In an interview published by TODAY on 15 August 2008, MM Lee employed his classical scare tactic to dissuade Singaporeans from supporting the opposition:
“They say, oh, let’s have multiparty politics. Let’s have different parties change and be in charge of the Government. Is it that simple? You vote in a Division Three government, not a Division One government, and the whole economy will just subside within three, four years. Finished.”
While most educated young Singaporeans dismissed his claims as outlandish, many middle-aged conservative voters who are afraid of the possible detrimental impact of political upheaval which may follow a change of government on their livelihoods are convinced by his rhetoric into continuing to support the PAP though they have little affinity for it.
The United States and many European countries like United Kingdom, France and Germany change their governments every few years with few hassles. Their economies remain strong and societies largely peaceful and stable.
Of course according to MM Lee, we cannot compare ourselves to Europe with its long history of democracy. We are situated in a volatile region wrecked by racial, partisan and adversarial politics. Singapore cannot afford a change of status quo because a strong opposition will distract the PAP from governing the nation while a change of government run by inexperienced hands will frighten investors away and ruin the country economically.
Is there any truth in MM Lee’s words of “wisdom”?
Even though MM Lee is a well-respected international statesman, we cannot simply believe every single word he says without putting them under scrutiny and analysis.
Since Singapore has never had a sizeable opposition or a change of government in its 44 years of nationhood, we have to use our closest neighbor up north as a study model.
Read rest of article here:
http://wayangparty.com/?p=6150
“They say, oh, let’s have multiparty politics. Let’s have different parties change and be in charge of the Government. Is it that simple? You vote in a Division Three government, not a Division One government, and the whole economy will just subside within three, four years. Finished.”
While most educated young Singaporeans dismissed his claims as outlandish, many middle-aged conservative voters who are afraid of the possible detrimental impact of political upheaval which may follow a change of government on their livelihoods are convinced by his rhetoric into continuing to support the PAP though they have little affinity for it.
The United States and many European countries like United Kingdom, France and Germany change their governments every few years with few hassles. Their economies remain strong and societies largely peaceful and stable.
Of course according to MM Lee, we cannot compare ourselves to Europe with its long history of democracy. We are situated in a volatile region wrecked by racial, partisan and adversarial politics. Singapore cannot afford a change of status quo because a strong opposition will distract the PAP from governing the nation while a change of government run by inexperienced hands will frighten investors away and ruin the country economically.
Is there any truth in MM Lee’s words of “wisdom”?
Even though MM Lee is a well-respected international statesman, we cannot simply believe every single word he says without putting them under scrutiny and analysis.
Since Singapore has never had a sizeable opposition or a change of government in its 44 years of nationhood, we have to use our closest neighbor up north as a study model.
Read rest of article here:
http://wayangparty.com/?p=6150
