It’s shaping up to be a humdrum by-election in a forgotten town, if the Hougang rally crowd reaction this Saturday is anything to go by. No surprising, because no one has really explained the significance of the Hougang by-election to voters.
TOC reported: “The most striking observation throughout the rally was the reaction of the crowd. About 8,000 people turned out during the rally, but they were significantly quieter than rally-goers during the 2012 general elections. Despite multiple attempts to rally the crowd, most notably by Mr Giam during his speech, much of the audience failed to respond to the speakers. Much of the cheering seemed to have come from WP supporters and volunteers near the front; the back ranks of the crowd were noticeably quiet. The crowd only came to life when Ms Lim and Mr Low took the stage — and during certain pointed remarks aimed at the PAP. Even Mr Low had to encourage the crowd to cheer for Mr Png when it was his turn to speak, and even that did not result in much greater enthusiasm.”
Maybe– just maybe– the people are just tired of elections, with this to be the third election for them in the space of a year.
WP is still using its “slam the PAP, promote a First World Parliament” strategy. PAP, on the other hand, is fighting this election with free porridge, free TCM clinics, even free hearing aids.. But surprisingly, no free HDB upgrading.
To me, neither strategy seems particularly effective.
WP’s strategy is beginning to taste like old wine in old bottles. PAP, on the other hand, doesn’t see that very few voters care about free porridge or TCM clinics, that it is its economic policies that have hurt the people.
Already a lot of voters are jaded and believe that their vote will not change things one way or another, because one more or one less WP MP in Parliament doesn’t change things– and indeed, one more or one less PAP MP won’t change things either.
No one has explained to them the significance of this by-election.
This by-election is not about electing an MP to speak up for Hougang voters or even choosing someone to take care of Hougang. I’m pretty sure both men will take good care of Hougang, and both men will also speak up for Hougang voters.
This election is about signalling. What message do Hougang voters want to send to the PAP Govt?
A vote for PAP tells us that Hougang voters believe PAP is on the right path, that their policy changes since May 2011 have adequately addressed the people’s concerns.
A vote for WP, on the other hand, tells the PAP that it needs to do more, that its policy corrections are still inadequate to meet the people’s demands, that it has still not done enough to address the cost of living and other issues.
The question is not whether Hougang is for sale, or that Hougang is a beacon of democracy in Singapore, or even the Hougang Spirit (whatever that is). WP needs to explain clearly to voters that one more MP for WP means a lot more than one more MP for PAP, and that while PAP MP’s may speak up for them, it is all NATO, for they will never vote against the Govt for any policy or shoot down any Budget, Bill or Amendment.
WP needs to show voters that if they vote PAP into Hougang, they will lose the their ability to pressure the PAP Govt into making more changes, because the PAP will assume the people are satisfied with what they’ve done so far.
WP must show voters that while this is a local by-election, the implications of their votes will extend far beyond 2012, as it will determine whether PAP continues its iron-fist grip on power and takes the people for granted, or if we can have a truly representative democracy that can pressure the Govt to change, and not just a sea of (useless) alternative voices.
Political Writings 
On candidate’s choice – If Desmond Choo was so genuine and capable and first choice, why is he here? Why are they sending a lightweight? DC is probably wondering “why is TPL not here, instead of me?” Tough luck, because he is carrying his Uncle’s baggage so he has to work extra hard to prove and get on the fast gravy train. Whereas the other TPL husband’s has been carrying the PM’s bag. That’s the difference – PAPs idea of democracy.
When PM says ‘one more or one less MP” is not going to make any difference in Parliament, that to me is already an arrogant display of a Party that has wielded enough power that he couldn’t care less, thus the dismissal. HG voters (especially the young ones) will be selling out if they think DC is going to speak their voices. After all, when there are already 81 PAP voices, did it make any impact to the disastrous policies they insist on shafting down the citizens’ throats? More reasons why Opposition voices are required, resulting in minor (not major) tweaks we have seen. Something to bear in mind.
Thanks. It’s not about voices though. When it comes to action, who can you depend on to vote against unpopular PAP policies? Desmond?
Kenna whipped. Or Lee Hsien Loong or Teo Chee Hean going to lift the whip for Choo?
Spot on. Hougang voters are the ones that will send a message. Their votes affect the barometer.
But I suspect that out of 23,000 votes, many have been swayed by the presence of high level PAP people shaking hands and basically being highly visible.
My wish is for Hougang voters to send a very clear signal.
If it turns out to be marginal.. it will be business as usual.
Is disingenuous for DPM Teo to say LTK has “left” (implied abandoned) Hougang.
One could argue that it’s an “Upgrade” or “Expansion” of WP’s team.
In 1991, when Tanjong Pagar SMC was gerrymandered into Tanjong Pagar GRC (that includes Tiong Bahru etc), LKY didn’t have to “abandoned” the SMC for the GRC, he merely gerrymandered the area into his constituency and just walked-over!!
If LTK could gerrymander, he could easily make HG as part of Aljunied GRC too. Since he couldn’t, and for party’s renewal and survival sake, he had to make that necessary leap. One just have to look at SPP Chiam See Tong as case in point; voters can tell what the outcome would have been if there had not been any successive planning by WP. Hougang voters should be proud that they have enabled this beacon of democracy to keep growing, and hopefully will continue to do so.
Hougang is 25K people out of an electorate of 2.5M. Around 1% of Singapore’s electorate. But the rally attracted 8K people. Proportionally, that is the equivalent of 800K people turning out for a rallies in the GE. Maybe 800K people really did turn out for rallies in the GE, I don’t know. But 8K is not really a small number.
What proportion of the 8K are Hougang voters?
At least still MUCH MUCH MUCH better than the PAP’s turnout.
A great article said “A vote for WP is like a Brake to the super-car Ferrari (govt) that will stop the killing of innocent people.” I think that sums it well.
Pingback: Daily SG: 21 May 2012 « The Singapore Daily
Why should any Hougang voters be interested in the election when in the end they are going to vote for WP anyway ? Call me blind voter, you will vote anything that is not PAP because common-sense tell you to vote for lesser-devil. Voters just need to remember this question
“Who make the lesser devil then vote the lesser devil.”
A WP victory is by no means certain. Not at the rate WP is going right now.
What make you think so ? Well, if it is heaven’s will, so be it. The old fart will one day have his day, and he will not be spared his karma. Trust the heaven.
how much money do you want to put on that?
Were you at the rally? My impression is totally different. All the WP MPs were there to show and verbalise their support for Mr Png and to telll Hougang voters they cherish their continued support. Never trust the traditional and mainstream media for they always put the Opposition Parties in a bad light. Remember this is a by-election not a GE!
TOC is not traditional media.