How GE 2011 proved me

[Spoony]

hey guys check what Catherine lim has written

 

 

Below is a article, written 8 May by well-known Singaporean author Catherine Lim,

 

on her reaction following the recent GE 2011.

This was forwarded to the ST Forum which requires her to make major amendments before publication.

In response she has decided to post it in her blog site instead.

 

GE 2011--Catherine Lim

 

For 17 years, since 1994, I had been writing commentaries on various issues in the Singapore political scene. Whether these were long-standing problems such as the emotional divide between the PAP leadership and the people, or specific issues such as the controversial increase in ministerial salaries, the articles invariably identified the underlying cause as the unrelenting authoritarianism of the PAP government, with all that this implies of stern, punitive measures used by the leaders, and of timid compliance shown by the led.

 

Even as I made a plea for a political opening up, I could not shake off the pessimism that the PAP

[Topgun]

Thanks for posting here. And I like this, bump up!

[Jolie888]

Yeah Catherine Lim (aka "Wonder Woman") ... my teacher in CJC, many, many years ago!

In perfect English too, just as we were taught to speak and write

Edited May 11, 2011 by Jolie888

[Joseph22]

Yeah Catherine Lim (aka "Wonder Woman") ... my teacher in CJC, many, many years ago!

In perfect English too, just as we were taught

 

heard her daughter chio

Edited May 11, 2011 by Joseph22

[LoverofCar]

nice post...this election will go down history as the turning point of political system in SIngapore....I will say it is for the better...

[Leok777]

Yeah Catherine Lim (aka "Wonder Woman") ... my teacher in CJC, many, many years ago!

In perfect English too, just as we were taught to speak and write

Someone pls translate for the reading pleasure of FTs

[Topgun]

She's another hero a heroine!

 

Her blog of the above commentary: http://catherinelim.sg/2011/05/09/how-ge-2...derfully-wrong/

 

While googling for her blog, also found this. She must be vindicated, just 4 years after she wrote this:

 

An open letter to the prime minister

Dear Mr Prime Minister,

 

This open letter is a plea which, as a concerned Singaporean, I am making with some confidence, since at no time has your government been more sincere and earnest in inviting feedback to make our society an even better place to live in.

 

My plea concerns the long-standing issue of political openness. It had, in the more than 40 years of PAP rule, been a source of much unease in the relationship between the government and the people. Now and then, the unease would erupt in the open, with the people agitating (usually through permitted channels such as letters to the press, public forums, dialogues with members of parliament, etc) for a long overdue political opening up, and the government firmly, often sternly, reminding them of more important national concerns, such as bread-and-butter matters that affect the lives of everyone.

 

But despite the lack of agreement, there was reason to hope. For there were signs that the PAP leaders saw a political opening up as a necessary goal, even if a very disagreeable one, to be achieved sometime in the future, even if a very distant one. There was no escaping the fact that Singapore, being a permanent member of the free world of practising democracies, is open to international scrutiny. I recollect your PAP colleagues talking about the need to proceed cautiously in the controversial matter of political reform, the need to avoid the perils of

[Zard]

NTUC Income's ex-CEO Tan Kin Lian, Catherine Lim, Leong Tze Hian, Jaslyn Go n who else can contest in GE 2016?

[Jolie888]

Can't recall clearly, but didn't she get reprimanded by MM Lee after writing that letter?

Perhaps to the point of being ostracized?

 

I believe her open letter was published in ST.

[Chemmie78]

i think we must forgive mm lee because he was brought up in the harsh environment where wiping out your opponents is necessary for survival...anyway i am not really angry with the govt except for erp and interferring with the private property market...fugging senseless

[Hermitage]

A wonderful message from an old lady of nearly 70 years! Her never-say-die resolution, coupled with the tone of humility & respect in her words, make her letters all the more powerful & moving.

 

Why no reply from PM ah? Think he really "dunno what to say" liao!! TPL got even 1/8 of her intelligence anot ah?

[Topgun]

A wonderful message from an old lady of nearly 70 years! Her never-say-die resolution, coupled with the tone of humility & respect in her words, make her letters all the more powerful & moving.

 

Why no reply from PM ah? Think he really "dunno what to say" liao!! TPL got even 1/8 of her intelligence anot ah?

 

Since the PM has apologized publicly, maybe it's time he replies to her letter 4 years (too) late