PAP and the Malays - what next?

[scroobal]

I am keen to explore this theme and I quoting a comment by Porfirio made in another thread

"the apparent coming of age of the malay/muslim electorate who now seem to be divided at least to some extent between PAP n Oppo - well at least WP going by aljunied n to a certain extent east coast, moulmein-kallang..."

Zainual Abideen is arguably the most popular politician among the Malays and non-Malays and on both side of the political divide. He is also well respected for his views and grudgingly accepted by the Malay young turks.

Kaki Bukit ward was transferred to Aljunied and it is a known Malay stronghold.

The Malays have a pact with the PAP as result of the uprising by their intellectuals in 1990 prior to the 1991 elections. GCT brokered the deal when Tarmuggi and the rest of the PAP Malay MPs failed. In essence, they have right of veto for Malay PAP candidates and they receive a series of perks in return. ( All these are not in public ) It also explains why not single Malay intellectual or successful individual has surfaced in opposition politics. This is despite the fact that they see their own land being swarmed by Ah Tiong, Indian, Pinoy Talents.

So what happened? What next? Will we see a Malay intellectual coming into opposition politics. Will the PAP in the guise of national security step in start imposing draconian rules?

 

[kingrant]

The starting point or point of departure depending on whose pov, must be this statement.

In essence, they have right of veto for Malay PAP candidates and they receive a series of perks in return. ( All these are not in public )

I suppose it depends on what are these perks? If rewards/risks of the Malays breaking the compact diminish, then isnt it a given which way the wind blows? Wud not this ratio be affected by whether new factions emerging within the PAP and how powerful they are; are they sino-centric; how they can alter the balance?

 

[Cestbon]

Malay are about 20% of Singapore population . But 80% courier/delivery,parking warden are Malay something must be wrong because these are low paying jobs . No wonder all shift support to opposition.

 

[Jah_rastafar_I]

This isn't their land. It's our land being swamped. Damn get it straight.

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

i seem to get the impression that the malay/muslim community is not so homogenous as before...reflection of singapore society in general perhaps?...more fragmented n diverse...msm even mentioned that quite afew of the new rich n educated malay/muslims distancing themselves fm the community...things becoming more complex requiring a nuanced change of strategy...interesting to c how the new malay/muslim WP MP shall handle himself n whether he can attract some credible chaps/ladies who r discontented wif paps malay/muslim MPs/establishment...

 

[Man On The Street]

Malays are easy to please and not so complex. The PAP knows how to rub them the right way and get them to sing their tune. Therein lies the reason why they have massive support from the community. It is the young, the affluent and the worldly-wise that pose the biggest problems for the whites.

 

[HulkSmash]

MUIS as a religious organ has failed - in Malay/Muslim eyes. MENDAKI is also a failure to most bros. AMP tried something different and failed miserably too. PAP was too good and cut everyhing in the bud.

 

[kingrant]

You may have a point there that they are not homogenous. I think after urban resettlement, HDB rules to prevent enclaves, the kampong spirit can no longer survive to keep them together in one place to entrench groupthink. I have heard of malays looking down on one another between the haves and the havenots. The haves are the ones who have competed successfully with the other races, possess the material goods (nice European cars, latest iphone..) travel frequently... I must think that if they felt they have arrived despite the Chinese dominance and all that, they probably dont have that fundamentalist chip on their shoulder that they are downtrodden. The havenots are yr usual drug and glue sniffers, broken families, parental abuse cases, and living many mouths under one roof.

To represent these two must call for diff kinds of political and community leadership.

i seem to get the impression that the malay/muslim community is not so homogenous as before...reflection of singapore society in general perhaps?...more fragmented n diverse...msm even mentioned that quite afew of the new rich n educated malay/muslims distancing themselves fm the community...things becoming more complex requiring a nuanced change of strategy...interesting to c how the new malay/muslim WP MP shall handle himself n whether he can attract some credible chaps/ladies who r discontented wif paps malay/muslim MPs/establishment...

 

[lockeliberal]

Dear Scroobal

When Zaniuls score in a Malay dominated area is 49% versus a WP Malay candidate less well known and less well qualified and we have a PM declaring that there is no problem. Errrr Houston we have a problem :_)))

The Kaki Bukit shift was meant to save GY. The taking out of 20,000 pro WP leaning groups and cutting in with 20,000 supposedly more pro PAP Malay areas under Ong Ye Kung was meant to hold the line in view of the well known MALAY weakness from GE 2006 as even Yellow has been arguing for ages.

The Key difference was a shift in the Malay voting pattern from about 70 30 in the PAPs favor to about 50 50. The Malay vote used to be the Umno equivalent of Sabah and Sarawak. safe and in the bank. Well its safe no longer and under threat as disclosed when PM Lee said he would have to observe what the new Malay Opposition MP has to say when he on victory nite in Hougang did say something about a new Malay leadership.

This shift puts a whole lot of marginal seats across the East at risk. I have my own views on what shifted but I would like to see how the discussion develops.

Suffice it to say that I am surprised whereby after GE 2006 I was told how closely the Malay Community model in Singapore follows that in Malaysia whereby community leaders are given privelages and support in exchange for their community endorsement of a particular PAP candidate


Locke

I am keen to explore this theme and I quoting a comment by Porfirio made in another thread

"the apparent coming of age of the malay/muslim electorate who now seem to be divided at least to some extent between PAP n Oppo - well at least WP going by aljunied n to a certain extent east coast, moulmein-kallang..."

Zainual Abideen is arguably the most popular politician among the Malays and non-Malays and on both side of the political divide. He is also well respected for his views and grudgingly accepted by the Malay young turks.

Kaki Bukit ward was transferred to Aljunied and it is a known Malay stronghold.

The Malays have a pact with the PAP as result of the uprising by their intellectuals in 1990 prior to the 1991 elections. GCT brokered the deal when Tarmuggi and the rest of the PAP Malay MPs failed. In essence, they have right of veto for Malay PAP candidates and they receive a series of perks in return. ( All these are not in public ) It also explains why not single Malay intellectual or successful individual has surfaced in opposition politics. This is despite the fact that they see their own land being swarmed by Ah Tiong, Indian, Pinoy Talents.

So what happened? What next? Will we see a Malay intellectual coming into opposition politics. Will the PAP in the guise of national security step in start imposing draconian rules?

 

[longbow]

No need to talk about pacts between Malays and PAP. Cestbon points to the problem - Malays hold the lowly paid jobs. The importation of FT from China, India are challenging these Malays for jobs. If those in the while collar sector feel the pinch, those in the blue collar feel it even more. On top of that you throw in cost of living increases and ground is ripe.

MM's "hard truth" and fact that no one admonished him is a stinker.

Many of the Malay youths of today are no longer that subservient to their leaders. So the old methods of getting the support from leaders (religious, community leader), and the rest will follow has changed. The Brits used to do that with the Sultans in Malaysia

Malay are about 20% of Singapore population . But 80% courier/delivery,parking warden are Malay something must be wrong because these are low paying jobs . No wonder all shift support to opposition.

 

[longbow]

"Will we see a Malay intellectual coming into opposition politics. Will the PAP in the guise of national security step in start imposing draconian rules? "

Irrelevant - No need for Malay intellectual - just need a younger gen that speak to their issues. In this election, we have seen our fair share of scholars that cannot connect to the voters. With social media and 24/7 CNN, voters want a media savvy representative that can connect to the people.

As for draconian rules - not workable in this day with the internet. And with 20% population you can easily inflame the situation.

Going forward, the PAP will have big issues with transparency and access to social networks. They sued NYT for their article on nepotism. But nothing they can do if those same questions are asked in a social media env. The old tactics of withholding funds for opposition wards is not going to work (try getting a minister to argue for that policy!), Intimidation will backfire (try using ISA to throw someone in jail and you will have CNN and social media buzz at your doorsteps).

Public is sick of the worship of scholars. Nicole Seah made a very valid comment that rang a bell with many Singaporeans - she mentioned that she was not elite, came from local uni, took MRT, eat at food court, stays in HDB flat - hey she is the girl next door like you and me! But boy does she have a message. Compare that to that SAF Gen with multiple degrees, official certified as PAP quality product but cannot connect. People are thinking, perhaps all this scholar worship is nonsense. Why not have politicians that represnt us and fight for our aspirations and we can go hire the scholars to crunch the numbers.

Now lets say Nicole becomes an MP the next round or even a Minister 10 years from now The common folk can point to her and say, hey my daughter, if she can make it to local Uni can become a mnister on day.

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

yes...looks like a shift...i wonder how much of it was to do wif harry's 'hard truth' viz the malay/muslim community?...and how much to do wif the change fm homogenous to diverse n fragmented...

whatever the case...zainul was no doubt the most popular chap amongst the pap malay/muslim mps...and his popularity cut across ethnic barriers to include all singaporeans...a decent chap wif his heart in the right place albeit may be abit soft at times...i wish him well...

The Key difference was a shift in the Malay voting pattern from about 70 30 in the PAPs favor to about 50 50. The Malay vote used to be the Umno equivalent of Sabah and Sarawak. safe and in the bank. Well its safe no longer and under threat as disclosed when PM Lee said he would have to observe what the new Malay Opposition MP has to say when he on victory nite in Hougang did say something about a new Malay leadership.

This shift puts a whole lot of marginal seats across the East at risk. I have my own views on what shifted but I would like to see how the discussion develops.

Locke

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

interesting pov bro...no wonder MG Chan has suddenly gone to ground all of a sudden!...

 

[davetan3]

I think MG Chan has a more humble background than Nicole Seah.
It's just that he ended up with a President's Scholarship to study overseas.
Just hear the "accent" when they talk. One speaks like a Singaporean, the other like a CNA news broadcaster. Local uni, eat at food court, stay in HDB flat, but let's hear the accent.

interesting pov bro...no wonder MG Chan has suddenly gone to ground all of a sudden!...