AHPETC: A Wake-Up Call to Vote Wisely

AHPETC: A Wake-Up Call to Vote Wisely (original article from Talking Singapore)

With AHPETC back in the spot-light for their alleged misappropriation of public funds, I think it is timely for Singaporea...ns to reflect on the significance of their Vote.

Regardless of whether the Court decides to uphold The Worker’s Party’s assertion that the Government is powerless to interfere in the running of Aljunied, Hougang and Punggol East even when there is gross dereliction of duties or not, the fundamental issue at hand is how Singaporeans view (and hence exercise) their constitutional right to Vote.

Since 2006, the once dominant People’s Action Party (PAP) have been denied the Government on Nomination Day. In General Election 2006, the opposition parties contested more than half the Parliamentary seats, and in 2011 all constituencies except one was contested. Vote share for the Government has also fallen to an all-time low.

Polls, focus groups and studies into the “poor” election performance of the Government reveal that the electorate still believes that the PAP is the only credible party to govern Singapore. This is not surprising as the PAP’s traditional dominance has enabled them to recruit the best talents.

From this, one can only conclude that the poor showing of the PAP at the polls is due to the casting of protest votes. The intention to vote for the opposition, even though they know the PAP is the better party, is to signal that they are unhappy and that the PAP must work harder.

Unfortunately, adopting such an approach is extremely dangerously as no one can know for certain who will vote for whom. Such reckless actions can result in a freak election result where the PAP is voted out of power. Singaporeans only need to look at AHPETC for evidence that the opposition is not ready to govern Singapore and what could possibly happen to the country if they were the elected Government.

For the sake of Singapore, Singaporeans should vote wisely for the party that can best serve them. In the event that Singaporeans are unhappy and want the PAP to know it, the wiser move is to spoil your vote then to vote for an opposition that cannot serve Singapore. Do not risk a freak election result. The residents of Aljunied, Hougang and Punggol East are suffering for their choice.