.::.Have we forgotten our core values?.::.

This election has been an interesting affair. I have always been indifferent. Afterall, I have never voted in my life, and Singapore has been doing very well with all the statistics to prove. I have always appreciated the stability and growth we have. Comparing Singapore with many other countries, we indeed have a lot to be proud of.

Increasingly, as one grows older, and wiser, one starts scrutinizing the details and questions the status quo. While our ruling party has done a remarkable job over the past decades, could more be done?

None of us could question the economic growth of our country, but what about the softer aspects of our country? Looking at all the issues being brought up this election, especially how the opposition has been treated over the years makes me really sad. What happened to all the values on which Singapore was built on?

We were told to love our country, and we recite the national in school every single day:
We, the citizens of Singapore,
pledge ourselves as one united people,
regardless of race, language or religion,
to build a democratic society
based on justice and equality
so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and
progress for our nation.

We are supposedly a democratic and meritocratic society, and the most deserving candidates should get the job of ruling our country based on our votes. Yet when we made our choice and vote for who we think deserve our votes, our ruling government do not give the opposition the same resources to serve the people who voted for them. The renowned makeshift cubicle from which Chiam See Tong worked really makes my heart feel sour. Is this what we call meritocracy?

When it comes to things like upgrading and national programs which help to improve Singaporeans’ lives, PAP wards get priority and the opposition wards get neglected. Our ruling party admits this inequality in treatment unabashedly and is using it to attract more votes. Every single one of us pay taxes, and the government should serve the people – including the ones who did not vote for them. Where is the equality?

Due to these unequal treatments by our government and ruling party, one has to rethink their decision to vote for opposition due to the possible repercussions, including less upgrading and falling housing prices. One is even asked to repent, like one has made a huge mistake by voting for the opposition. Why should it be a mistake if we truly believe that we have voted based on meritocracy? Is this what we call democracy?

Our dear ruling party has asked the opposition to show their track record and questioned if they are in the elections for their self-interest or peoples’ interest. I have been one of the many who took to this argument. Isn’t it rational to choose the ruling party who has brought Singapore thus far instead of the opposition who has not proven much?

Perhaps it’s time to rethink and question the status-quo. Are our opposition given a chance to prove anything? How could they when the barriers of entries are impermeable? Even when they do get a chance through our votes, they do not get the same resources to serve. If the opposition is in the election for their self-interest, then perhaps the ruling party has much more to lose and would do all they can to protect their self-interest and power.

I feel really sad, for I think that we have forgotten the very core values which our country was built on. Can we truly say that we are a democratic society built on meritocracy and equality?

We need to remember that when LKY started out, he started out with nothing. He had no track record to speak of, yet the people believed in him. Everyone starts out with nothing, and create something out of the peoples’ faith in them. LKY created Singapore based on the core values which we shared, yet it seems like PAP is undermining the very core values which Singapore was built on.

Being in the Jurong GRC, it’s an internal struggle to vote. Our incumbent PAP MP – Tharman, has been active and capable. Despite his promise of no GST raise, I’m almost sure that GST will be raised by next year, when the economy improves – probably to help the poor and redistribute wealth. I’m sure they would have many reasons to justify the move. On the other hand, I find it difficult to vote for a government who does not have a heart, judging by how the opposition is treated and the measures they would take to stay in power.

As LKY predicts, there will come a time when the people will take a leap of faith for change and vote the ruling party out. It will probably not happen now, but it will, in time to come.