It is election season in Singapore, in line with the theory that we are a democractic country. Effectively, we are a single-party socialist state, where politics is dominated by the People's Action Party (PAP), the party of the pre-eminent Lee Kuan Yew, the man who single-handedly raised Singapore from the gutters of the third world, or so they say.
The present Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, is the son of the pre-emininet Lee Kuan Yew. Goh Chok Tong was the Prime Minister in between the two Lees.
Rumours of nepotism aside, the system has actually worked for us so far. The PAP prides itself in being a party without corruption, and I think it is this single characteristic that has steered Singapore away from money-grubbing politics, and firmly placed the country in the path of progress.
I haven't been too in touch with the wayang (Chinese opera) of this year's election for a number of reasons, the primary reason being the TV isn't working, but since I don't actually get to vote this year, it doesn't really matter. I'm curious to know if the PAP will be elected back into parliament with such a resounding victory as in the last election, or if the electorate has changed and wants different things now. I'm also steeling myself for the inevitable price and tax hike after election season. Sigh.
Update: Did you see the size of the crowd at that Worker's Party Hougang rally??
Tym's account here and here. Trends on what people are talking about the elections by nexlab here.
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