11-02-2022, 10:05 AM
Getting rid if opposition and critics is baked into an autocratic system to preserve the power of the incumbent.
If you look back in history it's a repeated and recurring theme.
In 1963 when the opposition was about to contest in elections and can win, there was operation coldstore.
In 1987 JBJ WP volunteers were arrested and detained in later elections Francis Seow.
All the way back we this case of Francis Khoo ...someone few have heard of. Here is his story.
https://youtu.be/-yY5cHDVR2I?t=60s
The system of power elites is design to preserve power more than anything else. Everything thing they have - money, status control stems from the power held in the system. In Singapore it is particularly entrenched as LKY implemented a system of scholar elites and their right to power comes from the system they serve ...and not from the ordinary people whom they believe are to be controlled with propaganda, carrots and sticks. Hence linking votes to upgrading, control over the media etc is deemed legitimate by these power elites.
In the end the ordinary Singaporeans cries and protestations are seen as a nuisance to their ambitions....which they reluctantly manage away. The entire machinery is there at their disposal.
If you look back in history it's a repeated and recurring theme.
In 1963 when the opposition was about to contest in elections and can win, there was operation coldstore.
In 1987 JBJ WP volunteers were arrested and detained in later elections Francis Seow.
All the way back we this case of Francis Khoo ...someone few have heard of. Here is his story.
https://youtu.be/-yY5cHDVR2I?t=60s
The system of power elites is design to preserve power more than anything else. Everything thing they have - money, status control stems from the power held in the system. In Singapore it is particularly entrenched as LKY implemented a system of scholar elites and their right to power comes from the system they serve ...and not from the ordinary people whom they believe are to be controlled with propaganda, carrots and sticks. Hence linking votes to upgrading, control over the media etc is deemed legitimate by these power elites.
In the end the ordinary Singaporeans cries and protestations are seen as a nuisance to their ambitions....which they reluctantly manage away. The entire machinery is there at their disposal.