TOC Editorial /
Picture from Asia One
Let’s get this out of the way: private photos of recently unveiled 27 year-old PAP candidate Ms Tin Pei Ling procured from her Facebook site are not fair game. Neither is insinuating Ms Tin married the Principal Private Secretary (PPS) of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the age of 22 for political advancement.
Ms Tin’s private lifestyle choices are irrelevant to whether or not you should vote for her.
But before we work ourselves into a rage over muck-raking websites that are pulling up Ms Tin’s wedding photos, it’s important to walk things back a step and keep our focus on the issues that matter.
The PAP is clearly banking on Ms Tin to bring in the youth vote. However, there are at least three reasons why Ms Tin’s candidacy could backfire significantly.
Ms Tin and the continuing debacle of the shallow talent pool
Querying how Ms Tin’s candidacy relates to her husband’s position at the right hand of the Prime Minister is legitimate. In fact, it’s so legitimate that even the pro-government Straits Times broached the subject.
This question goes directly to the heart of the issue plaguing the candidates the PAP has unveiled so far: a remarkably shallow talent pool comprising of relatives of famous people or connected in some way or another to the PAP’s inner circle.
Desmond Choo, the nephew of former PAP MP Choo Wee Kiang. Desmond Lee, son of former Cabinet Minister Lee Yock Suan. Mr Ong Ye Kung, the Prime Minister’s former PPS. And several more loyalists to come.
One would protest that just because Ms Tin’s husband is the Prime Minister’s current PPS has got nothing to do with her ability to bring fresh ideas to the table.
In announcing Ms Tin’s candidacy, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Mr Lim Boon Heng said:
“Our broad-based approach to seeking new candidates is our advantage, ensuring that there will be robust debate within the Party on policies that affect the lives of the people”.
Perhaps Ms Tin is a shining example of that?
Unfortunately, from a 10 minute long interview she conducted immediately after the introduction session, she displayed no hint of helping the PAP foment any sort of debate, let alone that of the robust variety.
Asked by RazorTV “if there was one PAP policy you would change, what would it be”, she answered: “to be honest I don’t have any specific policies I feel strongly against” before speaking vaguely about creating opportunities for the young children of Singapore and encouraging Singaporeans to care for their grandparents more without giving specifics.
Highlighting the GRC’s failing
Ms Tin’s candidacy might prove to be the strongest argument for the death of the GRC system.
She would be Exhibit A for those who have always criticized the GRC system for allowing young and inexperienced candidates to ride on the coattails of senior Ministers to get into Parliament.
Mr Matthias Yao’s “own goal” has not helped Ms Tin’s standing.
MacPherson’s outgoing MP implicitly acknowledged the possibility that Ms Tin might lack the experience to perform the role of an MP herself by saying that despite Ms Tin’s “maturity”, “as MacPherson is within a GRC, residents who wish to consult older MPs on matters can always do so”.
And at the ground level, there is an embarrassingly public rumbling. One senior grassroots leader told Today:
“My MP should be someone I could look up to and respect…During an MPS, you have cases with family problems. If you don’t even have a family, how would you be able to understand?”
One online commentator pithily summed up the travesty the GRC might be shown up as by posing the simple thought experiment: imagine Ms Tin entering Parliament through a walkover in Marine Parade GRC, but eminently more experienced and qualified opposition candidates like the Worker’s Party Mr Low Thia Kiang, Ms Sylvia Lim and Mr Chen Show Mao failing to make it through.
Patronizing?
The last and most likely reason Ms Tin’s candidacy could backfire is the one the PAP should be the most concerned with.
If Ms Tin turns out to genuinely lack any substance, she runs the risk of being discarded on the garbage heap of patronizing gestures the PAP has made to reach out to the “youth vote”. She will be written off as the 2011 incarnation of P65 MPs doing hip-hop, and bring back memories of the P65 blog’s empty promises of e-engagement before it became conspicuously defunct.
Ms Tin’s first lengthy video appearance on RazorTV has drawn critical reviews and derision from her peers.
When asked what her greatest regret was, Ms Tin said that it was not being able to take her parents to Universal Studios before electioneering got into gear. In another clip on the Young PAP website, she’s seen stamping her feet petulantly.
Unless Ms Tin engages her damage control gear, the public image of her as frivolous lightweight will stick. This might not be a fair representation of who she is, but managing public relations through the internet is a reality any modern politician has to deal with. Ironically, Ms Tin has not proven very adroit at this, despite being tasked to manage the PAP’s online media platforms.
If Ms Tin wants to be taken seriously, her supporters should steer clear of using her youth and inexperience as a shield.
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March 30, 2011 at 1:04 pm
I am politically neutral but pro singapore. I will always vote for the better person or the better team. Having watch her ten minute video appearance, I think she is going to backfire on the PAP. Leaving out all other areas, she cannot even communicate convincingly on the PAP new media strategy, something which she is supposedly in charge of. Maybe the PAP should consider retracting her candidature to avoid greater damage to their credibility.
April 20, 2011 at 12:34 am
Kate Spade and personal attacks aside, the reason for the public uproar is that Tin Pei Ling is the symbol of nepotism, at its worst. While trying to represent she is the fresh voice for the issues facing Gen Y/Singaporeans, she has fallen short of understanding and relevance, and instead is just a parrot for PAP policies… and why do we need another one?
May 5, 2011 at 4:13 pm
The government is using her as a pawn obviously. Placing her in Marine Parade increases the risk of GCT losing. also this diverts attention away from the ruling party and the general dissatisfaction arising in the heartlands (like hotly contested Aljunied)
May 7, 2011 at 8:28 pm
Tin Pei Ling is a PAP leader in the making. A post appeared on her blog on cooling day. She offered no apology and blame it on her administrator. Isn’t this typical of our PAP leaders. No apology for their staff’s mistake. In the corporate world, I learn that leader is accountable for their employee’s mistake. PAP pegs the pay to the top corporate level to attract talent but left out the corporate accountability culture.
May 7, 2011 at 8:49 pm
I seriously think that she is fast becoming the number 1 liability in the pap camp… more so that the honest mistake ministers.
Being a good governance supporter, I think this time they really made a big boo boo….
Sometimes I almost wanted to volunteer myself to their tea parties… but on second thought I still treasure my privacy. Scarly being caught by TR taking a photo of me asking for more pork lard at the char kway teow stall… then they will claim that I practice pork barrel politics.
May 8, 2011 at 2:25 pm
I believe that Singapore does not have a corporate accountability culture. When things go wrong, the problem is just dumped on another’s shoulders. So, when we look at the PAP they represent the people fairly well.
May 14, 2011 at 1:14 pm
What is the point of being “intelligent and smart” like George Yeo when even he is voted out, without the slightest consideration?
Many Singaporeans are being unfair. If she were from WP, many will say something nice about her!
In politic, we need someone who can connect to the stupid oppositions mentality
June 26, 2011 at 12:48 am
I don’t think so. If TPL were in the Opposition,I believe that she would draw negative comments – the difference I believed would be less intense and harsh comments, but they still would be there. Just go to the SPP’s home page and check on Lina Chiam’s profile. Lina Chiam may not be eloquent, but she is definitely better than TPL. Yet there were some negative criticisms posted on her profile.
And I don’t think that George Yeo was voted out without the slightest consideration. The people of Aljunied GRC wanted an alternative voice in Parliament, to make the PAP accountable for their decisions.
Anyway, George Yeo may be intelligent and smart.That is without a doubt. But did he voted against the foreign talent policy and distance fairs in Parliament? Did he lead a group of PAP MPs to do so? The answer is obvious. He was not effective as a voice in Parliament for the Aljunied GRC residents. So that’s why he was voted out
March 30, 2011 at 1:31 pm
Tin Pei Ling has shown through her interviews that she is simply a lightweight with no views of her own. If your greatest regret is not being able to visit an amusement park with your parents, then you are really a person with no substance. Even I – being younger than Tin Pei Ling – have more substantial regrets than that!
PAP claims will be fielding a diverse range of candidates. But this is nothing more than superficial “paper” diversity – differences in age, ethnicity, background, etc. What I’m interested in is viewpoint diversity – candidates who can think for themselves and not simply parrot the party line.
April 3, 2011 at 12:24 am
Jeremy, WELL SAID!!
March 30, 2011 at 1:50 pm
I have 2 words for the PAP on this issue.
“Sarah” and “Palin”
March 31, 2011 at 12:19 am
Sarah Palin was governor for 2 years, mayor for 10, has concrete achievements–for the people–documented in websites, has radical right-wing views (opinions nonetheless), done sufficient groundwork and has character enough to garner support from thousands of people, some of whom are going out of their way to keep “Team Sarah” running.
Ms Tin needs to do a lot more to even earn that comparison.
March 31, 2011 at 12:21 am
Lol! Very astute, Joe!
March 31, 2011 at 12:44 am
Dear AsiaOne
Sarah Paline is a strange thing in the USA. One reason why democracy is: you get want you vote.
If this 28-year old is NOT allowed to continue to try her hands at campaigning in the coming GE, it will simple validate that the ROBUST and world class vetting and selection of PAP is greatly flawed.
Or it is no longer meritocracy rules!! IF this is the case, it will NOT be good for Singapore.
If she has been doing 7 years of grassroot work, she can try to be a MP.
Best regards
LU Keehong Mr.
April 1, 2011 at 11:38 am
Well, she has. Some of her supporters are trying to shoot down negative feedback over her youtube performance.
April 3, 2011 at 1:23 am
Hmmm… Looks like she is a community organizer like Obama, young, good looking, speaks well … but inexperienced, an empty suit. Look at the mess in US. Probably PAP is doing this to shock the daylights out of whining, critical and dog in manger Singaporeans.
May 3, 2011 at 5:32 am
This might just insult sarah… haha
May 3, 2011 at 4:44 pm
It is an insult to Sarah Palin to compare with TPL.
March 30, 2011 at 1:56 pm
If I were to be asked my greatest regret question, it would be not to have written letters to my MP to ask them to raise the issue of conscription and its impact on male Singapore citizens.
It is only after serving 2.5 years full time NS and 10 years reservist and encountering 1 reservist fatality during IPPT that I wished I had made my stand for the Government to re-examine the way conscription is carried out in SG.
And I regret voting for PAP in the past to allow the flawed GRC system to parachute a 27 year old inexperience girl into Parliament who does not have her own opinions on policies that affect each and every one of us in Singapore.
Majullah Singapura.
April 23, 2011 at 8:37 pm
Ng Eng Hen attacked Chen S M for his motives of joining WP. NOW, what are the motivations of the new recruits from PAP camp, especially the inexperienced Tin P L? Ask yourself this question first! typical PAP, insensitive, arrogant. I have had enough of PAP nonsense
May 7, 2011 at 11:31 pm
With this insensitive comment from Mr Ng Eng Hen, I feel that it adds up to a very important development here. For the first time in many elections, the PAP appear to be reeling from an invigorated opposition onslaught. The opposition parties were not only fielding better quality candidates but had become bolder and more confident. This has invariably put more pressure on the PAP who now forced to be defensive. Contrary to what has been happening in the past, it is the incumbent that has been resoughting to smear tactics and below the belt practices.
May 24, 2011 at 4:03 am
Ya most senior ministers speaks and shoots without thinking of the consequence,it really hurts the public,later say sorry,too late
March 30, 2011 at 2:02 pm
I personally disagree with dragging Ms Tin’s name through the mud and making fun of her in her personal pictures as well, but I do question her motivations for joining the PAP.
What would she know about the struggles that newly weds face, when they can’t even get a BTO flat and can’t afford a resale flat? What are her thoughts on the rising cost of living in Singapore? She talks about the elderly but how will she help in making sure that the elderly in Singapore won’t have to work themselves onto their deathbeds?
Honestly, we haven’t heard her utter anything compelling. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not anti-PAP. I’m politically neutral. But did the PAP not see what happened with Sarah Palin and how it backfired? People are not stupid; we won’t be fooled by appearances.
So really, does she want to make a difference in the lives of ordinary Singaporean citizens, or does she just want a big pay cheque that increases exponentially each year?
March 30, 2011 at 2:10 pm
Agree with Dee above with regards to dragging her name thru mud and making fun of her personal photos.
As said, it seems that she lacks any real substance to run for an election. She clearly has no concrete goals, nor does she have an opinion when asked about “what PAP policies she would change if it were possible”. I think either she doesnt know much of their policies or she just doesnt really give a crap.
March 30, 2011 at 2:11 pm
Please, someone please, tell me this is a good humored side of PAP. That it is only an April’s Fool day joke. I so want it to be.
http://dlzj.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/just-another-brick-in-the-wall/#comments
If not, this IS the BIGGEST joke PAP ever pranked on us. So confident to win that they didn’t mind taking this” little storm in a teacup”. Palin can at least hunt and shoot a moose. What does this girl who married so young knows anything about “life experience” and “struggles” of ordinary voters. It takes more than just a few dance steps to boogie her way to the parliament.
April 1, 2011 at 11:39 am
If it is April’s fools day joke, they would tell you that they are fielding Ris Low. But I think Ris Low will be able to get more votes than Tin.
March 30, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Feather headed, no views of her own. Sounds shallow. My goosebumps stood in attention while watching her video.
March 30, 2011 at 2:50 pm
“Highlighting the GRC’s failing
Ms Tin’s candidacy might prove to be the strongest argument for the death of the GRC system.”
I do not want Tin to be MP, but because of the GRC system, there is nothing I can do about it.
Unless you agree with me that the GRC is hindering our determining who is our rightful government.
March 30, 2011 at 2:59 pm
Actually I thought she said the Universal Studios thing to make some kind of point, like we should have laws to benefit the elderly etc.
Then I realised there was no more to it. I was stunned.
Maybe she’s trying to get the elderly vote by appearing filial.
April 1, 2011 at 11:45 am
My wife told me she watched the Razor’s interview. At first she thought that her parents were already dead. That is until Tin said she managed to bring her parents to Italy.
If her parents are alive, why regret? Can’t she just bring them there, like today? Further more, her patch up using the Italy trip seems to mme more like trying to boast about her acomplishments than her filial piety and a lack of maturity.
Seriously if this is the quality of the people from PAP, I think PAP is doomed. The opposition better prepare to take over the Parliament regardless if they are ready or not.
April 12, 2011 at 3:07 pm
I thought Tin’s parents were dead too until the Italy trip. Then I got confused & thought they were her in-laws! Oh well, I doubt any of our greatest regret is unable to bring our family to Universal Studio!
May 14, 2011 at 1:16 pm
You are sick
March 30, 2011 at 3:19 pm
I understand she’s supposed to reach out to the people using social media and all that. The “leaked” photos were taken from her Facebook, if I’m not wrong. Either she has friends who hate her, or she can’t figure out her privacy settings. That doesn’t inspire much confidence in her capabilities as our New Media Leader.
March 31, 2011 at 4:39 am
Well, if you think about it, she sure did “reach out” to the public via Facebook and new media, except she didn’t know about it! LOL
It’s ironic that the very tools she wanted to help PAP exploit… exploited her instead! That’s life!
March 30, 2011 at 3:23 pm
There is nothing wrong with Tin Pei Ling as a person. She is an average 27-year-old girl, enjoys her handbags, poses for kawaii pictures and wants to visit Universal Studios with her parents. Many girls I know are like that. In fact Tin is probably better than many girls her age since she supposedly does a lot of community work.
The problem is that voters do not want an average youngster as their MP. People are accustomed to the PAP fielding candidates with sterling credentials and accomplishments. There are many young high-fliers out there that PAP could have chosen from; Tin Pei Ling is simply too average and normal to be a suitable candidate.
March 31, 2011 at 12:19 am
Yes.
To add to your point, she is too much of a stereotype–Chinese, product of the bilingual system, local grad, active in CCA, involved in community service, entry level salaried worker…
Too many Gen Y-ers are fit this profile. So when people look at how else she is different, what stands out is the man she’s married to.
You know what will make this worse? If news is released that she attends one of those megachurches. There’ll be one more bone to pick.
March 31, 2011 at 4:41 am
Oooooh… is it City Harvest or New Creation?
April 2, 2011 at 10:13 am
Your first half of the content is correct and totally agree to it.
But the second half? Whether she is simply too average and normal to be a suitable candidate or not, why not give her a chance to prove it? Being young is not wrong. let’s ask ourselves, how many youth of her age willing to come out to serve the people?
I don’t think MP life is that glamors and comfortable especially she has to face all types of people and all kinds of funny problems that residents could bring forward to her for the solution. Time will prove her but we must give her the time in the first place.
May 3, 2011 at 5:35 am
There is nothing wrong with an average, normal candidate. As long as he/she proves to be worthy, there can be change for the better. The point here is, TPL is just another parrot for the PAP. Another thing PAP should consider: open a bird sanctuary, and leave the governing to the right people.
May 5, 2011 at 9:06 pm
My sentiments exactly!
March 30, 2011 at 3:56 pm
Well the PAP used to run down opposition candidates so whats new if the reverse takes place.
Politics is dirty, and she is no exception, so dont be sorry for her the PAP have not started.
March 30, 2011 at 3:59 pm
I’m just wondering if the same muck-racking would happen if she was a WP or SDP or NSP candidate. Would we still be bitching as much?
Or is she only not worthy to be a PAP candidate but of perfectly acceptable standard for the opposition? I honestly don’t know the answer to this but I suspect that if the tables were turned, we would be talking instead about a highly-qualified young candidate joining the opposition. Why do we have such low expectations of our opposition candidates? Maybe the mindset needs to change. After all, they did get Chen Show Mao.
I also don’t understand the argument: “If you don’t even have a family, how would you be able to understand?”
Should we then just state clearly that all candidates must have children in order to qualify to run? Let’s make that a rule. Bye bye Indranee, Irene, Fatimah Lateef and a whole bunch of others. SDP vincent Wijaysinghe can also forget it.
But wait, people also often meet poor people on the ground. If you are not poor, how would you be able to understand? There should also be a rule requiring all candidates to qualify for workfare.
But wait, you also meet a lot of old people. …oh and a lot of young people. and professionals, and road sweepers…. and, and…
Ok, new rule: To qualify all candidates must be old and young, at the same time, have families yet be single, believe in all major religions and are rich and poor at the same time. Only then, can they truly be an understanding MP.
Oh and if TPL goes in through a walkover and Chen Show Mao loses, really whose fault is it? Her fault?
And last thing, I wouldn’t be so quick to point the finger at the PAP for family connections. There’s nothing wrong with qualified family members: Tony Tan and Hazel poa, KJ, Mrs Chiam, Mr and Mrs Nazem Suki, the Chees…
March 31, 2011 at 12:11 am
Remember Glenda Han from the last elections? From the kamikaze team that challenged Lee Hsien Loong?
She was young and inexperienced too. But she had something to show for herself–her entrepreneur guts and success.
Not to mention the fact that she was irrefutably hot.
Unlike Mrs cloyingly act cute. *gag*
April 12, 2011 at 3:09 pm
Yeah I met Glenda & she does seem pretty bright; btw she & her team didnt lose too badly against the crown prince!
May 3, 2011 at 11:58 am
Glenda Han has more substance than TPL. Imagine a kamikaze team of unknowns can get 43% of the votes against the PM. This is unthinkable.
Anyway TPL is sure to be a MP this time. PAP has won this battle, but they have lost the war.
May 3, 2011 at 1:37 pm
Have to agree with you. TPL is going to be MP. Double confirm. Damn it.
March 31, 2011 at 4:44 am
If Tin Pei Ling is a candidate for the opposition party, it will not change my impression that she is too young and cutesy to be a politician.
April 1, 2011 at 4:06 am
If she is from the opposition, we do not need to judge her so quickly… PAP will be the first to dig up her FB profile and advertise in the newspaper, any kind of media to degrade her already…
May 3, 2011 at 12:06 pm
Your imagination is good! I just find it impossible to imagine TPL as a opposite candidate, no matter how hard I tried. It just doesn’t fit. Is there something wrong with my brain?
Anyway only PAP can use mass media to attack opposition candidates because Dr Tony Tan is chairman of Singapore Press Holding.
March 31, 2011 at 5:27 am
Shroom, for all you know if she is being paraded by the Opposition as a candidate, i assure you the MSM will have a field day with the FB photos and cute stamping of the feet.
Perhaps you should look at it as being young it would not be harder to relate to the old (problems) and not being a mother it is harder to understand mother with kids. Not “not being able” but “harder”. I am not Malay, but I can try to understand them, but it will be easier if I am Malay. Get it?
The other point you have hit the nail squarely, but you got it wrong. It is not her fault (is the GRC) but if she is credible ask her to stand on a SMC one-on-one say with Jeannette Chong-Alrudoss of NSP.
Australians elected a 19 year old MP last year at the federal elections. Too young? Yes. But he won fair and square in a poll, no walkovers, GRC or anything like that. Will Tin run as a single member?
May 3, 2011 at 12:08 pm
If TPL ran in a single member constituency, she’ll lose her deposit.
May 30, 2011 at 11:25 pm
We should ask TPL to stand for SMC at Macpherson if she is credible against Nicole Seah. I can be sure that TPL will loose and even loose her deposit.
TPL please take up the challenge and proof your credibility.
March 31, 2011 at 5:31 am
should read “it would be harder to relate to the old” not “it would not be harder to relate to the old”, apology
April 1, 2011 at 11:53 am
I think it is not how old the candidates but how they behave and present themselves as a public figure.
The thing is that the oppositions manage to get sympathy from the public as being struggling to make ends meet, therefore more tolerance to these candidates. Nevertheless, they did not manage to get the support and mandate from the people. At least, the people has spoken in votes.
April 2, 2011 at 9:42 am
Yes, let’s imagine if TPL was a member of an opposition party, can you imagine also what the PAP would be saying abt her….all you need to do is look at the past cases. These guys are vicious..they not only drag the person’s credentials but all the person’s past mistakes no matter how trivial….get real that is politics.
You don’t need to be from a poor family…or have lots of children…or have family problems to understand others, but you do need a sense of empathy and that really comes from walking the ground and knowing the issues impacting ordinary people. If TPL was from such a background without political influence as she has now, that may be different.
One of the things that discomfort me is that if she becomes an MP she is more powerful that most of the other MPs as she is “closest” to the ears of the PM because of her husband. We really need to look beyond. In that respect, too much of family connections are bad and over time it will ruin us. For evidence look at Philippines, Indonesia, now the Middle East, Libya…..
If PAP fails…Singapore Fails. Think how dangerous is that assumption. Isn’t it time for us to build new baskets to fill our eggs in?
May 3, 2011 at 1:40 pm
@Seb… TPL being one of the most powerful MPs… that is one seriously scary thought…
April 2, 2011 at 3:39 pm
I like shroom’s opening question
.
Guess if she happens to be an opposition candidate, the bitching may not be that much.
Reminds me of one young person who wanted to do missionary work overseas, but only wanted to help the poor kids on the streets of London or New York, and not place like Africa or Cambodia. Admittedly, doing street kids and homeless social work/ mission work is generally the same everywhere, but the perks can be quite different
The challenges of helping Singaporeans in any and every corners of Singapore are by and large similar, but I have come to realise that some “corners” are not as popular as it seems…
April 11, 2011 at 2:51 pm
WeLL said. exactly how i feel.
March 30, 2011 at 4:03 pm
Apparently, Ms Tin drew first blood.
She practically declared “war” on all netizens whom she viewed as “dominated” by “anti-establishment” elements.
http://singapore-lighthouse.blogspot.com/2011/03/paps-tin-pei-ling-declared-war-on-anti.html
March 30, 2011 at 4:03 pm
She is too young to be a politician.
May 3, 2011 at 12:12 pm
TPL is not too young to be an MP, just immature.
In Australia, a 20-year old Wyatt Roy has been voted in to be a federal MP. But he fought his election campaign alone, and won.
TPL will become an MP this time, but it will spell the end of the GRC system in Singapore.
PAP has won the battle, but lost the war.
March 30, 2011 at 4:37 pm
@ shroom: Oh and if TPL goes in through a walkover and Chen Show Mao loses, really whose fault is it? Her fault?
=====
Not entirely her fault, of course, but mainly the fault of the entire PAP and its GRC system. However, she must take blame for being a part of it.
March 30, 2011 at 4:40 pm
PAP will not be so naive if they don’t have the confidence to win this battle by sending an “infant” to wars zone. They should have made extreme calculative risk before sending.
March 30, 2011 at 4:51 pm
Sorry, she definitely doesn’t get my ‘Youth’ vote. As it is she is a disgrace to young working females. She lacks eloquence and speaks with the maturity of an 18 year old. Universal Studios my lord… and no opinion on policy. Even I have an opinion, and I consider myself apathetic about local politics.
FAIL. Please withdraw her as a candidate.
March 31, 2011 at 12:06 am
“Even I have an opinion, and I consider myself apathetic about local politics.”
How true. Our apathetic generation is all stirred up about GE because of how embarrassed we are that PAP thinks that TPL represents us.
I’ve given up on getting a Kate Spade because I don’t want to be demographically associated her.
Sigh.
May 1, 2011 at 8:06 pm
That is so true! im 20 and seriously, i dont think being 27 can excuse any of her shallow comments
March 30, 2011 at 5:22 pm
The young lady said “Besides studying whether the gap is widening, it is more important to find out if the lowest-income group is able to get by and not fall into the vicious cycle. Many people are complaining and blaming the government for this problem. But is this really the responsibility of the government? I don’t think so.”
http://www.pap.org.sg/articleview.php?id=2746&cid=23
March 30, 2011 at 9:46 pm
Oh my God !!! I nearly fell off my chair !!!
March 31, 2011 at 5:35 am
If you put this quote, the “universal studio” thingy, and cute stamping of her feet by not knowing what else to say in perspective, my god, the roof will collapse!!!!!!
March 30, 2011 at 5:38 pm
VOTE OPPOSITION
VOTE OPOSITION
VOTE OPPOSITION
SHOW THE PAP THA THEY CANNOT RIDE ROUGH SHOD OVER OUR LIVES.
WHY THE LAP DOG ST NOT TELLING THE PUBLIC..hor?
Becoz theSPH is controlled by the PAP.
==================
The PAP has just unveiled their youngest woman candidate, Ms Tin Pei Ling. She is only 27 years old and a senior associate at the Ernst & Young Advisory.
Ms Tin also rebutted a suggestion that she got into politics through the back door because her husband, 40 year-old Ng How Yue is the Principal Private Secretary to the PM.
VOTE OPPOSITION
April 2, 2011 at 10:03 am
Vote opposition! Vote away your property price! Vote away your job! Vote away your home! Are these what you want? Then, vote for opposition!
April 2, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Y the doomsday prophecy just becos ppl say Vote Opposition? Do you really believe all this will happen if ppl vote for the opposition? Or r u just anor PAP supporter regurgitating the same nonsense they have been feeding us for the last 30 years?
April 5, 2011 at 4:24 pm
Yeah, I noticed that Robert Chen has been very pro-PAP so far…I have nothing against PAP, but I have absolutely no idea as to why Robert thinks that the opposition will ruin Singapore. If you want to be pro-PAP and anti-opposition, you got to have the relevant facts to substantiate your point. Otherwise, you just end up sounding like a PAP fanatic.
March 30, 2011 at 5:49 pm
shroom (post @ March 30, 2011 at 3:59 pm)
“Why do we have such low expectations of our opposition candidates?”
1. Blame it on PAP’s propaganda dept, ST pre-Internet days.
2. Blame it on PAP who sues the hell out of strong oppos who pose a threat.
2. Blame it on kangaroo judiciary who 100% of the time, make oppos the loser & punish them severely.
3. Blame it on Govt who does not allow oppos mass media opportunity to tell how good they are.
March 30, 2011 at 5:50 pm
The PAP can always do a u-turn and withdraw her name at nomination day.. putting their much vaunted tactical moves in play. Of course, the blame would be put squarely on the proposed candidate citing personal reasons not to contest. Eg deciding that she needs to gain more experience doing grassroots work and then turning up at the next elections declaring herself to be ready to serve. It’s just deferring that million dollar payout to the next term.
March 30, 2011 at 5:56 pm
It is indeed a very good & valid question to ask – what will we say if Ms Ting stands in the oppo side.
My take on this:-
The very fact is, if such a young & successful person with a potential bright future joins the oppo, it already shows some calibre. There is a lot of risk involved, it implies she is prepared to sacrifice, she is against existing policies, she sticks to her ideology whatever it might be & lastly, she does not enter politics because of huge monetary reward (cos othewise she would hv joined PAP).
April 5, 2011 at 6:12 pm
The truth of the matter is that it takes someone with strong beliefs and convictions as well as inner strength to join the opposition. In a society such as Singapore whereby people are generally happy to get by and have no serious MAJOR life threatening issues to battle with (as compared to other third world countries), it takes someone who looks beyond the surface of things, to step forward and make a stand against the mainstream voice.
That is the reason why we may not have as much to say if TPL is from the opposition party. Because to be from the opposition party is to have SOMETHING if not ALOT OF THINGS to say about issues that Singaporeans face.
The reality is that it is undeniably “easier” to be running as a PAP member as opposed to be running as an opposition party.
The benchmark for a PAP candidate is higher also because we already have given them the trust that they will run Singapore for the benefit of the people’s good. So of course, they, as the legitimate ruling party should be scrutinized as beneficiaries of Singaporean’s respect, taxes and support.
To me, it is rather disturbing that TPL has the support of PAP as a worthy candidate for contention but she has yet to display her personal strengths as a worthy candidate to garner the support of Singapore. It is true that time is needed to display your strengths; but if TPL was a much older candidate, would we also be willing to give the same ? To keep it fair, it should be a no, right?
May 5, 2011 at 3:25 pm
Can you imagine an older version of TPL stomping her feet and acting cute?
March 30, 2011 at 6:16 pm
eugene @ 1:50
spot on! may i also suggest “salah” and “failing”!
March 30, 2011 at 6:16 pm
eugene @ 1:50
spot on! may i also suggest “salah” and “failing”!
March 30, 2011 at 6:19 pm
No way PAP is withdrawing her on Nomination Day. I think its signed, sealed & delivered contract that PAP has to abide. She will get paid a whopping $15,000 per month. Now I would love to witness the facial expression of her supervisor at Ernst & Young when a walkover takes place on Nomination Day since no alternative party is contesting Marine Parade. Her subordinate is earning tons more! How would Tin Pei Ling’s supervisor & those much higher than her at Ernst & Young feel?
March 31, 2011 at 10:48 am
Wouldn’t worry about that. Her bosses earn more than that.
March 30, 2011 at 6:55 pm
My one cent worth – Giving Ms. Tin the benefit of the doubt. Let’s say she is a good, righteous, helpful and smart person who will relentless give and contribute to Singapore’s well-being….
Let’s assume she’s the right person to be in Parliment….but is she the better person compared to other candidates?
So the KEY QUESTION is: Who is making that decision? Is it the citizens of Singapore. the political parties. or some influential individuals who has the power to put her there? Are we voting for HER or the SYSTEM that is put forth by the currently in power political party.
My wishful thinking – a GOVERNMENT should be a constituent that is just and fair, made up of people from different political parties and background so as to keep the BALANCE in place where different views come together in synergy for the better good of the country. The system setup by the GOVERNMENT should therefore not be to strengthen or weaken any political parties or individuals.
e.g. HDB upgrades should never be part of any GE campaigns…the SYSTEM was such that an area is entitled for upgrade based on criterias, not based on political power. So if an area meets the criteria, why would it be affected based on the results of the GE? Why should it be even mentioned in the first place?
GRCs should be a SYSTEM set by the GOVERNMENT, not by political parties. If a SYSTEM = GOVERNMENT, then SYSTEM = political parties. This means that we have to forego the GOOD people in non elected parties, and we have to accept the NOT-SO-GOOD people in the elected parties…I find this hard to digest, and wished that we can have a SYSTEM that absorbs all the GOOD people and retire the NOT-SO-GOOD…Again…my wishful thinking…
March 31, 2011 at 5:58 am
I completely agree with you that HDB upgrades should NEVER be a carrot used by PAP for elections. How can a government agency be used to serve the interests of ONE political party? The idea is as ridiculous as saying if you vote PAP, your children will get priority placement in good schools!!!… (Er… wait, that kinda echoes the privileges that grassroots leaders i.e. PAP supporters are enjoying!)
Since Tin Pei Ling could not identify what PAP policy she would like to change, I would like to share what PAP policy I would like to change… STOP SHIFTING THE BOUNDARIES BEFORE EVERY ELECTION!
a) It is so lame for PAP to attribute this to changes in population distribution. The geographical spread of voters don’t differ that much in the first place. Every time boundaries are re-drawn, many community centres are torn down and new ones have to be built. This is a MAJOR WASTE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY! Completely unnecessary!!!
b) And even if it’s true that population concentrations change that much on this tiny island, why are the boundaries re-drawn JUST BEFORE THE ELECTIONS? Why can’t it be done in a non-election year? It obviously gives a major disadvantage to opposition parties who have no idea where the goal post will be until minutes before the game starts! Is this fair?
c) I would love to belong to the same constituency for the rest of my life so that I can develop some sort of identity on this confusing island… where River Valley High School is in Boon Lay, and Aljunied residents now belong to Ang Mo Kio GRC. (Surely it has nothing to do with the fact that Worker’s Party almost won Aljunied at the last elections, and that Ang Mo Kio GRC is led by our Prime Minister Lee?)
STOP SHIFTING THE BOUNDARIES PAP! If you are that good, PLAY FAIR!
May 3, 2011 at 7:33 pm
Better don’t vote for opposition. When opposition in Cheng San GRC nearly beat Lee Yock Suan in 1997, Cheng San GRC disappeared from the map in the next election.
Maybe if Aljunied GRC get too many votes this time, it too will disappear from the map in the 2016 GE.
March 30, 2011 at 7:17 pm
@ shroom: I’m just wondering if the same muck-racking would happen if she was a WP or SDP or NSP candidate. Would we still be bitching as much?
======
No. Because if she is a member of the opposition, she would have to fight her way into parliament and will be very very unlikely to get elected until, if at all, two or three general elections, by which time she would be a lot more mature and ready.
All the “bitching” is about the very real possibility that she would get into Parliament through the GRC system, riding on the coat tails of more senior, more capable and better qualified PAP candidates. Much that I dislike many of the PAPies, I would pick them over Ms Tin anytime!
March 30, 2011 at 8:53 pm
I am really ok with the comments about her policies or views about her on a work level but sometimes a line needs to be drawn and neitizens should really not probe on her personal life and insult her character.
I was acquainted with Ms. Tin three years ago when I was volunteering at Ulu Pandan YEC.
And, after reading some of the comments online about her character, and sadly, some sexual remarks. I think it is very unfair for people to make such comments on her character especially if they don’t even know her! =(
I have written an entry defending her regarding all the negative comments and judgments about her online:
http://comrade-jerrie.blogspot.com/2011/03/my-views-on-online-defamation-of-ms-tin.html
Thanks!
March 30, 2011 at 9:48 pm
Oh my, gimme a freaking break!
March 31, 2011 at 1:17 am
OMG!! Are you off your medication?
March 31, 2011 at 6:17 am
I agree with you that netizens should not probe into her personal life. And you are probably right that she has probably done more to serve the community than her critics have.
But we are talking about the selection of suitable candidates to lead the future of our country. It’s not about being nice and kind because the world is a harsh place where if you can’t stand up to scrutiny, then you really shouldn’t be a leader or politician.
You mentioned Justin Bieber and Ris Low in your defence of Pei Ling. Regardless of whether you are pop star, a pageant queen or a politician wannabe, if you expect the public to be nice and forgiving because you are young and cute, then you are obviously mistaken. People will be people. If you can’t take criticisms, then you should not leave your house unsupervised, let alone dream about being someone famous.
March 30, 2011 at 9:02 pm
Let’s just go back to basics. Supposed she has been elected into parliament, I wonder if she can relate to the grassroots level. Imagine the number of functions she has to attend and the number of “relevant” speeches she has to make…and I can imagine the meet-the-people sessions. Will she have the capacity/empathy to handle the woes of the people (perhaps as a result of the PAP policies which she claims to be alright)?
Honestly, I will rather have Ng Yue How anytime over his wife.
March 30, 2011 at 9:22 pm
I think she would not have been subject to such harsh critique for stepping up for public office if she is engaged in a single seat constituency electoral fight, where she will fight for the minds/ respect of the constituents she hopes to represent on her own merit.
But due to the unfair GRC system and PAP’s method of letting such young, 1st timer candidate ride on coat-tails of ministers via the backdoor through the GRC system…the scrutinising public are thus very pissed becos they could get elected not on their own merit.
But whereas Opposition candidates have to fight hard with limted resources and against all odds to get a chance to be elected and some have promised to be full time MPs…
If u have never fight the ground on your own for each votes…do u think u will value your constituents? Please go back to the Single constituency system…and we will have MPs that will truely listen to their constituents as they have fight for each vote on their own merit.
March 30, 2011 at 9:26 pm
Hmmmm……I wonder if We have a Sarah Pailin on our hands…Maybe ms.Tin is better I think She knows that South Africa is not a Continent….but about PAP Policies….What polcy seems to be her expression.
I wonder if She know the number of PAP members who were incarcerated by LKY…..Well maybe…maybe She knows of Chia Thye Poh
March 30, 2011 at 9:32 pm
i would not have voted for her not because she is young. she has no credibility . i wonder how pm lee can be cocerced by his secretary into selecting her for the party. we always believe in meritocracy and working one’s way up the corporate or political ladder. i wonder how will the other members of parliament would have felt about this whole farce. .. probably tightlipped with smiles aplenty.
April 1, 2011 at 12:01 pm
May be PM just said, “psst, want to become MP or not, SGD15K per month.” Then Tin replied,”okay.”
March 30, 2011 at 9:53 pm
This young PAP lady is another product of the system, and with some marketing and branding, she is presented as “future talent”. In her interview with Razor TV, I can immediately see she is another Conformist and obedient MP who will always tow the PAP line no matter what. She is not going to reperesent the young voters of the day because she is so far removed from the sentiment and aspiration of many younger Singaporeans.
March 30, 2011 at 10:00 pm
i rather vote a geylang prositute as mp than this satan slave.
March 30, 2011 at 10:01 pm
whether she is connected or not, should we not give her a chance to show. by her age, she definitely speaks better than the many people older than her.
March 31, 2011 at 5:44 am
speaks better but devoid of substance.
By your reasoning, we should stuff our parliament with a bunch of orators and speech coaches? she is not even close to these.
April 4, 2011 at 12:45 am
Don’t be silly!
April 4, 2011 at 12:46 am
Then we should give the opposition a chance.
March 30, 2011 at 10:14 pm
”Ms Tin’s private lifestyle choices are irrelevant to whether or not you should vote for her.”
Oh TOC ,dun try to act noble .If TOC have not been gazette ,their identity of the editoral team make known ,i believe they will publish those pic too .
Why is it irrelevant?According to PAP political figures have to be
scrutinize by the public .Have to come clean with their private life .Those who post those pic are just upholding PAP principle .Nothng wrong with that .
Hope u wun delete off my post lol
March 30, 2011 at 10:27 pm
By the way ,can TOC explain why the main stream media is allow to dig up the private life of joseph ong whom they accuse of being the owner of TR wheres netizen are not allow to dig juicy news from PAP candidate?Isnt that double standard and irrelevant as well? lol
March 30, 2011 at 10:38 pm
Another question need to be answer by TOC .Why is PAP allow to dig up the private life of Mr Kuan during the last presidential election ?Isnt it not a fair game as well ?PAP even stood so low as to hold a press conference . Just letting the PAP have a taste of its medicine ,nothing wrong with that .Tip for Tat .
March 31, 2011 at 5:46 am
Also of Ryan Goh, the supposed ringleader of SIA pliot rebellion, that the Govt aka PAP dug out that his daughter is studying in Australia to show he has no loyalty and then stripped his PR?
March 30, 2011 at 10:48 pm
”Ms Tin’s private lifestyle choices are irrelevant to whether or not you should vote for her.”
Anyway,its not irrelevent as wat TOC claim .At least those pic show a few things .Her kawaii sign which she make show voters that she is childish n immature ,not qualify to lead n manage a constitency .
Her branded clothes which she took together with her kawaii sign show how materialistic she is .
March 30, 2011 at 10:56 pm
As a PAP supporter, I am very disappointed that PM and the party leaders allowed a young selfish girl pull wool over their eyes.
Yes, TPL has some leadership skills, communication skills, event management skills, etc. which makes her a suitable candidate for the party. However, it takes more than just these skills to make a good candidate.
A true dedicated candidate must be able to put the party before self. This means making the difficult decision to decline the invitation to serve as a candidate if one is not so ready, or if one has some undesirable background that may put the party in a bad light. Through all the comments that we have read about TPL, clearly she is deemed not to be ready and that her personal life is jeopardising the party’s credibility. She is making a mockery of the party.
From her photos and posing, we can tell that she is an attention seeker. Anybody who puts herself before the organisation, does not deserve to be a party candidate.
The issue now is that the party has made a grave mistake by fielding her now. If they withdraw her, it would definitely be wise and be a saving grace for the party. However, it would also show that the party fielded her under impulse. It would make the party look bad.
Seeing how TPL strives on the attention showered on her, she clearly will not be able to survive the loss of face if the party withdraws her. She may even take her life.
So what can the party do now?
1. Ask TPL to withdraw herself graciously.
2. Continue to field her, and lose some votes for Marine Parade GRC to the opposition.
3. Continue to field her, and risk losing big in Marine Parade GRC and losing SM Goh as well.
4. Keep her as an MP for only one term.
PAP has made the biggest mistake this time around. They should consult party loyalists about their candidates, instead of just letting the party leaders decide on the candidates by themselves.
March 31, 2011 at 12:40 am
“Seeing how TPL strives on the attention showered on her, she clearly will not be able to survive the loss of face if the party withdraws her. She may even take her life.”
LOL!! Go on then, I couldn’t care less if she jumps of a building. Good riddance. It’s saving tax payers a whopping $20,000 a month on a societal parasite.
March 31, 2011 at 12:52 am
One more option. Retract and fill TPL in an SMC. This allows her an opportunity to prove herself. By going through the baptism of an election campaign, without cloaking behind the heavy weights, she proves that she has the mandate of her constituents and silence the detractors. That way, she will be able to put her head high and serve the community as all duly elected MPs must do. Worst case, it means losing an SMC to the opposition by the incumbent. Her presence in a GRC will tip the sway voters to the opposition side and could result in a “freak” outcome.
March 31, 2011 at 3:11 am
I hope for a freak GRC lost to happen. TPL got to be fielded by PAP.
March 31, 2011 at 5:52 am
PAP will never retract her. By withdrawing her candidacy, it will demonstrate to the people of Singapore that PAP is wrong and short-sighted. This will never happen. PAP is never wrong. The government is never wrong, even for flash flood it is the fault of the Gods. To withdraw TPL is to lose face. PAP cannot lose face. How can? It never happened before and will not happen. For anything, LKY will ensure TPL wins.
March 30, 2011 at 11:07 pm
I can’t even vote, but… She reminds me of Ris Low. That’s not a good thing.
Seriously, though, if anything, she conveys the image of someone whose every move is managed by backstage forces – another similiarity to a cetain beauty pageant contestant. I wouldn’t want an MP incapable of acting or thinking independently.
March 30, 2011 at 11:59 pm
Her lack of substance and/or ability would not have been so glaring if she had not been heading the media arm of young PAP. The online backlash is a stark example of how she is unable to plan and execute her OWN social media campaign.
Epic fail.
March 31, 2011 at 12:04 am
I agree with Jay that Ms Tin’s private lifestyle is fair game. PAP has done the same to opposition candidates before, and it has worked well to gain votes. Furthermore, PAP is sending her to the parliament through a backdoor, and the electorate does not have much say over her candidacy. If she is indeed capable, she should run in a SMC. Then if she is elected, she deserves it! Until then, she is just a nobody and her private life is a fair game. (Surly TOC has read about private lives of French, Spain, British, and US politicians in tabloids!)
March 31, 2011 at 12:05 am
Just realise to my horror that this Tin Pei Ling will be fielded in my constituency. Initially I have thought of voting for PAP. Now I am having second thought as I definitely do not want her to represent us. The PAP thought that my fielding someone so young, it can capture the youth votes. I think that having such a young politician will alienate voters like me. It is not too late for the PAP to withdraw her candidature if it does not want to lose more votes.
March 31, 2011 at 12:51 am
It is apparent that PAP is going to bring her as a trainee in what is probably the best paid internship in the world – 15k monthly salary; part-time work; 6 years guaranteed job and pay.
Indeed, they do not seem to think that it is not unethical to use large amount of people’s money, a constituency and a MP position for this internship. The people don’t deserve this.
March 31, 2011 at 2:06 am
Don’t this just reminds you of Sarah Palin? (pun not intended)
March 31, 2011 at 2:53 am
i think some senior gov member is gonna step in to voice out for TPL real soon.. stay tune!
March 31, 2011 at 6:04 am
@ AL, it will be a joke, a serious joke, and a mockery of our constitution if the PAP, assuming they are going to form the next government, to have Tin Pei Ling walkovered into parliament and put her on an internship, apprenticeship or traineeship or whatever ship or understudy SM Goh in the expense of better quality and qualified candidates I believe the PAP can surely produce. This is a travesty. You don’t play play with parliament! If they do, the PAP is too arrogant and taking the country of Singapore for child’s play.
Can you imagine:
TPL vs Low Thia Kiang
TPL vs Chiam See Thong
TPL vs other PAP MPs and Ministers
Are we serious? Even TPL vs Chen Show Mao, Vincent Wijeysinghe, Chee Soon Juan, Kenneth Jeyaratnam, Sylvia Lim, people we may not see in the next parliament, what do we have?
Preposterousness follows by complete collapse of the system, surely.
March 31, 2011 at 6:37 am
Actually, her youth will definitely work against her.
N years ago, when I joined teaching-parents were wary of my ‘youthful’ looks-how can I possibly take care of my charges?
The same will hold true for an MP=who would consult a young MP who has just barely started in life and already living in the upper rungs of society?
March 31, 2011 at 9:22 am
Not impressed. Regret not taking her parents to Universal Studio when there are more pressing social issues to talk about? I know 18 year olds who have stronger opinions and are more inspiring.
March 31, 2011 at 8:42 pm
I belong squarely to the “young demographic” and with luck this will be the first time in my life I get to exercise my voting rights.
Most peers I have (and I have to shamefully admit myself included) had been woefully blasé about politics for most of our lives. Maybe it’s because the PAP had always fielded sterling candidates who, other concerns notwithstanding, demonstrated evident intellectual prowess and a slew of other skills that propelled them to the heights of their respective professions (the military, medicine, law, finance, etc). Any individual who has the personal discipline, work ethics, and interpersonal intelligence to attain such a rarified position could at least be trusted to do his or her job as good as, if not better than, most folks.
Ironically it’s PAP’s choice of Tin Pei Ling that has really jolted us into some sort of political awareness. She is a dime a dozen. She looks like a normal enough girl, but nothing about her impresses. She has so far uttered nothing at all substantial. She has not achieved anything extraordinary, at least not that she has revealed, in her personal or professional life. She is a slap in our collective, erstwhile apathetic face. Meritocracy has been exposed as a fatuous fiction. She personifies the hideous shriek of a barrel’s bottom being scraped.
March 31, 2011 at 9:42 pm
If Tin PL stands as opposition, who will be the gutter journalists?
Be assured that some opposition candidates will be smeared by gutter jounalism in the coming election. Will those who defend Tin PL now also defend the opposition candidates?
Tin PL greatest regret was not able to bring her parents to universal studio, but she was free to enjoy herself with her husband oversea. What kind of filial piety is this?
March 31, 2011 at 10:05 pm
Vote for her? I won’t even hire her. The criteria which led to her selection is an insult to more deserving and qualified people who have put in the hard yards over more years than she has lived. I feel the pain and frustration of those who have to give way to her. The price for this desperate and poorly thought through decision will haunt the old party die hards and discourage good professionals from joining. That’s a hard truth!
March 31, 2011 at 10:17 pm
As with most Singaporean, I’m politically neutral but I think PAP has really lost it this time. What is PAP thinking of by retiring some of the veterans and sending such a young candidate? to capture the votes of the young voters?? They have underestimated the wisdom of the people. She’s too mediocre, too normal and face it, too young. How can the people trust her with their problems – rising cost of living, unemployment. Her likely shoo-in to the parliament by hiding behind the GRC is a glaring flaw of the system. I shrudder at the thought all the taxpayers’ hard earned money going to such waste! She may be a good volunteer and should remain as such. Hope people really vote wisely!
March 31, 2011 at 11:46 pm
Would like to commend on your unbias and fair article on the youngest PAP candidate. So far the other blogs are hitting under the belt when writing a critique on this candidate. But your article is both unprejudiced and non-judgemental. Kudos to you.
April 1, 2011 at 8:07 am
The article in ST showed that the opposition is better and more savvy in adopting the lessons of the last US Presidential Elections by mustering volunteers via online. This is a far cry from the PAP who has a candidate who can’t even manage her own Facebook. After all, wasn’t this her supposed area of expertise.
April 1, 2011 at 8:20 am
Tin Pei Ling is nothing but a decoy. As expected , the online community (at least a significant number) have falled for the trap and have engaged in gutter journalism. This just gives the ruling party the opportunity to attack the intention and credibility of the alternative media.
Most importantly , Ms Tin has drawn attention away from other serious candidates with Ministerial potential (Like a few new citizens). Guess those who planned this will be laughing their butts off now. And the final cruel joke will be when she will not contest but given a cushy non-elected position – like Head of PA, PS etc
April 1, 2011 at 7:18 pm
Why article at such nv appear on the real public paper? I watched the razor tv interview…. She can’t even speak well, and clearly not professional. Can you imagine your MP tok to u with erm.. Ah… This level of confidence in whatever she is going to say, it’s v dangerous!
Furthermore, she has no depth in what she os saying, and she is already 27. If PAP wants to field her, she has to behave like a 40 years old maturity? And not using her age as an excuse.
Youth are not interested in politics not because youth doesn’t see young MP. Youth are not interested simply becAuse we know that we can’t change anything. For example, watching the razortv interview inspired me to vote ms Tim out? But she is hidden with a GRC and so, she will get in anyway. Blessed that I am not living in tt region?
April 1, 2011 at 8:19 pm
Has anyone thought that this may be an elaborate trap? I mean they are not stupid right.
Focus all attention on one and neglect the rest of the new candidates? Send her as a kamikaze?
A few more “right” interviews and educated answers, she will be back running. Sarah Palin did have a lot of followers you know.
April 1, 2011 at 9:12 pm
No way will that happen.
She has the fullforce of the PAP behind her and her husband in front of her.
Know what I mean. she did not marry the feller just tyom be a housewife going to Ang Mo Kio market.
Very canny of the PAP to front a young pretty woman.
Makes a change in Parliament if she does get in.
Meantime…. VOTE OPPOSITION.
April 1, 2011 at 11:10 pm
she’s a joker with no substance. As a voter i can’t relate to what she’s trying to say. I wonder what she can do to contribute to the society or helping ordinary singaporeans?!?
April 2, 2011 at 12:27 pm
something to ponder:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw8AUD3Mxpc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzXYqaL41iI
April 2, 2011 at 2:07 pm
Online Citizen whole day censor people’s comments, GO AND DIE!!!
April 2, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Don’t say I anyhow say…
Evidence Here:
http://furrybrowndog.wordpress.com/2011/02/26/toc-the-overkill-censor/#comments
It better not claim to be the voice of Singaporeans
April 2, 2011 at 3:52 pm
One wise former PAP MP once shared in his NUS lecture (during my 1st year on social policy) that politics is about WHO gets WHAT and HOW MUCH?
Bottomline, do you want this young person to decide whether you are eligible to get this or that, and of how much can or should you get/ give.
If it is okay for you, then vote her.
Company or government politics eventually boils down to getting into that position to decide WHO gets WHAT and HOW MUCH.
After you have voted for her and team, she will decide whether you are entitled to get this or that, or not, and whether in controlled small morsels or sufficient amount, and for how long.
You decide now, she will decide later…
This has not change for a long time ….
April 2, 2011 at 10:57 pm
Well, I intended to abstain from voting in Marine Parade GRC…niether supporting a cold fish nor “NCMP seeking” opposition politicans.
Thanks to Tin Pei Ling, I will get off my butt and vote against her even if Opposition field for the Dream Team of Bozo, Harban SIngh, Ah Meng and Annabel CHong.
Thank you Tin Pei Ling for shaking off my apathy towards GE2011.
A Mother-of-all-match up to prove her mettle as a credible PAP candidate; as well as which componet is crucial to win GE – Gne-Y or ageing baby-boomers:
62 year old Lina Chiam vs 27 year old Tin Pei Ling.
April 2, 2011 at 11:40 pm
I’m sure Ms Tin could be a very nice girl… heck I’m sure if she’s your sister or next-door neighbour you would think nothing of giving her a treat from time to time or asking her to look after your cat for an hour or two.
But how can a next-door, average girl/boy with a very average (and so far, not very long) life-history represent the wide-ranging, pressing, complicated concerns of an entire constituency?
Her relatively tender age would have had been a non-issue if she had shown extraordinary ability, dedication, or courage in any aspect of her life. So far the best she can boast of (and which fact is blandished ad nauseum) is a few years’ involvement in grassroots work – it’s not exactly the same as saving the blind, working in a soup kitchen or volunteering in a war zone – there are innumerable people, some extremely qualified, who have served for far, far longer than she has.
So maybe Tin PL might, one hopes, have the heart and brains to extrapolate her shallow life-experience into something approaching empathy with others very different from herself. Her public responses (and online clips) so far, however, reveal only a clumsiness (bordering on incompetence) in handling bog-standard questions, a great ability to blather without eloquence, and a staggeringly narrow point of view. I know 16 year olds with more gravitas, intelligence and thoughtfulness.
So who do we have? – someone immature, with a devastatingly naive view of the country we live in, and not even the brightest bulb. She seems to be a resident of this country as well, though from Tin PL’s responses it’s sometimes hard to tell.
I love Singapore. This is the country I gave 2.5 years of my life for, the country for which my brave grandparents sailed into the unknown bearing naught but hope, the country my parents grew up in and which my uncle shares a birthday with. There is no other country on earth that I can truly call my own.
Despite everything, the PAP had been an integral part of Singapore’s story. Since the beginning, the party has had a quasi social compact with fellow Singaporeans. We accepted (or at least did not overly protest) the GRC system, because for a long, long time the candidates had been truly exceptional individuals with achievements only few could attain. There are still many of this calibre in the new batch. But Ms Tin PL has shattered the long-held belief that rich rewards came only, and only sometimes, to one (except those born into privilege) who worked hard and long. In a couple of GE rounds, would we have a parliament peppered with fresh grads mighty chuffed at pocketing $15,000 a month in addition to their normal salary, taking turns to express oh-so-gaspingly-brilliant ideas like “helping mothers send their children to school” and queuing for Universal Studio tickets in their free time?
Tin PL might be a perfectly nice person in actual life. However, her candidacy (and, chillingly it seems, almost-free ride into parliament) is a deep insult to all that Singapore stands for, what the country means to me.
I have (maybe had is more grammatically accurate now) been an ardent PAP supporter, despite all its (real or otherwise) imperfections. The choice of Tin PL has poisoned the lake of trust. Perhaps she has opened my eyes to hitherto unrealised dangers.
April 3, 2011 at 12:30 am
Just because PAP thinks they are very smart to introduce a young ‘sweet’ girl to join as MP and run the election, I will definitely vote against PAP, for having added such a ‘garbagely vase’ into the team…
April 3, 2011 at 12:34 am
Perhaps, this new ‘sweet’ MP who served the community as Grassroot leader thinks she is fit enough to serve the whole constituency as a MP, may finally happy to receive the monthly $15K pay check to buy even more Kate Spade luxurious bags!
April 3, 2011 at 12:36 am
I am going to keep this short.
I DON’T LIKE HER.
Thank you.
April 3, 2011 at 11:25 am
Robert Chen,
There are many youths in YPAP hoping to be selected. There aren’t many youths in opposition party. Hence, it’s the oppostion youths that needed to be given a chance.
Ah Long,
Please do not compare TPL with Obama. Unless you think TPL can win in the USA presidential election.
April 3, 2011 at 12:24 pm
Dear Chance
If Tin Pei Ling have the support of a liberal press, kool aid drinkers of the liberal nuts and the financial support of the trade unions and liberal billionaires YES she CAN. Oh and also a guilt ridden national consciousness crippled by the affirmative action crutch.
Look around our geo-political geography. You stack your country’s future on CHANCE? “Give them a chance?” Have we arrive at a time when:-
“The best lacks conviction and the worst are full of passionate intensity?”
I am still reeling from disbelief that PAP is actually fielding TPL. I think there are 27 year old young PAP who are more credible than her. Or is this all wayang?
April 3, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Ah Long,
I didn’t stack my county’s future on chance. Please read my reply in context.
I’m merely telling Robert Chen who deserve more to be given chance if it should be given.
I’m surprised at your confident in TPL can win the USA presidential election. Did you hear TPL’s speech as compared to Obama’s speech?
I agree that there are many 27 years old or younger are more credible than TPL.
I beleive in voting for a good candidate regardless of race, language, religion, party or age.
April 3, 2011 at 3:43 pm
Aiyah, my dear Chance note the hypothetical IF…. in Singapore….
Obama has team of speech writers, image advisors and tele-prompters. Do you know he actually used a tele prompter when speaking to a 5th grade class? And he actually said there were 57 states in the US! How’s that for a great speaker? Obama is over rated, overly ambitious and overly confident ACADEMIC with very thin skin (he cannot take criticism). He is a typical politician whose past speeches and so called messianic promises of change have come back to haunt him time and time again. I think Colin Powell would have made a credible president. So yes, the best candidate regardless of race, language or religion should be voted in as MP, Ministers , PM,,,,
And lastly note my earlier post:
“I am still reeling from disbelief that PAP is actually fielding TPL”
Thank you for your observation and rebuttal. Good bye and have a great week ahead.
April 3, 2011 at 3:53 pm
For TPL’s point on education and cost of living after watching her lengthy appearance on Razor TV… Here is a report by AlJazeera that she should watch first….
http://www.youtube.com/user/sporenewsalternative#p/a/f/0/BygOYrP722Y
April 3, 2011 at 4:06 pm
The most lucrative part-time job in the World is that of a Member of Parliament in Singapore.
The easiest and quickest way to get this world most lucrative part-time job is to sail safely and effortlessly, tagging along the safety-rope of a Minister in a GRC, in a walk-over constituency.
Where is the accountability, meritocracy, dignity, integrity and responsibility?
April 3, 2011 at 4:23 pm
Get elected via the backdoor way and she can retire by 40 after 3 terms with a generous pension for life!
April 3, 2011 at 9:37 pm
AH Long,
Thanks for your clarification.
You too have a great week ahead.
April 4, 2011 at 12:00 am
There are perhaps qualities in TPL that we have yet seen, but one thing for sure is that she still has a long way to go in policy making. However if we are for a more pluralist Singapore, we should also welcome and embrace diversity into our politics, whether in the aspects of race, gender and even age. In this case, the fact that TPL Is 27 is irrelevant to the validity of her candidature because we know there are more MPs out there who are probably more experienced, yet just as out of touch. In Singapore, the large majority of our MPs have the power but no control, voice but no opinions. TPL is just another MP rolled out from the PAP factory.
April 4, 2011 at 10:22 am
TPL really don’t know what to say when asked by media about GCT’s post in face book. So she called GCT for help. Double Confirm liao, “TPL really don’t know what to say”.
April 4, 2011 at 10:35 am
sometimes it’s not abt age, academic credentials or oratorical skills.
it’s a kind of chemistry the MP has with the voters, some ppl have it some ppl don’t.
for example theres nothing wrong with Lee Bee Wah, Ong Seh Hong and Yaacob Ibrahim, but the moment i see them or interact with them i don’t like them simply becos i cannot ‘connect’ with them as a voter.
i don’t like Ms Tin either.
April 4, 2011 at 11:44 am
actually, if I am PAP, I will not field her now, since there is so much contention surrounding her ..the 13 year age gap with her husband, if advocated, will further increase the number of single women around, thereby, going against their marriage policy..so, I feel Tin should be withdrawn.
May 3, 2011 at 11:55 am
The PAP has no choice but to field her now. The hidden agenda is that at the next election the 3rd generation of the dynasty will be fielded as a candidate. PAP needs young candidates now to pave the way for him.
PAP really have their hands tied (by PAPA). They have no choice.
April 4, 2011 at 7:14 pm
Rookie MPs like TPL should be paid less. Is TPL planning to start a family soon? ( I thought I read that she is planning to) If so, who is doing her work when she takes maternity leave? It is not very fair to earn $15,000 part time and still not be seen pulling your weight.
April 4, 2011 at 11:06 pm
Please support our petition to request Ms Tin Pei Ling to be field in SMC
April 5, 2011 at 10:42 am
i think her position to be in MP GRC is already cast in stone. you can only exercise your rights in your vote
April 4, 2011 at 11:08 pm
Please support our petition to request Ms Tin Pei Ling to contest in a SMC
April 5, 2011 at 1:36 am
Doesn’t matter to PAP if they lose, ministers are already earning millions, if they lose, they can just chill and relax and enjoy life.
You think they’ll still help and support the new government if the opposition party wins ?
April 5, 2011 at 3:03 am
I have a lot of respect for the Singapore government and largely the PAP. However, Pei Ling is quite disappointing in her 10-minute video appearance. It is perfectly fine to have the young representing the PAP, but she just does not cut it for me, at least at this moment. Perhaps the pressure is getting to her?
I am also keen to see how competent she is in leveraging on social media to engage the youth. It is a very delicate task, and I certainly hope that she have a good strategy in place.
April 5, 2011 at 10:34 am
am disappointed she is coming to marine parade. am voting the other party – that is if I get to vote in this GE.
April 5, 2011 at 1:50 pm
i would see her role as someone to connect with the young. but if the young don’t even like her, how can she fulfill her role?she basically lack the “charisma” to reach out to the young, so it defeats the purpose to field her and this is why i am suggesting to withdraw her, at least PAP may win back some votes.
April 5, 2011 at 6:19 pm
The message is clear: If the highly capable and loyal Singaporean women do not step forward to serve the country, then some like Tin Pei Ling will be fielded instead and we cannot fault her for her love for Singapore despite her inexperience but we can only blame those who had the abilities to serve Singapore as great politicians but choose not to.
April 5, 2011 at 9:21 pm
Why Pei Lin?
Please do the right thing
Go tell you daddies
To put you in a Single Member Constituency!
April 6, 2011 at 6:30 am
I agree there is a need to inject youth’s voice in the parliament. But I do not agree that taxpayers should pay so much for a learner when the same amount can be used to field someone who is more experienced and can contribute immediately to our country!
If there really is a need to have a voice of youths, why don’t the parliament open up itself to selected student leaders or young executives, who will volunteer their time and learn from the masters (for free or for a nominal fee)? Isn’t this a more palatable approach?
April 6, 2011 at 1:49 pm
Ron,
NCMP can be filled by the youth leaders.
April 6, 2011 at 1:55 pm
The youth leaders must be voted in by the youth and not selected by the government. Perhaps, the Student Union Chief from NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD.
April 6, 2011 at 4:04 pm
I am a PAP supporter all my life and voted for them twice when my constituency were contested. I still think PAP did alot for Singapore and I hope noone will discredit that. However seeing and hearing so much of this young PAP has left a Tin Pei Ling shaped dent in my faith in our ruling party should she be elected as MP through the GRC route. Sincerely, I hope there can be a fairer game in which experienced (and quality) opposition politicians can compete on an even ground. Therefore I signed the partition for Ms Tin to be field in an SMC even though I am a strong PAP supporter. Maybe I was wrong by doubting PAP, then I hope Ms Tin can win the SMC and show us her worth! If not, this dent in faith will always be there in my heart and should my constituency be contested again, I will seriously consider my vote!
April 6, 2011 at 8:35 pm
PAP, PLEASE don’t take her off the GRC! Please!
Let the opposition win the GRC! Hahaha….
And don’t put her in a SMC!
It’s a BIG insult to WE the voters in the SMC ward!!! And to the oppostion fielding against her.
April 14, 2011 at 1:07 pm
AI YOO!Ms Tin is just a young girl,She is like a taecher while introduction .
April 18, 2011 at 3:59 pm
A PAP Tin-foil, a red-herring……..
I just dis-trust PAP with a candidate like TPL.
Despite public furore, PAP’s adamant on fielding her shows their intransigence and haughtiness twds Singapoereans and a reminder to us to heel to the master’s wishes. We ought to rebutt with an emphatic NO by giving our votes to the opposition.
April 20, 2011 at 3:27 pm
By all accounts, TPL has come across as really light-weight which even GCT and Matthias have acknowledged. Why then is PAP taking the risk with her?
And PAP seem eager to have her elected judging by whose coattail she would be hanging-on to. Let me hyphothetize. TPL is now 28 y.o. The son of Ho Ching turns 24 shortly and come the next GE he will like TPL now be 28+. This is being carefully choreographed by “the phoenix lady” in place of the late “Dragon lady”. TPL is being pushed into Parliament now to allay potential public disquiet when the Crowned Prince is introduced for the “haloed” chamber in the next GE. PAP or someone within it wants to ensure that TPL is elected to pave the way for the “young prince” coming of age. Any wager?
May 14, 2011 at 6:30 pm
You may be right. This could be the untold strategy behind the scene. Afterall they surely plan for the future succession plan.
April 25, 2011 at 11:10 am
I have watched the youtube video where Ms Ting said “I don’t know what to say” and stamped her feet. It is obvious that it was a light hearted scene and her stamping of feet was not petulant, but rather good humouredly self deprecatory. I see the exuberance of youth as it should be. Only stuffed shirts will have something to say at every turn of events. Ms Tin was being natural. That video does not make me think negatively of her.
April 25, 2011 at 5:57 pm
I watch both videos (Nicole Seah and Tin Pei Ling), i feel more confident with Nicole….. I feel Ms Tin Pei Ling is being shoo in……i too a volunteer and I do not feel Ms Tin Pei Ling sincerity just lip services…..
April 28, 2011 at 12:41 pm
I was trying to reply to her on the facebook but was unable to. I support what she stands for. Let’s not discriminate against her because of her youth. I think her ideas about education are really feasible. Indeed education is very important and they did visit the families who didn’t send their kids to school. That means a lot.
Hmm but I am not sure which party to vote for.
April 29, 2011 at 7:08 pm
Disappointing that our highly respected SM Goh is willing to buddy such a shallow figure. The most suitable area for her to stand for election is as a SMC candidate at Sentosa – near Universal Studio
April 29, 2011 at 11:07 pm
Ms Tin’s private lifestyle choices are irrelevant to whether or not you should vote for her.
Sorry but i totally disagree….especially when this is being thrown into the public light under scrutiny.
the immaturity in the way she has presented herself does not command respect. Her achievements pale in comparison with CSM from WP. I really cannot see the merit in her selection.
Frankly I am happy she is not the PAP candidate in my GRC…….
April 30, 2011 at 10:19 am
Singaporean Express… opps, I meant American Express “Membership has its privileges
May 1, 2011 at 9:25 pm
hard to ignore the fact of her marrying at 22 to a much older man.
And being fielded as a MP 5years later.
If she had proven herself, maybe the public can accept it. But, until now, it seemed she is becoming a MP due to relations with PM Lee.
Very hard to ignore these facts.
May 1, 2011 at 9:48 pm
I dread to think…It will be a total waste down the drain of $13,000+ pm on MP allowance to TPL in an eventuality…
May 1, 2011 at 9:59 pm
Nicole’s maturity in her speech and clarity of her thoughts is what matters, not age.
TPL is clearly not ready to serve the people as she comes across frivolous and immature to handle the issues on hand.
She is not helping me gain confidence in the PAP at all. They should really rethink this.
May 2, 2011 at 8:26 pm
1. Is she the best PAP can field? If so, its a joke. Its not the PAP that we once knew. I am sure there more on the “reserve” bench like the Dr that was fielded as a last minute replacement for the Tg Pagar GRC?
2. From all her answers so far (eg cost of education, healthcare, etc) she is simply too immature. How can she be in a leadership position?
3. A company would never pay anyone that much to train someone. If she is really sincere to learn, then offer to take no pay for a term and learn hard to serve the people. Else why are we paying her our money (tay payers) to learn?
May 3, 2011 at 10:17 am
As many have said, give the Oppositions a chance to prove themselves. We should also give this young PAP, TPL a chance to prove herself. Ultimately if she cannot make it, she will fade away…. yah we may have wasted the MP allowance for 5 yrs but this monies are to be paid in anyway just to which party, it may also be an ineffective Opposition candidate. Who can tell?
As for NS, her rally speech at Whampoa…..”As i drive to Whampoa, i dunno who is the MP, this reminds me, i don’t know who is my MP in Tampines even when i am staying there for the past years…..blar blar blar. How can u rally with so many ” I don’t knows” What does this shows, you go to battlefield without knowing who your opponents are, just furtively blabbering out a script…. I moved out of tampines for more than 15 years, but i still know MBT is the MP for that GRC.
May 3, 2011 at 12:21 pm
Your memory is very good!
I stayed in my place for more than 10 years. My MP, whoever he/she is, has never visited me. Not even during election time. At first I thought it is only my estate. From the web, I get a feeling that it is the same in other constituencies as well. All this talk about caring for the people is just FALSE. No wonder so many Singaporeans do not know who their MPs are. In a GRC system, we are mainly voting for the minister in that GRC (in my case it is PM Lee). Who the other MPs are does not really matter when we vote.
May 3, 2011 at 11:48 am
I think all of you do not appreciate the “tongue-in-cheek” humour of the party in fielding TPL. Can you all relax a bit and enjoy the good things in life that the party has provided for you? No need to get so worked up over TPL. She is only one out of so many MPs.
May 3, 2011 at 11:58 am
The GE is no serious matter. Dun ‘masak masak’ with it. Please field in the most experienced and clear-minded candidate to represent the needs of fellow Sinkies. GE is not a platform for training and buddying, dun forget the hefty payroll of MP.
May 3, 2011 at 12:02 pm
The GE is a serious matter, not a platform for training and buddying. Please dun ‘masak masak’ the process and field in an experienced and level-minded candidate to represent the Sinkies. Dun forget the hefty payrolls of MP in power.
May 3, 2011 at 4:22 pm
I don’t know why but when I see TPL, it keeps reminding me of Ris Low.
The judges who picked Ris Low as Miss Singapore World can obviously see the beauty in her, which the rest of us cannot appreciate.
Maybe PAPA can see some inner beauty and wisdom in TPL, which the rest of us mere mortals are not intelligent enough to appreciate.
Who knows, maybe Ris Low will be picked to stand in GE 2016.
Just wait and see!!
May 5, 2011 at 4:48 pm
I think opposition is capable of having strategic direction too. Hence opposition only seems like without substance because it is their strategy to ‘discredit the PAP’ in any marketing campaign it is war. The more political parties there are in a government, the better it is for the common man, because it diversifies the risk that one party will monopolise the power, especially of the budget, and the tax.
Vote opposition and make us truly a first world parliament. That is the only way we can get first world status and attract more foreign investment to boost our economy.
We were rejected by Australia in our attempt to take over their stock exchange, why??? because we are not a free press, free country that’s why. Only with more opposition parties will we seem more credible.
May 6, 2011 at 2:26 pm
After seeing her feet stomping video, I feel it will be a waste of public funds if Ms Tin gets into Parliament riding on the coat tails of the respectable Mr Goh. Even in a private corporations, we don’t pay new management trainees half as much. Moreover, after a few rounds of interviews, we should be able to sieve out the immature feet stamping ones.
My 6-year old was asking why the girl in the video was stamping her feet ‘cos my 6-year old has been told long ago that it is inappropriate behaviour.
Sayang…taxpayers money down the drain again.
May 7, 2011 at 12:49 am
She who stands for nothing will fall for everything.
May 8, 2011 at 2:54 pm
Why her?
She is an utter ditz….seen her videos, heard her speak…
This is PAP’s weakest link…and greatest downfall…!!!!
May 8, 2011 at 2:55 pm
She is better off monkeying Ris Low….
Puts Singapore politics to shame…ridiculous joke!!!
Waste of tax payer’s money….
May 9, 2011 at 4:01 am
Look at what our SM GCT said to the press.
Mr Goh said it is not Ms Tin’s fault in wanting to be an MP.
“They thought it’s all Tin Pei Ling’s fault. It’s not,” Mr Goh said.
“The PAP wanted to have a representative slate. She came in on that basis by the PAP.
“We knew that she was young but we know that she will grow. I think that’s the key.
“We wanted her. If there’s anything, we knew that she would be young and inexperienced but we are quite happy.
“And the main thing is she has got through. And that’s the reason why people are unhappy – that such a young and inexperienced person has got through.
“In politics, it’s transcient. We have five years. If after five years, Tin Pei Ling remains what she is, then of course, she would still be a factor at the next election.
“But at this stage, looking at her action, in three years time, she would be a different Tin Pei Ling”.
It is so sad that even until now he still does not understand that what we want is someone who has the capability to lead us. We are NOT unhappy that TPL is getting into parliament at a young age, like he said. Age is not an issue. Nicole Seah is younger than her and she has got her own ideas. And I am impressed. We are unhappy that such a person was voted in by virtue of the strengths of others.
And what does he mean by it is not TPL’s fault in wanting to be an MP? Meaning she doesn’t but was persuaded to be in? Now, what does this imply? She was forced?
Our SM said that TPL will change in 3 years. But we have got so many deserving candidates like George Yeo. Why do we need to pay her 15,000k per month to LEARN? Can’t she join the election after she has grown? We have potential candidates, who is much more deserving. We are unhappy to pay her. But what can we do?
I think our leaders have to start recognizing that young Singaporeans were taught to think since we were young, and we use our cognitive ability to identify, reason and judge who we want and need in the parliament.
May 9, 2011 at 11:09 am
My take on this now:
I think whether TPL has the substance or not, is really material now.
She is now getting the Dan Quayle effect…. no matter what she does she WILL be criticized.
Sad but that seems to be the case right now.
May 9, 2011 at 1:54 pm
The Sunday Times was able to report that, in Aljuneid, which of the five wards that comprise the GRC polled the fewest votes in favour of the PAP.
Will we be allowed to hear which of the individual wards in Marine Parade polled the fewest votes for NSP?
Better still, will we be allowed to hear which polled the most?
Clearly, the figures do actually exist somewhere. Wouldn’t it be fun if we could actually be allowed to see them?
May 10, 2011 at 12:22 am
We want young and cute face to brand our nation, SIA has Singapore Girl, PAP has Tan Pei Ling!
May 11, 2011 at 12:22 am
And WP has Sylvia Lim!!!
May 10, 2011 at 6:15 pm
TPL, keep working, do your best and don’t listen to the low-life chatter.
May 18, 2011 at 10:58 pm
You’re an idiot. PAP treats us like idiots by shoving an immature idiot down our throats, and you are encouraging her to keep working? You’re not fit to be called a Singaporean!
May 14, 2011 at 1:13 pm
What is the point of being “intelligent and smart” like George Yeo when even he is voted out, without the slightest consideration?
Many Singaporeans are being unfair. If she were from WP, many will say something nice about her!
In politic, we need someone who can connect to the stupid oppositions mentality!
May 14, 2011 at 8:40 pm
Seriously, PAP, you have really put us Singaporeans into great shame internationally to get a young inexperienced Ting Pei Ling to get elected into Parliament, pocketing SGD 15,000 per month with no political convictions nor beliefs, except her Kate Spate bags!
I have been asked abroad as to whether Ting Pei Ling has any special sugar daddys in the parliament, who pulled strings to get her in.
What a shame!
May 18, 2011 at 3:20 pm
Precisely. Even my friends and colleagues from Europe who are usually not interested in SG politics (boring and walkover, walkover year after year after year) laughed at the whole episode. She is not fit to be a MP and should just be sacked for breaking the election rules on “Cooling Off” day
May 26, 2011 at 5:00 pm
She should be suspended the post of MP pending Police investigation. But she is shielded.
May 18, 2011 at 11:41 pm
Even now Primary School Students are saying ” I DOnt know what to say” and stamping her feet can make 15k per month.
Latest TPL video on love me and the love me NOT is done even in very bad taste. Nowadays, netizens are smart, cannot use government control media to bluff people already liao. Please resign and give us a break. Anymore of your video/photos will just make people pute. People of Singaporean interested also can go on line petition to request her to step down, not to hog on this 15k/mth seat, give it other more worthy one please.
May 19, 2011 at 12:38 am
Hi Bad Singaporean,
You are right. If TPL is from WP or SDA, these people will go to her rallies with signs that read “Will you marry me ?”
Where have all the sanity of Singaporeans gone to ?
May 24, 2011 at 2:59 am
On sunday straits times 22 may 2011.page 10 (PRIME) you can see Tin Pei Ling standing near Ang Hin Kee (the former ‘head’ of E2i) perhaps Mr Ang should ‘tutor’ TPL and groom her properly, as in E2i there are many qualify professional who can groom her.I think it is the best choice, if not poor thing boom bark from everyone, how is she going to take it
May 25, 2011 at 4:50 am
Pap don’t blame poor TPL,it’s not entirely her fault,don’t says she is ‘dragging’ your votes down,you should know by now what causes it,cos so many ministers says the wrong thing,that’s why it made the public angry,that cost the swing vote.may be let us see and wait for a while to see whether she can perform and qualify,please give her a chance
May 26, 2011 at 10:30 am
I am sad of TPL incident. it happened in my home town; the place where I was bone, I love, I live, I loyal to and where I will die in. I the past I respected our PM Lee, I appreciated his “warm” sppeech at National Day. I even prayed for PM Lee
Disappointed with the recent nepotism system. TPL only mind NOT THE AFFAIRS OF THE RESIDENTS, THE COUNTRY, but to bring parents to amusement park, care for “Kate Spade”, “Rings”, a law breaker, a dishonest person who pushed the wrong doing to the Subordinates.
No wonder she is being described as a “clown” a “wheel chair candidate” a “person being leashed” up to the seat.
TPL may be by the end of the day, being covered by strong arms or may be just being imposed of a small fine and continue to be a MP , enjoying 15K pm can buy a lot Kate Spade.
She will inspire/cultivate/ instill our youths with “KATE SPADE SPIRIT”
By that time we shall chant “KATE SPADE ! ” instead of “MAJULAH SINGAPURA”.
.
.
May 27, 2011 at 2:58 am
Why do Mr GCT suddenly wants to retire? And the rest of the senior minister.I really don’t know what to say
May 29, 2011 at 9:54 pm
Tweetty, GCT did not want to retire. He was forced to retire. What is the job scope for a SM, shake a few hands at community events, charity golf, charity gala.. what else. It is expensive to pay a few millions for a simple job scope like this
May 29, 2011 at 10:03 pm
If PAP does not do something about TPL case, it is going to cost them a few more GRCs. Why are people so upset over her… It is the whole circumstances that she was “carried into” the parliament against people’s wish. A lot of people I spoke to say they are watching this closely and if PAP does not handle the uproar , they might not be returned to power by 2016. Mind you, these are not naive people, they are educated professionals, businessman and women… Why they are so fed up now? You say? I wonder too?