It has been an exhilarating 24 hours for the Think Centre since the media reported that the Centre would field election candidates in the Jalan Besar GRC. It was our April Fools' Day joke, which was in part to inject some fun into Singapore politics and in part to raise some awareness of the electoral processes in Singapore. Like many things the Think Centre does - it was a first. Using the media momentum of the "gazetting" we turned the issue completely around for people to examine how in the deepest of their hearts felt about us and what we have been doing the last year or so.
Of course, the centre ran the risk of being called a bunch of ‘political jokers' but then again being gazetted by the government for the Political Donations Act clearly shows us that they take us seriously. We do not mean to make a farce of politics in Singapore, though many may feel that it is already doing fine in this area without any help from us. At the same time, the speed of the media reports and the subsequent statements by incumbent politicians, like DPM Lee Hsien Loong who was quick to comment on our ‘intention' to run for the Jalan Besar GRC with a ‘subtle reminder' that our background, our past and motive would be subjected to scrutiny if we choose to do so. One wonders if he was referring to the same ‘rigorous' scrutiny the successes and failures of the many government-linked companies have been subjected to. The idea that our misdemeanours and juvenile indiscretions in primary and secondary schools could be exposed in public and used to cast aspersions on our characters if we choose to stand for elections, is a puerile one, worthy perhaps of an April's Fool joke of its own.
At least Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, MP for Jalan Besar GRC and newly appointed mayor of Central CDC, sounded more civil in ‘welcoming' us to the political fray.
Precipitous as these remarks may be, they do disclose, even in their impetuousness, that the issues and discussions raised by the Centre have given us a profile of being potential challengers to the dominant People's Action Party. This was only matched by the words of support, hope and offers of help by many ordinary people for our GRC team.
Think Centre is an organisation that is interested in creating greater political awareness for a more politically vibrant Singapore. We are also in the position to produce candidates for elections because our discussion activities have demonstrated that we have the clout to garner support, mobilise people and ferment ideas in the service of our common goals and aspirations.
In announcing our April Fools' Day Joke we knew it was uncertain whether there would be a Jalan Besar GRC come election time (let's face it - no candidate in his or her right mind would announce their intentions so early). And the laws do not allow a business, Think Centre, to run for elections. Then there are the other reasons of co-ordination to avoid a three corner fight, strategic planning and building momentum in the actual run up to the polls.
But a more important question for us was where are we going to find the money to contest the elections with S$900 in the bank? Even if we had the money, the ‘first-past- the-post' system, especially in a GRC, would not even allow us ingress past the electoral threshold so jealously guarded by our political gatekeepers.
At the end of the day, no amount of so-called political liberalisation is going to open the spaces of Singapore politics. It has to be embarked upon as a broader project which needs to include a wide cross-section of people and groups.
Unless, there is a genuine change in making the electoral process a more level playing field, the Think Centre doubts that we can call ours a more open society. Compared to ten years ago the OB markers have widened but that does not mean that we are truly open. The political culture itself is a deterrent for good people to join politics. Yes, there were some who readily succumbed to fear and intimidation (both of the overt and covert varieties) and forced to acknowledge their fear. Most, as usual, wanted to just wait and see.
We hope that you enjoyed your 1st of April. We reckon we are the first to take opportunity of this day of frivolity and jest to kindle interest and excitement in a political landscape where outcomes are unerringly predictable and so patently banal. Yet in reality some of the matters we raised are no laughing matter. The PAP will win because it has stacked up unfair advantage. Everyone knows that all he or she wants to see is if David can topple at least one GRC off Goliath. And for a brief moment we did provide the spark that it is well nigh plausible and we will continue to do so.
Other than that, life goes on and the Think Centre will continue with its activities, with the gazetted announcement accepted as a feather in its cap, and its credibility as an independent organisation that takes on the hard issues without fear or favour, intact.
But we like to put you on notice that next time any of our Think Centre members announce their intention to stand for elections, it will be for real.
In the meantime keep an eye out for us as we create MAXIMUM IMPACT.
We hope you'll have a good laugh. We did.
