It has been the most talked-about election ever in Singapore history. Through this election, I can feel that everyone had their point of view on the governance of Singapore. Not everyone is happy with what had happened over the past five years. From empty promises to rising cost of living to influx of Foreign Talent, there are various topics being raised over this year’s election.
Personally, this has been the election that I am most involved in. For the first time, I attended 4 rallies (almost 5). With the 5th rally supposed to be PAP’s rally at Woodlands Stadium but was cancelled due to poor weather, I ended up attended 4 opposition parties’ rallies. They are namely Workers Party (WP) Rally at Ubi and Yishun Stadium, Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) Rally at Woodlands Stadium and Singapore People’s Party (SPP) at Bishan Stadium.
Though not all cases raised are fair to the ruling party, People’s Action Party (PAP), many of the issues raised are valid. What surprise me most were the replies of the ministers. Comments after comments reported by local and online media showed that the ruling party need to undergo some changes and evolution, soon. If it wasn’t their actions, I believed that this year’s election will not be more exciting than the past.
The hottest stars during the elections must be Tin Pei Ling and Nicole Seah. Both were candidates of Marine Parade GRD for PAP and National Solitary Party (NSP), respectively. Both are young but not equally eloquent. On one side, Tin Pei Ling was on the headlines for all the wrong reasons, from “biggest regrets” issue to “Kate Spade” issue. One thing for sure, she made Kate Spade very popular in Singapore. Before her “introduction” of Kate Spade, I had no idea there is such a mid-range brand existing. Even an online Pakistan’s News [click here] put “Kate Spade” behind her name, as though that is her Christian name.
Nicole Seah, on the other hand, made headlines for all the good reason. Eloquent speaker, she answered all media questions with composure and showed compassion and empathy for all the residents she spoke to. Of course, her beauty had helped her popularity to soar as well. She became the second most-liked candidates of the elections, after MM Lee, in Facebook. She had since surpassed MM Lee with 101,866 Likes. After the campaign or elections , she was seen actively reaching out to the residents in Marine Parade GRCs and younger generations via Facebook.
WP created history in both WP’s and local election history by winning Aljunied GRC and Hougang SMC. This is the first time an opposition party won a GRC. This election win saw 6 elected MP from WP in the parliament. WP will also have two more NCMP seats in the parliament, with the last NCMP seat went to Mrs Chiam of SPP.
The two casualties of the elections must be Foreign Minister, George Yeo and SPP’s Mr Chiam See Tong. Mr Chiam lost his Potong Pasir SMC that he managed since 1984 to PAP when he decided to put his wife in place of him, as he leads a team to Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC. His age is one of the main factors, from my point of view, of his losses.
George Yeo has been one of the most respected MP in Singapore. But after losing the Aljunied GRC battle to WP, he will no longer be part of the parliament for the next 5 years. Many felt that his loss is not due to his incompetence but because his opposition is too strong. His opposition was also known as the WP’s A-Team. Many suggested replacing Tin Pei Ling with George Yeo or even replacing Minister Ma Bow Tan.
Most disliked MP must be Ma Bow Tan, with many feel that Nicole Seah’s NSP team will beat Minister Ma’s PAP team if they are pitted against each other. Post election also see another new star’s popularity rising. He has songs, merchandises, fan page etc being created just for him. He is Mr Yah Ah Mee, the returning minister of the elections. Google him, if you are interested.
No matter if the decision of Singaporeans are correct or not, things will never be the same again.
