but with all the subtle rage, maybe not.
GE2020 rallying ongoing now till 10th july which is polling day. i dont really want to follow so much, so i'm just getting my feeds through forwarded whatsapp msges, ig memes, channel 8 news; and occassionaly CNA mobile news.
one thing that triggered me was something that mr heng (my grc PAP guy said, which i saw on channel 8 news). I actually cant believe that mr Heng said that if opposition takes up more seats, "other countries will see Singapore as a divided country"; "what will they think?".
perhaps what other countries think of Singapore is important to our economy, but honestly mr heng, what is it that you think that they will think? will their thinking be as primitive as yours? how can u even say, or rather, prioritize such things in the priorities that you are fighting for? i dont quite get it.
are you instilling unnecessary fear? what kind of culture is this? what is democracy? what is having another voice in a common setting towards a common goal? this is really utterly disappointing because this is really a very wrong way of educating a nation to be adaptable and think ahead; especially when the majority of the aging population on Singapore is faithful and wants to remain loyal to the government in which PAP is the majority before it being dissolved for this election.
i guess in my generation of peers, we're all being brought up in 'transition'. though our social studies textbooks are can be pretty much propaganda stuff because it is certainly true that our late beloved MM LKY was from PAP and w/o this constituency, Singapore wouldn't be what we are today. we're taught to be thankful; and we're grateful for the foundations that forefathers laid for us.
parallel to those teachings, we're also a generation that is being taught to think out of the box - to problem solve, to troubleshoot, to adapt, to work hard and improve for ourselves; and for the nation. though it's with all that, we're still pretty much a respectful bunch that still follows 'the norm' since 'the norm is good'; at least that is what i believed i've learnt through my formative years.
idk what's in the education system now, but in general, we do see the younger folks of our nation growing up through social media. they're taught to be expressive, to fight for what they think is right, to be creative; and voice out whatever they think that can challenge norm. everything's gonna be about challenging the norm to be better. even if it means to fail, at least, lessons can be learnt - that's my perception of the younger generation for now.
i'm still triggered by what he said even after blogging it out. hahas
honestly, i had higher hopes for PAP. i do think that some of the policies are great for Singaporeans, however, there are many other minuscule areas that transcends to bigger problems that the society is facing now, especially as home-grown Singaporeans.
I'm not one who's easily won over; neither am i biased towards any parties. I'm for rationale individuals who has a clear view of the issues from all perspectives while working tgr to make Singapore a better place for Singaporeans, even for whoever who lives here momentarily.
in a sports team, a competitive team can only move as fast as the weakest player. however in a country, a country can still progress on, leaving the weaker players trailing behind because it is only the front runner that is only more visible in front of other nations that 'should matter' in terms of GDP and growth. but is that what we really want for our country?
i'm still trying to be neutral and maintain a very rationale view, but through all these flashes of speeches as shown on channel 8, it seems like the PAP is very defensive. in my opinion, while some of the opposition parties are pretty much focused on fighting to push out policies for the welfare of the people, the PAP is just trying to defend their stand - on what they have done and who we should be voting for. u know, its really easy for them because as mentioned early, MM LKY is like a father to us all, even more so for those who have live through his blood, sweat and tears. The older folks of Singapore is going to vote out of loyalty, out of gratitude, out of faith and belief that the PAP has always been faithful as well. I'm not saying they are not going to work hard again for the next decade, but with such concentration of undiluted views, the heat just wears off, like a metal that becomes cold and after sometime, it becomes brittle and every little thing falls through those unseen cracks.\
there's one particular candidate that really really stood out because of his mind and heart.
hahas i dont have emojis on my keyboard, but i had to google: 😍😍😍😍😍😍.
this guy is so charming. hahas. #fangirlmode. i caught a few glimpse of his interviews and noticed that he was someone outstanding (not just referring to his crazy resume and work experiences). but after watching his debate further.... omg. my heart. we need such ppl in the parliment for sure. the things he say and how he can portray his heart and mind into words is amazing. its like, he can really sum up the stuff that i'm trying to say. its like, though he's an opposition to PAP, it seems like he doesn't 'oppose' them upfront, but its more like trying to ensure that everyone, including both the PAP and opposition works for the people of Singapore and nothing (culture or social norms) should take that spirit away from the parliament.
really, i'm still trying not to get too mentally involved in the politics, but the things both sides are saying are just very thought-provoking. i think this GE is very much different from other years. perhaps its also coz i'm more grown up and more 'in the workforce' that the govt policies seem to be affecting me much more because of all the monetary issues. i mean, with COVID-19 and all, the rallying and deliveries of ideas are all very different and to me, somewhat more challenging because of the fact that 'airtime' is very much limited. trying to trail social media footprints vs actually setting your foot down in front of the stage of a candidate speaking at a rally is truly different.
so now, what if the 'norm' wins again; but instead of a big win, its those like 52-48 kind. do you have that confidence to fight for the 'half-hearted' nation? are you able to keep the faith even after that drop in loyalty. however, if the opposition wins by that margin, i'm pretty sure it'll be a booster morale to keep their promises since its never easy challenging the norm. the road is not going to be easy and everyone knows that.
i want to be faithful, i want to 饮水思源 like how Dr Jamus describes it in his fluent Chinese as well, but its really difficult when not only does it seems like your confidence is shaken, it does seem like everything's being very distracted (both referring to the people and policies). i just think this GE is almost gg to be a paradox, minus those that remain steadfast and focused.
to be clear, i'm neither siding the PAP or WP or any oppotion party in this post.
i'm just disappointed with what mr heng said, and very inspired by what Dr. Jamus said. Mr. Vivian Balakrishnan also handled the debate really well and it was really very proud to watch the both of them speak at the debate. its like, if they're representing Singapore on the world stage, i'd be so so proud.
there's one post (i can't find it) that actually said that our way of GE-ing is quite flawed because of the fact that we're only able to vote for the groups of people in our own GRCs (something like that) through his year's rally, i personally think that we should be able to vote for individuals across. its like, in a group, i have ppl that i either strongly like, strongly dislike or remain neutral; regarding if i'd like for them to fight for Singaporeans in parliment. so, i dont like the idea that i have to vote for only either one of the 2 groups that are fighting for the grc that i'm in; as compared if i can vote for individuals.
ok, i really duno know how all this whole political thing should be played, but i just wish that the views in the parliament can be more evenly spread out and not like, everything policy can just roll out like that. i still have much to say... oh yes.. Nadia is running for election! she's my sec sch junior and my prefect junior who became the vice-head (or issit head) prefect as well. she's always been into leadership and speaking up.. so i'm really proud that she's been giving back to the community ever since her early years too.
"Simple in Virtue, Steadfast in duty."
that is my CHIJ school motto and it's something that is embedded in my life.
btw, COVID-19 is still very much an issue, so to me, opening up to phase 2, 2 weeks before polling day is just... idk. let's just try to assume that it's a coincidence. but i believe community spread is going to increase with all these rallying and door-to-door visitis. what's with the max5pplinagroup rule when u see that ppl on tv are all clustering around with unknown ppl and all. alrdy, when interviewing one candidate for the news, u see like so many mics at the bottom of the screen. am i supposed to believe that everyone is using like a very long monopod so that the journalist can keep that social distancing? i seee some photographers using 16-35mm or 17-40m lens on a what i believe is a full-frame camera. issit whole-day wide angle shot ah? dun bluff me la. the unseen video guys also. so pls ah, who's gonna catch all the ppl that's not practicing social distancing.. so issit like its only after polling day, that the community spread is gg to be severe enough to go back to our safe phase 1? ok, i'm not saying phase 1 is good for Sg's economy, but look at the priorities vs what we've been preaching for the past 4 months now.
clearly, it all just shows that the media plays a big part in our thoughts and the best governors of our thoughts should only be ourselves because everything and everyone has their own agendas which may not be the best for urself.
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onto a side note, other than enjoying the freedom that i'm having now, though i have no inspiration / motivation to meet any friends, i do miss having perplexing conversations with ex-important individuals in my life.
i'm actually looking at masters programmes, but i keep telling myself to stop reading up and dreaming about it for now because someone once told me that i should be less selfish, and spend more time with the ppl who love me. yea.
and ya, i'm still packing our my room and sorting out my life's mess, literally.
