Originally Posted by Geylang OKT
Vote Opposition! Vote for lower property prices!
Make it clear.
Opposition say only for first hand HDB flats for first time buyers, singles and low income.
Junior
Vote Opposition! Vote for lower property prices!
Make it clear.
Opposition say only for first hand HDB flats for first time buyers, singles and low income.
I sell Cheese Pie
Vote Opposition! Vote for raiding Singapore's reserves!
Junior
Yep, the same applies to PAP MPs.we just cannot anyhow vote for OPP without considering their abilities and proposals/promises ...
they deserved to be voted in by their own merits and not just bcoz they shd be voted in to make up for the 1/3 strength
WP slogan very power this round....FIRST WORLD PARLIAMENT!
i only keep listening them shouting this slogan.....other den tat wat u hear from them?
according to them, those who continue to vote for PAP r cowards!
according to them, 1st world parliament must hf at least 1/3 opposition.....alternative voices.....but tat doesnt mean they r entitled to be voted in?!?!
tats my impression i received from last nite rally.....
Voters should not vote for PAP just because PAP do not want competition and do not want 1/3 Parliament to be Opposition.
Voters should send a signal to PAP to drop GRC scheme as too many undeserving PAP MPs have went into Parliament via this scheme.
GRC scheme corrodes the the quality of MPs.
The guy who took over scandalous Steve Tan last minute is a guy call Chia who never force to answer hard questions and face the public.
Whatever SM Goh said does not apply to Opposition because Opposition manage to attract private sector top talent without money , GRC and power.
http://singabloodypore.wordpress.com...ws-of-the-grc/
http://www.yawningbread.org/arch_2006/yax-615.htm
Goh Chok Tong admits that GRCs are meant to skew
27 June 2006
Straits Times
GRCs make it easier to find top talent: SM
Without good chance of winning at polls, they might not be willing to risk careers for politics
By Li Xueying
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong yesterday gave a new take on the role of Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) in Singapore politics. Their role is not just to ensure minorities are adequately represented in Parliament, he said. They also contribute to Singapore's political stability, by 'helping us to recruit younger and capable candidates with the potential to become ministers'.
'Without some assurance of a good chance of winning at least their first election, many able and successful young Singaporeans may not risk their careers to join politics,' Mr Goh said at an event marking the appointment of members to the South East Community Development Council (CDC).
'Why should they when they are on the way up in the civil service, the SAF, and in the professions or the corporate world?'
But he was quick to add that GRCs themselves do not guarantee victory.
'A minister wins only because he has won the people's trust and the Government has delivered good results for the people. If a minister performed poorly, it could result in his losing the GRC to an opposing team with a strong leader,' he said, in what appears to be an oblique reference to comments made against GRCs in the general election held this May.
Since GRCs were introduced in 1988, critics and the opposition have attacked them, saying they allow rookie People's Action Party (PAP) candidates to get into Parliament on the coat tails of heavyweight candidates in their team.
Also, they do not lend themselves to a level playing field, they add, as the opposition struggles to find the specified minority-race candidates.
Mr Goh carried four new faces into Parliament in the six-man Marine Parade GRC team, which was unchallenged at the 2006 polls.
Altogether, the PAP had 24 new faces. One was Mr Teo Ser Luck, former general manager of courier company DHL and now Parliamentary Secretary (Community Development, Youth and Sports).
He acknowledges that for a rookie politician, being part of a team ensures that 'you have a bigger chance of winning'.
'If you're fighting individually, you go through a steep learning curve and you may not have enough time,' he added.
East Coast GRC MP Lee Yi Shyan, who left his job as chief executive officer of IE Singapore and is today Minister of State (Trade and Industry), concurred 'If the system can remove as many impediments as possible, then the political system will be able to get more people to join.'
But both told The Straits Times they would have entered politics even if they had been fielded in a single-seat ward. Said Mr Lee with a laugh 'You could say that I'm more confident of myself!'
In his speech, Mr Goh also stressed that the PAP's ability to attract capable individuals and its practice of political self-renewal were key to Singapore's success.
As if Lee Hsien Loong's remarks denigrating Australia were not enough to convince people how anti-democratic the Singapore government is, Senior Minister (and former PM) Goh Chok Tong has now provided more evidence.
In his latest speech, Goh said that one of the purposes of Group Representation Constituencies [1] was to help People's Action Party (PAP) candidates win election easily.
There! He has admitted it. The State and its electoral system have been corrupted to serve partisan ends.
Goh was quite brazen about it. He said that the role of GRCs was not just to ensure minorities are adequately represented -– a nearly 2-decades-old justification for GRCs. By doing so, he has conceded that for the last 2 decades, the PAP been less than truthful about their motives.
His logic was that the ends justify the means. The PAP wanted to put "younger and capable candidates" into Parliament, but they might not want to risk their careers to join politics. Solution? Remove risk. Change the electoral system.
Not only do we have a winner-takes-all effect in GRCs, in practice, every GRC team is led by a minister or political heavyweight and new candidates get into office by riding their coattails.
The arrogance displayed by such distortions to a democratic system that we inherited from the British may be bad enough, but now, there is the added arrogance of Goh saying to the effect that: Yes we distorted the system at the price of fairness, so what?
They are not even ashamed of themselves.
But why now? Why has Goh now admitted it?
I think this change in tack has to do with the realisation that pretending that the system has not been distorted no longer washes. That battle has been lost. Singaporeans, by a large majority, in my opinion, agree that GRCs are electorally unfair.
This explains Goh's new line of defence. So it's unfair, he says, but it's for Singapore's good, because it's the only way to get top talent into government. Singapore benefits, is his message.
* * * * *
The terrible danger lies in who gets to define talent, and how. Why is talent-spotting a closed-door affair conducted by the PAP, with the "stars" fast-tracked into ministerial office?
An equally acute question raised by Goh's statement is this: What constitutes talent? There is the suspicion, once we talk about "talent" in the singular, that it is measured on a kind of linear scale. Once it is seen as linear, there follows the tendency to determine "talent" by very selective measures.
A good example is the experience of IQ measurement. We now know that in fact it is a very narrow measure, and that it can't even measure things like kinetic intelligence, animal empathy or aesthetic sense, let alone other essential life skills such as the ability to get along with others and a sense of ethics.
Using IQ measures alone to choose the "best" would give one a very skewed sample. Some critical skills would likely be under-represented among the select.
Yet we also know from ecology that it is diversity that gives a community resilience. Unexpected changes can happen to the external environment and it can be the individual with previously under-rated skills who may hold the key to survival. Selection using a narrow set of determinants tend to result in great similarity among the selected, but ecology tells us, a colony of clones is the worst possible situation to find yourself in.
Is that what we're getting?
Consider this: if candidates win election because the playing field is tilted in their favour, how capable are they of convincing and moving people? And when adverse conditions hit Singapore and tough decisions or sacrifices need to be made, who is there with the skills to persuade and lead? Isn't that a "talent" that needs to be identified and tested?
How many Singaporeans identify with any of the PAP ministers and new MPs? What is the ratio of trust to cynicism?
If they have to be invited to serve, with green lights assured to be flashing all the way into Parliament House, with material perks to match, how much passion will these people have to stay and soldier on when things turn rough?
So what do we mean by "capable"?
* * * * *
The Straits Times interviewed 2 new MPs. Both added to justifications (rationalizations) for the GRC system. Teo Ser Luck said that a rookie politician would face a "steep learning curve and may not have enough time" if he had to stand for election on his own rather than be part of a team.
Interestingly, he didn't seem to question why a steep learning curve was so bad that it should be avoided by rigging the system.
Lee Yi Shyan said "If the system can remove as many impediments as possible, then the political system will be able to get more people to join."
If this is the quality of "talent", heaven help us! Lee does not seem to realize that he has just confused the "system" with the PAP. Get more people to join? Join who?
One can equally argue that the political system has made it more difficult for people to join, and that far from "removing impediments", it has thrown up barriers of entry to others who do not wish to be co-opted into the PAP.
Do we see groupthink here? And what is the difference between groupthink and being a colony of clones?
Please, someone prove me wrong. Dare I hope for even one PAP guy to stand up and say Goh was wrong and that his comments further damaged Singapore? Adding to political cynicism can't be good for our republic. If any PAP man or woman has any integrity left, he should come out of the closet and say it is wrong to distort the system thus, and that the wrong must be rectified. At once.
© Yawning Bread
Bricks & Mortar
Who is responsible for checking how much we have in our reserve? Do u know how much is in our National Reserve? I think every 5 years at least we need to know....if Temasek is not obliged to account or reveal, then PM, maybe not right as we vote our President to help all citizens to check., so how ? Every 5 years, check 1 time, cannot say we are asking for too much information?Vote Opposition! Vote for raiding Singapore's reserves!
I am sure each of us would at least know roughly how much we haven our personal bank accountant how many properties we owned at any 1 time, even if they are joint account or joint owners
Junior
Poor turnout at PAP’s first GE rally
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singa...184231332.html
Candidates (L-R) Gan Thiam Poh, Zainal Sapari, Penny Low, Teo Chee Hean, Teo Ser Luck and Janil Puthucheary. (Yahoo! …
If the outcome for this General Election was based purely on rally attendances, the Opposition would win hands down.
An estimated 2,500 people, many of whom were hardcore party supporters, turned up for the People's Action Party's (PAP) first rally for the 2011 General Election at the field beside Buangkok MRT station on Thursday evening.
That figure pales in comparison to the rallies for the Worker's Party in Hougang (estimated 20,000), in Geylang East for National Solidarity Party (estimated 5,000), in Clementi stadium for Reform Party (estimated 4,000) and near Commonwealth MRT for Singapore Democratic Party (estimated 3,000).
Supporters there with flags and banners to support the PAP team. (Yahoo Photo/Marianne)
Present at the PAP rally were candidates contesting Pasir Ris-Punggol Group Representation Constituency (GRC), Punggol East Single Member Constituency (SMC) and Sengkang West SMC.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean stumbled early on in his speech, after he wrongly addressed the audience as a "Siglap crowd." He quickly made amends and address his audience as from "Sengkang West".
On the topic of Singapore's cash reserves, DPM Teo -- who is leading the Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC team -- talked about the purpose of the reserve and how it helped Singaporeans tide over the financial downturn in the last five years.
"Now, however, the opposition parties seem to have forgotten why we need the reserves... and they now want to raid the reserves for all kinds of clever ideas," he said.
DPM Teo challenged the opposition's intention of using cash reserves. (Yahoo! photo)
"To them, 60 billion dollars is small change," said the DPM before rhetorically asking the audience, "Do you know how many zeros there are in 60 billion? That to the government, is not small change."
Michael Palmer, the PAP candidate for Punggol East also impressed residents when he spoke fluent Mandarin.
"If you elect the PAP team for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, Punggol East SMC, the Pasir Ris Punggol Town Council will continue to see and manage the facilities of both Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC and the newly carved out Punggol East SMC," said the 43-year-old lawyer.
He also announced that he will be appointed the town council chairman if elected and this appointment would ensure a seamless continuation of service without interruptions or any transition periods.
Palmer also asked voters to think carefully about the three-cornered challenge posed by Desmond Lim from the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) and Workers' Party Lee Li Lian for Punggol East SMC.
"They have not worked the ground but appeared seven weeks before the Polling Day. Mr Lim said then (in 2006) that even if he did not win, he would continue to work the ground until the next election. After the election, we did not see Mr Lim for the next four-and-a-half years," said Palmer.
Supporters for Pasir Ris- Punggol East candidate Penny Wong. (Yahoo! photo)
Spotted in the crowd was former army chief and PAP candidate Chan Chun Sing whose Tanjong Pagar GRC was the only ward not contested. He was seen walking around alone surveying trying to gain a different perspective from his "backstage view".
"I would say that a majority of Singaporeans are very logical and considered people. To make you vote, people can say things to stir your emotions and those things said may not be of substance," he said.
A spectator who declined to be named told Yahoo! Singapore she was asked to attend the PAP rally to lend support.
When asked who her employer was, she said "PCF", referring to the PAP Community Foundation organization known for it's pre-school kindergartens.
A fair number of youths were also seen at the rally listening attentively to the various speeches.
Nan, a 22-year-old student, said she had been a resident around the area since she was born.
"I'm very excited about this election because of the opposition. I'm not very experienced though," said the first-time voter.
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Junior
yes yes........Vote Opposition! Vote for raiding Singapore's reserves!
VOTE OPPOSITION!! VOTE FOR PROPERTY CRASH
VOTEOPPOSITION!! VOTE FORPROPERTY CRASH
VOTEOPPOSITION!! VOTE FORPROPERTY CRASH
VOTEOPPOSITION!! VOTE FORPROPERTY CRASH
VOTEOPPOSITION!! VOTE FORPROPERTY CRASH
VOTEOPPOSITION!! VOTE FORPROPERTY CRASH
VOTEOPPOSITION!! VOTE FORPROPERTY CRASH
Junior
please, PAP is equally guilty of it or worse, had already actually committed the crimeVote Opposition! Vote for raiding Singapore's reserves!
Bricks & Mortar
If crash, many would jump in to buy some more, foreigners may also buy more....
Junior
Amazing GE Pictures
http://www.flickr.com/search/show/?q...lections&s=rec
Junior
PAP already raiding reserves with all the 500 milion dollar plans for estate upgrading.Vote Opposition! Vote for raiding Singapore's reserves!
Be prepared for GST 10% to pay for all these.
Junior
Fearmongering.
But it will be good news for my grandchildren who can afford to buy with their $3000 fresh graduate pay.
Exalted
CRASH IS GOOD!!!!!!!!
RAID RESERVES IS GOOD!!!!!!!
300BILLION RESERVES PLENTY PLENTY!!! GOLDMINE CANNOT USE FINISH ONE LAH!!!
60BIL SMALL CHANGE....CAN LAST FOR 5YRS!!!! JUST ON TIME FOR NEXT ELECTION!!!!
DEN NEXT PARTY CAN CONTINUE TO SPEND AND SPEND....NEGATIVE BUDGET EVERY YR AND WHEN PPL QUESTION THEM....THEY SIMPLY SAY PREVIOUS PARTY SPEND IT....Y I CANNOT MEH?!?!
SPEND & SPEND!!!!! ABOLISH PAY & PAY!!!
just for laugh
Exalted
FEARMONGERING
Junior
aiyo...tharman already said no GST increase for 5 yrs. unless he is guniang and go back his word
Junior
paste nicole seah lah.......we are more interested in her pics
Bricks & Mortar
Is our National Reserve= 100% Temasek portfolio value?CRASH IS GOOD!!!!!!!!
RAID RESERVES IS GOOD!!!!!!!
300BILLION RESERVES PLENTY PLENTY!!! GOLDMINE CANNOT USE FINISH ONE LAH!!!
60BIL SMALL CHANGE....CAN LAST FOR 5YRS!!!! JUST ON TIME FOR NEXT ELECTION!!!!
SPEND & SPEND!!!!! ABOLISH PAY & PAY!!!
just for laugh
I just check Temasek annual 2010 report, portfolio value is S$186 bil only
http://www.temasekreport.com/2010/ov...in_review.html
Where to add up to $300bil? Other reserves elsewhere, not in Temasek?
Exalted
to b frank i duno how much we haf...i just quote tat NSP guys figures....200-300bil...cud be more
Junior
Yeah but his boss PM Lee never give.
Besides , it is base on conditions only if cost of government did not rise and Budget spending did not rise.
Who controls cost of government and budget spending ?
PAP only.
Exalted
yeah....vote for opposition!!!!!!!!!!!! vote for zero GST!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Junior
u forgot GIC
Bricks & Mortar
Tharman Shanmugaratnam is chairman of IMF board, have to respect what he say..., cannot u turn la..., if not next time when he speak on behalf of IMF, who will believe him?
Actually, since he is IMF chairman, we can borrow from IMF....either Temasek or Opposition raid until zero..., sure can borrow...
Junior
Tharman is not IMF Board Chairman.Tharman Shanmugaratnam is chairman of IMF board, have to respect what he say..., cannot u turn la..., if not next time when he speak on behalf of IMF, who will believe him?
Actually, since he is IMF chairman, we can borrow from IMF....either Temasek or Opposition raid until zero..., sure can borrow...
He is a Chairman of an IMF Committee.
The previous Chairman of this committee is Finance Minister of ousted President Mubarak of Egypt.
So you can draw your own conclusions how important is this committee to IMF.
Junior
Look carefully, there are Nicole Seah Pictures.
Go her FB and Hardwarezone, 3in1 Kopitiam, the onlinecitizen, the temasek review and Sammyboy for more.
Junior
http://www.sammyboy.com/showthread.p...-2006-election
Broken Promises from 2006 election
Junior
Opposition also said PRs should not be able to buy HDB.
Exalted
which party?!
i vote for them!!!!!!!! LOL
HDB shdnt be allowed to sublet too!
the situation now: ppl continue to keep HDB after they bot a condo....move in to condo and rent out HDB.....if they not allow to keep HDB after buying pte ppty....more supply of resale flats!!!
condo rental go up or px go up NVM! make PR/foreigner pay for the high cost of living! singaporeans always got HDB to fall back on!!
agree? LOL
Bricks & Mortar
Ya, GIC, but their 2009/2010 report never state portfolio value.
http://www.gic.com.sg/data/pdf/GIC_Report_2010.pdf
Article below only say about s$100bil
http://www.ai-cio.com/channel/ASSET_...utperform.html
Tuesday, September 28, 2010 11:49:43 AM
GIC Recoups Losses, Reveals Emerging Markets Outperform
The Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, manager of more than $100 billion of reserves, has released its annual report for the third year, revealing positive news: a recoup of most of the losses made in 2008 as stock markets rebounded.
(September 28, 2010) -- The Singapore state investment agency - the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) - has recovered most of its losses caused by the 2008 financial crisis, and has said it will focus increasingly on emerging markets as they trump developed economies.
"…we expect high growth in the emerging economies to continue, with expanding domestic demand offsetting slower growth in export demand," group chief investment officer Ng Kok Song said in GIC's annual report.
Late Monday, the GIC, ranked as the world’s sixth-largest state investment company by Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute in California, revealed the average rate of return on its investments increased to 7.1% in US dollar terms in the year ending March, up from 5.7% the previous year. The fund revealed holdings in the US fell to 36% of its portfolio in the year ended March 31 from 38% the previous year.
TEMASEK + GIC=100% National Reserves ?
Last edited by land118; 29-04-11 at 17:43.
Junior
All parties.
PRs sell HDB for profit and return to their Indias, Indonesias, Phillipines,
Chinas, etc
HDB is a good plan but should be only for Singapore citizens.
Private Property logics, speculations and investments should not be applicable for HDB.
Exalted
existing HDB owners dun bash me if it really happen!which party?!
i vote for them!!!!!!!! LOL
HDB shdnt be allowed to sublet too!
the situation now: ppl continue to keep HDB after they bot a condo....move in to condo and rent out HDB.....if they not allow to keep HDB after buying pte ppty....more supply of resale flats!!!
condo rental go up or px go up NVM! make PR/foreigner pay for the high cost of living! singaporeans always got HDB to fall back on!!
agree? LOL
Exalted
HDB shd only be bot for purely own stay!
not allowed to sublet!
can only sublet out rooms to supplement ur income and provided u continue to stay in it!
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