The author would like the reader to close his/her eyes for a minute and think of the following question?

What will come to your mind when someone mentions the opposition in Singapore to you?

1. Potong Pasir and Hougang

2. The different opposition political parties (WP, SDA, SDP, SPP) and the various opposition politicians namely Chiam See Tong, Chee Soon Juan, Low Thia Khiang. Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam

3. Defeats at every General Election

4. A bunch of troublemakers and a group of less than qualified Singaporeans running for a seat in Parliament.

I guess the above are some of the impression that Singaporeans have when the word “opposition” is mentioned to them.

Are these some of your sentiments? Maybe? Maybe not?

However, I believed many people will agree with the author that the word “opposition” in Singapore seems to go hands-in-hands (intrinsically-linked) with libel suits, Fines (not excluding jail terms), bankruptcy and even exiles.

Thus, Singaporeans, especially the young, should stay away from the opposition or even not have anything to do them. (This is what the author was taught to do growing up in a pro-PAP family). If you want to join politics, there’s always the PAP around.

However, the author at the tender age of 20 decides to throw all these things aside, enter the fray and allowed himself to be subjected to the baptism of fire in what most deemed as the continued and constant losing battle of the opposition with the ruling party. Why is this so?

The common reaction from people who comes to know the author will tend to ask him this, Why are you so silly? Do you have nothing better to do?

The author will now gives his reason behind this decision of his.

1. The author is disappointed and saddened by the political apathy of most Singaporeans and seeks to address this pressing issue.

2. The author yearns to do something for his people in order improve their lives in Singapore.

3. The opposition provides the author with a platform to volunteer his services to help the people and serve them within his capacity.

4. The author loves to interact with people.

One may argue that the author should join the PAP in order to fulfill such aspirations of his. The PAP has the money and resources for the author to address pressing issues of the people. Why still join the opposition?

However, only the opposition will, for the benefit of the people initiate and purpose changes from the outside in accordance to the wishes, demands and situations of the populace. Changes coming from within the PAP are not in tandem in addressing the problems and sentiments of Singaporeans. (Picture an hourglass and how slowly the sand is flowing and the point will present itself much more clearer)

Basically, the PAP is too slow with the pace for pressing changes which will alleviate the sufferings of the people.

When called upon, the opposition will always be there to “whip the PAP’s backside and tone down their ego” to make sure that they are constantly moving in accordance to the needs of the people; the very ones that voted them to power in the first place.

On top of that, the author believed and respected the democratic process and the author hopes for the emergence of a two-party system in Singapore. Only under such a political system can Singapore be assured of a truly democratic society as well as more checks and balances for an accountable and transparent government.

Thus, to conclude, every Singaporean should cast their perceived mindsets of the opposition in Singapore aside and make themselves available to cater to the needs of the people. There is no room for only a dominant party in Singapore. The need for opposition in Singapore is valid, relevant and important to Singapore and its budding democratic process. Before one even discredit the opposition, the author urges everyone to look at things in perspective and examine the works and contributions of the opposition, ever since Singapore’s independence in 1965, to Singapore, its people and her democratic process.

P.S. If you are still thinking of doing something worthwhile and valuable to Singapore, why wait; approach any opposition parties in Singapore!