- Forum letter opposing two-party democracy heavily edited (published in Straits Times); original writer responded here, protesting against editing his original letter which suggested reforms towards representative democracy as an alternative (ST Forum); comparison of the letters, original vs published, can be found here (Wend Right)
- Ng Eng Hen challenges opposition to be bold enough to say they want to form new government (Straits Times)
- "Parliamentary deadlock" is PAP's bogeyman for 2011 elections; not 1, not 2, but 6 mutually exclusive scenarios to illustrate how parliamentary deadlock will unlikely emerge after this election (Yawning Bread)
- Pitting Tin Pei Ling (PAP) vs Nicole Seah (NSP), Tin seems lacklustre (Kent Ridge Common), but with Goh Chok Tong in her team, voters' choice is virtually predictable (Blinkymummy)
Potshots and more Mudslinging:
- Lee Hsien Loong shocked at WP's candidate selection process (Straits Times)
- Ng Eng Hen challenges opposition to be bold enough to say they want to form new government (Straits Times)
- "Parliamentary deadlock" is PAP's bogeyman for 2011 elections; not 1, not 2, but 6 mutually exclusive scenarios to illustrate how parliamentary deadlock will unlikely emerge after this election (Yawning Bread)
- Pitting Tin Pei Ling (PAP) vs Nicole Seah (NSP), Tin seems lacklustre (Kent Ridge Common), but with Goh Chok Tong in her team, voters' choice is virtually predictable (Blinkymummy)
Bread and Butter - The Housing Conundrum
- Low Thia Kiang counters to Mah Bow Tan's assertion that WP proposals are dangerous and akin to raiding reserves; opines that lower prices for first time buyers are unlikely to affect the resale market because of the minimum holding period before resale; supports asset enhancement since it is beneficial to homeowners, but disapproves of channeling national reserves selectively to constituents during the election campaign (Today Online)
- Mah Bow Tan's reasons against WP proposals flawed because 1) many transactions in the resale market are second properties for renting out, hence only buyers who bought for commercial purposes would be affected, 2) lowering new flat prices benefits first time buyers and does not contradict with HDB's mission of providing quality affordable housing, 3) claim that WP is "raiding the reserves" is ludicrous (Singapore Recalcitrant)
- WP's idea is not brilliant or exciting, still it is a reasonable alternative given the aim is to keep new flats affordable to new homeowners; Mah's defensive posture on the issue is disappointing, shows insecurity; His defensiveness is understandable given that he has not done a good job in ensuring public housing remains affordable; "raiding" statement unjustified as reserves will still increase, albeit more slowly with WP's policy (Mr Wang Says So)
- PAP's policy of linking public housing to retirement is even more dangerous, as an ever increasing price for housing is unsustainable and is likely to end badly for homeowners (Diary of a Singaporean Mind); also mentioned - means testing, sharp foreigner influx straining existing infrastructure, selective upgrading plans for residents in some constituencies during elections are issues to be addressed
Bread and Butter - Jobs, wages and immigration
- Lee Hsien Loong defends immigration policy, citing S$3.4 billion wafer fab plant as an example of how foreign workers helped to create more jobs in Singapore; 3 in 5 employees are Singapore citizens or PRs, while 2 are foreigners, and foreigners made it possible for the plant to be located in Singapore (Today Online)
- Mah Bow Tan's reasons against WP proposals flawed because 1) many transactions in the resale market are second properties for renting out, hence only buyers who bought for commercial purposes would be affected, 2) lowering new flat prices benefits first time buyers and does not contradict with HDB's mission of providing quality affordable housing, 3) claim that WP is "raiding the reserves" is ludicrous (Singapore Recalcitrant)
- WP's idea is not brilliant or exciting, still it is a reasonable alternative given the aim is to keep new flats affordable to new homeowners; Mah's defensive posture on the issue is disappointing, shows insecurity; His defensiveness is understandable given that he has not done a good job in ensuring public housing remains affordable; "raiding" statement unjustified as reserves will still increase, albeit more slowly with WP's policy (Mr Wang Says So)
- PAP's policy of linking public housing to retirement is even more dangerous, as an ever increasing price for housing is unsustainable and is likely to end badly for homeowners (Diary of a Singaporean Mind); also mentioned - means testing, sharp foreigner influx straining existing infrastructure, selective upgrading plans for residents in some constituencies during elections are issues to be addressed
Bread and Butter - Jobs, wages and immigration
- Lee Hsien Loong defends immigration policy, citing S$3.4 billion wafer fab plant as an example of how foreign workers helped to create more jobs in Singapore; 3 in 5 employees are Singapore citizens or PRs, while 2 are foreigners, and foreigners made it possible for the plant to be located in Singapore (Today Online)
Having the last say:
- "Can Singaporeans afford to 'gamble' again by voting for the PAP?"
By taking your chance with the PAP by voting them in, and avalanche of events will unfold; 1) greater influx of immigrants leading to 2) strong economic growth shared disproportionately between businesses and wage earners, 3) intense competitive pressures on wage levels, cost of living, 4) Higher HDB housing prices puts greater strain on CPF and greater reliance on sustained HDB prices for retirement, 5) greater repression of civil liberties and criticisms on PAP policies (Temasek Review), (site is down as of now, google web cache retrieved here)
p.s. Some sites may be inaccessible during these few weeks, so make good use of google's cache function :)
By taking your chance with the PAP by voting them in, and avalanche of events will unfold; 1) greater influx of immigrants leading to 2) strong economic growth shared disproportionately between businesses and wage earners, 3) intense competitive pressures on wage levels, cost of living, 4) Higher HDB housing prices puts greater strain on CPF and greater reliance on sustained HDB prices for retirement, 5) greater repression of civil liberties and criticisms on PAP policies (Temasek Review), (site is down as of now, google web cache retrieved here)
p.s. Some sites may be inaccessible during these few weeks, so make good use of google's cache function :)
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