A concern of the modern electorate is the diminishing returns of PAP as the governing party of Singapore.
In this regard, I think that their deviation from their original socialist roots is the primary reason why PAP have alienated themselves from Singaporeans.
Looking through their values and attributes, we can see clearly the difference between what they espouse and what they actually do:
1. The Party’s core values should remain constant. The PAP reaffirms the founding ideals that enabled it to successfully govern and transform Singapore into a modern miracle.
Reality: The founding ideas were primary socialistic. They were the first political party to collaborate with known Communists.
2. The mission of the PAP is to build a fair and just society where the benefits of progress are spread widely to all.
Reality: Yet, PM LHL has said that he has no qualms to bring in more billionaires and raise the Gini coefficient. PAP has never shown how an increase in the Gini coefficient spreads benefits widely to all.
3. Honest: The Party must remain clean, incorruptible, above board and transparent, and lead with integrity.
Reality: How does having an ‘adverse audit opinion’ year after year for the People’s Association give us accountability, when accountability is the hallmark of honesty?
4. Multiracial: A Singaporean Singapore that belongs equally to all citizens, where every individual, regardless of race, language, and religion is assured of justice and fairness.
Reality: Recently, a PAP supporter in TRE, who jumps from moniker to moniker made this comment: “So BK are you a Muslim or Hindus? But normally they do not have nick like BK. Or are you a b**s**d with no known racial origin of your parent?”
Their policies have created chasms festering racists such as their supporter above.
5. Meritocratic: A system that provides citizens with equal opportunities to progress, and for a person’s contributions to be recognised and appreciated on the basis of merit.
Reality: Abysmal housing, health, infrastructure policies have led PM to confess they lack 20/20 vision. Need I say more?
6. Self-reliant: No one owes us a living. We will avoid creating the dependency syndrome a welfare state generates.
Reality: Does self-reliant mean that as a society we allow people like Mdm Lu, 95, climb over the wall to commit suicide to avoid costly hospital bills?
7. Based on these values, the PAP has consistently manifested reliability, pragmatism, unity, far-sightedness, decisiveness, compassion and resilience over the past four decades of its existence.
Let’s see.
8. Reliable: We say what we do and do what we say. Fulfilling promises has shown our people they CAN TRUST us. It has also earned the Party the people’s confidence in our competence and ability to deliver. This has enabled us to formulate and implement policies effectively.
Reality: There is nothing reliable in letting a terrorist escape from our own Guantanamo Bay detention camp.
Or that twice in recent months our immigration checkpoints have been breached. Not by well-trained terrorists but two civilians, and one who is mentally ill.
9. Pragmatic: We have never been trapped by ideology. Instead, we have maintained a flexible approach to generating novel solutions to the problems confronting the nation whilst remaining consistent to our values. By doing so, we have shown that our approach CAN WORK.
Reality: Does pragmatism mean that you mandate wage increases for cleaners and security guards, but refuse to call it minimum wage because it is politically inconvenient?
10. United: A key strength of the Party is the strong sense of unity, loyalty and discipline. This means strong individuals who may have diverse views CAN STICK TOGETHER to work as one effectively.
Reality: Really? Is that why you freeze Dr Tan Cheng Bock from all your grassroots activities now that he ran against Tony Tan?
‘CAN STICK TOGETHER?’ Dr Tan Cheng Bock who had served PAP with such distinction is left out in the cold, loyalty is just a one way street.
11. Far-sighted: We operate with a very long-term horizon. No problem is too remote just because its effects may only be evident in the future. We CAN SEE AHEAD to guide our people along the best way forward.
Reality: Why does their far sightedness affect wages and productivity negatively? Why is it that out of 1 million jobs in the last decade, 90% are low paying jobs?
12. Decisive: The ability to make swift and bold decisions even in the absence of complete information is a key asset. We CAN DO the necessary to make painful but correct decisions for the long term.
Reality: Is that the reason why the Youth Olympics was 3 times over its original budget of S$104 million? Because you make decisions without complete knowledge?
Indeed it is painful, but for Singaporeans not PAP.
13. Compassionate: We must be able to instinctively empathise with our people. We CAN FEEL their worries, concerns, as well as share their hopes and dreams.
Reality: But your propaganda of self-reliance and celebration of billionaires has confused your supporters, and another PAP supporter said this: @BK, Are you a Communist? DO you think Communism will be the best way to reduce GINI?
And this was a response to my support for a more just and compassionate society.
14. Resilient: The ability to persevere despite discomfort, personal risk or possibility of failure means we CAN LAST through tough times to be there for our people.
Reality: Is it resilience or stubbornness? It is a fine line between sticking to your principles and accepting change. And Singaporeans want a change. If not for PAP using the State apparatus to advantage themselves like with the PA & MSM, the will of the citizens would be clearly seen.
What personal risk is there for them at this time? The only risk is the risk of less pay for themselves.
15. These values and attributes have stood the test of time, and more importantly, won the PAP the respect, trust, support and votes of Singaporeans.
Reality: I have known fine people in PAP. It is not the people we are against. It is the insularity and groupism that PAP has engendered.
And over time it is not the values and attributes that are in question, it is the implementation of them that make PAP less respected, less trusted, and will cost them more support and votes in the coming election.
Conclusion
The degradation of their own values and attributes is driving more and more Singaporeans away from PAP. The exploitative nature of monopoly drives both economic marginal utility and social cohesion to the limit. In the process, their ‘manifesto’ is desecrated and soiled.
It is up to Singaporeans to remind PAP of their original promise, whether through an internal shakeup of the party or the voting in of a new government.
History is on our side.
BK