NUss Distinguished & outstanding Member Awards

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Cover Story Post-General election Dialogue at nUSS promising young politicians were invited to share their views and experiences on the recent General election and also the motivations driving them to be part of our nation’s new political landscape. the mood was an electrifying one as candidates from the various political parties descended upon the Kent Ridge Guild House for the Post-General Election Dialogue held on 26 May. Headlined, ‘A Watershed Election’, the invited candidates were attending the dialogue session on their personal capacity where they shared their thoughts and took questions from NUSS members about the recently concluded general election. Although mobbed by their fans, some of the invited speakers managed to take time out to speak to The Graduate about their campaign highlights “I didn’t really feel a specific high Mr Johnny Tan, Mr Benjamin Pwee, Mr Gerald Giam, Dr Vincent Wijeysingha, Mr Harminder Pal Singh, Ms Nicole Seah, Ms Ho Soak Harn, Dr Lam Peng Er and Mr Alex Yam. 8 THE GRADUATE Jul-Sep 2011 Active participation by NUSS members during the Q&A session. at a certain significant event per say. I think throughout it, it was really the little things that mattered. For example, when someone came up to me and said I have never voted for Mr Benjamin Pwee (second from left) with Mr Johnny Tan (extreme right) and invited guests at the dialogue session. the past 20 years and now you are giving me that chance or if someone came up to me and said “I want you to be my voice”, those were the most gratifying thing because that is why I
Political candidates shared their views and experiences frankly with invited NUSS members. Invited members soaking up the electrifying atmosphere at the dialogue session. am here in the first place,” says Ms Nicole Seah “I think it was being able to meet people and confirm to ourselves that the kind of issues we were raising were the people’s issue. So we were not wrong. We weren’t on the wrong track. It translates into a win for us. However, the fact that such a significant percentage of the population voted for the opposition as a whole meant that people are changing their mindset about how people are governed,” says Dr Vincent Wijeysingha. “It was probably the huge support shown by WP supporters at the rallies and on the ground. For those who joined us as volunteers, I was truly touched by all their support,” says Mr Gerald Giam. A watershed moment This year’s election was indeed a watershed moment as it saw many quality candidates from varying background coming forward to contest as political candidates in all wards. This has given many Singaporeans the opportunity to cast their votes for the first time. It was also significant as it saw the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) securing its lowest vote margin in history. Cover Story This then prompted Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to reshuffle his cabinet with the promise to listen intently to Singaporeans’ concerns. Behind closed doors feedback Held behind closed doors, the political candidates shared their views and experiences frankly with invited members. Opening the dialogue was Mr Gerald Giam. “The PAP responds best when it performs poorly. This is the first election in a long time when a lawsuit was not involved,” says Mr Giam. Agreeing with his comments is Ms Ho Soak Harn. “The PAP ran a clean election. However, it remains to be seen what the PAP would do to tackle unaffordable housing and the increasing cost of living. The formation of the ministerial committee to look into the pay of minister’s salary is a good sign as it shows they are listening to the public,” says Ms Ho. Ms Nicole Seah said she noticed people were more accepting of opposition parties. “In the past, when I was doing my walkabout, people would slam their door in my face. However, this time, people are opening up to us,” says Ms Seah. Dr Vincent Wijeysingha also agreed on the changing political landscape. “The political climate today is very different. A party like the PAP does not concede to failure easily. They were reeling from the result of the election,” says Dr Wijeysingha. Mr Benjamin Pwee said there is a strong desire for change from Singaporeans. “The desire (for change) is there. The challenge is to take it (the desire) to the next level. It has to go right down in the civil service to the policy level,” says Mr Pwee. Mr Harminder Pal Singh said local issues dominated the general election. “Singaporean’s first policy was a hot topic. We have to learn to work together regardless of which parties we are from,” says Mr Singh. Agreeing, Mr Alex Yam said he aims to connect with Singaporeans. “My focus in the days ahead will be our roots and links. We shall never forget who have contributed regardless of their party colour,” says Mr Yam. Jul-Sep 2011 THE GRADUATE 9
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NUss Distinguished & outstanding Member Awards

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