Give voters due respect

The Straits Times; Published on Sep 1, 2011
Give voters due respect
MR MUHAMMAD Yusuf Osman hit the nail on the head ('Advisers to grassroots bodies should be elected MPs'; Tuesday).

Statutory boards like the Housing Board and the People's Association (PA) must remain non-partisan.
They are funded by all Singaporeans and must serve all citizens, regardless of party affiliation. The PA and all grassroots organisations in every constituency should invite the sitting MPs to be their grassroots advisers.
By preferring to work with candidates from the People's Action Party (PAP) who have lost the previous election over sitting MPs elected by the people, the PA is not giving citizens due respect.
By working with PA in similar fashion, the HDB is also not respecting the people.
If we accept that our electoral system is one of first past the post, we must all respect the results, regardless of party affiliation.
The PA and HDB should introduce rules which apply to all parties and grassroots bodies in all constituencies regardless of party affiliation.
This is one issue president-elect Tony Tan could perhaps look into, in his quest to serve and unify all Singaporeans.
Dennis Tan
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_707994.html
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