POLITICS
Archives 2000-2002
Archives - 2003
Archives
- 2004
Archives
- 2005
Archives - 2006-2007
Running hard
To stand still
For every major problem government worked to resolve, a few bigger ones demand attention; Singaporeans have chance to pass judgment. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
May 12, 2012
Goodbye
Dr. Toh Chin Chye
His death spotlights the differences between first generation and current leaders in vision and other qualities. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Feb 11, 2012
Politics
Opposition woes
Social media shows its even-handedness as opposition stumbles. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Feb 4, 2012
Cabinet paycut
Party rumblings
After making a serious effort, PM Lee Hsien Loong now faces unhappy PAP rank-and-filers who were looking forward to enjoy the high rewards their old-timers did. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Jan 7, 2012
Politics
Mature rivalry
This ‘we’re not enemies’ approach sets the tone for a long-term merger of interests when the need arises. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Dec 3, 2011
Parliament
Throws up an ace
A masterful opposition maiden speech wins the city’s admiration - particularly Mandarin-speaking Singaporeans’. By Seah Chiang Nee More
Oct 29, 2011
Parliament
Hitting the high note
With MM Lee’s leadership exit, Singaporeans who didn’t care much in the past are suddenly sitting up. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Oct 22, 2011
PAP
Cracklines showing
After 46 years, some mediocrity creeps into the body of what used to be an extraordinarily brilliant party. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Sept 3, 2011
Workers Party
An unexpected roadblock
Barely three months into its historic election win, it encountered trouble attending public functions on its own premises. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Aug 29, 2011
Tony Tan
What if he loses?
A darling of the elites, his apple-cart may be overturned by lingering anti-PAP feelings - with important consequences for Singapore. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Aug 20, 2011
Trend
Interactive politics
A new brand of politics is emerging with politicians needing to stay connected personally with their voters online or in the streets. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
May 28, 2011
Leadership
An urgent change
After nearly half of eastern and central Singapore - a quarter of electorate – went to opposition. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
May 21, 2011
PAP
Return to passion
If the ruling party can’t recruit capable new leaders with service in their hearts it will be replaced. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
May 14, 2011
Singapore’s
Day of Verdict
How people vote today could decide if Singapore is ready for a two-party system in five years’ time. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
May 7, 2011
Changing history
The Facebook Generation
The social media is beginning to erase a generation of news control and political apathy - and creating a new Singapore. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Apr 30, 2011
LKY:
"I'll carry on"
An answer long awaited by Singaporeans, but when it finally came, interest had waned - overshadowed by more important political changes all around. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Apr 24, 2011
Prime Minister
Asserting his leadership
.. As he faces a tough election in a changing political landscape with colleagues who don’t always see eye to eye on policies. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Apr 16, 2011
Election
A poorer catch
Fewer capable Singaporeans seem interested, or are found suitable, to be PAP candidates; could the backlash against high cabinet salaries be a reason? By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Apr 9, 2011
Opposition
An emerging breed
The coming election will see quite a few more high-flyers taking on a younger, less experienced PAP, narrowing the odds. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Mar 27, 2011
Election
The young voters
With generation baton-passing in almost every sphere, Internet-savvy Singaporean youths - one third of electorate - will have a crucial say in coming election. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Mar 7, 2011
PAP:
To young Singaporeans
‘We're not all work and no play. We’re also a hip hop party with fun-loving people.’ By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Jan 29, 2011
New migrants
A rising force
2006-2010: registered voters up by 151,000 while citizenships given to foreigners hit record 90,000. Analyse future implications. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Jan 15, 2011
History
Preparing a new chapter
Singaporeans are beginning to ponder over an unimaginable thought, a future without Lee Kuan Yew. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Oct 23, 2010
Passing
Of A Singapore Lady
The departure of Mrs Lee Kuan Yew, admired and respected, may have just turned a page of Singapore’s history. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Oct 9, 2010
Elections
Politics of gratitude
The votes of new migrants could come to the rescue of the PAP if its popularity continues to drop after Lee Kuan Yew is gone. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Jul 3, 2010
Protests
Less compliance
More aggrieved Singaporeans are turning to mass action for satisfaction rather than just depending on the government. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Jun 13, 2010
China
Lessons from Singapore
One shows how a predominant party can blur party-and-state interests in a democracy should Beijing decides to allow elections to choose their leaders. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Feb 22, 2010
Recruitment:
The ground shifts
With public mood shifting a little to its favour, opposition has landed a few blows in fight to recruit quality members. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Feb 2, 2010
Elections:
‘Freak’ result concerns
Political stirrings in this apathetic society may be serious enough to warrant a compulsory ‘cooling off’ period before the vote. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Dec 12, 2009
Recognition:
A Singaporean's achievements
As he loses a little of his magic with the young at home, Lee Kuan Yew is revered abroad for his lifetime accomplishments. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Nov 9, 2009
Democracy
With
one predominant party
Faced with a less friendly young electorate, the PAP ponders
how best to fight to stay in power. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Aug 23, 2009
National
Day
Setting
aside worries
Society gets into the spirit but too many Singaporeans seem
nonchalant about fly the national flag. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Aug 8, 2009
Half
century
The
Lee Kuan Yew era
This year it reaches a historic 50-year mark with the state
encountering a spate of ill-fortunes. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
July 11, 2009
Kenneth
Jeyaratnam
The
crisis - and reforms
In the wake of government's record in past few years, it
will be hard for it to claim it alone can solve Singapore's
economic problems, says the new Reform Party leader. More
July 7, 2009
Nation
building
An
apathetic people
Affluent, educated, yes - but we've also become a dispassionate
people with little interest in politics and the government;
it augurs ill for nation-building. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
June 6, 2009
Politics
Times
are changing
Singapore leaders will have to engage with its people if
they want prosperity and stability to continue, writes Roderick
Clyne. More
May 20, 2009
Jackie
Chan:
"The
Chinese need control"
His assertion seen as justifying authoritarian rule angers
many fans here who want less control. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
May 2, 2009
Kenneth
Jeyaretnam
Moving
in
Seven months after JBJ’s death, the son wants to carry
on his struggle, raising prospect of a face-off with Lee
Hsien Loong. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Apr 18, 2009
Mind
wars
PAP
blogs back
Shortly it will launch its own political website that could
end role of newspapers as the official messenger - and that
won’t be a bad thing. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Apr 11, 2009
Singapore's
World
achievements
On this small island lives the 30 best-paid politicians
in the world, comments a blogger. MySingaporeNews. More
Apr 3, 2009
Teo
Chee Hean
Next
Prime Minister?
At last Singapore has a visible, credible figure likely
to succeed PM Lee Hsien Loong. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Mar 28, 2008
Snap
election
In
besieged Singapore?
Is it possible? Yes - but only if leaders feel the people’s
crutch mentality is strong enough to let them win. By Seah
Chiang Nee. More
Feb 28, 2009
Seng
Han Thong
A
burning issue
Was his heinous attack merely an isolated mental case or
something far more serious regarding our elderly poor? By
Seah Chiang Nee. More
Jan 17, 2009
Class
divide
Widened
by hard times
It's a bad time in Singapore to flaunt your riches, especially
if you're a high government official. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Jan 10, 2009
Society
Harder
to control
Global Singapore is becoming
less boring, more unpredictable - and steadily being pried
loose from PAP influence. By Seah Chiang Nee.
Dec 27, 2008
Transparency:
The
new casualty
Singapore leaders, very proud of past record on this, now
seem to reluctant to reveal information on losses of people's
money. An OnLineCitizen comment. More
Dec 15, 2008
Lee
Hsien Loong
... The option of change
His condemnation of a two-party' structure runs counter
to people's wishes for this option, alleges Tang Li. More
Dec 5, 2008
Recession
..and
the approaching hardship
It is pushing more Singaporeans to speak out; Will they
be serious enough to affect the political landscape in next
10 years? By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Nov 29, 2009
Politics
We need a Democratic Party
If we want to prevent the government from moving too far
towards corporatism at the expense of Singaporeans. By Seah
Chiang Nee. More
Oct 5, 2008
Control
Under
increasing pressure
Result: Singaporeans are given a few more rights, but so
far there's little sign to show that PM Lee Hsien Loong
is a liberal democrat. Far East Economic Review. More
Sep 8, 2008
Apology
For ping pong mess-up
We should accept it, but continue to speak out against
elected officials who
behave like ‘mini-Lee Kuan Yews without his achievements'. Opinion. By
Seah Chiang Nee. More
Aug 30, 2008
Politics
Growing restiveness
With the changing voter, the ping pong saga revisits the
question: How long can the PAP carry on selecting MPs from
elites with little political acumen or sensitivity and
not pay a price. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Aug 30, 2008
Politics
A good opening up
Government loosens the gag that prevents freer public expressions days after
Lee Kuan Yew lashes out at multi-party democracy. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Aug 23, 2008
Lee
Kuan Yew era
Lives on..
As it nears 50th year as defining as ever, the
question invariably arises: "How
much longer?" By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Aug 16, 2008
JB Jeyaretnam
The other burning flame
He's two years younger than Lee Kuan Yew and his spirits,
too, appear strong. media. More
Aug 1, 2008
Inequality
The worsening scourge
If the PAP can’t resolve the problems of the lower
middle class and poor, it could face a crisis in 2011.
By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Jul 5, 2008
Lee Kuan Yew
The generation gap widens
His old theme that Singapore could be ruined if opposition
gains power is greeted with cynicism by the young. By Seah
Chiang Nee. More
Jun 27, 2008
Politics
So much fear
It’s unbelievable that in a 1st World city, people
are so afraid to speak out against the government, weblog. More
Jun 12, 2008
Political Defamation
David vs Goliath
Necessary laws of course, but if excessively done can backfire
with long-term negative impact for 21st Century Singapore.
By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Jun 7, 2008
JB Jeyaratnam
”Ordinary people, our strength”
To breed talent, proposed Reform Party leader says Singaporeans
need more space to express themselves; Internet alone is
insufficient. By Jamie Lee. More
May 3, 2008
Speaking out
For the silent majority
What the Singaporean needs is more public debate of policies
harmful to him, particularly among establishment insiders.
By Seah Chiang Nee. More
May 31, 2008
Wong Kan Seng
Holding the line
Against public feelings, Prime Minister retains his Home
Affairs Minister despite blunders that let terrorist leader
to escape - at least until the next election. By Seah Chiang
Nee. More
Apr 26, 2008
Opposition
Also under fire
Dharmendra Yadav writes on the loud silence of Workers
Party leader, Low Thia Khiang. TODAY. More
Apr 26, 2008
Accountability:
A widening gap
Anger mounts over PM absolving his Home Affairs Minister
from blame over bungling security that allowed a dangerous
terrorist leader to flee. Compiled by Littlespeck. More
Apr 23, 2008
Jeyaretnam
Up the political ante
It’s his sheer presence, rather than his new party,
that is stirring up opposition hopes for the next election
- if he stands. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Apr 22, 2008
Leadership:
Thinking beyond ‘tea chats’
Centrally planned leadership recruitment may no longer
attract enough Singaporeans with real drive, abilities
and ambition. By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Apr 6, 2008
Lee Hsien Loong
Thirteen more years
For reason of age, present cabinet ministers won’t
make the grade; the next PM could be a a party outsider
who knows nothing about politics or statecraft. By Seah
Chiang Nee. More
Apr 4, 2008
Prime Minister
A deafening silence
The PM’s very low profile has become Singapore’s
talking point. His leadership absence after Selamat escaped
is disturbing, says blogger. More
Apr 1, 2008
Politics
Some election ripples
Will Malaysia's political tsunami blow a similar wind across
Singapore in 2011? My answer is... By Seah Chiang Nee. More
Mar 29, 2008
US Democracy
Does it throw up the best leaders?
Mr. George Yeo implies it doesn't. Here's what he says,
and several Singaporeans respond. Onelinecitizen. More
Mar 28, 2008
Singapore
A challenge for the future
A Catherine Lim viewpoint about the future that no Singaporean
should miss. More
Mar 27, 2008
Leadership
PAP's election issue
Lee Kuan Yew's public worries about '4th generation' leadership
provokes some public interest, not all go the way it was
intended. Littlespeck.com. More
Feb 5, 20008
