Latka 1st Gear May 23, 2011 Share May 23, 2011 Quite clear thinking. ST Forum May 23, 2011 The line between party and nation THE existence of different political parties in a country is considered a hallmark of democracy. However, there is a vast difference between many Third World countries and First World countries in how the political system works. In some Third World countries, it is not just wholesome rivalry between parties but deep hostility that often manifests in assassination, detention and persecution. One admirable feature of some First World democracies is that when the election is over, the opponents shake hands and get down to work together for the greater good of the nation with little personal ill feelings. The interest of the nation prevails over that of the party. In other words, the line between the party and the nation is distinct. Not many Asian countries are able to observe that distinction thoroughly. In one general election here some time back, I was disappointed to see the leader of the winning party coming on television to warn the constituency that voted against the party that it would not enjoy the benefits other constituencies would. I feel that once a candidate is elected, he should serve all people without distinction. On National Day, I feel something amiss when People's Action Party parliamentarians show up in party uniform. National Day, unlike a party rally, is for the whole nation, and the celebration should signify a united nation. There is a Chinese saying that different roads can lead to the same destination. Even though there is a dominant one-party rule in Singapore, I hope different parties can see clearly the way to the ultimate, overriding interest of the nation. I was very impressed by an unusual phenomenon in Malaysia in the 1970s when Dr Tan Chee Khoon, an opposition leader, was appointed chairman of the University of Malaya Council. We are a small country; talent are hard to come by and they should not have a party label. I hope all our parliamentarians who have something valuable to contribute can be fully made use of in our government regardless of their party backgrounds. Dr Ong Siew Chey ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zak7182 Neutral Newbie May 23, 2011 Share May 23, 2011 This one should ask the so called "founding father of modern spore" WHY lei? But I do not subscribe to the above. I will only say "thank you" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonyng 4th Gear May 23, 2011 Share May 23, 2011 Good piece! The line between party and nation has been blurred in areas we do not see also. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chpeck Clutched May 23, 2011 Share May 23, 2011 Dreamt about it, wrote a few paragraphs and expect the impossible to happen? This is like saying "everybody should be rich in Singapore" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Clutched May 23, 2011 Share May 23, 2011 Wait for one day if and when WP becomes the ruling party, if they do appoint a opposition party to lead say a ministry. For our National Day, they were only wearing white-on-white. I saw LTK wearing blue tops on one NDP, we did not make an issue here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jkcs Neutral Newbie May 23, 2011 Share May 23, 2011 Wait for one day if and when WP becomes the ruling party, if they do appoint a opposition party to lead say a ministry. the day after u passed on, PAP is still the govt of SG and for many many years to come, y assumed something that is impossible? For our National Day, they were only wearing white-on-white. I saw LTK wearing blue tops on one NDP, we did not make an issue here. wow, u can spot LTK on NDP, not bad. which year was that? i see if xinmsn have or not Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Relacklabrudder 1st Gear May 23, 2011 Share May 23, 2011 Wait for one day if and when WP becomes the ruling party, if they do appoint a opposition party to lead say a ministry. For our National Day, they were only wearing white-on-white. I saw LTK wearing blue tops on one NDP, we did not make an issue here. LTK should have worn Singapore colours with flag as symbol, sure win over many ppl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donut Supercharged May 23, 2011 Share May 23, 2011 We still have the 3rd World mentality. 1st World countries will never link party to nation. These 2 are different issues. In 1st World countries, it doesnt matter what party win the election, life still goes on, economy continues to grow or decline according to global climate. Property prices will continue to flutcuate accordingly. In SG, many of us think if PAP falls, SG will fall.... its really a 3rd World mentality. Like N Korea, ppl there still think that if Kim dynasty falls, N Korea will fall. Any difference between SG and N Korea? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chpeck Clutched May 23, 2011 Share May 23, 2011 Any difference between SG and N Korea? N Korea has no COE. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donut Supercharged May 23, 2011 Share May 23, 2011 N Korea has no COE. and foreign talents, with a dead one in water tank...... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph22 Turbocharged May 23, 2011 Share May 23, 2011 and foreign talents, with a dead one in water tank...... think comparing NK to SG is no brainer. N K citizen will gladly trade place with us. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
1fast1 Supersonic May 23, 2011 Share May 23, 2011 think comparing NK to SG is no brainer. N K citizen will gladly trade place with us. Prepare to be very surprised. A lot of NK citizens are brainwashed to the point that they think their country is the very best. Ironically similar to many of our fellow citizens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mdfaz 2nd Gear May 23, 2011 Share May 23, 2011 A friend of mine who is in grassroots told me: every CC (Community Centre) has an adviser who is a PAP MP i/c of the ward. And for CCC (citizens consultative committee) meetings, the advisor is also the PAP MP. A lot of these people doing grassroots has been serving the PAP for so long that the line between serving the party and nation has already been blurred (not all, there are exceptions though)... for instance when PAP lost Aljunied, I recall reading in ST that the grassroot leaders met Zainul and asked if they should continue serving or not. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph22 Turbocharged May 23, 2011 Share May 23, 2011 Prepare to be very surprised. A lot of NK citizens are brainwashed to the point that they think their country is the very best. Ironically similar to many of our fellow citizens. just like iraq?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrolexB 1st Gear May 23, 2011 Share May 23, 2011 I always cannot understand this. When opp party wins, the constituency will not enjoy upgrade. Come on. The losers can jolly well bring along the people doing the upgrade projects with them. Winning party, bring their talents in to take over managing the upgrade projects. But why no upgrade at all leh ? The funding is from the budget, belonging to the country, not belonging to P@P. What rights they have to stop Opp party constituency from upgrading ? Given the funds, I bet Opp Parties can do just as good the job. ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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