With the hype on the GE, its no wonder everyone is talking about it, especially on topics regarding the Aljunied GRC. So I chanced upon the chinese newspaper after dinner today and saw that my GRC (Holland-Bukit Timah) happens to be one of the five hot spots together with Aljunied GRC, Potong Pasir SMC, Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC and Hougang SMC. Which was really surprising because tbh, I don't really like the opposition (SDP, lead by Mr Tan Jee Say) on my side.
I'm not at the extreme ends but let's just start off with how Singapore is separated into the respective GRCs and SMCs. To quote my colleague, "I live in commonwealth but I can't vote". Why does Commonwealth fall under the Tanjong Pagar GRC? Why am I in the Holland-Bukit Timah GRC when I live in Bukit Panjang? To be honest, I know Dr Teo Ho Pin better than Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and that has got to say something. Not supporting either side, I would say that GRC is unfair, but more for the opposition. When it was first introduced in 1988, the oppositions had difficulties finding sufficient competent team members to form a team to compete for the GRCs and further more, PAP created GRCs to gain an advantage so that they can introduce fresh new candidates. If your GRC has Lee Kuan Yew, will it matter how lousy his other team members are? No, because one Lee Kuan Yew is enough to make you vote for PAP.
Another thing I heard these few days was a patient - an old lady- who promoted the opposition and urged other people to vote for them, only to end off with a line, "but I will vote for PAP because I want my lift to be upgraded." This week I happened to take a trip to Potong Pasir and from my observations, I have to admit that under Chiam See Tong, the place is pretty old and run down. I'm not faulting him because I think ultimately if the people are happy with the way things are working/worked, why not? I also think it is unfair for MM Lee to say that if Aljunied is won over by the oppositions, the people cannot expect PAP not to look after their own constituencies first. This is first and foremost, a good reason not to vote for the PAP. How can a government not remain impartial regardless of what party is involved? My government is not made up of a single party and if I can vote, I will not vote for one who is abusing his powers just to scare the citizens into voting for him. Yes, PAP has stood for years but ultimately, Singapore's reserves belong to the government and not PAP!
I don't live in Hougang but I believe it has been well-managed by Mr Low Thia Khiang. Once again, there must be a reason why the people living in Hougang loves him. Although right now I don't see the WP promising much other than their 8-point plan revealed yesterday, I believe that under Mr Low, he will make full use of the resources provided to improve the welfare of the people. So far our government has been fine with Mr Low and Mr Chiam in it, what's going to go wrong? I don't believe our government will collapse just because we have more oppositions. I believe in diversity, in debates, in varied opinions because ultimately, everyone in any party should place the citizens as the first priority.
Of course, I'm sounding pro-opposition now but actually, we all know that if Mr Low does get the Aljunied GRC, we're going to lose a good FA minister. Having heard Mr George Yeo spoke in HC, I know that he is an intellectual man who does care about his people. Frankly speaking, I'll be in a dilemma if I'm in the Aljunied GRC, so I'm hoping that the people will vote wisely and not waste their votes! I also think its important to think about what improvements can be made in our future lives, and not just focus on what has been done. As a colleague of mine says, "we must vote for our children!"
There's so many stories on both sides, its impossible to read everything!
On a side note, Nel is damn slack in tekong!!! I think he'll turn fat, which is really good cause he is a tad too skinny! My hair is long enough to be tied into a ponytail but I'm going to get it cut tmr!
