doing stupid like this and make it less personal. Debate their point, argue against PAP's policy but dun take things personal against the ruling party. if anything history have proven that SGreans in general don't like their politicians to stoop to using this kind of politics. Even the PAP themselves almost suffered a backlash back in 06 due to the James Gomez saga, not to mention it will get you into trouble via defamation suits.

Agree. Good for him he held it till the ending part and it was just a few words. But again, it shows the SDP culture.

 

[glockman]

For their sake, I hope the SPP and SDA did not field their best and brightest during this debate. I have difficulty understanding them and following their points.

Politics is tough business (hatchets, fixing and demolishing pple and all). Thus in a way, the SDP proves itself a worthy opponent, don't you think?

 

[Khun Ying Pojaman]

I'm not sure if WP has got its "tagline" for coming GE right. WP is worried about PAP faltering, and WP sees its role only as a "PAP back-up". Is WP a PAP B Team ? Indirectly, WP acknowledges that until PAP falters the current government is good or the government is currently good. And Lina Chiam actually agrees.

 

[GoldenDragon]

If he joined another party, he may not even appear on today's forum.

If appearing in forums is the ultimate objective, better not get involved in politics. His aim should be to succeed in the GE and enter parliament via its front door. VW in SMC stands a much better chance than GRC. In the latter, his team mates will drag him down.

 

[GoldenDragon]

For their sake, I hope the SPP and SDA did not field their best and brightest during this debate. I have difficulty understanding them and following their points.

They didn't impress anyone. That I am certain.

 

[ray_of_hope]

WP and SDP would have had their chances boosted by the forum. Tonight's Chinese debate could see WP boost its chances even further underlining the fact that it is the only serious challenger to PAP.

 

[jbsmith]

I like this part:


Josephine Teo painted a nice picture saying "We are co-authors of the Singapore Story .....".

Vincent's reply "Not all of us are co-authors, unfortunately. One of the behaviors of the PAP over these last 51 years has been to silence, bankrupt, jail or exile many people, loyal decent, honest Singaporeans who wanted to contribute to Singapore".

 

[jbsmith]

Channel 8 will have the Chinese version 9PM tonight.

PAP will be represented by Minister from Prime Minister’s Office Mr Lim Swee Say and MP Mr Sam Tan.

The Workers’ Party representatives will be Mr Koh Choong Yong, webmaster & President of WP’s Youth Wing. Mr Sebastian Teo, the President of the NSP will represent his party while the Reform Party will be represented by their Vice Chairman Mr Alec Tok.

 

[KuanTi01]

Agree. Good for him he held it till the ending part and it was just a few words. But again, it shows the SDP culture.

If one talks about the SDP culture (sniping way at the PAP), then it should be benchmarked against the PAP culture which is even more unforgiving, vindictive and spiteful!