Thursday 8 September 2011
Less Advertisements - More Money For Charities.
I cringed every time I turned the pages of the Straits Times after 9th August. I would be bombarded with loud and brash advertisements congratulating our National Day Awards winners. Last year in a posting dated 26 July 2010 I floated the idea whether such big chunk of advertising revenues for the ST could be better use to help the coffers of Charitable Organisations. Well, I had good news for you. This year there was a refreshing change - there was less appearance and frequency of such advertisements. My guess is there is a 75% reduction of such advertisements. I like to believe that ST had heeded the feedback and indeed the money had been channelled to good and meaningful charitable purposes. To businessmen, business organisations, residents committees, town councils, etc who have extended "helping hands" I say a big "thank you". You have not only "build yourself treasures on earth" but also "treasures in Heaven". All Singapore should rejoice!
Thursday 1 September 2011
The Final Tally
The final tally is out: TT:35.22%,TCB:34.85%;TJS:25.00%;TKL:4.91%. Singapore has chosen the most suitable and right candidate to be its 3rd Elected President. The voting indicates that the new normal in Singaore's political landscape is political diversity. Here are some of my musings:-
1) Why did Dr Tony Tan offer his candidacy?: It is worth noting that the first candidate to step forward was Dr TCB. He was folllowed by Mr TKL. After Mr George Yeo declined clamour from his supporters for his candidacy, Dr TT then stepped forward. After many years in his Ministerial & MP duties, I am sure TT would have interactions and communications with his 2 opposing candidates and would have known of their calibre and capabilities. Could it be then by stepping forward he is saying - mind you by demeanour he is gentlemanly and humble - that he is more worthy and capable for the highest office of the land. We will never know until he tells us so.
2) Those who voted for TCB: I wonder how many are swayed by his GE-style slogans "Think Singaoreans first", "I will fight for you", etc. How many of the moderate PAP supporters and how many from the Opposition Parties voted for him? It was noted that many of his supporters are from the Western and Northern parts of Singapore. In the coming days many analyses and post-mortem of the election will come to light. I have heard many voters voted based purely on the look of the candidates and their wifes!
3) The President Is Above Politics: TT subscribes to this belief. How about walking the talk - Let's say if he will to grace a Mid-Autumn Festival function in the Opposition-held Aljunied GRC. How about an invitation from the WP or TT acts on his own initiative?
4) Other Anecdotes: I read an interesting letter in the Straits Times in which the writer said she voted for an Anti-Establishment candidate but now that TT is voted the President she supports him. This is really "double-talk". Your support for your candidate should be by your vote! I checked her blog and found out she was against "the status-quo" meaning she was adovocating her readers to vote for Anti-Establishment candidates. Her verbal gymnastics is superb and that is why her novels are selling well! I notice that the WP is the only Opposition Party not to have endorse or support any candidates. Its neutral stand is to be applauded!
1) Why did Dr Tony Tan offer his candidacy?: It is worth noting that the first candidate to step forward was Dr TCB. He was folllowed by Mr TKL. After Mr George Yeo declined clamour from his supporters for his candidacy, Dr TT then stepped forward. After many years in his Ministerial & MP duties, I am sure TT would have interactions and communications with his 2 opposing candidates and would have known of their calibre and capabilities. Could it be then by stepping forward he is saying - mind you by demeanour he is gentlemanly and humble - that he is more worthy and capable for the highest office of the land. We will never know until he tells us so.
2) Those who voted for TCB: I wonder how many are swayed by his GE-style slogans "Think Singaoreans first", "I will fight for you", etc. How many of the moderate PAP supporters and how many from the Opposition Parties voted for him? It was noted that many of his supporters are from the Western and Northern parts of Singapore. In the coming days many analyses and post-mortem of the election will come to light. I have heard many voters voted based purely on the look of the candidates and their wifes!
3) The President Is Above Politics: TT subscribes to this belief. How about walking the talk - Let's say if he will to grace a Mid-Autumn Festival function in the Opposition-held Aljunied GRC. How about an invitation from the WP or TT acts on his own initiative?
4) Other Anecdotes: I read an interesting letter in the Straits Times in which the writer said she voted for an Anti-Establishment candidate but now that TT is voted the President she supports him. This is really "double-talk". Your support for your candidate should be by your vote! I checked her blog and found out she was against "the status-quo" meaning she was adovocating her readers to vote for Anti-Establishment candidates. Her verbal gymnastics is superb and that is why her novels are selling well! I notice that the WP is the only Opposition Party not to have endorse or support any candidates. Its neutral stand is to be applauded!
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