The Un-elected Members of Parliament

The idea of allowing the citizens of a state to elect their parliamentary representatives is a fundamental feature of democracy. The citizens vote in a general election who to send into the highest policy-making body in their country to be their representative and to decide their future. 

In a majority electoral system, the candidate with the highest votes in a particular constituency gets elected into parliament. By contrast, in a proportional electoral system, political parties are allocated seats based on the proportion of the votes their candidates win. In either system, the idea remains that members of parliament are elected. An unelected representative in parliament is therefore anathema to the concept of democracy.

NMPs ("Nominated MPs") and NCMPs ("Non-Constituency MPs") belong to a special category of parliamentarians. They exist only in our political system and nowhere else.

NMPs have not been elected by the citizens but appointed by Parliament to speak purportedly as independent, non-partisan voices. However, because our parliament is consistently overwhelmingly represented by one political party, the NMP is largely perceived to be nothing more than a political appointee for one party. They serve for two and a half years, representing sectoral interests in civil society and do not have to answer to the voters of any constituency. The NMP scheme has been around since 1990 and it is interesting to note that no former NMP has ever ventured to participate in the general elections despite having gained invaluable experience in parliamentary work.

The NCMP scheme has been around longer than the NMP scheme. It was implemented in 1984 and allows NCMPs (Non-Constituency MPs), who were unsuccessful electoral candidates at a general election, to be sent into parliament. NCMPs are deemed elected to the post by vitrtue of their standing as the highest election losers. Given that every electoral candidate contests to win a constituency and not to lose, it is hard to accept the argument that NCMPs are deemed elected to Parliament. The notion of an elected NCMP was finally demolished by Parliament's recent approval to transfer a NCMP seat from one losing candidate to another (Click HERE).

The two unelected MPs' schemes have drastically changed the concept of democracy as it existed in Singapore at the time when the first general elections was held in 1959. In the last 57 years, we have evolved a political system that has become a pale shadow of what it used to be - that was when all MPs must be elected by the people in a general election. The current electoral system is reminiscent of the colonial system of elections where the predecessor of our Parliament, then known as the Legislative Assembly, comprised of both elected members and appointees of the British government. Whether this circular evolution of our political system augurs well for the future of our young nation is something that only time can tell. And it would be hard to gainsay the suggestion that our generation will not be around to find out the answer.

Plans are now afoot to further tinker with the NCMP scheme by giving NCMPs the same voting rights as elected MPs (Click HERE). Many on the opposite side of the divide have expressed their misgivings about these changes. But from a practical perspective, an NCMP appears to stand in a more enviable position than an elected MP in that he/she is freed completely from the burden of running a town council and could dedicate more time in parliamentary work. NCMPs are also not prevented from continuing with their ground engagements with the voters in their chosen constituency and the only apparent disadvantage is that the elected MP would have more resources at his disposal and a wider reach to the same voters. This does not seem to be worthy of concern to someone who had already lost in the elections. At least as NCMP, he/she has now every opportunity to lend an alternative voice in Parliament.

The real question to ask about these changes to expand the number and role of un-elected MPs and future modifications in the same vein, is the extent to which our rights as voters in what remains of our democracy are being diminished when there are Members of Parliament who are not elected by us but have the privileges of speaking and voting on all matters that concern us. If we carry these changes to their logical conclusion, will Parliament end up having the power to constitute itself without an election?

Bread

Some have asked me why I give them bread.

If you are really starved and poor, bread is probably the first thing you would crave for. In some religion such as Christianity, bread has a special significance in rituals. 

When we speak of "bread and butter", we mean and refer to our livelihood. In that sense, bread becomes something indispensable and we can't do without bread.

Giving out bread and watching the smiles on the faces of the recipients have been rewarding enough for my volunteers and I to keep handing out bread whenever we could. It has become a symbol of our care and concern for the basic needs of the people around us.

The visits to Toa Payoh Lorong 8, Potong Pasir and French Road today drew many smiles, as usual. Bread helps us create bonds and open communication lines. One elderly folk told me that eating bread helps him to swallow his medicine and he was thankful that we gave him bread. 

Another folk said she missed our bread the last time I visited and was really glad to get one this time. There was also this lonely old man who woke up to take a loaf of bread from me and then went back to slumber at the void deck, hugging the loaf of bread like his mini-bolster.

So, a loaf of bread can be more than just food. At the symbolic level, it shows that we care. And we do.

Post-GE Visit to Potong Pasir SMC

They were surprised that I was back. At the same time, they were utterly pleased that I did.

GE 2015 is over and life is back to normal for the residents in Potong Pasir SMC. I have returned to visit this special town where the residents have extended to me their warmth and friendship during my walkabouts and home visits.

They were smiling and calling out my name even before I reached them to shake their hands. From the playgrounds to void decks, supermarket to coffeeshops, I was given a feeling of nostalgia and it was like home-coming.

We have identified a few under-privileged families here and, for some time now, they are already receiving care and support from Project Awareness and Happy People. One mother said to me that she has been wondering when she will see me again and had been waiting for me to come.

They tell me that Potong Pasir Town Council is merging with Jalan Besar GRC Town Council and there may not be a Potong Pasir SMC in the next GE. That does not matter for politics to me is just a means to do more good and help create a better society. In fact, with the merger, which may well be a prelude to the disappearance of PP SMC in the next GE, I hope the residents in Potong Pasir SMC will benefit from the economies of scale.

As for me and my supporters, nothing has changed. We will continue with our mission to walk and share with everyone in Singapore and make smiles wherever we go. So, do continue to join me in this wonderful life journey and help spread the message of kindness and compassion.

Thoughts From A Concerned Singaporean

A fellow Singaporean sent me a message and I thought of sharing it with you.

The writer's message (as it is) is as follows:

"We have a large and brain tank in public service. Sometimes I wonder

(1) Why we react to public needs of reducing migrant workers before increasing workforce in service industry. Strategies to overcome shortages should be in place first. For example, increase the culture and empathy for people in the service sector. Initiatives can take many forms, such as requiring Students to do ECA or internship in service sector, and increasing minimum wage of service staff. 

(2) Pilots are paid well. Taxi drivers can earn >$3k a month. Bus drivers, also shuttle many lives around. Many of them are not locals. Can you imagine bus drivers cannot convey information on bus routes during mrt breakdowns? 

(3) We link ministers' salary to link the median income of the top 1,000 earners who are Singaporean citizens, with a 40 per cent discount to reflect the ethos of political service. Couldn't the public service, under this group of leaders also re-look at the half baked solution of implementing tray return policy at hawker centers. After years of implementation, is it really working or shall we discontinue this good objective but a major implementation breakdown with ill creativity?

(4) LTA hopes to create a people centered land. Does LTA knows that aunties and uncles do not use wifi. Shouldn't visual aids on bus arrival time be indicated at every bus stops? As we age, shouldn't all bus stops have seats instead and take priority over narrow sliding benches that aims to prevent people be sleeping over it?

(5) Surely LTA has done numerous study trips overseas before implementing MRT in Singapore. LED signs in trains are often faculty or blocked in crowded trains. Announcements are muffled by rattling sounds of the train. As Riders may lose track of the approaching station after a tired day, has LTA observed that the London Underground has images of the approaching station's name along the tunnel much before the train arrival ? After all, gadgets like LED and announcements failed to delivery."

What are your thoughts?

Outreach In Potong Pasir SMC

We knocked at every door. From floor to floor and block to block, we walked. From Toa Payoh Lorong 8 to Potong Pasir and back and forth, we walked. I can't remember how many times we did this and we met and spoke with so many people.

From stall to stall, coffeeshop to coffeeshop, table to table, shop to shop, street to street, we walked.  There were people who recognised me, called out my name, waved to me, embraced me, wiped my sweat and asked to take pictures with me.

The people in Potong Pasir SMC make me feel so much at home and I feel more and more connected to this ward with each visit. They invited me into their homes, talked to me about their experiences and encouraged me to come visit them more often. This ward has so much character and the residents are so approachable and direct that you can't help liking them. 

I enjoy doing my walkabouts in this ward and meeting the residents. It's such a joy each time I walk here. And my team feels it too.

Why I cannot join SPP to contest in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC

Some netizens have expressed their wish that I avoid a 3-corner fight with SPP and reconsider the suggestion by a cadre member of SPP to join them instead to contest in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC.

I am glad that there is an intense interest in the contest in Potong Pasir SMC which would otherwise have been just another one of those constituencies with only 2 choices for voters in the coming general elections.

Please allow me to explain why the suggestion is not workable. 

1. I have no wish to be a party-hopper and made this commitment to myself when I joined the National Solidarity Party ("NSP"). I repeated this commitment to myself when I left NSP. 

2. There are many former members from NSP who have joined SPP. If I join SPP, I will be seen as part of the NSP faction in SPP and this will not be in the best interests of SPP.

3. Every political party has its internal politics and I am totally unfamiliar with SPP's culture and internal workings. And I have no wish to be embroiled in any internal party politics at this time.

4. It would not be fair for me to displace anyone in the team that has already been formed to contest in Bishan-Toa Payoh for all the efforts that he/she may have put in.

5. It takes time for the members in SPP's team for the Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC to know each other and they would have formed their synergy by now. It would not be right for me to disrupt their team spirit at this crucial time.

I thank all those netizens who support my decision to contest in Potong Pasir SMC and those who encourage me to remain firm in my decision. May the best candidate in Potong Pasir SMC win on his or her own merits.

Debunking the myths about Party Candidates and Independent Candidates

Some people think that independent candidates are working all by themselves and are very limited manpower and that therefore, they may not be able to run a town council. They even think that conversely, political parties and party candidates have better resources and are better able to run town councils. If we care to think deeper, these are merely assumptions and are not absolute truths.

Political parties and party candidates cannot merely rely on the identity of their organisation alone to reach out to voters. There is physical work to do - reaching out to people and engaging them and for all these you need supporters and various resources. Identity alone as a registered political party is not going to make things work which is why some registered political parties are unable to function at all or do so effectively.

As a potential independent candidate, I do not come under any party banner. This is by my own choice. I do not have a party identity but rely on my own identity. I am what you see and but not everything you see. I am not a one-man show and do not do everything by myself. Behind me, I have a strong team of supporters who are dedicated to help me in my candidacy.

As you would have noticed, I have done substantial groundwork. The amount of work that I have been able to do on the ground and so extensively speak for themselves. It would not have been possible without the support of my team of supporters.

As a matter of fact, when news of my departure from the National Solidarity Party was released, various political parties were quick to invite me to join them. Besides knowing the extent and quality of my work, they are also interested in the support that I have in terms of manpower and resources. The fact is that, with my team of supporters, I am in a position to compete against any party candidate standing for election in any single-member constituency and run a town council. 

I will, however, emphasis that not all independent candidates come from the same mould. The supporting manpower and resources would be different for each of them. People should not discount an independent's potential simply because he has no political party to fall back on but should judge them by their work. My team functions like a party machinery and after the elections, there are plans to register a political party to provide a platform and support for those who prefer to be party candidates and subscribe to Peolitics.

We should be able to see the difference between form and substance when comparing party candidates with independent candidates. And you will be able to appreciate that some independent candidates may indeed be substantially better than party candidates.

Duck rice distribution at Potong Pasir on 4.08.2015

The duck rice stall at Blk 120 in Potong Pasir is relatively well known. The owner of the stall, Ah Seng, is actually a friendly man with a serious look. That evening, together with the volunteers from Project Awareness and Happy People, I visited a few blocks in Potong Pasir to distribute duck rice supplied by Ah Seng.

 

The rice was very well received and a few families told us of their problems. One resident needed a job and there are 9 people, including 4 young children, living in her 3 room flat. Another needed help to clear out their second-hand goods which were stocked up in their flat. They were dealing in second hand goods but their deteriorating health no longer permits them to do so. The husband has suffered a stroke and is semi-paralyzed whilst the wife has bent legs. Further, they could not sell their stocks at Sungei Road anymore. After the stocks are cleared out, they plan to rent out their rooms to receive some income.

One resident shared with us the plight of another resident who lives in a block that was not covered in our food distribution tonight. A father of 2 young children and a pregnant wife, this other resident recently landed himself in some trouble involving a foreign construction worker who had accosted his wife when she was alone in the flat. 

He had spent the day in court and I visited him in his flat. He told me what happened and looked deeply worried. I noticed that his house was in disarray and began to ask about his family situation. His two young boys, one in k2 and the other still in nursery, were bouncing on their rundown sofa as we spoke. He does not hold a steady job and works as a super-relief taxi-driver earning about $80 per day but he does not always get a taxi to drive. Previously he was working as a disaster relief cleaner with long irregular hours. These couple of days, he was not able to get a taxi to drive because many taxis are undergoing repairs. That means he has absolutely no income for the time being.

His pregnant wife was standing beside me as we talked and she brought their unpaid utility bills when I asked to see them. The flat belongs to his parents and his surviving aged mother was alone in a room. I enquired about her as I learned she suffered a stroke three years ago. He invited me to see her and I saw that her room was completely dark. He then switched on the room light and explained to me that his mother was born blind. Huddled in a blanket with a tube inserted into her nose, she was sitting at the edge of her bed and staring in one direction, constantly keeping her body in mild rocking motion. I greeted her and she responded.

He explains that he needed to bring his mother for physiotherapy everyday and she needs a certain medication and a special milk formula for her dyspepsia or a swallowing disorder due to her stroke. These items were costly. I could see that he was too embarrassed to ask for help and sensed his deep inner frustration. He seemed to me at the verge of breaking point, repeatedly trying to force back his tears. 

I arranged for some rations to be brought to his family immediately. A cash cheque for a sum of $150 was presented to him to help him tide over from the founder of Project Awareness Elson Soh. His smile on receiving the cash donation told me that a huge load has just been taken off his shoulders and that he has been pulled back from the brink of a nervous breakdown.

The volunteers will be back on another day to help him clean up his flat which was in a total mess. It was a distress signal that has gone unnoticed for some time and I was glad that we were there in the nick of time. Giving him more assurance that help is always at hand, I arranged for him to see me in my office so that I could help to look into to his legal trouble.

Everyone needs someone. There are people who are suffering quietly and dare not ask for help. Your timely gesture may just bring a ray of hope to someone in desperation.

Grand Old Dame of 100 Collecting Cardboards from Toa Payoh Lorong 8 to Potong Pasir

I saw her struggling to push her trolley of cardboards up the ramp at block 113 of Potong Pasir and moved to help her. In a jiff, she was rummaging through the dustbin behind the pillar in the void deck.

I squatted next to her as she was about to empty the contents of a paper box. I asked why she was collecting cardboxes. Her reply was that she needed to support herself. She lives alone in Punggol but collects cardboxes and old clothes from Lorong 8 Toa Payoh to Potong Pasir every day from morning 6am to night 9pm. When I asked her for her age, I could not believe her answer. She is 99 and turning 100 next April. She is undoubtedly the oldest collector of carboards in Singapore.

Her eyesight and hearing are still good but her body is permanently arched as a result of constantly bending down to collect cardboards. She has been doing this for many, many years. Her 3 children have left her and are no longer in touch with her. She has a grandson, abandoned by his parents and cared by her since young, who is in national service.

She makes about $20 a day, and sells about 150 kg of cardboards for a meagre $9. She is not receiving any financial help from the government as she finds it troublesome. She shares a one-room flat with a flatmate and pays her half share of the monthly rent which works out to about $200.

I shuddered at the thought that someone who is almost 100 years old, has to be collecting cardboards for a living and has not received any public assistance. My heart sank at the sight of her wrinkled hands and rugged fingers.

I asked for her permission to wheel her trolley around to get a feel of the weight of her trolley which was fully laden. When I pushed it back to her and asked where she will be wheeling it to, her answer startled me. She was going to wheel it to Lorong 8 in Toa Payoh and said that it will take her half an hour to do so.

Life has been really harsh to this grand old dame but she displays a resilience that puts everyone to shame. When she turns 100 in April, let's celebrate with her. Granny Chung Siew Ching. Meanwhile, if you get to see her around Lorong 8 Toa Payoh and Potong Pasir, do buy her drink and food. Thank you.

10 Reasons Why I Should Not Be Asked Not To Contest In Potong Pasir SMC

There are voices in the social media calling on DPP and me to give way to Mrs. Lina Chiam to have a straight fight with Mr. Sitoh Yih Ping in the coming elections. Now that DPP has agreed to withdraw from its contest, I can only anticipate that these dissenting voices will get louder as I am considered the only intervening party standing in the way. 

I have heard all the dissenting voices and their reasons and emotional outbursts. I have also heard the voices of many, many more who ask me to come to Potong Pasir to give them a chance to vote for me. For those who are against me contesting, please allow me to respectfully give you 10 reasons why I should not be asked to step away from contesting in Potong Pasir SMC: 

1. If the idea behind avoiding "multi-corner fights" is intended to show that unity to topple the ruling party at all costs, I am afraid I do not subscribe to the idea of toppling the government and opposing for the sake of opposing. This is not a debate but politics that concern our people and the nation. Although the ruling party is imperfect and has many areas where they fall short, there are still ways for us to help them improve and become better in taking care of our people's needs. What we need is to increase the number of good parliamentarians, regardless of party affiliation, to work together to ensure better governance. Maybe, there will be a coalition government one day but for now we have to act rationally, responsibly and reasonably so as not to compromise our nation's progress, stability and security. 

2. If we are fighting for a level playing field for politics, the landscape that I observe on my side is itself not level. There is no "opposition unity" to speak of and some parties are apparently more equal than others. Political parties ride roughshod over independent candidates and only those contesting against the ruling party under a party banner are invited to discussions on the GE. 

3. If we feel it is wrong for the ruling party to demand that an individual must enter the political arena to comment regularly on politics, why should it be right to deny an individual who decides not to join any political party, his rightful place to participate in the political arena as an independent candidate? 

4. I am a lawful citizen of this country. Besides my freedom of speech and other rights, I have the right to vote, be voted for as a candidate in an election and to choose where to stand. Is it democratic to infringe upon my right to stand as a candidate in my chosen constituency in the coming elections? 

5. If we are pressing for greater democracy, why do we continue to engage in the undemocratic act of horse-trading discussions to deter other parties from presenting their candidates for election which practically deprives the electorate of a real choice like what happens in our presidential elections? Are the political parties acting in the interest of the electorate in doing so? 

6. If we believe in greater democracy, why do we engage in the unsavoury practice of giving priority to a political party or candidate by virtue of their earlier participation. Carried to its logical conclusion, where does that leave future parties or candidates to stand for election if all the wards are "choped" (using colloquial parlance) like "choping" seats in a hawker centre by those who came earlier? 

7. It takes a lot of courage for one to become an independent candidate. It is easy to become an arm-chair critic and make snide remarks. But how many of our keyboard warriors have the courage to walk the talk and to make a difference that really matters? I do not have the luxury of hiding behind the facade of a party. Why is my courage to stand as an independent candidate not celebrated and encouraged but frowned upon instead?

8. I have walked the ground and spoken to many residents at random. There are residents who regret that their ward has been lost to the ruling party after 27 long years. There are also those who expressed that Mrs Lina Chiam may not get any more sympathy votes this time round and it pains them to see old and frail Mr. Chiam struggling in her walkabouts. When I hear all these feelings, am I supposed to simply ignore them and pretend that I did not hear them? With these feedback, my assessment is that if I do not contest in Potong Pasir SMC in the coming elections, it will continue to remain a ruling party ward. So, why should I not step in to offer my candidacy if it will help to win back Potong Pasir SMC? 

9. I have been doing voluntary work for a long, long time. Voluntary work finally led me into politics and I do each of my walkabouts and house visits diligently. I put in my utmost sincerity in whatever I do for people and they feel for me as much as I feel for them. I stand on my own two feet with strong backing from my team of dedicated supporters who give of their time and resources. I expect no sympathy votes and do not wish to win on hate votes against anyone. I would like people to vote for me because they believe in me and trust me, Why should I not run in Potong Pasir SMC when I firmly believe that I could do a better job than anyone else? 

10. There are potential candidates out there with strong credentials who do not wish to join any of the existing parties. As an independent candidate, it is my dream to make a breakthrough to encourage those people with talent to step forward and not be afraid to stand as independent candidates to fulfil their hidden desires to serve our people. I believe Potong Pair SMC, more than any others, is ready to help me make this dream come true. If I succeed, imagine what it will do for Singapore politics. Even if I do not, at least I dared to live my dream to do what I thought was best for the people I care for. Wouldn't you teach your children to do the same thing? 

If you are interested to understand more about my political ideology, which I term as "Peolitics", you may wish to visit my page.

My Kind of Town - Potong Pasir SMC

In the last 50 years, Singapore has seen only a handful of independent candidates. Amongst them, one stood out as a giant and on his shoulders, we saw a people that stood firm for 27 years as a role model of courage and independence for the rest of Singapore. That independent candidate was Mr. Chiam See Tong. And those courageous and independent people were the residents of Potong Pasir SMC. 

Born in 1935, Mr. Chiam was a teacher and later became a lawyer. He entered politics as an independent candidate at the age of 41. According to his biography, Let The People Have Him, Mr. Chiam almost gave up after losing 3 elections. His persistence paid off in 1984 when he finally won the seat of Potong Pasir at the age of 49 with 60.3% of the votes. From then on, the people of Potong Pasir stood by him for the next 27 years.

As my supporters know, I am planning to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming elections like what Mr. Chiam did when he stepped into politics. Like Mr. Chiam, I am a lawyer. Though I was not a teacher-turned-lawyer like Mr. Chiam, I enjoy teaching and have lectured in private schools. I also had a short stint as an adjunct lecturer in a tertiary institution whilst practising law at the same time.

My political ideology, which I term as "peolitics", is people-centred and my aim is to cultivate a positive political culture that emphasises political responsibilities on the part of both the leaders and the people. Similarly, Mr Chiam adopted a non-adversarial, non-destructive style of politics and has consistently advocated a responsible and credible opposition. 

The residents of Potong Pasir SMC had the courage to give Mr. Chiam the opportunity to serve them in 6 consecutive elections. Unfortunately in early 2008, Mr. Chiam suffered a mild stroke and then made a surprising decision for GE2011, given his health and circumstances. He decided to stand as a candidate in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, letting his wife substitute him as the candidate for Potong Pasir.

The result of that decision was that Potong Pasir was lost to HDB upgrading promises made by the PAP candidate who went on to carry out HDB upgrading works that Mr. Chiam had difficulty delivering as MP because he was not a ruling-party MP.

Mr. Chiam's loss was also Potong Pasir's loss. Potong Pasir became just another PAP ward and that special indefatigable character of Potong Pasir SMC became subjugated to the HDB upgrading works that residents had to pay for.

For this coming election, SPP and DPP have declared their intentions to contest with PAP for Potong Pasir SMC. There are people who dislike multi-corner contests because they feel that opposition votes will be diluted and PAP stands to gain. This is not necessarily always the case. Such a view is equally myopic because it unwittingly narrows the voters' choice of suitable candidates. In any event, multi-corner contests will become the norm since there are more political parties. Voters must therefore learn to be more discerning and have the courage to pick the candidate of their own choice. 

Speaking to the residents there in my visits, I came to understand that many Potong Pasir residents are tired of their limited choice of political candidates. They have a deep respect for old Mr. Chiam and miss his humble ways, warmth and dedication as their MP. They welcome new candidates to contest in their ward and to help them regain their pride and dignity which have been traded for the HDB upgrading programme. I am persuaded that it will be more meaningful for me to stand in Potong Pasir SMC in the coming election. Why? Because like Mr. Chiam, I can see that Potong Pasir SMC is my kind of town.

Visits to Potong Pasir SMC

With only 17,389 electors, Potong Pasir SMC is the smallest of the 13 Single Member Constituencies under the redrawn electoral boundaries for the next GE. It encompasses Potong Pasir and Lorong 8 Toa Payoh and is presently a PAP ward.

In my visits to this SMC, I have been warmly received by most of the residents I met. They were candid about their political leanings and would not hesitate to speak their minds about their present MP (who was elected in GE 2011), Mr. Chiam See Tong (their former MP for 27 years) and Mrs. Lina Chiam (who stood in her husband's place in the last GE but lost).

Even in my house visits, many of the resident were more than happy to invite me into their homes just to chat with me. I was even openly encouraged to come and stand in their ward as an election candidate in the next GE so that they may have more choices.

I can feel something special about Potong Pasir SMC. It has an air of resilience and respectability. From the hawkers to shop-keepers to the residents, the people are friendly and helpful. There's plenty of good food and I feel a strong sense of nostalgia here. I had studied in St. Andrews' School, and being here brings back to me fond memories of my pre-university school days. 

I like the feeling that Potong Pasir SMC gives me. If there is a constituency where the electors can be counted on to stand up for what they believe in, Potong Pasir SMC is unmistakably one.

Whampoa SMC No More and Moulmein-Kallang GRC Gone

On 14 July 2015, I announced my intention to contest in Whampoa SMC. Ten days later, it was announced that Whampoa SMC will not exist in the next GE. Needless to say, I am disappointed.

The Electoral Boundaries Review Committee report was released on 24 July 2015. Together with Whampoa SMC, both Joo Chiat SMC and Moulmein-Kallang GRC ("MK GRC") will also be dissolved in the next GE. Amidst all the instant cries of gerry-meandering about Joo Chiat SMC, I can only ask: Why Whampoa SMC? Why MK GRC?

I have always considered Whampoa SMC and MK GRC as deserving attention, amongst others, because I have visited many troubled places that fall within this SMC and GRC. Suddenly, they will no longer be around for political contest in the coming GE. Is there a good explanation for this sudden change?

When I first began studying the political demography in Singapore in consultation with some political observers, we saw something that was happening here that was akin to a development in ancient China close to 2,000 years ago. If you are familiar with the story of the Three Kingdoms 三国演义 (AD 220–280), it was a time when China was divided into the states of Wei (魏), Shu (蜀), and Wu (吳). 

The political struggle between People's Action Party (PAP) and the Workers' Party (WP) is reaching a point when a 3rd force is set to arise to serve as a counterbalance. This 3rd force is anticipated to come from the constituencies in the south. MK GRC, Potong Pasir SMC, Mountbatten SMC and Whampoa SMC are the potential springboards for the rise of the 3rd force but now only Potong Pasir SMC and Mountbatten SMC are left on the slate. It was as if someone saw the same thing that we had seen and was trying to prevent it from happening.

The Chinese believe that a tripod represents firmness and stability. I entertain the notion that our political arena cannot continue to see a contest between two forces as this will only lead to more instability and disruption. A 3rd mediatory force in our political arena is necessary to assuage and balance the diversity in opinions and to secure the future success of Singapore. I am now left to think about where I could go as an independent candidate now that Whampoa is no more.