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| The Contrast 1792 wikipedia |
The
Punggol East by-election result reminds us about the systematic practice of the
PAP, especially its bad painting of the oppositions in the mainstream media since
1959, has failed. Singaporeans have begun to realize the truth of Singapore
politics and will make decisive choice when come to voting their MPs.
“The
Contrast 1792 –which is the best”#1 (above) is a clear reflection of what the
PAP has been telling Singaporeans over the past years. We can
also redefine “The Contrast 1792” into “The Contrast 2013: the PAP and the
Oppositions”. The 2013 contrast has shown a clearer and truer picture,
especially when voters in the middle class constituency have more informed news.
With
the monopoly control of MSM, the PAP has painted itself a picture like the
British Liberty:
On Left: Britannia with a lion at her feet, holding "Magna Carta" and a pole with a liberty (Phrygian) cap on it (instead of the usual trident), to emphasize British liberty under law. A lion is at her feet, and a ship sails off in the background.
Inscription: "Religion, Morality, Loyalty, Obedience to the Laws, Independence, Personal Security, Justice, Inheritance, Protection, Property, Industry, National Prosperity, HAPPINESS." #1
And
the PAP will then group the oppositions, big or small, left or right, real or
not real, all in one picture like the French Liberty:
On Right: Scrawny ill-clad personification of France with Medusa snakes instead of hair, treading on beheaded corpse with man hanged from lantern-post in background.
Inscription: "Atheism, Perjury, Rebellion, Treason, Anarchy, Murder, Equality, Madness, Cruelty, Injustice, Treachery, Ingratitude, Idleness, Famine, National & Private Ruin, MISERY" #1
{This
is why Low Thia Khiang, SG of WP, decides that WP will walk its own path.
Otherwise, WP will also be fixed into the image of “French Liberty”. Low said, "The
opposition is a convoluted, complicated thing -- made up of different people,
different parties, different leaders, different ways of questioning the
government, even." http://sg.news.yahoo.com/why-wp-walks-its-own-path--low-thia-kiang-155714779.html}
Finally,
the PAP will ask the readers of MSM to decide on an overall question,
"Which is best?" It is clear that
without alternative news like social media, past voters in Singapore were blinded
and prevented to have the truth and of course, they would continue to vote for
the PAP.
From
1959 to 2011, the PAP and MSM have successful achieved the aim of making the government
behaving like the “British Liberty” and the oppositions “French Liberty”. The ISA political arrests, defamation suits, etc.
are used to justify the right to contain the bad behaviour of “French Liberty”.
However,
with the help of social media, GE2011 and PE2011 showed a different Singapore, a
hard truth political new normal as some have described. Voters have begun to
distinguish the credible oppositions inside the opposition camp of “French
Liberty”. They also discover there are
some credible men (e.g. BG, TCB, OTC etc.) inside the PAP camp (“British
Liberty”).
Rebranding PAP via
NatCon is not enough
Punggol
East voters have clearly shown their rejection of the current brand of the PAP
leadership. The use of National
Conversation to rebrand the PAP as a caring party has failed. Voters are not satisfied with the
conversation and other policies change announced during the campaign.
So,
how to rebrand the PAP? Dr Koh’s change
within the PAP is certainly not working and is rejected by voters.
Not
only PAP needs a drastic change so do the MSM. The continued control of MSM will not do good to
both the PAP and Singapore and it will contribute little to nation building.
What next WP and
other opposition parties
Voters
have also confirmed their recoganazation of WP as a credible opposition party
in a four-cornered contest. Voters know
the differences inside the “French Liberty” camp. Not everything MSM reported
on oppositions is true and real.
Will
WP emerge as a main alternative party and finally form alternative government? It is too early to tell. Other opposition
parties will have to find its niche areas to expand their influences. Some small political parties in Singapore will
have a difficult future and most likely will not appear in voters’ mind after
the next GE.
#1
Other
references:
http://www02.unibg.it/~medusa/fonti_secondarie/hertz.pdf
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