To Be Or Not To Be Partisan
Weekly column written for the Singapore Unbound newsletter. Sign up here.
Should writers support a particular political party, or should they stay above the fray of partisan politics? The question may appear ridiculous to Americans, whose writers routinely identify themselves as Democrat, Republican, Progressive, or what have you. However, the question is not a non-controversial one in Singapore. The People's Action Party (PAP), which has led the country since independence in 1965 and which has just won another election last Friday with more than two-third majority of seats in Parliament, has so dominated the country's institutions, economy, and culture that the line between party and state is blurred, if not erased. For many Singaporeans, Singapore is the PAP and vice versa. To be pro-PAP is to be pro-Singapore. To be against the PAP is to be partisan.
In such a situation, writers who are pro-PAP can hide the fact of their partisanship by claiming to work for the whole, and not a part, of Singapore. But their claim falls apart when they refuse to be associated with opposition parties, either through self-interest or wrongheadedness, since the constituencies that the Opposition serves are also a part of Singapore. Would such a writer participate in an Opposition-run program to provide tuition to children of low-income families residing in Sengkang, the constituency that the Workers' Party won narrowly, to the surprise and joy of Singaporean progressives? If not, why not?
Analysts argue that in the recent election the Workers' Party won a historic victory, 10 seats in the 91-seat parliament, because of their progressive and inclusive agenda, and because of their strong track record in serving their constituents. This heart-winning performance is achieved on a playing field made manifestly uneven by the ruling party, the PAP. Before the election, there is alleged gerrymandering, among other anti-democratic actions, and after the election, there is the partisan distribution of public resources. The PAP candidate who loses the popular vote, get this, is appointed to head the grassroots organization that determines how much funds the Workers' Party MPs get for municipal improvements.
These blatant examples of unfairness should compel any writer with any sense of fair play to throw their weight on the other side of the scale. If any more inducement is needed, any writer with any capacity for original thought would be drawn to a party that calls us all to "imagine, envision, yearn for and dream" of a better future. Fairness and imagination, two qualities essential for good writing. Will we see more of them in Singapore? Good writing, will we see more of it, from Singapore?
Jee Leong Koh
July 16, 2020
Should writers support a particular political party, or should they stay above the fray of partisan politics? The question may appear ridiculous to Americans, whose writers routinely identify themselves as Democrat, Republican, Progressive, or what have you. However, the question is not a non-controversial one in Singapore. The People's Action Party (PAP), which has led the country since independence in 1965 and which has just won another election last Friday with more than two-third majority of seats in Parliament, has so dominated the country's institutions, economy, and culture that the line between party and state is blurred, if not erased. For many Singaporeans, Singapore is the PAP and vice versa. To be pro-PAP is to be pro-Singapore. To be against the PAP is to be partisan.
In such a situation, writers who are pro-PAP can hide the fact of their partisanship by claiming to work for the whole, and not a part, of Singapore. But their claim falls apart when they refuse to be associated with opposition parties, either through self-interest or wrongheadedness, since the constituencies that the Opposition serves are also a part of Singapore. Would such a writer participate in an Opposition-run program to provide tuition to children of low-income families residing in Sengkang, the constituency that the Workers' Party won narrowly, to the surprise and joy of Singaporean progressives? If not, why not?
Analysts argue that in the recent election the Workers' Party won a historic victory, 10 seats in the 91-seat parliament, because of their progressive and inclusive agenda, and because of their strong track record in serving their constituents. This heart-winning performance is achieved on a playing field made manifestly uneven by the ruling party, the PAP. Before the election, there is alleged gerrymandering, among other anti-democratic actions, and after the election, there is the partisan distribution of public resources. The PAP candidate who loses the popular vote, get this, is appointed to head the grassroots organization that determines how much funds the Workers' Party MPs get for municipal improvements.
These blatant examples of unfairness should compel any writer with any sense of fair play to throw their weight on the other side of the scale. If any more inducement is needed, any writer with any capacity for original thought would be drawn to a party that calls us all to "imagine, envision, yearn for and dream" of a better future. Fairness and imagination, two qualities essential for good writing. Will we see more of them in Singapore? Good writing, will we see more of it, from Singapore?
Jee Leong Koh
July 16, 2020
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