This by-election has, in all honesty, escaped me because I was more concerned with a play than what happens in parliament. After the election dust have settled and votes accounted for, I thought I might mark this day with a commentary. Yet, I know very little to begin with and being a non-resident of Punggol, I'm hardly in the right geographical area to speak of. However that doesn't mean it's not simultaneously a national issue.
So...instead, I'll let others do the talking and from their voices...
"RE: Is this the calibre of our scholar rulers and planners?
YES. Pretty bad isn’t it?
This is because when people are seen as economic digits, instead of as people, you look at them only in terms of how much $$$$ you can get from them.
You don’t consider they need somewhere to stay, methods of travelling, places for medical treatment, institutions to study at, jobs that pay enough, space, time to adapt to major changes like 2 million foreigners being brought in in 18 years and of which half of don’t speak English. Just the basic things of life…
It doesn’t take rocket science to figure this out. Neither does one need to be a scholar. But the ability to think and to see people as human beings is essential."
- Gingerbarker, Forum Post on TheTemasekReview
Mr Speaker: Mr Low Thia Khiang.
Mr Low Thia Khiang (Aljunied): Supplementary question, Sir. I am pleased to note that the Prime Minister has said that he has decided to call a by-election. That settles all the hypothetical speculation outside the House. He said that he would consider all factors before deciding when a by-election should be called. I would like to ask whether or not, after considering all the factors, would he be able to indicate a period in which a by-election would be called.
Mr Lee Hsien Loong: Certainly, Mr Speaker, I will do so as soon as I have finished considering all the factors.
Mr Speaker: Mr Low.
Mr Low Thia Khiang: Would the Prime Minister be able to indicate how soon and how much time he would need to consider all the factors and settle his urgent agenda?
Mr Lee Hsien Loong: Mr Speaker, Sir, I have said what I intend to say. And I shall announce when I have decided to call a by-election as soon as I have decided to do so.
Mr Speaker: Ms Sylvia Lim.
Ms Sylvia Lim (Aljunied): Mr Speaker, Sir, two supplementary questions for the Prime Minister. Does the Prime Minister not agree that with the Hougang SMC being vacant, there is actually an under-representation of the Hougang voters in this House? And second clarification is, he mentioned that there would be factors that he would consider in deciding when to call the by-election. In this particular instance, can he specify what are the matters which would delay calling the Hougang by-election?
Mr Lee Hsien Loong: Mr Speaker, on the first question of whether there is an under-representation of the interest of the voters of Hougang as a result of this, I do not know that. If that is an issue, I would have thought it is something which the Workers’ Party would have considered before deciding to expel Mr Yaw Shin Leong. Because the Constitution is clear. The rules are clear. How by-elections are called or not called is also completely clear. We debated this in the House. If we are in this situation today, it is because the Workers’ Party has caused this situation to happen, knowing the consequences. As for the second question, I have already answered Mr Low three times, and I think my answer stands.
- Transcript of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's reply in Parliament on calling a by-election in Hougang SMC
"We will not oppose for the sake of opposing when policies are sound and in the interests of the nation. But we will not hesitate to confront the government when policies are not in the interests of the people."
- LTK WP 22 Jan Punggol East By-Election
"Well, like this mutually suspicious politics of hatred that we've been talking about it. I know it's hard, but you've got to put it behind you, rise above it. It's no good me saying 'don't reduce politics to a slanging match' and you replying 'well, your lot started it'....I think politics is more fun when there's 2 strong sides squaring up, no quarter asked or given, and respect on both sides. Because if you don't respect your opponent, you're not respecting the game, and that means you're not respecting our parliament."
- Christopher Brookmyre, Country of the Blind
"I do, like many of you, appreciate the comforts of every day routine- the security of the familiar, the tranquility of repetition. I enjoy them as much as any bloke. But in the spirit of commemoration, thereby those important events of the past usually associated with someone's death or the end of some awful bloody struggle, a celebration of a nice holiday, I thought we could mark this November the 5th, a day that is sadly no longer remembered, by taking some time out of our daily lives to sit down and have a little chat. There are of course those who do not want us to speak. I suspect even now, orders are being shouted into telephones, and men with guns will soon be on their way. Why? Because while the truncheon may be used in lieu of conversation, words will always retain their power. Words offer the means to meaning, and for those who will listen, the enunciation of truth. And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn't there? Cruelty and injustice, intolerance and oppression. And where once you had the freedom to object, to think and speak as you saw fit, you now have censors and systems of surveillance coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission. How did this happen? Who's to blame? Well certainly there are those more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable, but again truth be told, if you're looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror. I know why you did it. I know you were afraid. Who wouldn't be?"
- V for Vendetta, V
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