Loose chains

The spectacular economic progress for which Singapore is famous is no longer enough.

Chee Soon Juan also wants a more open, inclusive and democratic political system in the city state. He is backed by human rights groups.

To be honest, I am no supporter of any political party in Singapore. Not even the PAP who's been in power since forever.

But credit given where credit is due. They've done well thus far. For a tiny island nation, our progress has been nothing short of astronomical ever since we broke free from Britain's colonisation.

Credit also to Britain for giving us a push before 1965.

But every bubble's got to burst at some point and I believe the PAP is shooting itself in the foot with their policy of straitjacketing the opposition. There's no room to bounce ideas. Every idea is a one-way street.

It's PAP's way or the highway!

People are frightened to get involved as candidates or even to help the opposition. There is a very real fear of what the PAP can do. The repercussions are real.

Jail terms, fines, job dismissals, suits and bankruptcy (which automatically bars them from running in elections), people from the opposition have experienced some, if not all of those before.

If "improving our standards" is what our foreign minister George Yeo wants for us, then surely this is not the way to go. Change, has to come from within. Only then we can take on the challenges outside.

Afterall, our bigger and self-sustaining neighbours aren't gonna play second and third fiddles forever. They would have us for breakfast if we keep staying at this spot. Because they can.