We are not betrayed by the government

I quote from the Straits Times, an article dated September 3 in which our PM lashed out at Opposition Politicians and even his own PAP MPs over the recent CPF cut controversy.

“Dr Amy Khor was admonished for using the word "betrayal" twice in her speech in Parliament yesterday. Dr Khor had told the House that some of her constituents had felt "a sense of betrayal" by the Government and unhappy Singaporeans were contemplating migrating.”

It comes as a rude shock for me (and perhaps some Singaporeans) because our PM tells us that he espouses a gentler leadership style as compared to our Senior Minister, Lee. In his speech yesterday, he says that “betrayal” is “nonsense” and warns PAP MPs not to “sing the same tune” with the Opposition in trying to “corrode” people’s trust with the government.

As I was reading the article, it suddenly flashed through my mind that this could be Catherine Lim Episode 2. A gentle reminder on who’s calling the shots here since people could have forgotten about Lim.

But if Dr Khor was just reflecting sentiments of certain disgruntled citizens she had communicated with regards to the issue, why should our PM take offense to that? I thought Remaking Singapore is about hearing the views of our own citizens, however misguided they might be? I thought PAP was considering allowing some of its MPs to take the alternative chair?

I sympathize with MP Khor who probably initially thought that she would be praised for “daring to speak up”. Or is it necessarily true of all the case? My advice: She should have thought carefully over what she wants to say.

But most importantly, Dr Khor should have learnt from her sister, Ms Chua of the ST who is much articulated and well thought; presents both sides of an argument and acts like a real journalist - mediator. I like her “localised” style of comparing the relationship between government and people as between a couple. I quote, “they trust the Government to act in their best interests. It's like a wife who may grumble that her monthly marketing allowance has been cut, yet understand that her husband had to do it so he can recoup business losses and do better in future. She knows they're in it together.”

Summary: It’s a situation where no one has any control over. So we should all let the husband makes the right decisions. Agreed? As for promises made by the government, we should look at what’s happening around the world and include these factor into our current economic dilemma and stop whining. Besides the government has already announced aid packages haven’t they? So we cannot say that PAP is a merciless, unthinking, non-attentive, insensitive and unhelpful government because that’s the greatest blasphemy.

They know what’s good for us and we should completely trust them like we trust our wives or husband.   ¶ 5:39 pm