publichouse.sg

Andrew Loh / Editor-in-Chief, publichouse.sg

Richard Wan / Editor, Temasek Review Emeritus

Mdm Vellama Marie Muthu’s case in the courts – to seek the courts to declare that the prime minister does not have unfettered discretion in deciding when to call by-elections – is not one which affects her alone. Mdm Vellama, who is a resident of Hougang where the parliamentary seat had been vacated, fought the case on behalf of all Singaporeans.

Her contention was that the prime minister does not, in effect, have the power to deny citizens parliamentary representation by his arbitrary and unfettered discretionary powers to call by-elections in seats which have been vacated for any reasons.

By Andrew Loh

"There is something that people do feel in wanting a kinder society, a more gracious society,” Senior Minister of State for Education, Lawrence Wong, said on 21 October. “That is one emerging thread that I've seen in the conversations that I've attended so far."

Mr Wong is among the younger ministers who are tasked with the National Conversation initiative, helmed by Education Minister Heng Swee Keat.

One can’t help but agree with writer Alex Au, who made this observation about Mr Wong’s remarks: “When Lawrence Wong said that an emerging thread in the public dialogues that he has been part of has been one of ‘wanting a kinder society, a more gracious society,’ his is a rather late observation.”

By Andrew Loh

So she is condemned, fired from her job, and has now taken flight (temporarily, presumably) to Perth, Australia. The storm has subsided somewhat for Ms Amy Cheong. In its wake is left an uneasiness that this episode is symptomatic of an underlying something which is more serious, more insidious and potentially more destructive than the words posted on a Facebook page.

The Prime Minister has described Ms Cheong’s actions as “an isolated case that does not reflect the strength of race relations in Singapore.” Ministers and Members of Parliament (MP) have similarly trumpeted the good race relations among our people, and how we should embrace our diversity.

All this is well and good. Indeed, the races have gotten on reasonably for the past 50-odd years. Some may even point to the outrage, outcry and subsequent sacking of Ms Cheong from her job as proof that we as a collective do not and will not stand for such behaviour which “could harm our social peace.” Chinese, Malays, Indians, “Others” – we all condemn racism, whoever it is directed at.

By Andrew Loh

For the longest time, associating oneself with an opposition party in Singapore would instantaneously throw up that dreaded feeling - fear. Let alone stepping up and joining and being a member of one. It was the result of years - decades - of fear-mongering by the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), led for some 30 years by strongman, Lee Kuan Yew.

Lee's "hatchet" politics, no doubt, contributed a large part to this aversion towards all things opposition. But times have changed somewhat - and Lee himself is no longer worshipped by the masses, especially the younger set, as the demi-god which some still make him out to be.

His tactics of jailing his political opponents, suing them to bankruptcy, and - with the help of the media which he held a firm hand on - he decimated any remnants of dignity and integrity any of his opponents had in the eyes of the public. All these created a lasting climate of fear - even today.

But slowly, things are changing.