So the elections is over and history has been made. Aljuined has been taken by the Worker's Party, the first time a GRC has ever been won by an opposition party. With that in mind, here are some of my thoughts regarding the last day of the elections.
Channel Newsasia's coverage sucks: Anybody who is connected to the Internet probably knew most of the results of the polls by 11pm, but CNA persistently refused to announce those results cos they are 'not confirmed' yet. I don't now if it is the PAP's fault for not releasing the results earlier but for goodness sake, don't start the reporting so early if the results are only being announced at 1am.
George Yeo is a sacrificial lamb: The word on the street is that George Yeo is just plain unlucky that he is contesting against the strongest opposition lineup in this election. He is probably one of the more popular ministers and personally I feel that other ministers like Dr Vivian or Mah Bow Tan are more reviled. So I guess the sacrificial lamb tag is right. The people wanted change, and Aljunied complied. To all the people lamenting the fact that Singapore has lost a good servant, working life has taught me that no one is irreplaceable. What happened to Mr Yeo is unfortunate, but it is not the end of the world. Companies don't fall over and expire when a key person resigns and neither will Singapore. Don't make it sound like Armageddon has arrived.
On the Worker's Party win in Hougang and Aljunied: I was expecting the WP to retain Hougang but a 64% win? Nope, that was a surprise. Especially compared to Potong Pasir where the PAP finally wore down the resistance of the residents there. Highly doubt the PAP will make any inroads in Hougang in 2016 unless the WP screws up royally there. You just don't wipe out a 14% lead that easily. As for Aljunied, what else can I say. History has been made and a blow stuck against the seemingly impenetrable fortress that is the GRC. Where the opposition parties will go from here is now fully in the hands of the WP. Rise to the occasion and manage Aljunied properly and we may see a new dawn in Singapore politics come 2016. Screw up, and all the hard work done will go down the drain in an instance.
On the fallacy of GRCs: Let me get this straight, the PAP gained Tin Pei Ling but lost 2 ministers and a senior minister of state? If you cannot see what is wrong with this scenario, then you need your head examined. But on the other hand, I see the appeal of the GRC system for the PAP. Having only won 60% of the overall vote, they yet make up 93% of the new Parliament. Based on this, maybe losing Aljunied doesn't seem so bad compared to what the PAP will stand to lose if the GRC system is abolished.
Chiam See Tong: And so this is how his legendary career ends. A salute to a brave man with an unbreakable spirit.
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