Even before all the Election results were out, there were already online posts/petitions and smses seeking redress for Mr Chiam See Tong, the removal of Miss Tin Pei Ling as a newly appointed MP and the reinstatement of Minister George Yeo.
The activities gathered strong momentum and by today, the internet and smses were abuzzed with messages asking for by-elections through signed petition for Mr Chiam See Tong and Facebook posts asking "junior" members of parliament to make way for Minister George Yeo's reinstatement.
A shiver ran down my spine when I personally recieved an smsasking for signatories to the petition for a by-election for Mr Chiam. In their emotional zeal of support for Mr Chiam, these fellow Singaporeans are inevidently undermining the democratic system of our nation; and the same can be said for those calling for the removal of Miss Tin Pei Ling and the reinstatement of Minister George Yeo.
Anyone who reads my blog and facebook posts will know that I hold Minister Yeo and Mr Chiam in the highest respect and regard. I share the same grouses that the political system is flawed to allow untried candidates to get into Parliament without standing for themselves or that lessser seasoned politicians were returned to office because of it is a team-to-team choice for voters in GRCs. However, the voice of Singaporeans has spoken. We have made our choice and as much as there are those of us who do not like the choices made by our fellow Singaporeans, we MUST abide by our people's choices. To now petition for a reversal of the results will undermine our democratic process and the integrity of our nation. It is our votes that resulted in the outcomes. As a democracy, we must learn to accept the majority will of our people.
If anything, we should learn that our vote is sacred and precious, that our one vote does make a difference. It is our responsibility to exercise that decision each time with care.
These efforts by well meaning fellow Singaporeans will not only be futile, it is diversive to our nation. It is time for every Singpoarean to come together as a nation, to start the healing and work towards a society that we can be proud of; a society where there is compassion and where citizens can truly hold our government accountable for their actions.
It is time to once again see each other for who we are - Fellow Citizens of Singapore.
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