Despite the recession, the smell of a parliamentary election seems to be in the air, but I am not all sure if the signs could be genuine. Yet at the same time, it could also be genuine. Honestly, I am rather confused by it. However whether an election comes sooner or otherwise, it will happen anyway. The question here is, how are we going to cast our votes?
Most importantly, how are you going to cast yours?
Many people I know and have spoken to admitted that they would love to see some changes in the local political scene however most of them lamented about the fact that the opposition camp is weak in their abilities and the disappointing performance of those who are already in the Parliament actually makes them think twice about voting for a so called 'alternative' government. Also, they added that the serial code printed on the ballot papers have discouraged them from voting against the ruling party, namely the People Action Party (PAP). Another thing that comes common is the fact that they are unsure whether the opposition politicians, if elected to Parliament, will help ensure the economic growth and stability of peace in our home soil. All of these reasons have given me the impression that many of them, although they have so claimed to want changes, fear the 'consequences' of their desire.
Can one blame them for their fears? Well, I don't think so. Not totally anyway.
Growing up in the same system, I can sometimes understand why some of us have been made crippled when it comes to political awareness. To name a few factors, the mainstream education system, the media and some of our upbringing have taught, brainwashed and caused us to be submissive and trusting to our government and the laws they have written down. What I don't understand is that, when something is obviously wrong and nagging the conscience, most of us still go about doing what we do best - complaining - and nothing else, nothing more. Someone once said to me,
"To speak out publicly against the ruling government is lunacy and to be convicted of such an act of lunacy simply adds on to more lunacy."
How does that make sense at all? Well it definitely doesn't make a single bit of sense to me. The same person also said,
"Look at Potong Pasir. Old flats, no upgrading... the opposition cannot do anything. The PAP is too powerful and they are rich so voting for them is only wise."
Now it might well be logical to all of you to call that person wise but have you wondered why the politicians from the opposition camps seem so 'weak'?
Unlike other countries whereby opposition politicians are free to exist, to speak to the press and to be published and made known to the people their ideologies, opinions and such, their counterparts in Singapore have been cornered and 'fixed' to a miserable corner, unable to do more than to whimper. Those who have tried to roar (and are still doing so) have been slapped with defamation suits and made bankrupts although what they have been roaring about reflects their concerns for the country and their fellow Singaporeans. We have no free press and the government has a tight control over the exposure of their opposition via the Films act and the Newspaper and Printing Presses act and many more. Many Singaporeans however, are quite oblivious about these two acts in particular and they believe that our mainstream media speaks fairly and objectively, bearing no sign of pro-governmental propaganda.
In my opinion, if one truly cares about this country and the generations to come, one should seek out the truth not by the way of reading mainstream media. Look out for opposition political figures when they are out and about, talk to them, hear them out and see them for yourselves. Avoiding them is not going to help this country or justify your negative and fearful opinions about them.
Everyone of us should find out the truth and honour our desire for an alternative government, for a better Singapore. No ruling elite should enforce upon us their opinions or buy our support through the use of handouts or fantastic promises of upgrading. Think... without our support, how anyone from the opposition camp prove their worth? Without our questioning and expression of dissatisfaction, how can the government change for the better?
We have been brought up knowing that it is unwise to follow strangers who offer us sweets, the same thing applies here when it comes to voting. Don't be fooled, vote wisely and without fear.
Ending on a personal note, PAP gets no vote of confidence from me because their governing and what their ministers (including the MM) have uttered so far, are in no way reflective of the pledge that I have learned to recite and understand in school as well as the ideologies I personally believe in. I simply refuse to be bought and no one can execute me for my right to that.
Read also:
Is a general election this year now confirmed?
Why an election in September is most likely
General elections this year?
ST going out of its way to bullshit the masses?
Analysis of an impending election
Boundaries of altered polling districts (PDF)
Ballot secrecy (from the Elections Department)
