Natural for ruling party to capitalise on feel-good factors
I refer to the report “PAP kicks off candidate introductions with Bishan-Toa Payoh slate” (Aug 13).
When asked whether the ruling party was capitalising on the Jubilee celebrations and Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s death, Minister Ng Eng Hen said the People’s Action Party (PAP) had been preparing for the General Election for four years.
He is not wrong to say that: It is natural for any party to start recruiting early. However, the timing of the elections, which is due by January 2017, is at the ruling party’s discretion. So the question is: Why now?
I would not say that the Golden Jubilee and Mr Lee’s death are the only factors in determining the timing of the elections.
The Jubilee celebration had been known long ago, and this big event would raise the spirit of the people. The sooner the elections are held after the celebration, the more the spirit is captured. Meanwhile, Mr Lee’s death could not have been foreseen four years ago.
We can probably see many other factors driving the timing of the elections. For example, the implementation of the Pioneer Generation Package, the announcement of MediShield Life, the addition of housing units and the housing schemes for the elderly are positives for the PAP.
On the other hand, a delay in holding the elections could introduce negative factors. For instance, the economy may go south, unemployment may rise or opposition parties could garnish more support.
It is natural for the ruling party to capitalise on all the feel-good factors. Voters are not politically ignorant, however, and to underestimate our intelligence would only create a negative sentiment.
