General Elections 06
Its election time in Singapore...and the local media here seem to be stoking the flames of election fever through their widespread - and some would argue, biased - coverage.
Some random observations:
1. As seen from CNA's coverage during Nomination Day, predictability is the name of the game. No surprises to see wide-eyed journalists rushing to obtain sound-bytes from only-all-too-obliging PAP members. That's TV news for you - spot on, Neil Postman. One of the worst questions ever-posed to the PM: "Do you feel confident about the PAP's chances?"
2. Interesting to note that almost none of the opposition members were asked about their plans...
Now for more serious food for thought:
It's going to be good to see how the battle lines are shaping out to be like. Clearly, the Workers' Party (despite what the 3Ms have said) are looking like a whole lot more prepared and serious in its work. For its sake though, I do hope that it does not try and engage the PAP's on its strengths (i.e. its ability to mobilize resources to meet material needs), but rather to engage the men-in-white at a different level (questioning the materialistic rhetoric, for instance).
In my opinion, the move to field 5 young candidates at AMK GRC is a masterstroke (they're unlikely to beat the PAP machinery helmed by PM Lee) as it will be an indicator of how the younger folks think and vote. I would venture to suggest in fact, that, the WP's candidates are more likely to be favored among the young (esp. those who are skeptical of the promises of progress and disillusioned with the general state of political affairs). The question though: can the opposition provide a realistic alternative - is something that remains to be seen.
All said, I think GE06 is very much shaping to be a pivotal moment in domestic politics. More than just a clash of political parties, it is - in fact - an indicator of how the future of Singapore as a nation-state would develop and how ideas - propagated and circulated throughout the years - do have consequences.
Some random observations:
1. As seen from CNA's coverage during Nomination Day, predictability is the name of the game. No surprises to see wide-eyed journalists rushing to obtain sound-bytes from only-all-too-obliging PAP members. That's TV news for you - spot on, Neil Postman. One of the worst questions ever-posed to the PM: "Do you feel confident about the PAP's chances?"
2. Interesting to note that almost none of the opposition members were asked about their plans...
Now for more serious food for thought:
It's going to be good to see how the battle lines are shaping out to be like. Clearly, the Workers' Party (despite what the 3Ms have said) are looking like a whole lot more prepared and serious in its work. For its sake though, I do hope that it does not try and engage the PAP's on its strengths (i.e. its ability to mobilize resources to meet material needs), but rather to engage the men-in-white at a different level (questioning the materialistic rhetoric, for instance).
In my opinion, the move to field 5 young candidates at AMK GRC is a masterstroke (they're unlikely to beat the PAP machinery helmed by PM Lee) as it will be an indicator of how the younger folks think and vote. I would venture to suggest in fact, that, the WP's candidates are more likely to be favored among the young (esp. those who are skeptical of the promises of progress and disillusioned with the general state of political affairs). The question though: can the opposition provide a realistic alternative - is something that remains to be seen.
All said, I think GE06 is very much shaping to be a pivotal moment in domestic politics. More than just a clash of political parties, it is - in fact - an indicator of how the future of Singapore as a nation-state would develop and how ideas - propagated and circulated throughout the years - do have consequences.
posted by Benjamin Ho at
1:17 AM
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