Lo and behold, elections are nearby again, and it’s time to remind Singaporeans how fortunate they are to be living under the rule of the PAP, which enjoys almost-complete control of all aspects of the country, and can pull the winds and rain at its whims and fancies.
And no, not all of us like the PAP the same way. Again, that is to keep us from being really and fully #SGUnited, but separated and ‘independent’ in our support for the PAP, just enough for us to hate each other and see PAP as the Neutral Saviour, but not bitter enough to go to war with each other so as to maintain a ‘harmonious society’ we all boast and get praised the world over.
For Malays – PAP gives welfare and privilege in education, civil service jobs sectors, hence many of them somehow feel indebted to the Govt for the ‘assistance’.
For the Indians – they are mysteriously given more-than-national-proportion of positions of power, in terms of real-number Parliament seats, as well as promotion to the higher ranks (think Tharman, Shanmugam). Heck, even the President was an Indian.
For the Chinese – they are constantly sublimally reminded they are well taken care of as the majority race, have certain issues piqued to their favour in the name of ‘populism’, yet others stripped from their favour in the name of ‘altruism’. Whatever fits the PAP’s monopoly on power, that is.
Eurasians and Others – constantly drilled and programmed to think they are very fortunate to be living in Singapore, that they probably would face morbid humiliation and discrimination in other countries.
Outsiders/PRs/Foreigners – naturally grateful and subservient, thankful for ‘special privilege’ given to them at all times, and apparent (subjective perception) leniency in terms of prosecution and policy implementation. At the same time, tied down by higher levies and fees to ‘cull them in’.
PAP grassroots beneficiaries – given priority and privileges due to their ‘community work’, including, at times, consideration in prosecution with that as a valid ‘positive badge’ against heavier punishment, and other priorities too dangerous to name.
NGOs and activists – told Singapore is an inclusive society, and Pink Dot is allowed. At the same time, death penalty activists, human rights activists, bloggers who call out opaque and problematic accounting of the national finances, are harassed, culled and decimated.
Opposition parties – given unfair and unequal power and chance to spread their word and reach out to voters, yet told they are not banned and free to do what they can to win support. Too soft, and you don’t get unanimous response from the electorate; too tough, and the law gets tough on you as well.
That’s how PAP maintains control. Everyone has a share of the pie.