The time for change has come. Now the PAP must fight for the mandate to form the new government. Will the citizens vote to reject the PAP offer of more of the same to remain merely as economic digits? Will the citizens vote to live a more meaningful life with dignity, joy and happiness, for themselves and their families?
82 of 87 seats contested in Singapore General Election The ruling PAP in Singapore was not returned to government on Nomination Day on April 27. |
Singapore (26 Apr 2011) - Think Centre (TC), Singapore's leading political Civil Society advocacy group, calls on Singaporean's to vote for more meaningful life with dignity, joy and happiness, as the city-state enters its 11th General Elections since independence. Indicators show as many as 84 of the 87 seats will be contested. The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) will lost the mandate to returned to power on Nomination Day, tomorrow, April 27.
The time for change has come. Now the PAP must fight for the mandate to form the new government. The 2.35 million voters will determine whether PAP will have the mandate to rule Singapore on May 7 polling day. Most of 200,000 new and young voters are expected to cast their vote in favour of change for first world politics. They want a more meaningful life with dignity, joy and happiness. Will they rock the foundation of the ruling party's grip on Singapore?
The gut feelings are the PAP may have "lost the confidence" of many voters by refusing to listen carefully and fine tune their policies in favour of better living and working conditions. Housing cost and cost of living are increasing with no minimum wage policies and unemployment insurance to soften the impact of global economic crisis.
The gut feelings are the PAP may have 'lost the confidence' of the voters by refusing to listen carefully and fine tune their policies in favour of better living and working conditions, as housing and cost of living increase with no minimum wage policies and unemployment insurance to soften the impact of global crisis. Their wound is further rubbed with salt as the only trade union here which is very closely linked with the ruling PAP government sings in favour of "bad policies" and are deaf to proposals for international labour standards for minimum wage, decent living and working standards. The people are frustrated with empty promises of First World "Swiss living standards" while suffering Third World working conditions.
Given the multi-parties contest of almost all the constituencies in this Elections, Singaporeans are given real choices to vote for real representatives who will uphold and protect their rights and socioeconomic needs of their families. This Election also provides Singaporeans the choice to vote for parties that promote a more meaningful life with dignity, joy and happiness, for themselves and their families.
On Labour Day, the PAP Government is distributing "Growth & Share bonus" to citizens to off-set high GST and other costs of living. This is the sweetener before the polls. The re-distributing of economic gains contributed by each and every Singaporean regardless of race, language or religion. It is our rightful share of the national income generated by all of us who call Singapore home.
But real income is going down, the consumer price index (CPI) for February and March moves to 5% from the same period last year, due to higher price for transport, housing, fuel and food. Our salary is going down in purchasing power with inflation remaining around 5% so more money is needed to pay for the same amount of goods and services. The high cost of living remains with much suffering for all families despite the offer of pre-election sweetener.
As our opposition parties face off with the PAP, TC urges all Singaporeans to take the exhortations of PAP with more than pinch of salt. We should be asking the following questions to PAP this election:
In the spirit of one united people, TC calls on fellow Singaporeans to reclaim our rights to decent work and living conditions, minimum wages for all, and right to sanctity of life. Grow the real economy that respects the rights of all workers and their families. It's in our hands to re-think the Singapore system and vote to secure a first-world living standards for us and our families.
Come Polling Day, let's vote for genuine political checks and balances (against one-party rule), vote for heartlanders' representatives (not political elites parachuted) into government, and vote in a first-world parliament to secure a democratic society based on justice and equality.
Only then can we live a more meaningful life with dignity, joy and happiness, for all. Let's secure our future together.
Mari la kita bersatu! Majulah Parliamen! Majulah Singapura!
Think Centre
Media contact:
Mr. Sinapan Samydorai,
Director of Think Centre
Mobile: + 65 9479 1906
Email: samysd@pacific.net.sg
Sources and Relevant Links:
CNA GE: WP's Chen Show Mao speaks up for the low income28 April 2011
CNA GE: SDP's Yuhua candidate hits out at ministerial salaries 28 April 2011
CNA 82 of 87 seats contested in Singapore GE 27 April 2011
AFP Singapore to hold general election on May 7 19-04-2011
Think Centre Think Centre Human Rights Day message 2010 10 December 2010
Think Centre THINK CENTRE SUBMITS HISTORIC UPR REPORT ON SINGAPORE TO UNITED NATIONS01 November 2010
Think Centre Think Centre's Post-May Day - Reflections 24 May 2010
Asiaone UNSR highlights issues for review 30 April 2010
Think Centre Think Centre National Day Message 2009 07 August 2009
Think Centre New Challenges: A dark cloud is looming in our horizon! 09 August 2008
