I am saddened. Truly and deeply saddened by Minister George Yeo's departure from Singapore's cabinet. Do we as Singaporeans know how to vote wisely?
During the recent general elections, I've seen so many once apathetic Singaporeans rise up to have a say in our politics. Standing behind the opposition and saying that it is time that PAP relinquishes their power. At this point in time, I question, do they truly know the repercussions of uninformed votes?
We crave for a voice that represents us in the parliament, for someone who'd stand up against the PAP. But does that mean we have to vote for the opposition?
I am appalled, truly bewildered that some people voted for the Reform Party. I question the quality of their representatives, their view on what truly matters and their representation of us in parliament and in the world. I am rendered speechless at some of the rallies, the issues that were raised were beyond mircoscopic.
Could I entrust my country, my home to someone who only has a microscopic view on the economy, on demographics? They raise issues like foreign expertise and talent, how they deprive Singaporeans of university places and jobs, but my question is, IF we are as good as them, we WILL and SHOULD rise up and pit ourselves against them and prove our worth. The betterment of a society is not about the exclusion of threat, but the inclusion of challenge. It says a lot about the people if all we do is exclude challenge. Are we then a nation that is onward, or are we a nation that regresses in complacency?
Do Singaporeans give thought about who they are voting out rather than who they are voting in? A smart voter would vote for someone who speaks for the people in a ruling party who CAN make a difference, not someone from the opposition whose voice may be heard, but overruled. An informed voter would put people who can see what the country NEEDS, what the people WANT and find a balance between the two, rather than just what the people WANT. At times, what we want may not be the best for our country and to put it bluntly, if our country doesn't prosper, we won't either.
What have we given up and done this general elections? We effectively voted out a minister with 23, TWENTY THREE years of political exposure and experience. I repeat, 23 years in which Minister Yeo served, he has been the face of Singapore to many countries, we have effectively thrown 23 years of man hours down the drain. Let's be honest here, we know how the world works and a lot of the time, it is the connections that get the job done, the people we know and the people who know us. Our net worth is as much as our network goes. So THANK YOU Singaporean Aljunied voters, you have dwindled our net worth as a country by 23 years of work. Well done.
Did it not cross anyone's mind that foreign ministers represent a country and other countries know us by who represents us? It saddens me so much to know that we've made a choice as such.. the damage and repercussions I cannot seem to fathom. Minister Yeo has done so much with such extraordinary vision, the affection, admiration and respect people have for him speaks volumes of him as a humble minister whose desire is for the people and his portfolio just adds so much more to him.
Don't get me wrong here, I am all for the voices of the people, I am all for capable opposition. Note, CAPABLE. As much as we can say we are a first world nation, we still have a long way to go as voters of one. Do we truly understand the power of democracy and are we well informed to cast an intelligent vote that would change the course of the country? Are we only interested in politics and the economy only during general elections and apathetic throughout? Do we only consider our interests rather than the interests of our country? Can we see things macroscopically?
I think we are still a young nation and our people have a lot more to learn and a long way to go in understanding democracy.
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