Friday 2 August 2013

Refusing to fly the National Flag: the snub continues


 



 In 2011 I wrote about how Singaporeans snubbed the ruling PAP regime by refusing to fly the National flag on National Day.
 

Two years on, Singaporeans are still in a snubbing mood. With less than a fortnight to go before National Day on 9 August, most people in the heartland and private estates still refuse to fly the National flag.

Two years after the 2011 General Election and Elected Presidency Election, the Prime Minister and Elected President have gone back on most of their pledges made during their swearing-in ceremonies.

In the two years since 2011, much has happened to demoralise Singaporeans.
The mass imports of foreign workers continue unabated. The proposed 6.9 million population White Paper was rubber-stamped by a PAP-dominated Parliament.

Bloggers received lawyer letters threatening legal action ( the default course of action against dissent). A film-maker, a graffiti artist and a cartoonist were charged in court under a variety of laws including one of scandalising the judiciary through cartoons.

To curb dissent further the PAP regime, without public or Parliamentary debate, hastily made it mandatory for online news sites to be licensed. The “noble” objective is to ensure that we read the right thing.

Salaries remain stagnated, housing and car prices have sky-rocketed, overcrowded trains and buses, frequent train breakdowns are some the issues that have bedevilled society and kept most people awake at night.

The ruling PAP has ripped apart the social fabric of Singapore society with its mass imports of cheap labour and liberal immigration policy.

Housing values were increased on the grounds that rental values had gone up. This means households now pay more in property tax.

No doubt the regime gave the people the GST Offset Package but in the same breath it has increased ERP fees.

National Day (or Independence Day in some countries) is a day of celebration. However, many have made plans to escape from the oppressive atmosphere by taking a short break overseas.

What’s there to celebrate?




 
Source: Roger Poh

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