https://sg.news.yahoo.com/ge2015--7-issues-the-pap-cannot-ignore-085112079.html
[h=1][/h]By Nicholas Yong
Nicholas Yong
Former Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Inderjit Singh analysed the reasons for the People's Action Party's resounding victory in the recent General Election in a lengthy Facebook post. He also higlighted seven issues that the PAP cannot afford to ignore.
"While GE2015 delivered an outstanding result for the PAP, it was a national swing that may never be repeated...The PAP needs to realize that these are fundamental issues that they cannot ignore," said Singh, who served four terms as an MP and was known as a vocal critic within the PAP.
1. Trust of the PAP
Singh noted that generations past had trusted the PAP to make life better for them, in spite of their unhappiness with certain policies. But given the events of recent years up till 2013, when the Population White Paper was debated in Parliament, Singaporeans today are no longer willing to "blindly trust" the PAP.
Nevertheless, the fact that more than 69 per cent of voters went for the PAP showed that policy changes by the government have worked - a shift towards the left, and focusing on an "inclusive growth strategy", as opposed to a "growth at all cost" economic policy. Singaporeans have therefore given the PAP "another chance".
Singh said, "The PAP should strengthen and deepen this trust the people have given to them by listening more and putting in place the right policies. If the PAP can do so, then I am sure Singaporeans will develop a stronger bond with the PAP and will be willing to accept even unpopular policies for the good of Singapore as a whole, as was the case with the first generation PAP leaders."
2. Middle-aged Singaporeans
According to Singh, middle-aged Singaporeans who are "swing voters", were worried about their children’s futures and cost of living issues were angry with the PAP. And while the PAP has a "very good vision with a good plan," many were unconvinced as to how it would address issues like the cost of housing, or secure well-paying jobs for their children.
The PAP must therefore focus more on middle-aged and middle-income Singaporeans, who will continue to be the swing voters at the next election. "The cost of living issues must be addressed effectively over the next five years to win more of this group of voters over," added Singh.
3. Arrogance vs humility
Singaporeans now expect "greater humility and personal touch" from their leaders - the “we know best” attitude no longer works. Singh also pointed to the "arrogance" of the Workers' Party leaders, which he felt contributed to their erosion of votes in Aljunied GRC, even when pitted against a team of PAP rookies.
Elitism is also something the PAP government should be concerned about, especially since the party continues to choose the elites to become key appointment holders. He said, "Leaders must come from a diverse background and servant leadership is what will work for the future."
4. Connecting with the ground
While Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam excelled in this respect, Singh felt that some of the younger opposition candidates did better than their counterparts in connecting with voters, particular younger voters. He noted, "It was a pity that not many of the PAP new candidates, especially those slated to take on ministerial positions stood out during GE2015".
5. Communicating the PAP's plans
The PAP's "great plans" must be clearly communicated to voters, in order to inspire trust in them. This is so that they will accept "tough policies" when necessary. While PM Lee and DPM Tharman have done well, "now the rest of the PAP leaders need to get their politics right too," he wrote.
6. The needs of minorities
Singh said that Indians are "generally upset", as their concerns have not been well addressed, and integration of new immigrants from India has not been very successful. He added that for Malays, the issue of CPF money being used for the haj (pilgrimmage) and the "tudung matter" remain as sore points.
Calling this an "urgent issue", he added, "The PAP’s strength in the past had always been a good understanding of the minorities and this must be rebuilt again for greater trust and confidence".
7. Involving more Singaporeans
Noting that PM Lee had called on more Singaporeans to be involved in shaping the future of Singapore, Singh stressed, "The government must convert this to action by being more and more consultative... The PAP must deliver to make this a reality - getting many more Singaporeans, civil society groups, etc., involved in crafting policies".
[h=1][/h]By Nicholas Yong
Nicholas Yong
-
Yahoo Newsroom - PAP MP Inderjit Singh confronts Singapore's hard truths in wide-ranging Facebook post, published on Monday, 26 May 2014. (Screengrab from video)
Former Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Inderjit Singh analysed the reasons for the People's Action Party's resounding victory in the recent General Election in a lengthy Facebook post. He also higlighted seven issues that the PAP cannot afford to ignore.
"While GE2015 delivered an outstanding result for the PAP, it was a national swing that may never be repeated...The PAP needs to realize that these are fundamental issues that they cannot ignore," said Singh, who served four terms as an MP and was known as a vocal critic within the PAP.
1. Trust of the PAP
Singh noted that generations past had trusted the PAP to make life better for them, in spite of their unhappiness with certain policies. But given the events of recent years up till 2013, when the Population White Paper was debated in Parliament, Singaporeans today are no longer willing to "blindly trust" the PAP.
Nevertheless, the fact that more than 69 per cent of voters went for the PAP showed that policy changes by the government have worked - a shift towards the left, and focusing on an "inclusive growth strategy", as opposed to a "growth at all cost" economic policy. Singaporeans have therefore given the PAP "another chance".
Singh said, "The PAP should strengthen and deepen this trust the people have given to them by listening more and putting in place the right policies. If the PAP can do so, then I am sure Singaporeans will develop a stronger bond with the PAP and will be willing to accept even unpopular policies for the good of Singapore as a whole, as was the case with the first generation PAP leaders."
2. Middle-aged Singaporeans
According to Singh, middle-aged Singaporeans who are "swing voters", were worried about their children’s futures and cost of living issues were angry with the PAP. And while the PAP has a "very good vision with a good plan," many were unconvinced as to how it would address issues like the cost of housing, or secure well-paying jobs for their children.
The PAP must therefore focus more on middle-aged and middle-income Singaporeans, who will continue to be the swing voters at the next election. "The cost of living issues must be addressed effectively over the next five years to win more of this group of voters over," added Singh.
3. Arrogance vs humility
Singaporeans now expect "greater humility and personal touch" from their leaders - the “we know best” attitude no longer works. Singh also pointed to the "arrogance" of the Workers' Party leaders, which he felt contributed to their erosion of votes in Aljunied GRC, even when pitted against a team of PAP rookies.
Elitism is also something the PAP government should be concerned about, especially since the party continues to choose the elites to become key appointment holders. He said, "Leaders must come from a diverse background and servant leadership is what will work for the future."
4. Connecting with the ground
While Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam excelled in this respect, Singh felt that some of the younger opposition candidates did better than their counterparts in connecting with voters, particular younger voters. He noted, "It was a pity that not many of the PAP new candidates, especially those slated to take on ministerial positions stood out during GE2015".
5. Communicating the PAP's plans
The PAP's "great plans" must be clearly communicated to voters, in order to inspire trust in them. This is so that they will accept "tough policies" when necessary. While PM Lee and DPM Tharman have done well, "now the rest of the PAP leaders need to get their politics right too," he wrote.
6. The needs of minorities
Singh said that Indians are "generally upset", as their concerns have not been well addressed, and integration of new immigrants from India has not been very successful. He added that for Malays, the issue of CPF money being used for the haj (pilgrimmage) and the "tudung matter" remain as sore points.
Calling this an "urgent issue", he added, "The PAP’s strength in the past had always been a good understanding of the minorities and this must be rebuilt again for greater trust and confidence".
7. Involving more Singaporeans
Noting that PM Lee had called on more Singaporeans to be involved in shaping the future of Singapore, Singh stressed, "The government must convert this to action by being more and more consultative... The PAP must deliver to make this a reality - getting many more Singaporeans, civil society groups, etc., involved in crafting policies".
