Roy Ngerng Profile picture
20 Feb, 12 tweets, 3 min read
Some questions Singaporeans need to ask:

The People's Action Party (PAP) is already at its 4th & 5th generation leadership. How would we rate each successive generation?

If corresponding to vote share:

1st = 73%
2nd = 67%
3rd = 64%
4th = 61%
5th = 55%?

How would you rate it?
However, at which point do we want to start rebalancing Singapore's political situation?

When PAP's performance drops below 60%? 55%? 50%?

Do we want to wait for PAP to fail miserably before we try to prepare for an alternative scenario?

Will it be too late then?
For Singapore's long term stability, is it the interest of Singaporeans to prepare Singapore's political scene for a stable transition that involves multiple parties having the ability to negotiate and perform in a manner that will facilitate a smooth transition of power.
However, some questions need to be addressed. #COVID19 has exposed fissures within the PAP that hinders a stable transition of power. The lack of awareness within PAP over how TraceTogether data is used suggests disagreement in how the privacy of Singaporeans should be protected.
How the POFMA anti-disinformation law is being used sparingly to deal with actual disinformation being spread during #COVID19 also suggests there are some among PAP who do not align with the draconian measures being propagated by certain factions within the party.
Law and Home Affairs Minister Shanmugam plays a large part in promoting the draconian laws in Singapore used to curtail the speech and rights of Singapore, and Shanmugam therefore represents the old relic and legacy of past draconian behavior incompatible with current times.
In order for Singapore to move toward a more collaborative future, there is therefore a need to break with past oppressive legacy measures, and it is paramount that Shanmugam's involvement in Singapore's politics is reduced/removed, and a more progressive legal system installed.
The other question pertains to the readiness of Singaporeans to play a more active role in social organization in Singapore. Given how the PAP can provide fewer assurances as to how Singapore will develop, it is important for Singaporeans to step up to a more participatory role.
In order to do so, Singaporeans need to look at how they need to become more willing to partake in conversations surrounding the society and economy, and to develop more collaborative approaches and reduce polarization. It requires a willingness to adopt viewpoints on issues.
In the event that the PAP falters in its ability, and a new government is elected, Singaporeans would need to take on the role of helping shape policies and decision-making with the new government, as part of ensuring a smooth transition.
Some of the questions that need to be thought about are: should a segment of society continue to live on the low wages that prevents them from being active members in contributing to society? Is Singapore able to progress if a segment of society is left behind?
To build a more collaborative future for Singapore, what are the conversations we need to have? Do current laws prevent these conversations from being had, if ethnic minorities who speak up are being unfairly held to task, for example?

We need to start thinking about these now.

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