Stupid Times...

apparently, the general elections in Singapore is the great political leveller, where the PM being brought down to the same level as political newbies from WP and the Foreign Minister has to convince the Ah Pek and the Ah soh's to give him their votes.

it is the only way which 'aggregate the voice of the voiceless and remind policymakers never to be trapped into mistaking the din of the vocal minority for the roar of the populace.'

so says Chua Mui Hoong.

her piece seems to imply that since the PAP has once again managed to convince the people to back them and the policies that they have. it therefore seems to connote that since the people have voted for the PAP, the people implicitly agrees with what the PAP is doing and the PAP thus can continue doing what they have been doing.

and so up goes the transport fees, forget about being engaged in the policy making process (the Gahmen will take care of all the policy making, thank you very much) and just shut up and let us do what we want. and if you want to say something, wait till the next election and, if you are lucky, you might be able to vote.

what i really couldn't stand about the article was the way she made the PM out to be oh-so-humble, who, instead of jumping up and down like what the old PAP might have done for the audacity of a group of twentysomethings to challenge the PM with 22 years of experience in politics, thanks the WP for ginving the voters a choice in Ang Mo Kio.

that's not the worst though. the worst is how she is wax lyrical about George Yeo. according to her, George is "well respected internationally, is a personable, urbane diplomat and a master negotiator". then she goes on to say that George's victory is sweet. now if George is indeed so fwah as she made him out to be, then i'd say he did a shit job having only won 56.1% to a team of relative newbies.

i'd say that overall, the elections proved that there is a swelling tide of people who are indeed discontented with the way things are going. increasingly, people want to see changes in the way things are done. more people are asking tough questions, pressing for thorough answers. and if anything, the PAP should learn that they should not wait till elections to give the people a voice, and listen to what the people are saying. otherwise the next thing they hear from the people might be a loud, resounding:

"Shut up la, fuckface, SIAM LA!"