Especially with social media, I feel that people jump onto issues very easily and are easily swayed and convinced by the things they see online, which then makes up a part of their knowledge and thus believing it as the truth. There's much more about the dangers of social media - seeing how there were many incidents involving the police with regards to posts made online (which I'm not going to dwell into) but yes, definitely I have to agree there are benefits of social media in this age where it is so prevalent and probably the more used platforms for news and information as opposed to traditional mass media - convenient, quick and more importantly, interactive.
This election, I do see a lot more posts and comments in support and favour for the opposition parties as compared to the ruling party. Not surprising because some, especially the ruling party supporters, may feel, "What for post my thoughts and comments online?", 'I can vote who I want to without entertaining all these commentors or online trolls". On the other hand I also understand opposition parties supporters are also commenting and posting to spread information and gain advocacy, which is an added value in helping for campaigning for the opposition. I truly support and appreciate that because I too, will be more in the know of what each party have to offer and the views of fellow citizens who are also, worrying and voting for the future (or at least the next 5 years) of Singapore.
But with that comes a danger of people just following the "trend" - in particular, the younger generation. I do know of people who just vote for the opposition "for the sake of opposing" without understanding the full picture and repercussions. Yes, I understand that it's your right to vote but I'm just disliking the group of people who "vote just for the sake of opposing" just because they are against the ruling party. Without understanding who you are voting for, without understanding your candidates, just blindly voting for the opposition "just cause it is cool and in trend" doesn't make you seem more "woke" as a person.
Firstly, I think I have to explain my personal political stance - I am pretty much pro-government. I do support and appreciate what the government has done for us (unlike other countries), so I would just say that our government is actually doing a pretty great job already. For sure, I believe our current ruling party is strong enough to lead our government, because I don't think any opposition party is ready to do that now. BUT - I absolutely 100% agree with the fact that we do need opposition leaders in the parliament as well to keep the ruling party in check, and to also offer additional perspectives and voices in parliament. We need new policies catered to the changing times. The ruling party needs to understand that some of their policies which may have worked back then will not work now. Younger generation have a whole new different view and ideology, which is something which all parties need to work to make Singapore a better home for all of us. With that being said, I'm all for having more opposition in the parliament - that is IF the opposition candidates are capable and worthy of doing so - which I feel only a handful. Some parties are promising things for their campaigns which are unrealistic and don't even sound feasible - which again comes back to the pointer of "oppose for the sake of opposing". Definitely there are candidates (both the ruling and oppositions) that can talk well, but can they actually do what they promise to? Some parties really need to buck up and select good candidates to fight against the ruling party in the next election, having candidates that actually listening and hear from their hearts rather than those that just say yet do not show that in their actions.
Personal view, but I feel that the WP have done a really incredibly good job this time round. From their promotional videos, manifesto and speeches, were actually impressive and I too, do support and was rooting for some of their candidates and feel that they deserve to win, such as in my area as well- the Aljunied GRC. I'm really glad that they managed to clinched 10 seats parliament - inclusive of a new Sengkang GRC which is a new breakthrough in Singapore politics scene. Some candidates of this party are worth watching - that is the hot favourite Jamus, Ting Ru, Nicole and the new secretary general Pritiam. I won't exactly say I'm fond of all the candidates but these few really caught my eye through their campaign. I was definitely expecting (& hoping) for them to win Sengkang GRC, and was one of the "to watch constituencies" that night (alongside West Coast, East Coast and Aljunied). Definitely pleased with the results seeing their effort and speeches for the past week. I believe and hope that they will make a new change and bring about doing what they promised. PSP is another opposition group which I was immensely impressed. Being a relatively new party, they managed to clinch quite a high number of votes too. Dr. Tan's presence indeed helped to attract supporters, which made West Coast GRC fight entertaining to watch. I'm more than proud in seeing an unprecedented change in history, and hopefully parliament will be more diverse now, having more representation.
With all these being said, back to my main point. My friends and I discussed this while waiting for the results and we all pretty much had similar sentiments. Some of the candidates of the ruling party actually do care and do well in serving the residents as well as provide a voice and change in parliament. I do have to agree and support some of these who actually made positive change. There are areas where the ruling party candidates is doing very well and better than the opposition (such as Potong Pasir and MacPherson SMC), and there are areas where opposition is definitely better hands down (Like Aljunied GRC). Yes, you dislike the current government policies, I too also dislike some of the policies which the current government have - changing constitution as and when they like to fit their own narrative, unfairness of the GRC system, inequality in wages, different treatment of migrant workers and foreign talent, LGBT issues and the rising cost of living and GST hikes and many more. This is not the way to go. "Ownself check ownself system" is really just arrogance at play.
As such, I cannot stress the importance of educating yourself, understanding who's in your constituency and who has did what. There's no excuse for not knowing and voting opposition just so you are "anti-ruling party" because you don't agree with their policies - that's just plain ignorance. Don't be a blind voter and follow opposition just because everyone is doing so. Reiterating my point above that I don't think any opposition party currently, even WP is capable enough to lead the government yet, or of minister calibre. Yes, I also agree that ministers are paid too high (what's up with that) and some people do not deserve being ministers....
The ruling party getting 83 seats yet only 61% of the votes, though in other countries, this statistic is really high and considered as good results. But, being the super majority, I don't think this will change anytime soon unless they change how GRCs work. Some candidates are just getting a free ride being in the same constituency as a powerhouse. The government will continue to be under the ruling party reign unless things change. As much as there is a need for more alternative voices in the parliament, I feel national stability and security is just as important. Imagine ending up in a state like America having riots and protests here and there because of politics? I wouldn't want that day to happen.
I know people will rebut me and say "we can't have change if we keep sticking to the same government". But my argument back to them would be, "are you confident they will do a better job?" If yes, go ahead. It's your choice and I respect that. But please just open your eyes - what's up with some opposition parties trying to cut down NS to 6 months duration? Even WP, the best opposition so far, I don't think they are ready to lead the government yet. Yes they have candidates of good calibre to debate in parliament - and I'm all in for that if they can do that. But to lead a government, lead a country? That's a whole different thing and it needs EVERYONE to make it work.
There are tweets and online comments which I see last night, which is very worrying. Comments saying that the older generation (boomers) should not be entitled to vote because they will vote for the ruling party - so what about that? I think these people are so fixated with the fact that all boomers are fearful of the current ruling party and that they are just voting for them again because they been through tough times together and build a nation together since independence, since the trust. I will not downplay their efforts, but acknowledge and applaud the ruling party for that. And I feel it is quite reasonable for the older generation to continue to trust them - as some others will say - "it's your choice", so it's THE older generation's choice - who are you to stop them from doing their citizen rights? Also to counter the point that ALL elderlies are ruling party supporters - this is not true. We can see from all the videos and photos of the WP supporters circulating around, there ARE alot of elderly supporting for the opposition as well. Don't turn this into your own narrative of ageism and generation gap just because your opposition team did not win.
Another comment I saw - that how the ruling party should be scared the next election comes, as there will be another generation Z coming in to vote for the opposition. Now this - suggests that they are saying that ALL youths are going to vote for the opposition. This just implies generalization and stereotypical mindset that youths should be "woke" and voting for the opposition. This is scary and worrying how some younger generation think they have to vote for opposition no matter what. Of course, I need to reiterate again - this is just my thoughts about those who seem to show such "follower" behaviour - of course die hard ruling party supporters will continue to vote for the ruling party and die hard opposition supporters will also do the same, which I have no qualms with.
Also the negative comments towards people who voted for the ruling party, saying things like it's because of them we are still under the rule of the ruling party. Erm hello, before you start making baseless personal attacks, please educate yourself, even if the opposition wins a third of all the seats, the ruling party is still the majority and will still continue to have power in passing bills. That being said, it doesn't mean we should all just vote for opposition just because we want to have MORE voices. You wouldn't want to have some incapable member of parliament representing your ward right?
You should vote for who you think is capable and will do well in serving in your ward and representing your voice in parliament, and not just because of opposing and to "punish" and "rebel" against the ruling party. Know your candidates. Know what they have done, and what they are going to do. There is no point voting for someone incapable just because you don't want to vote for the ruling party. Vote for someone who can actually provide a voice, someone who understand, someone who actually knows their stuff, someone with good rapport and empathy with the residents and someone who actually fights for a change and to actually be able to LEAD our country, our HOME.
Afterall, these are just my personal thoughts - feel free to discuss with me, I'd love to hear your inputs. All I have to say ....vote smart and not vote blindly.
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