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May 9, 2011
... Scrap or let voters decide on GRC scheme
THE General Election results have shown up the GRC rationale in three ways.
First, Mr Michael Palmer's single-ward win in Punggol East over two opposition Chinese Singaporean candidates shows that a minority candidate can prevail. Singaporeans vote in candidates on merit and passion, not race.
Second, capable candidates are voted out in droves in a Group Representation Constituency system. Singapore lost not one, but two ministers.
Third, controversial candidates are voted into Parliament by riding on the popularity, capability and reputation of other team members.
In trying to get minority representation in Parliament, we risk not getting the best men and women to lead Singapore and this is not in the best interest of our future.
I hope the GRC system can be scrapped. If the Government still thinks Singaporeans will vote out minority candidates based on race, perhaps a better system would be to insist that all parties field a certain percentage of minority candidates for election, and a scheme similar to the Non-Constituency MP be reserved for minority candidates.
Finally, my kudos to all candidates in this GE. They contested like gentlemen and have lifted democracy here to a new level. I am now proud to say that we have a truly democratic government.
Koon Peng Bee
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_666416.html
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