JG Campaign Trail 2006: Day 3 - X Files
By Roderick Chia
Day 3 of the JG campaign started with a walkabout in Aljunied GRC, specifically in the Serangoon Gardens area. James and team mates Goh Meng Seng, Tan Wui-Hwa and Rahizan bin Yaacob went around the coffee shops and food centres to meet and talk to residents.
After the walkabout ended around noon, it was back to the office to get ready for the rally at Hougang.
In the meantime, more news about the minority certificate fiasco continued to pour in at JG @ WP blog "news centre", including this one from the Sammyboy Alfresco Coffeeshop forum:
X-Files - James Gomez
[posted by indiscorner]
From today until the end of the world, JG application for a minority certificate will never be made known.
It will remain a mystery in one of Singapore's greatest scandal that has happened in the Elections Department.
It will continue to be a subject of discussion, debate and suspicious between the public and the civil servants.
This episode will huant the civil servants serve the public and a new protocol will be set up.
Expect changes.
The Truth Is Out There...
For more information or to place comments, please email Roderick at rick_162@lycos.com.
Roderick Chia graduated with a Communications Studies degree, majoring in Journalism from the Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand. He is currently working as an information and communications coordinator in a regional non-governmental organisation. He is a registered voter in Potong Pasir constituency.
JG Campaign Trail 2006: Day 2 - The Apology
By Roderick Chia
Day 2 of the JG Campaign was pegged by the minority certificate saga. It culminated in an apology that James made at the Nee Soon East rally. Below are James' apology over the issue of the minority candidate nomination form, followed by emails in response to the apology:
I refer to my claim over the submission of the Minority Certificate at the Elections Department on 26th April 2006.
I wish to confirm that I did not submit the said application on 24th April 2006 due to too much distraction caused by the busy schedule leading up to nomination day.
Please accept my sincere apologies if my actions on 26th April 2006 caused any distress or confusion to the staff of the Elections Department. James Gomez
Responses from the public via email:
I just got to know of your apology, an excellent move. Now, just hope that, they come at you in Packs. You will have an upper hand, if they do. A real good one with regards to NKF.
[from Raj]
How come nobody is raising the roof about the country's elections dept taping a phone conversation without seeking the other party's permission first? In a first world govt, they would be hauled to court for this. What happened to basic civil rights? And why isn't the opposition taking up this matter?
[from Derek Rajamanikam]
Please send James my best regards and tell him that transparency over such trivial matter (which is immaterial anyway considering the closing date was over) is petty compared to being honest about the [high] salaries and perks given to PAP [ministers].
The only analogy I can think of is that the PAP is fond of putting tiny petty things under the microscope while shrinking abominable figures into the size of peanuts and layering it with icing. People who have seen the light know best. So hang in there and keep on fighting for us.
[from AD] For more information or to place comments, please email Roderick at
rick_162@lycos.com.
Roderick Chia graduated with a Communications Studies degree, majoring in Journalism from the Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand. He is currently working as an information and communications coordinator in a regional non-governmental organisation. He is a registered voter in Potong Pasir constituency.
JG Campaign Trail 2006: Day 2 - Letters
Dear Roderick,
I am a young voter from aljunied GRC, and i understand that you are reporting on Mr James Gomez's blog on his behalf during the election period. I have learnt that Mr Gomez has rejected an interview with the media with regards to the recent saga concerning the application of a
minority certificate. While I can understand why he has refused to clarify the matter through the media, I hope that he can use another outlet, maybe his blog, to explain the whole issue. The general impression I got from the media was that he did not bother to look for the forms even after staff from the elections department had checked the closed circuit television and informed him that the forms were probably with him. I am sure that many other singaporeans are looking forward to an explanation from Mr Gomez, even if it means recognising that there was a mistake, for integrity is an important attribute in a member of parliament. I would like to wish Mr Gomez the best of luck in his election campaign.
Thank you,
Foo Jie Sheng
Dear Jie Sheng,
Thank you for your email and concern. Since I'm following James on his campaign trail, I know that this issue is a very important one to him. Hence, he is doing his level best to manage the issue and clarify the matter to all Singaporeans. I know that he will be making a statement at the WP rally tonight.
Please follow this blog for developments.
regards,
Roderick
JG Campaign Trail 2006 Day 2: SMS to candidate
By Roderick Chia
As election fever heats up in Singapore and the PAP raising issues about a certain candidate, an SMS "storm" has hit James' mobile phone. Some are from friends and supporters, others are from reporters and journalists who want to get the first crack at the news centering around the minority certificate. Here are some examples of SMSs that were received on James’ mobile phone on day 2 of the campaign.
From the Media
1. I'm huimin fr wanbao and this is my contact (hp no) will be grateful if u can consider allowing us a peek at your response first as our offstone time is 1230pm. if not we will only be able to carry the story tomorrow which will be a pity. hope to hear from you soon.
2. Sir, its christie fr Today npaper. Sorry to bother-can i ask for your response to the elections dept pls? George yeo says you abruptly changed tone when the officer told they had cctv recording. Whats your response?
From SMS Political Watchers
1. If they keep harping on it... It'll make them look petty... ;)
2. Wah being labelled famous is almost a kiss of death man! Heh, hope u don't take the bait. Good luck man.
3. The media's lynching you over the minority certififcate mix-up. Channel U just dedicated 10 mins of air time to show the taped conversation & CCTV footage.
4. The cna report 2 nite is quite damaging as far as viewing voters r concerned. It leaves the impression behind u're a fumbler and untruthful. Of course pap's milking it. Cal me wen u're free.
For more information or to place comments, please email Roderick at rick_162@lycos.com.
Roderick Chia graduated with a Communications Studies degree, majoring in Journalism from the Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand. He is currently working as an information and communications coordinator in a regional non-governmental organisation. He is a registered voter in Potong Pasir constituency.
JG Campaign Trail 2006: Day 1 Rally @ Ubi
by Roderick Chia
James led the charge on the PAP by contrasting two manifestos – that of the WP’s and the PAP’s. The WP manifesto was a 52-page all-text document focusing on 14 areas of national policies, and was the product of more than two years of careful research and feedback; the PAP one had a total of nine pages with 15 pictures and only about 1,300 words, but only 900 words if you removed Lee Hsien Loong’s letter.
The atmosphere was thick not just with humidity but with James’ use of Hokkien words to emphasise his points and pull no punches, with jovial responses in kind by members of the crowd, many of whom were Hokkien-speakers.
The speech at the rally prompted one person to email the following message:
Hi James, heard your rally speech at the rally yesterday. It really was a jewel of an angle the way you compared the two manifestos. I do sincerely hope the incident at the election dept will not create the wrong impression knowing how the media is. Relishing to hear you speak again. Will look out for your party's rally that evening [May 4]. Regards, Kumar.
For more information or to place comments, please email Roderick at rick_162@lycos.com.
Roderick Chia graduated with a Communications Studies degree, majoring in Journalism from the Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand. He is currently working as an information and communications coordinator in a regional non-governmental organisation. He is a registered voter in Potong Pasir constituency.
JG Campaign Trail 2006: Day 1 Walkabout @ Aljunied GRC
By Roderick Chia
Day 1 of James' campaign for Aljunied GRC started of on a bright and sunny note with a walkabout through the housing estates of Hougang and Aljunied. Led by WP party chief Low Thia Khiang, James and a group of GRC and single-member constituency candidates spent the morning of the first day of campaigning, Friday April 28, to meet the residents of the two neighbouring districts.
In between greeting and speaking to the residents of Aljunied constituency, James took time out to be interviewed by various members of the mainstream Singapore media.
The morning of this first day of the WP campaign ended just after noon, and was to be followed by the first party rally in the evening at Ubi.
For more information or to place comments, please email Roderick at rick_162@lycos.com.
Roderick Chia graduated with a Communications Studies degree, majoring in Journalism from the Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand. He is currently working as an information and communications coordinator in a regional non-governmental organisation. He is a registered voter in Potong Pasir constituency.
JG Campaign Trail 2006: Nomination Day
by Roderick Chia
A warm hello to all from James Gomez's campaign trail!
The Worker's Party (WP) GRC team for Aljunied has been successfully nominated for running in the elections.
As one of the nominees, James will be standing for election as part of a five-person team with party chairman Sylvia Lim, chief financial officer Tan Wui-Hua, and two others - Mohd. Rahizan bin Yaacob and Goh Meng Seng. All are members of the party's Executive Council.
In spite of a light rain, the WP nominees and their supporters arrived in high spirits at the nomination centre, Pei Chun Public School. The nomination procedure gradually got underway as the weather cleared. The temperature rose, accompanied by the rise of the supporters' expectations as a couple of PAP teams were declared winners when it became clear they had walkover victories. The last GRC teams to appear from the restricted nomination area were those that had to contest - including the two WP teams that were there.
Cheers erupted from the WP supporters as their nominees - now candidates - appeared after their succesful nominations. The former held their flags with the party symbol high to greet the candidates with cheers and shouts of encouragement.
It was a long and tense morning for the WP then-nominees of the Aljunied and Ang Mo Kio GRCs. Now candidates, the first stage of the battle for their constituencies have been won.
Other battles lie ahead, and the WP candidates would be facing them with renewed vigour for the crucial stages of campaigning over the next nine or so days ahead.
For more information or to place comments, please email Roderick at
rick_162@lycos.com.
Roderick Chia graduated with a Communications Studies degree, majoring in Journalism from the Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand. He is currently working as an information and communications coordinator in a regional non-governmental organisation. He is a registered voter in Potong Pasir constituency.
JG Campaign Trail 2006 - guest blogger Roderick Chia
Dear all,
Greetings! My name is Roderick and I will be a guest blogger in the time of James' temporary absence.
James has embarked on his campaign as part of the five-person GRC team for Aljunied, after a successful nomination on Thursday, 27 April.
While he will be busy working the ground for the next week or so, I will be the "roving reporter" who will report on behalf of James on this blog.
It is going to be an exciting Elections 2006 for Singapore; do stick around for the stories of this contest!
Stay tuned for the news...
Roderick Chia graduated with a Communications Studies degree, majoring in Journalism from the Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand. He is currently working as an information and communications coordinator in a regional non-governmental organisation. He is a registered voter in Potong Pasir constituency.
Presentation at Blogger's Conference
I made a presentation at a recent conference on Free Expression in Asian Cyberspace entitled "Defamation in Singapore. Who Needs Filtering?"
The meeting was held in Manila and was hosted by the Southeast Asian Press Alliance.
Other Singaporeans who turned up at that conference included Tan Tarn How, Chee Siok Chin and Martyn See.
Go to the following url
http://www.asia247.tv/asia0900/ to access this and other presentations.
Election Issues
First, all the best for the upcoming GE to you and the Workers' Party
I've been following both the internet and traditional media on the upcoming general elections with great interests. My own thoughts are that the opposition really needs to contest all the seats if they are serious about having a pluralistic and diverse Parliament representing the needs and aspirations of the Singaporeans.
The key issues for me, personally, in this elections is about socio-economic policies including foreign talent, governance and accountability, MP and ministerial pay.
I hope that these issues will be raised by the Workers Party.
cyeogh
Hi Yeo,Thank you for your best wishes. Ideally all seats should be contested in an election. However, one should also bear in mind the structural inhibitions placed on that in the Singapore political system under the PAP. The WP manifesto proposes a different alternative (see manifesto).Some of the issues you mention will be taken up by the WP and have already also been enumerated in our manifesto.Cheers, James
ST Query on Blogging
Dear James
I hope you are doing well. I am a reporter with the political desk but I have had the chance to meet you as yet. Still I hope to do so before the elections begin.
Yesterday, as indicated in this story below, Balaji stood up in parliament and talked about the use of blogging and the internet in the upcoming elections. I'd like to get your response to that. Hope you can assist in both your capacity as a WP member and an individual with a political blog1) He makes it quite clear that pod/vodcasting is not going to be allowed in the upcoming elections.
I quote from Balaji: ""I take podcasting to mean the provision of an audiofeed over the Internet to subscribers. As I have noted, during the election period, political parties, candidates and election agents must keep to permitted election advertising set out in the "positive list.'' Podcasting does not fall within this list.""
What is your personal take on that? Is this a surprise to you? Why, or why not? Was the revamped WP site going to include podcasting? What are the options now for WP?
2) The second issue he raised is of private candidates blogging politics or if "they persistently propagate, promote or circulate political issues relating to Singapore, they are required to register with the MDA." You have a blog, are you going to register your blog? Or will you stop writing about politics altogether?
3) Lastly, has this latest annoucement made it clearer for people like yourself and other bloggers? What other issues are you unclear about? What else do you like to be cleared up? Any futher questions to raise?
Thanks James. Hope to hear from you soon.
Aaron Low
Journalist
Straits Times, Political Desk
My responses were - Election Period is short: Given the nature of the elections rules in Singapore, elections are called at short notice at the discretion of the prime minister of the ruling party in government and a duration of nine days for campaigning has been the norm. Thus, online campaigning is something that is undertaken all the time and not just during the election period. Hence, to bring in special rules for the short campaign period is really not effective over what can and already has been done during the non-election time on the internet. Increases Administration: It increases the administrative burden on the bureaucracy and on the part of individuals to register sites that engage in political expression. What this political expression is, is still not clear to date and is subject to value interpretation. Further MDA does not provide for online registration of blog sites. Instead it has a nine page PDF download able form asking extensive information that are not relevant for bloggers.Playing Catch Up: Technology is changing, some of the latest innovations include video capacities on mobile phones that leads to mobile blogging. In such instances its best to have an open policy.
These announcements however, are not a surprise as it is consistent with the ruling party’s policy position to legislate and control the internet especially when it comes to political expression.
On the other hand our belief at the Workers’ Party is that new media technology should be legislated only in as much as making the vision of Singapore a technological “hub” requires.
Hence, our specific proposal contained in our Manifesto with regards to new technology such as the internet is as follows:
1.Amend aspects of the Broadcasting Act such as the Internet Code of Practice to remove the requirement for religious and political sites to registers, and allow websites to operate without any restrictive conditions.
2.The Parliamentary Elections Act should be amended to allow local NGOs and civil society groups to freely use the online medium to provide information and monitor the electoral process during elections times.
3.Purse a policy which guarantees that the internet would not be subject to direct censorship.
PS: NONE OF THESE POINTS APPEARED ON THE NEXT DAY'S REPORT
By Roderick Chia
