As mentioned in a previous article, blogger Roy Ngerng Yi Ling is facing a potential lawsuit for defamation by the Prime Minister over an article he wrote on his blog. He more or less accused the PM of misappropriating the CPF monies in the same manner Kong Hee and others are accused of misappropriating their church funds. You can read the latest developments in this link:
Roy Ng has taken down the offending post but has yet to respond to the PM's letter of demand. It remains to be seen if he will comply or come to some sort of agreement which satisfies the PM. Amidst this side-show, Roy Ng today announced on his blog that he's applied to be considered as a Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP):
Now there's a lot of ways to interpret this latest move by him. One can take a cynical view that this is an attempt by him to further his anti-Govt rhetoric, and make use of the 'protection of the House.' Or to use it as a ploy that he's gonna play the victim, by suggesting the lawsuit is an attempt to silence him or disqualify him (from future elections), because of his intention to seek a nomination. Perhaps even to suggest in the almost certain likelihood it'll be rejected, that the Govt is afraid of people like him in Parliament, who'll ask the difficult questions and attack policy. These views will definitely be raised by some of his supporters, or maybe even by himself.
Mr Ng posing outside Parliament with his nomination forms (to be an NMP)
On the flip side, we can take Roy's view (from his blog) that it's a genuine attempt to want to take it a step further from blogging and to raise pertinent issues and to fight for the people's rights. Also to be a champion of worker's rights here. Maybe we can take it as an opportunity for him to raise his profile and voter appeal, thereafter to launch a bid for a 'normal seat' in the next elections. There will also be others who'll say, that Mr Ng hopes that if selected, it'll weaken the PM's hand in the lawsuit - the PM suing an MP even a Nominated one will garner a lot of negative coverage internationally.
An acknowledgement of Roy Ngerng's NMP submission forms (taken from his blog)
Roy Ng has denied that saying he'd already made up his mind before serving his reservist duty. The letter of demand came as surprise as he was away and unable to blog. He's been encouraged by a lot of his readers and by fellow activist, Ms Han Hui Hui who proposed his nomination. I think I'll accept this explanation as the most coherent and discount the rest.
However a key question must be asked: Is this attempt to seek a nomination a good or bad idea? If you support the PAP, you'll say it's bad, if you support the opposition, then it's good. But what about the vast majority of 'neutral' Singaporeans or swing voters, who support neither? I want to approach it as they would and my initial conclusion, is that it's a bad idea. Call me whatever derogatory name you like, I'm sure some opposition supporters will because they cannot understand why I am opposing the nomination of someone who's gonna go against the Govt. But I'm entitled to my views, like it or not. It's because of this very reason (to use the NMP to attack the Govt) and the explanation he gave, that I've based my decision.
Mr Ng's proposer, Ms Han Hui Hui. She and Mr Ng made a multi-country visit to Europe to observe the way they did things. She came up with this observation.
In my previous article, I touched on the issue of 'playing to the gallery.' I firmly believe Mr Ng (and Ms Han for that matter) are being too carried away by their own rhetoric, and being egged on by certain segments, that they lose sight of the bigger picture - to be the voice of reason, to explore policies objectively and criticise constructively and to be their own persons, not another's. Most of all to understand what service is all about. It's like they think, 'Hey okay I've organised a few rallies, I've discovered some points or flaws in the system, okay let's get into Parliament and go to war with the PAP. ' It's good that younger persons are taking an interest in the politics and governance of the country, but it's another thing to think, because of this, you're qualified to be in Parliament. They do not want to slog for a seat, they do not want to work the ground, they do not want to consider how to serve the public, they do not want to try and join 1 of the big 3 opposition parties - the SDP, NSP and WP, be subjected to scrutiny and a selection process. Nope they think, 'hey okay there's no way these 3 will field me for the next GE, so I'll instead do my own stuff, maybe join forces with a few others, maybe set up another party and then run for elections ourselves.' My qualifications: 'I've done some stuff and am anti-PAP, therefore I deserve to be in Parliament.' They are young and eager and they want to be in Parliament now!
I think people like Mr Ng should try to join or work with bigger opposition parties like the NSP (above), rather than trying to do things on their own. Party discipline will definitely benefit them and provide a backbone of support, if they are ever chosen as candidates.
They surround themselves with likeminded persons, not by those who see a different or larger picture. They don't want to hear opposing views. They have poor advisors or people who have an agenda who may be using them. If things go right, great, but if things go wrong, they'll find themselves alone, broken, ridiculed and subjected to the glare of being on the 'wrong side' of politics.
Parliament Speaker Mdm Halimah Yacob, will chair a Special Select Committee to consider the nominations and send the list to the President for approval.
Coming to Roy's nomination and the instant flaws I see in the nomination. First of all, I think the NMP scheme is unnecessary. MPs should be elected, as far as possible, but maybe the NMP scheme gives other voices a chance to be heard and to raise awareness and profiles of potential MPs in their own right. There's also a specific description in the Constitution on the qualities of those seeking such office besides meeting the qualifications (the same for every elected MP). There are 9 NMPs and 2 are seeking re-election. A Select Committee will meet to consider the Nominations and make a recommendation to the President who will appoint them for a 2 1/2 year term. With the 2 likely to be re-confirmed, there leaves 7 more from the 34 left to choose from. Mr Ng hopes to be one of them.
But I think he'll get rejected because the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution spells out certain key criteria in section 3 which include:
(2) The persons to be nominated shall be persons who have rendered distinguished public service, or who have brought honour to the Republic, or who have distinguished themselves in the field of arts and letters, culture, the sciences, business, industry, the professions, social or community service or the labour movement; and in making any nomination, the Special Select Committee shall have regard to the need for nominated Members to reflect as wide a range of independent and non-partisan views as possible.
Roy Ng and his supporters can argue that the PAP will reject it no matter what, well that's their right. But I look at these conditions and cannot see any way that Mr Ng can fit into them. He's not rendered distinguished public service, brought honour to the Republic, done something fantastic in arts, culture, science, business, industry or even social and community service or the labour movement. And the crucial bit about being independent and non-partisan.
Pointing out the flaws in the CPF or organising a few rallies on worker's rights doesn't to me suggest coming anywhere close to meeting the first part. And the anti-Govt rhetoric, suggests that he's not independent or non-partisan.
Look Mr Ng, if you want to oppose the Govt, by all means. Join a party and stand for elections and get yourself elected. Perhaps run as an independent or form another party. But you cannot do this just because people egg you on or tell you to do so. You gotta subject yourself to the scrutiny of the voters and be challenged on them by your opponents. Have you considered asking 1 of the big 3 to field you in the next elections? I think not, because they will demand a lot more than merely organising some rallies, blogging and speaking up. They will want you to be part of a team, to show you can work as a team player, to follow party orders, to work the ground and most of all, be willing to serve the public. You'll have to address residents problems and be able to help manage a Town Council, while also raising and speaking on issues in Parliament. You have to go head to head with PAP Ministers and MPs and argue your points logically. You cannot simply say, I'll point out some flaws, show some data which I've garnered that supports my thesis and challenge the PAP on them. What happens if the PAP discredits that data and rubbishes your claims? What happens if they make you look out of touch and ridicules you? What's your response gonna be?
There's a good reason why the WP and the NSP choose their battles carefully. Which things to attack and question. Even the SDP now has turned away from what you're doing, just making claims and attacking the Govt to score some points. They now sit down and come out with some alternative plans and are prepared to face scrutiny on them. Are you ready for this?
My conclusion: Mr Roy Ng forget this NMP scheme. You won't be selected anyway and when that happens, don't get egged on to use it as a platform to suggest the PAP is running scared of you. A mouse might think because he makes the elephant squeamish, he's as strong as the elephant. But a mouse is just a mouse, not an elephant. Continue as a blogger, continue with your rallies, support the opposition cause by pointing certain flaws or suggestions, submit them to the opposition parties, better still join one and work with them. Help them research and prepare to debate and raise the issues. Work with them to serve the public or do some social work like helping the needy or the uniformed on the ways to get their entitled benefits. Remember 1 thing, you don't have to be elected or selected to serve to fight for a better Singapore. There are many ways to do this without ever stepping into Parliament. Don't play to the gallery and be mindful of what you say and write. You were doing okay until recent events overtook you. Continue on that path and learn to say No. I wish you well in your endeavours, even if I disagree with some of it.