Election surprises and certainties: Dissecting Tharman’s presidential win

In the 2023 Presidential Election, Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam secured a stunning 70.4% landslide victory, surprising many, including himself. Despite expectations that TKL would win the opposition votes, voters from both camps showed a preference for Tharman’s charisma and perceived competency. As Singapore reflects on the outcome, questions arise about the election’s fairness and the real implications of Tharman’s dominant win.

Reflections from the Centenary: The Legacy of LKY and Singapore’s Future

Gilbert Goh reflects on the LKY centenary event: an inspiring showcase of a leader’s global legacy juxtaposed against current challenges, urging Singapore to continue its path of progress.

Stability, growth and the wellbeing of people in Singapore

Drawing parallels between Cambodia’s and Singapore’s political history, Foong Swee Fong observes that economic growth and prosperity often come at the expense of democracy and the well-being of the people, urging a conversation about prioritizing democratic values over relentless pursuit of GDP growth.”

A comedy of chicanery

Yoong Siew Wah, former ISD and CPIB director, comments on the surprising candidacy of Tharman Shanmugaratnam, formerly a PAP member, as an independent in the presidential race. Amid concerns of bias in media coverage and lingering establishment ties, he predicts potential political upheaval in Singapore.

A scrutiny of Ng Kok Song’s self-professed independence in the upcoming presidential race

Opinion: Despite president aspirant Ng Kok Song’s assertions of his independence, his ties to PAP-linked entities and overlaps with former Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s career cast doubts on his political neutrality. Is his candidacy a sincere bid or a strategic move to prevent a shameful walkover?

Tan Kin Lian’s stand against defamation suit: A personal account and call for legal reform

Reflecting on a personal encounter with a defamation threat, Tan Kin Lian appeals for a revision of the defamation law, calling for justice and equality against its misuse by the affluent and influential.

Former GIC CIO Ng Kok Song an independent presidential candidate? Singaporeans have been fooled by mainstream media

Ng Kok Song, former GIC Chief Investment Officer, is running for president, claiming independence from political affiliations. However, his past roles in the opaque operations of GIC, linked with People’s Action Party (PAP) and the establishment, raise concerns about his ability to maintain unbiased integrity in office.

Desmond Lee’s attack on Lee Hsien Yang: The irony of PAP’s selective outrage

Opinion: Minister for National Development Desmond Lee’s recent fervent personal attack on Lee Hsien Yang highlights a glaring irony – the PAP’s selective outrage. As serious misconduct within their own ranks is met with silence, the party’s integrity is being questioned, throwing a harsh light on the double standards in their crisis management. “While Desmond Lee vehemently defends the government’s backing of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau’s investigation into potential corruption within its ranks, there appears to be a contrasting silence or lack of definitive action surrounding the case of Christopher de Souza, a fellow PAP member and Deputy Speaker of Parliament… …Similarly, the decision to retain Tan Chuan-Jin as Speaker of Parliament amidst the controversy of an extramarital affair, which the PAP has known about since at least 2020, highlights a troubling pattern within the PAP: a selective and biased response to allegations of misconduct based on party affiliation.”

Lee Hsien Yang asserts: Trust in the PAP has been ‘shattered’

Lee Hsien Yang contends on Facebook that Singaporeans’ faith in the People’s Action Party is ‘shattered’. Highlighting a series of scandals, he argues that the trust once placed in his brother, PM Lee Hsien Loong, has been squandered due to failed leadership.

How many unfair treaties has the Singapore Govt signed?

Opinion: FTA exemptions allowing Americans and certain Europeans to avoid the 60% ABSD are inflating Singapore’s property market, benefitting businesses while disadvantaging Singaporeans and compromising national sovereignty.” – Foong Swee Fong