NSP - INTERESTING BUT WITHOUT SUFFICIENT IMPACT

NSP Press Release:

INTERESTING BUT WITHOUT SUFFICIENT IMPACT


The Prime Minister’s National Day speech was generally interesting in terms of linguistic versatility and showmanship. It however lacked sufficient impact as many of its measures were deemed to be short, despite the lengthy 3.5 hours delivery.
POLITICAL LANDSCAPE

Few people are surprised at the Government’s lackluster efforts to “liberalize” the political landscape, considering its paranoiac obsession towards power consolidation over the years. The nominal gestures in softening media controls and confining outdoor demonstrations to the Speakers’ Corner, are rather insignificant responses to international pressure for Singapore to reveal its true posture in the arena of democracy. Those superficial measures are grossly insufficient in meeting the needs of an expanding, politically conscious and active citizenry.

The Government could be more proactive by expanding the platform for greater public participation in politics and parliamentary elections. A genuine attempt to liberalize should include the easing of cumbersome election procedures, reverting mega-sized GRCs to their original size of three, introducing proportional representation, and refraining from any eleventh-hour “stick & carrot” inducements. Here lies the toughest challenge for the PAP … to be truthful to itself.
PARENTHOOD PERKS

PM Lee exhorts the people to look beyond complaints and see the bigger picture. But the bigger picture also comprises of high inflation and job insecurity made worse by intense competition from locally based foreigners. The average, middle-class family would take a rational, double look and flinch away from the risk of a 21-year responsibility of raising a child in the light of such uncertainties. The change in lifestyle of the now generation, coupled with social pressure and the usual marital stress, would render the latest tranche of goodies with only limited appeal. Thus, the Government should have tackled the “bigger picture” first.
LIVING STANDARDS

Instead of wringing blames on “external factors” the Government is expected to well manage the steep rise in inflationary rates -– a job for which it has, for long, been very well paid. Instead of pointing at “uncontrollable factors”, it could reduce and not increase the GST rates, ERP rates & gantries, and public transport fares. In fact, the inflation rate started to climb along with the increment of the GST rate from 5% to 7%. The PAP Government had, in many ways, helped to initiate the inflationary price hikes; it therefore cannot be free from blame!
SOCIAL GRACE

The decades-old Courtesy Campaign has never been successful. So has the annual ritual by the Government to inspire grace as a way of life. Its consistent emphasis on materialism, elitism and officiousness effectively cancels any budding effort toward graciousness. The Executive and the Judiciary – in effect, the entire Establishment -– are always so full of pride and prejudice. Compassion seems to be a galactic term. The recent STTA power-hungry fiasco easily brings one to mind the ease of corruptability of naked power. Ego and materialism have now dug deep as a full-bred culture. Perhaps, the PAP Government could conduct a little introspection on itself first, before its next pronouncement on the need for social grace.

Nevertheless, we do sincerely applaud the Prime Minister for his continuing efforts to bring about improvements. We also hope that all these improvements would ultimately be for the betterment of our little red dot of an island. Majulah Singapura !!





Ken Sun

Secretary-General
NATIONAL SOLIDARITY PARTY

A "Tribute" to Ah Hua

This is from a Chinese forum, not written by me.

眼高手低也称才，
若不集选难上台；
初掌乒总担大任，
鲁莽轻率一起来。
三把火、谁能挨，老旧茅坑今日拆；
可怜银牌刚到手，过桥抽板老臣哀。

Another one:

名扬天下有奇招，茅坑臭屎出英豪；
哗众取宠等闲事，捅破蜂窝也糟糕。
重组织、再应聘，越描越黑何唠叨；
冷言冷语尖似箭，难堪气焰遇寒潮。

忆父亲

父亲，

天堂的日子还好过吗？我想您应该过得很不错，因为您这一年来都没有对我们要求过什么。

我们都还过得去，只不过母亲偶尔也会思念您而不禁独自流泪。但是您也不用挂心，我们都把母亲照顾得很好。

想起去年的今天，我们八个兄弟姐妹面对您突然的逝世时的错愕，我也不尽悲从心涌。虽然您没有留下任何遗言，但我打从心里知道，您最牵挂的是母亲，一个与您同甘共苦六十载的老伴。虽然姐姐和哥哥们起初都有点担心母亲留守在您临别的病床会受不了您的最后挥别，我还是忍着悲痛坚持母亲一定要留下看您最后一面。我不想你们彼此在阴阳相隔的那一刹那，留下任何终身的遗憾。母亲也必须彻底的亲眼目睹您的离去，才能在往后接受这个事实，放下您的离去。

在您的丧礼，我代表全家上下为您念吊文，我相信您也一定听到了。我之所以这样肯定您一定去了天堂，理由的确很简单：在您的一生中，以您最平凡的方法，刻苦耐劳，任劳任怨的工作，省吃俭用的生活，养育了我们八个兄弟姐妹。虽然没有所谓的丰功伟绩，但也没偷没抢没诈。一生人中就算是别人欺瞒了您，您也能放得下。就算是别人犯了错误，用车撞到您的车时，您也能以微笑的原谅对之。您给于我们八兄弟姐妹的养育之恩,已经足够让您到天堂了。其实要到天堂并不是一件那么难的事，您说是吗？

您走了以后，店里还不时有老顾客问起您。他们怀念的是您那和蔼可亲的笑容，当他们知道您的离去时，都觉得非常惋惜。我这时才从他们身上了解，原来您人缘是多么的好! 豁然回首,您已经在我背后默默地支持我创业十多年了，也默默的支持我参与对抗霸权政府好几年。

其实不说您也许不知，您一直以来，都是我政治教育的引导者！虽然您从不愿提起以前参与统一阵线的政治活动的详情，但您在我很小的时候便引导我每日读报纸，关心时事，不时为各种政策给于评论。这一切都深深地影响了我对社会、政治、教育问题、经济和铁腕政权的关注。我的成长，有您的脚印。我的政治认知，有您的思维。您对社会正义、道义的坚持，对政治迫害的愤慨，对华校、华文教育和南洋大学的遭遇的惋惜，对民主政治的执著等等，都深深影响了我，塑造了我的政治道德价值观。我无能在您有生之年，给您看到任何政治奋斗的成果，是我这一生的遗憾。

父亲，回想起来，您对我一生的影响，是非常大的。您的正直是我的榜样。您对贫弱的慷慨慈悲，也是我的榜样。您经常的打抱不平，也是我的榜样。您的诚实与诚恳更是我敬佩学习的榜样。您那嫉恶如仇的勇气，也是我学习的榜样。我相信您在这短短几十年里，默默看着我从事社会公益到政治斗争，从中也看到您自己的缩影吧！

虽然我很想在这一世了生死，不想再轮回无数，但我还是在想万一我不能断缺轮回，下一世有缘的话，我们一定会再见面的。

父亲，今天是您逝世一周年的忌日。我没为您在报上刊登任何启示，因我想这应该是我们对您私底下对您思念的时候。对一个影响我一生一世的父亲，我的确是无法以佛之教诲，放下思念和悲伤。

子 明盛

Impersonation - Highest form of Flattery?

Lately I have found out some interesting happenings going on in the internet. I have been impersonated in the new sammyboy forum and facebook!

I have written in to Sam Leong (host of the Sammyboy forum) to "reclaim" back my moniker there but for the Facebook, it seems that I could not get this impersonator removed. Although I have my own account in Facebook but I am afraid that many people will be confused by who is who in that networking portal. The impersonator has used my public photo put up on NSP website and my real name in facebook. However, apparently, it did not attract any friends because all my friends know my REAL facebook account.

I am a bit upset until a friend told me, "Impersonation is the highest form of flattery"! Sometimes I really wonder, do I really deserve such flattery from my political opponents and detractors? I am really amused after hearing that from my friend.

I guess I would have to live with it for the time being as this is just typical Singapore. Sad to say, we are still politically immature as a Nation. Our PAP government could just self pro-claim "World Class" but the very fact is that we have a F9 for political development.

Well, readers could just check my earlier postings which were bombarded with all sorts of spam insults by my political opponents, detractors and agents. It is not after I declare that I will just leave them as it is for the WHOLE WORLD to read and understand how politics actually work in this politically backward country, the spamming just stopped. Coincidence?

Now the agents have changed tactic. They have started smear campaign on the net by setting up blogs to throw insults on their political opponents. Then, they try to impersonate their opponents! But they do not understand that if they keep doing such things, they are actually telling the world that these people (well, I am really flattered to be included!) are "dangerous" or "threatening" enough to them, their position, so much so that they will use all dirty means to try and destroy them! That's a bit too much credits put on my shoulders, I guess.

Frankly speaking, I am just a nobody. Its just that I happen to run as a candidate in the most hotly contested wards in Aljunied GRC along with my ex-comrades Sylvia Lim back in 2006, that's about it. Well, maybe this blog of mine has raised some very critical questions on PAP's governance from time to time, but if all these are just rubbish to be brushed aside, so let it be! I do not think what I have raised here is critical enough to topple the PAP government. Its just simply a VOICE that I have amplified from the people that I see, meet and listen to.

But I would say all these CHILDISH acts by my opponents are just a reflection of the political reality in Singapore: backward and undeveloped. Its just shame that modern, high tech society with world class infrastructures are inhabited by such political goons. Sometimes, I don't really know whether to laugh or cry about these goons.

Goh Meng Seng

A Nation without Empathy & Identity?

Way back in 2004, I have written an article in some forums with regards to National identity, entitled "Singapore without Singaporeans". I was addressing the eroding identity due to the aggressive FT policy that the PAP government has put in place.

Four years have passed and it seems that the situation has worsen. I was watching the opening ceremony of Beijing Olympics yesterday with some friends. Obviously we are anxious to view our Singapore contingent to march pass. After waiting for quite a long while, we finally saw the Singapore contingent marching out of the gateway.

What disappointed us was that the flag bearer does not show any enthusiasm at all. Our National flag was nearly touching the ground while the Singapore contingent marched pass the stadium. In great contrast, a few countries' flag bearer that come right after Singapore were waving their flags high up enthusiastically. My friend then commented, "Well, what to do? We have a FT flag bearer that does not really understand Singapore National pride and patriotism."

I was quite shocked by his comment but suddenly I realized, we have come so far with this liberal FT policy. Just the other day, I met some youngsters making sarcastic remarks about FT whom they regard as cheap labour substitutes robbing them of their employment opportunities. And the conclusion is pretty standard nowadays, they would just plan to emigrate out of this country.

There is actually another dimension to this problem. It seems that the current policies put up by the PAP government amidst the high inflationary pressures have caused a wide spread of anger among the young and old. And this has translated into a lost of confidence in this land of taking care of their welfare. Typical Singaporeans have become disillusioned and helpless altogether, so much so that many of them are planning for their exits from this country.

This is especially so for those who have worked overseas and experienced first hand, the vast difference in governance and policy directions of other places. Many of these Singapore born citizens have decided not to return to this land altogether.

The harsh reality is strongly reflected by PAP government's unwillingness in dealing with the inflation taking a hit at our citizens. A typical comparison is made between Hong Kong and Singapore. Hong Kong government has waived diesel tax & foreign maid levy, withdrew their intention of imposing value added tax (GST), increased welfare spending, provide almost full subsidies for kindergarten education ....etc... making all efforts to help its residents to combat inflation. In contrast, our PAP government has refused to waive diesel tax but instead, increase GST, increase ERPs and the number of gantries even go to the extend of trying to curb wage increases! Any rational human being would come to this simple conclusion that the Hong Kong government is truly a CARING government that will help its residents to combat inflation. Hong Kong government has more empathy than PAP government, understanding the need to stop implementing policies that will add burden to its residents amidst high inflation.

The liberal FT policy to import cheap foreign labour substitutes just add to the squeeze on Singaporeans. While Singaporeans are generally obedient lot but such stress created by PAP government will have to have a let out. In the end, all anger has been redirected at our foreign labour becaues it is not a norm for Singaporeans to vent frustration or even criticize the PAP government openly.

PAP government's lack of empathy on its citizens will only create a situation whereby citizens will ultimately ask this simple question, what is there for a citizen in this country? No welfare, CPF locked and policies change numerous times to delay the citizens of cashing out from their CPF, only liabilities as a citizens, especially if you are male that required to do NS and yearly reservists, social contracts being modified as and when to the fancy of the PAP government, citizens will always be the FIRST to made the sacrificial lambs for any economic trouble but the last to enjoy the fruits of economic well being.....

The erosion of our National Identity is now hasten by PAP government's lack of empathy towards our citizens. It is no longer just about the liberal FT policy anymore. In time to come, we will see more and more hardworking, talented Singaporeans emigrating elsewhere and abandon what they used to call home.

When I watch Mr. Wong Kan Seng reading out the National Day message today, it suddenly strikes me that the PAP government has really buried themselves in cold logic and rationality when they try to justify their ill concieved policies as "necessity". They have forgotten the most fundamental "necessity" of the citizens in spite of repeatingly mentioning of building a home of prosperity and happiness for us. The necessity to reduce the cost of living and stress of keeping up with higher indirect taxes imposed by the PAP government. How could we possibly live in prosperity and happiness when we are asked not to increase our wages and yet, need to cope with increased cost due to policies made by the PAP?

I feel sorry for Singaporeans at large, really, to have given such a cold, heartless political party a blank cheque during last elections. I do not expect Singaporeans to revolt or even carry out peaceful demonstrations or labour strikes just like Hong Kongers. We are afterall, taught to respect authority right from young. But one thing for sure, many of us will keep asking ourselves that question, "What is there for us as Singaporeans?" until we lose faith and identity as one.

In the years to come, we may just witness more Singaporeans surrendering their citizenship of their birth place, surrendering to PAP's cold logic and total lack of empathy. We are definitely having a Singapore without Singaporeans in the making, all thanks to PAP.

I do not know whether to wish my fellow Singaporeans a Happy National Day or not because apparently we are not so happy after all these years. But I do hope my fellow Singaporeans could reflect on the happenings, largely due to PAP's policies, in these few years and start asking themselves, whether we should allow PAP to carry on their present path of ultra-capitalism in policy making? Walking out of Singapore is definitely an easier choice than fighting the whole PAP machinery. I have been through the process of fighting against PAP machinery and I understand how difficult it is.

In fact, before I decided to take the plunge into opposition politics back in 2001, I have made two considerations: it is either I quit Singapore for the sake of my next generation or that I stay back to fight and try to change the system here. I have taken the second path with a caveat set. I guess every Singaporeans with good social consciousness should start making the same consideration, before it is just too late to effect any change under PAP's tightening of monopoly rule. If they choose to leave this country, I wish them all the best. If they choose to stay back and fight, I will have full respect to them. But if they choose to stay put and do nothing to effect a change to the course of this country, then I would say, Singapore will be in deep trouble. Apathy is not a choice of survival but a destiny of total destruction.

To end, I just have to say, good luck to Singapore. We really need more luck than PAP's ill conceived policies.

Goh Meng Seng

NSP National Day Message

National Day Message 2008


Dear fellow Singaporeans,

Happy National Day


. . . but are there good reasons to celebrate?


Inflation is at an all time high. Consumer prices are soaring, fuel oil is at record prices, and the value of our money is also getting smaller. So, is there any good cause to celebrate?

More ERP gantries are being installed, for longer hours, and some at higher prices too. Night ERP is here to stay. Even though our night-time drive home does not affect economic productivity, they are still up. These will directly affect our time spent with our families. The Government wants us to take more public transport like buses and MRT. Yet, the Public Transport Council has given its green light for both the SMRT and Comfort-Delgro to ask for another guaranteed 3% fare hike -- to enable them to maintain their profit margin, in the light of soaring business costs.

When the workers asked for a corresponding pay rise to cope with the higher cost of living, Finance Minister Tharman responded that it will cause another round of inflation. It is indeed a surprise that our workers have such powers to cause Inflation, but not our Ministers. Do you know that our PAP Ministers would soon be enjoying another round of confirmed wage hike of up to 21. 64% at the end of 2008. This hike was approved in Parliament last year.

Our President, MM, SM and PM will each earn around $3.76 million per annum, after this wage hike. Now, if those scary wages are not inflationary, how can our workers’request for a pay-rise be inflationary?

When increasing the GST to 7% last year, the Government, estimated that it would suffer a $700,000 deficit with the GST-offset package. But by the end of 2007, it reported a budget surplus of $6.45 billion instead. The Government had once again extracted too much more money from the people, than was required to run this country.

Except for some PAP elites, life is getting tougher for everyone in Singapore. Middle-income Singaporeans have been hit hard, and are badly squeezed by the Government’s policies. Are you one of them? If so, what are you going to do about it? We cannot remain indifferent and pretend that nothing can be done.

On this occasion of our 43rd National Day, may we wish you a happy holiday. We would also urge you to think and reflect on how we (together) can work to lobby the PAP Government to squeeze less and do more for the people of Singapore.

Please email us at < nsp-cec@yahoogroups.com> to express your views, concerns, ideas and suggestions on how we can compete with the PAP more effectively. When there is greater political competition, there will be a greater desire to serve you – the people of Singapore -- better.

Once again, Happy National Day.

Sebastain Teo Kway Huang
President


国 庆 献 词



尊敬的新加坡国民




国庆日快乐！




。。。但我们真有好理由来庆祝吗？




通货暴胀,百物价格持续上涨,燃油价格迭创新高,咱们的钞票也变得愈来愈薄。在这样的处境下，我们还真有好理由来庆祝？




政府增设更多的公路电子收费闸门，延长了收费时段和调高过路收费。即使晚间国人开车回家并不影响经济成长，却得照样支付夜间实施的公路电子收费。避之则直接影响了我们和家人团聚的时间。政府要国人多用公共交通工具（如巴士和地铁），然而，公共交通理事会却允许SMRT(新捷运公司)和Comfort-Delgro (康福德高)提出调高车资3％的申请，以确保它们在经营成本不断上升时还能保持其高盈利率。

可是，当一般员工要求加薪以应付更高的生活费时，我们的财政部长尚达曼先生却回应说它将引起另一波的通货膨胀。这可真令人感到惊讶！我们的一般员工竟然具备这种足以引发通膨的威力，而并不是部长们。

您知道吗？我们的PAP部长们将在今年末获得另一轮的加薪，幅度高达21.64%。这项加薪方案是在去年由国会批准的。我们的总统，内阁资政，国务资政和总理在加薪后的年收入每位将高达376万新元。试问：如果这不是引起通货膨胀的薪金增长，难道会是一般员工的加薪要求所导致的？

去年，当政府将消费税调高到7％时，政府预估在实施抵消消费税的配套后，财政将需承担70万元的预算赤字。然而，在2007年末，政府却公布了64.5亿元的财政盈余。政府再次征收了过剩的税收来管理这个国家。




除了PAP的精英，每个新加坡人的生活都过得愈来愈艰苦。中等收入的新加坡人因政府所推行的政策而陷入困境。您是其中一个吗？如果是，您该如何应对？我们不应对此漠不关心和装作无奈的样子。





在这个国庆日里，让我祝愿大家假日快乐！我也要借此吁请大家思考并反馈如何齐心合力去劝说政府，希望它不但能减少对国民生活上的压迫，还能致力于为新加坡人谋创更多的福祉。




如何更有效的为广大民众向政府力争更好的利益和服务是我党的首要课题。希望您能提供宝贵的意见和建议，将它发到我们的电子邮箱：nsp-cec@yahoogroups.com 谢谢。




再次的祝贺大家：国庆日快乐 !



张培源　谨上

国民团结党主席

2008年8月9日