The Real Reasons For The Decline of the PAP

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An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:

Singapore was going well since the early days of David Matshall and LKY.
We may have lost Christmas Islands because of a foolish Chief Minister but people threw in their support for Marshall.
The riots made poor Marshall the target of ridicule and he resigned.
Toh Chin Chye's PAP swept into power and LKY became the de-facto leader
He (LKY) had the support of the peasants all over for there was a fear of the Communists taking over.
China was also very ambitious and war was raging in Indo-China. There was a fear of the "domino-theory" so people became more united.
The Barisan Socialis was labeled as communist and its intelligent leader, Lim Chin Siong was jailed as a communist.
These facts and the regional situation brought all races togather to support the PAP.
The people felt that LKY was someone who could lead them for his policies then was good.
Every Singgaporean, including me looked upon LKY as a good leader and one who was very close to the people.
Then came merger with Malaysia (Referendum) and the final expulsion in 1965.
The manner the Polis-Di-Raja Malaysia treated the other communities here made many nauseous. The race riots worsened the feelings of the people.
Fortunately, Tunku allowed Singapore to end the short-lived marriage with Malaysia.
The eyes of Singaporeans opened and all knew that united we would stand and divided we will fall.
By this time the Barisan was almost decimated. The people support for the PAP and its policies multiplied.
In 1967, citizens supported the idea of national service for youths and clambered aboard SAF trucks and went to Blakang Mati for BMT.
Training was tough but every youth supported it.
When National Defence Fund was set up, every Singaporean donatted generously
We managed to purchase some used aircrafts and started the SADC (Singapore Air Defence Command).
The British withdrawal brought us more camps and equipment at $1/- per plot and piece, respectively
Then we started the Singapore Maritime Command with some cheap second-hand ships.
The on-going demolition of kampongs and the dispersal of farmers was also taken in Singaporeans stride.
They understood and supported the government, although we had a few skirmishes with angry folks who were being uprooted from their farms.

The slide downwards came when LHL left the SAF (as BG) and entered politics after being proposed by Rajaratnam.
Soon LKY stepped down and made way for GCT. Singapore was fine still. The handover was appreciated by all Singaporreans.
LKY's rapid decline in respect started when he took over the title of SM and latter MM.
People wanted him to step down completely for he had contributed much. His steadfastness to remain was the factor that brought down his popularity.
GCT was endeared by the people for "he was from humble origins" as all were told and believed.
The last straw that broke the camel's back came when LHL took over the helm as PM.
Many old-timer PAP leaders were left out and a rift occurred.
The PAP actually became a split party with two factions.

The PAP under LHL and his "favourites" started to steer far from the people.
Slowly and surely took away many fringe benefits were taken away from the people.
Pensions were dropped, medical benefits of civil servants curtailed and much more damage was done to the Civil Service that was actually the architect of Singapore.
New leaders lost the touch with the common people and arrogance crept in among these "leaders" who were mostly top-ranking SAF officers and from rich family backgrounds.
Unlike other Singaporeans like you and me, none of these new leaders ever used a toilet with a bucket below.

New leaders became more arrogant and their wish to annihilate the opposition parties made the people furious.
Young voters were coming up and this was a force that would confront the PAP and led to the loss of many seats.
The arrogance of the new leaders, especially TCH and the threat made by LKY led to the loss of Aljunied GRC and Hougand.
TCH again was responsible for the loss of PE.
The new leaders hammered away at the "amorous adventure" of WPs Yao but the WP and other opposition parties did not attack the Palmer-Gate Affair.
The people saw the beauty and gentlemanly behavior of the opposition members and endeared them more.
There is much to write but I will do it at a later time.

There is still Time for the PAP to Repent and pick itself up from the filth pit that it has cast itself into.
This coming election, LHL should announced his stepping down. TCH should be showed the door along with many other arrogant members.
People like $2.50 beriani should also be told to quit.
PAP MPs with dozens of directorships should also be told to get lost.
Bus fares and MRT fares should be brought down as these are public conveyances and should always be heavily subsidized by the government of the day.
The runaway prices of HDB "Flatlets" should be brought down drastically.
The CPF should be paid to those above 55 years of age.
Schools must be heavily subsidized along with medical care.
The liberally flowing tap of foreigners coming in must be turned off.
Maid levies should be reduced and kid care centres run by the government MCD.

Yes so much damage has been done but there is still time for the PAP to ponder and make hay while the sun shines.


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