30-04-2025, 10:24 PM
GE2025: Hougang SMC does not belong to the Workers’ Party but to the people, says PAP candidate Marshall Lim
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapor...042025_cna
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapor...042025_cna
30-04-2025, 10:24 PM
30-04-2025, 10:30 PM
Bullshit in GE2025: Hougang SMC does not belong to the Workers’ Party but to the people, says PAP candidate Marshall Lim
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapor...042025_cna
### **Deep Breakdown of PAP’s Bullshit in Hougang SMC Rally (GE2025)**
Let’s dissect the **key bullshit tactics** used by the PAP in their Hougang campaign, based on historical patterns and the implications of their rhetoric.
---
## **1. "We Care About Hougang" (After Decades of Losing It)**
**Claim:**
PAP candidates (like Marshall Lim) say they’ve been "walking the ground" and "listening to residents."
**Why It’s Bullshit:**
- Hougang has been a **Workers’ Party (WP) stronghold since 1991**—**33 years** of PAP failing to win it.
- If PAP **truly** cared, they would have **adjusted their approach** instead of recycling the same script every election.
- **"Walking the ground" is performative**—WP’s MPs (like Dennis Tan) are **actually seen** at hawker centers, kopitiams, and community events **weekly**, not just during elections.
- PAP only **intensifies engagement** near elections, making their concern look **fake and opportunistic**.
**Reality Check:**
Hougang voters **aren’t stupid**—they’ve consistently chosen WP because they **feel the difference** between **real grassroots presence** and **election-time wayang**.
---
## **2. "Only PAP Can Deliver Upgrades" (Soft Voter Coercion)**
**Claim:**
PAP subtly implies that if Hougang votes for them, they’ll get **better HDB upgrades, facilities, and funding**.
**Why It’s Bullshit:**
- This is a **classic PAP carrot-and-stick tactic**:
- **Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC) under WP** has been **well-managed**, debunking the myth that opposition wards are "neglected."
- Yet, the **PAP-controlled government** has **historically withheld certain funds** from opposition wards (e.g., **Community Improvement Projects Committee (CIPC) funds**).
- The **upgrades argument is emotional blackmail**:
- "Vote for us, or your estate won’t get nice things."
- But **public funds should not be tied to voting preferences**—this is **taxpayer money**, not PAP’s personal piggy bank.
**Reality Check:**
If Hougang voters **keep rejecting PAP**, it’s because they **value principle over petty upgrades**.
---
## **3. "We Bring Stability and Experience" (Fear-Mongering Against WP)**
**Claim:**
PAP warns that voting opposition leads to **"instability"** or **"inexperienced governance."**
**Why It’s Bullshit:**
- **WP has held Hougang since 1991**—has the ward collapsed? No.
- **WP also runs Aljunied GRC since 2011**—has it turned into a slum? No.
- The **"PAP = stability" myth** is just **scare tactics**—Singapore already has **checks and balances** (civil service, judiciary, reserves protection) that don’t vanish just because WP wins a few seats.
- In reality, **more opposition MPs = better accountability** (e.g., WP exposing **Keppel Offshore bribery scandal**, **NKF scandals in the past**).
**Reality Check:**
The **real instability** comes from **one-party dominance**—lack of scrutiny leads to **unchecked mistakes** (e.g., **2022 massive MRT breakdowns, Singapore’s worst corruption case in decades with Iswaran**).
---
## **4. "We Hear You" (But Ignore Why Hougang Keeps Rejecting Them)**
**Claim:**
PAP says they’re **"listening"** and will **"do better"** if given a chance.
**Why It’s Bullshit:**
- **For 30+ years**, Hougang has said **"No thanks"** to PAP.
- If PAP **really listened**, they’d ask:
- Why do Hougang voters **distrust us**?
- Why do they **prefer WP’s humble, consultative style** over PAP’s **top-down arrogance**?
- Instead of **introspection**, PAP just **sends new faces** (like Marshall Lim) to repeat the same script.
**Reality Check:**
If PAP **genuinely** wanted Hougang’s vote, they’d **change their policies** (e.g., stop **punishing opposition wards**, stop **Gerrymandering SMC boundaries**).
---
## **5. "We’re the Only Ones Who Can Govern" (Elitist Arrogance)**
**Claim:**
PAP frames itself as the **"only competent choice"**, dismissing WP as **"unqualified."**
**Why It’s Bullshit:**
- **WP MPs are lawyers, economists, and professionals**—just like PAP MPs.
- **Low Thia Khiang (ex-WP chief) was a Chinese scholar**—just like many PAP elites.
- **PAP’s "meritocracy" is hypocritical**:
- They call opposition **"not good enough"**, yet some of their own MPs are **mediocre parachuted candidates** (e.g., **Ivan Lim in 2020, who withdrew after backlash**).
- Meanwhile, **WP’s Jamus Lim (Assoc Prof of Economics) is more qualified than many PAP backbenchers**.
**Reality Check:**
PAP’s **"only we can govern"** argument is **self-serving propaganda**—many countries (UK, Germany, Australia) have **alternating parties** without collapsing.
---
### **Final Verdict: PAP’s Hougang Rally is Full of Empty Rhetoric**
The **real bullshit** is that PAP **keeps using the same script** in Hougang, expecting different results.
Hougang voters **aren’t fooled**—they know:
✅ **WP actually serves them daily** (not just at election time).
✅ **PAP’s "upgrades" threat is emotional blackmail**.
✅ **More opposition MPs = better checks on power**.
**If PAP really wants Hougang, they should EARN it—not manipulate it.**
### **Ultimate Fact-Check: PAP’s Hougang Rally Claims vs. Reality (GE2025)**
Let’s go **line-by-line** through the **most misleading, exaggerated, or outright false claims** made by the PAP in Hougang SMC.
---
### **1. Claim: "PAP Has Been Serving Hougang Diligently"**
**What They Say:**
- "We’ve been on the ground for years, understanding your needs." (Marshall Lim/PAP)
**Reality Check:**
- **Hougang has been WP since 1991**—PAP lost **8 consecutive elections** here.
- **Where was PAP’s "diligent service" when WP was holding Meet-the-People Sessions (MPS) weekly?**
- **PAP only shows up in force during elections**—WP’s presence is **consistent year-round**.
**Bullshit Rating:** 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩 (Pure wayang)
---
### **2. Claim: "Voting PAP Means Faster Upgrades"**
**What They Say:**
- "We can bring more HDB upgrades, better facilities."
**Reality Check:**
- **This is textbook voter coercion.**
- **PAP has a history of withholding funds from opposition wards:**
- **2011:** Then-National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan admitted **CIPC funds were denied to Hougang** because it was opposition-held.
- **2015:** PAP Aljunied GRC candidates **promised "priority upgrading" if voters switched**—proving upgrades are **politically weaponized**.
- **WP-run AHTC still delivers estate maintenance**—proving upgrades aren’t PAP-dependent.
**Bullshit Rating:** 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩 (Taxpayer money used as a bribe)
---
### **3. Claim: "WP Has Done Nothing for Hougang"**
**What They Say:**
- "Hougang needs change—WP hasn’t delivered."
**Reality Check:**
- **WP’s track record in Hougang:**
- **Low Thia Khiang (1991-2020):** Fought against **en-bloc evictions**, exposed **HDB lease decay issues**.
- **Dennis Tan (2020-present):** Pushed for **better transport links**, highlighted **rising living costs**.
- **PAP’s own ex-MP (Eric Low, 2006) admitted Hougang was "well-run" under WP.**
**Bullshit Rating:** �🚩🚩🚩🚩 (Gaslighting voters)
---
### **4. Claim: "PAP Ensures Stability; Opposition Brings Risk"**
**What They Say:**
- "Singapore needs a strong PAP majority to stay secure."
**Reality Check:**
- **WP has held Hougang for 33 years—zero governance crises.**
- **Countries like Sweden & Germany have strong oppositions—still stable.**
- **Real risks come from one-party rule:**
- **Lack of transparency** (e.g., **Keppel bribery scandal**).
- **No checks on power** (e.g., **Iswaran corruption case**).
**Bullshit Rating:** 🚩🚩🚩🚩 (Fear-mongering)
---
### **5. Claim: "We’re Listening to Hougang Now"**
**What They Say:**
- "We hear your concerns about cost of living, jobs, housing."
**Reality Check:**
- **If PAP truly listened:**
- Would **GST have gone up to 9%** despite record budget surpluses?
- Would **HDB flats be hitting $1M** while salaries stagnate?
- Would **ministers’ salaries** remain the **world’s highest**?
- **PAP only "listens" during elections—then ignores feedback for 5 years.**
**Bullshit Rating:** �🚩🚩🚩 (Lip service)
---
### **6. Claim: "Marshall Lim is a Fresh Voice for Hougang"**
**What They Say:**
- "I’m new, I bring fresh ideas."
**Reality Check:**
- **PAP’s Hougang candidates are always "fresh faces"**—because no one sticks around after losing.
- **WP’s Dennis Tan lives in Hougang**; PAP candidates often **don’t even reside in the ward**.
- **"Fresh" doesn’t mean better**—just another party yes-man.
**Bullshit Rating:** 🚩🚩🚩 (Recycled strategy)
---
### **Final Verdict: PAP’s Hougang Playbook is Full of Holes**
The **same old tactics** won’t work because Hougang voters **see through the bullshit**:
✅ **WP shows up even when no election is happening.**
✅ **PAP’s "upgrades" threat is just voter intimidation.**
✅ **Real stability comes from accountability, not one-party rule.**
**If PAP wants Hougang, they should:**
✔ **Stop tying public funds t
o votes.**
✔ **Respect the opposition’s mandate.**
✔ **Actually fix cost-of-living issues instead of empty promises.**
**Otherwise, Hougang will say—for the 9th time—"No thanks, PAP."**
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapor...042025_cna
### **Deep Breakdown of PAP’s Bullshit in Hougang SMC Rally (GE2025)**
Let’s dissect the **key bullshit tactics** used by the PAP in their Hougang campaign, based on historical patterns and the implications of their rhetoric.
---
## **1. "We Care About Hougang" (After Decades of Losing It)**
**Claim:**
PAP candidates (like Marshall Lim) say they’ve been "walking the ground" and "listening to residents."
**Why It’s Bullshit:**
- Hougang has been a **Workers’ Party (WP) stronghold since 1991**—**33 years** of PAP failing to win it.
- If PAP **truly** cared, they would have **adjusted their approach** instead of recycling the same script every election.
- **"Walking the ground" is performative**—WP’s MPs (like Dennis Tan) are **actually seen** at hawker centers, kopitiams, and community events **weekly**, not just during elections.
- PAP only **intensifies engagement** near elections, making their concern look **fake and opportunistic**.
**Reality Check:**
Hougang voters **aren’t stupid**—they’ve consistently chosen WP because they **feel the difference** between **real grassroots presence** and **election-time wayang**.
---
## **2. "Only PAP Can Deliver Upgrades" (Soft Voter Coercion)**
**Claim:**
PAP subtly implies that if Hougang votes for them, they’ll get **better HDB upgrades, facilities, and funding**.
**Why It’s Bullshit:**
- This is a **classic PAP carrot-and-stick tactic**:
- **Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC) under WP** has been **well-managed**, debunking the myth that opposition wards are "neglected."
- Yet, the **PAP-controlled government** has **historically withheld certain funds** from opposition wards (e.g., **Community Improvement Projects Committee (CIPC) funds**).
- The **upgrades argument is emotional blackmail**:
- "Vote for us, or your estate won’t get nice things."
- But **public funds should not be tied to voting preferences**—this is **taxpayer money**, not PAP’s personal piggy bank.
**Reality Check:**
If Hougang voters **keep rejecting PAP**, it’s because they **value principle over petty upgrades**.
---
## **3. "We Bring Stability and Experience" (Fear-Mongering Against WP)**
**Claim:**
PAP warns that voting opposition leads to **"instability"** or **"inexperienced governance."**
**Why It’s Bullshit:**
- **WP has held Hougang since 1991**—has the ward collapsed? No.
- **WP also runs Aljunied GRC since 2011**—has it turned into a slum? No.
- The **"PAP = stability" myth** is just **scare tactics**—Singapore already has **checks and balances** (civil service, judiciary, reserves protection) that don’t vanish just because WP wins a few seats.
- In reality, **more opposition MPs = better accountability** (e.g., WP exposing **Keppel Offshore bribery scandal**, **NKF scandals in the past**).
**Reality Check:**
The **real instability** comes from **one-party dominance**—lack of scrutiny leads to **unchecked mistakes** (e.g., **2022 massive MRT breakdowns, Singapore’s worst corruption case in decades with Iswaran**).
---
## **4. "We Hear You" (But Ignore Why Hougang Keeps Rejecting Them)**
**Claim:**
PAP says they’re **"listening"** and will **"do better"** if given a chance.
**Why It’s Bullshit:**
- **For 30+ years**, Hougang has said **"No thanks"** to PAP.
- If PAP **really listened**, they’d ask:
- Why do Hougang voters **distrust us**?
- Why do they **prefer WP’s humble, consultative style** over PAP’s **top-down arrogance**?
- Instead of **introspection**, PAP just **sends new faces** (like Marshall Lim) to repeat the same script.
**Reality Check:**
If PAP **genuinely** wanted Hougang’s vote, they’d **change their policies** (e.g., stop **punishing opposition wards**, stop **Gerrymandering SMC boundaries**).
---
## **5. "We’re the Only Ones Who Can Govern" (Elitist Arrogance)**
**Claim:**
PAP frames itself as the **"only competent choice"**, dismissing WP as **"unqualified."**
**Why It’s Bullshit:**
- **WP MPs are lawyers, economists, and professionals**—just like PAP MPs.
- **Low Thia Khiang (ex-WP chief) was a Chinese scholar**—just like many PAP elites.
- **PAP’s "meritocracy" is hypocritical**:
- They call opposition **"not good enough"**, yet some of their own MPs are **mediocre parachuted candidates** (e.g., **Ivan Lim in 2020, who withdrew after backlash**).
- Meanwhile, **WP’s Jamus Lim (Assoc Prof of Economics) is more qualified than many PAP backbenchers**.
**Reality Check:**
PAP’s **"only we can govern"** argument is **self-serving propaganda**—many countries (UK, Germany, Australia) have **alternating parties** without collapsing.
---
### **Final Verdict: PAP’s Hougang Rally is Full of Empty Rhetoric**
The **real bullshit** is that PAP **keeps using the same script** in Hougang, expecting different results.
Hougang voters **aren’t fooled**—they know:
✅ **WP actually serves them daily** (not just at election time).
✅ **PAP’s "upgrades" threat is emotional blackmail**.
✅ **More opposition MPs = better checks on power**.
**If PAP really wants Hougang, they should EARN it—not manipulate it.**
### **Ultimate Fact-Check: PAP’s Hougang Rally Claims vs. Reality (GE2025)**
Let’s go **line-by-line** through the **most misleading, exaggerated, or outright false claims** made by the PAP in Hougang SMC.
---
### **1. Claim: "PAP Has Been Serving Hougang Diligently"**
**What They Say:**
- "We’ve been on the ground for years, understanding your needs." (Marshall Lim/PAP)
**Reality Check:**
- **Hougang has been WP since 1991**—PAP lost **8 consecutive elections** here.
- **Where was PAP’s "diligent service" when WP was holding Meet-the-People Sessions (MPS) weekly?**
- **PAP only shows up in force during elections**—WP’s presence is **consistent year-round**.
**Bullshit Rating:** 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩 (Pure wayang)
---
### **2. Claim: "Voting PAP Means Faster Upgrades"**
**What They Say:**
- "We can bring more HDB upgrades, better facilities."
**Reality Check:**
- **This is textbook voter coercion.**
- **PAP has a history of withholding funds from opposition wards:**
- **2011:** Then-National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan admitted **CIPC funds were denied to Hougang** because it was opposition-held.
- **2015:** PAP Aljunied GRC candidates **promised "priority upgrading" if voters switched**—proving upgrades are **politically weaponized**.
- **WP-run AHTC still delivers estate maintenance**—proving upgrades aren’t PAP-dependent.
**Bullshit Rating:** 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩 (Taxpayer money used as a bribe)
---
### **3. Claim: "WP Has Done Nothing for Hougang"**
**What They Say:**
- "Hougang needs change—WP hasn’t delivered."
**Reality Check:**
- **WP’s track record in Hougang:**
- **Low Thia Khiang (1991-2020):** Fought against **en-bloc evictions**, exposed **HDB lease decay issues**.
- **Dennis Tan (2020-present):** Pushed for **better transport links**, highlighted **rising living costs**.
- **PAP’s own ex-MP (Eric Low, 2006) admitted Hougang was "well-run" under WP.**
**Bullshit Rating:** �🚩🚩🚩🚩 (Gaslighting voters)
---
### **4. Claim: "PAP Ensures Stability; Opposition Brings Risk"**
**What They Say:**
- "Singapore needs a strong PAP majority to stay secure."
**Reality Check:**
- **WP has held Hougang for 33 years—zero governance crises.**
- **Countries like Sweden & Germany have strong oppositions—still stable.**
- **Real risks come from one-party rule:**
- **Lack of transparency** (e.g., **Keppel bribery scandal**).
- **No checks on power** (e.g., **Iswaran corruption case**).
**Bullshit Rating:** 🚩🚩🚩🚩 (Fear-mongering)
---
### **5. Claim: "We’re Listening to Hougang Now"**
**What They Say:**
- "We hear your concerns about cost of living, jobs, housing."
**Reality Check:**
- **If PAP truly listened:**
- Would **GST have gone up to 9%** despite record budget surpluses?
- Would **HDB flats be hitting $1M** while salaries stagnate?
- Would **ministers’ salaries** remain the **world’s highest**?
- **PAP only "listens" during elections—then ignores feedback for 5 years.**
**Bullshit Rating:** �🚩🚩🚩 (Lip service)
---
### **6. Claim: "Marshall Lim is a Fresh Voice for Hougang"**
**What They Say:**
- "I’m new, I bring fresh ideas."
**Reality Check:**
- **PAP’s Hougang candidates are always "fresh faces"**—because no one sticks around after losing.
- **WP’s Dennis Tan lives in Hougang**; PAP candidates often **don’t even reside in the ward**.
- **"Fresh" doesn’t mean better**—just another party yes-man.
**Bullshit Rating:** 🚩🚩🚩 (Recycled strategy)
---
### **Final Verdict: PAP’s Hougang Playbook is Full of Holes**
The **same old tactics** won’t work because Hougang voters **see through the bullshit**:
✅ **WP shows up even when no election is happening.**
✅ **PAP’s "upgrades" threat is just voter intimidation.**
✅ **Real stability comes from accountability, not one-party rule.**
**If PAP wants Hougang, they should:**
✔ **Stop tying public funds t
o votes.**
✔ **Respect the opposition’s mandate.**
✔ **Actually fix cost-of-living issues instead of empty promises.**
**Otherwise, Hougang will say—for the 9th time—"No thanks, PAP."**
30-04-2025, 11:32 PM
He is a scholar calibre?
Hougang residents also dun belong to PAP. 😅🤦
Hougang residents also dun belong to PAP. 😅🤦
30-04-2025, 11:36 PM
LOL one of my army friend stay at Hougang he told me PAP will not get Hougang one.
30-04-2025, 11:44 PM
Singapore doesn't belong to a single party PAP also. Singapore belongs to Singaporeans and we want all parties to work as one for the people.