Walid J. Abdullah: This Is Politics

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When you talk about race, it is called ‘minority representation’.

When your opponent talks about race, it is called ‘communal politics’.

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When election is near, you mention on stage ‘I received an email from resident A, thanking me.’

When it is not election time, never mind seeing your face, even emails are ignored.

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When your opponent raises an important issue, ‘oh we have raised this before’.

When someone points out that you have not raised it before, ‘oh we raise it behind closed doors’.

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When your opponent makes a mistake, ‘you must commit harakiri’.

When your colleague makes a mistake, ‘let us move on’.

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When your opponent offers money for Singaporeans, ‘this is pork-barrel politics’.

When you offer multi-million projects – if and only if elected -, ‘it is only right that those who vote for us get these benefits’.

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When your opponent allegedly indulges in unacceptable behaviour, ‘this is a question of integrity!’

When your own allegedly indulges in unacceptable behaviour, ‘the mistake was made in good faith’.

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When your opponents speak up a lot in ‘they didn’t speak enough’.

When you speak up just once, ‘it was one too many’.

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When you speak rationally, ‘we need to have the GRCs to ensure minority representation’.

When you are in la la land, ‘there are no minorities in Singapore: every Singaporean belongs to the majority.’

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When your opponent changes constituencies, ‘these people are nomads’.

When son of punggol becomes son-in-law of AMK, son of Hougang is nowhere to be seen, son of Joo Chiat migrates to Punggol, and daughter of Jurong moves to Marsiling, ‘this is strategy’.

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When comparisons with other countries do not work in your favour, ‘Singapore is a city-state. We cannot compare with other countries. We are unique.’

When comparisons seemingly work in your favour, ‘Heng ahhhhh!’

Unfortunately, this is politics.