Low Versus Low

[scroobal]

Agree with the points that you raised.

Eric Low got nothing to hit, so he find all the small nitty gritty things to complain.

It's like what some opposition parties have been doing to PAP wards. Just that this time roles are reversed in Hougang. The losers always have 1001 reasons to hit.

It is a nice answer by Low Thia Kiang and by giving blankets to funerals, Eric Low also got things to complain. We don't see PAP wards giving condolences and donations to the families. At least he used it from his own MP allowance. PAP wards only show their faces at VIP funerals.

On the issue of the privatisation of the HUDC, why should the MP get involved? He is not even an owner of the units in HUDC.

 

[Perspective]

As for LTK, I'm impressed by his letter above which is simple and easily understood but to the point but why it is that he is unable to articulate the same manner when he is in Parliament?

In Parliament, you get to ask questions most of the time rather than make a speech. The rare time you get to make a speech is when passing Bills and you tend to have to speak in a technical and robotic language and there is also time limit. When all this go to the 154th they quote only the question of the opposition MP then give 90% space to the answer of the minister involved in the debate on the topic. Even the headline says "XXX, replies Ng Eng Hen". They also do not report much on supplementary questions, which is Low's and not Sylvia's favourite strike point. That is why WP sounds so muted.

On the other hand press releases have no limit of language, length and topic and can be layman-worded or "unparliamentary" (although not defamatory). For non Parliamentary parties like NSP, RP and SDP, they have only this channel to go to, yet unintentionally end up looking "sexy" and enticing in position, recruiting more members than parties in Parliament when it's supposed to be the other way. You can see when WP releases a press release it gets so popular.

In reality, Parliamentary parties spoke up more because you have to since Parliament is once a month and you HAVE to produce something to look good. In 5 years, that's 60 times. Each session you ask 3 questions, that's 180 times the minister have to respond to you in 5 years. And that's not including the written answers, speeches and Budget Debate.

The failure of Singaporeans is to get this impression that Parliamentary parties are quiet. However I would also say it's the failure of WP to think that Parliament is enough and does not issue press releases or use the net for supplementary questions in the Hansard.

 

[lockeliberal]

Dear Ramseth and Perspective

If you chose just to ask questions, like primary school, question a question b question c, well you will get answers to a b and c. The problem as always is two fold, one do you ask hard questions or soft questions and do u relate it either to PAP incompetence or minestierial incompetence in general. Finally if one ask the questions politely you will get a polite response or a polite non answer, however if the follow on is combative or fiery then by nature of the response it will be be reported.

I certainly do not expect better parliamentary coverage to be better for the opposition if they ask questions in a manner which do not differentiate them from the 72 PAP Mps out there.

Take for example the recent issue on Bus Overcrowding and MRT over crowding which even the PAP acknowledges as an issue. NO questions raised or asked by the WP on whether there were problems in the planning or whether government policy was miscalculated but rather on concessions for the disabled for public transport.

A quick read through the WP website will give you the gist. Question not the unfairness or incompetence of a policy as a cohesive whole, but question sub section a paragragh b about problems in its implementation or particular rules .




Locke

 

[shunquan]

Take for example the recent issue on Bus Overcrowding and MRT over crowding which even the PAP acknowledges as an issue. NO questions raised or asked by the WP on whether there were problems in the planning or whether government policy was miscalculated but rather on concessions for the disabled for public transport.

That is why, despite being pro-PAP, I have a degree of grudging respect for the WP. Low and Sylvia are like snipers and most of the time they hit their target. Their points are always very targeted go straight for the point and, more importantly, we know what they want to do if they ever become a government.

Compare that to the anyhow hantum M S Goh who pulls in ideas from all over the place and talks like a bunch of Division III officers.

Or compare that to the MONGREL who bit his masters' hands LOUDHAILER chee soon juan who is always living in his ivory tower. Only ideas from him is a blue sky leftist agenda and a lot of highbrow stuff that citizens really don't give a hoot about.

M S Goh and the MONGREL who bit his masters' hands LOUDHAILER chee soon juan are like unaimed machine guns firing all over the place. Sometimes the gun even hits their own people.

Let's see if KJ can build a consistent story. If either Low or KJ succeeds, at least there will be hope that we will have a proper opposition to play the role of His Excellency's opposition.

 

[lockeliberal]

Dear Shun

We have a huge fat PAP target on one single issue, the WP if the issues is not about minesterial saleries, Chinese Ed, Hougang, Upgrading or the PA will snipe at the toe nail



Locke

 

[CCBcsj]

We have a huge fat PAP target on one single issue, the WP if the issues is not about minesterial saleries, Chinese Ed, Hougang, Upgrading or the PA will snipe at the toe nail

They are focused and they have decided what are vote winners and do not want to distract their story. Other "nice to make noise about" things may not in their eyes win votes.

Must more admirable than the SDP style.

 

[Ramseth]

if Sylvia can win Hougang then LTK should consider contesting Aljunied.
but I can't see LTK leaving Hougang and gambling his political career on Aljunied unless he's certain WP has a very good chance of winning that GRC coming GE (polls?)

CST waited and delayed for a GRC contest till at the end of his political career.

I don't think Sylvia would be fielded to defend Hougang. 1. She has worked the grounds from Serangoon Garden to the Punngol boundary extensively. 2. An SMC like Hougang requires a Chinese speaking man. 3. Even if LTK wants to come out to Aljunied GRC, he'd have Sylvia in the team to make it a full force contest for a win, not just a high-scoring loss.

For example, in the Kovan division of Aljunied GRC, Cynthia Phua would have lost to GMS if she didn't have the umbrella cover of a GRC.

Aljunied GRC returned 44% to WP in GE 2006. A swing of 7% is required. Taking Sylvia away would negate whatever swing LTK could garner.

 

[IR123]

It is revealing that one mentioned about the questions raised by WP as being non-differentiating and a pro-PAP supporter interpret it as being pertinent and to the point.

A related question which appears to be carefully avoided is on the type of questions that CST asked in Parliament.




LTK comments on Eric Low is within LTK's character in growling over the Hougang's bone. Issues that affect his constituency raised his ire to the extent of him shedding off his reticence. Yet issues that were raised by Singaporeans in the main on the various forums do not elicit that sort of response from him (as evidenced by his website). His behaviour therefore indicates that Hougang issues affect him more than national issues.

Based on this, it is a safe assumption to make that LTK will not contest in Aljunid.

Eric Low is unlikely to make any dent in LTK's popularity in Hougang. Petty issues like the HUDC privatisation will continue to occupy both Lows' time. To the approval of the pro-PAP supporters as well as the delight of the opposition supporters.

In the final analysis, Hougang will be retained by WP, Ang Mo Kio will not be contested by the WP and LTK will continue his questioning in Parliament, to the delight of one PAP supporter.

A bit of valve release, useful in affirming that democracy exists in Singapore.

 

[CCBcsj]

It is revealing that one mentioned about the questions raised by WP as being non-differentiating and a pro-PAP supporter interpret it as being pertinent and to the point.

No confrontation you no shiok is it? Check out his speeches in Parliament (yes, unlike the MONGREL who bit his masters' hands LOUDHAILER chee soon juan, he does get to speak in Parliament). He can be sharp, very sharp. When he wants to target a point he will not be distracted.

He knows what wins votes. Other than JBJ, LSC, LYN (Low Yong Nguan) CST, LHD and CSC (Cheo Chai Chen, not that vixen Chee Siok Chin) nobody else should think they're better than him, coz he's been there, done that, knows how to win elections, knows how to keep seats, unlike the armchair critics.

 

[IR123]

Things may be different if Aljunid is absorbed under Hougang GRC OR if a third candidate emerged in Hougang.

This may result in a wider focus on the part of WP.

 

[CCBcsj]

Things may be different if Aljunid is absorbed under Hougang GRC OR if a third candidate emerged in Hougang.

This may result in a wider focus on the part of WP.

Hopefully Hougang gets absorbed into AMK GRC. Then see you people regret your anti-Low attitudes.

 

[IR123]

He knows what wins votes.

Tell me, how did the Hougang constituency boundary change over the past elections?

 

[IR123]

Hopefully Hougang gets absorbed into AMK GRC. Then see you people regret your anti-Low attitudes.

Not anti-Low but a more effective Low.

One that focused on bigger issues to the disappointment of pro-PAP supporters.

 

[CCBcsj]

Tell me, how did the Hougang constituency boundary change over the past elections?

You have no understanding about why Low even chose Hougang. That is the heart of the resettled Punggol farmers who were dissatisfied over their resettlement from their farms. Low TK can probably only lose to a son of Punggol / Hougang , like the former MP of old.

The Hougang boundaries cannot change much north, because it is surrounded by the hostile Cheng San areas that Aljunied GRC and AMK GRC absorbed. If you think PM Lee and GY are doing badly in the polls. it is because they have had to carry the hostile Cheng San grounds. Moving them into Hougang will not help much.

 

[CCBcsj]

Not anti-Low but a more effective Low.

One that focused on bigger issues to the disappointment of pro-PAP supporters.

For your information, all who are PAP supporters are not blindly following them, but are bought over by the logical (although very heartless to their detractors) arguments of the leaders.

Low has demonstrated his ability to follow suit, as it appears does KJ.

But you people seem to hate anybody in that category - KJ is not even in parliament and you all are already whacking him, probably because he doesn't want to entertain anything which is not logical or strategic!

Tip: What you people call wider issues, other people call anyhow hantum!!

 

[ivebert]

Things may be different if Aljunid is absorbed under Hougang GRC OR if a third candidate emerged in Hougang.

This may result in a wider focus on the part of WP.

Use your brain :oIo:

You think PAP will shoot itself in the foot???? :oIo:

Your intelligence is lower than GMS's armpit hair! :oIo:

 

[CCBcsj]

Use your brain :oIo:

You think PAP will shoot itself in the foot???? :oIo:

Your intelligence is lower than GMS's armpit hair! :oIo:

That you should be infracted for. The phrase "intelligence lower than GMS" is a contradiction in terms.

 

[Ramseth]

Tell me, how did the Hougang constituency boundary change over the past elections?

The boundary of Hougang itself hasn't changed since LTK first won and keeps winning. However, the boundaries around Hougang has kept changing, until Hougang is now completely an isolated island in the Aljunied GRC sea. From Hougang, north, south, east, west are all Aljunied terrorities. Why doesn't PAP just take Hougang into Cheng San in 1996 or into Aljunied now? WP with 44 to 46% at GRC level, taking in Hougang would be dangerous to PAP, if not suicidally foolish. So they just surround it and wait for time for LTK to go or slip up.

 

[aurvandil]

Based on this, it is a safe assumption to make that LTK will not contest in Aljunid.

Good bit of analysis. Aljunied is looking safe and secure for this election.

 

[jw5]

I don't think Sylvia would be fielded to defend Hougang. 1. She has worked the grounds from Serangoon Garden to the Punngol boundary extensively. 2. An SMC like Hougang requires a Chinese speaking man. 3. Even if LTK wants to come out to Aljunied GRC, he'd have Sylvia in the team to make it a full force contest for a win, not just a high-scoring loss.

For example, in the Kovan division of Aljunied GRC, Cynthia Phua would have lost to GMS if she didn't have the umbrella cover of a GRC.

Aljunied GRC returned 44% to WP in GE 2006. A swing of 7% is required. Taking Sylvia away would negate whatever swing LTK could garner.

I can never remember which is Denise Phua and which is Cynthia Phua.