http://singaporemind.blogspot.com/2010/11/truth-and-reality-on-ground.html
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Truth and Reality on the Ground....
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Here are political broadcasts in 2006 by Ms Chee and Ms Slyvia Lim for the last elections. You can replay most of it for the coming elections because few of the problems raised has been solved and many things have worsened for a segment of the populace. What I notice reviewing the 4 yr old political broadcast is Ms Chee of SDP spoke about bread and butter issues while Slyvia spoke about the unlevel playing field for the opposition - the public sometimes think that SDP is all about democracy and WP is more concerned about bread & butter issues. Perhaps the actual differences among our alternative parties are not as large as we think and they differ mostly in style and how they choose to engage the PAP. I will take a detour to a popular topic - gangs- but will discuss a little more about the elections later.
After the murder of teen, Darren Ng, MP for Pasir Ris said that the incident was an "isolated one". Shortly after he said that, another gang related attack occurred in Bukit Panjang[Link], a woman was attacked by a gang at pub[Link] and the police arrest many gang members found many weapons[Link][Link][Link]. Apparently, gang activities have been festering among our 'lost youth' and it took a murder and a bunch of unruly gang members from a teenage gang called 369 to wake everyone up:
The above article from our very own "fair and objective" Straits Times quoted MP Teo Ho Pin saying that his ward Bukit Panjang is safe, he has not seen a gang fight in 14 yrs and wants residents to be pro-active, take responsibility and give information if they see suspicious activities. Later in the article, one resident, Raj, said he has been writing to the MP and police for 2 whole years about the neighborhood which is "brimming with illegal activities". Other residents said they feel unsafe in the area where rowdy teens with tatoos hang out frequently. I brought up this article not to talk about gangs but how the perception and thinking of leaders can be very far removed from the reality on the ground. In this case, an MP who is suppose to close to the ground doesn't know what goes on in his neighborhood, denies the place is unsafe when residents feel a lot more has to be done. He asks for more information when residents have already provided feedback on the matter for more than 2 years. This particular MP is believed to be one of the better MPs around[Link].
For 4 years now, Singaporeans have been coping with the problems that Ms Chee spoke about in her 2006 political broadcast. Little has been done - in fact the govt ignored what is felt on the ground and has gone ahead with its own agenda and taking care of its own interests. In the first part of her speech, Ms Chee spoke of high minister's pay vs low income many Singaporeans have to struggle with....how many Singaporeans feel that this is unfair and unjust. One of the 1st things PM Lee did after getting elected was to increase the pay of ministers and MPs....slapping Singaporeans in the face (figuratively). Ms Chee spoke of the rising cost of living and how tough it was for Singaporeans to cope as a large segment of the populace have faced stagnant wages for the past decade. The PAP govt response to that was to increase the GST after the elections...and prices of many other things after the elections. Ms Chee spoke about the problems caused by the large influx of foreigners. the PAP govt went on to increase the influx causing great strain to housing, transport and medical services. If you want things to be fixed and your interests addressed, you cannot simply give feedback and write emails ...that was what the people of Bukit Panjang did and their problems only got worse. You have to send a strong signal in the next elections...a signal so strong that it cannot be ignored for things to change for the better and to make Singapore a better home for all Singaporeans.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Truth and Reality on the Ground....
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Here are political broadcasts in 2006 by Ms Chee and Ms Slyvia Lim for the last elections. You can replay most of it for the coming elections because few of the problems raised has been solved and many things have worsened for a segment of the populace. What I notice reviewing the 4 yr old political broadcast is Ms Chee of SDP spoke about bread and butter issues while Slyvia spoke about the unlevel playing field for the opposition - the public sometimes think that SDP is all about democracy and WP is more concerned about bread & butter issues. Perhaps the actual differences among our alternative parties are not as large as we think and they differ mostly in style and how they choose to engage the PAP. I will take a detour to a popular topic - gangs- but will discuss a little more about the elections later.
After the murder of teen, Darren Ng, MP for Pasir Ris said that the incident was an "isolated one". Shortly after he said that, another gang related attack occurred in Bukit Panjang[Link], a woman was attacked by a gang at pub[Link] and the police arrest many gang members found many weapons[Link][Link][Link]. Apparently, gang activities have been festering among our 'lost youth' and it took a murder and a bunch of unruly gang members from a teenage gang called 369 to wake everyone up:
Dr Teo Ho Pin, MP for Bukit Panjang, also urged residents to play a part in keeping the estate safe.
He said: 'It is important that residents remain alert, vigilant and provide information if they see any suspicious or incriminating activities.'
He, however, maintained that the area is safe, and that he had never seen a single gang fight in the area in the last 14 years.
But residents The Straits Times spoke to said that the area has been known for gang activity for years, and that recent years have seen a rise in such activity and also more rowdy teenagers in the area.
One of them, who wanted to be known only as Raj, said that he believes the increased audacity of teenage groups could be a result of a temporary neighbourhood police post in Fajar Road being closed down.
A neighbourhood police centre was opened farther down in Segar Road.
Mr Raj, 47, said he has e-mailed Dr Teo and the police for about two years, since he started feeling that his neighbourhood was unsafe and brimming with illegal activity.
He felt the fencing up of the area has done little to keep teenagers away from the area, as they have resorted to staying out late at the blocks' void decks and the barbecue pit instead.
He said that it is not uncommon to see teenagers from nearby schools in their uniforms smoking in the vicinity. Some even sport tattoos.
- Lifestyle hub a haunt of rowdy teens, Straits Times, Nov 12, 2010.He said: 'It is important that residents remain alert, vigilant and provide information if they see any suspicious or incriminating activities.'
He, however, maintained that the area is safe, and that he had never seen a single gang fight in the area in the last 14 years.
But residents The Straits Times spoke to said that the area has been known for gang activity for years, and that recent years have seen a rise in such activity and also more rowdy teenagers in the area.
One of them, who wanted to be known only as Raj, said that he believes the increased audacity of teenage groups could be a result of a temporary neighbourhood police post in Fajar Road being closed down.
A neighbourhood police centre was opened farther down in Segar Road.
Mr Raj, 47, said he has e-mailed Dr Teo and the police for about two years, since he started feeling that his neighbourhood was unsafe and brimming with illegal activity.
He felt the fencing up of the area has done little to keep teenagers away from the area, as they have resorted to staying out late at the blocks' void decks and the barbecue pit instead.
He said that it is not uncommon to see teenagers from nearby schools in their uniforms smoking in the vicinity. Some even sport tattoos.
The above article from our very own "fair and objective" Straits Times quoted MP Teo Ho Pin saying that his ward Bukit Panjang is safe, he has not seen a gang fight in 14 yrs and wants residents to be pro-active, take responsibility and give information if they see suspicious activities. Later in the article, one resident, Raj, said he has been writing to the MP and police for 2 whole years about the neighborhood which is "brimming with illegal activities". Other residents said they feel unsafe in the area where rowdy teens with tatoos hang out frequently. I brought up this article not to talk about gangs but how the perception and thinking of leaders can be very far removed from the reality on the ground. In this case, an MP who is suppose to close to the ground doesn't know what goes on in his neighborhood, denies the place is unsafe when residents feel a lot more has to be done. He asks for more information when residents have already provided feedback on the matter for more than 2 years. This particular MP is believed to be one of the better MPs around[Link].
For 4 years now, Singaporeans have been coping with the problems that Ms Chee spoke about in her 2006 political broadcast. Little has been done - in fact the govt ignored what is felt on the ground and has gone ahead with its own agenda and taking care of its own interests. In the first part of her speech, Ms Chee spoke of high minister's pay vs low income many Singaporeans have to struggle with....how many Singaporeans feel that this is unfair and unjust. One of the 1st things PM Lee did after getting elected was to increase the pay of ministers and MPs....slapping Singaporeans in the face (figuratively). Ms Chee spoke of the rising cost of living and how tough it was for Singaporeans to cope as a large segment of the populace have faced stagnant wages for the past decade. The PAP govt response to that was to increase the GST after the elections...and prices of many other things after the elections. Ms Chee spoke about the problems caused by the large influx of foreigners. the PAP govt went on to increase the influx causing great strain to housing, transport and medical services. If you want things to be fixed and your interests addressed, you cannot simply give feedback and write emails ...that was what the people of Bukit Panjang did and their problems only got worse. You have to send a strong signal in the next elections...a signal so strong that it cannot be ignored for things to change for the better and to make Singapore a better home for all Singaporeans.
