Yesterday I went to an opposition rally at Choa Chu Kang. Yes there is such a thing as an opposition in Singapore, as unbelievable as it sounds.
I was there because I was seriously bored with nothing better to do along with 4 other people from my platoon. It seems that rallies are the in thing these days, with everyone attending rallies everywhere from Ang Mo Kio to Tampines.
The first thing I noticed about the rally was how many people there were. With almost no opposition MPs in parliament, the last thing you'd expect for the opposition is support. However, it seems that there is plenty of it, just that the votes don't reflect it. That same uncle you see shouting himself hoarse with opposition slogans could be that very same uncle who crosses the box for the white-clad lightning gods come May 6.
Oh well, this is Singapore. We aren't exactly known for wearing our hearts on our sleeves, or anywhere else for that matter. The only time when you see Singaporeans show any signs of passion would be at that sale down the road, after the 4D results, or when you suddenly get a few hundred dollars in your bank near elections.
The rally wasn't actually anything much, but it was quite interesting observing the people at the rallies. Everytime something that wasn't politically correct came out, everyone would go like "Yeah!". I just wished that there would be more of such stuff, but I don't want to see more people in jail or bankrupted. I was also quite interested on how the media would twist the stuff I heard to make it appear different in the news. I was disappointed on that aspect though, as the media actually reported the rally quite accurately. They must be commended. It must have been very difficult doing that.
As a matter of fact, I've stopped reading the papers these few days because its seriously so chock full of election propaganda and other bullshit that I don't want to read anymore lest I get a serious case of depression if all the stuff being promised doesn't actually materialise. And what's with the Gomez issue anyway? Is any more ink and paper wasted on Mr. Gomez going to feed me for the next 5 years? I'm more interested in how much more they're going to raise bus fares, not whether some guy was trying to "wayang".
I find it even more hilarious that our PM claims we need a first world opposition, then turns tail a few days later and says that more opposition MPs make it difficult for him in parliament. So do you want an opposition or not? Will the presence of a few less yes-men make you unable to work? I thought a PM of all people should be more capable than that. Do you see Tony Blair complaning that he doesn't have 95% of the seats in parliament? I don't think so.