Tag: Elections

Walid J. Abdullah: Chastise, Don’t Dismiss, Donald Trump And Supporters

So many people going out of their way to chastise Donald Trump. I have no doubts some do it out of their convictions that his rhetoric is simply vile; yet, i can’t help but feel some just do it to present themselves as enlightened individuals.

Regardless, condemning his supporters as bigots, racists, narrow-minded, dumb and stupid is not going to change their vote. In fact, it will merely strengthen their conviction that Trump is indeed being targeted by the establishment and the rest of the world. An establishment that they perceive to have lost touch with the masses, and one that has not taken care of their bread and butter.

Learn from the lessons of Brexit. Displaying self-righteousness will not get us anywhere (look at those idiots supporting Trump; i’m anti-racism (selectively), i read so much, i’m clever, and they are morons). The rhetoric of hate, when heard by disenfranchised people, can really result in racist, bigoted and weird outcomes.

Address the real issues surrounding disenfranchisement, and don’t just dismiss them as ‘Trump supporters are just racists and misogynists’! (Which undeniably, some are)

But sure, if we want to take the moral ‘high ground’, in spite of our own silence toward racism in our midst, and if we wish to portray to the world how illuminated we are, continue to be condescending toward Trump supporters. Just don’t act surprised or sad if he eventually wins.

I don’t think he will, but hey, i didn’t think George W. Bush would get elected. Twice. The second time, after the illegal invasion of Iraq.

Source: Walid J. Abdullah

August 5, 2016
Who Gets To Speak On Cooling-Off Day?
Someone has gone running to the police (again) in Singapore, and this time it’s the Elections Department.

On Friday (27 May), it announced that the Assistant Returning Officer had filed police reports against The Independent Singapore, activist and former lawyer Teo Soh Lung and blogger Roy Ngerng for allegedly breaching Cooling-Off Day rules.

Cooling-Off Day first came into force during the 2011 General Election. We were told that voters need a day of quiet introspection, away from the noise of election campaigning. Hence, all political parties and candidates would be disallowed from posting any election advertising or campaign material on that day. The only exceptions would be the following:
1. Party political broadcasts on television;
2. Reports in the newspapers, on radio and television relating to election matters;
3. Approved posters and banners that were already up, and lawful Internet advertising that was already published before the eve of Polling Day;
4. Books previously scheduled for publication;
5. The transmission of personal political views by individuals to other individuals, on a non-commercial basis, using the Internet, telephone or electronic means; and
6. Such activities or circumstances as may be prescribed by the Minister.
I was then a volunteer contributor to The Online Citizen, gearing up to cover my first election. I remember the rules causing confusion: Did this mean that we wouldn’t be allowed to publish articles on our website the day before the election? Why would we be banned from doing so, if the newspapers, radio and television news could continue as usual? In the end, we rushed to complete and publish write-ups of election rallies on 5 May by 11:59pm.

Confusion remains

Five years later, the confusion appears to still be present. Despite the Elections Department’s own website saying that “the transmission of personal political views by individuals to other individuals, on a non-commercial basis, using the Internet, telephone or electronic means” is exempt from the Cooling-Off Day rules, the department under the Prime Minister’s Office has seen fit to file police reports against both Teo and Ngerng.

Its reasoning can be found in its press release: “In filing the police reports, the Assistant Returning Officer has taken into consideration the nature of the postings and the potential impact that they might have had. … The two individuals – Teo Soh Lung and Roy Ngerng – also regularly engage in the propagation, promotion and discussion of political issues.”

Yet, this explanation is hardly tenable. The exemption, as mentioned above, only refers to individuals transmitting personal political views to other individuals – which is what both Teo and Ngerng did. Saying that they “regularly engage in the propagation, promotion and discussion of political issues” is hardly incriminating; it is the right of every citizen to be able to discuss political issues, and make their views heard.

Interestingly, the wording of the exemption relating to individuals is different in the Elections Department’s press release, which entails “the telephonic or electronic transmission by an individual to another individual of the first-mentioned individual’s own political views, on a noncommercial basis”.

A close reading of both versions can yield different interpretations. While the version on the Elections Department’s website appears to indicate that a public Facebook post on one’s personal page could fall under the exemption – since it is the transmission of one’s views to other individuals using the Internet – the wording in the press release (which is also the wording in the actual statute) could potentially suggest that the exemption only applies to one-on-one transmission through telephonic or electronic means, in which case Teo and Ngerng’s posts would not fall under the exemptions.

Why are there two different versions? If the Elections Department has taken it upon itself to re-word the law on its website, it can hardly blame citizens for being confused or misinformed, and breaching the rules in consequence.

The report lodged against The Independent Singapore is similarly unfair. There should not be a line drawn between the traditional and online media, particularly when the government had previously justified policies regulating online news websites as simply bringing things in line with the regulations placed upon the mainstream media. The government cannot have its cake and eat it too, deciding, as if arbitrarily, when the online and mainstream media are “in line” and when they are not.

The offending articles on The Independent Singapore as identified by the Elections Department were listicles and articles reporting on election-related material, aggregating responses from social media as many media outlets now do. One might argue over the quality or editorial slant of the articles, but to do so without acknowledging that the mainstream media, too, has its own editorial slant is disingenuous and unfair. To disallow websites like The Independent Singapore from publishing on Cooling-Off Day while the mainstream media is free to continue as usual simply invites suspicion and allegations of political bias within the law itself.

Poor grasp of social media

This sorry episode of lodged police reports simply demonstrates how poorly thought-out and unevenly enforced the Cooling-Off Day rules are.

The law fails to factor in the complexity of social media, where an individual’s post can easily reach hundreds, if not thousands, while still remaining his or her personal opinion. It fails to acknowledge the growth of independent news websites as part of Singapore’s media landscape.

And most importantly, in a climate where the mainstream media is widely seen as under the influence – if not control – of the incumbent, it fails to acknowledge the massive asymmetry in power and reach of one party over others.

Source: Yahoo News
May 30, 2016
Zulfikar Shariff: Duterte – Beneath Tough Talk, Is He A Potential Peacemaker?
The election of the Philippines’ President-elect Rodrigo Duterte signals an important shift in the country’s internal politics.

A lot has been made of Mr Duterte’s tough-speaking, no-nonsense approach to crime in Davao. His two decades as mayor of Davao City in Mindanao have seen a drop in violent crime. This drop is attributed partly to his support of the “Davao Death Squad”, a vigilante group that conducts extrajudicial killings of criminals.

In a region where violence (criminal and political) is part of the local history, Mr Duterte’s approach was widely supported. However, beyond the tough, warrior-like front, he has also cultivated another persona – as a peacemaker. And ironically, he is possibly one of the best hopes for lasting peace in the Philippines.

RELATIONSHIP WITH JOSE MARIA SISON

A Maoist-inspired Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) rebellion that seeks social and political reform has lasted more than 40 years and claimed about 30,000 lives.

The CPP is supported by its military wing, the New People’s Army (NPA) while the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) is the political front.

It seeks the removal of US influence and dismantling of traditional power structures that dominate relations between the peasantry and political elites. At its height in the 1980s, the CPP numbered more than 25,000 members. Its membership has dwindled to about 4,000, mainly from the peasant and indigenous communities.

Negotiations between the CPP and the government have repeatedly broken down amid accusations of bad faith and insincerity. In 2013, negotiations were called off after the CPP demanded that its rebels held in detention be released. The Philippine government rejected the demand, citing difficulty in ascertaining a rebel from a criminal.

Mr Duterte’s longstanding relationship with the CPP’s founder and ideologue, Jose Maria Sison, may provide a solution to the conflict.

Sison, who was Mr Duterte’s lecturer at Lyceum University, has been in a self-imposed exile in the Netherlands after the Philippine government cancelled his passport while he was on a European lecture tour.

Mr Duterte’s overtures to the CPP have been received positively by its leadership. Soon after his election, he met NDFP chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili and committed to peace talks and amnesty for political prisoners.

He further offered the CPP four Cabinet posts in the labour, agrarian reform, environment and social welfare departments.

This offer does not mean the CPP would necessarily be part of the administration.

As Sison has made clear, the offer can only be accepted once there is a negotiated truce. With Mr Duterte due to be sworn in on June 30, it is unlikely that any CPP members would be part of the Duterte administration for now.

It, however, strengthens the hand of CPP leaders who are more inclined towards peaceful negotiations over armed rebellion.

The rapprochement has, however, been rejected by some members of the Filipino military and political establishment.

Former navy officer and coup plotter Senator Antonio Trillanes, and former police intelligence chief Rodolfo Mendoza have both discussed the possibility of a coup if Mr Duterte proceeds with his plans to bring the communists into his administration.

BANGSAMORO

The Muslims in Southern Philippines (Bangsamoro or Moro nation) have resisted Spanish and American colonisation for 300 years. Since independence, that resistance is focused on the Philippine state.

At stake is the autonomy of Mindanao and its surrounding islands.

In 1989, an Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao was created as part of the peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

As mayor of Mindanao’s largest city and with family members from among the Bangsamoro, Mr Duterte’s candidacy was strongly supported by the Bangsamoro groups.

His backing for the enactment of the Halal Ordinance in Davao City, which facilitates and regulates halal food compliance, and his support for the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) have won him favours in the restive region.

The basic law would have resulted in the creation of a Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, granting greater autonomy for the region and a demilitarisation of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

There are, however, other complications.

Mr Duterte’s running mate, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, is opposed to the basic law, saying it would lead to civil war and strengthen the MILF.

The weakening MNLF has thus far rejected the basic law while the MILF has declared that its demilitarisation is conditional on the BBL being passed into law.

Mr Duterte now appears to have moved away from his support for the basic law and is pushing for federalism of the Philippines. While federalism would potentially grant local autonomy to the Mindanao (among others), they would remain as just another region within the Philippine state.

Still, the Bangsamoro appear to be hopeful of Mr Duterte’s next moves. Having worked closely with him over the years, there is optimism that he will be an honest broker and help initiate peaceful settlements.

NAVIGATING INTERESTS

While Mr Duterte appears to have the force of personality and longstanding relationships with leaders of the CPP and the Bangsamoro, he still needs to navigate a political system that has failed to find a solution.

Sections of the military that have spent decades fighting the CPP and MILF appear to reject any settlement with the two groups.

The failed negotiations over the years have also created a distrustful environment among political elites on each side.

His challenge is not merely to negotiate a workable agreement but to convince every party to let go of the legacies of conflict and distrust. At the same time, he needs to assure the elements within the military and political elites and the rebel groups that they will remain relevant and influential.

While his extending the olive branch to the CPP and MILF is a positive start, Mr Duterte still needs to convince his administration that lasting peace is the best hope for the country. And hope that the CPP and MILF keep to their end of the deal.
- The writer is a final-year PhD candidate at La Trobe University, Australia (International Relations). He researches International Institutionalism with a focus on Asean.
Source: www.straitstimes.com
May 29, 2016
Dr Chee Belum Sedia Undur Diri Dari Politik

Calon SDP yang juga Setiausaha Agung parti itu, Dr Chee Soon Juan bergiat aktif dalam politik hampir suku abad lamanya.

Pencalonannya dalam pilihan raya kecil Bukit Batok menandakan kali kelima Dr Chee bertanding untuk memasuki parlimen.

Sekitar 25 tahun selepas bertanding di Marine Parade – Dr Chee Soon Juan menjadi tokoh terkenal tetapi berkontroversi dalam arena politik Singapura.

Dr Chee menyertai SDP pada 1992 dan diperkenalkan pengasas parti Chiam See Tong sebagai calon pilihan bagi pilihan raya kecil di Marine Parade.

PAP bagaimanapun memenangi pilihan raya tersebut dengan 73 peratus undi.

KERJAYA POLITIK DIPENUHI KONTROVERSI

Pada 1997, Dr Chee mengambil alih kepimpinan parti kira-kira setahun selepas Encik Chiam meninggalkan parti menyusuli pertikaian dengan Dr Chee dan para anggota SDP yang lain.

Ada laporan menyatakan Dr Chee menyingkirkan Encik Chiam tetapi itu dinafikan Dr Chee.

Pada 1997 dan 2001, SDP kalah di MacPherson dan Jurong. Kerjaya politik Dr Chee dipenuhi kontroversi. Dr Chee dipecat dari Universiti Nasional Singapura pada 1993 kerana dituduh menyalahgunakan dana kajian. Tetapi Dr Chee menafikan tuduhan tersebut.

Dr Chee pernah mengadakan beberapa bantahan awam. Dia juga pernah disaman di mahkamah oleh mendiang Encik Lee Kuan Yew dan Encik Goh Chok Tong berhubung beberapa kenyataan yang dibuat dalam kempen pilihan raya 2001.

Dr Chee kemudian diisytiharkan muflis selepas gagal membayar ganti rugi.

Akibatnya Dr Chee tidak layak bertanding dalam dua pilihan raya pada 2006 dan 2011.

2012 RASMI BEBAS DARI MUFLIS

Pada 2012, Dr Chee secara rasmi dibebaskan dari muflis dan ini membolehkannya bertanding dalam pilihan raya.

Tahun lalu, Dr Chee bertanding dalam Pilihan Raya Umum di GRC Holland-Bukit Timah. Dr Chee dan pasukannya bagaimanapun tewas di GRC Holland-Bukit Timah dengan meraih hanya 33 peratus undi.

Kekalahan demi kekalahan itu nampaknya tidak mengekang Dr Chee daripada terus bertanding.

“Kami menerimanya, orang ramai membuat keputusan dan hanya yang dapat kita lakukan adalah melihat ke hadapan,” ujar beliau. Nampaknya, Dr Chee tidak mungkin meninggalkan politik dengan segera.

Source: Berita MediaCorp

May 8, 2016
By-Election The Latest Stop In Political Journey, Says Chee

Eight months after contesting his first election in 14 years last September, Dr Chee Soon Juan, 53, finds himself contesting his second.

While some political pundits had suggested that the Bukit Batok by-election was effectively last chance saloon for Dr Chee and as good an opportunity as it gets for him to enter Parliament, the man himself disagrees — opting to see the latest contest as simply one stop in the ongoing political process.

“It’s like an MRT station. You come to one stop, it doesn’t end there. You go on. I don’t think it’s ever an end goal in that sense. I’ve always seen it as a journey and not just for me personally — for the party, for the country as well,” said Dr Chee, who has parked himself at the MRT station many mornings and evenings leading up to the Bukit Batok by-election this Saturday, cycled and walked with his team around the Single-Member Constituency, and shaken hands with numerous patrons of the coffee shops there.

Political analysts have weighed in on what is at stake this time for Dr Chee, who first entered politics in 1992. They said that the by-election offered Dr Chee the best shot at winning a parliamentary seat in his colourful political career so far — due to factors such as the by-election effect and the ignominy of former People’s Action Party Member of Parliament David Ong’s resignation over an alleged extramarital affair.

Any result lower than 35 per cent would raise questions on his electability, an analyst said.

In response, Dr Chee pointed to the lack of a democratic system and media freedom here.

“Let’s put that in context and then we can start talking about electability … We don’t analyse the system first. Before you do that, let’s not start throwing words like you would in a democratic system,” Dr Chee told TODAY in an interview last Saturday.

When reminded of how opposition parties have made breakthroughs in the current system, Dr Chee called for “even-handed” media coverage and said his team would just have to continue to appeal to voters.

The tentative and sometimes tetchy relationship between the SDP and the mainstream media came to the fore in the past week as several speakers at its rallies criticised a front-page headline used by Chinese daily Lianhe Wanbao after an interview with him, which the newspaper later corrected online.

SDP central executive committee member Dr Paul Tambyah also disagreed that this by-election spells the best opportunity for Dr Chee to get elected. Many in the opposition believe Bukit Batok SMC was carved out of Jurong Group Representation Constituency in the 2015 General Election because it was a PAP stronghold, said Dr Tambyah.

Other challenges include what Dr Tambyah called attempts by the ruling party to smear the SDP and Dr Chee, and distortion of statements they made.

Dr Tambyah — who was part of the SDP Holland-Bukit Timah team with Dr Chee and two others that won 33.4 per cent of the vote last September — also took a longer-term view of the SDP’s efforts to get into Parliament.

“We hope that by running a clean and fair campaign and focusing on the issues, we have moved the cause of democracy forward so hopefully Dr Chee will be in Parliament, if not this time, perhaps in the next GE,” he said.

Dr Chee said the response from Bukit Batok residents has been encouraging.

He has come to know many residents, who are beginning to feel “very comfortable with us around”. But he said: “How can you tell until the final poll comes around (on) Saturday?”

TODAY tagged along twice when Dr Chee was at Bukit Batok MRT Station and once as he walked around several coffee shops. Some commuters resolutely kept their earphones plugged in and refused to be distracted from their journey home, some politely smiled and accepted the brochures he gave out. Others stopped for a chat, wished him well and requested photos and autographs. One man stuffed a S$50 note into his hands.

The SDP is trying a more nuanced and gradated approach in reaching out to voters this time around and has covered all the residential blocks in Bukit Batok, said Dr Chee, who has pledged to be a full-time MP.

“For example, you come across a pro-PAP supporter or Residents’ Committee supporter, you say thank you and if they don’t want to support you, they don’t want to support you,” he said. “For those people who say, ‘I’d like to meet Dr Chee’, (my activists) will let me know and I’ll go visit them.”

Whatever the outcome on May 7, Dr Chee said he will keep at his cause. “Life is a journey. That which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. And change takes persistence, takes perseverance, but we’ll get there,” he said.

Source: TODAY Online

May 7, 2016