Lessons learnt from 5 Singaporeans and 1 foreigner at the September 2 Radin Mas rally

Humans of Radin Mas rally. Like Humans of Singapore. Except political.

Grace Yeoh| September 03, 11:42 AM

Editor’s note: Mothership.sg called for young Singaporeans to step up and give their perspective for GE2015. The aim of such an endeavour is to provide our readers a means to view GE2015 through the lens of young Singaporeans, warts, sparkles and all.

 

What do you do when you arrive at a rally 1.5 hours before its scheduled start time?

Speak to fellow early birds.

Nothing more exciting than getting a sense of how fellow citizens feel about the one event that quite literally changes our lives once every four or five years.

In fact, it doesn’t matter whether you’re media – the point is to approach a stranger with an open mind and the willingness to spend a little time understanding their view points.

Putting my free time to good use, I scoured the ground to get some soundbites from 5 Singaporeans and 1 foreigner during the September 2 Radin Mas rally for PAP.

Here’s what I found:

1. People still believe a change in political party will be detrimental, but are willing to hear the opposition out

Terry Tan, 45, executive

Constituency: Bukit Panjang SMC

“I’m here mostly out of curiosity. I want to hear what the PAP has planned for the future. They have a good track record and good results. I’ll also take the opportunity to attend the opposition ones too. I’m quite selective of who I’m going to listen to though. WP would be a first priority.

I strongly believe that if there’s a change in political scene, from one party to another party, we’ll go through a process of transition period and it could be quite a bad thing for society.

It’s quite tough for the opposition to become the ruling party in Singapore over a night or over the next few elections, because LKY has built a very strong base. So if [the opposition] were to take over, it will be a gradual thing. During the process, say, over the next 50 years, there will be great instability. All in all, things will move slowly.”

 

2. Social media really, really gets people angry

Lilian Stephen, 67, retired receptionist

Constituency: Ang Mo Kio GRC

“I want to support the PAP, that’s all. If this government goes down, everyone is going to suffer. That’s all I can say.

I don’t actually trust social media so much; they tell a lot of lies. They will say things like Temasek lost a lot of money, but then they won’t tell the whole story. They’re not truthful. It makes me very angry when they manipulate what ministers say and play on people’s emotions. A lot of stories, you must dig. All these twisting and lying makes me angry.

What do you want? The government give you money, money, money? You don’t have to work? So who is going to pay the tax?

If we have a weak government, what will happen? Everyone’s going to suffer. If you have opposition but they are useless, what’s the point? Our government becomes so weak, we will be another Malaysia, you know? Correct?”

 

3. People just want to check things out

Jeremy Tian, 24, student

Constituency: Tanjong Pagar GRC

“It’s my first time voting and also first time at a rally. It’s going to be interesting to see what it’s all about. I just want to hear what their plans are for the next few years. My parents wanted to come, but I thought it would be very crowded, so they didn’t. I expected more people.

I think you can count yourself lucky if you’re educated here, although as a student, you still can’t really do too much.”

 

4. Concerned and level-headed debates are always welcome

Ms Tan, 47, “displaced ex-banker”

Constituency: West Coast GRC

“I hope people will vote responsibly. It’s been worrying in recent times, because there have been missteps made in policies. I don’t think this rally will cover the issues, because policies need fine tuning, and to be discussed carefully and in-depth.

I do follow Indranee Rajah on social media, only because my parents are under her ward. And I have to give it to her – she is really one of the most hardworking MPs.

A lot of conversation says that the Singaporean is getting more mature. We’ve seen the engagement on TV; there’s less mud slinging, more debate. That’s good, it’s a beginning. That’s what people like my demographic want to see. And I think we have to give PAP credit for being open and embracing this, rather than just slamming it shut. The fact that people are even stopping to think [about who to cast their vote to] means they are now giving the opposition a chance to voice their views.”

 

5. Young people apparently complain too much

Chia Meng Tat, 57, retiree

Constituency: Sembawang GRC

“I’ve only studied till secondary four. I’ve always depended on myself. Even my children stand a chance so succeed and be on the same playing field as everyone else, because of social mobility. I can’t complain.

The government may give you opportunities to advance but if you don’t do well, you can’t blame the government. A lot of younger people like to do that. Younger people are more inclined towards giving the opposition a chance. Younger people have a lot of opinions. My age group, they know what’s good and what’s bad.

What’s so bad about the PAP? At most, you have less freedom of speech. But what’s the overall loss? Especially if you compare us to other countries. We have it so good now, compared to my generation. Maybe younger people in Singapore are not as mature as younger people overseas, because they’ve grown up in a very comfortable environment.”

*Note: Interview translated from Mandarin

 

6. Appreciating the little things is such an underrated practice

Thirunavukkarasu is the man in red, furthest left Thirunavukkarasu is the man in red, furthest left

Chinnadurai Thirunavukkarasu, 29, Indian national

“I’m at the rally because I was setting up the barricades.

I like Singapore because there are rules. At work, it’s also very safe. I haven’t had an injury in two years. Within my two years in Singapore, I’ve been on several courses, such as to train to be a safety supervisor and excavator and forklift operator. I also have been to courses in petrol chemical and have gotten my Singapore driving licence.

I very, very like Singapore. I can apply for S-Pass. My father, mother, very happy with the money I earn.”

 

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