Growing up not knowing right and wrong of political elections in Singapore, now it’s the time to change it.

When British Prime Minister David Cameron addressed MPs after recalling Parliament for the day in the wake of looting and violence in English cities, he said this in his statement to the Parliament: 

“There is a major problem in our society with children growing up not knowing the difference between right and wrong.”

Here in Singapore, we may not have children problems, but our political education certainly needs some refreshments and urgently needs an update to reflect the true picture of GE2011 and PE2011.  In the coming PE2011, voters should exercise their rights, after knowing the right and wrong, to choose a President of their choice.

For too long in Singapore politics, under the one-party rule of the PAP, Singaporeans have been growing up in the past 50 years without knowing the right and wrong of an election.   Even today, after the introduction of the Elected President for 18 years, many still wonder what it is, still arguing and debating the role of an Elected President. 

Some (especially older generation) still think the Elected President is nominated and approved by the Parliament.

The right and wrong of boundary changes, GRCs, and minority certificates; the right and wrong of a free and fair election; the right and wrong of free debate and broadcasting; all these have long been neglected and forgotten under the powerful PAP monopoly of the parliament and media.

Who causes the ignorance? Who is intentionally doing so for political purpose?  Who is down playing and educating the young the insignificance of an election (GE and PE)?

Some examples of growing up not knowing right and wrong are:

[Tin Pei Ling sent a GE-RELATED reply to someone on 6 MAY 2011 at 1.30 PM. That day had been designated by the govt as the COOLING OFF DAY]

[Ms Penny Low was captured on TV looking down at her handphone when the National Anthem was being sung.]

[PAP MP for Nee Soon GRC, Dr Lim Wee Kiak said:

"If the annual salary of the Minister of Information, Communications and the Arts is only $500,000, it may pose some problems when he discusses policies with media CEOs who earn millions of dollars.]

[SENIOR Minister Goh Chok Tong disclosed on Saturday night that his former principal private secretary (PPS) Tan Jee Say did not make the cut to be a Permanent Secretary, and that was why he resigned from the Civil Service – and not up to standard, Tan Jee Say still gets his COE to stand for PE2011.]

Cameron also said this in his statement:

“This is not about poverty, it's about culture. A culture that glorifies violence, shows disrespect to authority, and says everything about rights but nothing about responsibilities.”

If we re-phrase it to suit the Singapore contexts, it will be something like this:

“This is not about (economics as what the PAP always stressed); it's about culture (and value). A culture (and value) that glorifies (the achievement and success of the PAP), shows disrespect to (the rights and importance of free and fair election), and says everything about (money) but nothing about (voting rights).”

Cameron further stressed that:

“The potential consequences of neglect and immorality on this scale have been clear for too long, without enough action being taken.”

Yes, Singaporeans have been neglecting their rights to know the right and wrong of a political election for too long. Our parents, our teachers and our society have under the influence of the PAP never right the right and wrong of political correctness to our children.

Luckily, we are an open economy and with the social media, growing up not knowing right and wrong of political development will be a past. But let us use the social media responsibly and vote wisely in the coming Presidential election.

It is time to right the right and wrong of the past in all future elections in Singapore.