GE2011: My Take

In a week’s time, Singaporeans will head to the polls.

And I fervently pray that history will be made.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m no heartless ingrate who mercilessly wants to bite the hand that feeds me. Neither am I a political academic who’s scrutinising every policy and law that’s been passed. But in my humble opinion and in my capacity as an ordinary citizen, I believe that we’ve been under the ruling party’s yoke for far too long.

Let’s be honest about facts: under the dynamic and visionary leadership of our current Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, the founding fathers of Modern Singapore are undeniably the heroes who built and shaped our lives to where we are today. There is much to be grateful for despite deep sentiments that many laws were implemented harshly (even rashly) – all in the name of economic and social progress. Like docile sheep, we meekly followed the shepherds (and their well-trained dogs) whom we’d entrusted our lives to. It was a situation akin to the typical scenario where the boss says “jump!” and the subordinates asks “how high?”

That era, however, is over.

The current ministers of today lack the passion and fighting spirit of their fore fathers – with the political boundaries repeatedly re-drawn at every election (undoubtedly to ensure that their hard core People's Action Party (PAP) supporters will provide sufficient votes to keep them in power), the majority of Singapore’s Members of Parliament (MP) cruise to easy victories. The introduction of the Group Representation Constituency (GRC) means that the “weaker” MPs could ride on the tailcoats of a heavy-weight anchor Minister and this provided their ticket to Parliament.

The PAP may face their biggest challenge yet. with 82 out of 87 seats up for contest, this election also means that for the first time in decades, the ruling party has not been returned to power after nomination day. And the opposition parties have fielded credible, worthy candidates to give the PAP a decent run for its money. With no walkovers (save for 1 GRC helmed by MM Lee himself), many of the ministers and MPs have to roll up their sleeves and fight, some for the first time in their political careers, to win the hearts of Singaporeans.

The emergence of the social media also means that Singaporeans are no longer restricted in obtaining their news and information from the mass (read: heavily edited) media. As a media and communications lecturer, I can fully understand why objective coverage is crucial in this election. And also why the lure of social media is lustfully enticing many Singaporeans who turn their attention to online sources for the latest scoop.

The World Wide Web is really the old Wild Wild West: a cowboy country run by gun-trotting sheriffs or outlaws, depending on who calls the shot. Even the media gatekeepers have trouble controlling the influx of information flooding the web and this has opened up ample opportunities for the opposition parties to reach out to the public.

It's no wonder that GE2011 is trending. The real battle for voters is fought online - with Facebook, YouTube and Twitter leading the charge. It's exciting and fascinating (at least to me) because I've found many like-minded Singaporeans who share similar sentiments about the local political scene.

I used to believe that most Singaporeans are politically apathetic but this elections is proving to be an eye-opener. The posts, tweets and blogs signal an impending change to the mindset of citizens and a recurring theme that threads these discussion is one that heralds alternative opinions in our parliamentary debates. Voices that echo the sentiments on the ground and not based on "research" and "assumptions" by leaders who are too highly perched on pedestals to comprehend bread and butter issues faced by the everyday man.

To me, the main problem is that the ruling party has been too complacent for far too long. Many of the current MPs have never fought off political opponents and bank on the "sure-win" GRC ticket to Parliament.

Well, this year, they've underestimated the opposition parties and perhaps for the first time in decades, the ruling party may end up losing more than 2 seats.

If the huge turnout at the opposition rallies is anything to show, then I'd say that it's going to be a good fight and I'm right smack in the middle of all the action because I'm at Aljunied GRC where the fiercest battles will be raging.

Together with the hub, I attended the Worker's Party (WP) second rally at Serangoon Stadium on Friday night. Since we live in the area, we parked mid-distance from the site and walked to the stadium. After the huge turnout on Thursday night at Hougang, we knew traffic would be crazy and true enough the roads were crawling with cars and people. Granted, the turnout wasn't as intimidating as Hougang but we had to sit on the slopes OUTSIDE the fence as we arrived late (had to settle the kids first) and decided not to squeeze in with the rest.

It was a fantastic experience and I soaked up the atmosphere although the hub got a little bored midway through. He already knows who he''s going to cast his vote for so he's not affected by reports in the media.

As I looked around the crowd, I couldn't help but wonder if the people around me were ardent WP supporters, undecided voters or just curious folk who'd nothing better to do on a Friday night. The crowd were just numbers and they don't necessarily account for the number of votes.

In the end, Singaporeans could be "all talk and no action". It's easy to create "Hate" campaigns and Fan pages, generating traffic to the sites. It's effortless to create pseudonymous and post comments. But come 7 May 2011, can Singaporeans be trusted to do what they pledged to do in cyberspace?

Much is at stake since our 2 sole opposition MPs have upped the ante by leaving their wards to trusted party members while they boldly lead GRC teams to battle. It's a calculated risk: All or Nothing. And in the worst case scenario, PAP could win back these 2 opposition wards and all 87 seats will be theirs. A terrible blow to the opposition and a slap in the face of democracy.

A former JC classmate who lives in the next street (and in the same constituency) sent me a message on Facebook to seek my views. After several back-and-forth posts, I concluded with this:

"If you're not sure or comfortable with your decision, then you've gotta pick the one who's going to set your mind at ease. Don't be intimidated by what others say do (including what I've written to you). You have to think through and make a choice that won't eat at you."

I've made my choice and on Polling Day I know which box I'll be marking my cross on. I'm not telling of course, since my vote's supposed to be secret.

But you can bet your last dollar that I'll be up all night and glued to the TV while they announce the results. And I sure hope there'll be a celebration of sorts.