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GE2025: Stunning victory for PAPGE2025: Stunning victory for PAP I refer to the CNA’s report, “GE2025: Stunning victory for PAP, winning 87 of 97 seats with higher national vote share in PM Wong's first electoral test” (May 4). GE2025 has clearly delivered the following key messages/notes from the vast majority of voters: The Workers’ Party (WP) has done a fantastic good...

This is not a game of cardsThis is not a game of cards I can appreciate parties wanting to hold their cards close to their chest, but the smoke and mirrors games on nominations day, the shuffling of the DPM from a seat he had openly been declared to be defending, and other ministers shuffling constituencies leaves one feeling the PAP thinks it is playing a game of cards. Constituency...

Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans?Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans? I refer to The Online Citizen GE2025 news report, “Lee Hsien Yang: Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans?” - (April 14), and “The Straits Times’ report, “GE2025: Singaporeans will go to the polls on May 3, Nomination Day on April 23” (April 15), and The Online Citizen GE2025 report,...

𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝... Is the PAP of today exceptional, with unmatched competence and delivery? Afterall, that is their justification for the highest salaries in the world. Let’s look at its more recent track record. Large numbers of NRIC numbers were recently unmasked, leaving Singaporeans exposed to identity theft, fraud, abuse and scams....

GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit TimahGE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit Timah I refer to the CNA news, “GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC but may make way for Singapore Democratic Party” (April 10), “More opposition 'star catches' are emerging. Is Singapore's political scene maturing?” (April 10) and “PSP says government response to Trump tariffs 'overblown',...

GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are recruited into politicsGE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are recruited... I refer to CNA’s news, “GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are recruited into politics” (Mar 28). It is not surprised to notice that in recent weeks, two NMPs and top ministry officials have resigned, fuelling speculation they could be fielded as potential candidates for the ruling People's Action...

More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote in GE2025More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote in GE2025 I refer to The CNA’s News, “GE2025: More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote” (Mar 25). As Singapore’s General Election is due to be held within this year, the following factors will more or less influence the election situation this year: A)The general mentality of voters Voters are generally...

How the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with waning US supportHow the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with waning... I refer to the CNA’s commentaries, “How the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with waning US support” (Mar 4), “Lessons from the Trump-Zelenskyy meltdown- for friends and foes” (Mar 1) and “Will Trump tariffs push China to change economic tack?” (Mar 3). Foremost, we need to recognise the reality...

Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum WageSingapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage: National Service Should Not Come at the Expense of Opportunity Costs Singapore’s National Service (NS) has long been a cornerstone of the nation’s defense, requiring young men to dedicate two years of their lives to military, civil defense, or police service. While...

Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment of reckoningTrump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment of... I refer to the CNA’s Commentaries, “Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment of reckoning” (Feb 20) and “Ukraine can survive with the ‘least worst’ peace” (Feb 22). Now, In the eyes of European Union, they have lost trust and confidence in the United States, it is solely due to the flip flop...

From Deepseek to Huawei, US tech restrictions on China are backfiringFrom Deepseek to Huawei, US tech restrictions on China are... I refer to the CNA’s Commentary, “From Deepseek to Huawei, US tech restrictions on China are backfiring” (Jan 31). Would it be practical, useful and effective for the United States to continually pursue an aggressive containment strategy to hobble China’s tech push? Undoubtedly, the answer is obviously not. There...

Don't get distracted by Trump's outlandish Cabinet picksDon't get distracted by Trump's outlandish Cabinet picks I refer to the CNA’s Commentary: “Don't get distracted by Trump's outlandish Cabinet picks” (Nov 25), and “'No one will win a trade war’, China says after Trump tariff threat” (Nov 26). As everyone knows, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will return to power on January 20, 2025. Trump has dismissed...

Putin escalates Ukraine warPutin escalates Ukraine war I refer to The CNA’s Commentary: “Putin escalates Ukraine war by a step, not a leap, with missile experiment” (Nov 23). Foremost, Zelenskyi’s intention to join Nato has greatly threatened the security and survival of Russia. Hence, Zelenskyy has offended Putin and Putin has no choice but to launch a war with...

Will PM Wong address the astronomical ministerial salaries?Will PM Wong address the astronomical ministerial salaries? I refer to The TR-Emeritus opinion article, “Will PM Wong address the astronomical ministerial salaries” (June 14) by Mr Yoong Siew Wah. It has always been a controversial topic which concerns about our top political leaders who receive their salaries that are many times higher than those foreign political leaders. Our...

Supporting Chee Soon Juan's caféSupporting Chee Soon Juan's café I refer to The Independent Singapore’s news, “Singaporeans urged to support Chee Soon Juan's café despite their political preferences” (July 16). The underlying objective of doing any business is to ensure it is viable and profitable. Otherwise, there is no point of undertaking risk for it. It is natural for...

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Editorials
Strong hailstorm strikes China's Xi'an causing airport...

Strong hailstorm strikes China's Xi'an causing airport...

On the evening of May 8, Xi’an, the capital city of China’s Shaanxi Province, was struck by a powerful...
Four parties lost their election deposits in GE2025

Four parties lost their election deposits in GE2025

A total of four opposition parties, the Singapore United Party (SUP), People's Power Party (PPP), People’s...
Level 16 super typhoon devastates multiple cities in...

Level 16 super typhoon devastates multiple cities in...

Northern China was hit by an extreme weather event on Thursday as a massive cold front swept south, colliding...
Level 15 winds destroy buildings rooftops and cause...

Level 15 winds destroy buildings rooftops and cause...

On April 30, northern China was struck by an extreme weather event as a massive cold vortex surged southward,...
TR Emeritus to 'shut-up' on 2nd May 2025

TR Emeritus to 'shut-up' on 2nd May 2025

Please be informed that TR Emeritus (TRE) will shut down its comment function site-wide at 0000 hours...
Chaos in China as extreme storm destroys homes and...

Chaos in China as extreme storm destroys homes and...

Beijing’s 22 million residents were asked to stay indoors on Saturday, as powerful winds swept across...
China, Thailand, and Myanmar in ruins after devastating...

China, Thailand, and Myanmar in ruins after devastating...

On March 28, 2025, a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar near Mandalay, causing...
Myanmar 7.7 earthquake collapses buildings in Thailand,...

Myanmar 7.7 earthquake collapses buildings in Thailand,...

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on March 28, 2025, causing widespread panic...
Beijing shocked by earthquake and mega sandstorm

Beijing shocked by earthquake and mega sandstorm

Since March 24, 2025, northern China has been battling extreme weather as a massive sandstorm swept through...
Mega hail causes mass destruction in Fujian and Guangdong

Mega hail causes mass destruction in Fujian and Guangdong

An unexpected and severe hailstorm struck multiple cities in Guangdong and Fujian between March 3 and...
Extreme weather struck multiple regions in China

Extreme weather struck multiple regions in China

On March 2, 2025, extreme weather struck multiple regions in China, with parts of Henan province experiencing...
Happy Chinese New Year 2025

Happy Chinese New Year 2025

Wishing all our Chinese readers:     Team@TR Emeritus  
Huge snow caused numerous disruptions on China's major...

Huge snow caused numerous disruptions on China's major...

As the Chinese New Year approaches, millions of people across the country are making their annual journey...
The rapidly spreading HMPV virus you haven’t heard...

The rapidly spreading HMPV virus you haven’t heard...

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is making headlines as cases surge, especially among children and vulnerable...
4.1 magnitude earthquake shakes Shanxi's Linfeng city

4.1 magnitude earthquake shakes Shanxi's Linfeng city

On the evening of January 10, 2025, Linfen City in Shanxi Province was struck by an earthquake. The tremor,...
7.8 magnitude earthquake devastates Tibet

7.8 magnitude earthquake devastates Tibet

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake has hit Tibet, in the region of Shigatse, which is near the border with Nepal. According...
Outbreak of mystery virus in China

Outbreak of mystery virus in China

China is r eportedly facing a new health crisis as the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) outbreak rapidly...
Unknown Virus Rampages in China; Hospitals Utterly...

Unknown Virus Rampages in China; Hospitals Utterly...

A blogger in China has shared a video, claiming that this isn’t China’s Spring Festival travel rush;...
Opinions
Cutting down reliance on US military equipment

Cutting down reliance on US military equipment

There is a rampant rumor going around that claims Egypt has ordered 48 J10C with a price tag of USD$25B...
2025大选—明确授权,变化中的政治格局

2025大选—明确授权,变化中的政治格局

2025年大选结果无可争议,政府再次赢得了强有力的授权,稳固了其在新加坡政治格局中的主导地位。尽管选举结果并不令人意外,但胜利的过程却并非没有争议和复杂性。 值得注意的是,选区划分的变化在本次选战中发挥了重要作用。陈清木医生与徐顺全医生等资深反对派人物,因选区重划而受到显著影响——传统支持基础被分割或并入他区,无疑左右了某些关键选区的最终结果。虽然选区调整在新加坡选举历史上并不罕见,但其公平性与透明度仍持续引发讨论。 工人党虽稳守东北区的传统堡垒,但未能在本届大选中攻下新的选区。不过,该党仍获得两个非选区议员(Ncmp)席位,虽属安慰性质,却在象征意义上维持了国会内多元声音的存在。 更值得关注的是,本届大选所处的人口背景正经历剧烈变化。新加坡人口从2000年的约300万增长至2025年的超过500万。考虑到多年来出生率持续偏低,这一增长几乎可以肯定主要归因于移民流入,尤其可能在华人群体中增长显著。这一趋势对国家的社会结构和政治生态产生了深远影响。 展望2030年大选,各政党不仅要面对一如既往的选区调整与突发的全球事件,更需正视一个不断演变的社会结构。随着越来越多新移民成为国民,选民构成日益多元,政党在政策制定与信息传递上必须更具包容性与前瞻性。他们必须同时争取老一代公民与新加坡新公民的认同,回应共同关切,并跨越代际与文化差异的鸿沟。 在新加坡持续向前迈进的过程中,其政治也必须与时俱进——反映日益多元的人口现实,同时坚守国家的核心价值观:团结、韧性与务实。 Cwc-Ai
A jaw-dropping election

A jaw-dropping election

This is a jaw-dropping election. For the opposition. SDP’s Dr Chee and PSP’s Leong were deeply disappointed....
The Nation has rejected multi-party Parliamentary representation

The Nation has rejected multi-party Parliamentary representation

Our party suffered great losses and I personally have suffered the greatest hit. But these personal losses...
A False Analogy That Insults the Intelligence of Singaporeans

A False Analogy That Insults the Intelligence of Singaporeans

Minister Ong Ye Kung’s recent assertion that a “co-driver” bears no responsibility if a car crashes...
There is a cost to losing

There is a cost to losing

There is a cost to losing. At least in PAP’s books. And one of the costs is a policy of priority. That...
Hougang Belongs to the People

Hougang Belongs to the People

Thank You for the Reminder, Mr Marshall Lim. It is with no small measure of amusement that one reads...
Its all about trust

Its all about trust

Dr Ng Eng Hen from PAP has pointed out the most important key point about this General Elections, it...
Misunderstanding What Singaporeans Truly Expect from...

Misunderstanding What Singaporeans Truly Expect from...

The government's repeated assertion that it is "easy for the opposition to ask the government to give...
Punggol GRC

Punggol GRC

Punggol GRC is without question one of the most hotly watched, followed and contested constituency in...
Should Singapore Be Concerned About David Neo’s “Action-Takers,...

Should Singapore Be Concerned About David Neo’s “Action-Takers,...

Singaporeans should pause and reflect on the recent remark by PAP candidate David Neo, who said that...
Why Singaporeans Must Reconsider the Dismissal of SDP’s...

Why Singaporeans Must Reconsider the Dismissal of SDP’s...

The Singapore government’s blunt assertion that the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP)’s proposals...
Expect the exchange of barbs in politics

Expect the exchange of barbs in politics

In a political contest, expect the exchange of barbs. And we do not lack any of it in the rallies held...
Don't Be Swayed by the Noise—Think Critically Before...

Don't Be Swayed by the Noise—Think Critically Before...

In recent weeks, the political buzz in Singapore has reached a new high. Massive crowds at opposition...
We vote whoever is deserving of our vote

We vote whoever is deserving of our vote

I am surprised that Lee Hsien Loong chose to remind us of the 1997 shameful episode when he, his father...
The Case for a Diverse and Balanced Parliament

The Case for a Diverse and Balanced Parliament

The Singapore government has recently stated that "Good government needs good people" and cautioned against...
None of the PAP labour MPs rose to speak when Parliament...

None of the PAP labour MPs rose to speak when Parliament...

I was truly flabbergasted when I learned from one of Pritam Singh's (PS) recent rally video clips that...
A Regrettable Incident and a Timely Call for Reform

A Regrettable Incident and a Timely Call for Reform

The recent racial slur made by a Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) member during the General Election...
Letters
GE2025: Stunning victory for PAP

GE2025: Stunning victory for PAP

I refer to the CNA’s report, “GE2025: Stunning victory for PAP, winning 87 of 97 seats with higher...
Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans?

Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans?

I refer to The Online Citizen GE2025 news report, “Lee Hsien Yang: Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs...
GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit...

GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit...

I refer to the CNA news, “GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC but may make...
GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are...

GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are...

I refer to CNA’s news, “GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are recruited into politics”...
More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote...

More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote...

I refer to The CNA’s News, “GE2025: More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote” (Mar...
How the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with...

How the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with...

I refer to the CNA’s commentaries, “How the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with waning...
Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage

Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage

Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage: National Service Should Not Come at the Expense of Opportunity...
Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment...

Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment...

I refer to the CNA’s Commentaries, “Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment of reckoning”...
Snippets
Singapore’s Sports Industry: A Rising Powerhouse...

Singapore’s Sports Industry: A Rising Powerhouse...

Singapore’s sports industry is on the cusp of greatness, leveraging cutting-edge infrastructure and...
What are the most popular hobbies in Singapore in 2025?

What are the most popular hobbies in Singapore in 2025?

As work-life balance remains a constant talking point in the fast-paced city-state of Singapore, residents...
10 Most Popular Mobile Games in Singapore

10 Most Popular Mobile Games in Singapore

Singaporeans can't get enough of their phones these days, spending tons of time battling opponents, building...
Langkawi to Koh Lipe Ferry: Complete Travel Guide

Langkawi to Koh Lipe Ferry: Complete Travel Guide

Planning a tropical escape from Malaysia to Thailand? The journey from Langkawi to Koh Lipe offers a...
This is not a game of cards

This is not a game of cards

I can appreciate parties wanting to hold their cards close to their chest, but the smoke and mirrors...
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝...

𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝...

Is the PAP of today exceptional, with unmatched competence and delivery? Afterall, that is their justification...
The sleep science revolution in elite sports

The sleep science revolution in elite sports

Professional sports have entered a new era where recovery science directly impacts performance outcomes....
Sports Betting in Online Casinos as a Way to Improve...

Sports Betting in Online Casinos as a Way to Improve...

In today's world, online sports betting has become not only a popular form of entertainment but also...
Sticky & Recent Articles

Can we trust our journalists to tell the truth?

Can we trust our journalists to tell the truth?

By Anak Kancil There has been a recent spate of books on Singapore history. This is nothing unusual and should be welcomed. The trouble however, is that these books are written and published at great expense with one purpose in mind, which is to set down one singular interpretation of Singapore history, its heroes and its villains. These books are intended purely to flood out all other accounts or interpretation of a history. This is nothing new. Older readers will remember that the first group of people who were given permission or agreed to undertake this sort of work were foreign journalists working in Singapore. For several reasons, many of them have taken on a passion to defend Singapore against its detractors, even though they are only temporary sojourners who happened to pass through for one reason or another. The first of this was Alex Josey, who wrote voluminous books and hagiographies of the founders of modern Singapore. The irony is that after a lifetime of yeoman service, he found himself unable to continue living in Singapore because the health costs became so huge that he could not afford to keep up with his treatment, and no one stepped forward to ensure that his last years was spent with some reasonable comfort. He therefore had to return to his original homeland, England, to pass his last days. After him, other leading foreign journalists took on the task to continue the efforts of presenting Singapore to Singaporeans and to the world. Two of them John Drysdale and Dennis Bloodworth were given extensive access to Singapore’s intelligence records and other resources. They were also given access to personal interviews with Singapore leaders. Singapore scholars and researchers were not given similar privileges. Of course, these foreign journalists also make some effort to try to contact some opposition figures, so that they could give some semblance of objectivity to the story they would eventually write. After the departure of these foreign journalists, local senior journalists found that they could now step into their shoes to produce a more credible account of Singapore’s history. Thus we have senior man in the Singapore journalist world, who got together to write The Man and his Ideas, and more recently, The Man in White. Both of these books were written and produced at great effort and expense with extensive access to local sources. They are large books, each one longer and bigger than the predecessor. Each one of these books was given extensive publicity. In addition, copious chunks of abstracts from these books were also serialized and published in the local press. All these books are well known and helped to promote the continuing saga of the Singapore story, more or less on the same theme and along the same lines. Undoubtedly, these books also gave much publicity to enhance the career of these senior journalists in their subsequent careers. Now we are told that more books along these lines are being prepared in the pipeline. The latest of this was the two volume biography of S. Rajaratnam which is again written by a local journalist and a fellow at a research institute. We are told that other books by scholars are being prepared to give a more comprehensive account of other leaders in the founding of modern Singapore. All these books have been and will be widely promoted and distributed throughout Singapore, including local institutions, schools and even the supermarkets. The hope is that a new generation of educated Singaporeans will develop the reading habit of going through these volumes to understand the full story of how Singapore grew and developed as a nation and emerged from abject poverty to its current status, as a first world country. The question however, is that whether these publicity drive and effort at great expense can lead the people of Singapore to accept and trust the account of the story which is being written and popularized. Or will the people learn to be more cynical and begin to ask whether they can learn to trust these journalists and these scholars. In a free society, independent journalists and scholars will invariably emerge to write stories and accounts they honestly believe. If journalists and scholars only write to confirm one single version of the Singapore story, how can they expect the general public to accept their credibility, and to trust their intellectual objectivity and integrity? Surely the integrity of our journalists and our scholars are much more important than the need to tell one single version of what has always been a contested story. Many different accounts should be allowed to surface and to be published and given the same access publicity, so that the people can decide in their wisdom the full complexity of the Singapore Story.  Read More →

Reply to Rachel Chang’s article “Power to Polarize”

Reply to Rachel Chang’s article “Power to Polarize”

Hi Rachel, I'm writing to you with regard to your ST article today, "Power of the Net to polarise". In the article, you have portrayed the chairman of the Eunos Community Centre's Youth Club and YPAP member, Mr Sear Hock Rong as a victim, a political "virtual scapegoat". I wish to correct your assertion. The trigger of this whole saga can be traced to Alex Tan's attendance in YPAP public forum last year. In the forum, Alex asked many hard-hitting questions which were taken aback by YPAP members who were otherwise, more attuned to the usual cordial "feel-good" settings in YPAP public forums. After the meeting, Alex continues to engage the YPAP members in YPAP facebook forum. Sear is one of the YPAP facebook moderators. It is during one of the Alex's heated engagements with YPAP members on facebook that Sear revealed that Alex was court martialed in NS and has been interned in the detention barracks before. All these engagements came to the netizens' knowledge and many felt that Sear was unscrupulous by hitting Alex below the belt. To add further injury, YPAP complained to facebook to ban Alex. Upon hearing YPAP's bullying on Alex, many netizens were incensed. Netizens began to flood YPAP facebook to engage YPAP members. Others began to search for information on Sear. Results found were exchanged and cross-checked among netizens even though they do not know each other. Through such collaborative efforts, Sear (and his partner Fong, another YPAP member and Eunos grassroot leader) was found to be a director of the company R2E Concepts. And as what you have mentioned, his company is found to be providing services to his own Eunos grassroot organizations. Now, you reported that Eunos constituency office has revealed that Sear's business dealings with it amounted to "no more than a few jobs". The fact remains that business transactions have been carried out and there exists a conflict of interests between Sear as director of his company and himself as Eunos grassroot leader at the same time. Even though he might have excused himself when the Eunos grassroot committee was making the contract awarding decisions, his friends in the committee would still go ahead to choose his company for the sake of their friendship and camaraderie with Sear. Hence, you cannot deny that Sear's company does enjoy a certain "advantage" over others by virtue of the fact that Sear is an insider.     I am sure his business dealings with the Eunos office must have been aboveboard but we are talking about ethics here. I would think if someone truely wants to serve the community with all his heart, it's best to stay away from doing business with the grassroot organization altogether where there is a potential of conflict of interests. By removing all potential doubts, nobody can say anything. In fact, Sear would have come out looking better if he has offered his services to the community for free. Incidentally, Sear's event management company also has a subsidiary selling funeral blankets according to his website information. I'm curious about the connection between managing events and selling funeral blankets. Of bigger interest to the netizens is the number of funeral blankets (if any) that Sear has sold to his grassroot organization for the purpose of giving them to the bereaved families in Eunos? Perhaps you can find that out from the Eunos office for the netizens? Finally, you mentioned in your article that "the urgent task for the online community in Singapore is to build up websites that are credible and respected" so as to pry control of the Web away from the alternative ones which dominate it now. I think the reverse is probably even truer - that the urgent task for Singapore wanting to become a true first world country is to have more independent newspaper companies in Singapore so as to pry control of the mainstream media away from the duopolist, SPH and Mediacorp, both Govt-controlled entities. I look forward to the day when Singapore can be like Hong Kong with numerous independent newspaper companies providing many choices to the readers.     Yours sincerely,   Kojakbt Moderator www.3in1kopitiam.com  Read More →

“Vote PAP out” Facebook garnered more than 3,000 members with strong support from young Singaporeans

“Vote PAP out” Facebook garnered more than 3,000 members with strong support from young Singaporeans

Written by Our Correspondent The "Vote PAP out" Facebook has garnered more than 3,000 members in less than two months with many young Singaporeans joining the group to voice their displeasure against Singapore's ruling party. Set up in late December last year by a vocal online critic of the PAP, Mr Alex Tan to "counter" the propaganda from the state media, the group has seen new members joining at an estimated rate of 300 a week. It has since exceeded the membership of both the YPAP Facebook Network and YP Facebook. A quick glance at the members reveal that most of them lie between the age group of 18 to 30 and are not members of any opposition parties. All were united by a common disdain for the ruling party and are vehemently against their continued political hegemony in Singapore. Such a Facebook would be unimaginable a few years ago, a sign that young Singaporeans are becoming politically more aware, educated and astute and they are not likely to accept blindly whatever propaganda the mainstream media churns out. While the already pervasive "anti-establishment" sentiments are gathering momentum in cyberspace, the PAP appears clueless as to how to crawl back lost support among the post-1965 generation. Its attempts to do so via the YPAP and a forgettable P65 blog have backfired miserably. The YPAP was embroiled in a series of controversies lately most notably a police report made by a member Eric How against a non-existent Facebook impersonation on "advice" of YPAP Chairman Teo Ser Luck. YPAP members have since stopped posting comments on their Facebook after they were grilled by netizens for making a mountain out of a molehill by involving the police. The PAP should not dismiss the trends in cyberspace as another example of "youthful indiscretion." Young Singaporeans will be the kingmakers of the next general election, emulating the examples of their counterparts in Malaysia, Japan and U.S.A. A small group of highly motivated and passionate voters among a larger group of apathetic and passive voters can easily sway the votes. For example, if each of the 3,000 Singaporeans on Alex Tan's Facebook were to persuade 10 of their relatives and friends to vote against the PAP, they will have a ready pool of 30,000 opposition votes which are more than sufficient to tilt the balance in closely fought contests. The PAP's bland propaganda is wearing thin with each passing day as more and more young Singaporeans step forward to reclaim their nation.  Read More →

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