大选期间
不断在网络世界里
寻找同本地政治有关的讯息
希望通过不同人的眼中
看待选情。
就这样
找到了李邪的博客
发现几乎每一篇
都说中我心坎里。
尽管大选已经尘埃落定
但有时间的话
还是可以去看一看
我想
还是会有种触动吧。
http://lixiebiancoo.blogspot.com/
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Monday, May 09, 2011
选后反思
5年一次的本地盛事就这样过去了。其实，心情还未沉淀下来。
本届大选确实振奋人心，结果正是我所期望的，相信也是许多新加坡人期望的。能在本地政治历史掀开新篇章的那一刻，同缔造历史的人近在咫尺，确实令人感动。当下，因为有任在身而没能像在场的支持者以样，完全感受到这份激情，但至今仍为这个结果感到雀跃。
感谢后港和阿裕尼人作出的决定。跟一些那里居民聊过后，他们都表示愿意撇开个人利益，为新加坡民主大环境尽一份力。新加坡选民确实成熟了。这虽然也只算是一小步，但却是关键性的一步。
本届大选对我来说也有很大意义，是第一次达到合法年龄可以投票（但最终还是因为我住的选区没有反对党来挑战而无法执行这个公民义务）、也是第一次以记者身份采访大选。对本地政治的了解深入了不少，也可以更坚定地说，我为自己是新加坡人感到骄傲。
即便本地政治不如其他更成熟的民主社会来的“精彩”，但我觉得这是健康的。政党主要还是以理性的政策、政治辩论来赢得选民的选票，而不是以人身攻击、抹黑等手段来竞选。不会互相开骂，而是理智的辩论，阐述论点。
自小都认为本地反对党都是一群少根经的人，为了反对而反对，不知所谓的人，因为以前只有他们被政要起诉，被警察抓时，我才会认识到他们。记得首次对政治有一点认识和兴趣是2001年的大选。当时年中四的我们，只要能说出内阁部长的名字，就已经算是有政治意识。而当年我只记得一个反对党-工人党，觉得他们的表现还不错，是比较值得信赖的。
10年后的今天，他们取得了大跃进，在大选期间的追踪采访，也让我觉得他们党内的纪律、组织能力等其实都不输给行动党。
多年来许多国人因为集选区制度，导致多年来都不需要投票，而培养了所谓的政治冷感。但今年，除了我在内的14万名国人，其余的都需要作出选择。而也正因为等了这么久才有执行公民权的时候，大家越觉得自己手中的一票是神圣的，而更关注本地政治。
因此，要感谢各反对党希望挑战所有议席的决定，因为这唤醒了人们对政治的注意和热忱，更积极去参与政治。这也让我们意识到集选区制度对反对党、甚至对人民是多么的不公平。就因为这个制度，我们必须一次过失去两位部长，却让备受批评的新人进入国会。
对于所有反对党人，我想致以敬意，因为要站出来，是需要一定的勇气的。而就因为有你们的先河，让国人看到这并非想象中的可怕，也让所谓的climate of fear越来越不成立。你们唤醒了国人沉睡中的愿望。看到我身边朋友一个个都被激励，以实际行动去支持他们所相信的理念，这只能对新加坡来说，是好事。
对新上任的工人党议员，我只能说，国人对你们给予厚望。你们接下来的表现，不止会被后港人和阿裕尼人评估，全新加坡都会非常关注。因此，希望你们能不负众望，兑现你们的承诺，让更多新加坡人希望他们是后港和阿裕尼人。
我期待国会复会后的新气象。
本届大选确实振奋人心，结果正是我所期望的，相信也是许多新加坡人期望的。能在本地政治历史掀开新篇章的那一刻，同缔造历史的人近在咫尺，确实令人感动。当下，因为有任在身而没能像在场的支持者以样，完全感受到这份激情，但至今仍为这个结果感到雀跃。
感谢后港和阿裕尼人作出的决定。跟一些那里居民聊过后，他们都表示愿意撇开个人利益，为新加坡民主大环境尽一份力。新加坡选民确实成熟了。这虽然也只算是一小步，但却是关键性的一步。
本届大选对我来说也有很大意义，是第一次达到合法年龄可以投票（但最终还是因为我住的选区没有反对党来挑战而无法执行这个公民义务）、也是第一次以记者身份采访大选。对本地政治的了解深入了不少，也可以更坚定地说，我为自己是新加坡人感到骄傲。
即便本地政治不如其他更成熟的民主社会来的“精彩”，但我觉得这是健康的。政党主要还是以理性的政策、政治辩论来赢得选民的选票，而不是以人身攻击、抹黑等手段来竞选。不会互相开骂，而是理智的辩论，阐述论点。
自小都认为本地反对党都是一群少根经的人，为了反对而反对，不知所谓的人，因为以前只有他们被政要起诉，被警察抓时，我才会认识到他们。记得首次对政治有一点认识和兴趣是2001年的大选。当时年中四的我们，只要能说出内阁部长的名字，就已经算是有政治意识。而当年我只记得一个反对党-工人党，觉得他们的表现还不错，是比较值得信赖的。
10年后的今天，他们取得了大跃进，在大选期间的追踪采访，也让我觉得他们党内的纪律、组织能力等其实都不输给行动党。
多年来许多国人因为集选区制度，导致多年来都不需要投票，而培养了所谓的政治冷感。但今年，除了我在内的14万名国人，其余的都需要作出选择。而也正因为等了这么久才有执行公民权的时候，大家越觉得自己手中的一票是神圣的，而更关注本地政治。
因此，要感谢各反对党希望挑战所有议席的决定，因为这唤醒了人们对政治的注意和热忱，更积极去参与政治。这也让我们意识到集选区制度对反对党、甚至对人民是多么的不公平。就因为这个制度，我们必须一次过失去两位部长，却让备受批评的新人进入国会。
对于所有反对党人，我想致以敬意，因为要站出来，是需要一定的勇气的。而就因为有你们的先河，让国人看到这并非想象中的可怕，也让所谓的climate of fear越来越不成立。你们唤醒了国人沉睡中的愿望。看到我身边朋友一个个都被激励，以实际行动去支持他们所相信的理念，这只能对新加坡来说，是好事。
对新上任的工人党议员，我只能说，国人对你们给予厚望。你们接下来的表现，不止会被后港人和阿裕尼人评估，全新加坡都会非常关注。因此，希望你们能不负众望，兑现你们的承诺，让更多新加坡人希望他们是后港和阿裕尼人。
我期待国会复会后的新气象。
Friday, May 06, 2011
Rallies
What is election without rallies?
A time where one gets the ticket to smear the govt and oppo parties openly. It's amazing how such stuff brings people together.
Never before do I realise how passionate Singaporeans can be. Never before do I realise how Singaporeans can unite over a cause. Never before do I realise the power of Uncles. Never before do I not see Singaporeans complain about having to standing in the hot sun or in water-logged fields getting their feet muddy.
The power of politics is to unite, but to split as well. Once u pledge allegiance to one party, you are inevitably against the other. I do not have to vote, but I'm still torn about what kind of government or parliament I want to see in Singapore.
While a 1 party takes a parliament is not the ideal, a clear cut 2 party system is not as well. Personal experience in Taiwan and Philippines has made me seen it's ill effects and appreciating what I have in Singapore. There are countless other examples to prove how a partisan 2 party system is detrimental. But yet, what the oppositions are pointing out in their rallies and are offering is so tempting as well. 有竞争才有进步是不争的规律。
It is beyond a doubt that what we have today is the work of the ruling party. The Singapore that we are all proud of. But there are still certain areas that we are unhappy about, and the proposition that we can make the Singapore we are proud of even better sounds good doesn't it? Personally, I'm not in favour of just letting any oppo voice in parly, but if we see a good one, I think we should give them a chance to prove themselves.
Then and again, I'm not the person with the vote in hand. So, here i zip.
A time where one gets the ticket to smear the govt and oppo parties openly. It's amazing how such stuff brings people together.
Never before do I realise how passionate Singaporeans can be. Never before do I realise how Singaporeans can unite over a cause. Never before do I realise the power of Uncles. Never before do I not see Singaporeans complain about having to standing in the hot sun or in water-logged fields getting their feet muddy.
The power of politics is to unite, but to split as well. Once u pledge allegiance to one party, you are inevitably against the other. I do not have to vote, but I'm still torn about what kind of government or parliament I want to see in Singapore.
While a 1 party takes a parliament is not the ideal, a clear cut 2 party system is not as well. Personal experience in Taiwan and Philippines has made me seen it's ill effects and appreciating what I have in Singapore. There are countless other examples to prove how a partisan 2 party system is detrimental. But yet, what the oppositions are pointing out in their rallies and are offering is so tempting as well. 有竞争才有进步是不争的规律。
It is beyond a doubt that what we have today is the work of the ruling party. The Singapore that we are all proud of. But there are still certain areas that we are unhappy about, and the proposition that we can make the Singapore we are proud of even better sounds good doesn't it? Personally, I'm not in favour of just letting any oppo voice in parly, but if we see a good one, I think we should give them a chance to prove themselves.
Then and again, I'm not the person with the vote in hand. So, here i zip.
MMS
Well, it's been a whirlwind week, with too much info on either side that my puny brain can handle.
The liberalization of the internet and social media for campaigning meant that information is in explosive volumes, and that believe it or not, one can filter out stuff that you don't want to see or hear more easily.
For one, I would like to speak up on the criticisms on main stream media that has been made by almost every opposition party, saying that it's the mouth piece of government and gives unfair coverage to the opposition cause.
As a participant/contributor of the mainstream media, I tend to cringe whenever I hear this. We did do our very best to cover both sides equally. But the idea of fairness is actually subjective. What is fair coverage to you, would not be fair to the other party right? So what is fair? 50-50 coverage of the ruling and opposition parties? OR should we go down to the details to proportioning everyday's coverage based on the number of candidates each party is sending to contest like in the case of the party political broadcast?
When 1 party shoots down another, we got to report on it, as a fact, that A criticizes B for this. But at the same time, we will give B the right of reply. I think that is fair. Seeing both sides of the story. But due to deadline/space or any other constraints, it might not be possible to carry it in the same article or at the same time. That people need to understand.
In journalism, there are other factors of consideration when it comes to who gets more coverage. If you spout nonsense and say boring stuff, u prob might not be carried. In this election for example, an Aljunied GRC related election news, will take precedence say over Sembawang GRC, as we know ppl want to know more abt Aljunied than Sembawang. Is that fair?
Our yardstick of fairness might not be the same as yours. And as with politics, we can't make everyone happy all the time.
The liberalization of the internet and social media for campaigning meant that information is in explosive volumes, and that believe it or not, one can filter out stuff that you don't want to see or hear more easily.
For one, I would like to speak up on the criticisms on main stream media that has been made by almost every opposition party, saying that it's the mouth piece of government and gives unfair coverage to the opposition cause.
As a participant/contributor of the mainstream media, I tend to cringe whenever I hear this. We did do our very best to cover both sides equally. But the idea of fairness is actually subjective. What is fair coverage to you, would not be fair to the other party right? So what is fair? 50-50 coverage of the ruling and opposition parties? OR should we go down to the details to proportioning everyday's coverage based on the number of candidates each party is sending to contest like in the case of the party political broadcast?
When 1 party shoots down another, we got to report on it, as a fact, that A criticizes B for this. But at the same time, we will give B the right of reply. I think that is fair. Seeing both sides of the story. But due to deadline/space or any other constraints, it might not be possible to carry it in the same article or at the same time. That people need to understand.
In journalism, there are other factors of consideration when it comes to who gets more coverage. If you spout nonsense and say boring stuff, u prob might not be carried. In this election for example, an Aljunied GRC related election news, will take precedence say over Sembawang GRC, as we know ppl want to know more abt Aljunied than Sembawang. Is that fair?
Our yardstick of fairness might not be the same as yours. And as with politics, we can't make everyone happy all the time.
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
进入下半场
来的快，去得也快。大选竞选期就这么9天，要决定未来5年的命运，要怎么最决定？
在协助大家做决定的同时，自己却没有这个权利，的确是有点失落。尽管觉得希望前来挑战的反对党对手绝对不是执政党的对手，素质绝对不会比他们好，但是我觉得有竞争，人民才会觉醒，会更了解在哦及手中的一票的意义。
虽不能说这次反对党的素质很高，但这次反对党大规模挑战执政党，只让一个集选区不战而胜，也挺佩服的。他们做到的，是让人们政治觉醒，让人们更仔细地去了解政治的意义，也让行动党更积极的去了解人们的意见。而这次各反对党最终能大规模避免三角战的发生，也显示他们的出发点都是为了国家利益，而不是党的利益，依我看，是很成熟的反对党作风。总总迹象来看，本地反对党已经成熟了，是时候给他们机会展现他们的能力。
有竞争才有进步是不争的事实。
投下反对票不代表抹杀你们之前的成绩。之前有好成绩，也不代表接下来就会继续有好成绩。我想，是时候换一下口味，尝试新菜色，让味蕾有新的刺激。
在协助大家做决定的同时，自己却没有这个权利，的确是有点失落。尽管觉得希望前来挑战的反对党对手绝对不是执政党的对手，素质绝对不会比他们好，但是我觉得有竞争，人民才会觉醒，会更了解在哦及手中的一票的意义。
虽不能说这次反对党的素质很高，但这次反对党大规模挑战执政党，只让一个集选区不战而胜，也挺佩服的。他们做到的，是让人们政治觉醒，让人们更仔细地去了解政治的意义，也让行动党更积极的去了解人们的意见。而这次各反对党最终能大规模避免三角战的发生，也显示他们的出发点都是为了国家利益，而不是党的利益，依我看，是很成熟的反对党作风。总总迹象来看，本地反对党已经成熟了，是时候给他们机会展现他们的能力。
有竞争才有进步是不争的事实。
投下反对票不代表抹杀你们之前的成绩。之前有好成绩，也不代表接下来就会继续有好成绩。我想，是时候换一下口味，尝试新菜色，让味蕾有新的刺激。
Friday, April 29, 2011
提名日花絮
This comes a little late as it's hard to peel my eyes of election related news online these days. And with the rallies in full force, it just gets so much more action packed.
Was at the WP rally at Hougang earlier, a very 1st election rally I've been to. Well, my family had nv had to vote since I dunno when (1991 I supposed), not even this time round, so we really nv had to talk politics. Atmosphere was great with random ppl shouting support and boo-ing the govt. There was prolly 20 to 30K ppl there and I est that half the ppl I knew was there. Saw at least 20 ppl I know, not counting those that I couldn't spot amid the crazy crowd.
Back to Nomination Day craziness, actually I wasn't that crazy lah. I actually missed all the drama at my nomination centre cos I was stationed by the Notice Board. Seriously, our only view was the notice board and nothing else. Can't even see the crowd, can only occasionally hear them.
Now for my fav moments at Tao Nan School Nomination Centre:
- fellow reporter asking me what she should file for her prob 4th live report of the day. "How about I'm sweating like a pig, my hair is messy and my makeup is melting?"
- someone telling me SM Goh will be giving a doorstop interview later right where we are stationed. I asked him how he knew. He said, "I met him in the toilet and asked him if he can give a doorstop and he said yes." Wow. Maybe I should have stalked Tin Pei Ling or Nicole Seah in the toilet.
- While waiting for the Returning Officer to announce the confirmed lineup, all the reporters were wondering what was taking so long, and we came up with various stories of how Ms Tin is having an early showdown with Ms Seah.
- Following on that, a fellow not-to-be-quoted reporter said, "Did u see Tin Pei Ling's VPL? TPL VPL. She wear white damn obvious lah." That was a male reporter.
- When the various candidates are making their speeches and it was TPL's turn, the crowd goes "Kate Spade! Kate Spade!"
That was all I can remember for now.
Seriously, although PAP have like 3/4 times more supporters than the opposition combined, their supporters do not have as much viction as the oppo's supporters. Just by listening to their cheers and jeers, I would have thought that they were similar in strength, sometimes the oppo seemed even louder than the PAP supporters.
But if the numbers were anything to go by, it's prob an indication of the actual votes each party would get. Having louder dissenting voice, does not mean u can win.
It doesn't matter whether u draw the cross with a fat marker pen or a thin pencil, it is still one cross.
Was at the WP rally at Hougang earlier, a very 1st election rally I've been to. Well, my family had nv had to vote since I dunno when (1991 I supposed), not even this time round, so we really nv had to talk politics. Atmosphere was great with random ppl shouting support and boo-ing the govt. There was prolly 20 to 30K ppl there and I est that half the ppl I knew was there. Saw at least 20 ppl I know, not counting those that I couldn't spot amid the crazy crowd.
Back to Nomination Day craziness, actually I wasn't that crazy lah. I actually missed all the drama at my nomination centre cos I was stationed by the Notice Board. Seriously, our only view was the notice board and nothing else. Can't even see the crowd, can only occasionally hear them.
Now for my fav moments at Tao Nan School Nomination Centre:
- fellow reporter asking me what she should file for her prob 4th live report of the day. "How about I'm sweating like a pig, my hair is messy and my makeup is melting?"
- someone telling me SM Goh will be giving a doorstop interview later right where we are stationed. I asked him how he knew. He said, "I met him in the toilet and asked him if he can give a doorstop and he said yes." Wow. Maybe I should have stalked Tin Pei Ling or Nicole Seah in the toilet.
- While waiting for the Returning Officer to announce the confirmed lineup, all the reporters were wondering what was taking so long, and we came up with various stories of how Ms Tin is having an early showdown with Ms Seah.
- Following on that, a fellow not-to-be-quoted reporter said, "Did u see Tin Pei Ling's VPL? TPL VPL. She wear white damn obvious lah." That was a male reporter.
- When the various candidates are making their speeches and it was TPL's turn, the crowd goes "Kate Spade! Kate Spade!"
That was all I can remember for now.
Seriously, although PAP have like 3/4 times more supporters than the opposition combined, their supporters do not have as much viction as the oppo's supporters. Just by listening to their cheers and jeers, I would have thought that they were similar in strength, sometimes the oppo seemed even louder than the PAP supporters.
But if the numbers were anything to go by, it's prob an indication of the actual votes each party would get. Having louder dissenting voice, does not mean u can win.
It doesn't matter whether u draw the cross with a fat marker pen or a thin pencil, it is still one cross.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Let the smearing begin
The event of the year is here! Like finally... In fact I've been waiting for it for a while.
Tomorrow is the start of the real action, and I think I might get too excited to sleep properly tonight.
These days, all I tend to talk about is politics. That is something I'd never imagine myself doing 5 years ago. But I'm truly glad to be part of this very exciting elections that seems promising of some real breakthrough.
All the opposition vigour and conviction of fightly against the odds have somehow rubbed off me. I don't think I can feel the same on the white-on-white camp except that most of the time they come out as very defensive.
How is one supposed to make a choice? Based on reports you see in the media? Based on what u see online? Based on looks/age/gender/race/gut feelings? What if the choice doesn't really give you REAL choice?
While I agree with the need more more alternative voices, I do not believe in condoning bad voices. So then, how do I make my choice?
A friend has suggested I blog more to share some of my personal experience since I've got the chance to have real personal contact with the different camps. Actually I would very much like to have a personal document of this as well. But I'm one who need to think thru my post thoroughly before I can post and after a long day at work with overflowing info and thereafter staring at computer screen and listening and re-listening soundbites, I tend to get too tired to sit down and sort out my thoughts for a coherent post. Nonetheless, I shall try.
This election is the 1st time I am eligible to vote (it still remains to be seen if I get to vote tho). This election is the 1st I get to cover as a journalist. It's going to be tough, it's going to be tiring, but now, I'm rearing to go!
Tomorrow is the start of the real action, and I think I might get too excited to sleep properly tonight.
These days, all I tend to talk about is politics. That is something I'd never imagine myself doing 5 years ago. But I'm truly glad to be part of this very exciting elections that seems promising of some real breakthrough.
All the opposition vigour and conviction of fightly against the odds have somehow rubbed off me. I don't think I can feel the same on the white-on-white camp except that most of the time they come out as very defensive.
How is one supposed to make a choice? Based on reports you see in the media? Based on what u see online? Based on looks/age/gender/race/gut feelings? What if the choice doesn't really give you REAL choice?
While I agree with the need more more alternative voices, I do not believe in condoning bad voices. So then, how do I make my choice?
A friend has suggested I blog more to share some of my personal experience since I've got the chance to have real personal contact with the different camps. Actually I would very much like to have a personal document of this as well. But I'm one who need to think thru my post thoroughly before I can post and after a long day at work with overflowing info and thereafter staring at computer screen and listening and re-listening soundbites, I tend to get too tired to sit down and sort out my thoughts for a coherent post. Nonetheless, I shall try.
This election is the 1st time I am eligible to vote (it still remains to be seen if I get to vote tho). This election is the 1st I get to cover as a journalist. It's going to be tough, it's going to be tiring, but now, I'm rearing to go!
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Tourist for the day
How well do you know Singapore?
U might have lived in Singapore for all your life but at the pace that Singapore is changing, I dun think anyone can claim they know Singapore well.
Singaporeans are constantly thinking of going overseas for holiday. The idea of being a tourist in a foreign land is so enticing, so relaxing. But perhaps it's just the mindset and not the place that matters.
So, we decided to be tourist to Singapore for a day. Around Tiong Bahru and Chinatown. And it was most amazingly relaxing. Of course it was helped by the cloudy, cooling weather that helps to put you in the mindset that you are in foreign land. Plus is you will not break a sweat going up and down the numerous steps along the shophouses in Chinatown.
Starting point: Tiong Bahru Market and Food Centre
Sumptous local delights of 178 Lor Mee, 老陈 Fried Carrot Cake and 建柏 Chwee Kueh is the great start. Yums.
Take a slow stroll towards Chinatown.
Walking past my church kindergarten, a place I last visited 20 years ago. Feels like it did not change at all. Nolstalgia nolstagia. Tho the colour of the other kindergarten in front just turns uglier over the years.
Passing by Outram MRT, we decided to hunt for a yummy Japanese cake joint at Duxton Hill. En route, a great find. Bookstore all of a couple of months old called Littered with Books.
Photo credit: Littered with Books
It's so quaint. Never someone to buy many many books, but I always love the feeling of visiting bookstores. Makes me feel intellectual among the wisdom in those millions and billions of words. Tho it's really 自欺欺人。哈！
And the little afternoon tour ends with great cakes from Flor at 2 Duxton Hill.
Earl Grey and Napoleon cakes. Fresh cream, light pastry. So so yums. The Earl Grey is really very Earl Grey, so if you're not an Earl Grey lover, then perhaps you won't like it. Great way to end the touristy day tho. Sip tea, eat cake, people watch.
More tourist days to come. Hehe..
U might have lived in Singapore for all your life but at the pace that Singapore is changing, I dun think anyone can claim they know Singapore well.
Singaporeans are constantly thinking of going overseas for holiday. The idea of being a tourist in a foreign land is so enticing, so relaxing. But perhaps it's just the mindset and not the place that matters.
So, we decided to be tourist to Singapore for a day. Around Tiong Bahru and Chinatown. And it was most amazingly relaxing. Of course it was helped by the cloudy, cooling weather that helps to put you in the mindset that you are in foreign land. Plus is you will not break a sweat going up and down the numerous steps along the shophouses in Chinatown.
Starting point: Tiong Bahru Market and Food Centre
Sumptous local delights of 178 Lor Mee, 老陈 Fried Carrot Cake and 建柏 Chwee Kueh is the great start. Yums.
Take a slow stroll towards Chinatown.
Walking past my church kindergarten, a place I last visited 20 years ago. Feels like it did not change at all. Nolstalgia nolstagia. Tho the colour of the other kindergarten in front just turns uglier over the years.
Passing by Outram MRT, we decided to hunt for a yummy Japanese cake joint at Duxton Hill. En route, a great find. Bookstore all of a couple of months old called Littered with Books.
Photo credit: Littered with BooksIt's so quaint. Never someone to buy many many books, but I always love the feeling of visiting bookstores. Makes me feel intellectual among the wisdom in those millions and billions of words. Tho it's really 自欺欺人。哈！
And the little afternoon tour ends with great cakes from Flor at 2 Duxton Hill.
Earl Grey and Napoleon cakes. Fresh cream, light pastry. So so yums. The Earl Grey is really very Earl Grey, so if you're not an Earl Grey lover, then perhaps you won't like it. Great way to end the touristy day tho. Sip tea, eat cake, people watch.
More tourist days to come. Hehe..
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