Keenly Contested Election A Positive Sign for Singapore

Keenly Contested Election A Positive Sign for Singapore – Think Centre

http://www.thinkcentre.org/article.cfm?ArticleID=3086

Singapore 11 May 2011 - On 7 May 2011, Singaporeans voted for their next five years of political governance and socioeconomic progress. The People's Action Party (PAP) was returned to power and given a fresh mandate to form the government. PAP's national share of the votes fell and more Opposition MPs were successfully elected to parliament as Singaporeans heeded their inner hopes and fears and answered the call to vote in more alternative voices to fight for their rights.

Think Centre (TC), Singapore's most established political NGO, congratulates all Singaporeans and all political parties for putting up one of the most keen-contested and well-run General Elections since independence. In particular, TC extends its warmest wishes to the Workers' Party (WP) for their historic breakthrough in the history of Singapore, by winning Aljunied GRC besides retaining Hougang SMC. TC wishes WP success in assuming the municipal management of Aljunied, in representing the middle and working classes in Parliament, and in leading the development of a stronger Opposition towards a first-world parliament.

At the same time, TC extends its heartfelt appreciation to Mr Chiam See Tong for 27 dedicated years of political service to Potong Pasir and Singapore. Mr Chiam's foray and journey in Opposition politics has been one of dogged determination and selfless contribution in the face of an overwhelming Parliamentary majority of the PAP and modest constituency resources. Potong Pasir has been developed into a quaint, familial and well-respectable constituency which can find few equals across the island of well-endowed PAP run towns. Although he fell in his penultimate GRC bid, he remains forever in the hearts and minds of all Singaporeans.

On the same count, TC extends its gratitude to Mr George Yeo for his illustrious public service and contributions to Singapore in the last three decades. Mr Yeo's landmark speech in the 90s on "pruning the banyan tree" heralded the opening up of political space for civil society in Singapore that led somewhat to the build-up of the groundswell of active citizenry (that later saw the birth of TC in 1999). In the 2000s, Mr Yeo devoted tirelessly to championing the national and regional interests of Singapore through foreign affairs. One of his greatest achievements was his key role in the development of the human rights-based ASEAN Charter as well as ASEAN integration to build a people-centred ASEAN community (by 2015).

In concluding this watershed chapter in Singapore politics, TC calls on all Singaporeans regardless of political loyalties or affiliations, to work together with the Government, the Opposition and civil society to realise the hopes and aspirations for next five years of better political governance, stronger socioeconomic progress, greater human dignity and better respect and protection of peoples' rights. Only then can we secure a better future together as one people, one nation, one Singapore.

Mari la kita bersatu! Majulah Singapura!

In solidarity,

Think Centre

For further information please contact:
Sinapan Samydorai
Director of ASEAN Affairs –
Think Centre
http://www.thinkcentre.org

ENDS

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