Speech
‘Vote for the People’s Reaction Party! PREP vs PAP!’ — An Idea for a Satirical Play
Currently I am following with great excitement the debate on human rights reported in the media, especially on the increasing world interest in the special Singapore model of governance, which critics say is unacceptably authoritarian, and which admirers say is a model worthy of world emulation. Minister Mentor has drawn attention to what he perceives as liberal democracy’s annoyance with Singapore’s success, and with the fact that Russia and China are showing keen interest in the model.
In the light of all this interest, I thought it a good idea to reproduce an excerpt (declined for publication by the newspapers) from a recent political speech I made, in which I told a little, wickedly satirical tale, set sometime in the future, about precisely this model being adopted by the world
Let me share with you an idea that I have for a satirical play, on my favourite theme of the suppression of political liberties in Singapore.
Central to this proposed play is a question that goes straight to the heart of the famous absolutist philosophy of the PAP government, by which the only conceivable, not-to-be-questioned goal for Singapore is material prosperity, and the only conceivable, not-to-be-doubted means to secure this goal is PAP leadership. Everything else is an irrelevance or a hindrance, especially the political ideology of liberal democracy. As it stands, the unremitting realpolitik of the PAP has meant the curtailment of virtually all democratic freedoms in Singapore, except the basic, fundamental one of free and open elections.
My question is: will the PAP be prepared to do away with even this last vestige of democracy, if they perceive that the very survival of the nation is at stake? Will the PAP, in extremis, be prepared to sever all ties with the free world of which Singapore has been a member all its life?
For purposes of the play, the answer is yes. Picture this scenario, sometime in the future. It is election time. A young, attractive, very charismatic opposition leader has appeared on the scene. Nobody has seen the likes of him before. He draws huge crowds, mesmerising them. He cleverly commandeers all the resources of the Internet, and the SMS, to promote his aims, and is succeeding spectacularly. Singaporeans are excited because for the first time, they see his party, boldly named ‘People’s Reaction Party’ or PREP, as a viable alternative to PAP.
The government watches him warily. They see him as a real threat. He is exactly the kind of politician they despise, the emotion-stirring demagogue, the smooth- talking populist who if he gets into power will most certainly squander the nation’s reserves within a year. To make matters worse, there is a configuration of events, both at home and abroad, that are likely to favour this upstart—a fever of change sweeping the world, toppling governments that have been in power for decades, the emergence of the young as a formidable political force, feared for their colonization of the Internet and the extremism of their views, at home the eruption of a major scandal that causes Singaporeans to question the much-vaunted competence of the government.
The PAP leaders huddle in urgent consultation. What should they do? If they do nothing, this rabble-rouser will steal the election, and destroy all that the PAP has been building up so painstakingly for half a century.
The leaders make a decision to prevent a freak election. They do the unthinkable. They send in the army. There’s a scene in the play that shows tanks in the background, helicopters whirring overhead, the riot police plunging into the crowds, scattering them, pulling all the troublemakers off the streets, throwing them into jail. Soon order is restored.
As expected there is an uproar of protest from the free world. But the PAP has done its calculations well, and made the correct predictions. True enough, the protest soon dies down. For the world has a short memory for such things, and is only too happy to go back to minding its own business. Even better, there is a definite softening of stance as critics both at home and abroad, begin to take into account the following considerations. Firstly, nobody was killed that day. Secondly, many so-called liberal democracies have done far worse things to their political opponents. Thirdly, Singaporeans continue to enjoy the good life. Lastly, and most important of all, Singapore continues to be a responsible, reliable, partner in international business and other activities.
But the strongest endorsement comes from a powerful bloc of nations that is increasingly seen as a rival to the Western bloc led by the US. It is the organisation called BRIC comprising the four nations of Brazil, Russia, India and China. The BRIC members go out of their way to applaud the PAP for what they describe as the real kind of leadership so sorely needed in a troubled world. Moreover, they invite Singapore to be a member, for they realize that the unique PAP model of governance can be developed into a BRIC model which can be offered to the world as an alternative to the western liberal model. From now onwards, authoritarianism will no longer be a bad word; all the negativity will go to democracy instead.
In the play, there is a scene showing all the five leaders of the bloc, now renamed BRICS, standing in a row for a photo-op, against the background of their national flags. All are dressed in pristine white, for BRICS has adopted the PAP official uniform, as a gesture of appreciation and gratitude. The little red dot has become a shining beacon of hope in the world. It is the moment of the PAP’s apotheosis.
A drama needs conflict for creative tension. The counterpoise to the triumphant PAP is a single individual. He is not a dissident, but an ex-PAP member, in fact a high-ranking minister. He was the only to protest against the decision to use force, to send in the army that day. Whether his decision was based on moral conscience or pure idiosyncrasy, is not clear. He is expelled from the party. Disgraced, embittered, broken, he suffers a massive mental breakdown and becomes a raving, ranting madman.
Wild-eyed and dishevelled, he wanders the streets and public places of Singapore, speaking to whoever cares to listen, resisting his family’s efforts to restrain him, to keep him from the public eye. Again and again, he recounts the events of that terrible day of democracy’s demise in Singapore, but it is a madman’s incoherent jabbering that nobody wants to listen to. In any case, nobody wants to be seen near him, for there are rumours of secret surveillance cameras everywhere. There are also rumours of kind, compassionate Singaporeans visiting him secretly in the darkness of night, offering food, medicine, solace.
He has become a national embarrassment. The PAP leaders don’t know what to do with him. Someone suggests incarcerating him on a small isolated, outlying island, out of the reach of the world media. Then, to everyone’s relief, he dies a natural death. His body is found very early one morning, crumpled in a heap, beside a bus stop. His family quickly take it away.
The play ends with an amazing scene—crowd upon crowd of Singaporeans coming to lay flowers on the spot where he had died. Dark-suited businessmen in their Mercedes, somber-faced academics, tai tais in their jewels and chauffeured cars, students, teachers, hawkers, waitresses, taxi-drivers, Singaporeans from all walks of life, come to pay silent tribute, for the time being ignoring those dreaded surveillance cameras.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:34 am
Ms Catherine Lim,
I have been an avid reader of your novels,time and again,you have not disappointed the masses with your political commentary on how the ruling coalition is exploiting the public as years go by,i have to admit though,the excerpt i read is probably one of the finest pieces of facts I’ve ever come across,where do you get all these ideas?
No matter what happens,I’m certain you strongly stand by your principles,you have my support on this issue,then again,i’m also a humble citizen who wishes to see Singapore exercise proper constitutional rights for her sons & daughters!Cheers & God bless!
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:54 am
Wow. Real to the fact what the government and LKY will do as show in 1965 capturing and destroying opposition party. The government here has never mellowed and changed in term of politics as the press want you to believe otherwise. LKY is still very much in control and using the government as a puppet while abusing the power and authority, nation’s wealth.
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Loved your writings since I was a young kid.
Very nice play coupled with a strong political story line to get people thinking about the ‘what-ifs’ scenarios. Not sure if you will get play to kick-off even, knowing the control the MCA (or whichever body) wants.
Cheers, Kaffein
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:58 pm
My husband and I often discuss what-if scenarios with our political situation in Singapore. We never doubted a possible military exercise to eliminate opposition/instil fear if required. In fact we thought that if this would happen, it would wake Singaporeans up and force many who are standing on the fence to make a stand and unite against what we perceive as suppression. Another thought – Considering one-third of our work force are foreigners, with a decent percentage of foreign talent, we feel that many of the foreign workers will pack up and leave – my husband included, on moral ground that he cannot stay in a country and feed the economy of a country where the basic rights of democracy (or even if its a mild form of democracy) cannot be exercised. Also, maybe for the countries of foreign workers who slog to build the infrastructure of our nation, or the ones who are up at 4 am to prepare Singapore for the day ahead, might restrict their citizens’ permit to a country that uses military rule to reinforce their power. All in all, your play reflects the thoughts we have entertained…. I think Wild Rice should bring this to the stage!
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:27 pm
I can only say, it’s thinking out of the box at its best!
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Dear Cathrine Lim – this is the best short story I have been reading in a long long time, you managed to wrap up THE question of Singapores future in such an entertining plot that it took my breath away.
Once again you exactly marking what is within-the-bonds, very impressive and accurate indeed! As such, I simply cannot comprehened that our newspapers refuse to print your story.
Of course you piece is ment to make us think of the what-if scenario, and of yes I do take issue with the assumption “Thirdly, Singaporeans continue to enjoy the good life”.
No, they wouldnt! We are not living in a vacuum, we are very much globalized and highly dependent – on “the East” as well as on “the West”.
If Singapore would do such a thing, a large proportion of the 1/3 “FTs” will leave within days (assuming there are enough flights leaving Changi airport, I havent calculated this…). Besides the immediate breakdown of civic live, Universities then couldnt operate in the absence of varsity from more liberal countries, and most international companies would close shop immediately.
This is what would live would be:
No more Channel bags, Carrefour is closed, Starbucks coffe cannot, Nokia handphones – a thing of the past, no more Mercedes, BMW, or Volvo, IKEA furniture: out-of-bonds etc (although, according to your plot we might still be avle to enjoy caviar, chinese tea, dal and chicken meat from our BRICS allies).
Singapore would be a total economical disaster zone, we are back to Kampung live, and Singaporeans may indeed struggle for survival or even might become maids in foreign countries. This must not, cannot happen!
I wish and indeed like to urge you to produce this satirical play. I am sure that one day in the distant future, we will enjoy watching your masterpiece on channel 5 and reflect light-heartedly on the past. Then, according to our pledge, a democratic society will have been built – and prosperity, progress AND happiness will have been achieved.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:27 am
A film for next year’s Cannes film festival ?
July 25th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
The scenario is not far-fetched. The old man had already signaled that the military might be involved if there is a freak election result.
July 28th, 2008 at 7:11 am
As long as you are not part of the political system you will always be taken lightly. They are so few and we so many yet because of intelligent mind sets like yours they will always have the upper hand. We the downtrodden true blue will only live to die another day. Holding the high morale ground is no use against the battle harden Gods of Mount Olympus.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
I wouldnt be surprised if they silently did away with that young, powerful man. Unless they were desperate, they wouldnt use such military force. It’d be an EXTREME measure. But, yes… someone like that would scare the dominant party. I will wait for that day to come… all of us will see their true colours.
July 31st, 2008 at 10:33 pm
The litmus test whether a government is democratic or not is when they are willing to give up power gracefully & peacefully; allow another party to take power and are happy to live under the same laws and policies they have enacted.
I would like to paint another scenario in which the PAP lost an election and power.
The following things can happen:
The PAP is no longer in control of the ISD. Their supporters may be arrested by the new government under the fearful ISA if they goes against the new government. Some of their members may have their citizenship withdrawn.
Some of their members may be charged for sedition if they speak against the government.
They cannot demonstrate against the new government for it is illegal for an assembly of 5 or more without a police permit.
The cannot speak against the new government in public as speaking in public without a police permit is illegal.
Some of their members may be deprived of tertiary education as Suitability Certificate may not be issued to them. {Section 42 – Control of admission to institutions of higher education – of the Internal Security Act is still in the statue book but it seems it is now not enforced}
The PAP no longer control the media. What they say may not be published in the press. The press will now sing praises of the new government. Radio and TV will not longer show them making speeches and lecturing the public of the evil of the new government.
They cannot carry upgrading their constituencies. Only the new government constituencies will be upgraded.
The Community Centres are not longer under their control and they cannot disseminate their policies and news through the community centres.
The above will strike fear in the PAP and that is why they are very reluctant to allow opposition ever to take power.
btlim
August 3rd, 2008 at 12:18 pm
The play invokes a sense of having a bright future but has a sad background twist to it. But if this play really get casted, I would certainly attend it!
January 4th, 2009 at 8:30 am
How can there ever be a freak results? All election agents etc are from civil service and civil service teams are very loyal to PAP.
Military intervention is possible when the ruling party is obessed with power. High ranking officers in military are close aides/friends of the ruling party.
Actually, I do not feel we are anyway different from Vietnam or China. The PAP is leaving no chance to freak results. The truth is a political dynasty will not last forever, all seen in history.
January 18th, 2010 at 7:54 am
Like always, your post is insightful plus skillfully written – thanks. Keep up the high-quality work I love your site!