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Acknowledging PAP leaders’ good work doesn’t mean you must automatically vote its candidates

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong gave his National Day Rally speech on 23 August 2015, where he mentioned Singapore's past achievements and outlined plans for the future.

Kirsten Han is a Singaporean blogger, journalist and filmmaker. She is also involved in the We Believe in Second Chances campaign for the abolishment of the death penalty. A social media junkie, she tweets at @kixes. The views expressed are her own.

Even before the National Day Rally began we knew we were in for a triple whammy: held in the year of not just Singapore’s Golden Jubilee, but also of Lee Kuan Yew’s passing and an upcoming election, we could expect nothing less than a speech in which the three threads would intertwine.

It wasn’t all rhetoric, of course. Positive social policies were announced, such as schemes to help lower-income families afford their own homes, and the extension of paternity leave to two weeks. The cynical would call them election goodies, but carrots or not, these schemes will likely turn out to be a boon for families in need of support.

When seen as a whole, though, this year’s National Day Rally was pretty much Lee Hsien Loong’s first big election pitch for his party.

Strategic speech

It was deftly done: first, there was the emphasis on the past five decades and the rapid development that Singapore had seen. This growth was attributed partly to the way the people and the government had “kept faith” with each other – thus presenting the fate of Singapore and that of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) as intertwined.

Then there was the invoking of Lee Kuan Yew’s memory; his devotion to Singapore, his resolve in building the nation, his constant concern for the country’s future. There was even a tribute performance of ‘Home’ by Kit Chan, designed to – and rather successful in – generating the feels. Like a much-revered ancestor, Singaporeans were encouraged to give in to nostalgia and think back fondly on the efforts and dedication of the elder Lee, and to continue to build on his work – which involves ensuring the “succession” of the next generation of PAP leaders.

Singapore’s vulnerability was once again highlighted: although we have a good relationship with Indonesian president Joko Widodo, not all Indonesians look upon us kindly because of our tiny-red-dot status. Malaysia, too, is having its share of problems, which could easily spill into Singapore. Better have a strong team of leaders who can steer us through these potentially turbulent times.

Lastly there was, of course, a reiteration of the message that other PAP leaders have already raised: that this upcoming election is not just about the next five years, but about leadership renewal for a new generation of PAP leaders to take the country into the future. According to Lee, parts of this future team are already in place – voted in during the last election – but more are needed. And therefore Singaporeans are exhorted to choose wisely at the elections, lest they once again fail to vote Ong Ye Kung in.

Critical thinking needed at the polls

The narrative was smooth and clean: the journey that Singapore has been on – from a vulnerable, newly-independent state to the metropolis it is today – was one the people took with the PAP. It was the PAP that brought the development, making it not just any political party, but one that has become entrenched in Singapore. How could anyone ever imagine a Singapore without the PAP? Would Singapore simply slide into the mediocre ordinariness of slow, gridlocked governments?

It’s an attractive story, but one that needs to be thought through critically. Acknowledging the good work of past generations of PAP leaders does not automatically mean we should vote for the future generation; we can appreciate the journey we’ve made while considering different paths for the future.

Voters are not obliged to vote in any particular way; it is instead our responsibility to evaluate the situation we’re in, and to decide for ourselves which party, which candidates and which ideas we want in Parliament for the next five years. Whether one chooses to vote for the PAP, or any other party, is a personal choice, but one that should be made with careful consideration.