Kieran James 1 Hi GMS. How is life going for you these days
in Hong Kong?
GMS: Life is great in Hong
Kong but I am travelling quite often nowadays.
 |
| Mr. Patrick Lee Song Juan, SDA candidate 2011 GE |
KJ2: I noticed when you first went to HK you mixed up posts on FB about Singapore with HK posts but now it is only Singapore posts. Is there any reason for this?
GMS: Initially I wanted to
share posts on HK to my FB friends so that they could get a better idea of the
differences between HK and SG, at the same time to understand how could SG
learn the better things from HK while avoid[ing] the bad ones. But apparently people
get annoyed by such comparisons basically because they feel hurt. It is regrettable
and ironic as Singapore
is always making all sorts of comparisons with other countries to make us look
good and to build up our National Pride while ignoring the sensitivity of other
countries. I would rather we as a Nation start to look at how or what good
points other countries or places have in order for us to keep learn[ing] from others
to improve ourselves rather than indulging in self glorification. Nevertheless,
I respect the feelings of my FB friends and thus have cut down such postings on
HK.
KJ3: What are the positives and negatives of living in each city based on your own experiences?
GMS: None of these cities is
perfect and it would be good if we can get the best of both cities incorporated
into one. In spite of being under PRC rule, Hong Kong is one of the rare places
in Asia that enjoys a high level of freedom
and liberty. It is also a city with very high efficiency in various systems,
particularly its public transport and subway system. Unfortunately it is over
populated with more than 7 million. It is getting very cramp[ed] in HK and quality
of living may be compromised. Air pollution is still a problem although it has
improved over the years due to the reduction of the number of factories in
nearby Shenzhen. Food security is still a concern as most of the fresh supplies
come from Mainland China.
Of course, rental and housing prices are just too high in Hong
Kong.
Most important thing I
enjoy in HK is the great level of freedom and robust debates on various issues
of the day provided by all the media, including radio, TV, newspaper and new
media.
As for Singapore, it is also getting crowded and most
importantly it really lacks the level [of] freedom I enjoy in Hong
Kong. For example, I can go for 100K or 200K mass protest march
without much incident and with full cooperation of the police. People basically
can speak up their minds and express their views and feelings in various ways
on a daily basis in HK but not in Singapore. Yes, Singapore is opening up with more activities at Hong Lim
Park but that is about
all we have.
On top of that, after
experiencing the highly efficient public transport system in Hong Kong, Singapore’s
system really pale in comparison, though it is still better than other
developing countries around us.
What I miss is the food
in Singapore.
The vast variety of food that I enjoy in Singapore is something that no
other places can replicate. Of course, in my home ground, I would feel much
comfortable with people communicating in Singlish and Hokkien. I will
definitely feel at home in Singapore.
KJ4: Looking back now with the benefit of hindsight how do you perceive your time as SG of NSP and what would you do differently if you could (as the song goes) turn back time?
GMS: I always believe there
is no “Ifs” in politics. [In] hindsight, a lot of things should have done better
but this lacks consideration of the constraints we face back then. Some feel
that we should have gone ahead with the Moulmein Kallang contest even if it
means a hard clash with a 3 corner fight facing WP and PAP. Some feel that we
should send the “strongest” team to Tampines and should not spread too thin all
over Singapore
from East to West. But even if we look at the situation now [in] hindsight, it is
actually a right strategy to spread to the West. If we were to concentrate on
the East back in GE2011, by next GE NSP will face a very big problem with no
wards without three corner fights with WP! At the very least, right now, NSP
still [has] CCK, Pioneer, Jurong East and of course, places surrounding these
places with good potential ground for contest[s] without [many] disruptive 3 corner
fights for next GE.
However, there are
things which I feel I could have done proper[ly]. I should have raised the media
exposure in Tampines to the fullest with more beating of the drums there. This
is the gravest tactical blunder I have made.
On the other hand, I am
proud to say NSP was run on the most democratic principles as a political party
in Singapore.
However, it would also mean that certain things have been compromised. I could
have exercised more FIRM leadership style instead of being too liberal and
democratic in certain processes and aspects. I am still searching for a better
balance between democratic rule and strong leadership.
All in all, I have no
regrets in my involvement as the SG of NSP. I am privileged and honoured to be
given the opportunity to serve as NSP SG and lead it through the GE2011.
KJ5: What are the general views out on the streets of HK about Singapore these days?
GMS: The HK administration
under CY Leung seems to have high regards [for] Singapore’s political system,
particularly our HDB system. They are sending quite a few field study groups to
Singapore
to study our HDB system as well as our municipal waste management system,
particularly our incinerators. The HK Chief Executive CY Leung used to work
closely with his business partners in Singapore
and thus naturally he is not a stranger to Singapore. Although it is clear
that Hong Kong has its strength in certain aspects as compared to Singapore, but they are still trying to learn
the strength of Singapore’s
system to supplement their deficiencies in certain areas. They have even
appointed George Yeo as a member of their government think tank! Singapore should not be too complacent else we
risk losing in absolute comparative as well as competitive advantage to Hong Kong.
KJ6: What are your future plans in terms of contesting future Sg elections and if yes with which party?
GMS: I have wished to take a
back seat for next GE as there should be enough good people coming forward to
serve and develop our democratic system. However the various happenings in
recent months or even for the last two years have somewhat made me rethink the state of our opposition parties. We may just need to build a THIRD FORCE as
the “back-seater” who will give a good tight slap to both the driver and
co-driver when both are sleeping on the drive. But I may have to reconsider my
options to get my hands dirty again but this will have to have the blessings of
my family members.
As for which party it
would if I so decide to fight the electoral battle again, I have not given any
thought about that. It may be a new party or just an old one.
KJ7: What do you think of Singapore civil society in the past couple of years and is it really changing for the better?
GMS: Civil Society in Singapore has
definitely improved tremendously for the past few years. The two successful 6.9
protests [are] an important indication of the changing environment for Civil
Society in Singapore.
However, I think structurally, NGOs in Singapore [still] have a long way to
go. We still lack strong leadership in various NGOs that could push for their
pet issues. NGOs ideally could push for issues without the fear or losing
political votes. But in reality, if NGOs were to be successful, they will still
need to win over public support on the issues they are fighting for. That will
need quite a bit of Public Relations and campaigning skills.
KJ8: What do you think of the increasingly common
practice of activists using aliases including of course Singa Crew and more
recently the very humorous Jam Cruisers?
GMS: There are two
perspectives on this issue of anonymity on internet. I would think that they are
still arrested by FEAR somehow, unsure of what the authorities would do to
them. i.e. it basically means that these people do not trust the PAP at all.
The second angle to look at this issue is that activists do not have the
confiden[ce] in themselves to deliver good reasoned comments that make more sense
other than just senseless attacks on their political opponents. Satire may be a
way of expression but not necessarily the best way of expression.
Freedom of Speech and
expression must be built upon good reason and responsible speeches cum
expressions. Many people abuse Freedom of Speech by putting up lies, extremist
views, defamation etc but little do they know they will give the authoritarian
government excuses to put curbs and restrictions on overall freedom of speech.
Their selfish intention is detrimental to Singapore’s democratic development.
KJ9: Do you think the Punggol East by-election shows that any seat is a 50% chance of going either way?
GMS: I would think that
Punggol East by-election should sound a big alarm bell to PAP. For WP to win
the by-election with a relatively weak candidate amidst a 4 corner fight would
mean that it is highly possible for PAP to lose in every ward where WP contests
in next GE. It is potentially disastrous for PAP even if PAP retain 50% of the
seats. This is because PAP will be losing almost half of its “ministerial-talents”
under the present GRC system. PAP may end up having the smaller majority with
inadequate or mediocre people to be its ministers. In the end, it may become a
vicious cycle for its future.
KJ10: Have you any messages for your supporters,
friends, etc. in Singapore?
GMS: Many of my supporters
and friends have sent private blessings and wishes to me throughout these two
years. Some of them have urged me to make a come-back to Singapore opposition politics and some of them
have expressed utter disappointment with some of the development[s] in Singapore. I
would like to thank them for their ardent support and trust bestowed upon me
but I would like [to] urge them to give Democracy a chance to work it out. Let the
present opposition parties and MPs some more time to readjust and perform up to
their expectations. Yes, this is already “half-time” since last GE but the path
of Democracy is never easy. As for me, I would take their support and plea[s]
very seriously into consideration on whether to make a come-back or not.
KJ11: OK, serious question and you can reply
"no comment": if you were a voter in Aljunied or Hougang would you vote
WP or PAP at the next election (assuming only these two parties contest)?
Having said that, I must
caution supporters that even though we may vote WP into parliament but we must
always bear in mind not to spoil them but instead constantly keep them on
their toes. The last thing we want is to end up with their Success to become
the mother of their future Failures.
KJ12: Last question: can the opposition finally win Tampines GRC this time around and what improved strategy or efforts are needed to win over swinging voters?
GMS: Tampines GRC can be won
if a few conditions are right: no three or multi-corner fight[s], sensible and
reasoned deliberation of National policies, consistency in ground engagement
and strengthen literature on the need for the Nation to progress from monologue
in power construction to diversity in national construct[ion]. Of course, there are
other strategies which I have reservation[s] [about] making public at this moment.
***End of interview***
***End of interview***
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