July / August 2011 New phase in politics The road ahead Potong Pasir: Winning strategy Tales from the trail

Transcription

1 July / August 2011 New phase in politics The road ahead Potong Pasir: Winning strategy Tales from the trail

2

3

4 The MES Group is a diversifi ed business group with its principle business in designing, constructing and managing off-site residential facilities for guest-workers. Its other diverse portfolios include, trading, property development, warehousing and transportation, and recruitment services for specifi c industries. Worker s Dormitory Manpower Logistics High Rise Worker s Dormitory Trading The MES Group Mini Environment Service Pte Ltd MES Resources Pte Ltd MES & JPD Housing Pte Ltd MES Group Holdings Pte Ltd MES Logistics Pte Ltd Labourtel Management Corporation Pte Ltd Kaki Bukit Developments Pte Ltd KT Mesdorm Pte Ltd Forging ahead with you 120 Lower Delta Road #04-10 Cendex Centre Singapore Tel: Fax:

5

6 Contents 06 Editorial The road ahead The results of GE2011 shows Singaporeans want politics here to be more consultative and inclusive. In the light of this, the PAP must reinvent itself, to get Singapo reans to see the Party for what it has always been their champion, working with them and for them, advises PM Lee Hsien Loong. * Also in Chinese, Malay and Tamil 11 Quick News A round-up of new policies. 12 Face to Face Nature of learning To new minister Heng Swee Keat, education is a long-time endeavour. To determine the path ahead, he is soliciting feedback and studying past policies. 14 Appreciation Dinner Red carpet tribute to retirees At the dinner in Parliament House, the ex-mps were entertained to a look-back at how they had changed over the years. PM Lee also announced the Party will soon start its search for new candidates, who will not be in the usual mould. A new norm for the future A transcript of former Party chairman Lim Boon Heng s speech at the appreciation dinner for retiring MPs. In it, he analyses the GE2011 results and suggests a direction to take in the new political situation. 36 My Say Beyond Aljuinied What went wrong in Aljunied that resulted in the PAP losing a GRC for the first time? Former Senior Minister of State Zainul Abidin Rasheed, who was part of the team that stood there, gives his take on why the group s hard work over the years and the plans for the GRC could not carry the day. 18 Hot Topic Fresher, leaner, younger Eleven of the 14 ministries have new heads. And there are just 15 members now, down from 21. Their average age has also dropped six years to 53. The new Cabinet, which has two new faces, is an eye-opener. 20 View from the Front How to make old age a blessing Three kinds of change await Singapore. Perhaps the most relentless are the structural shifts. One that needs immediate attention is the country s ageing population, notes Senior Minister of State Heng Chee How. CEC reshuffles office-holders The most major change in the Central Executive Committee is the appointment of a new chairman. Comrade Khaw Boon Wan takes over from Comrade Lim Boon Heng, who has retired. 24 In the House PAP Members of Parliament 26 GE2011 First past the post Highlights of the recent election. Publicity and Publications Committee Chairman Grace Fu, Lawrence Wong Vice-Chairman Zainudin Nordin, Seah Kian Peng Secretary Lim Wee Kiak Members Ho Geok Choo, Alvin Yeo, Arthur Fong, Devi Vasantha Haridas, Kalyani Ramasamy, Chiang Heng Liang, Abdul Jafar Darwis District representative Diana Pang Young PAP Niu Liming PAP Policy Forum Ori Sasson, Malminderjit Singh Editor Lim Huan Chiang Deputy Editor Judith Holmberg Editorial and Design Focus Publishing Limited (Tel: ) Printer timesprinters, Singapore Photos courtesy of Singapore Press Holdings.

7 JULY / AUGUST 2011 MICA (P) 188/08/2011 Petir is published by the People s Action Party Central Executive Committee. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the prior consent of the publisher. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the PAP or the government. All rights reserved. PAP Headquarters Block 57B, New Upper Changi Road, # , PCF Building, Singapore Telephone: Telefax: Internet:

8 EDITORIAL The road ahead By Lee Hsien Loong Prime Minister In the recent General Election, the PAP won a strong mandate: 81 out of 87 seats, and 60.1 per cent of the popular vote. Voters endorsed what we stand for, what we have done and our agenda for the future. The win is also to the credit of our MPs and activists, who have worked hard to serve their residents. At the same time, the election campaign and results show that Singaporeans also want our politics to evolve, to become more consultative and inclusive. Singaporeans want to be engaged in shaping our future, and want the government to be more responsive to their immediate concerns. The PAP must reflect on the meaning of the GE. We have to strengthen and reinvent ourselves to maintain our leading role in Singapore politics, so that we can continue to make lasting contributions to our country. There is much that we must do. We need to adjust our policies, to serve people better. We are tackling the immediate concerns which preoccupy The PAP's win is a credit to the hand work of its MPs and activists. Now the Party is looking to try new approaches and activities in its efforts to reach out to Singaporeans. 6 PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11

9 Singaporeans, such as housing and transport policies. By taking a people-centric approach, we can be more responsive to specific problems faced by different groups in society. The Party needs to improve our engagement and outreach, and involve Singaporeans much more in issues affecting them. We have to be active in listening, as well as in putting our message across, and in countering mistaken views and disinformation. Our MPs and the grassroots network should play much bigger roles, engaging residents and generating ideas. We must also strengthen our presence in cyberspace, and learn to use new media more effectively. This means not just going onto Facebook and Twitter, but being on the same wavelength as the netizens and resonating with the Internet generation. Through all these channels both in the real and online worlds, we will connect with different demographic and interest groups the young and the elderly, blue- and white-collar workers, HDB and private property residents. We must continue serving the widest spread of our society, and work with all citizens to shape our new Singapore together. Constituency work crucial The Party must work hard to renew our support base across all groups. Older Singaporeans have long supported the PAP loyally, and we must recognise their contributions and continue to take good care of them. Younger Singaporeans have different life experiences, outlooks and aspirations. We must earn their trust by respecting their views, supporting them in their quest to realise their hopes and dreams, and inspiring them with an exciting vision for Singapore s future. We should rally them to build upon and transform what they have inherited into something far better. Constituency work remains crucial. The PAP branches have been serving residents day in and day out, year after year. They must continue to do so. They should also pick up good ideas from one another, and try out new approaches and activities. A caring, hardworking and effective MP, backed by a strong team of activists and the Party, makes a big difference. This was clear in the General Election MPs who had worked hard enjoyed strong support. All our activists must learn from this, serve their residents diligently and connect with all segments of the community. In opposition wards, let us maintain our presence, keep the branch active, take care of our supporters and fight hard to win back the constituency. The Party must learn to work effectively in a more fluid political environment. We will need to sharpen our skills: To listen actively to voices from all walks of life; to build political support for the policies to take Singapore forward; to anticipate and counter attempts to score political points by those who do not want us to succeed; and to gain recognition for the good work of the government. Fundamentally, we need to get Singaporeans to see the PAP for what it is and what it has always been their champion, acting on their behalf, working with them and for them. Even as the PAP encounters new challenges, we should never forget our core values: An honest leadership, incorruptible and serving with integrity; A self-reliant and hardworking people, with full opportunities to build a better life for themselves and their families; A meritocratic society, which supports every citizen's efforts to realise his or her potential; and A multi-racial Singapore belonging to all citizens, regardless of race, language and religion. We must be confident about what we stand for, pursue policies which benefit Singaporeans and inspire our people to walk this journey with us. Let us stay united in our cause and fight tenaciously to create a better tomorrow for all Singaporeans. With the courage of our convictions, we will secure Singapore s future together. PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11 7

10 Arah masa depan Oleh: Lee Hsien Loong Perdana Menteri Pada Pilihan Raya yang lalu, PAP telah memperolehi mandat yang kukuh: memenangi 81 daripada 87 kerusi, dan meraih 60.1 peratus undi popular. Para pengundi telah memberi sokongan padu kepada apa yang telah kita perjuangkan dan lakukan serta agenda kita bagi masa hadapan. Kemenangan ini juga adalah hasil usaha para Anggota Parlimen dan golongan para aktivis yang telah bekerja keras untuk berkhidmat kepada para penduduk. Pada masa yang sama, kempen dan keputusan pilihan raya ini menunjukkan bahawa warga Singapura juga inginkan politik kita terus berkembang kearah konsultatif serta inklusif. Warga Singapura mahukan penglibatan dalam membentuk masa depan mereka dan mahukan 8 PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11 pemerintah yang lebih responsif kepada keprihatinan utama mereka. Masih banyak lagi yang kita mesti lakukan. Kita perlu menyesuaikan dasardasar bagi memberi khidmat yang lebih baik. Parti perlu mempertingkatkan lagi hubungan serta usaha bagi mendekati dan menarik penglibatan warga Singapura dalam isu-isu yang menjejas mereka. Dekati demografi yang berbeza Kita perlu mendengar dengan lebih aktif, selain berupaya mengemukakan mesej yang ingin disampaikan, dan menangani pandangan atau maklumat yang kurang tepat atau palsu. AP-AP dan rangkaian akar umbi perlu memainkan peranan yang lebih besar lagi, melibatkan para penduduk dan menjana idea-idea. Kita juga perlu mengukuhkan lagi kehadiran kita di alam siber dan belajar untuk menggunakan media baru dengan lebih berkesan lagi. Menerusi semua saluran ini, baik di alam nyata atau maya, kita berupaya menghubung dengan kumpulan dan demografi yang pelbagai dan berbeza muda dan tua, pekerja berkolar putih dan biru, penduduk HDB dan rumah privet. Warga emas Singapura yang telah lama memberi sokongan kepada PAP dengan setia, kita mesti mengiktiraf sumbangan mereka dan akan terus menjaga mereka dengan baik. Warga Singapura yang lebih muda pula mempunyai pengalaman hidup, aspirasi dan pandangan yang berbeza. Kita perlu meraih kepercayaan mereka dengan menghormati pandangan mereka, menyokong dan membantu merealisasikan harapan dan impian mereka serta membangkitkan inspirasi mereka dengan visi yang menarik bagi masa depan Singapura. AP yang penyayang lagi efektif dan

11 % bekerja keras serta disokong oleh pasukan para aktivis yang kuat dan juga Parti akan memberi perbezaan yang besar. Berkhidmat kepada penduduk dengan tekun Semua para aktivis perlu mengambil iktibar dari pengalaman ini, memberi khidmat kepada para penduduk secara ikhlas dan tekun serta terus berhubung dengan setiap lapisan masyarakat. Walaupun di dalam kawasan undi pembangkang, kita perlu terus mengekalkan kehadiran kita, pastikan cawangan terus bergiat aktif, menjaga para penyokong dan berjuang untuk memenangi semula kawasan undi itu. Parti perlulah belajar untuk bekerja dengan lebih efektif di dalam sekitaran politik yang berubah-ubah. Kita perlu menajamkan kemahiran: Mendengar secara aktif kepada suara-suara dari setiap lapisan masyarakat; membangunkan sokongan politik bagi dasar-dasar untuk membawa Singapura ke hadapan; menjangkakan dan menangani usaha oleh beberapa pihak yang mahu meraih kepentingan politik dan dan tidak mahu kita berjaya; dan untuk meraih pengiktirafan bagi tugas baik pemerintah. Pada dasarnya, kita perlu mengajak warga Singapura untuk melihat PAP sebagai sebuah parti politik yang sentiasa memperjuangkan nasib mereka dan bersedia bekerjasama dengan mereka. Walaupun PAP sedang menghadapi cabaran-cabaran baru, kita tidak boleh lupakan nilai-nilai asas kita: Kepimpinan yang jujur, tidak mengamalkan rasuah serta berkhidmat dengan penuh wibawa; Rakyat yang mampu berdikari dan rajin, dengan peluang-peluang penuh untuk membangunkan kehidupan yang lebih baik bagi diri mereka serta keluarga; Masyarakat yang berpegang pada meritokrasi, menyokong setiap rakyat untuk mencapai potensi mereka; dan Singapura yang berbilang bangsa yang dimiliki semua rakyat, tanpa mengira bangsa, bahasa dan agama Kita perlu yakin dengan pendirian kita, berupaya melaksanakan dasar-dasar yang akan memanfaatkan warga Singapura dan memberi inspirasi kepada rakyat kita untuk bersama-sama meneruskan perjalanan ini. Marilah kita bersatu dalam tujuan ini dan berjuang dengan gigih untuk mencipta masa depan yang lebih baik untuk semua warga Singapura. Dengan keazaman dan keyakinan, kita akan bersamasama menjamin masa depan yang lebih baik lagi bagi Singapura. PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11 9

12 10 PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11

13 QUICK NEWS More BTO and rental flats The Housing Board will build more flats by bringing forward projects scheduled for early next year. A record 25,000 new homes will be constructed this year. Previously, 22,000 units were planned for. New flats will also be put up ahead of demand. Six new Build-to-Order projects were launched in May. These will bring 4,000 flats into the market, in Tampines, Punggol, Pasir Ris and Woodlands. National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan also Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has appointed a committee to review the pay of political appointment holders and MPs, in response to public criticism of their salaries. Under the terms of reference, the new salaries should have a significant discount to comparable ones in the private sector, to reflect the value and ethos of public service. They should also take into account general wage levels here. Currently, ministers salaries are pegged to two-thirds of the median income of the top eight earners in six HDB flats: 25,000 new ones this year. New Leader of House, Whip Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen has been appointed the Leader of the House, while Health Minister Gan Kim Yong is the new Government Whip. Dr Ng takes over from former National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan, and Mr Gan from Minister Lim Swee Say. Senior Minister of State Heng Chee How will be the Deputy Leader. He announced that the HDB will roll out tens of thousands of new rental flats as quickly as possible to ease pent-up demand. Currently, around 7,000 are being built. Ministers salaries set to change professions. These include bankers and lawyers. Also up for review is the president s salary, which will have to take into account the fact that he does not hold direct executive responsibilities. The review committee is chaired by National Kidney Foundation chairman Gerard Ee and comprises eight members drawn from the private sector, labour movement and social service sector. The new salaries will take effect from May 21, the day the new government took office. and Mr Ng will be in charge of the legislative programmes of Parliament. Mr Gan will be assisted by two deputies, Dr Amy Khor and Dr Teo Ho Pin. Whips are disciplinarians who ensure party members in the chamber support their respective party s position when voting on policy matters. Cat policies under review People who live in HDB flats may soon be allowed to keep cats as pets. Minister of State for National Development Tan Chuan-Jin has also been tasked to work with AVA, animal welfare groups and residents to forge a compassionate and mature approach to control the stray cat population, instead of the usual practice of culling. Last year, 5,100 strays were put down. Meanwhile, Chong Pang has become the first constituency where stray cats will not be culled. MP for Nee Soon GRC K. Shanmugam launched an animal welfare programme in June to rope in grassroots workers and volunteers from animal welfare organisations to sterilise them. New interchange in Woodlands Woodlands MRT station will become an interchange for passengers transiting between the North-South Line and the upcoming Thomson Line. The fully underground, 30km long Thomson Line which is targeted for completion in 2018, will have 23 stations between Marina Bay and Woodlands. Among the areas it will serve are Ang Mo Kio, Sin Ming and Thomson. Its terminal will be near Republic Polytechnic in Woodlands Avenue 9, where travellers will be able to take the proposed Rapid Transit System Link to Johor Bahru. One-stop portal for government data Property prices, the location of childcare centres and much more can now be found at a new onestop portal, as part of an effort to spur the creation of mobile phone apps and services. Data.gov.sg brings together more than 5,000 sets of free and chargeable government data from 50 agencies, such as the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority and the Land Transport Authority. Another new portal mgov@sg aggregates some 40 mobile phone apps created by government agencies. These are two initiatives under a new five-year e-government masterplan. PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11 11

14 FACE TO FACE Huang Huimin talks to new minister Heng Swee Keat about education and cloudy views Nature of learning Like the clouds he loves to watch, Mr Heng Swee Keat is a picture of calm. His unassuming air adds to this image. I lead a simple life, he says seriously. There s nothing very interesting about me. One can only take such a remark from the one-time police scholar with a pinch of salt. After all, like clouds, his work during his 27 years in the civil service has been constantly morphing, requiring him to mould different areas. The only constant is that he has been in charge. He has commanded a police division and headed a division overseeing higher education. He spent three years as the Principal Private Secretary to then-senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew, which he describes as intense, as well as been the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the CEO of the Trade Development Board. Before he stood in the 2011 General Election he was managing director of the Monetary Authority. At the frontline The political divisiveness in many countries is so significant that they couldn t do the right thing and the countries ended up in a mess, he says of his experience in helping to steer Singapore through its worst financial crisis. You realise that unless people trust the government to continue to do the right thing, the survival and success of Singapore is not guaranteed. The 50-year-old father of two is now settling into his role as Education Minister. 12 PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11 His diverse experiences are all relevant to his present portfolio, the Cambridge and Harvard alumnus says. For example, while in the police force, he observed the symbiotic relationship between policy and its implementation. This prompted him to visit a primary school on his first day of work as Education Minister, to see how the work is done on the frontline. 'Education is a long term endeavour. You can t just change it overnight.' During his MTI and MAS stints, he dealt with a more pragmatic aspect of education as he worked on aligning Singapore s education system with its economic strategy. We have to be cognisant of that, he stresses. Because at the end of the day, it s what kind of jobs you create for Singaporeans when they graduate. The transition from an economiccentric portfolio to one that focuses on education has not fazed him. After all, he points out, public policy has always been at the heart of his work. For the fiercely private man, the real change lies in being thrust from the backroom into the public eye. As a civil servant I didn t need to maintain a public profile; as a minister, I have to present the ideas, he says. Now I think: Is this a good policy for Singapore? How do I articulate this policy? How do I get Singaporeans to accept that this is good for our country? He now finds himself stopped at public events, by the media which wants his comments, and by the public which wants to give him its comments. Not that he is complaining. After all, feedback is what he has been seeking as he identifies areas in the current education system that require change. He has been using the online space to solicit people s views; this despite the fact that he did not use social media until the GE, when he made his maiden Facebook post. He has received a deluge of comments. Among the main issues raised have been the stress levels of students and teachers, a need for greater focus on the imparting of moral values and character, the role of parents and society in educating the young, and current teaching methods. For now, he insists on taking his time to study the current system. He explains: Education is a long term endeavour. You can t just change it overnight. Different challenges He should know. After all, he was the MOE s first director of higher education, in Then, he worked on expanding polytechnics and ITEs, and pushed for more polytechnic students to be admitted into university. The impact of these policies is evident today, more than 15 years later. Now back at MOE, he notes that while the basic objectives of education to ensure that the system produces Singaporeans who are morally upright, responsible citizens with the right skills and competencies to secure good jobs

15 Mr Heng has been soliciting feedback and is studying the education system, as well as past policies, to identify possible areas for improvement. and prepare them for lifelong learning have remained unchanged, he faces a different set of challenges. Besides having to contend with the exploding number of sources of information online that are shaping people s worldview, Singaporeans today also have higher aspirations. Then, many of us were happy that we could go to university. Today, young people want to get into particular courses, pursue higher education and so on. That s not a bad thing, but it means the demands on the system are greater. "Competition that we face economically has become more intense as well. To the man who cited the evolving Singaporean identity as one of the things he s proudest of in Singapore, it is also important to retain the essence of being Singaporean. Whenever you re overseas, you can t miss a Singaporean, whether it s the accent or the way we dress. We have our quirks and peculiarities, but we share many common traits. He adds: Some people think Singaporeans should be global citizens. I don t think so. I think Singaporeans should be Singaporeans, but with a global outlook I m hoping to prepare us for some of these. Character-building important Whatever he eventually decides will be based on helping individuals fulfil their potential, while cultivating a sense of citizenship and social responsibility. Character-building is another aspect he deems important. To realise this, when he isn t walking the ground in schools or his Tampines Central ward, Mr Heng is reading up on Singapore s past education policies to update himself and to identify possible areas for reform. His fascination with finding out about the world, nature, natural phenomenon, how society works, everything probably makes him a natural for his new position and attuning education so it becomes part of the natural order of things. Have you ever been to this restaurant at the top of Ion called Salt? he muses. If you sit there and watch the clouds it s really quite nice. When I first got in the other day, it was really hot. Then the dark clouds came and it rained, and then the clouds dispersed. It was really interesting. PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11 13

16 APPRECIATION DINNER By Jimmy Yap 14 PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11

17 By Jimmy Yap The tribute to the latest group of retired MPs was more a party than a Party occasion. Colourful batik shirts were popular with the men, while the women were either in ethnic outfits or elegant dresses. No one spotted the party uniform of all white. The guests began trickling in from about 6.45pm and, soon, the main lobby of Parliament House was fi lled with chatter. PAP Secretary-General Lee Hsien Loong moved from group to group, while the Dunman High Chinese Orchestra provided background music. Dinner was in another wing, which had been fitted out with a red carpet. The 113 present filled 12 tables. Besides former and current MPs and their spouses, Mr Eric Low, who was adviser to Hougang s grassroots organisations, was also present. After the fi rst course, there were video messages of thanks from PM Lee, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. In his, the Prime Minister urged: Stay part of our big family. The video also tracked how the retirees had changed between entering Parliament and the present. Youthful photos of Dr Lee Boon Yang and Dr Yeo Cheow Tong drew considerable laughter. Both became MPs in In his speech, the PM noted that, with 27 years, Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon is the longest-serving woman in Singapore s history. He highlighted some of what they had done as MPs too: Dr Ahmad Magad had started a flea market at Pasir Ris so the less well-off can earn extra income; A scene from the video. Mr Ang Mong Seng launched intercondo tournaments; Mr Chan Soo Sen had cleaned up Joo Chiat of sleaze. Mr Lee also payed tribute to Dr Ong Chit Chung and Dr Balaji Sadasivan, who had died. The Party, he added, will start its search for new candidates soon, so the recruits have more time to get to know the residents, to learn the ropes and understand what being a PAP MP means, and to discover their own strengths and weaknesses. One clear lesson we ve picked up from this and previous GEs is that we have to deploy our candidates as early as possible, and in a more challenging environment, even earlier than before. It will be on the look-out for people who are not in the usual mould, with different experiences, to tackle issues from many perspectives. Explaining why it is necessary to retire MPs, he said: You need a team to reflect the changing population profile, and represent the changing needs and aspirations of the people. This General Election was a watershed. We lost a GRC for the first time. Tactical factors no doubt contributed to the outcome, but the GE results also reflect long-term secular changes in our society. It s a generational change, from those who have experienced Independence and the early years of nationbuilding, to a new generation whose formative experiences are of a stable, prospering Singapore as a developed country. Society has become more diverse, and has different expectations. There is a wider desire for more parties in Parliament. This makes political leadership even more important and strong leadership critical. Hence the shake-up in the Cabinet too. The PM also called on serving MPs to engage Singaporeans more. In his speech, former party chairman Lim Boon Heng analysed the GE results. The retirees were each presented with a Mont Blanc pen, a colour sketch of themselves, a letter of thanks and a CD of the video. Said Professor S. Jayakumar, who served for 30 years: It s very important to show appreciation to MPs, and all in the Party who worked behind the scenes. I want to thank the Party for this. More time for family What do MPs do when they retire? Going by what three told Petir, they spend time with their family. Now I can travel with my husband and organise parties at home! said Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, who served six terms. She will be fitting the trips in between her duties at the Breast Cancer Founda- tion, Netball Singapore, NTUC s Ong Teng Cheong Training Foundation and NTUC Childcare where she is honorary advisor. Madam Ho Geok Choo, who is a CEO of a continuing education centre for professionals and executives, said: I m as busy as ever, but there are more opportunities to have dinner at home. Mrs Mimi Lee, wife of Dr Lee Boon Yang, said her husband spends time with his grandchildren, aged two and one. That is what retirement is for. Portrait of Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11 15

18 APPRECIATION DINNER A new norm for the future In his speech at the July 22 dinner for retired MPs, former PAP chairman Lim Boon Heng spoke on the satisfaction of serving Singaporeans and the impact of the changing political scene on the Party On behalf of retired MPs, I thank the Party for giving us the privilege to serve the people. It has been an enriching and humbling experience. While the work can sometimes be onerous, we have met many people who have overcome the odds; they gave us inspiration. They have been the reason why we entered the political arena, and each success gives us great satisfaction. We have worked with many volunteers in both People s Association grassroots organisations and other voluntary welfare organisations, and we would also like to take this opportunity to thank them for the good work they have done, and continue to do. So, if we ve made a difference to people s lives, that is our reward. Most of us remain at the Party s disposal. We will continue to give our support, for example, as resource persons, when called upon. The recent General Election has been a watershed. While the loss of a GRC was felt as a blow, and the impact is still resonating, it was not entirely unexpected. We had made changes smaller GRCs, more single seats and more Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) seats to encourage more contests. We succeeded in that objective. It has always been a question of when we would lose a GRC. Over time, the electorate has become better and better educated the result of our policies, the success of our policies "While the work can sometimes be onerous, we have met many people who have overcome the odds; they gave us inspiration." Mr Lim receiving a momento from PM Lee. and this electorate desires diverse views to be aired, policies to be robustly debated. That desire has grown stronger, and it has been always been a matter of time when it would find expression. So prior to the General Election being called, many within our party had felt that the loss of a GRC and a couple of single seats, with a 60 per cent share of valid votes, would be a good result. The question was which constituency would take the blow. It depended on where the opposition would aim their fire. In the event, the Workers Party decided to stick to their strategy of expanding from Hougang into Aljunied GRC, and not waste several years of groundwork. Other opposition parties fielded better qualified candidates this time, helping to lift the image of the opposition in general. A majority of Aljunied voters decided that they would put the WP team in Parliament. The opposition took advantage of some recent lapses to aim their fire at us. Social media played a big role. Younger Singaporeans, who use it more, have reasons to be unhappy as expectations were unmet, for example, housing prices. There were other general issues: Competition from foreigners in educational institutions and at the workplace; disamenities caused by foreigners living in their midst; high ministerial salaries; overcrowding of public transport. This time younger Singaporeans conveyed to their parents what transpired in the social media. In the past, parents had advised their children who to vote for; this time, the children were advising their parents. Let us do our analysis carefully, so that we draw the right lessons for the future. For example, while overcrowding of public transport has been an issue, the worst of it was felt in Jurong. Yet support for our Party is higher in the west than in the east of Singapore! "It has always been a question of when we would lose a GRC...and which." So overcrowding could not be the determining factor. Politics has changed. There is now a significant opposition party in Parliament. The Workers Party has six MPs and two 16 PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11

19 5 ways to win hearts Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs). We have now entered a new phase, and are entering a new norm. The loss of a GRC, while a psychological blow, is not unexpected. Our younger leaders must quickly adjust to the new norm. Our future depends on how our party and the Workers' Party perform. What posture will each take? Will we have constructive politics or negative politics? If we have constructive politics, then Singapore can be better off if debate leads to more robust policies. If the engagement is destructive, as is the inclination in most democracies, then Singapore s prospects dim. If negative politics prevail, and our younger leaders become reluctant to introduce right but unpopular policies, we "Politics has changed. There is now a signifi cant opposition party in Parliament." will lose a strength of the past that of being able to look long-term, to shape our future. We only have to look at what is happening in Europe to know the consequences of kicking the can down the road. The welfare state is collapsing under its own weight because successive governments kicked the can down the road, rather than did what is right for the people, because doing the right thing is unpopular and could cost them their seats. This should not happen to us. Our ageing population requires us to put in place policies and programmes that will take care of the welfare of our growing number of seniors. It is easy to give advice, more so when you don t have to carry out the advice yourself. Still, I offer it in full sincerity. Focus on the people, whether it is in shaping policy, or drawing up programmes, or organising constituency activities. When people know you are doing it for them, they will give their support. Whoever masters the art of communication gets his message across to the people. No one has matched our founding secretarygeneral and our first prime minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, in speaking at public rallies. He mastered the mediums of the day, first radio, then television. Today there is a new medium social media that has to be mastered. The Party must be more closely-knit. As a back-bencher in the 1980s, I remember Mr Lee Kuan Yew reminding us that explaining policies is not the responsibility of the minister in charge alone. Everyone has a responsibility to explain these to his constituents at grassroots functions. And each one has his following and has influence, and must help to persuade the people. So I made sure I understood the policies, so I can in turn explain them. As a union leader, I took pains to explain issues to union leaders. They in turn explained them to the ordinary members. And the way they did it, the language they used, was quite different from mine! In recent conversations with various people, what came across to me is that many Singaporeans do not fully understand our policies. Overcome the perception that we do not listen. People want their MPs to reflect their concerns and worries in Parliament. MPs must master the art of doing so, without scoring own goals. It can be done. We work extremely hard for the people. However, we must define what we are doing so that it inspires them. People need to know what cause we are fighting for. Politics will be challenging, with more voices in Parliament, and more intelligent voices too. Our younger leaders will be put to the test. But it cannot be more challenging than what our party faced in the 1960s. We prevailed and led the people from Third World to First. Our younger leaders can and must learn fast. I believe they will succeed. As a friend told me not too long ago: The PAP should be more self-confident! PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11 17

20 HOT TOPIC Fresher, leaner, younger A younger and leaner Cabinet was sworn into offi ce in May, with three ministers taking on two or more portfolios and nine stepping down. Among them were former prime ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong. The Cabinet has been trimmed from 21 to 15 members, and its average age slashed from 59 to 53, as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong works to offer a fresh approach in government. Eleven of the 14 ministries have new heads. Only the chiefs of the Finance, Law, and Trade and Industry ministries continue in their preelection posts. The PM s reshuffle of his leading men marks the most drastic Cabinet change in the history of the People s Action Party and is a reflection of its performance at the polls, where the ruling party secured 60.1 per cent of the total votes cast. This is its lowest since independence. Mr Lee, who described the sweeping changes as epochal, said: Certainly, the outcome of the election affected my thinking in deciding how to make this Cabinet. I wanted a fresh start and that s why I ve gone for radical change. It s a completely new line-up, it s a fresh slate after a watershed election, and the Cabinet will be reviewing its policies and approaches existing ones as well as coming up with new ones and working Men in the front seat: Front row (from left): Mr Lim Hng Kiang, Mr Teo Chee Hean, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Mr Lim Swee Say; 2nd row (from left): Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Dr Ng Eng Hen, Mr K. Shanmugam; 3rd row (from left): Mr Heng Swee Keat, Mr Lui Tuck Yew, Mr Gan Kim Yong, Mr S. Iswaran, Major General (NS) Chan Chun Sing. 18 PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11

21 NEW CABINET Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong hard to engage a new generation of Singaporeans, to take Singapore forward in a more complex environment, that is more complex externally and, I think, more complex within Singapore too. The man wearing the most hats is Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who was given the new portfolios of Deputy Prime Minister and Manpower Minister, on top of his old one as Finance Minister. He was also made chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. This is in addition to his international role as chairman of the International Monetary and Financial Committee, the policy advisory committee of the International Monetary Fund. Mr Tharman, who "I've gone for a entered politics in 2001 as part of a group of MPs nicknamed the Super Seven as they were deemed to have ministerial potential, is now the highest ranked of the septet, which includes Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Dr Ng Eng Hen. The other Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Teo Chee Hean, has two new posts Coordinating Minister for National Security and Home Affairs Minister. On top of his duties as Law Minister, Mr K. Shanmugam will fill the Foreign Minister post left vacant by Mr George Yeo, who lost his Aljunied GRC seat in the General Election. He will no longer head the Home Affairs Ministry, which he was put in charge of in November last year. Mr Tharman noted that while the Cabinet has lost some experience it also had some pluses as individual ministers would look at things afresh. In fact, just a couple of weeks after the new appointments were made, new Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew was spotted on a train during peak hours. Commuters have long comprehensive reshuffle, not just incremental changes. So out of 14 ministries, 11 will have new ministers in charge and the ministers will have a free hand to rethink and reshape policies." been complaining about public transport. The ministers who stepped down or retired took with them a combined total of a couple of hundred years in politics. Of the nine departures, four Mr Lee, Mr Goh, Professor S. Jayakumar and Mr Lim Boon Heng announced their plans before the new Cabinet was unveiled. Mr Lee and Mr Goh said in a joint statement: After a watershed General Election, we have decided to leave the Cabinet and have a completely younger team of ministers to connect to and engage with this young generation in shaping the future of our Singapore. They also advised the younger team to keep the interests of the older generation in mind. Two ministers, Mr George Yeo and Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, were casualties of the election. Three others former Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan and Transport Minister Raymond Lim who had been in charge of hot-potato issues made way after wins at the polls. Two of the 24 new candidates who stood have been given ministerial posts. Mr Heng Swee Keat, 50, is Education Minister, while Mr Chan Chun Sing, 41, is Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports. PM Lee said: It is a faster pace than normal, but I decided to bring them in early and test them out quickly because I think there is urgency in the task of preparing for leadership succession. Mr Heng is the first new politician to be given a ministerial post on being voted in since Dr Richard Hu went from new MP to Trade and Industry Minister in Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs Mr Teo Chee Hean Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Finance and Minister for Manpower Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam Minister for Trade and Industry Mr Lim Hng Kiang Minister, Prime Minister s Office Mr Lim Swee Say Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Dr Yaacob Ibrahim Minister for National Development Mr Khaw Boon Wan Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen Minister for The Environment and Water Resources Dr Vivian Balakrishnan Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law Mr K. Shanmugam Minister for Health Mr Gan Kim Yong Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Lui Tuck Yew Minister, Prime Minister s Office, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Trade and Industry Mr S. Iswaran Minister for Education Mr Heng Swee Keat Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports and Minister of State, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts Major General (NS) Chan Chun Sing PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11 19

22 VIEW FROM THE FRONT Way to make old age a blessing Singapore must gear up for three kinds of change. The fi rst is less predictable, like the risk of a terrorist attack or a bird flu epidemic. The second is cyclical, such as the ups and downs of the economy. The third is structural. Examples include the country s ageing population, the fast and wide adoption of technology in all aspects of daily living, and the rising expectations of people here. Structural shifts are relentless and mostly cannot be reversed. They do not happen as suddenly or noticeably as the first two kinds of change. They are like compound interest. Even though the change may look small, the combined effect over a period of time is tremendous. The General Election gave a glimpse of the importance of making sure that public expectations and feelings are fully, correctly and promptly sensed and addressed. As the government goes forward to tackle the many challenges confronting Singapore and Singaporeans, it is crucial it focuses sufficiently on the structural issues. The aging population and its impact have been widely discussed. People, by and large, understand that society will have to make adjustments to cater for an ageing population. The more this is done well, the more longevity will be a blessing and not a curse for the individual and the nation. There are many aspects of adjusting to old age. Take for example the question of The urgency of providing good long-term care for the ageing population is growing. 20 PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11

23 By Heng Chee How CEC reshuffles office-holders how the aged will be looked after. The recent episode where an elderly woman was badly treated at a nursing home raises many questions: How could such a thing happen? Was it a failure of supervision at this particular home? Who monitors and audits performance and standards at nursing homes? What are the standards for nursing homes and are these the right ones? Then someone noticed that manpower is a big problem in the nursing home sector, and the social care sector in general. Uncompetitive pay, high staff turnover and heavy reliance on foreign labour make it hard to attract and retain enough good quality people in the sector to give consistent, sustained good care. That is then related to the challenges of funding such services. It is not just about the nursing homes. It is the whole sector broadly called Longterm Care. Eldercare services, be it wellness (active aging), day care, home care or institutional care (like nursing homes, for example) are not cheap for services that meet the expectations of the broad middle-class. Labour costs aside, there are facilities, equipment and programming costs. How can affordable ways of providing and paying for such services be found? There is no choice but to press on energetically with efforts to develop this sector quickly and well. With small families and most adults working long hours, the pressure financial, mental and emotional felt by families in childcare and eldercare is real and growing. The clock is ticking. The writer is Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister s Office. The Central Executive Committee has appointed a new set of office holders. However, the composition of the 18-member group remains unchanged from the one selected in December last year, though several members stepped down from their post as ministers and two failed to get elected in GE2011. Comrade Khaw Boon Wan (right) is the new chairman. He replaces Comrade Lim Boon Heng, who retired. Mr Lim had led the committee, which is elected every two years, since The previous chairmen were Comrades Toh Chin Chye, Ong Teng Cheong and Tony Tan. Comrade Teo Chee Hean takes over as Assistant Secretary-General from Comrade Wong Kan Seng. He was the 2nd Assistant Secretary- General in the last line-up. Comrade Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the Treasurer previously, replaces him Office-holders Chairman: Mr Khaw Boon Wan Vice-Chairman: Dr Yaacob Ibrahim in that post. The new Treasurer is Comrade Lim Swee Say, while Comrade K. Shanmugam is the Assistant Treasurer, in place of Comrade Lim Hwee Hua. Comrades Gan Kim Yong and Ng Eng Hen are the Organising Secretaries. They are among the six party members who were co-opted into the CEC last year. There is no change in Vice-Chairman and Secretary-General. The other members of the committee are Comrades Goh Chok Tong, Lee Kuan Yew, George Yeo, Vivian Balakrishnan, Indranee Rajah and Teo Ser Luck. The committee also appointed Comrade Grace Fu as the chair of the Women s Wing. She took over from Mrs Lim. Mr Teo continues as leader of the Young PAP. Secretary-General: Mr Lee Hsien Loong 1st Asst Sec-Gen: Mr Teo Chee Hean 2nd Asst Sec-Gen: Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam Treasurer: Mr Lim Swee Say Asst Treasurer: Mr K. Shanmugam Organising Secretary: Mr Gan Kim Yong, Dr Ng Eng Hen PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11 21

24

25 In THE HOUSE PAP MEMBERS O Ang Mo Kio GRC Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC Chua Chu Kang GRC Lee Hsien Loong (Teck Ghee) Ang Hin Kee (Cheng San- Seletar) Inderjit Singh (Kebun Baru) Ng Eng Hen (Toa Payoh Central) Josephine Teo (Bishan North) Hri Kumar Nair (Thomson) Gan Kim Yong (Chua Chu Kang) Low Yen Ling (Bukit Gombak) Alex Yam (Yew Tee) Intan Azura Mokhtar (Jalan Kayu) Seng Han Tong (Yio Chu Kang) Yeo Guat Kwang (Ang Mo Kio- Hougang) Wong Kan Seng (Bishan East) Zainudin Nordin (Toa Payoh East) Alvin Yeo (Nanyang) Zaqy Mohamad (Keat Hong) Marine Parade GRC Moulmein-Kallang GRC Nee Soon GRC Goh Chok Tong (Marine Parade) Tan Chuan-Jin (Kembangan- Chai Chee) Fatimah Lateef (Geylang Serai) Yaacob Ibrahim (Kolam Ayer) Lui Tuck Yew (Moulmein) Denise Phua (Kampong Glam) K. Shanmugam (Chong Pang) Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon South) Lim Wee Kiak (Canberra) Seah Kian Peng (Braddell Heights) Tin Pei Ling (MacPherson) Edwin Tong (Jalan Besar) Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (Nee Soon Central) Patrick Tay (Nee Soon East) Tanjong Pagar GRC West Coast GRC Lee Kuan Yew (Tanjong Pagar- Tiong Bahru) Chan Chun Sing (Buona Vista) Chia Shi-Lu (Queenstown) Lim Hng Kiang (Telok Blangah) S. Iswaran (West Coast) Arthur Fong (Clementi) Indranee Thurai Rajah (Tanglin-Cairnhill) Lily Neo (Kreta Ayer- Kim Seng) Foo Mee Har (Ayer Rajah) Lawrence Wong (Boon Lay) 24 PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11

26 F PARLIAMENT East Coast GRC Holland-Bukit Timah GRC Jurong GRC Lim Swee Say (Bedok) Lee Yi Shyan (Kg Chai Chee) Raymond Lim (Fengshan) Vivian Balakrishnan (Cashew) Sim Ann (Bukit Timah) Christopher de Souza (Ulu Pandan) Tharman Shanmugaratnam (Taman Jurong) Halimah Yacob (Bukit Batok East) Ang Wei Neng (Jurong Central) Mohd Maliki Bin Osman (Siglap) Jessica Tan (Changi-Simei) Liang Eng Hwa (Zhenghua) Desmond Lee (Jurong Spring) David Ong (Bukit Batok) Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC Sembawang GRC Tampines GRC Teo Chee Hean (Pasir Ris West) Teo Ser Luck (Punggol Central) Gan Thiam Poh (Punggol South) Khaw Boon Wan (Sembawang) Hawazi Daipi (Marsiling) Ellen Lee (Woodlands) Heng Swee Keat (Tampines Central) Masagos Zulkifli (Tampines West) Baey Yam Keng (Tampines North) Janil Puthucheary (Punggol West) Penny Low (Punggol North) Zainal Bin Sapari (Pasir Ris East) Ong Teng Koon (Woodgrove) Vikram Nair (Admiralty) Mah Bow Tan (Tampines East) Irene Ng (Tampines Changkat) SMCs Charles Chong (Joo Chiat) Cedric Foo (Pioneer) Grace Fu (Yuhua) Heng Chee How (Whampoa) Amy Khor (Hong Kah North) Lam Pin Min (Sengkang West) Lim Biow Chuan (Mountbatten) Michael Palmer (Punggol East) Sitoh Yih Pin (Potong Pasir) Sam Tan (Radin Mas) Teo Ho Pin (Bukit Panjang) PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11 25

27 GE2011 First past the post Petir picks out the highlights of GE2011 The 2011 General Election saw many firsts. One, announced 18 months ago, was the introduction of Cooling-off Day, a day when there can be no canvassing for votes in any form by candidates or their parties, to give voters time to reflect on issues raised. Perhaps the most major development was the opening up of new media space for campaigning. The Party filmed short videos of all its candidates, where each introduced himself and the issues he stood for. These were posted on the PAP website, which was revamped for the GE. Many candidates opened Facebook and Twitter accounts, to reach out better to voters, particularly younger ones. For the first time too, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong interacted in real-time with Facebook users, answering questions they posed. With 82 out of 87 seats contested, it was also the first time the majority of Singaporeans got a chance to vote. More than 2 million did so across 12 single wards and 14 GRCs. Some, in their 40s, had never voted in their lives. Said one first-time voter in her 30s: I swear my hand was trembling slightly when I made the cross, v-e-r-y carefully. 26 PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11 New electoral divisions Three new GRCs were formed Moulmein-Kallang, Chua Chu Kang and Nee Soon. Eight divisions became single wards Pioneer, Yuhua, Whampoa, Hong Kah North, Sengkang West, Mountbatten, Punggol East and Radin Mas. These were contested by Comrades Cedric Foo, Grace Fu, Heng Chee How, Amy Khor, Lam Pin Min, Lim Biow Chuan, Michael Palmer and Sam Tan. Nomination Day drama Voters woke up to a surprise on Nomination Day, when they were told that new PAP candidate Steve Tan would not be standing after all for personal reasons. Former Queenstown MP Baey Yam Keng took his place at Tampines All eight won. Dr Khor (left) received the highest percentage of votes 70.6 per cent. The average size of GRCs dropped with the creation of two four-member ones in Moulmein- Kallang and Holland-Bukit Timah. The number of six-member GRCs was also reduced from five to two. These were helmed by PM Lee (Ang Mo Kio) and DPM Teo Chee Hean (Pasir Ris-Punggol). GRC. New candidate Chia Shi-Lu, an orthopaedic surgeon, was fi elded instead at Tanjong Pagar GRC. There was more excitement at the Tanjong Pagar GRC s nomination centre at Singapore Chinese Girls School, where an opposition team, after an overnight scramble to raise funds, was late in submitting its papers. The GRC, where Mr Lee Kuan Yew (left) stood, was the only one uncontested.

28 We re sorry... Acknowledging that no government is perfect, PM Lee Hsien Loong (below) made the unprecedented gesture of apologising for events which had caused much public unhappiness, four days before votes were to be cast. In his address at a lunchtime rally at Raffles Place on May 3, he cited the Orchard Road flooding in June last year and the escape of terrorist Mas Selamat in February 2008 as two events his government could have handled better. The team he helmed at Ang Mo Kio GRC eventually won more than 69 per cent of votes, an improvement of more than 3 percentage points from the 2006 elections. Finally, a win for Mr Sitoh. Potong Pasir retaken Potong Pasir was recaptured after 27 years! Supporters waited till 3am to hear the good news about the smallest ward, as there were nail-biting recounts before they learnt that the Party s Mr Sitoh Yih Pin was third time lucky. He beat Mrs Lina Chiam of the Singapore People s Party by 114 votes. A total of 242 ballots were spoilt, more than twice the winning margin. It was another close call at Joo Chiat, where PAP candidate Charles Chong, who had last stood in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, took the singlemember seat by 382 votes. Dr Chia with GRC team mate Lily Neo. The Aljunied GRC PAP team. A GRC falls Aljunied fell to the opposition the Workers Party marking the first time a GRC was lost. The defeat took with it three office holders: Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo, Second Minister for Finance and Transport Lim Hwee Hua and Senior Minister of State Zainul Abi- din Rasheed. The other team members were new candidate Ong Ye Kung and Ms Cynthia Phua. Said Mr Yeo in his concession speech: It was a great campaign. We fought hard and we have no regrets. We respect the decision of the people of Aljunied. PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11 27

29 GE2011 Bowing out Eighteen members of the House announced they would not be standing. They included two long-time ministers, Minister in the Prime Minister s Office Lim Boon Heng, who was also the chairman of the Party and Senior Minister S. Jayakumar, as well as Speaker Abdullah Tarmugi. Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Ms Low Yen Ling and Mr Patrick Tay were among the new candidates fielded. New candidates Twenty-four new PAP candidates were fi elded in the General Election. With a median age of 39.5, they are the youngest crop since The PAP said it had made an exceptional effort to gather this group as they would form the country s fourth generation leaders. Five were later appointed as office holders Comrades Heng Swee Keat, Chan Chun Sing, Tan Chuan-Jin, There were tears Hard-headed ministers revealed they have a softer side in the lead-up to the polls. Incumbent party chairman Lim Boon Heng broke down at a press conference to introduce three new candidates. They were asked their opinion on the public perception that there might be group think in the government. Mr Lim volunteered an answer. But while revealing the difficulty he had accepting casinos in Singapore, he was overcome by emotion. He was not the only one. At a PAP rally in Woodlands, Minister Khaw Boon Wan s voice quivered as he recounted that Sembawang GRC residents, during his Lawrence Wong and Sim Ann. The PAP s youngest candidate, Comrade Tin Pei Ling (left), turned out to be a controversial figure in the election. She had been picked to help the Party connect with younger voters, but the 27-year-old faced criticism from the start, particularly online. Still, her team at Marine Parade GRC went on to win 56.7 per cent of the votes. Ms Tin has since resigned from her job to focus on her constituency work. Mr Lim Boon Heng (left) and Mr Lim Swee Say. house visits, had asked about his health after his heart bypass last year. Minister Lim Swee Say wiped away tears several times during a farewell dinner by his Buona Vista residents. Clockwise from top left: Portraits of Mr Yeo Cheow Tong, Professor S. Jayakumar, Madam Ho Geok Choo and Mr Ang Mong Seng Others who retired from politics were Senior Minister of State Ho Peng Kee, Ministers of State Yu-Foo Yee Shoon and Koo Tsai Kee, and Mayor Matthias Yao. Former ministers Yeo Cheow Tong (Transport) and Lee Boon Yang (Information, Communications and the Arts), who had left the Cabinet some time before the 2011 election, also announced their retirement. The other MPs who did not contest were: Comrades Ahmad Magad, Ang Mong Seng, Chan Soo Sen, Ho Geok Choo, Ong Ah Heng, Ong Kian Min, Ong Seh Hong, Sin Boon Ann and Wee Siew Kim. The veterans departure from politics is part of the Party s constant process of renewal. After the election, five ministers retired from office. They were MM Lee Kuan Yew, SM Goh Chok Tong, DPM Wong Kan Seng, Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan and Minister for Transport Raymond Lim. 28 PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11

30

31 BEHIND THE SCENES Six candidates who stood in the GE recount their experience and pay tribute to the activists who helped them through the race We searched for new connections By Sitoh Yih Pin It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link in the chain of destiny can be handled at a time. Winston Churchill Potong Pasir is unique. My experience contesting in Potong Pasir has also been unique. Unlike many of my PAP comrades, I ve lost an election twice, and in the same ward. After the second occasion, I spent much time in self reflection: Why had my team and I failed to win over the Potong Pasir residents? We d worked hard, spent much time and effort coming up with plans and ideas that we thought would improve the quality of life and the living experience of the residents. Many of our proposals for the ward were based on feedback we d received from them. Many had wanted our plans implemented, but we still lost two elections. It was a bitter pill to swallow. I concluded that many residents remained unconvinced, not with our hardware but with our heartware. We had time to critically assess ourselves and where we had gone wrong. The goal posts had not shifted for 11 years. Instead, we decided, the rules of the game and the way it is played had to change. Our activism in Potong Pasir has history. Ironically, through defeat, we had, over the years, built a strong core group of activists and grassroots volunteers who were steadfast in their belief that we would eventually win. They were dedicated and determined. Defeat did not faze them; it spurred them on. Importantly, they hadn t shifted their sights off the goal posts. As Potong Pasir is one of the smallest constituencies, and has a deep sense of community, we knew that to win over the constituents we had to connect with them in a way we hadn t so far. Semangat menakjubkan Oleh Intan Moktar GE2011 merupakan pengalaman yang sangat menggembirakan namun meletihkan. Sewaktu berkempen, dimana waktu tidur berkurangan kepada empat atau lima jam pada setiap malam, ada dua perkara yang telah memberi saya semangat untuk meneruskan usaha satu ialah sup sarang burung ginseng yang disiapkan oleh seorang anggota parti dan kedua ialah semangat ghairah serta pemurah yang ditunjukan oleh mereka ketika membantu saya. Ada yang turut membantu mengemaskini lelaman Facebook Jalan Kayu saya pada setiap hari dengan memuat naik gambar-gambar dari pelbagai kegiatan dan juga yang diambil bersama para penduduk. Ada pula yang ligat turun naik tangga lebih dari 80 blok fl at, di mana kami telah mengetuk pintu ke pintu rumah-rumah para penduduk. Sepanjang hari berkempen, kami sentiasa memberikan galakan dan bantuan kepada satu sama lain. Tidak pernah sekali saya merasakan bahawa saya seorang sahaja yang bertanding. Lutut kami menjadi lemah, betis menjadi kejang dan kami turut bermandi peluh tetapi semangat dan keakraban sentiasa membara, sama ada sewaktu berkumpul di stesen MRT bagi mengedarkan risalah pilihan raya kepada para penduduk yang hendak ke tempat kerja atau pun sewaktu kita makan tengah hari mahu pun makan malam. Makanan yang disiapkan kebanyakannya ayam dan ikan, dengan sayur, iaitu masakan ala Cina dimasak oleh beberapa anggota aktivis. Terdapat juga relawan yang akan membeli makanan segera bagi mereka yang mahu makanan yang agak berbeza. 30 PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11

32 Mr Sitoh (in dark blue T-shirt) tapped into the strong sense of community at Potong Pasir and "recruited" ordinary people, like leaders of exercise groups, to speak for him. We decided to not only put our activists eyes and ears to the ground but to co-opt the ground itself. That is, we sought to co-opt Potong Pasir residents, as well as non-residents, to become our connectors with the community. These were your auntie who taught qigong, the taiji master, the lady who is the heart and soul of the coffee shop, the fishmonger and so on; people and personalities who were not long-term activists, or linked to the PAP. The people were from all walks of life, trades and interests, but had that one thing in common they felt the heartbeat of Potong Pasir. It was a risky move. After all, what if these people spoke badly of us? Would it all backfire? We had to be very careful with whom we chose as our connectors. We had a simple message: All we sought was for them to hear what we had to say. We wanted them to focus on themselves, and what was good for them and their community. With no party allegiance and no longterm history as activists, these people were an extremely valuable asset to us. They were able to strip the PAP shell from our plans for Potong Pasir and present those plans to the residents. Our activists don t fit a neat model or a known formula. Some are old, some new; part of the grassroots, not part of the grassroots; residents and non-residents; pro-pap or with no party allegiance. But each played an extremely valuable role. Without them, we wouldn t have been third time lucky. It is hard to predict if this strategy will work again in GE2016. As the incumbent now, things will be different. However, the challenge has only just begun. So, we will take small steps and hope that our performance in Potong Pasir over the next five years gives us the opportunity to grow lasting and deep connections and networks with the ground. The writer is the MP for Potong Pasir SMC Jadual telah diatur rapi bagi memastikan sentiasa terdapat seorang anggota di cawangan atau untuk memandu kenderaan pikap bagi tujuan berkempen. Ia juga bermakna setiap individu harus tahu bila mereka perlu berkempen dan bila mereka perlu berehat. Ini amatlah penting sekali bagi memastikan tiada sesiapa yang terlalu keletihan. Saya amat terhutang budi kepada semua para aktivis yang turut sama berkempen dengan saya. Penulis ialah AP bagi GRC Ang Mo Kio Hai semua, yang dipaparkan ini akan memberitahu anda tentang calon-calon kami. Harap anda mengundi mereka. PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11 31

33 BEHIND THE SCENES Nothing like the personal touch By Lawrence Wong As a new candidate, I sought the advice of more experienced MPs and ex-mps before the GE2011. I picked up plenty of tips. But one piece of advice stuck with me: A personal touch is crucial to securing votes. So I worked out a plan to cover all the homes in the 120 or so HDB blocks in Boon Lay during the nine days of campaigning. Some people question the effectiveness of going house to house, arguing that it is out of date in the Internet age, because the reach is limited and not impactful. But I found that physical contact with voters does make a difference. When I meet someone face to face, I get the chance to look him in the eye as we speak. He gets a better feel of who I am as a person. I didn t get to meet every voter during the campaign. But those whom I met can and did help to spread the word. Some residents even put up posters in front of their doors to express support for the PAP. While personal contact is essential, new media proved a useful complement to home-to-home campaigning. Conversations initiated during the visits continued on my Facebook page. At the same time, online friends came to life when I met them in person. But some things cannot be replaced by technology. I ve always liked to sing and play the guitar, but never thought the skills would come in useful for connecting with people until I visited the Neighbourhood Link centre at Boon Lay, where I joined the senior citizens in a karaoke session. It broke the ice immediately, and enabled me to establish a rapport with them. The personal touch, I discovered, mattered not just in engaging residents but also members of my team. This was especially important to me, being the new man in the group. By working with each of my activists during the campaigning, and through our shared experiences, I got to know them better, not just as a comrade but as a friend too. I was touched by their determination and thoughtfulness. Some older activists fell sick because of the punishing pace. They would take a day off and return the next day, as they didn t want to miss out on the action. Several activists, noticing how tired 32 PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11 P...A...P... P...A...P... P...A...P...

34 we were after the home visits, got hold of Osim foot massagers, to provide relief for our aching feet. They also contributed daily supplies of ginseng and other herbal beverages. Before the GE, my branch secretary, a veteran of several campaigns, told me that it was good to fight an election, because the bonding effect was tremendous. He was absolutely right. Looking back, the relationships both with activists and residents are what I treasure most. The experience taught me that, indeed, politics requires a personal touch. The writer is Minister of State for Defence and for Education, and an MP for West Coast GRC Preparing and hanging candidates' posters were among the many chores udertaken by supporters. PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11 33

35 BEHIND THE SCENES Courage, commitment and faith By Desmond Choo I caught a rerun of the movie Band of Brothers a few days after the General Election. In it, the soldiers fought against incredible odds in hostile conditions in the infamous Battle of the Bulge. The rookies survived to fight because their unsung veterans guided them. In many ways, I was one of those rookies during the GE. Nomination Day. As I sat in Dunman Secondary s school hall, I knew my nomination papers were in order, but I still felt uneasy. Turned out it was irrational, as HQ and my team had checked them countless times. Day 3 of the campaign. I had diarrhea. What happened next still amazes me today. My aunty supporters watched me like a hawk to make sure I followed the physician s orders. They changed all my meals to more stomachfriendly ones. One aunty waited for me at a coffeeshop with warm water and medicine! Their warmth and love probably did more for my recovery than the meds. Rally Day. Jitters. Would the crowd be a paltry 100? Would they jeer? I was less concerned with giving a stirring speech than getting through the night. Then, I saw them an army of grassroots supporters, residents and comrades in a sea of white! They, especially the younger ones, cheered loudly at most of what I said. I don t know if I deserved it but was grateful they helped me through that testing time. Polling Day. The day of reckoning but the team was at peace. We d decided three months ago that we d focus on our own gameplan. With the results an- 34 PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11

36 nounced and my turn to give a speech, I was determined to uphold the dignity of our people and campaign. We might have lost the seat, but we must not lose honour. DPM Teo stood with me before An army of activists worked ceaselessly during the GE and came out in full force to hear the results. I went on stage. It was a wonderful feeling of comradeship. Before I left Bedok Stadium around 2am or 3am, I shook the hands of my Hougang comrades. Many were in tears, defiance in their eyes. Their parting words to me, We ll be back again. Day 2 after Polling Day. The activists and I resumed our Coffee Session with Residents. It was an informal gathering with the residents, to listen to their feedback and render assistance where needed. We wanted them to know that we re always there for them, same time, same place. I was bucked that so many of our branch and grassroots supporters came. The aunties wept the moment we shook hands; one brought a cake. I was touched. Before I entered politics, I asked a veteran what the GE experience was like. He said it would pass quickly; just focus on the next task ahead. I finally understood. The Hougang and union loyalists worked ceaselessly so I could get through the GE. That we could get another vote. They taught me new meanings of courage, commitment and faith. The writer stood in Hougang SMC PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11 35

37 MY SAY Beyond Aljunied A reflection on why the GRC fell to an opposition party Aljunied made history. It was the first GRC to be won by an opposition party since the group representation constituency was introduced in The defeat was tramautic for many. Some supporters cried openly at Bedok Stadium where the candidates waited for the results. Many had believed the PAP would scrape through; but it was not to be. Those who know the work of the former Aljunied team believe it had done well in the last five years; and some political analysts considered the candidates as sacrificial lambs in the election. Whatever the case, considering the political mood that swept GE2011, the percentage of votes by which the GRC was lost is seen as a respectable margin, a result of a clean fight and a reflection of the team s credibility. The results are being dissected by many, including the Party, and the process will continue for a while, not only for the GRC but also for Singapore generally. GE2011, where the PAP got its lowest vote share ever, was an eye-opener. Was the loss of Aljunied a small political tsunami? Was it a watershed election? Or a hard political rap on the knuckles? Yes and more. So what are the lessons that can be drawn from what happened; the hard truths, so to speak? After all, there was a time when many said that even if the PAP put a monkey up as a candidate it would get elected. Such was the level of trust and confi - dence Singaporeans had in the ruling party. Or maybe the lack of in opposition parties then. Well, no more. The PAP lost two good ministers, a potential one, a Senior Minister of State yours truly and the hardworking chair of the GRC s Town Council. What will happen in the next GE? Can the Party field a better team there? It is too early to say, as this depends on the Workers Party s performance in and The GE results were not about just Aljunied. While local politics are still important, national issues have taken precedence. out of Parliament. But it is likely that many will shy from being possible future sacrificial lambs by standing in Aljunied. What went wrong? If those of us in the PAP think the GE results were just about Aljunied, they will be in for a bigger shock in five years. Aljunied 2011 has shown that while local politics and a local campaign are still 36 PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11

38 By Zainul Abidin Rasheed important otherwise the team might have lost by a bigger margin national issues and national politics have taken centrestage. Local programmes were insufficient to carry the PAP team. All the good work over the years, and the excellent programme promised voters became almost irrelevant, hijacked by a call for a credible opposition presence in Parliament and a more listening government. However, if we d won, and the PAP had managed 86 of the 87 seats despite the opposition getting about 40 per cent of the vote, most Singaporeans, including many who voted PAP, would probably be unhappy. There is a blessing in every adversity. However, the loss in Aljunied does not mean that the PAP will not strive to regain lost ground and the GRC, and prove to Singaporeans that it deserves the same level of their confi dence and trust as before. The reassuring factor is that race and religion did not feature strongly in GE2011, the way it did in the 1997 GE at Cheng San, when it was brought up by an opposition candidate, and in the years before that. Notwithstanding this, there is still the lingering sour aftertaste of the "Hard Truths" remark about Muslims/ Malays and national integration. In early July, a Muslim Singaporean stopped me near the Jalan Kayu prata shop to thank me for expressing the Malay-Muslim hurt during my press conference after the election. Singapore s economy might go up and down, but no matter how much the GDP grows, racial and religious harmony will remain a critical factor in this country s search for long-term stability and cohesiveness. Let me relate an incident that is perhaps relevant for the future: On the night I was elected as an MP, in January 1997, WP supporters were so boisterous after the results were announced in my Cheng San ward, that many thought a riot would break out. To calm things, I appealed to their senses. I asked them to accept the people s verdict and work together for the future of Singapore as, after all, We are Singaporeans. That call apparently cooled them down and they eventually dispersed in the early morning. I was pleasantly heartened that those three words had such a calmimg and unifying effect that night. Yes, the PAP will still fi ght for the people s trust and to be chosen by the people, and while party politics will continue to be a reality, it must never be forgetten that at the end of the day we are all Singaporeans, and must work together for the benefit and well-being of our country and each other. But are we truly Singaporeans united in cause and purpose, party politics and GEs notwithstanding? Before I answer that, I will draw on another personal experience. One Friday afternoon, in 1964, I left my school in Bras Basah Road early for prayers, not realising a curfew had been imposed because racial riots had broken out in parts of the island. On the way home, I saw people who had been hacked, attacked with iron rods, bicycle chains and acid bulbs, and all because the colour of their skin was different. Indians, who were mistaken for Malays, were not spared. This was at Kallang. At Geylang Serai, Chinese fruit sellers and trishaw riders, who had been friends and familiar faces in the area for years, were also victims of such insane acts of racial hatred. PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11 37

39

40 Those unforgettable scenes left me determined to later ensure that our multi-racial and multi-religious Singapore will never have to experience such tragedy again. In 1976, when I was first approached to stand for election, I declined. Although the Malay community then was gradually showing signs of accepting their leaders working together with the PAP, I thought the better way to work towards national cohesion was to do so from the outside. I worked directly with the community, through Malay daily Berita Harian; self-help group Mendaki; Muis, the Islamic Religious Council; and several other educational and social organisations, including the Prophet Muhammad Scholarship Fund Board (LBKM), and missionary and social organisation Jamiyah. When I agreed to run in GE1997, issues of race and religion still featured. It was scary. That time the PAP team in Cheng San GRC beat the WP by a small margin. I had a walkover in In 2006, when I stood in Aljunied GRC, we won, but again it was close. This time the WP, gambling with its secretary-general and party chairman, won, by an equally small margin. Notwithstanding the loss of Aljunied, I hope Singaporeans will not lose faith in the GRC concept to preserve multiracialism in politics here. Will the PAP be able to retake Aljunied? Will more GRCs fall? How will the Party respond to the new realities of social media in politics? To what extent will local politics and local programmes over-ride national issues? In Aljunied, although I d like to think we had a better programme and stronger team than our opponents, this, including the work put in over the years, became almost irrelevant. The team s strategy to keep the GE local and to steer away from national issues like cost of living and public housing, claims of PAP arrogance, ministerial salaries and greater transparency, did not help. Our promise for the transformation of the PAP perhaps came too late. The Party has taken the loss seriously. There are already clear signs of government taking a more open approach to policies and style of governance. It will not be business as usual. However, just as a growing number clamour for transformation and more sensitivity to their concerns, all Singaporeans will also have to accept that the PAP has been given a new mandate nationally. That, now, all of us need to unite and work together for the future of the country we all love. After all, we are Singaporeans. The writer, the former Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, stood in Aljunied GRC. It's goodbye for now to the PAP in Aljunied GRC. PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11 39

41 FORUM COE system for By Ori Sassoon Several areas were at the epicentre of unhappiness among voters in GE Three of these were HDB prices, the transport situation and foreign manpower policies. The last might be the most critical, since the number of foreigners working in Singapore is often cited as the reason for the issues surrounding the other two areas. It makes sense then to look at different ways to recalibrate the number of foreigners allowed to work here, now the government aims to reduce dependence on cheap foreign labour. Levies were raised and quotas tightened for S-Passes and Work Permits, which are given to those with lower qualifications, while salary thresholds were increased for Employment Passes, typically granted to qualified professionals. In recent months, it appears there has also been tightening in the issuance of Employment Passes. Anecdotal evidence shows that a large proportion of applications has been rejected, at least on initial application. Such applications are typically turned down on the grounds that the applicant is not qualified enough. However, it seems there are many instances where highly-qualified individuals are rejected. The explanation appears to be a euphemism for the company s ratio of locals to foreigners is insufficient and our policy has changed. While it is easy to see the underlying logic in limiting the number of foreign workers admitted, how can this be balanced with the needs of companies which might need such manpower for jobs where there is a shortage of personnel? 40 PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11 Rejecting applications may address the issue of reducing the number of foreign workers, but the disadvantage is an immediate increase in the number of appeals, re-appeals and associated paperwork. It also creates uncertainty for companies which genuinely require manpower for sustaining or growing their business. At the same time, how does one distinguish between such companies and those which use foreign manpower to reduce costs? Point system To remove the uncertainty and provide more transparency, some are calling for a point system similar to that in Britain and Australia. With such a system, prospective immigrants as well as potential employers can evaluate whether an individual is eligible to work here. While this may have a certain appeal, it also has a distinct weakness: There is no way to control the total number of eligible foreigners. If the Singapore economy outperforms those of other countries, an unlimited number of foreigners may seek a job here and, despite stringent criteria, be eligible for entry. The point system also makes it difficult to refuse entry to applicants who are undesirable for other reasons, since it creates an entitlement of sorts. If the social cost of having more foreigners is considered, in particular the limitation of infrastructure such as housing, transportation and even physical space, the most logical proposition would be some sort of limitation on the absolute number of foreigners admitted. It is possible that the current Manpower Ministry practices aim to achieve exactly that. For example, to cap the

42 work passes? Briefly Online challenge GE2011 was a defining moment, not just of the general political landscape but in terms of party activism too. One crucial lesson it offered is our engagement as a party with netizens. Because of new media, the silent majority, along with a techsavy younger electorate, made their voices heard. The PAP was quick to plant its flag on many new media platforms. But though we were fast to reach out, we failed to close the loop by listening, to the voices online. As party activists, we now have a shared responsibility to ensure that our efforts are not just limited to physical space but extend online as well. number of passes issued in a particular month at a figure based on the number of foreigners leaving, the growth of the local workforce or similar parameters. However, by limiting the absolute number of passes, and given a much larger number of applications, how does one decide who should get Employment Passes? It would be impossible to compare different applicants across different industries and make the correct choice. Paid-for work passes Faced with the similar issue of reducing congestion on the roads by limiting population growth, transportation planners came up with the COE policy. Perhaps this same approach could be adapted and applied to workers, with companies bidding for a permit to employ a foreigner. This bid could be for a monthly or one-off levy, which could rise if the government decides to limit the number of foreigners admitted. It would nudge companies into hiring foreigners who add the most economic value. Such a solution may not be popular with employers, but it allows the total intake of foreigners to be limited, removes uncertainty, ensures fairness and aligns with the current system of issuing work visas, which are employer-centric as opposed to worker-centric. The proposed approach, or some variant of it, makes employers share the social cost of bringing in more foreigners, as well as provides more funding for the government to train local workers and ensure their competitiveness. The writer is a member of the Pasir Ris West Branch and vice-chairman of the 4th PPF Council S. Shaikh Ismail Chairman, Young PAP Network Pasir Ris East Branch New wind blowing The line-up of the new Cabinet indicates the PAP is undergoing a deep level of self-refl ection. Whether change is a result of losing six seats, or because of a generational shift, or to citizens speaking up, the bottom line is that the PAP is re-shaping itself to the current political climate and paradigm. This should not be seen as weakness or a form of acquiescence. Rather, it is because the problems and political context today are different from before. Today s leaders face the monumental challenge of balancing interests across a broader spectrum of needs from working to upper class. In the early days, they dealt with mostly poor man s issues. There are five years ahead for experimenting with policies which can be more responsive and attuned to Singaporeans needs; a case of people s action for the people. David Leong Secretary, Thomson-Toa Payoh Branch PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11 41

43

44 CYBERSPEAK PM: We hear all your voices And there have been many who have been offering bouquets and brickbats, hopes and suggestions online over the events of GE2011 From the GE result, a lot needs to be done for the middle income. They are the most in number and also affected by the cost increases. Sylvester Robin The loss of votes could be because people are fed up with the price hikes in almost all areas. Are they necessary? Please review the prices. Eileen Tan Let s really work towards a better Singapore. One that is inclusive and constructive, and not just about $$ and economic growth. Eric Lee I have been living in overseas for a decade but am still a BIG supporter of the PAP. I believe that Singaporeans who have so many grievances towards the government should try to live overseas. They will then realise how great our government is!! Rohaya Rahmat No matter how good policies are, if people can t be convinced these are needed, then the policies have failed. I hope PM will fulfil his promise of concentrating on heartware. We look forward to having a reformed PAP which can continue to take Singapore forward and win back hearts. Lim Su Pei Mr PM, I must salute you for the way you fought at GE2011. Mr PM, bring us forward to become a nation we are all proud of. Wan Estella Dear PM, actually you should ask Singaporeans to hear from you as well. I believe all your plans for the nation are for our long-term interest. Antonie Walker Improving lives Reduce medical costs for the elderly. We are not rich though we stay with our children. Lower the age in polyclinics for senior citizens fees to 60 years, or better still to 55. We feel we are the deprived group, just because we stay in private property. We have nowhere to go, as we can t even afford an HDB flat. Ivan Ong I hope the approach to an ageing and declining population will not be solely to finding foreign replacements. It ought to be a 2-pronged or multipronged approach, so Singaporeans who supported the government do not feel abandoned. Sabrina Teo New Cabinet Let s be supportive. The government cannot satisfy all but if it serves with good purpose, go along with it. Samuel Peh A good new team to lead us towards a better Singapore. Hope to see new ideas to improve the life of Singaporeans, such as better employment opportunities for workers above 35. Ronn Gaze Hawk Looking forward to seeing improvements in Singapore, to make it a more united nation. Aileen Ang PM Lee s new Cabinet shows that he values constructive feedback/ suggestions/criticism. Let s hope that the new Cabinet will put in inexhaustible effort to help people & the country to brave these uncertain times. God bless PM Lee!! Shahna z Harris Review of ministers pay There are many here who are paid much more than our ministers, yet what they do does not directly affect the lives of Singaporeans. I m okay with the high pay, but sorry, the pension has to go. Alvin Chin PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11 43

45

46 HAPPENINGS Pioneer Hong Kah North Canberra Ang Mo Kio-Hougang Thank you, comrades! Good food and song were the order of a string of gatherings across Singapore as the Party celebrated the camaraderie experienced during GE2011 and thanked activists for their help during the intensive nine days of campaigning. The Hong Kah North branch held a karaoke night. Dr Amy Khor, the adviser for the grassroots organisations there, and former Hong Kah GRC MPs Yeo Cheow Tong and John Chen entertained with two popular Hokkien numbers. The crowd sang along. At the Ang Mo Kio-Hougang branch, famous Taiwanese singer from the 1990s Li Maoshan was brought in by branch adviser Yeo Guat Kwang as a special gesture of appreciation. Mr Yeo also gave a speech about the challenges of reaching out to a new electoral landscape, and ended the evening by performing the theme song of popular Taiwan drama Love ( ). There was more than dinner at the Grassroots Club for Canberra branch activists. Each also received a copy of Nee Soon GRC s manifesto, autographed by the five MPs. Grassroots organisations adviser Lim Wee Kiak gave them out as a Dumplings for charity One hundred Young PAP comrades celebrated the Dragon Boat Festival a little differently this year they got together to make rice dumplings for the Man Fut Tong Welfare Society s charity drive. The group gathered at Kovan Hub to make the dumplings on June 4, with each person taking on one aspect of the process. Together, they made 12,710, surpassing the 10,000 goal set. The dumplings were distributed the next day during a vegetarian lunch organised by the welfare or- momento of the election victory they had helped to secure. Said Pioneer branch activist Lu Liru: This marks the start of a new beginning, to work even more assiduously to win hearts and minds. ganisation for 500 senior citizens under its care. YP volunteers also delivered the rest of the dumplings to other beneficiaries' homes. PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11 45

47 46 PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11

48 BACKBENCHER S BITE Act, don t sit in a cloud Dr Chia Shi-Lu MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC During the run-up to and campaigning for GE 2011, many underscored the importance of engaging the electorate. What does it mean to engage? And how do we achieve and sustain such engagement? Some point to how new media can engage people, bringing coffee-shop talk to a new and broader audience. It has also been said that with political engagement, the Internet empowers the insurgent and the curious. But this may be understating what has become a powerful tool for shared consciousness. In the online world, everyone can be an expert and a critic, and everyone can be pretty much anyone they want to be. The worry is that there is very little in the way of accountability, and many relish and exploit this freedom. Over kopi the other day, my friends and I were marvelling at how one of our quietest pals had a vehemently outspoken blog, while another really brash colleague had the meekest exchanges online. While the power of the world-wide web is great for bringing people together, we shouldn t stop there. Posting on newsgroups, writing in blogs, and interacting on Facebook and Twitter does not necessarily mean that one is truly engaged, any more than chatting about the weather makes you a weatherman. A life that is mostly led in the digital ether, now called the cloud, will soon become a very empty life indeed. The real challenge and the real reward lies in participating in processes that can directly benefit the community. During my work with civil society and grassroots groups, I have received many comments and criticisms through and social media. But here s the rub: Often, when we have clarified our respective views, and it seems we are ready to actually start addressing an issue proper, the initiating party will disengage. Staying in the cloud always seems far more attractive than knuckling down on earth. I ve met people who speak and write passionately about various issues, but who have never involved themselves in actually dealing with those very same issues. The gulf between pseudo-engagement, where one only discourses, and true engagement, where one becomes a participant, can be huge and lifechanging. There was a resident who often expressed her concern that not enough was being done for the needy. We finally convinced her to help us with the assistance schemes in place. She soon became a very active member of several civil society groups. Another young man who used to frequently, querying how the government was serving residents, decided to visit one day and was overwhelmed by the issues being dealt with at meet the people sessions. He is now an active volunteer. Yet another was curious about how national policies were shaped by the activities and feedback of grassroots organisations, and volunteered to better appreciate the impact of grassroot activities. That young man is myself. Being engaged implies a prelude to action, just as one would expect a couple who is engaged to be walking down the aisle soon. White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley recently remarked that politics is about engaging people, listening to them, [and] understanding what motivates them. But this is just politics. To achieve real progress as a people, engagement in issues that are important to us should lead to active participation in a process, and not be merely about having an opinion. Engagement without action is just an empty promise. PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11 47

49 OVERHEARD Yesterday, my last Cabinet meeting; today crossed over to 70; tomorrow watch new Cabinet sworn in. Long summer has ended; beautiful autumn begins. A golfing Confucius might say: At 70, I can follow my heart s desire without going out of bounds. To MP Goh Chok Tong, bright days lie ahead I have a way of wearing hats without them falling off. Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, style meister holding six posts A winner takes all mentality is not good, and in the long run will come back to hurt. Minister K. Shanmugam on how he will proceed in foreign relations I came to MOH during SARS with some trepidation, not quite sure what I was walking into. I will go to MND, with even greater trepidation. First, it is red-hot with widespread unhappiness. Second housing is a new frontier for me. Minister Khaw Boon Wan has his eyes wide open about the dangers that can lurk in homes We were all conscious that this was the end of an era. PM Lee Hsien Loong sums up the mood at the final Cabinet meeting with founding member Lee Kuan Yew and other old-timers We can never assume that residents in private estates don t have needs New mayor Mohamad Maliki Osman will look out for all It s difficult to see the town council as non-political. It s very existence and selection is a result of an election process. As the former chairman of a town council, MP Zainudin Nordin should know Sometimes, the problem for the PAP is we make it look too easy. We make it look too safe. Minister Vivian Balakrishnan recognises the drawbacks of doing too good a job People are coming in with a new sense of hope. MP Fatimah Lateef explains the recent surge in numbers at meet-the-people sessions The fewer assumptions I go in with, the more room I will have in my mind to take in suggestions, proposals and also comments from different quarters. MP Sim Ann sets out on a new path I sit at the bus stop for one whole hour just to look at the timings of the buses. MP Lim Biow Chuan gets a feel of commuters frustrations 48 PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11

50 OVERHEARD Yesterday, my last Cabinet meeting; today crossed over to 70; tomorrow watch new Cabinet sworn in. Long summer has ended; beautiful autumn begins. A golfing Confucius might say: At 70, I can follow my heart s desire without going out of bounds. To MP Goh Chok Tong, bright days lie ahead I have a way of wearing hats without them falling off. Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, style meister holding six posts A winner takes all mentality is not good, and in the long run will come back to hurt. Minister K. Shanmugam on how he will proceed in foreign relations I came to MOH during SARS with some trepidation, not quite sure what I was walking into. I will go to MND, with even greater trepidation. First, it is red-hot with widespread unhappiness. Second housing is a new frontier for me. Minister Khaw Boon Wan has his eyes wide open about the dangers that can lurk in homes We were all conscious that this was the end of an era. PM Lee Hsien Loong sums up the mood at the final Cabinet meeting with founding member Lee Kuan Yew and other old-timers We can never assume that residents in private estates don t have needs New mayor Mohamad Maliki Osman will look out for all It s difficult to see the town council as non-political. It s very existence and selection is a result of an election process. As the former chairman of a town council, MP Zainudin Nordin should know Sometimes, the problem for the PAP is we make it look too easy. We make it look too safe. Minister Vivian Balakrishnan recognises the drawbacks of doing too good a job People are coming in with a new sense of hope. MP Fatimah Lateef explains the recent surge in numbers at meet-the-people sessions The fewer assumptions I go in with, the more room I will have in my mind to take in suggestions, proposals and also comments from different quarters. MP Sim Ann sets out on a new path I sit at the bus stop for one whole hour just to look at the timings of the buses. MP Lim Biow Chuan gets a feel of commuters frustrations 48 PETIR JULY / AUGUST 11

51

52