By Kim
First, let me state from the outset that I’m not pro-PAP. Neither am I pro-opposition. I am pro-Singapore. Full stop.
For me, it matters little who govern Singapore as long as Singaporean’s (regardless of race, language or religion) interests are kept foremost at heart. Political parties can come and go, but Singapore as a nation is sacrosanct and we must always be careful and vigilant to guard it as such and segregate it from the vagaries of politics and the prevailing government of the day.
Ever since the ruling party unveiled the candidacy of 27-year old Ms Tin Pei Ling, there have been much criticism and hullabaloo in the Internet and other social media.
It could be her age, her young-ish looks, her mannerism (stomping her feet on the ground childishly when she was lost for words when being “interviewed” informally a few years back) or her personal profiling on social media such as Facebook (much has been made about her attempt to strike a cute pose with a Kate Spade bag that she had apparently bought).
Or perhaps, it was the association of her husband being the Principle Private Secretary to the PM.
Or maybe it was a speech she gave in 2007 during a party convention when she stoutly defended any criticism of the party and generally glossed over any government responsibility for the ever widening income gap in Singapore (Singapore has the indistinction of being ranked 2nd in a 2009 United Nations Development Report of 38 countries on the Gini coefficient index which measures income gap disparity between the rich and the poor.) One blogger labelled her “the sort of indoctrinated, politically naive ingénue a political party love to gather in its fold”, a description that is likely to stick.
But I would like to suggest underlying all the above, it was the helpless sense of flagrant unfairness and incredulity of seeing a young inexperienced candidate of questionable suitability in all likelihood being “elected” into parliament without the need to secure a single vote for herself, smuggled in, as it were, under the tail-coat of a GRC (“back-door entry into parliament” as some have put it) that has turned Ms Ting into a natural lightning rod for public scrutiny and criticisms.
The inequity and affront to one’s sense of justice and fair-play becomes even more acute and jarring when seen in the context of not a few well qualified and credible opposition candidates, some of whom have toiled the ground during past GEs, yet are more often than not predisposed to losing the fight by virtue of the huge odds stacked against them.
To put it in another way, Ms Ting has inadvertently become the poster-girl for the pent-up frustration and acrimonies over the excruciating sense of injustice arising from the political maneuvering of the GRC system to give a particular party a not insignificant advantage over the the opposition.
Fairly or unfairly for Ms Ting, that unfortunately is the reality of life in the political arena and it is something that Ms Ting would do well to recognise and manage right from the start of her political career.
Now, if we were to be honest with ourselves, what Ms Ting has done so far, although not prudent in view of her political ambition, is nonetheless neither exactly abhorrent nor repugnant in themselves. Which one of us in the folly of our youth did not harbour a desire to own or be seen using expensive branded stuff to ‘wow’ or impress our peers, or did not throw “tantrum or act childishly” at some point in time? And which young lady of current era would not want to strike a pose that is perceived to be attractively cute? As for Ms Ting’s speech in 2007, given in the context of the party convention, she would certainly want to “sing the party tune”, although the choice of such a sensitive topic to gloss over government responsibility was probably far from wise and betrayed a sense of immaturity and lack of empathy for the man on the street. But again, perhaps she can be excused because of her youth and inexperience then. And the fact that her husband was the Principle Private Secretary to the PM, although does raise eyebrows for some, can nonetheless be dismissed as inconsequential if we are gracious.
To silence the critics out there once and for all, perhaps the best possible course of action for Ms Ting is for her to request her party to let her contest in a single-member constituency (SMC). If Ms Ting wins, even by a narrow margin, she can hold her head high, knowing she has won on her own merits and had beaten her opponent in fair competition.
It would be sweet vindication for her, knowing that she has been acknowledged by her constituents as the best person for the job, truly deserving of her win and entry into parliament. Singaporeans, by and large will also change their opinion of her as being a young ignorant indoctrinated product of the ruling party who simply mouthed the party line and instead see her as an independent young woman with a mind of her own, a women of strength, courage, mettle and substance. The stigma of being forever labelled as a “back-door entry MP” would also not stick to her like a plague.
Finally, lest we forgot in the midst of the heat of all the political busking arising from the coming GE, perhaps it is appropriate we pause to affirm the Singapore Pledge once again.
“We the citizens of Singapore,
pledge ourselves as one united people,
regardless of race, language or religion,
to built a democratic society,
based on justice and equality,
so as to achieve happiness,
prosperity and progress for our nation.”
As a nation, lets walk the talk in congruence with the spirit of our nation’s pledge, irrespective of our political affiliation.
PS – As an after-thought, perhaps Singaporeans owe Ms Ting a note of thanks and appreciation, as the episode did ultimately serve a useful purpose and is an important lesson and learning point in our nation’s overall journey toward greater political maturity and transparency. If anything, it has unintentionally helped to galvanise and highlight clearly and glaringly the weaknesses of the GRC system, including how it has ballooned from the original 3-member GRCs to 4, 5 and even 6-member GRCs for none too obscure political reason. (In fact, some Singaporeans had previously commented in jest that we might as well merged all constituencies into a single giant Singapore GRC. That itself speaks volume.)
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April 13, 2011 at 3:41 pm
Well written.
May 16, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Not a suitable candidate to represent Singaporean interests !!!
T
April 13, 2011 at 6:16 pm
Even if she gets voted in by an SMC, it will largely be because of the PAP brand name.
Although to be fair, thats how most of politics goes. Even worse for the opposition as I believe most people are not even voting for the parties per se, but rather that they are ‘opposition’ to the PAP.
A depressing fact of our politics.
April 13, 2011 at 10:05 pm
Very well-written! Can’t agree more with the writer.
April 13, 2011 at 11:59 pm
I do not think she will have the gut to go for take the challenge to go for SMC.
Anyway, her party members will have 1000 of reasons why she should not go for SMC…
You bet.
April 14, 2011 at 1:31 am
her surname is Tin and Ting. could TOC pls correct the mistake.
April 14, 2011 at 2:38 am
Yes, just one 87 members Group Representative Country!
April 14, 2011 at 1:06 pm
With all this hoohah over her, ask yourself: Why is the PAP doing this? Was it a genuine mis-calculation by the men-in-white? I don’t think so.
IMHO she is a test-water case for someone else. They purposely chose someone who is female and 27. So that when they unveil a certain Lee (who is following in his father’s and grandfather’s steps) in the next elections, he will appear presumably stronger (male and 28-29), and they will point to the fact that if Tin Peiling can do it, so can Lee HongYi (of the SAF fame).
Don’t be fooled.
April 22, 2011 at 12:20 pm
what do mean – Lee Hong Yi? who is she
April 14, 2011 at 8:50 pm
Well done to Kim for a well written piece, and well done fellow readers for being level headed and not flaming it to bits for its stand.
April 14, 2011 at 11:26 pm
Well done, Kim.
It was an excellent piece of art, which I could not have done even if I wanted to.
You got out full support for your clear-headed and insightful presentation. Keep it up.
April 15, 2011 at 1:16 am
i got a better solution…there shld be no more grc..all are single seats..then u might say,pap candidate will still get voted in due to brand name..so lets make singapore election candidates independent..ban political parties..
April 15, 2011 at 11:29 am
Why are you all so sure that GRC will stil be a Bao-jiat in the coming election for PAP?
April 15, 2011 at 3:26 pm
The GRC may just backfire in the coming election -> PAP can lose a minister and 4 of 5 MP one-shot, and be paid in their own coin. Then again, if everyone thinks that GRC Bao-Jiat, then whoever reading in should just vote the opposition.
April 15, 2011 at 3:38 pm
Well said…
April 15, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Good piece of article!
April 16, 2011 at 10:26 am
a very balanced and well presented piece! well done to the writer! if only i could write like this too. hoping for someone to start on the subject of cpf withdrawal age extension. surprised not to see this issue raised on any media platform to date..
April 17, 2011 at 11:41 pm
Our own Sarah Pei Ling; right!
April 20, 2011 at 9:23 am
The fact that the ruling party termed the public outcry as “noise” suggests that they are in a state of denial and arrogance that they can do no wrong.
This is precisely the reason why we need a change, any party who thinks they can do no wrong and refuses to listen to its voters are planning their own demise regardless of all the previous successes and results.
The ruling party have refused to listen to Singaporeans just too often may it be around HDB issues, GST, Foreigners etc etc.
How can we return such a party to power.
Singaporeans are the real masters of this country never mind if its only once every 5 years, we decide who gets into power. Lets make sure we use this vote wisely to return people who truly care about Singaporeans, who have a heart and think for us even if it means making a little less money. People who are prepared to put us first ahead of foreigners and people who will listen and act and not belittle us and call us names like “Lesser Mortals” literally translated to mean we are equal to creatures and this MP still have to cheek to stand for re-election. (god how I wish I live in Joo Chiat)
April 22, 2011 at 9:00 am
Singapore is a nation, filled with passionate, patriotic people, not a corporate body.
PAP has changed our nation into a corporate body,
So now we want our nation back.
PAP are not working hard enuf like they used to.
They r sitting on their laurels.
Frankly, I feel I have wasted my time in NS, when I witness whats happenning now.
Foreigners who r purely economic immigrants r benefitting today.
Our Singapore belongs to us, not to a political party.
U want to see a difference. vote for change, let it start with u n me.
Vote for voices which can raise questions in Parliament, NOT MERE YES MEN.
Together all Singaporeans can make the difference for a better Singapore.
WE WANT OUR NATION BACK.
April 22, 2011 at 12:30 pm
Kim, you did a good job and just to add on.
A candidate with so much questionable qualities and even a presence as a candidate will still ultimately get into parlimen ? She will not be endorsed by the people but only the party. That speaks a lot of our political selection and electoral process.
Also being a MP is to be a influence on policiies, think strategically etc. You also need to have a pulse of the people and needs. You need both.
How does she fit in? If she is (based on what she says) going to speak on just on pple needs, youth etc – you might else get a counselour, grassroots folks.
The case for Pei Lin is not a stong yes and it makes me wonder why PAP would risk going that path.
April 22, 2011 at 9:46 pm
Kim One can lose his language or may change his religion, but we are just one human race. Even the blood colour of the animals are the same. So the pledge should instead be…….regardless of language and rreligion.. Be it a one, two or multi party system, it is for the people to decide, knowing that no man-made system is perfect..Change is an ongoing process. Mindset , too ,need to . The need to have a strong alternative voices was felt a long time ago, more so now. Whatever the outcome may be after May 7,…let us all be gracious in winning as in losing. Those elected into Parliament must enter with humbleness and with an undying desire to serve courageously and honestly. Remember this…truth hurt, especially, those who are liars
April 23, 2011 at 12:47 am
Poor little Tin has to be the test sample for a bigger picture.. may be she is paid to do this..haha
So don’t be fooled into it.. look further or you will suffer again in the next five years !!!
April 25, 2011 at 10:45 am
This lady is being selected from the cream de la cream of the most trusted and best political party in Singapore. Really hard to believe that she gets selected with her own merits. With that kind of composure and answers towards the serious questions being posed to her I don’t think the public can swallow it. If she gets selected by her own merits by the best and most trusted political party here it makes some worrying thoughts that SINGAPORE REALLY DON’T HAVE TALENT anymore. maybe the party that thinks she is the cream de la cream would let us know who are those that had been considered at the tea party and had been dropped. I presume they would be worst off than Ms Tin and would make really interesting good public debate.
April 27, 2011 at 2:03 am
Well written article, but TPL just walked through the back door just like this, I cannot vote for her, I don’t trust her capability and I don’t think so she will contest on SMC which you can naively suggest cuz it is very easy to be a parasite and tag along a GRC, Wong Kan seng is a good example.
April 28, 2011 at 2:24 am
This phenomenon is the tip of the iceberg of incongruity in the governance of this Nation.. It is beyond outrage because you and me the citizenry have no say at all even if rationality is blown to the winds. It is like a nightmare where you want to escape but your limbs do not move. Fortunately limbs do not normally move in sleep as otherwise great numbers of people will go for the window and jump out of the frustration of being fooled in the most elementary way and can’t do anything about it.
This my fellow citizens is our punishment for being the cowards that we are for decades. Whenever we see someone sued for defamation for a huge sum we cringe and tell ourselves that we do not want to be in that situation. keep a low profile. Don’t rock the boat. Whenever we hear the ISD knocking at our neighbour’s door we assume that this exceptionally noble Government knows something we do not know and do nothing to prevent the injustice. We also know that this mighty legal hub, where the Rule of Law is sovereign is impregnable. No one would would believe you if you said something like the inevitability of the outcome for all those who defy the Powers that be.
At this coming election, you and me will have our last chance to free our dream sodden limbs. For who knows this legal hub will enact the Democratic Law of succession of Ruling Parties which will enunciate and enforce perpetual governance of the incumbent. party. Simply stated future elections will be banned. The Ruling Party is best of all possible parties.
April 28, 2011 at 12:05 pm
This battle to get away from the excesses of the ruling party can only be won with the VOTE. Today, with 82 of 87 wards being contested in this coming GE bears testimony to the progress made by opposition to give the people an alternate voice. Notice how hard the ruling party has fought this motion to put some checks and balance in place. They tell the people that an opposition is not needed. A two party system is bad for us ( for whom?, they or us??). The crux of the matter is the PAP is afraid of change. When they now see that the people are determined to have change, Prime Minister Lee in a news telecast after the Nomination that he actually welcomes a strong opposition.
Is this statement that he made not cynical and insincere? The clamour for change is gathering momentum from a weak current to a tidal wave and eventually into a tsunami sweeping away this intransigent government who are no longer relevant. Lets help to make this change unstoppable. Vote in the opposition for our children, our children’s children future. The Ruling Party have seen to it that they themselves and their children’s future have been amply taken care of – but what about the less fortunate ? How about giving a chance to those who have been less successful, those who have fallen into the cracks, the marginalized….?
I tell you that this Ruling Party is EVIL and obscene. Have you ever heard of a Government that makes so much money from its people that has been elected to serve its citizen. It is alright to trade with the rest of the world to grow and enrich the country in the process. This Government through its Government Link Companies destroys its own home grown entrepreneurs by making it hard for them to survive and prosper. To be successful in Singapore you have to be linked to the PAP and Government Link Companies who have their hands into everything. I am not envious about the Ministers million dollars salary, but I am angry about their self-serving interest.
How cynical can our Prime Minister Mr. Lee be when he said several days ago on public television reminding his party members:
“REMEMBER, WE ARE THEIR SERVANTS AND THEY ARE OUR MASTERS”
This couldn’t be further from the truth. Lets not complain no more and show the ruling party that we really are the – M A S T E R S. and vote them out.
April 28, 2011 at 1:13 pm
I agree fully with concerned uncle. My fellow citizens, this is a govt that takes millions as their rightful pay, bring in one million foreign labour, bankrupt opposition politicians and make fun of our minority Malay so as to keep the race bogeyman alive.
April 30, 2011 at 11:27 am
Certain agree with writer. Should not discriminate against her age, he innocent outlook, and kind off squeaky voice , small posture especially besides GCT.
What people cannot overcome is the fact that she appear opportunistic in taking the easy way out to join the winning group. Others in the PAP like Teo Ser Luck also rightly or wrongly faces these challenges.
Like the MM says…people have to see that you have fought for it. Of course the old MM have successfully presented the view that he fought the good fight. Looking back, historians will have to agree that he had a relatively easy time compared to most emergent nations. That is why perhaps his current party lack fighters or people with conviction..an attrct hanger-ons and the opportunistic.
May 8, 2011 at 1:53 am
TPL may just a tool to usher Lee Hong Yi in next GE.
May 17, 2011 at 11:52 pm
TPL is just a young girl. She has the courage, sincerity and commitment to serve. Give her some time and she will deliver.
Singaporeans, we should rejoice if Lee Hong Yi decided to join the government. You have no idea how promising this young man is.