MM LEE: PAP will remain strongest party
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MINISTER Mentor Lee Kuan Yew was interviewed by The Wall Street Journal last week on a range of issues, including the May 7 general election. The interview was carried on Tuesday. Here is an edited excerpt of his comments on the polls: Wall Street Journal (WSJ): What do you think will be the key issues? MM Lee: I think we will remain the strongest party. There may be a few seats for the opposition either as constituency or non-constituency members because we have introduced new rules so that up to nine of the best losers from the opposition will be in Parliament, so the opposition's voice is heard. At the moment, there are two Members of Parliament from the opposition and only one non-constituency member, but the law has been changed to increase the number of opposition members to at least nine in the next Parliament. WSJ: What do you think the main issues will be for voters in Singapore? MM Lee: Cost of living, cost of housing for young couples. We are building many new HDB homes but they cost more because they are better designed and more elegant. But Singaporeans do not like waiting. They blame the immigrants for pushing up prices of the homes. The immigrants who are not citizens cannot buy new flats directly from the government, but they can buy off the open market from owners who want to sell their HDB flats. So there is some discomfort on this issue. We have got new permanent residents who have entered the market. But our birthrate or fertility rate is 1.16. We need 2.1 to replace the existing population. 1.16 means we are halving our population. If we do not accept migrants, we will be an ageing and a declining population. It is a trade-off. But our people feel discomforted seeing about one million foreign workers in our total population of 5.1 million. But most of these are people on two-year work permits, that can be extended but they have to go home eventually. They do the construction and the heavy work. If we do not have them seen in the trains and on the buses, how are they going to get to their work? If they are not here, who will do this work? They are mostly from China, India and the region. Our citizens want the best of all worlds. But in real life, we have to make trade-offs. WSJ: You know politicians want the best for all citizens. MM Lee: That is our job. WSJ: Any other issues that you think will be defining in this particular campaign? MM Lee: Not really. The economy is doing well, we have raised living standards, employment prospects, education for their children; schools, institutions, tertiary institutions. We have catered for both the top end and the lower end for those not academically inclined. We formed and created institutes of technical education. http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_661389.html
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Stop at 2, the more u have, the less they get
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What if everyone thinks, "Never mind, I give my vote to the opposition, others will vote the PAP in"
Opposition 100%, PAP 0%, not an impossibility.
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Originally posted by mancha:
What if everyone thinks, "Never mind, I give my vote to the opposition, others will vote the PAP in"
Opposition 100%, PAP 0%, not an impossibility.
That is very remotely possible. First the New Citizens, then the old people who have a PAP-only mindset. They have a few years left and could really use the money. They have a smaller view as to what they feel they are entitled to.
Then the middle-age bracket who are divided with more in favour of the PAP. Mostly working adults, they have experienced years of the PAP system. They don't spend many afterwork hours keeping up with political news, what they hear is from the media.
And then the young above the age of 21. As you know we have an aging population, and still we have a number of pro-PAP among them. These are the very rich, the merely rich, and some heartlanders.
All in all a sizeable electorate leans PAP.
Finally we have our president with the power to nominate 9 NMPs.
And in all past elections, it has been overwhelming hype and underwhelming support. My own parents are guilty of it.
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Originally posted by Icerage:
Stop at 2, the more u have, the less they get
stop at 2 wives
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Of course pap will be the strongest party in Spore. Opposition are the underdogs.
Mooted reply.
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Originally posted by mancha:
What if everyone thinks, "Never mind, I give my vote to the opposition, others will vote the PAP in"
Opposition 100%, PAP 0%, not an impossibility.
i think that is what the opposition want..using psychological tactics to convince the PAP voters over -
Originally posted by Rickor:
i think that is what the opposition want..using psychological tactics to convince the PAP voters over
So ? What you don't mention the dirty LHL using threat to make people vote for them? -
wat MM said is true for now but not for long, hope he is still alive to see the change
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Originally posted by Icerage:
wat MM said is true for now but not for long, hope he is still alive to see the change
He can see the change from hell. -
Parliament 1/3 opposition I satisfied already.
The task of finishing off PAP will have to been carried out in future elections.
Step by step. No rush.
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It is an achievement by all opposition parties that they contest in many constituencies.
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Next step is to achieve 1/3 opposition seats.
After that is to finish off PAP rule.
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PAP should have a rethink of the ministers pay lar. the people are already unhappy with their ultra sky high pay. they can do much by reducing ministers pay by 20-30%, but it is still very high.
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Originally posted by Rooney9:
PAP should have a rethink of the ministers pay lar. the people are already unhappy with their ultra sky high pay. they can do much by reducing ministers pay by 20-30%, but it is still very high.
That requires a political defeat in order for them to reflect on the ministers pay.
If they win they will increase their pay.
If they suffer defeat, they will think twice.
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Opposition should concentrate in getting more seats first.
Yes, agree that step by step, inch by inch, no hurry, spore wont run away.
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Originally posted by Rickor:
i think that is what the opposition want..using psychological tactics to convince the PAP voters over
I am sure that all that useless focus on 'gay' agenda is not a psychological tactic.UPGRADES for you if you vote us in .....not a psychological tactic.
I want to see how many idiots will bite the carrot because it won't be worth upgrading and increasing the value of your flat when you cannot even afford food on the table or pay utilities bill.
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Originally posted by Rooney9:
PAP should have a rethink of the ministers pay lar. the people are already unhappy with their ultra sky high pay. they can do much by reducing ministers pay by 20-30%, but it is still very high.
If they lower their pay, go buy 4D and sweepstakes....sure strike one! -
Even if pm said all mps going to have their pay cut by 20%. And the amount will be distributed to the pple such as Growth and Share.
Will you guys believe it?
Will you guys happy with the move?
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Originally posted by Vote PAP OUT to Save SG:
Next step is to achieve 1/3 opposition seats.
After that is to finish off PAP rule.
The opps should be able to do 1/4 this election -
Originally posted by Icerage:
The opps should be able to do 1/4 this election
Hope so....the more and better.