Voting in Singapore's General Elections

Come this weekend, Singaporeans will go to the polls and vote in the General Elections. I have never voted in my life before and will be unable to do so this time. My living situation doesn't quite permit me to do so.

I wish I could vote. This year's elections promises more excitement that I can recall. Singapore has been run and manned by the men in white i.e. the Peoples' Action Party since independence in 1965. Without wanting to sound like a PAP mouthpiece, I acknowledge that the PAP has done very well and many Singaporeans including myself have benefited tremendously. From a village of nothing, Singapore has become one of the shining example of economic success in the world today. A leap from 3rd world status to 1st in a generation (my ex-boss at the World Bank often reminds me of this).

Having said that, the PAP has over the years turned itself (knowingly or not) into a self-preserving, elitist and selfish group of men/women that presumingly view Singaporeans as just another digit, a working machine only capable of producing more (never less), another wheel in the economic grind - seriously. Our worth as Singaporeans is seen primarily in terms of value and productivity. Nothing less. Your opinion and thoughts matter less than what you are capable of producing.

Precisely in this elections, the PAP has failed to convince Singaporeans why it should remain in power and repeating the same mistakes. Someone in PAP should have thought about hiring a PR guru from the beginning - the blunders were too many. For example, my favourite (on why choose PAP), "If your wife is unable to cook, there's no point. You must choose a wife who is able to do things for you". No score for you there, Desmond Choo. What a chauvinist pig!   


To add to that, the smear tactics against opposition, questioning their credibility etc were seriously desperate moves to distract one's attention away from the real core issues. Someone should have reminded the PAP that humility is still a prized quality. I am tired of being dumbed down by a government who somewhat perceives me as maybe never being good enough to understand the complexities of politics and policy issues. 


There can never be real democracy without an opposition. Singaporeans are not keen to overthrow the PAP but what we want to see is more vibrancy and participation in the debate that define our lives. That there are more voices looking out for those who are not able to be part of that discourse, more diversity in perspectives on what's important to ALL Singaporeans, that we don't just grow and grow without understanding and that heart to look out for those that might get left behind. 


I used to be ashamed that Singaporeans has no compassion and empathy but this elections has proved otherwise. That all we cared about is making money and buying the next condo. It's refreshing to hear people talked and openly discussed politics, the real issues at hand, what matters and so on. While it's unfortunate that I can't vote this time (again), let it be known that I am proud of my fellow Singaporeans and my friends there. Good luck!