May 11, 2009
LESSONS FROM AWARE
The GRC parallels
THE Aware saga and the valuable lessons learnt from it have made me better appreciate our system of group representation constituencies (GRCs), despite the fact that, until now, I was never an admirer of the system.
The Aware incidents have glaringly highlighted the fragility of our multiracial and multireligious society. It has given us a useful peek into the potential troubles that may crop up when there is a polarisation of a particular view championed on grounds of a faith - real or perceived.
The Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) was an interest group with merely 300 members until recently. Yet, the racial and religious mix of its 'new' executive committee made some Singaporeans uncomfortable.
Imagine the situation if Parliament was composed of members from a single race or religion. If there were no GRCs and only single-member constituencies, a freak result could bring about such a crisis. Think of the discomfort and distrust it would cause.
The Aware saga clearly demonstrated to us that a faith-based approach to a broader issue - even if it is merely a perception - can breed distrust. One can safely conjecture that the same can be said of national issues.
The GRC system seems an effective means to meet the higher objective of ensuring reasonable minority representation. I now accept and see it as the best solution because the consequences without such safeguards can be dire.
Look no further than the Aware story. We cannot take peace and harmony for granted. The penalty for complacency is never pre-paid and the price will never be known until it is time to pay. So let us be aware.
I urge the Government to impose safeguards to ensure that the GRC system is not misused by any future rogue government by changing the ground rules. I see the GRC concept as a 'fire extinguisher' and would hate to see Singapore lose it.
Johnny Heng
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=28024.267
Showing posts with label GRC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GRC. Show all posts
Monday, May 11, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Review GRC system, so more can vote
Review GRC system, so more can vote
I WISH to address the problem of group representation constituencies (GRCs) which stymies one's opportunity to vote.
In theory, the motley group of opposition parties should contest every constituency, making and, lo and behold, the constitutional right and duty to vote will become very real for every eligible voter. If only opposition parties here were more credible and capable, and had the financial and other resources to work the ground long before the elections, many citizens like myself would not end up as frustrated spectators, come election time.
But are the opposition parties solely to blame? The GRC system was first formulated to help minority candidates. Then it became a way for young and clever but untried candidates to win a seat. Their chances of winning in single-seat wards are comparatively slimmer than in a GRC.
I feel that the GRC system obstructs my right and duty to vote, and appears discordant with the Government's stated policy 'to ensure the maximum possible participation by our citizens in the electoral process'.
I last voted (for the PAP, by the way) in the 1980s when Braddell was a single-seat constituency. Later, it was absorbed into an expanded Marine Parade GRC, defying the logic of contiguity.
I am now in my 60s and I fear I will continue to remain a mere observer unless GRCs are made fewer or smaller, and more single-seat constituencies are created. I want to vote - to exercise a fundamental right and duty of citizenship - and thereby manifest my affiliation with fellow Singaporeans.
One's vote in a general election is not incidental to having a good job, raising a family, living the good life...It is no longer a liberal Western notion. Iraqis and Afghans risk suicide-bombers when they attempt to vote. But here, in prosperous, peaceful Singapore, many are often denied the chance to vote.
It was reported that voter turnout in the last election was a high 95 per cent. What is an equally important statistic is the percentage of eligible voters who could not vote in the past five elections against the total number in the electoral register.
Tan Chak Lim
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=24610.1
I WISH to address the problem of group representation constituencies (GRCs) which stymies one's opportunity to vote.
In theory, the motley group of opposition parties should contest every constituency, making and, lo and behold, the constitutional right and duty to vote will become very real for every eligible voter. If only opposition parties here were more credible and capable, and had the financial and other resources to work the ground long before the elections, many citizens like myself would not end up as frustrated spectators, come election time.
But are the opposition parties solely to blame? The GRC system was first formulated to help minority candidates. Then it became a way for young and clever but untried candidates to win a seat. Their chances of winning in single-seat wards are comparatively slimmer than in a GRC.
I feel that the GRC system obstructs my right and duty to vote, and appears discordant with the Government's stated policy 'to ensure the maximum possible participation by our citizens in the electoral process'.
I last voted (for the PAP, by the way) in the 1980s when Braddell was a single-seat constituency. Later, it was absorbed into an expanded Marine Parade GRC, defying the logic of contiguity.
I am now in my 60s and I fear I will continue to remain a mere observer unless GRCs are made fewer or smaller, and more single-seat constituencies are created. I want to vote - to exercise a fundamental right and duty of citizenship - and thereby manifest my affiliation with fellow Singaporeans.
One's vote in a general election is not incidental to having a good job, raising a family, living the good life...It is no longer a liberal Western notion. Iraqis and Afghans risk suicide-bombers when they attempt to vote. But here, in prosperous, peaceful Singapore, many are often denied the chance to vote.
It was reported that voter turnout in the last election was a high 95 per cent. What is an equally important statistic is the percentage of eligible voters who could not vote in the past five elections against the total number in the electoral register.
Tan Chak Lim
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=24610.1
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