Remorse must come with substance – and only you, the voter, can ensure that

The last four days of the elections saw the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) head for a u-turn. Realising that the ground was getting more agitated with the arrogance and condescending attitude and campaigning of the party, the PAP shed its cloak of invincibility and untouchability and apologised for its mistakes.

The secretary general of the party, no less, apologised twice. This was then followed by several ministers doing the same. Its leader of the Aljunied team, George Yeo, made the most telling admission – that it was Lee Kuan Yew’s remarks about how Aljunied voters would have “five years to repent” which threatened to lose the GRC to the opposition Workers’ Party.

George Yeo also said the PAP needs to “reform” and “change”.

The so-called apology is nothing more than a desperate move by the PAP to win sympathy votes. It shows that it knew not other ways to win fair and square. Indeed, given the way it campaigned in past elections – with carrots and threats, lawsuits and defamation suits, even arresting opposition members, control of the media and so on – the PAP felt helpless in an election where New Media came to the fore, along with a more daring and educated electorate.

Hence, the apology and display of remorse.

But make no mistake.

Lee Hsien Loong apologised for “mistakes”. He named four instances. This alone should worry voters – not because you might suspect the apology is not genuine, but because all these years the PAP had stoutly defended these policies. And in that process, they have hurt many Singaporeans.

The PAP remained oblivious – even when these were brought to its attention.

Further, Lee Hsien Loong did not disclose how he was going to rectify these “mistakes”. He only asked for more time – while he and his ministers continue to reap millions of dollars in salaries and generous, out of this world bonuses of 8 months. Lee himself is expected to pocket more than S$25 million in the next 5 years.

We do not see him – or any of the ministers – saying they will give these back, or donate them.

We do not see Lee telling us what he intends to do in order to “do better” and correct the mistakes.

There is not even a hint of which policies he will change.

Which is why, even if you accept the apology and display of remorse, you should know that only if you vote more opposition members into Parliament will you see Lee and his ministers do what they say they will do – correct the mistakes and listen to the people.

In just a matter of days, we have seen the effectiveness of the opposition – even before they are in Parliament. Do you need any more proof that what the PAP has been saying about them is borne out of selfish interest and hogwash?

I agree with the Workers’ Party that Singapore needs – very badly indeed – a First World Parliament. A Parliament where policies are checked and double-checked, where the PAP cannot hide behind its curtain of hubris, shield itself through propaganda by the media, and continue to clamp down on those who threaten its hold on power.

We need change.

And the time is now.

Just imagine, as I said before: You wake up on 8 May and find that duds like Tin Pei Ling, Janil Puthucheary, Chan Chun Sing and Foo Mee Har – and all the faceless clones in their new white uniform – have sailed into Parliament, continuing to perpetuate the same old ways of thinking, the same old manner of policy-making, raising their hands in support without question in Parliament; while the likes of Low Thia Khaing, Sylvia Lim, Chen Show Mao, Chiam See Tong, Benjamin Pwee, Nicole Seah, Tony Tan, Hazel Poa, Jennette Aruldoss, etc are all defeated.

We need change.

And the time is now.

And if the PAP is serious about wanting to change, there is no better way to begin than to ask Lee Kuan yew to step aside and finally retire.

In the past years, he has abused not only Singaporeans in general, calling them derogatory terms, but also particular communities such as the Malays. And his latest remarks about Aljunied residents are not and won’t be the last.

This is unacceptable – even if he is seen as the founding father. For no one is bigger than Singapore, and no minister has the right to condescend its own people. Never.

The hubris and arrogance is stunning – and LKY exemplifies the PAP and PAP members will emulate him as indeed they have.

So, lets get one thing straight.

An apology is meaningless unless backed up by action.

But lets not kid ourselves – as long as the PAP retains absolute power, there is no reason for it to change. The PAP has become so entwined with big business, the elites, the scholars, the rich, that it is almost impossible for it to change all by itself.

Only if there are others outside of the PAP prodding it, checking it, questioning it, will the PAP as a government change.

And this can only happen if more opposition members are elected by you.

The opposition has done its best – and should be commended for being able to present us the voters with real choices – credible, intelligent, experienced and most importantly, passionate candidates who have nothing to gain but more to lose.

So, do your part.

Do you want flats to not be out of your reach?

Do you want your neighbourhood not to be inhabited by foreigners?

Do you want to be able to spend more time with your families and loved ones?

Do you want to be able to see your CPF money?

Do you want your job to pay you better and be able to keep your job and not let it go to a foreigner at the whim and fancy of your employer?

Do you want your children to be able to get into local universities and not have to compete unfairly with foreign students who are given a leg up by our govt?

Think about these and you will realise that the only and most effectively way to ensure all these is to have alternative parties’ MPs in Parliament.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that the PAP will address all these without anyone making them do so.

This election – the apology, the contrition, the admissions – all came about because there was another voice shouting at them!

Bring this voice into Parliament!

And when you do so, you would have done your part in turning Singapore away from the dangerous cliff which the PAP had been taking us towards, while sleeping at the wheel.

We cannot give the PAP all the power.

It is dangerous – as can be seen by their admissions.

The PAP now talks of building nuclear plants in our tiny island.

Think about it.

Your vote will ensure that these sort of things – like casinos – will not take place.

Only you can insure your future from danger.

Only you can ensure that the PAP’s apology is meaningful and hold them to it.

And you can only – only – do this through your vote for the opposition.

That’s what I will be doing.

For Singapore’s sake.

It is not time for PAP to change.

It is time for Singapore to move ahead and away from fear.