I am finally back, and truly as most Singaporeans would feel when the plane touched down: 'It is simply great to be HOME!'.
So, is the ONE topic I really feel critical for the nation to face up to:
1. "When mistrust is the new normal - Han Fook Kwang The Straits Times Sunday, Jun 22, 2014
When there is anti-government graffiti, constant flaming of authority online, protesters gathering in public, an open letter of rebuke to the Prime Minister, are they signs that Singapore is heading for trouble? The Government losing its legitimacy? Or are they part and parcel of what to expect in a democracy?
It's a question worth asking because many people are genuinely worried there is so much negativity towards the Government.
To make sense of it, you have to go back to the results of the 2011 General Election.
After losing a Group Representation Constituency and seeing its share of votes drop 6.5 percentage points, the ruling party declared that Singapore was in a new normal.
It wasn't going to be business as usual.
Most people agreed with this assessment but I wonder how many, including the People's Action Party, understood what it really meant.
How different would the new be from the old?
If a low level of support for political leaders and high level of mistrust are normal, what makes Singapore so confident it can buck the trend?
There is no reason to believe that the Singapore electorate is so special and so different from others that it will behave differently and continue to have high levels of trust in government.
Neither is there any reason to believe that the Government here will always be so exceptional as to always command respect and trust from the people.
It seems unrealistic to believe either scenario will prevail, even less so both.
As Singapore society matures, its people will develop many interests, including politically diverse affiliations.
Singapore is making the transition to this new political landscape. It is not in a crisis - yet.
But, for now, normal looks abnormal."
I leave the writer's name in the quote as HE has been and is one of the most visible of Mr LKY's admirers. The Managing Editing of The Straits Times no less!
Lessons for me are:
1. the power-that-be in PAP MUST understand what exactly the 'new normal' means and HOW to engage the vocal minority (or majority?) so as to come across as 'we are genuinely interested to listen to your different viewpoints' and 'acknowledged good ideas and suggestions that did not come from us!';
2. exactly as Mr Han has pointed out, despite our tag of the 'first world nation', many of our citizens are still focusing on 'bread and butter' issues. e.g. housing, transportation, food prices, health care, etc. Of course, some of the higher echelon or elites do not see these problems as they have income and wealth generation power among the top of the world by themselves! It shows we have NOT arrived yet!;
3. while irresponsible speeches and writing MUST be challenged, over-zealous persecution of the offenders can create the 'bullying' feeling. When one is perceived to be bullying, the rational arguments normally get forgotten or ignored. Emotion runs high and logic will take a back seat!
Interesting that a few Minister/SMOS/MOS/MPs refuting Ms Catherine Lim's article publish in the South China Morning Post as few days back with vigour were observed and today the mainstream press took a slightly more cautious stance. Maybe the press is beginning to find its new 'responsible role' in our democratic processes!
Have a wonderful week ahead to ALL.
It's a question worth asking because many people are genuinely worried there is so much negativity towards the Government.
To make sense of it, you have to go back to the results of the 2011 General Election.
After losing a Group Representation Constituency and seeing its share of votes drop 6.5 percentage points, the ruling party declared that Singapore was in a new normal.
It wasn't going to be business as usual.
Most people agreed with this assessment but I wonder how many, including the People's Action Party, understood what it really meant.
How different would the new be from the old?
If a low level of support for political leaders and high level of mistrust are normal, what makes Singapore so confident it can buck the trend?
There is no reason to believe that the Singapore electorate is so special and so different from others that it will behave differently and continue to have high levels of trust in government.
Neither is there any reason to believe that the Government here will always be so exceptional as to always command respect and trust from the people.
It seems unrealistic to believe either scenario will prevail, even less so both.
As Singapore society matures, its people will develop many interests, including politically diverse affiliations.
Singapore is making the transition to this new political landscape. It is not in a crisis - yet.
But, for now, normal looks abnormal."
I leave the writer's name in the quote as HE has been and is one of the most visible of Mr LKY's admirers. The Managing Editing of The Straits Times no less!
Lessons for me are:
1. the power-that-be in PAP MUST understand what exactly the 'new normal' means and HOW to engage the vocal minority (or majority?) so as to come across as 'we are genuinely interested to listen to your different viewpoints' and 'acknowledged good ideas and suggestions that did not come from us!';
2. exactly as Mr Han has pointed out, despite our tag of the 'first world nation', many of our citizens are still focusing on 'bread and butter' issues. e.g. housing, transportation, food prices, health care, etc. Of course, some of the higher echelon or elites do not see these problems as they have income and wealth generation power among the top of the world by themselves! It shows we have NOT arrived yet!;
3. while irresponsible speeches and writing MUST be challenged, over-zealous persecution of the offenders can create the 'bullying' feeling. When one is perceived to be bullying, the rational arguments normally get forgotten or ignored. Emotion runs high and logic will take a back seat!
Interesting that a few Minister/SMOS/MOS/MPs refuting Ms Catherine Lim's article publish in the South China Morning Post as few days back with vigour were observed and today the mainstream press took a slightly more cautious stance. Maybe the press is beginning to find its new 'responsible role' in our democratic processes!
Have a wonderful week ahead to ALL.
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