Daily Lessons from Life 07-08 May 2011 - The Morning After and the New Dawn

I waited to comment on the results of GE2011 as I stayed up to early morning 08 May 2011 watching the live telecast of the results announcement from 07 May 2011 8 p.m. after the polling stations across Singapore closed and the counting began in earnest!

A few significant observations and my wishes for The Morning After and the New Dawn!

1. PAP lost another 6% of popular votes overall from GE2006.

This is hardly unexpected as the grouses from the ground, the ordinary people on the many bread and butter issues like: uneven distribution of wealth creation from the 'unexpected' bounce of GDP growth last year, the rising cost of living, the wages of the lower income group not keeping pace with that of the top 15-20% of the working population, the over-crowding of public transportation system/public spaces/etc, the rising price of public housing (the HDB flats) despite repeated exasperated explantion by the Ministers/Prime Minister that they are affordable to young couples, the high medical cost and the inadequacy of CPF Fund for retirement and old age, etc were ALL brushed aside as: Why can't you understand after I have provided ALL the reasons and answers to you?;

2. Some credible Opposition Candidates

The GRC System was original conceived to keep the opposition parties from putting more honest and capable people into the parliament since there were some brilliant individual in the opposition camps but NOT enough of them to form a credible GRC team to contest. This worked in PAP's favour for many GEs. The challenge is: when the population become more educated, and hopefully more critical thinking, they will find an outlet IF their views CANNOT or DO NOT seems to catch the ears of the PAP rulling government! Workers' Party (WP) put up a strong team and with the anchor members working hard in the Aljunied GRC since the GE2006 defeat, the voters who were disgruntled due to the factors decribed in item 1 above, found an outlet to vent their frustration and anger. Some with much mixed emotion as they 'betrayed' their PAP MPs, some of whom were diligent and effective, by voting for the WP team!

It shows that there are people of a high calibre that can be from parties other than the PAP. PAP has no monopoly on talents! Just like the wisest CEO from the Global Company realized, if you only rely on headquarter talents to run a global company, you will be doomed - EVENTUALLY!!;

3. the continued 'presence' of MM Lee

MM Lee is undoubtedly one of the greatest leaders of modern Singapore. He and his first generation leadership team had achieved beyond the wildest dream for Singapore in its initial years. The challenge becomes: when to quit the scene and truly recognize that the future belongs to the younger generation that they definied and NOT what the older folks believed should be. Even if that lead to destruction, they will not listen no matter how hard you shout. Unless they see that too, they will not be able to comprehend!

MM Lee's did a disservice when he commented that the voters in Aljunied GRC will live and repent for the next 5 years if they vote the WP Team into parliament. This aroused emotion and when emotion is aroused, rationality takes a back-seat. Some voters voted for WP team just because of his statement. In his MIND, he is right. The issue is: communication is not about what YOU think BUT what the OTHER PERSON perceived your messages delivered!

MM Lee's first comment after the election was: Singaopre cannot be on auto-pilot. Again, he failed to realize that the voters KNOW that despite them voting for the opposition. Hence the voters wanted a co-pilote that is responsible, mature, and able and willing to assist the pilot (from PAP) flying the treacherous course to a truly Frist World Nation with First World Parliament and First World Citizens. They DO NOT expect First World Politicians to fight with each other over the control of a single plane that is HOME to ALL Singaporeans regardless of race, language, religions and party lines!!

Will Singapore parliament work like a charm and set the World Standard on Rational Debates of Policies with Compassionate Hearts and to Execute the SHARED Decisions that benefit the Majority of Singaporeans instead of just a minority of the Singaporeans!

Let the new Dawn begins...