Despite scanning through the manifestos of PAP and WP, attending the NSP rally for my constituency and viewing the videos of the respective parties' rallies on youtubes, I must admit that i am not anywhere near being a discerning voter, much less a responsible Singaporean for this election. Nine days of remedial work to understand about our government and our opposition parties, their respective philosophies and their representatives and lastly to evaluate how much each could offer to complement our exisiting politicial constituition, is indeed a mockery to any kind of self-aclaimed patriotism.
However, i know i have a stake in my country when i cannot remain nonchalent to the headline of a local malaysia's newspaper which i saw while i was in genting - it translated into something like, "The opposing winds are blowing into Singapore..." Back at home, I felt so much too when i witnessed how intense and charged with emotions a crowd of ten of thousands of people could get at the rallies of opposition parties. The kind of discomfort that swept through me these nine days, based on what i've seen and heard, was more than sufficient to keep me awake and thinking.
There seems to be a consensus that PAP has, in its pursuit for national economic goals, becomes less sensitive to the average people's needs and concerns. Being the ruling party of Singapore, there is also a perception that PAP has become "arrogant" as it implemented policies which spelt little thoughts for the average people. I have no qualms about these social discontent and recognise that there are indeed increasing number of people who are struggling to meet ends' needs and much more who are clearly troubled by the bread-and-butter issues that are brought about by increased costs of living, concerns over housing, the widening income gap and immigration.
In this aspect, PAP as the executive government is not without its short-falls and inadequacies. Yet, I feel that to vote in favour of the opposition parties so that they can "regulate" the parliament or simply to "teach the PAP a lesson" is tantamount to trivalising the political constituition and political stability we have pride ourselves for. It is important that people's voices be heard but the channel and the political platform we choose to represent our voices is equally and if not, more important. As such, i believe the agenda should really be anchored on a careful evaluation of the competencies of the opposition parties and what each of them could offer in our nation-building for the future years ahead. In addition, we should give consideration to the costs and benefits of political diversity within the parliament should we grant the mandate to not just the PAP but opposition parties as well.
Yes, we want checks and balances but how certain are we that WP, NSP or any other opposition parties can be the best candidate to administer this? To what extent can the past nine days of sensationalised rally speeches and catchy party lines, do justice to the contributions made by any one party during their respective years of service to enable us to make a fair assessment of the leaders we are voting for now? Have we as Singaporeans explore sufficiently the other governance mechanisms that could be instituited before turning to the easiest and fastest solution to our current predicament? Are we as a nation, one people, ready to take responsibility for our choices?
As you vote on May 7, vote not just what stirs your emotions, but vote what makes your future. And as you vote for a voice to represent you, i hope you will first listen and listen hard to that voice in you.
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