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Sunday, May 07, 2006

The political situation in Singapore remained. 82 PAP MPs, 2 opposition MPs. PAP's popularity dipped from 75% in 2001, to 67% in 2006. However, the 67% is considered a "normal" result for the ruling party, based on the previous elections. Back then, PAP managed to get 75% in 2001 due to uncertainties caused by 911. Now, given the more peaceful climate in the country, the party's popularity went back to the normal level.

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On ChoaChuKang SMC

I fail to understand why Steve Chia, someone who worked the ground at ChoaChuKang for the last 5 years, could actually lost hands-down to GanKimYong, who had just got switched over to the single-seat ward. Come on, a familiar and friendly figure cant even be compared to a totally unheard-of stranger?? What are the CCK voters doing?

Steve Chia had said that if he lost this elections, he would quit politics. I seriously hope he wouldnt, given his active contributions in parliament. Moreover, to me, he seemed to be the closest person yet, to "renew" the SDA's Chiam. A 5% hike in popularity should be considered a feat, closing up to almost 40% of voters' trust. Hopefully he would continue to work on it and turn the tables around one day.

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On Hougang SMC and Potong Pasir SMC

WP's Low Thia Khiang won 62% of votes, compared to 55% in 2001.
SDA's Chiam See Tong won 55% of votes, compared to 52% in 2001.

Both saw improvement in popularity.

This shows that: putting SM GOH's heavyweight as support didnt help at all. And also that the multi-million upgrading carrots didnt serve to pull voters. Im glad that voters there stood by their strong beliefs..

Hougang and Potong Pasir remain opposition strongholds.

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On Aljunied GRC

WP only garnered 44% for the hottest GRC battle in Aljunied GRC. I am quite disappointed, as WP had a very very high chance of grabbing it. Perhaps voters do not wish to lose George Yeo as a Cabinet Minister. Or perhaps voters are swayed by their exaggerated plans for upgrading?

Hopefully that would pave the way for the next elections.

But that is provided that Aljunied GRC still exist. Some little background info... There was once a Cheng San GRC, and it was contested even hotter back then. And the ruling party only won that GRC by a very minute margin, hence breaking everyone's spectacles. Then, immediately for the following elections, Cheng San was divided and eaten up into other GRCs, thereby making it hard for the opposition to relinquish the atmosphere..

With PAP only getting 56% versus WP's 44% for Aljunied GRC, will it still be present 5 years later, to invite another round of competition from WP?

Aljunied GRC didnt land in WP's hands. But one thing is for sure now, Ms Syivia Lim will still be sent into parliament as an NCMP. If she could prove to voters that she's a valuable asset as an opposition voice in the parliament, and produce results at the same time, it would definitely help her increase her popularity and hence votes in the next GE.

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On Ang Mo Kio GRC

I would say the results here was surprising as well. Its the Prime Minister's turf, and WP sent their youngest people to contest there. Look at the WP line-up: 4 out of 5 candidates were below 40, including 2 in their 20s.

Deemed as "suicide squad", the young candidates of the WP only hoped to get a "decent result". They were not out to win. Instead, they were out to battle with PM, to send the message that "we shouldnt have a uncontested PM."

The PAP's AMK candidates were also over-confident, saying that a high victory margin would be guaranteed. Something like 75++%?

But that didnt take place, cos the results was PAP 66% to WP 33%. That would, in my honest opinion, be an embarrasing result. Simply surprising.

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After all the campaigning, Singapore went to vote. Nothing's changed and everything was status quo. All the heat and fire had died down, following the announcement of the last constituency.

It would be yet another 5 years before the next heat wave hits the country. By then, i would have long reached voting age. But i wonder if i would be able to exercise my citizen rights then.

Thinking about 5 years later would be a little too long, cos i guess i have something more important to think about right now.

Cos in 5 hours time, i'll have to leave home for camp, cos i have to do sunday guard duty. Its 130am now. If i don't sleep, I'll suffer soon.

So that'll mark the end of a series of politcal blogging, at least in the short term.

人生是黑白的.
12:08 AM <3

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