Opinions

In an earlier article, we discussed the theory that Heng Swee Keat is merely a stop-gap, transitional PM, who would eventually hand over the reins to either Chan Chun Sing or Ong Ye Kung. Clearly, Heng's stint will be severely limited by time and his own age on one hand, and the PAP's own emphasis on continued leadership  renewal. 

Both locals and foreigners alike have depicted Heng as a calm, methodical man with the credentials and gravitas to be a successful PM. They also falling over themselves to paint him as a consultative leader. Perhaps, this was a pre-emptive attempt to pander to the ideals of a more educated, questioning, middle-class society. Or it could be an early move to characterise him as a leader that is different to Lee Hsien Loong. Just like how in the 1990s, there was a deliberate effort to pain Goh Chok Tong as a softer, gentler leader, compared to Lee Kuan Yew. 

Singaporeans should not be swayed by the narrative of the mainstream media and the PAP. They should look at the policies implemented by Heng, as well as his actions, and then decide for themselves.

Human rights activist Jolovan Wham articulated it best when he contended that it was easier to be consultative and to do things through consensus in a top-down polity like Singapore. The grassroots organisations, trade unions, and civil society are co-opted, if not already marginalised. There are no real challenges or problems for the PAP to manage. There is no real opposition.

Heng has also implemented unpopular policies. In his current stint as Finance Minister, he is overseeing the policy of increasing GST rates from 7% to 9%. In a post-Budget interview with CNA, Heng acknowledged that Singaporeans were concerned about how the increase in GST would affect the cost of living and the quality of life for most Singaporeans.  His reaction to this was merely to reassure Singaporeans that this was a prudent policy to secure funding for the future. Consultative? Maybe. However, that has not stopped him from reassessing or reconsidering the implementation of the GST increase. He is demonstrating the same elitist detachment that is characteristic of most of his PAP leadership. 

Heng has not given a specific date for the eventual increase. The implementation will only be done some time between 2021 and 2025. Guess what, by most accounts, he will be PM by that time.

What will Heng do if the global and domestic situations take a turn for the worse? What happens if cost of living in Singapore becomes more and more unbearable for more Singaporeans? Will he stick to his policy? Chances are, because of group think, he will continue to push through the implementation of the GST increase, rather than defer it.

As a person, Heng may be a stand-up guy. However, we must not forget the environment and the party that has shaped his opinions and worldview. As a PM, it would be even more difficult for him to become more detached from the party and its beliefs, ideals, and policies. Will Heng be a good PM for Singapore? Only if he eschews the white for another colour.

The writer, Kelvin, has zero chance of becoming PM.

By now, everyone and his dog or cat knows that Heng Swee Keat is the PM-designate slated to take over Lee Hsien Loong when the latter hands over the reins. Even the otters have heard the news. Chan Chun Sing, for a long time seen as a front-runner for the position because of his General-credentials (very important criteria for PAP), will play second-fiddle. Or reserve PM. 

PAP supporters and IBs have expressed their support for Heng Swee Keat. In his youth, the Police scholar pursued an Economics degree at Cambridge. Later on, he attained a Master's of Public Administration at Harvard. Despite his stellar elite credentials, Heng is often described as a down-to-earth person who has a consultative style of leadership, and sharp intellect. Even the foreign press are painting him in a similarly good light. He was the man who, in his stint on the Ministry of Finance (MOF), was responsible in steering and helping Singapore navigate the turbulent economic period at the time of the financial crisis in 2007-2008. 

His only setback is his health condition. During a Cabinet meeting in 2016, he suffered a stroke that would have been debilitating if not for the quick responses of colleagues and the professionalism of paramedics and medical team who attended to him. For one, Heng himself claims that he is over his health problems. 

So it looks like he will be our PM soon?

Not so fast. In the first place, there is the assumption that Singaporeans will let PAP waltz back into power and the Parliament in the next elections. However, Singaporeans have seen how our neighbours created history by getting rid of an old institution, shaking up the political scene. If the majority of Singaporeans in the lower and middle-income groups are brave enough and vote according to their convictions, even a personable and capable leader like Heng will not be able to stem the tide of change. Singaporeans are increasingly getting better educated and better informed on all things political and social. PAP's tactics of fear-mongering and carrot dangling are not going to paper over the resentment of a people who are suffering from the high cost of living and social inequalities that are directly, and indirectly, attributable to the policies implemented by the PAP. The time for change is now.

Now, assuming that by some freak coincidence, the PAP still maintains a simple majority in Parliament and continues to lead Singapore, for how long will Heng be the PM? Heng will be around 59 years old by the time the elections is expected to take place in 2020. By comparison, Lee Hsien Loong was 52 when he became PM in 2004. Goh Chok Tong was even younger, becoming the PM in 1990 when he was just 49 years old. By the time he was 59 years old, Goh had already two terms (and two electoral contests) as a PM. Heng does not benefit from the same experience and it also looks like he will not have the time to amass that experience as a PM.

Time is simply not on Heng's side. His mentor, Lee Kuan Yew, was 67 when he stepped down from the position before Goh took over. Goh himself was 63 years old before he handed over the PM reins to Lee Hsien Loong. Lee Hsien Loong will be 68 years old in 2020.

PAP keeps banging on the drums on the importance of leadership renewal. They are not likely to deviate from this policy. From that, it would appear that Heng will only have one to two terms at most, as PM. If he serves two terms, it will likely be that like Lee Hsien Loong, Heng will spend that last term grooming his successor.

Coincidentally, both Chan Chun Sing and Ong Ye Kung will turn 51 in 2020. Five years from then, they will be 56 years old, at a ripe age, and by then with the right experiences and profiles to become a PM. The more one looks at it, the more you are convinced that Heng, if he becomes a PM, will only help Lee Hsien Loong to bridge the transitional gap to the next generation of PMs-in-waiting.  Would you vote for someone like that?

The writer, Kelvin, has no time to lose. No time to wait.

Roy Ngerng the CPF blogger who infamously got sued by current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong couldn't have said it any better; In a short few months, Singapore's opposition voices seem to be under severe scrutiny by the State. One another after, for one reason or another, they have been brought to Court, charged by the police or are undergoing investigations for one offence or another. 

Being a smart Singaporean, I know better than to debate on the merits of each case. Let our independent Courts make their own judgments and Singaporeans will make form our own opinions of the State. 

Roy conveniently listed the slew of Opposition figures who were subject to legal or enforcement scrutiny recently and it serves as a reminder of the risks these brave men and women endured so as to speak up for the massess and raise uncomfortable alternate points of views of the incumbent rulers. 

Former Minister Wong Kan Seng once scoffed at the notion of the Climate of Fear in Singapore. Now, think about it, all these men and women, they spoke up in one way or another, yes some may be half-truths, some the whole truths, some lesser than others but is the State's heavy-handed approached the way Singapore should treat those with alternative voices and views?

Think differently from me and I will swing the big hammer onto you if you dare raise your voice to "challenge" me without 100% irrefutable facts. Make one silly mistake, use one little half-truth and I will paint you as a purveyor of Fake News. 

Imagine Singaporeans reading news of these individuals being prosecuted, what goes through their minds? I wouldn't speak for others but the old me would mind my own business and get on with my life.

Why bother speaking out and end up being squashed like an ant. What do I get in return? My family is distressed, my employers see me as a potential liability and my personal reputation would be subject to the public's extreme scrutiny courtesy of the mainstream media no doubt. 

There is no climate of fear they say, I say, be honest with yourself and confront your fears. 

The writer, Suppiah hopes his fellow countryman will take the first step to true freedom.

Why is Foodfare behaving like they don't charge any rent/low rent? Logically speaking, the stall owner still have to pay monthly rents and all other expenses. Why wouldn't the stall owner want to keep the stall open and continue earning money to pay off the rents and expenses unless he has no other choice. The hawker could have been seriously ill or his condition might have worsened. Isn't Foodfare just being unempathetic towards the hawker by fining him $3500?

As NTUC is a union, shouldn't they be caring for the workers and not slapping fines on top of the rentals just for being unable to work due to illnesses? This is exactly the opposite of what a union should be like. It has became nothing but a profit driven company. 

Source: Facebook

People's Association (PA) recently held their 10th anniversary of their Wellness Programme at the Resorts World Convention Centre. This has drawn some flak fromt he public, as previous activities led by the PA are held at public auditoriums, common areas such as HDB towns or in community halls in the CCs.

There are now dissenting voices asking why PA have to hold this event at a five star venue, and how much it cost to actually hold it. There are also claims of waste of public funds and resources to hold events in expensive venues, when much cheaper options are available. The fact that recent news on price hikes such as in water taxes, public transport fares, gas and electrical tariffs, and tertiary school fees, makes this lavish spending even seem more unnecessary. 

Shouldn't public funds be better used to help the needy and to help to reduce costs, instead of being spent like nobody's business?

PAP has lost their fucking minds. They are so hell bent on clamping down on what they call "fake news" that they appear to have all sense of morality and basic decency. 

For fuck's sake, the hawker is dead. Give the old man a break. Show the family some respect.

But this PAP MP Seah Kian Peng...cannot resist the temptation to score political points. Somebody badly wants to become Minister is it? No personal condolences to the family of the deceased on his FB but can take the time to take a fucking pot shot at The Independent Sg for spreading "fake news".

Hello!!!! Somebody died. That's not fake news. Yet you and your brainless followers at NTUC Foodfare still think its empathetic and compassionate to defend your arses first. 

Why did the man have to die? Even if there was no requests to shorten the opening hours, why the fuck did he have to open the stall for so long in the first place?

Do you want your MPs to be be so bloody cold and calculated? You need a human being with good morals and ethics, that's what you need. Remember this when election comes.

The writer, Kevin, has no filter.