Serious Revamping the Presidency - the next social media battle commences

[gatehousethetinkertailor]

Whilst the nation continues its outpouring of grief (including the LCS displays at bus stops and malls as reminders), the social media space is already bracing itself for the next hot topic - one observations amongst pundits has been that the MIW are in top form to tackle the revamp of the Presidency and the more significant act of amending the Constitution to accommodate it - the succinct timeline of events:

Timeline

Jan 27 2016: Announced by PM that a Constitutional Commission will be appointed to study changes to the Elected Presidency system, including reviewing the qualifying criteria of candidates.


Jan 31, 2016: Discussion on "Changes to Elected Presidency: Ensuring minorities have a turn" in ST: http://www.straitstimes.com/politics/changes-to-elected-presidency-ensuring-minorities-have-a-turn


Feb 10 2016: ST reports that "9-member Constitutional Commission formed to review Elected Presidency" http://www.straitstimes.com/politic...ommission-formed-to-review-elected-presidency

Chaired by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon
Other eight members appointed to the Commission are:
- Justice Tay Yong Kwang, Judge, Supreme Court
- Mr Eddie Teo, Chairman, Public Service Commission
- Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, Member, Presidential Council for Minority Rights
- Professor Chan Heng Chee, Chairman, Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, Singapore University of Technology and Design
- Mr Chua Thian Poh, Chairman and CEO, Ho Bee Land
- Mr Philip Ng, CEO, Far East Organization
- Mr Peter Seah, Chairman, DBS Bank
- Mr Wong Ngit Liong, Chairman and CEO, Venture Corporation

CJ Menon established Senior Assistant Registrar Christopher Tan as a Secretariat to assist the Commission in its work.
Mr Tan in turn be assisted by Mr Shaun Pereira and Mr Ramasamy Nachiappan, who are both Assistant Registrars of the Supreme Court.

Scope of Commission:
The Commission, according to its Terms of Reference, will review the qualifying process for potential presidential candidates.

In doing so, it will consider whether existing provisions are adequate, taking into account the President’s custodial role in safeguarding financial reserves, and the need to ensure that those eligible for candidacy are individuals of character and standing.

It will also make recommendations to “safeguard minority representation in the Presidency”, taking into account the President’s status as a unifying figure that represents multi-racial Singapore, and the need to ensure minority candidates “have fair and adequate opportunity to be elected to Presidential office”.

Lastly, it will also review the framework governing the exercise of the President’s custodial powers, particularly the role and composition of the Council of Presidential Advisers (CPA), which is an independent body to counsel and advise the President on the exercise of his powers.


31 Jul 2016: ex-President Nathan suffers stroke


Aug 9, 2016: 51st National Day


Aug 11, 2016: CNA announces "Let's talk about race, in ground-breaking documentary" http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/let-s-talk-about-race-in/3034336.html

"In a documentary that takes an unprecedented look at racial prejudice and privilege, presenter Janil Puthucheary finds out if Singaporeans are ready to have an open discussion on race....But to Dr Puthucheary’s surprise, over the five months of filming – hitting the streets, bars and institutions to interview academics, celebrities, sportsmen, taxi drivers and school children to find out where Singaporeans really stand on race relations – his interviewees did not shy away from the challenging topic."


Aug 12, 2016: ST article: "We need to talk about race issues, says Dr Janil" http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/we-need-to-talk-about-race-issues-says-dr-janil


Aug 15, 2016: Regardless Of Race, hosted by Dr Janil premieres on Channel NewsAsia on Aug 15 at 8pm. http://video.toggle.sg/en/series/regardless-of-race/ep1/439373


Aug 17, 2016: CC completes review and report delivered to PM: http://www.straitstimes.com/politic...ncy-completes-review-submits-report-to-pm-lee


Aug 18, 2016: Channel NewsAsia (CNA) on Facebook announced one of their reports, ‘Most Singaporeans want someone of same race as Prime Minister, President: IPS survey’ "Racism still a problem for some Singaporeans, CNA-IPS survey finds" http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/racism-still-a-problem/3043764.html


Aug 19, 2016: ST reports "Singaporeans respect people from all races but quite a number find racism still an issue: CNA-IPS survey" (http://www.straitstimes.com/singapo...but-quite-a-number-find-racism-still-an-issue)


Aug 21, 2016: National Day Rally - Changes for the Elected Presidency featured in PM speech "Mr Lee did not reveal the changes afoot for the elected presidency, but said the Government accepts in principle the main recommendations submitted by a constitutional commission that reviewed the elected president scheme." - the Government will ensure that, from time to time, minorities will be elected as President."

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapo...7-things-you-need-to-know-from-pm-lees-speech


Aug 22, 2016: ex-President Nathan passes



Some early salvos:


Alfian Sa'at; 9 hrs

"Some critiques of a system that would mandate the election of a minority-race President mention that the process will 'undermine the principle of meritocracy'. The assumption is that in a truly meritocratic system, everyone, regardless of race, will have a fair shot at running for President under the present scheme.
One of the criteria laid out for the Elected President include: 3 years in service as a Minister, Chief Justice, Speaker, Attorney-General, Chairman of the PSC, Auditor-General, Accountant-General or Permanent Secretary.

It might be illuminating to examine the path one takes to become a minister in Singapore before one occupies the seat of the Elected President. And scrutinising the educational and career backgrounds of our current ministers might provide a picture of a 'typical' route towards ministerial office.
Out of 19 ministers, (we exclude Khaw Boon Wan, whose secondary education was in Penang), 6, or around 30%, studied in SAP schools (Catholic High, Chinese High, Maris Stella High, Nanyang Girls' High). In a truly meritocratic system, all students in Singapore, regardless of race, should have access to all the schools in Singapore. But SAP schools impose an additional criterion for 'merit', which is 'Chinese as a Mother Tongue Language', effectively barring minority students from this potential path to a political career. One can also point out that some other schools attended by the ministers (Anglo-Chinese School, Saint Joseph's and Saint Andrew's) have a mission school history that might deter non-Christian/Catholic parents from sending their children there because of concerns about proselytisation (whether this is warranted or not).

And out of 19 ministers, 5, or 25%, come from a military background (2 Brigadier-Generals, one Chief of Defence Force, one Chief of Army, one Chief of Navy). Anecdotal accounts, ranging from politicians' statements about the 'divided loyalty' of Malays vis-a-vis our predominantly Muslim neighbours, the concentration of Malay enlistees in the Police NS and Civil Defence, the exemption of some ex-madrasah students from NS, the alibi of non-halal kitchens to explain why Malays are not recruited into the navy, all suggest that the career advancement of Malays in the military is limited.

The observations above might also shed some light as to why there are so few women ministers (and why the path towards us having a female Elected President can be as restrictive as that for minorities.) The military path to a political career is less probable for women because they do not serve NS, and also because much fewer women than men sign up for a military career. Additionally, out of our 19 ministers, 16 of them, or a whopping 84%, come from all-boys' schools (with most from RI, ACS and Catholic High). The ones who did not are: Lawrence Wong (Tanjong Katong Secondary), Masagos Zulkifli (Bukit Panjang Government High) and Grace Fu (Nanyang Girls' High).

It has to be acknowledged that some of these all-boys' schools have quite a profound influence on the students' eventual career path--and these might range from a constant exhortation that they will become eventual leaders of society, to portraits of illustrious (political) alumni that the students encounter every day as they walk past the school's corridors. The RI school motto is translated as 'Hope of a Better Age', whereas the RGS one is 'Daughters of a Better Age'. Close reading will be able to tease out how RI students are to be active agents of shaping that 'better age', whereas the girls are expected to be products of that 'better age'.
The way the discussion on the Elected Presidency is framed right now is that we are not likely to have a minority-race (or even woman) President because Singaporeans are unlikely to vote for someone outside of their own race. The election of JBJ, Murali and Michael Palmer (facing Chinese candidates in Chinese-majority wards) into Parliament prove that this is not always the case.

The reason why we are not likely to have a minority-race President is because our principle of equal opportunities for all has defects in it. But token symbols do not fix the structure; they only draw our attention away from it. As we watch a minority-race candidate pole-vault into the Istana, we'll hopefully forget to examine the broken ladder of our meritocratic system, with rungs that will snap if you're not the right gender or race."


Andrew Loh; 24 August at 08:59

"A little observation:

After JB Jeyaretnam won Anson in 1981's by-election, they introduced the Non-constituency MP (NCMP) scheme in 1984.

After both JB Jeyaretnam and Chiam See Tong won seats in 1984, they introduced the GRC system in 1988.

After Low Thia Khiang won Hougang in 1991 and the SDP won 3 constituencies, they increased the size of GRCs from 3-4 to 5-6 in the 1997 GE.

After the WP won Aljunied in 2011, they announced yet-to-be-revealed changes to the Town Council Act.

After President Ong Teng Cheong became president in 1993 and questioned them about the reserves, they went back and changed the Constitutional powers of the Elected President in 1994, which allowed the govt to bypass the president's scrutiny when statutory boards and Government companies transfer their reserves to the Government.

And now, after Tan Cheng Bock almost won the last presidential election, they are - once again - going back to change the Constitution. This time perhaps to change the very nature of the Elected Presidency itself.

Coincidence?

Is our Constitution a meaningless piece of crap which a party can change at the drop of a hat?

I congratulate the 69% who have helped turned the Constitution into a piece of roti prata, flipped here and there on the whims and fancies of the ruling party they voted for.

Good job, those of you who believe the govt's line that the expected changes to the Elected Presidency is about minority-race representation!

Ask yourself this simple question:

Why are they telling you that you are not ready for a non-Chinese head of government; but that you are apparently ready for a non-Chinese head of state?

You really believe this?

It's like believing in a rainbow-chasing unicorn."

Kojak Bt

"Hi Andrew,

I might even add that the elected presidency idea came from Lee Kuan Yew when he was "freaked out" by JBJ winning the Anson by-election in Oct 1981.

That was the first time that PAP was defeated in an election since the independence of Singapore. He interpreted the event as Singaporeans wanting to see more oppositions in Parliament. He was afraid that PAP might lose power over a freak election when enough votes for the opposition parties might just lead them to become the government.

Hence, he started thinking of a new way to check the new government in case oppositions won a GE. This is evident in the timing when he started thinking about using a new elected presidency to "check" an opposition government in case it won.

Former President Ong Teng Cheong confirmed the timing:

"The elected presidency was Lee Kuan Yew's initiative. He came out with the idea way back in '82, '83."
- http://edition.cnn.com/.../0310/nat.singapore.ongiv.html

The rationale behind his elected presidency idea was also captured in a Reuter's report when he and former U.S. Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers were speaking at a public forum in 2006. Apparently, he disclosed his thoughts at the forum:

"Lee acknowledged that there was growing support for opposition parties among Singapore's voters, but said the office of the elected presidency had been put in place to prevent a profligate opposition government from touching the island's vast monetary reserves. 'Without the elected president and if there is a freak result, within two or three years, the army would have to come in and stop it,' Lee said."
- http://yoursdp.org/.../lee_kuan_yew.../2006-09-16-4399

As can be seen, he was afraid of a freak GE resulting in oppositions forming the government. The elected presidency was meant to "check" on them, not only to stop them from using the reserves but more importantly, to appoint key civil service positions:

http://www.istana.gov.sg/roles-and.../duties/constitutional

"[Appointment of Key Office Holders]

In the interest of ensuring the impartiality of the public sector, the President has the discretionary power to veto the appointment or removal of —

(i) key office holders in the public service listed in Article 22 of the Constitution (such as the Chief Justice, Judges of the Supreme Court, Attorney-General, Auditor-General, Director of Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, Chairman and members of the Public Service Commission, Chief of Defence Force and Commissioner of Police);

(ii) any chairman, board member or chief executive officer of a Fifth Schedule statutory board (Article 22A of the Constitution); and

(iii) any director or chief executive officer of a Fifth Schedule Government company (Article 22C of the Constitution)"

Do note that our elected president is powerful enough to REMOVE any public service officials he did not agree to. This would certainly hamper the workings of the government.

For many years, the elected presidents were those "endorsed" by the government and also hardly anyone pay attentions to the presidential election until 2011. Suddenly, it became obvious to all that a non-PAP endorsed candidate might just become the new Elected President. This would certainly boomerang back against the PAP government, shooting themselves in the foot.

I think Lee Kuan Yew didn't foresee this coming when he first came up with the elected presidency idea in '82, '83."

 

[zhihau]

How many people in the streets truly bothered and read up on our Constitution?

 

[frenchbriefs]

Its true our constitution is a piece of crap.

 

[scroobal]

Great timeline and summary of events Smiley.

I noticed that Mediacorp with their CNA survey is now used by the local party. The question is why CNA for the survey?

Andrew Loh's article is another gem. This is guy has matured greatly with his ability to pull pertinent facts together. Richard Wan (Kojak BT) was with this forum as well.

Whilst the nation continues its outpouring of grief (including the LCS displays at bus stops and malls as reminders), the social media space is already bracing itself for the next hot topic - one observations amongst pundits has been that the MIW are in top form to tackle the revamp of the Presidency and the more significant act of amending the Constitution to accommodate it - the succinct timeline of events:

 

[scroobal]

Maybe not the constitution per se, but the whole EP has been source of much discussion when it was first mooted. I do remember that many people assumed that it was meant for the Old Man and probably was until they realised that elected or not, they can still control the incumbent and they did.

What is sad is that control over the media is so tight that any material that is not establishment aligned never makes it up but thru alternative channels. I however glad that the likes of Alfian, Andrew and Richard etc have their views circulated.

How many people in the streets truly bothered and read up on our Constitution?

 

[zhihau]

Maybe not the constitution per se, but the whole EP has been source of much discussion when it was first mooted.

The crux isn't addressed, the PAP has over 90% of the Parliamentary seats which translates to the ease of bulldozing any policies in place.

 

[scroobal]

Thats the war in progress, the EP is one of many battles. We might not win these battles but the discontent must be made known each and ever time. I remember reading every day for years how the Phantom F4 won the dog fights, entire Vietcong battalions wiped out, how the Americans created fireyzones and controlled thousands of square miles etc. One day, we all saw the US helicopter being tipped over its embassy roof and the war was won by sandalled soldiers of young men and women.

The crux isn't addressed, the PAP has over 90% of the Parliamentary seats which translates to the ease of bulldozing any policies in place.

 

[scroobal]

By the way, sources are indicating that Muhd Alami Musa is being groomed. This is the gentleman that was one of the founders of Mendaki that took on the Govt on Malay rights and GCT had to have a series of peace talks. Out of the talks a number of things were offered or demanded - the money that went to Malay free education will now go to Mendaki, the selections of PAP Malays MPs will include them etc.

He went on to head the powerful MUIS for 10 years. Since 2013 and after the 2011 PE debacle, this guys fast tracked and groomed - appointed ambassador, adjunct academic in NUS etc. He does not qualify under the current criteria but one has to wait for what the Commission report discloses.

The original plan for 2011 before Tony Tan was dragged from his London home to run for PE was to install Zainul Abidin, the former Sr Minister of State but that plan went awry when he lost the Aljunied elections in the same year. He could still be in the short list with time spent. You cannot have the same establishment figure lose 2 elections in the same year.

 

[Charlie99]

The crux isn't addressed, the PAP has over 90% of the Parliamentary seats which translates to the ease of bulldozing any policies in place.

With respect, I believe that since the PAP almost always have more than 75% of the seats in Parliament, the honourable and ethical thing to do is not to amend the Constitution without a National Referendum (where all the adult Singaporeans vote on each suggested amendment).

In the past, the PAP has passed amendments to the Constitution and how MP's are elected, GRC's, etc.

 

[Charlie99]

By the way, sources are indicating that Muhd Alami Musa is being groomed. This is the gentleman that was one of the founders of Mendaki that took on the Govt on Malay rights and GCT had to have a series of peace talks. Out of the talks a number of things were offered or demanded - the money that went to Malay free education will now go to Mendaki, the selections of PAP Malays MPs will include them etc.

He went on to head the powerful MUIS for 10 years. Since 2013 and after the 2011 PE debacle, this guys fast tracked and groomed - appointed ambassador, adjunct academic in NUS etc. He does not qualify under the current criteria but one has to wait for what the Commission report discloses.

The original plan for 2011 before Tony Tan was dragged from his London home to run for PE was to install Zainul Abidin, the former Sr Minister of State but that plan went awry when he lost the Aljunied elections in the same year. He could still be in the short list with time spent. You cannot have the same establishment figure lose 2 elections in the same year.

That gentleman does not meet the very stringent and restrictive criteria.

Did Tony Tan reside in London at that time?
Does he have a residence in the UK?

 

[gatehousethetinkertailor]

Thats the war in progress, the EP is one of many battles. We might not win these battles but the discontent must be made known each and ever time.

As expected the ground response I have been told from many "gubermen fearing/worshipping" (of the non-social media dimension) to the National Day Rally speech was "see our PM so good - he say must give minority a chance also".

The battle to reverse 50 years of damage to critical thinking is long and ardous - look at the comments from those who posted on FB in defence of the achievements of Nathan's presidency

Whatever battle it is, dig deep.


Another piece:

http://international.thenewslens.com/article/47653

Minority Rights, the Presidency, and Constitutional Change in Singapore
2016/08/26, Dr. Ja Ian Chong teaches political science in Singapore.

As many as 46 constitutional amendments have been made in Singapore since independence in 1965, and the country is on the cusp of another round. The Lee Hsien Loong (李顯龍) administration has set in motion a process for change by proposing to make the presidency more accessible to minority races, streamlining the eligibility criteria for presidential candidates, and modifying the role of the Council of Presidential Advisers.

Singapore’s president, assisted by a council of advisers, performs a largely custodial role overseeing the use of the country’s reserves. There are also two presidential councils on minority rights and religious harmony that provide guidance on racial and religious matters, especially as they pertain to inter-racial and inter-religious relations among Singapore’s main ethnic and religious groups.

During the most recent National Day Rally, Prime Minister Lee made it a point to highlight the importance of allowing a member of one of Singapore’s minority ethnic groups to serve as President. Lee’s statement follows his administration’s announcement of an effort to re-examine the presidency at the start of the year.
Some observers have voiced doubts over whether adjustments to the presidential system in Singapore would allow better minority representation and accounting of minority rights. Others suspect that the upcoming changes seek to limit the independence of the presidency. Leaving such hypotheses aside, current proposals to make the office of the President more protective of minority rights and reflective of minority concerns can afford to be more extensive.

Public speculation
Following a series of hearings, a Constitutional Commission convened earlier this year recently submitted its recommendations to the Prime Minister’s Office. The Singapore government feedback and outreach unit, REACH, recently made a call for public comments on the above three areas that the Prime Minister’s Office identified as being key areas of attention. Regrettably, the Commission’s full report, recommendations, and transcripts of its hearings are not publicly available. There continues to be public speculation over whether the current initiative to alter the presidency in the constitution seeks to prevent a candidate that the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) does not support from winning office.

Under the Constitution, Singapore’s president cannot be partisan. However, office holders since the introduction of the elected presidency in 1991 have been either former cabinet ministers or senior bureaucrats. The current President, Tony Tan (陳慶炎), was a former deputy prime minister under the PAP. Tan won with 35.20 percent of vote in a four-sided race. His next closest competitor, Tan Cheng Bock (陳清木), a former PAP backbencher with a reputation for an independent streak received 34.85 percent of the vote. Tan Cheng Bock has declared his intention to run again.

Much public commentary suggests some belief that the proposed constitutional changes and the emphasis on having a minority candidate seeks to prevent Tan Cheng Bock from running in the next presidential election due in 2017. The relative lack of information on the work of the Commission fuels popular conjecture on this matter.

Minority rights
The principle of ensuring minority representation and inclusion in high political office is laudable, especially in an ethnically plural Singapore with a dominant majority race. However, protecting minority rights should go beyond the symbolism of high elected office, especially when issues of marginalization and racism remain real challenges. As prominent Singapore playwright Alfian Sa’at notes, having a minority serve as president largely for symbolic reasons can create a sense of tokenism and run counter to the principle of meritocracy. After all, race may have little to do with the constitutional role of checking spending by the executive branch of government.
Indeed, protecting minority rights can and should go beyond having a minority serving as the head of state. Effective institutions too are important in this regard. Here, I find the silence of the proposed constitutional amendments on the Presidential Council on Minority Rights and the Presidential Council on Religious Harmony curious. Both bodies already have existing constitutional mandate to safeguard minority and religious rights. Several minor adjustments can enable them to perform their functions with more effect. Empowering these two bodies may also be especially welcome in a Singapore that is becoming even more diverse and plural.

Institutional tweaks
One step the Presidential Council on Minority Rights and the Presidential Council on Religious Harmony can take to improve understanding of issues of discrimination, race relations, and inter-religious relations is to provide regular work reports. These reports, which can be on a biennial basis, can detail issues of inter-ethnic and inter-religious discrimination and tension and provide recommendations for improving the situation. Such reporting does not currently exist, but can make the work of these councils more transparent. This in turn can provide a platform to educate Singaporeans about minority concerns and issues concerning religious harmony as is consistent with their constitutional and statutory roles.

Another consideration would be for the Presidential Council on Minority Rights and the Presidential Council on Religious Harmony to receive petitions on matters relating to discrimination. The councils should be able to call for public testimony from relevant persons to follow-up on these matters. Transcripts, minutes, reports, advice, and recommendations from these hearings should be publicly available. Petitionary processes allow the councils to be not only responsive to public on matters of minority and religious rights, but seen to be so. Written explanations from the respective councils should accompany any refusal to hear petitions. Petitions are also in keeping with a longstanding tradition in parliamentary systems like Singapore’s that draw on the Westminster model.

Enhancements to the Presidential Council on Minority Rights and Presidential Council on Religious Harmony would likely be more effective in conjunction with non-discrimination legislation. Singapore currently does not have specific non-discrimination laws relating to race and religion, especially in areas including but not limited to limited to workplace discrimination, housing discrimination, and hate speech. More racial and gender diversity on the Council of Presidential Advisers, the main advisory body to the President, can also go some way in incorporating the wide range of minority and gender concerns in Singapore.

Where do we go from here?
Recognizing that Singapore can and should do more for minorities is important for the country going forward. Addressing racism, discrimination, and empowering minorities requires there to be more institutional safeguards for minority rights. These include effective channels for recourse. It means being able to deal with institutionalized and casual discrimination squarely. Making it easier for minorities to stand for and win elections for head of state may be symbolic but insufficient. This is where a fuller, more open public discussion may prove more useful than skirting around tricky issues. Avoiding difficult topics does not make them disappear and may instead permit them to become more complicated.

Modifying the Presidency in Singapore is not enough to address the range of minority rights issues in the country. Minority rights are one aspect of the Presidency that can see further improvement. Others include enhancing the institutional capacity of the office given its custodial and oversight functions. This in turn suggests a need for greater diversity of experiences on the presidential councils and the qualifying criteria of presidential candidates, since financial decisions tend to implicate a host of social and other issues. The work of the Presidency as well can be more transparent, which can encourage greater public confidence in and identification with the office. That said, given the attention given to minority rights in the current re-examination of the Singapore Constitution, it could be the area where debate and reflection about possibilities may be more fruitful.

First Editor: J. Michael Cole
Second Editor: Edward White

 

[scroobal]

2 issues on the article by Ja Ian Chong - non partisan requirement for the President and minority rights. As an academician in NUS, I understand that he cannot be blunt but the articles gives the impression that the challenges are genuine, and facing an upfront and sincere govt. In essence, the partisan nature went out of the window from after Sheares Presidency onwards. Wee Kim Wee is a relative of Old Man and albeit a nice and well liked chap. Devan Nair, OTC and Tony Tan and candidate Tan Cheng Bock all came from the PAP. Tan Jee Say another candidate resigned from one for the PE and then formed another after the PE. The whole thing makes of mockery of the constitution. Dr Chong rightly alludes to this mockery by stating the amount of changes. We might as well do away with the constitution as it does not even last long as the TV set that people have in their homes.

It was never about minority rights. I think the govt has been clear on this by not suggesting it is. What they are saying is not about rights but the feel good factor to rotate among the main races as sense of inclusion as the Indians and the Chinese have had more than their fair shares plus the 4 Tans doing their own gig in a single PE. The motive however is to avoid another embarrassing 35% and the lack of a mandate. The real issue is that not a single credible soul - chinese, Indian, Mexican, alien or otherwise can be persuaded to stand because no one wants to be caught with 35% or worse. Its a poisoned chalice in its current form. The rise of salary from 1.1 to 3.3 to 4.2m will not address this.

The father made the mistake and the son is plastering overs the ever-widening cracks.

 

[Brightkid]

Why bother analyze this, analyze that leh?

As long as there's no 30% non-PAP, everything debated in parliament is just pure wayang.

Anyone still think PAP will give up any leeway for a balance and fair battlefield when PAP have all the balls of voters between a clamp?

 

[eatshitndie]

this elected presidency bs is a joke. should rotate each term among 5 ethnic groups based on the 1st 5 letters of the alphabet: a for abang, b for baba, c for cina, d for dalit and e for eurasian.

 

[scroobal]

The outcome or end goal and the motives are more or less expected due to numbers in parliament. The analysis and interest is how they go about doing it and the players who are prepared to bend the truth, lie, no qualms about selling their mothers if it comes to that. Also how the mechanics are engineered. For instance we know that Chan CS, Viv, Shan etc will do whatever it takes. We also know that Tharman, Heng etc are not in the boat. The mechanics and intrigue of political manoveuring is more or less what the astute are looking at - it is a game to figure out the plan.

Why bother analyze this, analyze that leh?

As long as there's no 30% non-PAP, everything debated in parliament is just pure wayang.

Anyone still think PAP will give up any leeway for a balance and fair battlefield when PAP have all the balls of voters between a clamp?

 

[winnipegjets]

this elected presidency bs is a joke. should rotate each term among 5 ethnic groups based on the 1st 5 letters of the alphabet: a for abang, b for baba, c for cina, d for dalit and e for eurasian.

Since you have blood from all five, you can be president for life!

 

[halsey02]

this elected presidency bs is a joke. should rotate each term among 5 ethnic groups based on the 1st 5 letters of the alphabet: a for abang, b for baba, c for cina, d for dalit and e for eurasian.

They can put any Thambi, Dollah or Huat ah beng, I will still will not vote for them, as long as they are connected to the ruling party or any political party & cost the tax payer million dollars. I never voted for any of the president included the one that was recently cremated....

 

[flatearther]

this elected presidency bs is a joke. should rotate each term among 5 ethnic groups based on the 1st 5 letters of the alphabet: a for abang, b for baba, c for cina, d for dalit and e for eurasian.

Do you mean d for:
wikipedia.org/wiki/Desi

Or do you consider all the Indian Sinkies to be members of the:
wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalit
wikipedia.org/wiki/Avarna
wikipedia.org/wiki/Untouchable_(social_system)

:p

 

[gatehousethetinkertailor]

The outcome or end goal and the motives are more or less expected due to numbers in parliament. The analysis and interest is how they go about doing it and the players who are prepared to bend the truth, lie, no qualms about selling their mothers if it comes to that. Also how the mechanics are engineered. For instance we know that Chan CS, Viv, Shan etc will do whatever it takes. We also know that Tharman, Heng etc are not in the boat. The mechanics and intrigue of political manoveuring is more or less what the astute are looking at - it is a game to figure out the plan.

Heng's comeback statement has been remarked as being very cold towards Lawrence Wong and the glaring obvious exclusion of CCS has also been noted - there is a battle brewing and as I understand it, there is a degree of anxiousness at how this edition of government is not on par at all with the type of leaders the country needs and lack of sincerity and dedication to their actual responsibilities as MPs and Ministers - albeit not surprisingly LW is also quite a hate figure for his usual smugness. It appears Tharman has been asked specifically to lower his presence as his apparent popularity in galvanising the mass electorate (and the educated segment) and social media calls for being the obvious choice as successor is not part of the next generation blueprint:


"Heng Swee Keat
21 August at 23:25 ·
I have followed every one of PM Lee’s NDRs closely. Like all of you, I have never felt such a surge of joy as when PM came back on stage tonight after he took ill. He looked very well, full of colour and spirit, just like his usual self. I hope his full check-up after the NDR will find that everything is okay, and I hope PM will take some rest. He has been checking up on me in the last few weeks, advising me to take care after my stroke. My sincerest hope is that he will also be kind to himself when it comes to his health.

Tonight, PM touched on the critical challenges that affect our future – our economy, our security, our Elected Presidency and our sense of unity. I hope it will set us all thinking and discussing more about these major issues.

We saw tonight how closely PM’s team works together, as some rushed on stage to support PM, while others informed the audience and us at home about what was happening. I have experienced this spirit. As I prepare to resume my duties as Finance Minister, I am deeply grateful to DPM Tharman for covering my duties these few months. I also thank Minister Iswaran in the CFE, SMS Indranee and SMS Sim Ann, and MOF and other officials, for their dedication.

When I return, I will, for a start, be focusing on next year’s Budget and the ongoing CFE work. I am also happy that Minister Lawrence Wong will join our MOF team as the Second Minister. He will be a great member of the team. Lawrence and I worked closely together at MOE, when he led the Committee on University Education Pathways beyond 2015, a major piece of work that led to important policies. We had good robust discussions, and I look forward to more exchanges when he joins us at MOF as Second Minister.

I must also thank the many colleagues and friends in Tampines, MOF, CFE and elsewhere, who have been so kind in helping with my work while I’ve been on medical leave. In particular, my colleagues at Tampines will continue to help me with constituency work. Thank you for the regular updates in the last few weeks and for sharing with me residents’ views. Very glad to keep up this good teamwork.

Teamwork is about spirit, it is also about the members who make up the team. I’d like to echo PM’s call for all Singaporeans to step forward and play a role in nation building. We need good people, working together in the right spirit, to keep Singapore going.

All my best to PM and his family, who must have had a scare tonight. And my deep thanks to the SCDF team, not just for helping me after my stroke, but for the assistance they gave to PM tonight too! I for one know that PM was in good hands with them."

 

[Bigfuck]

It is just the propaganda machine drumming. No one is truly listening anymore. Some of the people here are from that propaganda arm.