Singapore after the GE
The Business TimesView From The Top
Published: 21 Sept 2015
What changes, if any, should the 2015 general election results spell for policymaking in Singapore? How would the GE outcome shape the political landscape here?
INDEED, the large victory margin came as a surprise given the general sentiment on the ground and online chatter leading up to the election. I am hopeful and have strong faith that the results will not lead to complacency on the part of the ruling party.
Moving forward, I suggest that Members of Parliament should undertake the position on a full-time basis and not hold another full-time job concurrently. This would enable them to dedicate more time to work the ground, maintain better visibility and stay connected with more people to explain existing and new government policies and bring awareness to the many benefits that the government is offering, which many people, especially the less educated, are unaware of. This would also help dispel the notion that PAP MPs are proud and arrogant.
Acknowledging that total acceptance of the party by the population is impossible, I believe the suggestion above would be the best opportunity for the PAP to work towards reversing the strong and sometimes misguided anti-government sentiment – or the results could just swing the other way the next time round.
Ronald Lee
Managing Director
PrimeStaff Management Services Pte Ltd