Parkingidiot 1st Gear April 19, 2011 Share April 19, 2011 GE: Ground "not so sweet" for elections, says SM Goh By Maria Siow | Posted: 18 April 2011 2322 hrs Singapore Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong SINGAPORE : Singapore's Senior Minister, Goh Chok Tong, has said the issue of rising costs has rendered the ground "not so sweet" for elections. Speaking to the Singapore media at the end of his visit to China, Mr Goh said: "I would not duck the issue, because politics is about people's livelihood. Therefore, rising cost is a very big issue facing, not just Singapore, but facing every other country." He questioned whether having more opposition members in Parliament would solve the problem. He also pointed out that the government had transferred cash to the people, which more than offset additional costs due to inflation. On immigration, Mr Goh said the government recognized it as a concern among citizens, and has moderated the flow. But he said doing so has economic trade-offs that sometimes may not be apparent to the people. Mr Goh also commented on People's Action Party chairman Lim Boon Heng's recent public display of emotions. He said: "The man might be very quiet, might be very reticent, he has emotions, so he's very human. Right? So in this particular case, I can understand why he broke down - because he was against the setting up of the IRs (integrated resorts). We had to debate. "He was a very staunch Catholic - he was against it. We debated. We debated among the cabinet members, among ourselves, and he debated within himself. "From the point of religion, he would say no. In fact, he said so quite clearly. He would be against it from that ground. But then he was a union leader - he had to create jobs." In reply to a question on new candidates standing in single member constituencies, Senior Minster Goh said the PAP strategy is to field incumbents. So whether it is Heng Swee Keat, Chan Chun Sing, or Tan Chuan Jin - they are members of the team, so we fight as a team in GRCs, and the 12 singles will fight as singles. And of course, the whole party will fight as a party to win the elections." Turning to the slate and quality of opposition candidates, Mr Goh said it is easy for some voters to be impressed because so few good opposition candidates were fielded in the past. He also said better qualified candidates could be a reflection of a greater interest in politics. He added: "The key is to assess the motivations of the people standing for elections. I am not casting any aspersions on them. I am not suggesting that they have bad motivations. What I am saying is that in the PAP, when we interview candidates, we always try and probe the candidates' motivations. "It's very important. What are your motivations. Is it to advance your self interest, or are you there to serve the people? Are you prepared to make time and energy, and be available to serve the people? "So we probe for motivations, we probe for your convictions, your commitment and of course into your character." When asked about his role in the upcoming election, Senior Minister Goh said it is the prime minister's election and the prime minister will take charge. He said both he and the minister mentor will take on what he called an "active role outside the arena", watching developments and giving the prime minister feedback, when needed. He added: "So my role will be to give some reading where I think it is useful for them to know, but without trying to crimp their style because the government has to fight it their way. "This is the new environment, new electorate, so let them handle the new electorate. And to ensure that I win the Marine Parade GRC, so that two new candidates can be in parliament." The senior minister also defended the PAP Manifesto, which was criticised as being short on details. He said a manifesto cannot be too detailed or it would end up looking like a budget speech. He added: "I frankly would like an elaboration on the challenges facing Singapore because I do believe that we are going into a period of uncertainties. Just look at events in the Middle East. How will that pan out? We don't know yet. "At the moment, the impact is not that large because the oil price has shot up, but Saudi Arabia is pumping more oil into the market, so the oil price is within a manageable limit. "In our case, Singaporeans have not felt the effects of the oil price because we have tightened our monetary policy. The Singapore dollar has strengthened against the US dollar. "So, while the oil price has shot up over 100 dollars, in terms of Singapore dollars, the prices have not gone up very much. So people don't see that." - CNA/al http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin...1123544/1/.html And to ensure that I win the Marine Parade GRC, so that two new candidates can be in parliament." So here it is from Woody's mouth.... he also believes the 2 candidates CANNOT MAKE IT on their own... so they need to hide under his skirt to get into parliament. DISGUSTING! ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxus-MIFA9 Supersonic April 19, 2011 Share April 19, 2011 Hur...... he lost his confidence already ?????????????? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonTan 2nd Gear April 19, 2011 Share April 19, 2011 I think this man is giving lots of hints here and there of his displeasure. Good things always come to an end sooner or later. like what Michael said...."This Is IT!" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watwheels Supersonic April 19, 2011 Share April 19, 2011 When a politician's term is up he should learn to leave decisions to the next man in power and move on. He's just a man after all, he's not going to live forever and oversee the things going on in the country. Should learn to let go. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chengwh492 Clutched April 19, 2011 Share April 19, 2011 EXACTLY! When a politician's term is up he should learn to leave decisions to the next man in power and move on. He's just a man after all, he's not going to live forever and oversee the things going on in the country. Should learn to let go. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ticklish8 3rd Gear April 19, 2011 Share April 19, 2011 I heard even PM Lee not so confident also... If PAP get 55 percent of the popular vote.... consider Bonus already Hur...... he lost his confidence already ?????????????? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadX Moderator April 19, 2011 Share April 19, 2011 I heard even PM Lee not so confident also... If PAP get 55 percent of the popular vote.... consider Bonus already would there be a possibility that the overall % fall below 50%, but they still ruled in? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baphomet 3rd Gear April 19, 2011 Share April 19, 2011 When a politician's term is up he should learn to leave decisions to the next man in power and move on. He's just a man after all, he's not going to live forever and oversee the things going on in the country. Should learn to let go. in singapore context different. He and jayakumar will become minister mentors. And LKY will become Chief minister mentor. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ticklish8 3rd Gear April 19, 2011 Share April 19, 2011 I don't think so.... They will still be in power..... The threshold is still for PAP to lose 1 GRC... Bookies have put Tampines GRC 50:50..... Aljunied will be good fight with Sylvia Lim and Chen Show Mao while Moulmein Kallang will see another good fight if Low Thia Khiang choose to fight there in GRC.... All will be known during Nomination Day... would there be a possibility that the overall % fall below 50%, but they still ruled in? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baphomet 3rd Gear April 19, 2011 Share April 19, 2011 would there be a possibility that the overall % fall below 50%, but they still ruled in? they can always do what they did during 1997 election, Cheng San GRC. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count-Bracula Twincharged April 19, 2011 Share April 19, 2011 Spill more honey and make it sweeter? Looks like a goner this GE2011. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ticklish8 3rd Gear April 19, 2011 Share April 19, 2011 The ground will be less sweet without the 1 May goodies..... Spill more honey and make it sweeter? Looks like a goner this GE2011. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ahtong 1st Gear April 19, 2011 Share April 19, 2011 I feel that this guy wants to retire but cannot do so because it would invalidate the ranking of another guy who has been working beyong retirement since 1991. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ahtong 1st Gear April 19, 2011 Share April 19, 2011 would there be a possibility that the overall % fall below 50%, but they still ruled in? Yes if you factor in spoilt votes. In fact their real mandate should be lower than 66.6% Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Civic2000 Supercharged April 19, 2011 Share April 19, 2011 IT Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assaxefour 1st Gear April 19, 2011 Share April 19, 2011 I feel that this guy wants to retire but cannot do so because it would invalidate the ranking of another guy who has been working beyong retirement since 1991. Interesting, these could which explain why he kept coming out with nonsense to sabo himself. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donut Supercharged April 19, 2011 Share April 19, 2011 LKY already said in his latest book. "Singaporeans will one day get tired of PAP, and they will vote for the opposition. This day will come." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jpcc Clutched April 19, 2011 Share April 19, 2011 they can always do what they did during 1997 election, Cheng San GRC. 和大怨 必有余怨 When the grand chess master pass away, cheng san grc will become a fault line. The little red dot is too small to contain too many potential triggers. ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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