For the longest time, the state discourse in Singapore has eschewed any reference to welfare. Similarly, the state has tended to place meritocracy on a pedestal. Political leadership has tended to frame both issues in the extreme, with welfare representing the bad, and meritocracy representing the good.
We must always strive for greater heights at the town council level to continue building the public's confidence in alternate political leaders.
Wisdom would dictate that a sense of proportion, empathy and balance should drive how the Workers' Party approaches Singapore politics.
A plastic bag charge is far from representing mere climate change symbolism. It is a clarion call to us all to alter social norms equally if not more importantly reduce the amount of waste we generate.
I have always admired the courage of ordinary individuals to step up and speak out against injustice and tyranny.
Live a full life, an honest life so that on your deathbed, you can tell yourself that you did the best you could, in the circumstances that were presented to you.
Indeed, many Singaporeans hope the opposition can unite and coordinate their efforts so as to become a more relevant political force.
No organization, let alone one that is in the business of war and defending Singapore's sovereignty, can realistically promise zero fatalities or training incidents even as the public must insist on the strictest training safety parameters for the SAF, and MINDEF strives for the same.
However, should any Singaporean consistently establish that he or she rejects Singapore or our Constitution or runs Singapore down with a political agenda overseas, neither I, nor the WP will stand for such conduct.
At times it felt as if no one in Government was taking ownership of how COVID-19 directives would be perceived, interpreted and understood on the ground.
As a result of the expectations created, every time a training fatality occurs, the public pressure on MINDEF and SAF commanders down the leadership chain takes on a very corrosive edge. This damages not just the SAF, but the institution of National Service too.
Closer to home, the one person who I really admire and take inspiration from is a relatively unknown man in today's day and age. He was the second Prime Minister of India - Lal Bahadur Shastri, a man of impeccable integrity, amongst other traits.
Our nation needs protection against complete dominance of Parliament by one party, which could allow a tiny number of people to control everything.
An audit of the courses our people are taking up, particularly younger and middle-aged Singaporeans must be reviewed every so often in consultation with input from the Industry Transformation Maps stakeholders so as to even as the best outcomes possible for our workers in the medium term.
In fact, it is my case that POFMA can easily become a proverbial Damocles sword that would hang over members of the public who do not support the government's narrative or toe the government's line.
I think Singaporeans will realize that when you vote elected opposition MPs into Parliament, the Government is more responsive and more sensitive to the concerns of the people.
While I am skeptical about the long term viability of one-party dominant political systems, I have great admiration for Deng Xiaopeng and the reforms he set China on after 1979.
In many cases, the opportunities provided by GrabFood, Foodpanda, etc go a long way to support families where breadwinners find it difficult to secure a job. PMD food delivery is an honest job.
We've lived with the PAP all our lives, and we know how powerful they are.
It took 16 years after our independence for the opposition to win even one elected seat. And 23 years after 1988, when the GRC system was introduced, for the opposition to win one GRC.
