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Tag: People’s Power Party

  • Goh Meng Seng: Even Senior Civil Servants Planning To Migrate, Singapore Education System Not Teaching Good Values To Students

    Goh Meng Seng: Even Senior Civil Servants Planning To Migrate, Singapore Education System Not Teaching Good Values To Students

    When I was traveling to visit a friend during the Chinese New Year period, someone called out to me, “Are you Goh Meng Seng?” I returned my greetings and thought that this was just another the usual meeting with a Singapore supporter.

    But I was proven wrong. This meeting with Michael, proved to be different from others. At the very least, we spent about 20 to 30 minutes chatting on the sidewalk of the busy MRT station.

    Michael told me he is an opposition supporter despite the fact that he is a civil servant. The sad thing is that he said he is preparing to migrate out of Singapore to Japan. This is not the first time I met a supporter who will tell me that they are migrating out of Singapore, to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, US etc. The last one I met before Michael was Jack at Cantonment Police Station when he was getting his certificate of good conduct from the police so to facilitate his migration!

    Naturally, I asked Michael why would he and his family want to migrate to Japan? If all supporters like him were to migrate out, then who do we have left behind to give opposition their continuous support?

    Michael explained that he is doing all these for his children. He has been to Japan and was impressed by their education system. They teach “VALUES” to their students, not just subjects or “living skills” like how to deal with internet and the New Media.

    I was stunned by his words. I thought there are no other Singaporeans like me who would talk about “VALUES” or the lack of it in our education system. In fact, from top down, Political Leaders to civil servants and commoners, wrong values were transmitted in various subliminal messaging through the political system and pop culture. One of the reasons why I decided to step into opposition politics was due to my rejection of PAP’s vote buying exercise via using ASSET ENHANCEMENT HDB UPGRADING carrots. It is basically telling Singaporeans that your votes and soul could be sold or bought by such pork barrel politicking. I did not want my children to live under such system which cultivate such BAD VALUES. Thus, I decided that either I fight PAP to change this system or I shall resign myself to making more money and prepare myself to leave this place; for the sake of my future generations.

    In fact, I have decided to let my daughter to study in Hong Kong instead of Singapore, purely because of my rejection of PAP’s indoctrination of BAD values through the education system. The massive brain washing via distorted history books and slanted National Education which mixed PAP’s propaganda into various messaging.

    I do not see the day I could successfully eradicate the PAP’s system of self interests and self preservation. But at least, I tried and am still trying.

    And Michael is right, our education system has stopped cultivating our shared common morals and good values with regards to Morals, Equality, Fairness, Humanity, Social Justice, Social Responsibility and Democracy. Even our National Pledge was treated just as an empty promises of the State and ruling party everyday; rightfully so because PAP has openly declared that this National Pledge is nothing and has no value at all but just a Highfalutin ideals which we should just ignore.

    Our education system is more interested in Elitism, to filter out the “bright” Scholars with high IQ, never mind if he or she has any morals or core values to begin with, so that PAP could just put them into civil service and eventually into their party to serve their political monopoly.

    Michael told me that many civil servants, high ranking civil servants, are looking into migration out of this place we call Singapore. I was surprised because no matter what, civil servants, especially those high ranking ones, were the ones who helped created the current system! Why are they migrating out of their own creation?

    They are just here to work and meet their KPIs which may or may not give the best results that the society needs but definitely serve their own promotions and bonuses. They saw the flaws of the system in many instances but the Top down management would just discourage any dissidence towards the Elite Scholars. Thus, when their time is up, they would just leave Singapore, for the sake of their children.

    Michael also told me that the stifling academic environment will not provide the kind of First World education that Singaporeans deserved. He said that he has known various foreign lecturers employed by the local universities had their contracts or tenure shorten or discontinued just because they have made unflattering remarks on local politics, PAP and its policies. The lack of academic freedom would compromise the standards of learning dependent on critical thinking.

    Our education system basically discourages critical thinking while promotes conformity or group thinking. This is why Michael felt very pessimistic about the future of his children if they were to remain here in Singapore.

    My little conversation with Michael has to end as I was late for my visit. But this little conversation with Michael sets me thinking on the future of Singapore.

    Education is the foundation of every Nation and it involves not merely economic importance but also the cultivation of our Nation’s Soul. This Soul will determine how our society will look like, how our National Identity will be forged or disintegrate. Any political system’s effectiveness will depend on this cultivation of the Nation’s Soul, its cultural and social consensus based on the values it holds. But somehow, our Good Core Values are serious lacking while bad influences like political propaganda have been on the rise.

    Without the Freedom to Think with strong cultivation of Core Values, there will only be Mind Slaves left in the country.

    Goh Meng Seng

     

    Source: People’s Power Party – PPP

  • Goh Meng Seng: Singaporeans Also To Blame For Death Of Benjamin Lim

    Goh Meng Seng: Singaporeans Also To Blame For Death Of Benjamin Lim

    When Amos Yee was ill treated by the State Police, put through the torture of interrogation and remained in IMH, many people didn’t see the problem of such act by the police state. Even when people like me protested against such treatment, even though I do not agree to his rude behavior, were scorned at and criticised.

    When it comes to Benjamin, the same police state tactic was used upon this poor child who was even younger than Amos Yee. The only difference is that this young boy could not take the pressure and committed suicide. Then there is this uproar.

    The irony is, the same old technique has been used by the police over and over again, regardless whether you are a teenager or adult. Cruel techniques were used to extract unwilling confession from the ISD detainees but nobody squeaked. Few people squeaked when Amos Yee was treated badly by the same police state just because people are more intolerant of his rude behavior than the rouge police state.

    Few Singaporeans see the need to speak up against the rouge police state because they are blinded by their own fear and prejudice. Singaporeans have little sense of social justice until something really bad goes wrong. Singaporeans also lack the empathy to understand that by not standing up to the tyrannic police state, they will become part of the justification of the murderous system. Yes, Singaporeans, by keeping quiet all along with all the injustice happening throughout the decades, are guilty of letting this bloody system grow and take the life of a teenager.

    Pastor Martin has this to say about the COWARDICE of the Germans under the Nazi:

    First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
    Because I was not a Socialist.
    Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
    Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
    Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
    Because I was not a Jew.
    Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

    And the same can be said about Singaporeans as well:

    First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
    Because I was not a Socialist.
    Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
    Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
    Then they came for the Student Activists, and I did not speak out—
    Because I was not a Student Activist.
    Then they came for the Opposition, and I did not speak out—
    Because I was not an Opposition.
    Then they came for the Social Activists, and I did not speak out—
    Because I was not a Social Activist.
    Then they came for the Young Rascal Amos Yee, and I did not speak out—
    Because I was not a Young Rascal like Amos Yee.
    Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

    I do not think Benjamin will Rest In Peace when the whole society is guilty in part to the murderous police state.

     

    Goh Meng Seng, People’s Power Party

    Source: People’s Power Party- PPP

  • PPP: More Extensive Reform Of Elected Presidency Required

    PPP: More Extensive Reform Of Elected Presidency Required

    Response to PAP’s change of political rules

    The Prime Minister has announced a few changes to our political system, basically centered around NCMP scheme, down sizing GRC, increasing number of SMCs and rules regarding the Elected Presidency.

    People’s Power Party is founded on the principles of political reform based on Separation (and Independence) of Five Powers, namely Legislative, Executive, Judiciary, Selection/appointment and Impeachment Powers.

    The Elected Presidency

    One important advocacy of our founding beliefs is to entrench and enhance the Elected Presidency so much so that, certain powers or government institutions should fall under the charge of the Presidential Office. We are advocating the institutions of Impeachment powers, Selection/appointment powers to come under the purview of the Elected Presidency. Namely, the Elected President should take charge of the following institutions and functions:

    1) CPIB
    2) Election Department
    3) Public Service Commission (PSC)
    4) Appointment of judges
    5) Ombudsman Commission
    6) Equal Opportunity Commission
    7) Appointment of key office holders in Temasek Holdings and GIC

    On top of that, the President should have the veto powers to block any legislation which he deems detrimental to the nation’s interests. Such veto can only be overturned by subsequent two-third approval of parliamentary votes.

    Thus, the reform for the Elected Presidency could be more extensive than what the Prime Minister has proposed.

    Although we welcome the proposal of putting the racial balance into consideration for the Elected Presidency, but we object to the proposed increase of power given to the Presidential Advisory Council. The appointment of the members of this Council should not be decided by the ruling party or Cabinet. It should be the sole prerogative of the Elected President to appoint his own Council. Furthermore, the Elected President is elected and empowered by Singaporeans and he should have the full power to make decisions in the interests of the Nation He should be the one who will answer to the Singaporeans who voted him, not the Advisory Council. Thus, the Advisory Council cannot overshadow the powers of the Elected Presidency.

    GRC, NCMP and Proportional Representation.

    We welcome the announcement of downsizing the GRC. We feel that the correct size for the GRC system should be 3 to 4 seats per GRC.

    However, we do not see the necessity of having any SMC nor NCMP if our proposal of Proportional Representation is implemented.

    No matter how PAP tries to package it, NCMP has little legitimacy under the current setting. They will always be considered as second class members of parliament or just simply “backdoor MPs”.

    The advantages of Proportional Representation system coupled with the full GRC system will truly give Singapore’s Parliament Plural Voices while prevent the loss of Ministerial caliber members of any political party which would become the ruling party or part of a ruling coalition.

    Proportional Representation system guarantees intense contest and competition of ideas and ideals whereby multi-corner fights would not be frown upon or “avoided”. It will enhance political competition and consensus building based on plural voice and representation in parliament.

    The current system has tremendous flaws. Beside discouraging healthy competition and contests, it also post a danger of instability. If the ruling party lost a GRC, it may risk losing one or two of its good Ministers altogether. This will not provide the kind of political stability and continuity which we need.

    The Proportional Representation system also mitigates the problem of the Tyranny of Majority Rule. It would allow individuals or groups with specific focus to contest and chance of getting into parliament to contribute to the plurality of debates. Example, if a group of Nature lovers or Green activists were to be elected into parliament, they will provide a diversity in the debates in various development plans, providing the Green Views instead of subjecting our Nation and future generations to the ills of a monolithic discourse pushed by the ruling party.

    Thus, we urge the ruling party to reconsider their plans to change the political landscape to take a serious long term view on the Nation’s political stability by adopting a more comprehensive and bold stance of political reform, which is beyond party politics, to ensure that our Nation adopts the best democratic system based on the fundamentals of Separation of 5 Powers.

    Goh Meng Seng
    Secretary General
    People’s Power Party

     

    Source: Goh Meng Seng

  • Goh Meng Seng: Good Opposition Performance Backfired, Don’t Blame Small Opposition Parties

    Goh Meng Seng: Good Opposition Performance Backfired, Don’t Blame Small Opposition Parties

    From Goh Meng Seng

    I cannot help but wonder why people cannot see through the plain attempt of some political leaders of shifting away blame when they come up with some totally illogical and even contradicting statements.

    Half truth is thrown up to mask their flaw argument.

    For example, people say opposition suffered a bad swing because of small parties and we contested all seats. This is because people fear PAP losing power.

    One must first look at simple facts of comparison. In 2011, all but 6 seats were contested. You mean to say that PAP won’t face the same risk of losing power in 2011 if we simply look at the total number of seats contested?

    There must be something more to make voters to fear PAP losing power. There are combined factors:

    1. The show of an over confident of WP and SDP winning. This can only be effected when majority of media focus has been put on them, showing the huge crowd size of their rallies and suggestive reporting of potential GREAT victory. This also means that other small parties did not hog the news space and didn’t project any negativity to voters as a whole.

    2. However, the number seats of WP and SDP added up will not Cross the 50% mark. It would be irrational for voters to conclude that PAP will lose power if Both WP and SDP win all the seats they contested. Thus, it also means that in voters’ mind, other smaller parties may also win seats! If that was so, it must be the case that voters also think smaller parties have good credible candidates who could potentially win seats as well .

    Now, how can people start to say that other smaller parties do not have credible candidates if that was the case?

    Thus, please don’t put blame on other smaller parties. Opposition as a whole has put up a TOO STRONG showing which Ironically backfired. It was too strong overall to make people frighten of the unthinkable, PAP LOSING POWER.

    Contrary to those nay sayers, opposition wasn’t weak at all and it was Precisely due to this perceived strength, voters begin to worry about PAP losing power. Period.

     

    Source: People’s Power Party – PPP

  • Goh Meng Seng: Singaporeans Are Self-Centred, Fairness And Social Justice Unimportant To Them

    Goh Meng Seng: Singaporeans Are Self-Centred, Fairness And Social Justice Unimportant To Them

    I have met quite a number of Singaporean friends in Hong Kong recently and we naturally talked about the results of last GE2015.

    Part of the observations made are as follows:

    Most Singaporeans don’t put much emphasis on fairness and justice. Most of the time they know with PAP as Government, there are gross injustice and unfair happenings but to them, these are non-issue to them as long as they are not affected by it.

    They would continue to vote PAP even though they know PAP is not exactly a party that uphold fair play and even justice in every sense, as long as they continue to enjoy their own good life. It would be even better if they are given handouts directly, care less about fair or not unfair.

    Most Singaporeans are more self centred and only concerned about their own self interests. Social issues, balance and justice are basically non of their business.

    Even when they chose to swing against PAP is Purely because they are unhappy that their pockets are hurt or interests have been overlooked.

    That is why not many people attend any protests that raise social issues or even important issues but have DISTANT IMPLICATIONS on their self interests.

    What do you think?

     

    Source: Goh Meng Seng