AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ESTABLISHING A 

NEW CULTURE OF POLITICAL 

COLLABORATION

I think the recent by-election result at Punggol East is a true reflection of declining political support for the PAP and there are 3 reasons for it.

First, the loss of Aljunied GRC in 2011, made the PAP lose its psychological cloak of invincibility. The recent admission of shortcomings in tackling population, transport, housing and cost of living issues further embolden its critics to vote against them.

Second, the WP's self-confidence has risen in line with the increase in WP representation in Parliament. The rather professional and efficient conduct of their recent by-election campaign, their post-by-election restraint and surprising conciliatory stance towards the ruling party has elicited much respect and admiration. WP has now become the default choice for non-PAP voters.

Third, the electorate has suddenly become aware of  the power of their votes when they can see how the Government has become much more responsive to their complaints when election time is near.

What's important is that the decline in PAP's popularity has made it more conducive for having a broad-based political collaboration as follows:

First, we should try to spend less time and energy on electioneering and unproductive partisan rivalry. The aim of all Government policies should solely be for the  improvement of our society, not the garnering of votes for future elections. Netizens should stop attacking politicians, but get involved in building our society.

Second, we should all help to perfect the governance of our country in minimizing corruption, improving transparency and accountability, maintaining the effectiveness  and efficiency of our public and essential services and paying the utmost respect to the rule of law. That way, we can respond better to present and future needs of our society.

Third, we should strive to build a more participatory and inclusive political system whereby citizens, politicians of all stripes and Government office holders  can collaborate to build consensus in a more equitable society. All voices, big or small, vulnerable or privileged, rich or not-so-rich, mainstream or independent, can provide a wide perspective to the discourse about the long-term prosperity and well-being of our nation and bring us closer to their realization.

In short, it is not important whether we have multi-party politics or true democracy or not. What's crucial is our ability to put aside our differences and work together to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex world.  

So, let the real 'conversation' begin!

(An edited version of this article was published in the Voices Section of the Today newspaper today under the heading "After Punggol East, An Opportunity To Work Together")