A new era

Before I go on further, THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL BLOG. I'm just expressing my personal opinion, especially now that I know some people are actually reading this. Don't want any ISA officers coming at my door.....was that just an invitation?

The result of the Presidential elections was somewhat unsettling in more ways than one. We have an elected President who was selected by about a third of the voters. Can we consider that as a President chosen by the people? Many people do not think so. You can’t even say most of the people voted for the president elect because a third is definitely not “most”. The runner up was only 0.34% behind. The smart people call it "first past the post". I call it a matter of “cup half full” or “cup half empty”. With 4 candidates, you cannot realistically expect a majority win unless there is one who is a clear cut above the rest. This Presidential election was a fight among almost equals during a time of unhappiness with the government. I suspect the discussions made it more difficult of a choice for Singaporeans.

Tan Cheng Bock – 737,128 votes
Tan Jee Say – 529,732 votes
Tony Tan – 744,397 votes
Tan Kin Lian – 103,931 votes
Rejected votes – 37,826
Total votes cast – 2,153,014 votes

I was pretty shocked that so many votes were invalid. Even half of the 37,826 votes could have made a difference to the result. Were these intentionally void? Does this group really not care who our President will be? There is another group which did not vote. I'm trying to find out this number but have been unsuccessful so far. I'm sure I saw it on The Straits Times but I'm too cheap to subscribe to the online version. These people might have genuine reasons for not voting. Or did they think their vote would not really count? The results show that every single vote counts.

The fact that more than half a million people voted for Tan Jee Say says something as well. It is a clear sign that many people are able to differentiate between the president and the government. Most of us definitely didn’t want someone who was obviously anti-PAP as a President.

It is still a fact that half a million people wanted someone who promised checks and balance on the government, despite the fact that the President doesn’t have much constitutional powers to do so. They are definitely trying to send a message to the government but I personally think that it’s such a waste. I suspect that some might have voted Tan Cheng Bock instead of Tan Jee Say if they knew it was going to be such a close fight, just not to have Tony Tan win the race. I am probably wrong though.

Surprisingly the results were not in line with the polls conducted online. Why? The baby boomers and their parents are still eligible voters. This group was most likely supporters of Tony Tan. Many folk on the street know only Tony Tan. Who go online to take the polls? Young people who are dissatisfied with the government today. Hence, online polls show Tan Jee Say being way ahead of Tony Tan and Tan Cheng Bock.

Even though Tan Kin Lian received only 4.91% of the valid votes, it was still admirable that he could get 103,931 to vote for him! Personally, I wonder what these people were thinking. I’m sure some will say that Tan Kin Lian should have withdrawn from the race. The 103,931 votes would have definitely made a bigger difference than the 37,286 invalid votes. Even the statistician in Tan Kin Lian didn’t expect himself to lose the S$48,000 deposit.

I’m sure something good came out of this exciting year. I’m inclined to hope that the PAP government will respond to its wake up call positively and change their perceived high handed approach towards policy making and the people. If this is the outcome, Tony Tan would be a good complement as a President. If the government chooses not to change its approach and make it even more obscure with Tony Tan in the President’s office, it is still good. Singaporeans will then clearly know who they should vote for during the next General Elections. However it turns out, Singaporeans will win. It’s only a matter of time when we can cash that win. I’m hoping it’s sooner than later. I believe PM Lee Hsien Loong is intelligent enough to make the right decisions. He has demonstrated so thus far, after GE 2011.

I wish I could say that is the real reason why I voted for Tony Tan. I tell people that I voted for Tony Tan because he seems to have a better stature on the global political scene. I wish I could say that I voted for him so that we can see how genuine the government is in trying to change to regain the trust of the true majority of Singaporeans. Truth is I still believe in our government. Whether my trust can be sustained until the next General Elections remains to be seen.

I’ll be in China for the next 2 weeks and I can tell you that I’m glad none of the MCP people made it to government in the 60s. I cannot even access my blog in China without going through many loops. That doesn’t make me a happy person. Either that, or I’m not much of an IT savvy person.

So don't expect too much from me these weeks.....what a wonderful excuse for my laziness.

The stakes are up!

I just came back from a gathering with my JC mates....it was fantastic. And I'm not saying this to angkat them!

I said the stakes are up because I went "public" with my blog tonight. Gabriel said he actually reads my blog to see what mischief I am up to. I was both pleased and sad with that. Happy because my good friend cares about me enough to read my blog, and he's increasing my hits. Sad because it shows how bad I am at maintaining real face time with my friends. I'm just too lazy.

The presidential elections is turning out to be a close fight between Dr Tony Tan and Dr Tan Cheng Bock. Whoever wins between them, I'm glad it's down to two of them. We're all waiting for the results. The analyst on TV is now analyzing the stands of the candidates and how some of them changed their stance, or approach towards the end......

We had a very healthy discussion about politics, raising kids, online gaming and health during our gathering. I missed my friends. It's not often that you can say something and not need to explain it. The chemistry between us has not changed. I think it was probably because we knew each other during the time when we had formed our character. It's been 20 years but most of us are still who we were except being a bit more prosperous physically. It's great to find that none of us have become jaded. Just wiser and more interesting.

I'll be away from home for the next 2 weeks. Hoping to post some entries next week but that might be being too optimistic. *wink*

Elected President

Its's been 2 months since my last post. On 27 Aug Singaporeans will head for polling stations for the 2nd time in 2011. This time to elect our President.

There has been much talk and debate about who we should vote for. Many are asking for us to vote for an independent candidate. One who can provide a check and balance on the government. Some are asking for someone who has the ability to make the right decision when the call comes for the President to exercise his custodial powers. Others are looking for someone with the stature to represent our country in the international arena.

It is mostly a battle of words to me. Some candidates come up with a strong stand and back down a bit when challenged, especially where their words can bring about consequences outside the campaign. We are voting for a President and not a politician after all. Until the government decides to initiate any change, the constitution is what it is today. Why waste effort and resources debating issues that are currently outside the current powers of the presidential office according to the current constitution?

I prefer someone who can do his best for the country given the existing circumstances to someone who talks about change beyond his powers. This is not the mark of a weak person to recognize limitations beyond his control. It takes intelligence to recognize where one's capability can be put to best use with the most positive results. Track records count, despite the fact that many may claim otherwise.

The incumbent has been in office for 12 years and was never elected by the people. However, that did not stop him from garnering the support and love of the general public by his actions. His act of championing worthwhile causes which benefit many Singaporeans did not go unrecognized. Was he a radical President who endlessly challenged the government? We do not know beyond what is in records available to the public. So far nothing has shown that he has challenged the government substantially.

If the 4 Presidential candidates felt very strongly about the ability of the President to provide check and balance on the government, why didn't they stand for election during the last Presidential term? We have had the same government for 46 years. It is the times that had changed. During good times, nobody thinks about such matters. Why? Everyone is busy making money and are happy. Bread and butter issues are not on the table when we have caviar and champagne. Did the income gap exist prior to 2011? Of course it did. Were there always people who needed help? Of course there were. Did the capacity of the President change over the last 12 years? No.

Then why didn't any of the 4 candidates do something about it then instead of now?

Some are riding wave of dissidence among the public against the government. The President has less say in policies than the opposition Members of Parliament. It's a reality that we must accept. If the President were to overstep his authority as outlined in the Constitution, wouldn't he stand the risk of being prosecuted by Public Prosecutor in the District Attorney's office? I wouldn't know because I'm a commoner with no legal knowledge.

All I know is that although my vote is secret, I can share my vote with you. I will be voting for a Tan.