Why Rock The Boat?

Here are some good questions asked by a voter. Below are my responses:

Question:
Hi Mr Yaw, I support good government, whether opposition or not. It is my responsibility to make an informed and rational vote. While PAP has not done a perfect job, for me, they have done a good job, especially when I consider other developed nations that struggle with their own set of first world nation problems.

If you were to become MP, what would you do differently? How likely are you to deliver, considering the constraints that you will face when you assume office. Let us assume that PAP will treat you as an equal, and you will face the challenges that a typical PAP MP might face. What are the potential cost/challenges of implementation - will any citizen group's interest be compromised (e.g. higher taxes for all, re-channel of funds away from other govt programmes such as healthcare/education)?

As a relatively satisfied citizen (as many are), I need a compelling reason to rock the boat and vote for opposition, and hope you can help me to find that reason. Thank you.

Answer:
Thank you for your message. Your question is a valid one.

Personally I believe in the need of deepening Singapore’s political foundations, for ours is a very small country and there is a dire need for Singaporeans to come to understand that no single person or a political party may claim to know it all. You must have heard of this maxim, ‘past performance is not a guarantee for future performances’. This maxim is definitely applicable to all organizations, including individuals.

For this reason, I have chosen to do my part in nation building, in building up a credible and responsible alternative party in Singapore’s highest decision making body, the parliament.

At the constituency level, an opposition MP will be facing even more challenges that a typical PAP MP might face, bearing in mind the lack of governmental resources in the area of town management, such as no additional funding for MUP, LUP, Cover walkways and improvement projects etc.

At the community level, the role of an opposition MP is very much the same as a PAP MP. The qualities of such an individual include that of an empathic listener, problems’ solver and operational doer.

At the national level, an opposition MP is likely to face a house that is overwhelmingly dominated by the PAP MPs. This opposition MP must be able to take the heat of parliamentary debates that will include rebuttals, counters-counters, challenges and a relative inability to carry forth his/ her proposals in view of sheer numeric superiority of the incumbent’s MPs.

An opposition MP has to bear in mind the above challenges. As to the question, regarding potential cost/ challenges of implementation, this opposition MP have to bear in mind, collectively at his party level, to deliberate intensively intra-party, before speaking for or against any bills or motions, so that this is to ensure that any citizenry interests that are likely to be compromised to be minimized if best, eliminated. Most importantly, the collective decision must be in the long term interest of citizenry and country.

I will not be giving you a direct answer for you to rock the boat, so that you vote for opposition. This is because the discernment really has to come from within you :)


Question:
I appreciate that nobody or political party is infallible, and that some degree of healthy competition is most likely good. However, I am mindful that it is important to also choose good quality opposition… I am glad you mentioned that you decided to join a credible opposition party. However, I also recognise that it is probably not easy to be in a position of power or great influence, as PAP is. I guess all of us can identify with some thankless jobs/roles (e.g. volunteer worker, parent, friend) where it is just impossible to be perfect and please everyone all the time. I do not doubt that you have a real desire to serve the people, but what I want to know is, can you and WP really make a difference? As you mentioned, if you become MP, you will face more challenges than a typical PAP MP may face, since it is understandable how the PAP team may be united in a similar cause, which may differ from opposition. In that case, will there truly be change that the people need? Assuming that PAP gradually loses more power and opposition MPs face less of such challenges, what change then can WP do? I ask this because I think that some issues that Singapore face are long-standing issues that may not be easily resolved. I believe that something always has to give, someone is likely to become unhappy, especially in this world where people are getting more divergent and there is no way to change that.

Answer:
There is no easy straight answers to your comments. The WP leadership recognizes this. The WP believes that it is an evolutionary process. This will require patience, lots of discussions, research and experiences to chart our nation forward in a progressive direction. We have started this process by putting our thoughts into words, you may refer to WP's GE2011 63 pages' manifesto here: http://wp.sg/wpge/manifesto/key-highlights/. Hopefully, the WP may be in a position to eventually operationalize these words into deeds. The progress to get there is going to be a long one, but we believe in starting it now.

For People. For Nation. For Future

GE2011 Scare Tactic By the PAP

I refer to the news report ‘GE: Singaporeans should be aware of possible freak result, says Ng Eng Hen’ (CNA, 23 April 2011, 2354 hrs)

Minister Ng should be better informed of his fellow PAP team mates’ confidence.

Below are samplings of confidence level displayed by leading PAP ministers & their candidates:

1) Marine Parade GRC - 5 Parliamentary Seats: SM Goh: I'm quite confident and I'm looking forward to the election. I hope there will be a contest. (TNP, 2 March 2011)

2) Nee Soon GRC - 5 Parliamentary Seats: Shanmugam bullish about Nee Soon (ST, Feb 28, 2011)

3) East Coast GRC - 5 Parliamentary Seats: Mr Lim Swee Say was unfazed (TODAY, 28th March 2011)

4) Tampines GRC - 5 Parliamentary Seats: Mah: I believe I can do the best (CNA, 30th March 2011)

5) Bishan-TPY GRC - 5 Parliamentary Seats: Wong Kang Seng: Confident of the work his team has done. We are always prepared (TODAY, 14 March 2011)

6) M-Kallang GRC - 4 Parliamentary Seats: Yaacob Ibrahim: "We are confident that we will be able to win the trust of the voters (CNA, 13th March 2011)

7) West Coast GRC - 5 Parliamentary Seats: Our record speaks for itself: Iswaran (TODAY, 22nd April 2011)

8) Ang Mo Kio GRC - 6 Parliamentary Seats: Ang Hin Kee: Yes, I would welcome any opposition parties to come and contest in Ang Mo Kio GRC (CNA, 20th April 2011)

9) Radin Mas SMC - 1 Parliamentary Seat: Sam Tan: ready to contest in his single-seat ward and is confident (ST, 7th APR 2011)

10) Mountbatten SMC - 1 Parliamentary Seat: SM Goh is confident of continued support from voters in Mountbatten (TNP, 2 March 2011)

11) Punggol East SMC - 1 Parliamentary Seat: Michael Palmer: Looking forward to Punggol East SMC contest (CNA, 24 Feb 2011 )

12) Hong Kah North SMC - 1 Parliamentary Seat: Amy Khor: It shows that the party has confidence in the fielded candidate (Asiaone, 16 March 2011)

A quick count of the above seats shows that the PAP is confident of securing at least 44 seats. These 44 seats would be sufficient enough for the PAP to form the next government.

This is not even including PAP's stronghold Tanjong Pagar GRC, which will almost certainly deliver 5 more seats to the PAP camp.

So what freak result is Minister Ng talking about? His statement was calculated to scare sway voters who are afraid of losing the PAP government. He should not be engaging in such cheap shots in the first place.

Candidature Introduction (Q&A)

Below is a verbatim of my reply. My reply segment starts from 1 Minute 45 Seconds and ends at 2 Minutes 31 Seconds.

Q: Why should voters vote for you? Why did you choose to join the Workers’ Party?

‘Yaw Shin Leong’ is a track record and his track record is ten years. His loyalty to Singapore, his passion for Singapore, his contributions to the oppositional cause, itself is a track record for the past 10 years. Whether or not Yaw Shin Leong should be in the Workers’ Party? It is his choice because he has a choice and he has taken that choice. And he believe that by taking that choice, the future of Singapore, collectively, not on his own accord or his own efforts itself, can only be better, if let say a group of likeminded Singaporeans decide to come together and to do something for our country. I sincerely believe in that. Let the track record speaks for itself.

Candidature Introduction (Q&A Part I)

Below is a verbatim of my reply. My reply segment starts from 1 Minute 29 Seconds and ends at 3 Minutes 5 Seconds

Q: Why should we vote for you? (a)

I have a hypothesis that people who stand in the opposition cause are people who step forward. They are not recruited, they always volunteer themselves. I think first & foremost passion is very important and this passion must be directed at the correct direction and the correct reason. This passion must be one that is for the country - so that at the end of the day, voters got to ask ourselves what type of country do we want to build? What type country do we want to see and believe in?

And if the Workers’ Party (the candidates of the Workers’ Party) can collectively strive towards that particular vision for a better homeland for all, I think this should be the group of candidates that voters should be voting into Parliament… I think every single one here wants to have a better homeland for Singapore, strive towards a better homeland. And I believe that should be the direction. Parliamentary seats itself. The last Parliament 84, 82 versus 2? That’s not balanced, that’s not a better homeland. I strive towards more balance, to make it better for all.

Below is a verbatim of my reply. My reply segment starts from 6 Minute 8 Seconds and ends at 6 Minutes 53 Seconds

Q: Why should we vote for you? (b)

[In mandarin] As the Organising Secretary of The Workers’ Party, I always share with would-be activists who indicated that they would like to join the Workers’ Party. I shared that if you want to enter into politics. Your motivations must be correct. This means the reason behind your political participation must be one that is for the country and not because of self. The priority must be in this order: 1) country, 2) party & 3) self. Hence his or her thinking (of would be activists) must have the correct direction. If one’s heart is not in the right place, he or she should do other things instead, be it to go into business or any other things.

Photo 1: 22 April 2011, News Report (TODAY, Pg 2)
Photo 2: 22 April 2011, News Report (Lian He Zao Bao, Pg 16)

Candidature Introduction (Q&A Part II)

Below is a verbatim of my reply to Q1.My reply segment starts from 0 Minute 53 Seconds and ends at 2 Minutes 15 Seconds

Q1: In 2006, you openly said that you voted for a PAP candidate instead of opposition where you stayed at Bukit Panjang?

Frankly I think (this) that happened sometime in 2008, sometimes in May or June. I had a very candid type of text bracket (because you see there is this blog links), so what I did was that I just wrote (you know) ‘Pretty Good Fellow’ so I made a comment that I voted for so-&-so.

So in retrospect, actually that was really quite naïve, because first & foremost I think I confused opposition voters in that sense. The Singapore’s political development has not come to a stage whereby you can be (so call) in a particular fraternity and then you say ok well because this person is not from my same party, and then because the opponent is different, so I voted for someone else.

At the point of time, even up to now, probably opposition supporters would not be able to accept that. So the whole issue had a mini-public discourse online and in June 2008, I had an introspection of perspective and I acknowledge that had I maintained that particular perspective of voting in the incumbent over my fellow opposition party member, probably there will be no progress for Singapore. (Clip Cut) [During this segment, I shared that I am currently staying in Bukit Panjang, under the Holland Bukit Timah GRC. I shared that I will vote for my ex-team mate Dr James Gomez who is likely to stand as a SDP candidate in my constituency]

Below is a verbatim of my reply to Q2. My reply segment starts from 3 Minutes 47 Seconds and ends at 4 Minutes 31 Seconds

Q2: What were the issues that made you join the opposition?

For me, my political awakening came at the age of 15 years old (1991) I remember. I was watching the TV. If I recall the date correctly it was 4th January 1991. (If you still remember what that was!) I was watching the results coming in for all the constituencies. Then suddenly there’s this man who said, he said ‘For the Hougang electoral division we have Low Thia Khiang’ and this was his victory speech (correct me if I am wrong). This was what he said, ‘This is (then) the beginning of the next lap. Wow, that was my awakening.…. (Clip Cut) [During this segment I shared about how the bullying tactics of the PAP during GE1997 Cheng San turned me off]. Because at that particular point of time, I know that when I grew up - I know whose side I will be with. That was how it all began.

Photo: News Report 22 April 2011 (The Straits Times, Page A11)

Candidature Introduction For GE2011

Below is a verbatim of my speech. My speech segment starts from 2 Minutes 15 Seconds to 4 Minutes 42 Seconds.

I still recall the first time when I was first introduced as a Workers’ Party candidate in 2001. I touched upon the topic on the need for Singapore to strive towards a politics of balance. I remember that vividly.

In 2006 what I touched upon was that there is a need for Singaporeans to cultivate this political defense in the course of nation building. Now 10 years on, in the fast changing global landscape. Our political system, 10 years ago and now, nothing much have changed. We are still talking about the situation whereby out of a 84 seats parliament (the last parliament) only 2 alternative voices are in that parliament.

So I believe, I sincerely believe GE2011 must be the time, the time for Singaporeans to politically develop ourselves and this is very important because we should not be just talking about economic development, social cultural development, but this political development is something which we must take it seriously, it is very important that we take it with a first priority and one way to politically develop Singapore is to strive towards a first world parliament.

I recall when I first joined the Workers’ Party, my Secretary General Mr Low, he said that, ‘Yaw, you must learn how to harness your fiery passion into that of a combusted coal.’ Wow, words of wisdom. There is much truth in this particular statement, because 10 years on, I realize that, idealism itself is not sustainable. It is important you need to have a deeper purpose, a deeper sense of responsibility, a deeper sense of calling, so as to play your part and grow in this nation building process.

After all this is a call for fellow Singaporeans to be pro Singapore, to love Singapore, to be for Singapore and to stand up to serve Singapore. Thank you.

Photo: News Report 22 April 2011 (The New Paper, Page 4)

The Battle For Aljunied GRC

In GE1997, the battle for hearts, minds and votes of Aljunied GRC voters first began when the WP team that included the late Mr Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam, Dr Tan Bin Seng, Mr Tang Liang Hong, Mr Huang Seow Kwang and Encik Abdul Rahim bin Osman secured 45.2% of the valid votes casted (*in Cheng San GRC).

In GE2001, Cheng San GRC was unceremoniously broken into 3 parts, which included Aljunied GRC. The sole WP GRC team meant to contest there was disqualified for filing incomplete papers. This would-be team included me, alongside Dr Tan Bin Seng, Mr Huang Seow Kwang, Mr James Gomez and Encik Abdul Rahim bin Abdul Rahman.

In GE2006, Aljunied GRC witnessed the fiercest electoral battle in recent memory, whereby the WP team that included Ms Sylvia Lim, Mr Tan Wui Hua, Mr James Gomez, Mr Goh Meng Seng and Encik Mohammed Rahizan bin Yaacob secured 43.9% of the valid votes casted. One NCMP seat was allocated and it went to Sylvia Lim, who became WP’s third NCMP and the first woman opposition legislator in post-independence Singapore.

Post GE2006 till February 2011, led by Ms Sylvia Lim, WP activists had diligently visited almost every HDB household in Aljunied GRC. The only exception was Kaki Bukit division (19,000 voters) from Marine Parade GRC which was included into Aljunied GRC, after swapping with Hougang-Aljunied division (29,000 voters), formerly part of Cheng San GRC that is now in Ang Mo Kio GRC.

My role in WP’s battle for Aljunied GRC started in 2004 after I was appointed Secretary of WP’s GRC Area Committee (This was later renamed North-Eastern Area Committee) with WP Chairman Sylvia Lim as the Committee’s Chair. The area committee activists commenced door-to-door visits. By Q1 of 2005, I had personally made door-to-door visits to approximately 150+ blocks in the constituency.

How time flies. The Workers’ Party is once again standing at the face of battle, for the hearts, minds and votes of Aljunied GRC voters. A victory for the Workers’ Party in Aljunied GRC in GE2011 will be highly crucial and will have positive implications in Singapore’s nation building efforts.

This is because this unprecedented would-be GRC breakthrough by an alternative party is very fundamental to our nation’s future. Such a breakthrough will break PAP’s GRC political hegemony (vis-à-vis its GRC fortresses) in Singapore. This breakthrough is essential, so that the currently missing foundations of a robust political defense for Singapore can finally be laid.

Come GE2011, WP needs all the help we can get. We are seeking for supporters, volunteers and helpers to be polling agents, counting agents, campaign workers and backend helpers too. This can also mean that you can support with your mere presence (i.e) donning your very own available shade of light blue top, as a WP supporter at one of the to-be-announced nomination centres.

Are you willing to join us in this journey, (i.e.) by taking a first step towards the creation of a truly First World Parliament? Do sign up online at www.wp.sg/volunteer today or contact me directly at yawsl@wp.sg. Singapore needs you.

*Added for clarity upon feedback by Anonymous (Apr 20, 2011 1:58:00 AM) & Vincent Sear (Apr 20, 2011 2:06:00 AM). I thank both readers for their vetting and contributions

Photo 1: WP house-to-house visits’ materials since 2003.

Photo 2: Straits Times’ report on WP activism in Aljunied GRC (15th April 2011)

Photo 3: Shin Min Daily’s report on WP activism in Aljunied GRC (15th Apirl 2011)

Towards A First World Parliament

WP Manifesto Extracts By Yaw Shin Leong, at the launch of WP Manifesto GE2011, ‘Vote Workers’ Party – Towards A First World Parliament’ 09 April 2011, 3:00 – 4.30PM @ WP HQ (216G Syed Alwi Road)

1. Good afternoon. I will start off with ‘Transport’, followed by ‘Sports & Recreation’.

2． The Workers’ Party takes issue with the ruling party’s policy of outsourcing public transport to the Public Transport Operators (“PTOs”), SBS Transit and SMRT, which are both profit driven. This results in conflicts against public interest. Given the fact that public transport is a basic necessity of modern life, serving public interest should be paramount and not profits.

3． The PAP government has failed to ensure that the capacity of Singapore’s public transport infrastructure has kept pace with the sharp population increase in the past decade. This has resulted in overcrowding of our trains and buses, particularly in the last 5 years. Commuters often have to endure extremely crowded MRT trains, station platforms and buses.

4． The Workers’ Party is of the view that Public transport should be provided as a public good and not for profit. Transport costs must be kept affordable for all Singaporeans, especially the low income earners, who spend a large proportion of their income on transport.

5． Now I will mention 3 highlighted proposals by The Workers’ Party:

Firstly, The Public Transport Council should be dissolved. All public transport including the MRT & public buses servicing major routes should be brought under a National Transport Corporation to ensure a smooth integration of the overall national transport network and to avoid unnecessary duplication of services and overheads incurred by multiple operators.

Secondly, Concession passes on public transport for the elderly should be extended to all operating hours. There should be more generous concessions given to the disabled, and these should be funded by the government in line with the best practices in other developed countries.

Thirdly, A unit should be set up under the Land Transport Authority:
a. To receive feedback and complaints regarding public transport services;
b. To audit the standard of services;
c. To review the productivity of the National Transport Corporation; &
d. To examine the need to adjust fares

6． To conclude this chapter, The Workers’ Party will strive towards a first-world transport system that is both efficient and cost-effective. We will continue to ensure that the PAP government holds direct public accountability, rather than having the Public Transport Council to regulate public transportation.

7． Now I will move on to ‘Sports’ & Recreation’. The Workers’ Party believes that taking part in sports and other recreational activities improves physical fitness, instills perseverance, teamwork and cultivates social skills. Very importantly, sports and recreation provide healthy outlets for many Singaporeans to manage our stressful lifestyles.

10． The Workers’ Party supports the building of a strong sports culture in Singapore, nurturing competitive athletes as well as providing facilities and opportunities for recreational sports participants. We welcome the contributions of foreigners to our sporting scene. However, their purpose should be primarily to transfer skills and knowledge to home-grown Singaporean athletes.

11． Now I will mention 3 highlighted proposals by The Workers’ Party:

Firstly, the goals for Sports Excellence should be revised. There should be stronger emphasis placed on sports that are popular among Singaporeans and have a greater ability to rally the nation together, rather than their medal-winning potentials.

Secondly, let’s bring back the Malaysia Cup. Singapore’s previous participation in the Malaysia Cup galvanized our nation, and drew huge crowds like no other event since. The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) should seriously explore the re-entry of a Singaporean team into the Malaysia Cup. Our domestic S-League should also be strengthened in terms of playing standards and marketing, so as to resurrect it to a state of health, provide good career opportunities for local players and to support the national team.

Thirdly, the leaders of National Sports Associations should be elected from among the sporting fraternity. Politicians should not hold such positions.

12． To conclude this chapter, The Workers’ Party strongly believes that Sports Excellence is to forge greater patriotism, to promote friendship with other countries and inspire young people to pursue their dreams. Singapore must not politicize sports, and the winning of medals at international competitions should not be the over-arching goal of Sports Excellence.

13. Thank you.

On Fellowship & Battle Deliberations

I am a believer of destiny. It is always the calling of destiny that permits the gatherings of the people. Typically it starts with just two or three people gathering for a common purpose. Purposeful gatherings tend to gather minds, pace and even deeper purpose.

As such I have tremendous optimism in the eventual outcomes of synergized hearts, minds and efforts. This is especially so, when a group of like-minded WP activists gathered last evening for a time of fellowship & battle deliberations.

What did I experience? I experienced an electrifying atmosphere of great patriotism, sincerity, passion, collective leadership and deep-rooted commitments. On top of those, I truly enjoyed our camaraderie, exchanges of ideas and humor a plenty. From an Organizing Secretary’s point of view, Team WP is ready to do battle!

However an important question is: Why the Workers’ Party is doing what we are doing? Singaporeans really have to understand the fundamental issues behind this upcoming battle. (Do watch out for the launch of WP GE2011 manifesto really soon! This is an effort of many individuals over 2.5 years.) Summarized simply, this battle must be fought for the betterment of citizenry, country and our future.

Battles of such epic proportion don’t come often. Therefore it is time for you to ask yourself, have you already heard the call of destiny? This shall be the call that will gather the multitudes, take side with the WP to empower & to enable Singaporeans to strive towards a common purpose and a politically balanced Singapore.

Singapore from this point onwards must not be controlled in the hands of the same clinical white. This is because Singapore will move forward into the future, with a spectrum of colors, including a strong ray of blue. So are you ready? Shall we collectively experience GE2011 alongside the Workers’ Party for a better Singapore?

To find out more, do contact us. The Workers’ Party welcomes you!

Heartland Conversations With Mdm Lee

This afternoon during my rounds, I chanced upon Madam Lee (Mary) who returned my Pasar Malay greetings in crisp Queen’s English, “David Marshall! I know about your party and I am a supporter”. I smiled and thanked her.

The energetic Mdm Lee held my hand firmly, led me to her side and asked me to guess her age. I guessed and replied, “Seventies?” She chuckled and said that cannot be so because her son is already seventy-two years old! Mdm Lee then revealed that she is already 92 years old.

Those surrounding both Mdm Lee & I were all amazed with Mdm Lee’s revelation. Another aunty sitting nearby shared that Mdm Lee is actually 93 this year, which means that Mdm Lee's lunar year age is already 94.

Impressed by Mdm Lee’s strength and alertness at her age, I asked Mdm Lee if we could take a photo together and she gladly obliged. Amazingly, after our first photo was taken, Mdm Lee did a ‘QC’ (Quality Control) and rejected the take, complaining that our faces were darkened as a result of the bright background!

The above led to a second retake, resulting in this photograph. Mdm Lee then continued sharing with me (switching fluently between English & Hokkien) about her Peranakan roots, her family and life story.

I truly enjoyed my afternoon heartland conversations with Madam Lee. I look forward to meet her again, having already made an appointment to pass her a print out of our photograph :)