GE2011: Should Opposition Parties Give Up?

This recent General Elections has brought up strong competition, and indeed, the percentage of votes for the PAP has dropped to an average of 60%. However, the remaining 40% is not enough for the opposition parties to win. In GE2006, there were only 2 seats in parliament given to the opposition, one WP and one SPP. Now in GE2011, all 6 are given to WP. We can see that at this rate, it would almost take forever for the opposition to find the majority of seats. Should they give up?

Remember not long ago there were the middle eastern protests? This was all because of the government taking control of the country for a very long time. Not long later, they started to fight back. We can see in the future, if the PAP remains in power for the next 20, 30 or even 40 years, will the peace still be in our nation? I am not so sure that Singapore's citizens would be happy to see the opposition having only 6 seats in parliament considering the fact that 40% of Singapore supports the opposition.

This brings me to the fact that the PAP has already been in power for 50 years. As they are already in power, they at most certainly have the ability to change policies in Singapore. Let me give you an example which is my personal anecdote. In GE2006, my area was under the Sembawang GRC. However, due to the fact about the PAP knowing that the opposition would come back strong, they knew that they were going to be defeated if they did not do something about it. They especially knew the most vulnerable areas that were almost lost, including Nee Soon East GRC. Thus a strategy that they implemented, was to "cut off" a small portion of the pro-PAP Sembawang GRC, which was where my area was, and "give" it to Nee Soon GRC. This balanced the two GRCs and gave the PAP a leading edge and I believe that that was how they had won by a small margin.

So, is the everlasting power that the PAP had in the first place the reason why the opposition parties are unable to win support? No, I should put it in a way that the opposition has garnered support, but it is the PAP's cunning tactics that have led these opposition parties to be disappointed once again.

Will Singapore ever be able to have a fair political competition like the USA, with only two main parties, the Republicans and Democrats? Maybe even, these opposition parties would come together and with one force, defeat the PAP. Or, will we be like North Korea, brainwashed by the PAP and forever live under them? Maybe it is time for all Singaporeans to consider their political future.

(Term 2 Post #5)