Politicians' speeches tell you much about a person's grasp of issues. The importance of soundbites cannot be denied but the truly great orator is able to fuse it with a narrative with utter compelling reasoning that will wow the crowd, and for those who know the issues in depth, they can sense the depth in a politician's mind. Such is the class which most local opposition politicians lack especially newbies speaking on a stage for the first time. In this class, I reckon only LTK and CST have this quality. CST in this election is a shadow of his past due to his poor health. In the heyday, CST is a class of his own. In the past, I reckon Francis Seow, JBJ and the fiery Tang Liang Hong got these qualities. Tang Liang Hong got to go, as I listened to him, he was such a power with his words yet conveying his shrewd awareness. He is a big threat. LTK does it in a moderate style but utterly effective. His ability to go on a topic with powerful logic, yet using consistent soundbites, got my admiration. It is easier to be fiery but to do it from a quiet style is far harder. LTK is in a class of his own without a doubt.
I disagree on the LTK part. LTK is a good MP and leader for the party. However he is not a good Parliamentarian. Far too often I've seen him being crushed too easily in Parliament or not press far enough on his own point.
With Sylvia Lim and Chen Show Mao both having Lawyer background, this might chance in the near future
In this forum nearly a month ago I revealed that LTK was leaving Hougang to contest the GRC. No one had revealed that or even hinted that before. That info did not come from WP members. It came from a govt source. Rest assured that GY and the rest of the establishment were well aware. This is the govt of Singapore that we are talking about. This is the same govt that bugged Ryan Goh's house in Perth and interviewed the shopkeeper near his daughter's place of abode about her demeanor. This is the same govt that entered Francis Seow's hotel room in the US and emptied his trash can in his room. The only people that seemed surprised are his party faithful except for an inner circle. Only the full slate was not finalised.
If this Govt wanted to save GY, they would have done it. All it takes is GY to move as they did with LSS.
Surprised that you don't know.
This was the result of a disinformation campaign that took forever to implement. LTK was supposed to lead a "sneak" attack in Moulmein Kallang. Also, it was not supposed to be concentrated effort. Rather Sylvia and Chen was supposed to take Aljunied while LTK went to Moulmein Kallang with his "surprise" commando team.
This was fed to the moles who brought the poison back to their master.
On Nomination Day, LTK took the wrong bus and ended up in the wrong nomination centre. The rest is history.
I believe there maybe some logic to the theory that PAP may want GY to lose.
Firstly, when they added Kaki Bukit Ward to Aljunied, surely they would have known that MP had not been contested for years and Kaki Bukit was under East Coast before going to MP. And even before to moving to East Coast it was under Eunos. We all know that WP had strong support in Eunos and it was hotly contested previously. By moving Kaki Bukit, it may end up meaning more votes for WP than PAP. And the results confirmed that Kaki Bukit got more WP votes. Bad technical move? But I guess it may be done on purpose.
Even though WP did not announce where LTK was standing, but surely the PAP knows that the WP will send a very strong team to Aljunied. In that case, they have the following options. Move GY out of Aljunied if they really treasure him. But that would also means that it will make the WP capture of Aljunied easier. Therefore they should strengthen the team. Beside GY, the rest of the PAP Aljunied team is lightweight. For example LHH is already very unpopular in her ward due to the foreign dorm issues. CP had her fair share of negative news too. They are the weakest link in the team and yet LHL did not replace them.
When LHL apologize, he did that to save WKS and MBT asses not GY. Therefore poor GY had do make a last minute plead and vowed to be the voice of Aljunied as the WP had been campaigning on having opp voices. In my view this was like a penalty awarded in the 90th minute. However LHL did nothing to it. He could have supported GY and his team by declaring that the PAP whip will be lifted for the Alijunied Team if they get elected. This will definitely win back a lot of vote. But he kept quiet and therefore GY send the penalty wide and the rest is history.
I disagree on the LTK part. LTK is a good MP and leader for the party. However he is not a good Parliamentarian. Far too often I've seen him being crushed too easily in Parliament or not press far enough on his own point.
CST has consistently done better in this department, even some of the former NCMPs like Sylvia Lim and Steve Chia actually fared much better then him in Parliament. Whether it's due to the law training of the former or the lack of proficiency of LTK himself, I am not sure. There is no doubt that he makes a good leader, a brilliant political strategist and a good MP. He is also very charismatic however LTK's debating skills leaves a lot to be desired.
With Sylvia Lim and Chen Show Mao both having Lawyer background, this might change in the near future
When LHL apologize, he did that to save WKS and MBT asses not GY. Therefore poor GY had do make a last minute plead and vowed to be the voice of Aljunied as the WP had been campaigning on having opp voices. In my view this was like a penalty awarded in the 90th minute. However LHL did nothing to it. He could have supported GY and his team by declaring that the PAP whip will be lifted for the Alijunied Team if they get elected. This will definitely win back a lot of vote. But he kept quiet and therefore GY send the penalty wide and the rest is history.
At no time did LHL mention GY name during the hustings in terms of support. When the result was known he also did not mention GY. No one does that to a key and respected person of the establishment for such a long time.
I can tell you now that Zainal was supposed to step down and take on the Presidency. He was not slated for speaker despite what the PAP said in the open. There was also talk that GY was interested in pursuing personal interest for quite a while. Push and pull factors in play with no love lost.
hahaha....my little bird says you are full of BS.....At no time did LHL mention GY name during the hustings in terms of support. When the result was known he also did not mention GY. No one does that to a key and respected person of the establishment for such a long time.
I can tell you now that Zainal was supposed to step down and take on the Presidency. He was not slated for speaker despite what the PAP said in the open. There was also talk that GY was interested in pursuing personal interest for quite a while. Push and pull factors in play with no love lost.
At no time did LHL mention GY name during the hustings in terms of support. When the result was known he also did not mention GY. No one does that to a key and respected person of the establishment for such a long time.