- Joined
- Jun 17, 2020
- Messages
- 13,771
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- 113
First Principles
My team mates in People's Power Party - PPP would be very familiar with this phrase "First Principles" which I always emphasize.
First Principles are like the Golden Universal Laws in physics, whatever we do, we must be congruent and consistent to these principles.
There are a lot of people telling me it is "wrong" to "criticize" WP but they have never stop me from criticizing PAP. They reasoned that this is for "opposition unity" or "politically right" or "in the interests of opposition" ... etc.
In my view, they have gotten the First Principles all wrong.
The First Principles of politics is to "Serve the People First", instead of "party interests" or "opposition interests".
Thus, when the interests of the People are compromised, it is our responsibility as politicians to speak up and protest against it, regardless of who are the ones who are undermining our people.
This is one of the Core Values that I hold dearly and this is also why we have the slogan "Serve the People First" as one of our slogans.
Those in power as ruling party aka PAP would naturally get more criticisms from everyone else, including me. This is because when you are in the position of power, it would also mean that your responsibility would be greater and up for more scrutiny.
But it doesn't mean that other opposition parties would have automatic immunity from criticizm.
Another example of First Principles. The media has started their smear campaign. But I have to say this, my First Principles in selection of candidates is very simple, I will not field anyone with serious integrity problem like those convicted for lying, cheating, scamming, criminal breach of trust... as MP needs to manage Town Council. I will also not fill anyone who is immoral and unethical in nature.
In Singapore, it is quite easy to get charged, jailed and fined for the slightest thing. Even our President Tharman has been charged and convicted under Official Secret Act and fined $1500. Dr Chee also went to jail as a prisoner of conscience. But he is definitely a wonderful candidate.
Let's focus on policies.
My team mates in People's Power Party - PPP would be very familiar with this phrase "First Principles" which I always emphasize.
First Principles are like the Golden Universal Laws in physics, whatever we do, we must be congruent and consistent to these principles.
There are a lot of people telling me it is "wrong" to "criticize" WP but they have never stop me from criticizing PAP. They reasoned that this is for "opposition unity" or "politically right" or "in the interests of opposition" ... etc.
In my view, they have gotten the First Principles all wrong.
The First Principles of politics is to "Serve the People First", instead of "party interests" or "opposition interests".
Thus, when the interests of the People are compromised, it is our responsibility as politicians to speak up and protest against it, regardless of who are the ones who are undermining our people.
This is one of the Core Values that I hold dearly and this is also why we have the slogan "Serve the People First" as one of our slogans.
Those in power as ruling party aka PAP would naturally get more criticisms from everyone else, including me. This is because when you are in the position of power, it would also mean that your responsibility would be greater and up for more scrutiny.
But it doesn't mean that other opposition parties would have automatic immunity from criticizm.
Another example of First Principles. The media has started their smear campaign. But I have to say this, my First Principles in selection of candidates is very simple, I will not field anyone with serious integrity problem like those convicted for lying, cheating, scamming, criminal breach of trust... as MP needs to manage Town Council. I will also not fill anyone who is immoral and unethical in nature.
In Singapore, it is quite easy to get charged, jailed and fined for the slightest thing. Even our President Tharman has been charged and convicted under Official Secret Act and fined $1500. Dr Chee also went to jail as a prisoner of conscience. But he is definitely a wonderful candidate.
Let's focus on policies.
