POST★☆★ELECTION

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'NEW CHAPTER in SINGAPORE HISTORY'

By Alicia Wong | Yahoo! Newsroom – Sun, May 8, 2011

With the loss of the first group representation constituency to the Opposition, a new chapter has opened in Singapore's history, said Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo on Sunday early morning.

Speaking to an emotional crowd at Bedok Stadium, a sombre Mr Yeo said, " A new chapter has opened in Singapore's history. It's a tide which we were not able to overcome but that's life."

The People's Action Party's Aljunied team led by Mr Yeo garnered 45 per cent of the votes, while the Workers' Party 'A team' led by WP chief Low Thia Khiang won by a surprising margin of over 9 percentage points, with 54 per cent of the votes. (Rest of results here.)

Aljunied GRC, comprising of over 143,000 voters, was the most hotly contested ward in this General Election.

As PAP supporters continued to cheer for him and his team, Mr Yeo was gracious in defeat and congratulated the WP victors.

"It was a great campaign, we fought hard, we have no regrets," he said, thanking residents for their support, affection and friendship. "We respect the decision of the people of Aljunied."

"I hope Mr Low Thia Khiang and his colleagues will look after the people of Aljunied well and we wish them every success," said Mr Yeo.

The other members of his team -- Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Minister Lim Hwee Hua, Cynthia Phua and new candidate Ong Ye Kung (who was tipped to be an office-holder) -- then stepped forward to give their thanks to supporters and residents.

Ms Lim, Singapore's first woman minister, said the team respected voters' decision and thanked them for the privilege of having served them for the last 15 years.

Mr Zainul said, the results bring about "a new path for Aljunied" and "a new challenge" for him, but added that he will "always be of service" to Singapore.

As the Aljunied team left the stage, supporters fell into a stunned silence -- their first of the night.

This was until the volume for the Channel NewsAsia broadcast, shown on two big screens next to the stage, was turned up, showing WP's Low giving his thank you speech, prompting one supporter to shout "Shut up!".

Mr Yeo left the stadium without speaking to the media, while some other members of the team stayed back to speak to their supporters.

One supporter Eunice, 30, said the PAP had performed well overall, but it was "a pity for Aljunied".

"George Yeo and his team have worked very hard. Many residents will be disappointed," she said, appearing to be holding back her tears.

She had nothing but praise for Mr Yeo whom she worked with during her time as a grassroots volunteer in Aljunied GRC.

Another supporter Vincent Low said, "I'm very sad for George Yeo. He did so much for Singapore." The 59-year-old had gone to Bedok Stadium just to support Mr Yeo,

"It was a very big shock tonight. (I would like) to ask him not to give up and come back again at the next election. He must be a fighter," he said.

MIXED REACTION

Some residents Yahoo! Singapore spoke to were saddened to see a good minister leave Parliament but were also glad to see an Opposition team breakthrough in a GRC.

Aljunied voter Nuraini Malik, 22, a Nanyang Technological University student said, "I'm sad that George is no longer a minister, because he was a very good one."

"But then again, I'm still very happy because this WP team has been really outstanding with their speeches and manifesto. I feel that change is in the air. Now hopefully they can deliver!"

Said Aljunied voter Irwin Tan, 23, "Given George Yeo's track record in Aljunied, we have lost a very good MP, but I'm okay with any party that can continue to take care of the ward. I hope that the WP can make good on their pre-election promises."

Undergraduate Brendan Mok, 23, added, "It's sad that he has to go, but I'm really happy that WP won because it shows that Singaporeans are not as apathetic to politics as they seem. I'm heartened that the electorate has voted for the opposition and that they are happy to do so."

However, to business development manager Aaron Tiong, who lives in Aljunied GRC, said no matter who won in Aljunied, "Singapore lost".

"Both sides in Aljunied had good candidates, but because of the way it was structured it was a waste," he said, referring to the GRC system.

Reaction from users of micro-blogging platform Twitter also lamented the fact that Minister Yeo lost.

User @limxingzhijoel tweeted, "Oh my god. George Yeo and Cynthia Phua lost. Aljunied what have you done?" while @A_myyy tweeted," Why must we lose George Yeo? He is such a good minister!"

@energywen blamed Aljunied voters, saying, "You guys probably don't know that the stakes of your votes are not just ur local MP but the country's foreign minister as well. Thanks for screwing Singapore."

Others blamed the GRC system for the Minister being dropped from Parliament. User @heysihui tweeted, "For those complaining about George Yeo going out: Abolish the damned GRC system."

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Singapore OPPOSITION makes Election Breakthrough

By Philip Lim | AFP News Sun, May 8, 2011

Singapore's ruling People's Action Party (PAP) was returned to power on Sunday with a huge majority but suffered a drop in popularity and lost a key district to a resurgent opposition.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, 59, acknowledged that Saturday's parliamentary election marked a "distinct shift" in the political landscape of the city-state, which has been ruled by the PAP for the past 52 years.

The opposition's win in six seats may be modest by international standards but is their best performance since Singapore became independent from the Malaysian federation in 1965.

The PAP won 81 of the 87 parliament seats, down slightly from its victory in 82 out of 84 seats when Singapore last voted in 2006, and its share of all votes cast fell to 60 percent from 67 percent in the same period.

"This is a watershed general election. It is taking place after five very eventful years. This is a very different world in 2011 as compared to 2006, and a very different Singapore," Lee said in a televised post-election address.

He said the PAP will undergo "soul searching" and expressed willingness to work with lawmakers from the opposition, which won a record six seats and gave the PAP a tough fight across the island.

Four days before the election, Lee apologised in public for the government's shortcomings after voters slammed the PAP for the rising cost of living, competition from immigrants and foreign workers, and other grievances.

Compulsory voting ensured a high turnout on Saturday, with close to 2.06 million people -- 93 percent of the electorate -- casting ballots.

In the most intensely fought contest, Foreign Minister George Yeo and four other PAP candidates lost to the Workers' Party in a group constituency, forcing him out of the cabinet.

A single-seat ward also voted for the Workers' Party, a pro-poor group of lawyers and professionals. The opposition's previous best result was four seats in 1991.

Bridget Welsh, a political science professor at the Singapore Management University, stressed the significance of the opposition's first ever win in a group representation constituency (GRC), a setup widely seen as favouring the ruling party but now shown to be vulnerable.

"The GRCs have been a cornerstone of one-party dominance in the Singapore state, and the breaking of its GRCs is really allowing a diversity of political views in the country," Welsh said.

Six opposition parties took part in the election with the modest goal of winning more seats from the PAP -- resigned to the dominance of the party that led Singapore to political independence and economic prosperity.

They divided electoral districts among themselves to fight the PAP on several fronts.

"The opposition has come together in terms of not contesting against each other. When push came to shove, they put aside personal differences for the larger cause of opening up political space," Welsh said.

The PAP was co-founded by the prime minister's father Lee Kuan Yew, who governed Singapore for 31 years and was re-elected to parliament unopposed on Saturday at the age of 87.

Tens of thousands of supporters attended opposition rallies held over the past week, far greater than the PAP's crowds.

The opposition also relied heavily on the Internet, particularly social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, because the mainstream local media are widely regarded as PAP mouthpieces.

The PAP has long touted its economic record to convince Singaporeans to return it to power and kept the opposition in check by imposing curbs on political activity except during elections.

The economy grew a record 14.5 percent in 2010 and per capita gross domestic product stood at Sg$59,813 ($48,271), according to the statistics department, making Singaporeans the second wealthiest Asians after the Japanese.

But the prosperity has not been spread evenly, and inflation this year is forecast at 3.0-4.0 percent, high by Singapore standards.

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CHIAMs LOSS marks End of an ERA

By Jeanette Tan | SingaporeScene Sun, May 8, 2011

It was a risky gamble that was expected by some to pay off, but didn't.

Singapore People's Party secretary-general Chiam See Tong, who chose to leave his stronghold ward Potong Pasir single member constituency (SMC) to lead a five-member team to contest in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, lost to the People's Action Party team led by Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng in the General Election on Saturday.

The defeat marked not only the failure of the SPP to capture a GRC, but also the end to Chiam's 27-year-era as a member of parliament (MP).

He was first elected into parliament in 1984 through his first win at Potong Pasir, and he subsequently stood for and won five consecutive General Elections, demonstrating time and time again that he had the strong support and loyalty of residents in the single ward.

His supporters' faith in him, however, could not be extended effectively towards his wife, Lina Chiam, who stood in Potong Pasir in his place after his decision to try "to spread love and compassion" to the Bishan-Toa Payoh community.

When Chiam took his first steps out of Deyi Secondary School, the principal counting centre for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC where he and his team were awaiting the result of the election, he was particularly hesitant in his answers.

After not saying anything for more than a minute, Chiam addressed Bishan-Toa Payoh residents, thanking the 43 percent of the voters there who picked him and his party.

Sources close to him said, however, that he felt "shattered" and "miserable" from the loss, and SPP supporters present teared and cried upon witnessing his long pauses between answers.

He told Yahoo! Singapore, "Thank you, residents of Bishan-Toa Payoh, for voting for us... Getting 43 percent is very good."

His wife sat through a very tight vote count.

Potong Pasir was the last constituency to have its result announced early on Sunday morning, and Mrs Chiam eventually lost to Sitoh Yih Pin by just 114 votes, pending another 62 overseas votes that have not arrived.

"I take it in my stride," she told reporters after she and the rest of the SPP candidates returned together to a coffee shop in Potong Pasir, where her supporters and residents were waiting.

"It was a tough fight, and I think I did very well, considering it is my first time entering politics," she added.

"The supporters waited all the way til 4 am just to greet, support and console me, and to ask me to come and fight again... I still feel like a winner."

Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC candidate Benjamin Pwee said winning 43 per cent of votes "is a good showing, considering what we've achieved in one short month... it's amazing, really."

"I congratulate Mr Wong and his team for having won, and I respect the decision of voters, but I am thankful for the 43 percent of residents who did vote for us, and five years later, we will come again," he added.

Pwee also saw the loss as an opportunity to develop deeper relationships with Bishan-Toa Payoh residents, and said that in spite of losing, he and his team will continue to work the ground towards this.

SADNESS, ANGER

Ardent supporters of SPP candidates in both Bishan-Toa Payoh and Potong Pasir were left reeling in a mixture of shock, anger and disappointment after the official result was announced.

A woman from Bishan-Toa Payoh who had turned up at Deyi Secondary School to hear the result announced first-hand broke down at the news.

Her husband, Joseph De Bruin, 38, said, "I was really shocked. My wife and I had a good feeling that the SPP would win... but it didn't turn out that way."

"He will always be in our hearts," he added.

Another resident, Ivy Qieu, 26, said that her whole family had voted for the SPP in Bishan-Toa Payoh and she expressed her disappointment at the result.

"I really was hoping they would win... so many young people came up to me telling me they wanted to vote for him but couldn't because they were not of age -- I find it so unfair," she said.

Back at Potong Pasir, residents and supporters who had assembled at a previously-agreed-upon coffee shop exploded into loud, angry calls for recounts, re-votes, and shouts of "Kelong!" as well as cheers of Mr and Mrs Chiam's names, upon the announcement of the official final count of the vote that revealed Sitoh Yih Pin as the winner.

Many residents shared with Yahoo! Singapore that they felt very angry for him and very sad for Mrs Chiam, and that their enthusiastic mood had all but fizzled out.

Said Potong Pasir resident Jed Senthil, 25, a tutor, "She (Mrs Chiam) has put on a good fight, and she's just started -- I hope she'll come back again."

Another resident, Daniel Tay, 31, said he was bit upset about the outcome of the election, but felt that Sitoh Yih Pin did well.

"He had the courage to try again, and was rewarded," he said.

"I hope that our voices will still be heard in parliament, and that upgrading will actually happen," administrative officer Stella Tay, 24, added.

On the victorious Sitoh, Senthil said, "I hope he will fulfill his promises to us. Our main purpose was to vote in a town councillor, so I hope he will take care of us."

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‘I will continue to fight for POTONG PASIR’

By Faris Mokhtar and Jeanette Tan | SingaporeScene – Mon, May 9, 2011

Although she may have lost, Singapore People's Party (SPP) candidate for Potong Pasir Lina Chiam says she's determined to win back the constituency in the next election.

Addressing a crowd of about 100 supporters and residents who had gathered at Potong Pasir before setting off on "thank you" parade with SPP candidates on Sunday afternoon, Lina attributed the presence of new citizens as one of the reasons for her narrow loss in the polls, where her PAP rival Sitoh Yi Pin won by a mere 114 votes.

"This election is a very close fight and we had to do recounting; I believe that my loss is not because of you all not voting for me," said the wife of opposition stalwart Chiam See Tong.

"I think it's because of the new citizens and also because of the upgrading of the flat which some of these old folks are afraid of and they were told they might not get their upgrading," she added.

She said the building of new condominiums in the constituency is also a sign of changing demographics in her ward. But unperturbed, she stressed she will continue to "fight" for Potong Pasir.

"I will not give up and will continue fighting for Potong Pasir, and my team will help me to make it better for Potong Pasir, intellectually and municipally. We shall be back; I shall return," she said.

Her husband, Chiam, was also positive in defeat, saying that his team contesting in the Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC managed to secure a commendable number of votes against the incumbent People's Action Party (PAP) team led by Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng.

Considering that he had only assembled the team one month ahead of the general election. he said, "Although we have lost, we have won 43 per cent of the votes, so it is right that we thank all those people who have voted for us. Although we have not gained any seats in parliament, we've done quite well."

He also declined to discuss whether his wife will take up the Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) seat, however, saying that it depends on her and the decision by the party's central executive committee. Losing candidates with the highest numbers of percentage votes are eligible to take up the nine available NCMP seats in parliament, albeit with limited voting rights.

As for himself, Chiam -- who for the first time in 27 years will not have a seat in Parliament -- said he will "never surrender" and will participate in the next election if his health permits.

"Next time we will do better. We shall never surrender. In the end, we shall win the battle, we shall conquer. Thank you everybody for coming," he told a gathering crowd who had come to say goodbye to him.

While supporters of the SPP have gone as far as to start a petition calling for a by-election, Chiam dismissed the validity of the petition, saying it has no grounds.

"I am a lawyer and I should know the law. There's no provision inside the case for a by-election, so I don't know how they are going to do it," he said of the petition which has about 2,000 signatures.

As the Chiams and their party members travelled from Potong Pasir to Lorong 8 Toa Payoh, they were given a heroes' welcome.

Residents swarmed around the truck carrying the SPP team, some offering their condolences for the loss of Potong Pasir. Others simply came forward to shake hands with the man they hailed an "inspiration".

One of them was Potong Pasir resident Maz Ahmad. While expressing support for the Chiams, tears welled up in her eyes.

"I feel sad (about the SPP's loss). I waited for the results until 3am. We need somebody who can voice out issues concerning Singaporeans, like the increasing number of foreigners," she said.

Maz, who said she has been a faithful supporter of Chiam, however, said his team still has to work harder.

"They can do better; they just have to work harder. They lost Bishan maybe because the residents are not familiar with some members of the team," she added.

34-year-old B. Venkatesh Sathish, who has lived in Potong Pasir for the past 27 years, told told Yahoo! Singapore he felt particularly emotional at the news of Chiam's departure because he had grown up in the ward under Chiam's care.

"He is an outstanding guy, who serves without complaint," he said.

Shedding tears, he added, "He's like a father to me... I'm here to say goodbye to him, and to thank him for the last 27 years."

For supporter Adeline Sin, 35, who stays in Chua Chu Kang, she thought nothing of the distance travelled as long as she got to meet her "inspiration".

"I first watched him at a rally many years back. I felt he did a lot of things for us in Singapore," said Sin, who works as a purchaser. "He inspired me a lot, a great man," she added.

"I am very sad, they lost only by 114 votes, I don't understand. But I am unable to judge because I don't live in the constituency."

Another resident, 36-year-old Gene Lim, also expressed shock over the defeats suffered by the Chiams, adding that residents in Potong Pasir have always been unfazed by the HDB upgrading "carrots" dangled by the PAP.

"We didn't expect the Chiams to lose, it's not the matter whether it's Lina or Chiam contesting in Potong Pasir. We expected Lina to win, even if by a small margin," he said.

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WP’s Low calls for smooth Aljunied Handover

By Liyana Low | SingaporeScene – Sun, May 8, 2011

Newly minted Aljunied GRC Member of Parliament-elect Low Thia Khiang has called for a smooth transition of the ward into Workers' Party hands.

The secretary-general of the WP said while he's happy an opposition team has clinched a GRC -- a first in Singapore political history -- he's cautious about "what will be the response of the government to the loss of a GRC."

This after the WP team beat the People's Action Party team led by George Yeo by a majority of 54 percent to 45 percent of votes in the hotly contested ward.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday morning, Low said that one of the things he's concerned about is the handover of town council management and that he hopes there isn't "any sabotage."

He said when he was first elected in 1991 in Hougang SMC, the managing agent told him he had to find a new office within 45 days to run his town council because the PAP didn't allow him to use the current office space.

While he managed to build himself an office within the stipulated 45-day period, he said the opposition MPs of then-Nee Soon Central and Bukit Batok SMCs in 1991 actually ran their town council in a container office. He claimed it was the PAP's way of "punishing" residents for voting them into Parliament.

"I would like to know if I need to do the same thing again when taking over the Aljunied town council. I want to know if there's a difference in the Singapore 20 years ago and now," he said.

On why the PAP team lost Aljunied GRC, Low said, "So far including an apology from the Prime Minister, I think they have done all the right things, but Singaporeans know they need a credible opposition."

He said, "This election shows that this is the kind opposition that Singaporeans want: rational and responsible. We do not oppose for the sake of opposition, we will only confront when necessary."

First-time Member of Parliament-elect Chen Show Mao, considered the "star catch" of the WP, said, "This is a great responsibility, just looking at the number of people who have given me this trust without the benefit of a track record, we don't want to give them cause to regret their decision."

Although he felt there wasn't enough campaigning time, Chen is looking forward to serving the residents and said, "We have to walk more and talk to people more understand their situations and their needs."

When asked how does it feel to be a day-old MP-elect, he said, "It hasn't sunk in yet."

Meanwhile the Aljunied team's youngest team member Pritam Singh said, "The euphoria died down much more quickly than I expected it to because we've got a lot of work ahead of us."

On why he thought WP won the hearts of Aljunied residents, the 34-year-old post-graduate law student said, "Singaporeans recognised that we put a good team together. They saw beyond the material concerns and saw the need for a good opposition in parliament."

Of the voters, Low also said, "I think Singaporeans have become mature. We have first-world citizens and so we hope to move towards a first world parliament."

Before he set off for his victory lap around Aljunied, he especially thanked Hougang residents for understanding why he needed to move out of the SMC and run for Aljunied GRC.

"It is beyond words that I can express my gratitude to them," he said.

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Heavy LOSS to my Cabinet: PM LEE

Yahoo! Newsroom – Sun, May 8, 2011

PM Lee Hsien Loong says losing Aljunied GRC is "a heavy loss to my Cabinet."

Speaking at a People's Action Party (PAP) press conference after GE results were announced on early Sunday morning, PM Lee said the losing PAP team led by Foreign Minister George Yeo was made up of "five good men and women".

Besides Mr Yeo, the team that lost to the Workers' Party team included two ministers -- Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Hwee Hua -- as well as Cynthia Phua and promising new candidate Ong Ye Kung.

PM Lee, who is the PAP's secretary-general, said, "Aljunied put up a strong fight, but we were disappointed that the PAP lost not just over the last nine days, but for the last five years and even longer. We were disappointed but respect the voters’ decision."

He said he had spoken to Minister Yeo over the phone and that "he has accepted the voters' decision."

Although the PAP won 81 out of 87 seats in Parliament , the ruling party were returned to power with the lowest overall margin of victory -- 60.1 per cent of votes -- since 1963.

Acknowledging the strong signal that sent to his team, PM Lee promised the PAP would engage in "soul-searching" and "analyse results, improve ourselves and serve you better."

Flanked by DPMs Teo Chee Hean and Wong Kan Seng, a solemn PM Lee said, "We hear all your voices... It is a different world and a very different Singapore".

He added many Singaporeans wanted to see "a different style and approach in government, with a new generation who want to see more opposition."

"It has been intense and emotional. We have heard you on issues like the cost of living, housing, about our political system and values. There has been ventilation on the frustration of aspirations in person and on the Internet," said the PM, who successfully defended his own seat in Ang Mo Kio GRC.

Recognising the role of new media played in these elections, PM Lee added the electorate of today is "different, with many young voters with different educational qualifications".

With the WP also successfully defending their seat in Hougang SMC, they will have six elected Members of Parliament.

Two from the Workers Party, from Joo Chiat and East Coast, and Lina Chiam, who narrowly lost in Potong Pasir, are expected to form the nine Opposition voices in Parliament.

PM Lee said he was looking forward to them "presenting, arguing, offering alternatives, to debating in a constructive manner. We encourage them to carry out their duties with diligence and dedication."

With the Elections over, PM Lee said it is now time for the Singaporeans to "close ranks" and move forward as one.

"There are no easy choices, and we need to find better answers and workable solutions… But the GE was yesterday. Today is already the day after... It is a time for healing...let us close ranks to secure our future together."

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Why it's time to end the GRC

By Alan Soon | Yahoo! Newsroom – Sun, May 8, 2011

COMMENTARY

This is the result of Singapore's controversial group representation constituency (GRC) system: the loss of a strong, highly visible foreign minister and of a veteran opposition leader, and the addition of a foot-stomping 27-year-old rookie.

In one fell swoop, three office holders of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) -- Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Hwee Hua and Senior Minister of State Zainul Abidin Rasheed are out. Was that the intent of Aljunied voters?

One angry Twitter user @energywen blamed the voters in the GRC, "You guys probably don't know that the stakes of your votes are not just your local MP, but the country's foreign minister as well. Thanks for screwing Singapore."

On the other side of the fence, veteran opposition leader Chiam See Tong lost his seat -- a voice that now needs to be filled in Parliament. Blogger @mrbrown wrote on Twitter, "Chiam See Tong, you fought the good fight. No one can say you didn't. I salute you."Again, was the removal of a respected political leader the real intent of voters?

In sad irony, one of the real winners in all this is Tin Pei Ling. At 27, she is the youngest in the PAP's lineup this election. Compare that with Chiam See Tong, who has been in service to the nation for the same 27 years. Talk about a freak election.

This is the stark reality of our political system -- an all-or-nothing bet that, at best, raises a new generation of leaders. At its worst, it compromises the very thing that we all seek as citizens: a responsive, credible and respectable government.

Politicians are not born -- they are groomed. But the use of the GRC ticket as a fast-track path to politics is irresponsible and dangerous for nationhood. What we've done on election day was to swap experience with youth. But at what price? Is that the intent of voters?

Experiments with the GRC system must end. It's time to abolish the GRC before we further undermine our democracy.

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ASEAN Leaders surprised, saddened by GEORGE YEOs DEFEAT

By Ion Danker | SingaporeScene Mon, May 9, 2011

Senior Minister S. Jayakumar says ASEAN ministers and leaders were saddened and surprised by George Yeo's defeat in Saturday's polls.

SM Jayakumar, who is representing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the ASEAN summit in Jakarta, said: "Nearly everyone I spoke to - ministers and the leaders - were saddened and disappointed, and surprised to know that Foreign Minister George Yeo has lost."

Mr Yeo's team lost the battle in Aljunied GRC to the Workers' Party (WP) 'A-star' team, led by former Hougang MP Low Thia Kiang, top lawyer Chen Show Mao, party chairman Sylvia Lim, Pritam Singh and Abdul Faisal Manap.

The WP won the key GRC hotseat, beating the People's Action Party team by a surprisingly clear margin of 54 percent to 45 percent of votes. Aljunied GRC comprised over 143,000 voters.

The loss by the PAP team means the Cabinet will lose two Ministers in George Yeo and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Hwee Hua. Lim is also a Second Minister for Finance and Second Minister for Transport.

"Why were they saddened? Because to them, George Yeo has been a very articulate, able spokesman for Singapore.

"But not only that. They consider him as one of the most ardent advocates for the cause of ASEAN. Highly articulate; a champion of ASEAN in representing ASEAN to the rest of the world," said SM Jayakumar, who will be retiring from politics.

He also described Mr Yeo as having immense talent and did not discount the possibility of him being given another role.

Turning his attention to the election outcome, which saw WP creating history by capturing the first GRC for the opposition, SM Jayakumar said it was a major step in the evolution of Singapore's parliamentary and political system.

"Things will change, and with every change we need to ensure that it is for the positive and not negative," he said.

"All the criticisms that have been made about us and our system that it stifles the opposition, that the GRCs perpetuate the ruling party. Well, it has been proven wrong, because the system works."

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TIN PEI LING ‘a factor’ for WEAK Results: SM GOH

By Ion Danker | SingaporeScene – Mon, May 9, 2011

Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has admitted the negative publicity surrounding Tin Pei Ling was a factor to the People's Action Party's (PAP) weaker performance at Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

Speaking after his team's victory parade around Marine Parade GRC on Sunday morning, SM Goh said that she has been given that negative image from the very start and added that her youth was also a factor.

"I mean, she was a factor. Nicole Seah was also a factor. She communicated very well. She spoke quite persuasively to the younger people as well as some older people.

"So, I could sense that quite a few people supported her. So both were factors," he said.

However, SM Goh added that Tin is not at fault in wanting to be an MP.

"They thought it's all Tin Pei Ling's fault. It's not," he said.

"The PAP wanted to have a representative slate. She came in on that basis by the PAP. We knew that she was young but we know that she will grow. I think that's the key.

"We wanted her. If there's anything, we knew that she would be young and inexperienced but we are quite happy.

"And the main thing is she has got through. And that's the reason why people are unhappy that such a young and inexperienced person has got through," he added.

"We have five years. If after five years, Tin Pei Ling remains what she is, then of course, she would still be a factor at the next election.

"But at this stage, looking at her action, in three years time, she would be a different Tin Pei Ling."

SM Goh also acknowledged the "sea of change in the political landscape" and that the "tide was very strong".

SM Goh's Marine Parade GRC team successfully fended off a challenge by the National Solidarity Party team to defend their ward, but their winning percentage of votes was only 56.6 per cent, much lower than the party's national average of 60.1 per cent.

"I was expecting, to be frank, a slightly better result, but we were prepared for this kind of result. Because for us, it's a new situation. There is a sea of change in the political landscape," said SM Goh.

Touching on the loss of Foreign Minister George Yeo as an MP, SM Goh said, "It's very painful that we lost him, very painful indeed. And the pain for the country will also be felt... It's a loss, he is a good personal friend."

Despite a growing backlash by netizens to remove her an an MP-elect, Tin said she's looking forward to helping MacPherson residents.

"I would like to start small, from within MacPherson, because now I am an elected MP for MacPherson, so that would still be my priority for now," she said.

"I hope that through my action, my work in MacPherson, that can be used as a start for me to prove myself and to gain the trust of Singapore," said the 27-year-old business consultant.

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COMMENT from Disappointed 13 hours ago

Dear SM,

TPL is a factor and so are you and your party!

I felt embarassed for you that you have one of the lowest percentile win, even though you are a SM. Compared to how you bought your party to a restounding 75% win in 2001, you have really sink so low since then.

Your speeches and your wife's peanut comment had bought down your good image! I had always respected you more than any of the Lee PM yet time and time again, you said and done things which diluted my respect and support more.

I had always thought you to be a man with your own thinking and not just a puppet to your party. But alas, I guess your good self must have been badly influence by your peanut wife and TPL. I don't really blame you since both of them do not have the capacity to think as well as most of us Singaporean.

Your comment now only seek to discredit you more. We the citizen always trust in the govt because we knew the govt do not use incompetent people. Yet recent events had shown that the govt can make mistakes (we have PM apologising for it twice)

Thus if the govt knew that they had make a mistake, then I trusted that with your intelligence and foresight, you should had known even before accepting TPL into your team that she had no substance and whatsoever to be a MP.

I can only come out with 3 reasons:

1) The PAP could not find better candidates because all the good calibre candidates who can think for themselves and who do not want to be just a puppet, but to be an alternative voice for the people do not want to join the PAP because they understood that there is absolutely something wrong with the PAP; and that they are not persuaded by greed to join PAP, unlike certain MPs.

2) You are been used as a scapegoat. Maybe it is the PM who want to let TPL inside the Parliament because he wanted to "reward" his most "loyal" sidekick aka TPL hubby. And he pushed her to you because he knew that having TPL into his team will pulled down his votes and as a PM, especially with that arrogant attitude of his, he did not want to lose face by having win by a low margin, just as you had polled.

3) PAP always want puppets so TPL is a PERFECT puppet.

I stayed in MP GRC and casted a spoilt vote because out of respect for you, I did not want you to lose to the opposition but I do want more alternative voice in the Parliament and NSP is a good opposition thus I was really in a dilemma.

Yet now I wonder whether I will regret my not voting for the opposition (though i doubt one vote can make any diifference)

So I hope PAP can heed the people's cries and make changes as PM and many of the MP had promised. And one of the thing to do first is to get rid of TPL and bring back George Yeo. Get rid of the GRC system and be brave enough to fight fair and just. You govt also called us citizen Kiasu, Kiasi, kiawhatever, as I remembered a speech by our PM. Yet have you wonder why we are like that? Because we learned from you, the govt!

Get rid of those useless minister, or wives of MP/PM/SM who had done nothing for the country except to lose money for the GLC, lose a dangerous terrorist, lose money for the Town councils, losing count of the budget for YOG, losing respects from your people with their insensitive and callous comments ( How can you ask us to send our aged parents to JB?! This is unfilial! And the govt wanted such person to work for them? It spoke much of the person's characters! Imagine you the SM, PM who bring KBW to this state, yet one day, when you lost the respect of the people and to save his own grace, he vote to have you replace? What would you think?)

The list go on and on ...

I sincerely hope that you can redeem yourself.

Faithfully,

MP GRC RESIDENT

TIN PEI LING ‘a factor’ for WEAK Results: SM GOH

By Ion Danker | SingaporeScene – Mon, May 9, 2011

Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has admitted the negative publicity surrounding Tin Pei Ling was a factor to the People's Action Party's (PAP) weaker performance at Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

Speaking after his team's victory parade around Marine Parade GRC on Sunday morning, SM Goh said that she has been given that negative image from the very start and added that her youth was also a factor.

"I mean, she was a factor. Nicole Seah was also a factor. She communicated very well. She spoke quite persuasively to the younger people as well as some older people.

"So, I could sense that quite a few people supported her. So both were factors," he said.

However, SM Goh added that Tin is not at fault in wanting to be an MP.

"They thought it's all Tin Pei Ling's fault. It's not," he said.

"The PAP wanted to have a representative slate. She came in on that basis by the PAP. We knew that she was young but we know that she will grow. I think that's the key.

"We wanted her. If there's anything, we knew that she would be young and inexperienced but we are quite happy.

"And the main thing is she has got through. And that's the reason why people are unhappy that such a young and inexperienced person has got through," he added.

"We have five years. If after five years, Tin Pei Ling remains what she is, then of course, she would still be a factor at the next election.

"But at this stage, looking at her action, in three years time, she would be a different Tin Pei Ling."

SM Goh also acknowledged the "sea of change in the political landscape" and that the "tide was very strong".

SM Goh's Marine Parade GRC team successfully fended off a challenge by the National Solidarity Party team to defend their ward, but their winning percentage of votes was only 56.6 per cent, much lower than the party's national average of 60.1 per cent.

"I was expecting, to be frank, a slightly better result, but we were prepared for this kind of result. Because for us, it's a new situation. There is a sea of change in the political landscape," said SM Goh.

Touching on the loss of Foreign Minister George Yeo as an MP, SM Goh said, "It's very painful that we lost him, very painful indeed. And the pain for the country will also be felt... It's a loss, he is a good personal friend."

Despite a growing backlash by netizens to remove her an an MP-elect, Tin said she's looking forward to helping MacPherson residents.

"I would like to start small, from within MacPherson, because now I am an elected MP for MacPherson, so that would still be my priority for now," she said.

"I hope that through my action, my work in MacPherson, that can be used as a start for me to prove myself and to gain the trust of Singapore," said the 27-year-old business consultant.

[kueytoc]

Official Results of GE 2011

Yahoo! Newsroom – Sun, May 8, 2011

The PAP has taken 81 out of 87 seats in Parliament in this year's General Election, while the Workers' Party has picked up the balance of six seats, their best showing ever.

Here are the latest official results of Singapore's 2011 General Election so far:

Bukit Panjang SMC

PAP's Teo Ho Pin - 20,349 votes (winner)

SDP's Alec Tok - 10,362 votes

Hong Kah North SMC

PAP's Amy Khor Lean Suan - 18,149 (winner)

SPP's Sin Kek Tong - 7,553

Hougang SMC

WP's Yaw Shin Leong - 14,833 (winner)

PAP's Desmond Choo Pey Ching - 8,053

Joo Chiat SMC

PAP's Charles Chong You Fook - 9,630 (winner)

WP's Yee Jenn Jong - 9,248

Mountbatten SMC

PAP's Lim Biow Chuan - 11,965 (winner)

NSP's Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss - 8,436

Pioneer SMC

PAP's Cedric Foo Chee Keng - 14,581 (winner)

NSP's Steve Chia - 9,430

Potong Pasir SMC

PAP's Sitoh Yih Pin - 7,973 (winner)

SPP's Lina Loh Woon Lee - 7,859

Punggol East SMC

PAP's Michael Palmer - 16,969 (winner)

WP's Lee Li Lian - 12,765

SDA's Desmond Lim Bak Chuan - 1,386

Radin Mas SMC

PAP's Sam Tan Chin Siong - 18,591 (winner)

NSP's Yip Yew Weng - 9,110

Sengkang West SMC

PAP's Lam Pin Min - 14,667 (winner)

WP's Koh Choong Yong - 10,585

Whampoa SMC

PAP's Heng Chee How - 13,015 (winner)

NSP's Ken Sun - 6,672

Yuhua SMC

PAP's Grace Fu Hai Yien - 14,081 (winner)

SDP's Teo Soh Lung - 6,977

Aljunied GRC (5 seats)

WP's Chen Show Mao, Sylvia Lim, Low Thia Khiang, Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap, Pritam Singh - 72,165 (winners)

PAP's Lim Hwee Hua, Ong Ye Kung, Cynthia Phua, George Yong-Boon Yeo, Zainul Abidin Rasheed - 59,732

Ang Mo Kio GRC (6 seats)

PAP's Ang Hin Kee, Inderjit Singh, Intan Azura Binte Mokhtar, Lee Hsien Loong, Seng Han Thong, Yeo Guat Kwang - 112,544 (winners)

RP's Lim Tung Hee Arthero, Lim Zirui, Mohamed Mansor Bin Abdul Rahman, Osman Bin Sulaiman, Tan Zhi Xiang - 49,779

Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC (5 seats)

PAP's Hri Kumar Nair, Ng Eng Hen, Josephine Teo, Wong Kan Seng, Zainudin Nordin - 62,282 (winners)

SPP's Chiam See Tong, Lee Yeong Wee, Wilfred Leung, Mohamad Hamim Aliyas, Benjamin Pwee - 47,092

Chua Chu Kang GRC

PAP's Gan Kim Yong, Low Yen Ling, Alex Yam Ziming, Yeo Khirn Hai Alvin, Zaqy Bin Mohamad - 89,605 (winners)

NSP's Jeisilan Sivalingam, Nor Lella Mardiiah Bte Mohamed, Hazel Poa Koon Koon, Tony Tan Lay Thiam, Sebastian Teo Kway Huang - 56,817

East Coast GRC (5 seats)

PAP's Lee Yi Shyan, Lim Siang Keat Raymond, Lim Swee Say, Mohd Maliki Bin Osman, Tan Soon Neo Jessica - 59,895 (winners)

WP's Gerald Giam Yean Song, Glenda Han Su May, Mohamed Fazli Bin Talip, Png Eng Huat, Eric Tan Heng Chong - 49342

Holland-Bukit Timah (4 seats)

PAP's Christopher James de Souza, Liang Eng Hwa, Sim Ann, Vivian Balakrishnan - 48,682 (winners)

SDP's Ang Yong Guan, Michelle Lee Juen, Tan Jee Say, Vincent Rene Wijeysingha - 32,322

Jurong (5 seats)

PAP's Ang Wei Neng, Halimah Binte Yacob, Desmond Lee Ti-Seng, ong Kim Huat, Tharman Shanmugaratnam - 76,489 (winners)

NSP's Abdul Rasheed, Christopher Neo Ting Wei, Noraini Yunus, Ong Beng Soon Elvin, ong Hock Siong - 37,734

Marine Parade GRC (5 seats)

PAP's Fatimah Binte Abdul Lateef, Goh Chok Tong, Seah Kian Peng, Tan Chuan-Jin, Tin Pei Ling - 78,182 (winners)

NSP's Abdul Salim Bin Harun, Cheo Chai Chen, Ng Chung Hon, Nicole Rebecca Seah Xue Ling, yeo Tiong Boon - 59,833

Moulmein-Kallang GRC (4 seats)

PAP's Yaacob Bin Ibrahim, Lui Tuck Yew, Denise Phua Lay Peng, Edwin Tong Chun Fai - 44,828 (winners)

WP's Mohd Rahizan Bin Ya'acob, Toh Hong Boon, L Somasundaram, Frieda Chan Sio Phing - 31,721

Nee Soon GRC (5 seats)

PAP's K Shanmugam, Lee Bee Wah, Lim Wee Kiak, Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Patrick Tay Teck Guan - 80,659 (winners)

WP's Chong Cham Weng, Angela Oon Kheng Faye, Poh Lee Guan, Sajeev S/O Kunju Raman Kamalasanan, Yam Poh Nam - 57,482

Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC

PAP's Gan Thiam Poh, Janil Arusha puthucheary, Penny Low, Teo Chee Hean, Teo Ser Luck, Zainal Bin Sapari - 100,382 (winnesr)

SDA's Harminder Pal Singh, lee Song Juan, Jeffrey Lim, Mohd Shafni, Sidney Soon, Tan Keng Hong - 54,546

Sembawang GRC (5 seats)

PAP's Hawazi Daipi, Khaw Boon Wan, Ellen Lee Geck Hoon, Ong Teng Koon, Vikram Nair - 84,185 (winners)

SDP's James Gomez, Luo Jie Jarrod, Mohd Isa, Sadasivam V, John Tan Liang Joo - 47,578

Tampines GRC (5 seats)

PAP's Baey Yam Keng, Heng Swee Keat, Mah Bow Tan, Masagos Zulkifli BMM, Irene Ng Phek Hoong - 72,664 (winner)

NSP's Fong Chin Leong, Goh Keow Wah, Goh Meng Seng, Raymond Lim Peng Ann, Syafarin Bin Sarif - 54,337

Tanjong Pagar (5 seats)

PAP's Chan Chun sing, Chia Shi-lu, Indranee Thurai Rajah, Lee Kuan Yew, Lily Tirtasana Neo - uncontested (winners)

West Coast (5 seats)

PAP's Arthur Fong, Foo Mee Har, Lim Hng Kiang, S Iswaran, Lawrence Wong - 72,465 (winners)

RP's Ho Soak Harn, Kenneth Andrew Jeyaretnam, Kumar S/O Appavoo, Low Chiak Huan, Zhu Laicheng - 36,395

[kueytoc]

GE’s accidental Internet Star

By Ewen Boey | What’s buzzing? – Sun, May 8, 2011

Move aside Nicole Seah, there's a new star in Singapore cyberspace.

Returning Officer (RO) Yam Ah Mee is now one of the most recognisable faces in town after having appeared 27 times to announce the winner of each constituency in Sunday morning's polling results.

With his straight-laced and deadpan expression, Yam delivered his announcements in an even-handed monotone, without fear or favour to any of the parties, as should be.

Supporters gathered at various venues around Singapore awaiting the results were overheard mimicking him as he spoke, repeating the line, "Pursuant to Section 49, Sub Section 70, Paragraph A of the Parliamentary Act, I hereby declare..."

It's no wonder he's been labelled "RObocop" and "Justice Bao" by some in cyberspace.

He shot to internet stardom after a spoof Facebook page -- which has his name wrongly spelt as "Yah" instead of "Yam" -- garnered over 31,000 "likes" in just the space of a night.

More recently, a Twitter account was also created, which has attracted more than 200 followers.

Some comments spotted on Facebook congratulate Yam on his instant celeb status.

One by James Rainson Ng said, "You will rockz to stardom. Nicole Seah is the queen of this GE, you are the king."

Another by Caroline Oh said, "Mr Yam, I think you should be the voice at MRT stations, since you made everyone stop and listen to you."

Jokes aside, Yam is actually the chief executive officer of the People's Association and was one of the driving forces behind the LTA's Land Transport Master Plan.

He was appointed Returning Officer for the Parliamentary and Presidential Elections in June last year, succeeding Tan Boon Huat, who has retired.

Lest you think he's all talk, he's also chief of the President of the Harvard Club and Harvard Club of Singapore's Volunteer program. This is his actual Facebook profile.

With this new celeb status, there's even a YouTube disco video where you can jive to his monotone voice. Enjoy.

[kueytoc]

A lot for US to THINK about: Minister Lim Swee Say

Yahoo! Newsroom – Sun, May 8, 2011

Minister Lim Swee Say says the General Election results has given the ruling People's Action Party "a lot to think about".

The team led by the Labour chief and PAP minister without portfolio won East Coast GRC but by a narrow margin of just 9.7 per cent from a strong challenge by the Workers' Party, led by Eric Tan.

In 2006, the PAP beat the WP by a more healthy 63.9 per cent of votes in the same ward.

Speaking to Yahoo! Singapore after the results were announced at the Bedok Stadium, Minister Lim said the drop of about 10 percentage points was a big concern.

While he was new to the ward after moving out of Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, he said, "Firstly at GRC level, it's time for us to do a reflection in terms of what are the areas we have failed to meet the needs, satisfy the needs of our residents."

"Secondly this drop in the support rates, I think it’s not just in any particular GRC but fairly widespread across the board. So in other words the national level," he said.

Calling for a fundamental mindset shift in thinking, he admitted, "I think the PAP government, there’s also a lot for us to think about. Is it because we’ve not been doing the right things for Singapore for Singaporeans or is it because we’ve been doing the right things but we’ve not done it in the right way?"

"These are the things we have to think through and find a way forward. I am confident we will be able to find a way forward between the PAP government and the people because the PAP is a government that is deeply concerned about the future of Singapore," he added.

Calling for a "way to move forward together", he said he hopes that in time to come, "not only will we do more of the right things in Singapore for Singaporeans but more importantly to do it the right way so that Singaporeans will feel this strong sense of alignment."

He also recognised the PAP needs to pay a lot more to the process of policy-making.

"The way we make policies, the consultation, the way we reach out to the public, the way we get feedback from them, in terms of our policies, what kind of pain it causes to them" needs to be addressed, he said.

[kueytoc]

Why isnt PAP able to fully harness the INTERNET ???

By Andrew Loh | SingaporeScene Mon, May 9, 2011

The General Elections of 2011 added another layer to the texture of social communications in Singapore, at least as far as political dialogue is concerned. Social media was the variable in the contest for votes and not many could ascertain its effectiveness before the hustings.

The political parties apparently had some inkling about its reach, but few knew how to harness it to its full potential. The only party which did so is the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) which had said that the Internet would be its main channel to reach voters.

As election fever heated up in March and April, the ruling People's Action Party announced the set-up of 27 constituency websites, reflecting the number of areas which would be up for grabs in the elections. However, these sites were never mentioned again and, as far as one can see, their effect on voters is negligible.

Given the enormous resources of the PAP, it is puzzling why it has not been able to engage Internet users more effectively. Each time party members tried their hands at this, it fell flat on their faces. One could forgive Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong for being unfamiliar with social media, for example, but surely he would be aware of the consequences of playing a prank online, and that this would be subjected to scrutiny.

The PAP's missteps in cyberspace were numerous during the elections from what would be called the misadventures of Tin Pei Ling to the rather plastic and artificial Youtube promotional videos of Wong Kan Seng's Bishan-Toa Payoh team, from the disabling of feedback facilities on PAP Youtube videos to the deletion of critical comments on their Facebook pages, PAP candidates seemed lost on the cyber highway, desperately needing a directional sign to help them out of their uncertainty.

One PAP candidate even went so far as to hand out cards which were fashioned on the Facebook interface the cards indicating that he had some 23,172 "likes" for his page when in fact the actual number was just 244. (See here.) Of course, he got slammed for it. One wonders why he would do this given that the truth could simply be found out with just a few click of the mouse.

What was noticeably absent during the elections was the so-called PAP government cyber counter-insurgency unit. Reportedly set-up in 2007 a year after the last elections, it was supposed to defend the government online from its critics. If indeed such a unit was activated during the elections, its presence was hardly felt as views and opinions flew thick and fast on all social media platforms, and videos and photographs of each day's campaigning were uploaded at lightning speed. Any attempts at countering these would have been futile anyway. (See here and here.)

In 2009 the government liberalised the use of New Media to allow for more political debate on the Internet, along with amendments to the Films Act. (See here.) Then-Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts, Lui Tuck Yew, said: "It is… important that the government learns to make better use of the medium of film and new media tools to reach out and engage, inform, educate and obtain the views of media-savvy Singaporeans."

It is not anything new that Lui has said. The government has always claimed to want to "engage" younger, Internet-savvy Singaporeans. The problem is that its definition of engagement is stuck in irrelevant ideas of communication a top-down, "I-talk-you-listen" paradigm.

This is evident from its online behavior. SM Goh, for example, hardly engages anyone on his MParader Facebook page. He makes a post and members of the public comment on that post. SM Goh does not or at least, seldom engages those comments in return. It's the same for other PAP members, although some, such as Ms Tin and Mr George Yeo, do try to go further. But overall, there is very little by way of a dialogue or any meaningful interaction between the politician and those whose votes he seeks to win.

Perhaps the Workers' Party victory in Aljunied GRC is instructive for politicians who feel cyberspace will be an even more important battle ground in future elections. The lesson could be this: in order to win your critics over, you have to go into their corner of the den. Sometimes, courage reaps substantial rewards. Staying in your corner may be the safe option, but it could also mean you will be ignored.

To dismiss online opinions as "noise", or to call Internet users "irresponsible", or to brush aside the Internet altogether, as some PAP members have done, is just plain naïve. For what happens online no longer stays online. What is passed around online gets passed around offline as well. What is read, seen and heard online is regurgitated, repeated, and forwarded to friends, families, colleagues and even strangers.

Nothing truly just stays online anymore, as the elections have proved.

With Singapore having one of the highest Internet penetration rates in the world, the influence of social media will grow, make no mistake.

And contrary to what Lui said in 2009, perhaps it is PAP members, and not others, who need an education in social media and new media for the PAP's scorecard in this area leaves much to be desired.

Andrew is the co-founder and current editor-in-chief of socio-political website The Online Citizen. He writes frequently on issues which are close to his heart, particularly those affecting the less fortunate, and on politics.

[kueytoc]

MM LEE: We will have to adapt our POLICIES

By Jeff Oon | SingaporeScene – Mon, May 9, 2011

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has weighed in the results of the General Election, saying that the ruling People's Action Party will have to "adapt our policies."

In his first comments about the GE results, in which the ruling PAP was returned to power but with the lowest majority of votes since independence, MM Lee said on Sunday, "I am sure the Prime Minister and his team will sit down carefully and analyse the reasons and adapt our policies."

MM Lee added that he "couldn't say more, I am not the prime minister," reported Channel NewsAsia.

MM Lee's view echoed that of his eldest son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who has said the PAP will have to do some "soul searching" so that it could "improve ourselves and serve you better."

Just last week, PM Lee also distanced himself from father's style of governing when he said, "We don't try to do it MM's style... We do it our way."

Earlier this month, MM Lee's controversial comments that Aljunied voters would regret and have "five years to repent" if they voted for the Opposition had sparked heated discussion.

But speaking at a community event in Tanjong Pagar GRC on Sunday, the 87-year-old elder statesman of Singapore said the country's younger generation "does not remember from whence we came."

"That is to be expected. But I do and those amongst you who are older than 50 will remember," he said.

On the loss of Foreign Minister George Yeo, who was defeated in the Aljunied polls, he said Singapore has lost a vaulable minister.

"Not just Foreign Minister, he was also Minister for Trade and Industry but that's the way the cards have fallen and we have to live with it," said MM Lee, whose Tanjong Pagar ward was the only constituency that was not contested.

He added that Singapore will always need "good pilots" and capable leaders because the "Singapore flight" cannot be on "auto-pilot".

"We will run into a storm, we will run into all kinds of emergencies and we must have good pilots on board and passengers who do not panic," he said.

[kueytoc]

COMMENT from Francis Xavier 14 hours ago

Dear MM, PM & all Ministers,

A wise man not only gives instruction, he also listens. All of you are lucky to have been given another 5 years to rule Spore. I was praying that PAP will loose this 2011 elections. I now see there are many good oppositions candidates for this 2011 elections campagin. Some of the opp candidates got much higher qualifications than PAP candidates. It is time for you to reconsider carefully to remover some of your cocky ministers like MBT,WKS & others mention on the internet.

If you do not listen, comes 2016 elections, Sporeans will ensure that PAP to receive 46% overall votes. We are already very fed -up with so many of your PAP policies. Importantly please stop the influx of FT. Many FT have brought shame and disgrace to pur country, especially the PRC, which belongs to the worst group. This is our country, this is our nation for Sporeans.

If you insist on FT, than set a high standard entry level for them, like countries in Australia and some european countries which has high standarad entry level. They protect their countries and citizens. Spore is peacefull now, with the high influx of FT, when Sporeans loose their jobs and go hungry, they will not protest peacefully thru elections. They may go to the streets to protest like E----pt and some of the Arab countries. Im very sure, we do not want this to happen.

As for George boy, ask one of your less capable MP to step down and have a by election at a SMC.

We are sure George boy will win. Did you ever think , the opp may one of these days, request George boy do join them. MM please don't think you are so smart. The new generation is even smarter than you and me, and don't live in the past like the 50 & early 60. This is 2011, I seen you as a PM when i was a very young boy. I am aware of the riots and the difficulities during the early days. I do not wish to live in the past, we have to move on. This is life na !.

My advise to you retired in grace and respect!

Thank you!

[kueytoc]

COMMENT from Panzer 14 hours ago

Dear Sir,

I fully agreed with you on certain points especially on having good pilots that don't panic, but unfortunately, this election has fully exposed all the panic pilots in PAP, e.g.

Case #1: For unknown objective, some ministers brought out the topic of strong Singapore currency to emphasize something that doesn't make sense except bringing up the awareness of strong Singapore currency can buy more things with a dollar. If one Singapore dollar can buy more things, then why are things so expensive? It doesn't make any sense at all?

Case #2: HDB flats. We all know the open market price for HDB is tied to the basic principle of supply-and-demand, so what is the theory of or what does the price of new flat has to do with open market price? All Singaporeans know that we can't sell our new HDB within 5 years time, if the demand is higher than the supply 5 years later, even if I get my HDB FREE, my flat will still able to sell at the market price of that time! So where is the significance of higher new flat price got to do with the market price? And not to mention, the moment someone got his new HDB flat, his/hers HDB flats will carry the open market price immediately, so what is the necessity of that value enhance program? The explanation given by Minister Mah are all plain nonsense and excuses, not just he can convince Singaporeans, he agitated even more Singaporeans!

Case #3: Minister Vivian and Ms Lim Hwee Hua trying to question and criticize the oppositions in desperation but only get back fired on "miscalculate budget", huge investment loses on constituency fund, and the delay authentication from ministry when Hougang submitted their accounts. So who is more in doubt in their efficiency and leadership? The opposition or PAP now? So who is more panic and starts to let go anyhow without thinking? Opposition or PAP?

There are many many more which I don't think I want to con't with it.

Also, younger Singaporeans might not remember, but that goes the same for PAP ministers and MPs too, do they still have or even remember the spirit and the sense-of-mission for the people as compared to the early days? Do they still remember what they should do for the people? I'm confident to say, more than 70% of the Singaporeans don't get to see their MP during their 5 yrs' term.

That also brought out another subject on how PAP select new "talented candidates", just look at Ms Ting, how can she breached the rule during cooling off day? And there is absolutely no signs of her showing remorse or regrets, so are these kind of people allow and going to be "our MP" in future? Is such behaviour and attitude convincing enough?

So dear sir, if you happened see this message (which I sincerely hope you will), please, is time for PAP to serious look at the quality of the members, most oppositions have evolved and able to do a much better job when come to selecting their candidates but, unfortunately, this cannot be said the same for PAP.

[kueytoc]

Improving Lives of CITIZENS a PRIORITY: PM LEE

By Kai Fong | SingaporeScene 2 hours 53 minutes ago

Given the external international environment, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says the government's overriding priority now is to improve the lives of its citizens.

Speaking at the 30th anniversary conference of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation on Monday, PM Lee said that it is also their objective to raise income across the board, even though it is challenging for many countries in this era of globalisation and rapid technological change.

"We are interested in per capita GDP and not just total GDP and we want to improve incomes across the board and that includes the middle income households and the lower income households at the lower end," he said.

To achieve this, Mr Lee said the workforce must "upgrade productivity than just go for expansion, and that means very challenging tasks in the next ten years."

This can be achieved by upgrading productivity through re-training of current workers and education of future workers so that they will be "job ready and deployable", and the restructuring of Singapore's industries.

Elaborating on the bigger picture, Mr Lee said Singapore must first grow the economy by staying plugged into the world by attracting investments and talent, encouraging local enterprises to diversify, expand and move abroad.

The government will also transform and upgrade the economy because it cannot grow simply by increasing the workforce indefinitely.

Other ways include buffering it against volatility by accumulating adequate reserves and maintaining political support for policies which benefit Singaporeans.

Mr Lee acknowledged in his speech that it is not easy for Singaporeans to cope with rapid changes as the overall standards of living are rising and that his 'newly elected PAP government has its work cut out for it.'

[kueytoc]

COMMENT from Sense and Sensibility 1 hour ago

PM Lee

"Mr Lee said Singapore must first grow the economy by staying plugged into the world by attracting investments and talent, encouraging local enterprises to diversify, expand and move abroad."

To me, the above statements seems to be telling me:

1. Please welcome the 900,000 FT to Singapore.

2. Housing prices is still going to go up ridiculously.

3. Prepare for more taxes to come. ERP?? COE?? Etc....

4. Our "noises" will be ignored again.

5. More people will be out of jobs (Replace by FT)

6. MRT and buses will be more cramp.

7. Singaporeans can be downgraded to NOT 2nd, but maybe 3rd class citizens.

8. TPL will still be in the Parliament, taking our taxpayer's money.

9. More inflation to come.

10. Get ready to stay poorer if you are already poor.

Perhaps many more to lists, but no point bringing it up anymore cos everything is going back to square again.

Lucky my vote goes to WP in Aljunied cos PAP NEVER REPENT AND LISTEN!!! If I am to live to regret and repent for the next 5 years, I guess PAP will be doing it after 2016 election.

Improving Lives of CITIZENS a PRIORITY: PM LEE

By Kai Fong | SingaporeScene – 2 hours 53 minutes ago

Given the external international environment, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says the government's overriding priority now is to improve the lives of its citizens.

Speaking at the 30th anniversary conference of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation on Monday, PM Lee said that it is also their objective to raise income across the board, even though it is challenging for many countries in this era of globalisation and rapid technological change.

"We are interested in per capita GDP and not just total GDP and we want to improve incomes across the board and that includes the middle income households and the lower income households at the lower end," he said.

To achieve this, Mr Lee said the workforce must "upgrade productivity than just go for expansion, and that means very challenging tasks in the next ten years."

This can be achieved by upgrading productivity through re-training of current workers and education of future workers so that they will be "job ready and deployable", and the restructuring of Singapore's industries.

Elaborating on the bigger picture, Mr Lee said Singapore must first grow the economy by staying plugged into the world by attracting investments and talent, encouraging local enterprises to diversify, expand and move abroad.

The government will also transform and upgrade the economy because it cannot grow simply by increasing the workforce indefinitely.

Other ways include buffering it against volatility by accumulating adequate reserves and maintaining political support for policies which benefit Singaporeans.

Mr Lee acknowledged in his speech that it is not easy for Singaporeans to cope with rapid changes as the overall standards of living are rising and that his 'newly elected PAP government has its work cut out for it.'

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COMMENT from Armorboot 1 hour ago

Dear Sir,

I hope you can see this message and I sincerely hope that, the 1st thing you should never, Never, NEVER raise the pay of any ministers and MP ANYMORE!!!!!!

Next thing you need to do is NOT TO TRUST ANY OF THE STATICS TOO MUCH. Please go question and scrutinise how those statics are being derived because the reality speaks louder than anything and you know well by now (just why so many Singaporeans have loss faith and confidents in PAP).

Third, keep all cost down. I remember during global crisis period, world 10 largest oil companies had hundreds of oil tankers parked outside the open seas and oil price plunge badly cause of the drop of demand, ONLY Singapore has oil price increased. My point is, Singapore government can almost control all cost, so if we Singaporeans' income cannot increase or increase that much (if competitiveness is what the government will say), than it is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY to cramp down all cost. But PLEASE, don't go urge or constraints those hawkers' price, it doesn't work that way because they have to earn a living too. Starts by lowering down oil and property cost.

Next is to reduce GST back to 5% and also income tax. Hope you understand when we Singaoreans have surplus in our pocket, the government don't need foreigners to boost our market, we Singaporeans will have the buying power to boost our own economic.

Last, but not least, stop importing FT anymore, we Singapore has plenty of talented Singaporeans, the only big problem with Singapore is the government focus TOO MUCH on academic qualification, remember, street smart also has its own quality, and not to mention people with street smart talent are more versatile and higher EQ.

We Singaporeans are waiting for your good news.

Improving Lives of CITIZENS a PRIORITY: PM LEE

By Kai Fong | SingaporeScene – 2 hours 53 minutes ago

Given the external international environment, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says the government's overriding priority now is to improve the lives of its citizens.

Speaking at the 30th anniversary conference of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation on Monday, PM Lee said that it is also their objective to raise income across the board, even though it is challenging for many countries in this era of globalisation and rapid technological change.

"We are interested in per capita GDP and not just total GDP and we want to improve incomes across the board and that includes the middle income households and the lower income households at the lower end," he said.

To achieve this, Mr Lee said the workforce must "upgrade productivity than just go for expansion, and that means very challenging tasks in the next ten years."

This can be achieved by upgrading productivity through re-training of current workers and education of future workers so that they will be "job ready and deployable", and the restructuring of Singapore's industries.

Elaborating on the bigger picture, Mr Lee said Singapore must first grow the economy by staying plugged into the world by attracting investments and talent, encouraging local enterprises to diversify, expand and move abroad.

The government will also transform and upgrade the economy because it cannot grow simply by increasing the workforce indefinitely.

Other ways include buffering it against volatility by accumulating adequate reserves and maintaining political support for policies which benefit Singaporeans.

Mr Lee acknowledged in his speech that it is not easy for Singaporeans to cope with rapid changes as the overall standards of living are rising and that his 'newly elected PAP government has its work cut out for it.'

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Merchandise Paradise GE 2011 MEMORABILIA

By Jeanette Tan | SingaporeScene Sat, May 7, 2011

This year's Singapore General Election has set a number of records -- and one of them may well be in the amount of paraphernalia produced to promote support for the participating political parties.

Voters are likely to remember for some time the umbrellas, flags, badges, stickers, whistles, tissue packs and even mascots that have been ubiquitous sights at campaign rallies.

Danny the Democracy bear, the image-softening icon of the Singapore Democratic Party, and Sinpo, the Singapore Democratic Alliance mascot (pictured below), have made waves among attendees of the parties' respective rallies, and miniature plush toy versions have sold out almost every time.

Images of these mascots have also made their way onto stickers, fans and brochures, all endorsing their respective political parties' candidates and platforms in a friendly and engaging way.

The National Solidarity Party (NSP) capitalised on the Singaporean symbol of the tissue pack, commonly used to 'stake out' or 'chope' seats and tables at public eateries. A witty slogan, "Help Us CHOPE Your Seats In Parliament", combined with the photos of the NSP team for Marine Parade GRC, including Facebook star Nicole Seah, made this a highly popular marketing tool for the opposition party.

As early as Nomination Day on 27 April, fans of the ruling People's Action Party donned T-shirts displaying a picture of Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew as a way to show their support.

To drum up some fervor for Foreign Minister George Yeo and his team of PAP candidates who were standing for the Aljunied group representation constituency (GRC), postcards and badges bearing the slogan "In George We Trust" were distributed at events involving the candidates.

The Workers' Party was certainly not short of its merchandise. With its signature blue umbrellas (below, top left) that have even made appearances at other opposition parties' gatherings, the opposition group's very heavily-attended rallies were often a sea of blue miniature flags, inflatable hammers, umbrellas and clappers.

The Reform Party and the Singapore People's Party also stationed at their rallies multiple merchandise booths carrying umbrellas, books, badges, flyers and stickers in their party colours--yellow and white, respectively.

Some of the most creative signs of support for the various candidates, however, proved to come from individuals.

Expressions of from-the-heart support from parties' fans came in a variety of forms, from handmade banners and placards to large-scale contraptions assembled from party-produced merchandise.

What was by far the most unique of these, however, was a large mock-up of a turquoise Kate Spade box by way of a foam board and complete with black ribbon, bow and the words "Kate Spade" on it.

Spotted at rallies of various opposition parties, the "Kate Spade" board was designed in mockery of PAP Marine Parade GRC candidate Tin Pei Ling, who was previously revealed to be posing in a photograph with a box from the bag brand, which she received as a present.

Its maker, 40-year-old Reno Tan, a Marine Parade resident, said it is a universal symbol that he could take with him to different rallies.

"It's how I make sense of the times," he said. "If Tay Ping Hui could do it, I thought I could do it too."

At the top right-hand corner, Tan would stick a mini flag onto his board, which is interchangeable, depending on the party whose rally he happened to be attending.

Joking that he initially intended to pick up girls, Tan said he ultimately intended to use the board to make a statement across the rallies he attended throughout the campaign period.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmPtUoKXcAQ&feature=related

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SPP set to unveil 5-YEAR MASTERPLAN

By Faris Mokhtar | SingaporeScene – Mon, May 9, 2011

The Singapore People's Party (SPP) is set to unveil its five-year masterplan which seeks to strengthen the party internally and engage Singaporeans with its outreach programmes.

The party's candidate for Bishan-Toa Payoh group representation constituency (GRC) Benjamin Pwee, 43, told Yahoo! Singapore that the plan will be put on the table for approval by its central executive committee (CEC) on Monday.

Apart from ensuring progress within the party's internal structure, the plan also aims to build on more support from the constituencies that it has contested this year, in time for the next election scheduled to be in 2016.

"Basically the masterplan includes a step-by-step process over five-years to grow the party internally and strengthen it as well as strengthen our support with the ground, in Potong Pasir, Hong Kah North and Bishan-Toa Payoh in time for the next election in 2016," said Pwee, a former government scholar.

The proposal comes after the party suffered defeat in three of the contested areas in this year's general election.

Candidate Lina Chiam — wife of opposition warhorse Chiam See Tong — lost to her People's Action Party (PAP) rival Sitoh Yih Pin by a mere 114 votes at Potong Pasir SMC.

In Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, they also suffered a defeat to the incumbent PAP team helmed by Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng -- who only won by a margin of 13.9 percent of the vote share.

Revealing that the defeat was not a setback, Pwee added that the masterplan which he initiated proves that the party is already looking ahead.

The proposal, he said, was also discussed internally together with the other CEC members and the Chiams', as well as the party's policy working group that consists of 15 to 18 professionals from diverse backgrounds; senior lawyers, senior business executives and accountants.

With regard to its internal structure, Pwee — who is currently the managing director of his own regional business strategy consulting firm — said that the party will be recruiting an estimated 150 new volunteers with backgrounds ranging from professionals to senior executives.

He added that the SPP will be meeting them this week to discuss their roles and commitments, and if they are able to volunteer on a part-time basis.

"Some of them for example, want to take charge of our website. Some want to take charge of our viral online campaign and some will be part of our policy working group. So we will sit down and work out what the roles are," he said.

The plan which will be unveiled to the press on an annual basis, also seeks to collaborate with other community groups such as those that deal with issues surrounding women, elderly and the lower-income.

"At the same time through our working groups as well as some other additional initiatives, we want to be able to start reaching out to community groups that work with women for example, or elderly or the poor or the shopkeepers association," he said.

Pwee stressed that through such partnerships, it will allow the SPP to build on the rapport within the community and be more informed of issues on the ground.

Alongside this, the party will also develop a clearer action plan which builds around a consultative process that will include understanding the needs of residents and their expectation for their communities within this coming five years.

"So we want to really in five years get to know the ground, especially the segments in the community that didn't vote for us or didn't know us as well. So we want to really get to know them," said Pwee.

The masterplan includes a slew of initiatives, among them creating a foundation with a seed-money of S$2 million funded by one of its supporters, whose identity Pwee declined to reveal.

With plans to name it the Singapore People's Foundation, it aims to provide financial support to needy Singaporeans, regardless of the constituencies that they come from.

Still, it will be a challenge to ensure that it is non-partisan, with Pwee adding that the SPP are already exploring on ways to ensure that this foundation will be able cater to all Singaporeans, and not just supporters of the party.

The party also plans to start a virtual Meet-the-People-Session (MPS), which allows residents to consult their problems in case their MPs are unable solve them.

Other plans include setting up a micro-financing revolving loan together with free-of-charge executive coaching and services to assist small businesses. "Either to help the businesses grow or helping those about to go bankrupt to be more self-sustaining," explained Pwee.

He added that the masterplan which was developed based on the strengths of the party members and its resources, is "very implementable and realistic".

When asked on the challenges that the party is likely to face, he said that while the party is financially stable, the real challenge will come in the face of growing the party internally as well as engaging residents.

"I think the real challenge for us is how to grow the party and maintain contact with the residents and have a voice in parliament even though we actually don't have a constituency behind us," he said.

Additional reporting by Jeanette Tan

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Foreign Minister George Yeo announces his RETIREMENT from Politics.

Press statement by George Yeo

Yahoo! Newsroom – 1 hour 42 minutes ago

Media press statement by George Yeo on Tuesday, 10 May, 2011

Thank you for waiting a couple of days for me to rest before meeting you.

Aljunied voters have decided and I respect their decision. Having committed 23 years of service to the residents, it is only natural for me to feel disappointed but this is politics.

It has been my privilege to have served them all these years and they have enriched my life. They have also enabled me to serve in various capacities as a Cabinet Minister in MITA, Health, MTI and MFA for which I am grateful.

Why did we lose Aljunied?

Mr Low Thia Kiang himself said that they won Aljunied not because the Aljunied team did not do a good job, but because the voters wanted WP to be their voice in Parliament.

Mr Low's analysis is fair and I agree with him. This desire for a strong WP voice in parliament was a political tide which came in through Aljunied which we were unable to withstand despite our very best efforts. Right from the start, the Workers party made Aljunied a national battleground.

The fight became one between a Workers Party voice in Parliament and an Aljunied team with two ministers, a potential Speaker of Parliament, a potential minister and a most effective Town Council chairman.

Though I wish the outcome had been different, Aljunied voters have made their choice.

Many of my supporters asked me to stay on to win back Aljunied in five years time. I wanted to level with them and told them last night that it is better for a younger person to take on this important task. I'm already 57 years old and would be 62 by then. Naturally I would help to ensure a smooth handover.

As we ended our campaign on 5 May, I talked about the importance of transforming PAP. This is a belief I've held for some time. It was not something I felt I could say when the campaign started. But, as the campaign went on, as we heard the growing cry from the heart, I decided to make it plain. Like it or not, we are entering a new phase in Singapore politics development. How we respond to it will decide Singapore's destiny in the 21st century.

I would help in whatever way I can to bring about this transformation of the PAP. I wish I had a mandate from the people of Aljunied to be a strong advocate of such transformation. But I don't.

As for remaining in public life, I will contribute in whatever modest way possible.

Many young people has stepped forward to help me in this campaign. Even more have cheered me on. It is not good that so many of them feel alienated from the Singapore they love. I look forward to continue working with them so that the Singapore we struggle for is the Singapore they feel is their own.

As to the actual role I can play, I'll be happy to respond to them. In the last few years, I have learnt much from my young friends. Often they led me rather than I led them. Since the GE results came out, there has been a flood of support for me expressed personally, through friends and relatives, on email and, in an astonishing way, on internet and FB. The words expressed are heartfelt. Many wrote me long passages, some in tears. I'm grateful for the kind words and the good wishes, and will be an advocate of their cause.

As for what I'll do professionally after stepping down as Minister when the new Cabinet is sworn in, I'm not rushing to make a decision. My wife and I thought we should take our time to think this over. We also need a break to spend more time with the family.

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank the people of Singapore for the opportunity of serving them in the last 23 years.

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Petitions Galore after GE 2011 Results

By Alicia Wong | SingaporeScene – 2 hours 43 minutes ago

Calls have emerged for the removal of youngest Member of Parliament-elect Tin Pei Ling, whose Marine Parade group representation constituency team emerged victorious in the polls, and for the reinstatement of incumbent MP George Yeo into Parliament after his People's Action Party (PAP) team lost Aljunied GRC to the Workers' Party.

Various petitions with signatures ranging from less than 50 to the thousands have sprung up this General Election, most of them after the announcement of the results of the 7 May polls.

The more prominent petitions include:

1) A petition to remove Tin Pei Ling from Parliament

It aims to collect 100,000 signatures to support the call for the resignation of Tin as an MP after her Marine Parade GRC team won the polls, and to pave the way for a by-election where Minister Yeo could make a comeback into Parliament. As of 12 am on Tuesday, there were over 8,000 signatures.

2) A petition for former Foreign Minister Yeo to be back in Parliament

Various Facebook petitions have popped up calling for Minister Yeo to remain in government. One calling for Tin to be replaced with Minister Yeo has garnered more than 6,000 likes, while another petitioning for Yeo to be back in Parliament has about 2,000 likes.

3) Petition for Residents of Potong Pasir

Organisers hope to collect 8,000 signatures from residents to call for a by-election of Potong Pasir single seat ward, where Singapore People's Party (SPP) candidate Lina Chiam lost by just over a hundred votes to the People's Action Party's Sitoh Yih Pin.

The collection of signatures is on Monday (9 May) and Tuesday (10 May) from 4 pm to 8 pm at Block 108 Potong Pasir Avenue 1. There was about 2,000 signatures on Sunday.

Reactions

In response to the online petition over her resignation, Tin said on Sunday that she will work hard to listen to residents and reach out to younger people.

Her priority now is her work in the MacPherson ward, where she hopes to prove herself and gain the trust of Singaporeans.

SPP's secretary general Chiam See Tong, who gave up his seat in Potong Pasir to contest in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, said on Sunday there is no provision in the case for a by-election at Potong Pasir.

However, such reactions from people are to be expected, said director of the Asia Journalism Fellowship at the Nanyang Technological University, P N Balji.

"With the online media playing an activist's role in this election, such reactions are to be expected," he said. "The politicians, especially from the PAP, are taking new media seriously. Everybody with a complaint and a point of view will go to the online world."

And while he agrees Singaporeans should persevere in pushing for change if they feel a wrong has been done, Balji said he does not see such petitioning having much of an impact because the opposition, with its historic win of a GRC, has performed well in this GE.

Professor Ang Peng Hwa, acting head for the division of journalism and publishing at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information at NTU, said, "They (the petitions) reflect strong feelings on the ground."

They could be in response to the PAP leaders' pledge that they will make more effort to listen to people, he noted.

However, Prof Ang also pointed out that such actions may be a sign that Singaporeans have not arrived "at some level of maturity".

"People should respect the outcome of the election, painful as it may be for the parties involved," he said, noting that the results represent the wishes of tens of thousands of people and comes after a long process of campaigning.

"You just have to respect the outcome of the election, otherwise it (the petitioning) may never end," he said.

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I don’t consider it as DEFEAT: Chong-Aruldoss

By meiyingt | SingaporeScene – 38 minutes ago

National Solidarity Party candidate Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss does not consider her loss at the recent general election as a defeat.

Instead, she feels like it was a victory, having secured 41.35 percent of the vote, losing by a 17.3 percent margin to People's Action Party candidate Lim Biow Chuan.

"Nine days for people to take me seriously is not a lot of time," she said, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a walkabout she was conducting around Old Airport road this morning. "It's a tall order to squeeze so many things during the nine days. There's only so much that can be done in preliminary stages."

When asked why she did not respond to Lim's criticism of her candidacy and of her plans for the single-member constituency during her rally speeches, the 48-year-old lawyer said that she wanted to focus on national issues, instead of making it a "personal fight".

Chong-Aruldoss had previously published a rebuttal to Lim's comments on the party's website, but did not speak of it during her final rally speech.

"I wanted to use the opportunity during rallies to talk about things affecting all Singaporeans," she said. "It's really about having more opposition in parliament, and how the electorate needs to have checks and balances so the government can be accountable--this is a big issue for me," she added.

When asked about future plans, Chong-Aruldoss remains tentative about her next steps, although she maintains that this is "just the beginning" for her.

"I am going to build on this support that I've gotten. I'm still young, and as far as the party is concerned, we will regroup, assess and consolidate everything, and in due course we will be able to announce our actions going forward," she said.

Chong-Aruldoss was accompanied by her husband and eldest son, alongside a few other family friends. Residents she met urged her to return in the next election to stand again, and hawkers at the wet market she visited applauded their support for her.

Residents who spoke to Yahoo! Singapore attributed her inability to secure the majority vote to her lack of time to familiarise herself with the people.

Aerospace engineer Martin Chan, 43, who was a polling agent for Mountbatten during the election, felt that she lacked the support of many older residents residing in public housing.

"A lot of older people are quite disconnected about politics -- they don't care much about issues, and only know the PAP," he said. "She (Chong-Aruldoss) needs to continue educating the old people, and reach out to them for their vote in the future."

Hawker Johnny Tan, 52, agreed, adding that it seemed to him that the elderly tended to be overlooked in Chong-Aruldoss's campaign.

He shared that a lot of residents were beneficiaries of Community Development funds, and were afraid to risk losing that source of support if they were to vote the opposition.

"They simply don't want to take the risk of losing their source of future income," he said. "Whether it's true or false that they (the CDCs) will cease the provision of support, these elderly who desperately need the funds will simply not take that risk."

New resident Zaleha Bee Mohd Ismail, 57, a nurse educator, however, felt that Chong-Aruldoss had "done very well" in the run-up to the election, with the strength of her family support through her campaign contributing to her credibility.

"She looks like a people person, and good family support adds weightage," she said. "She's just a little bit new in terms of connecting with the people."

Our regional managing editor says "Thank You"