A vast disparity in the status of MPs

Photo courtesy of wh1le

A course mate of mine related to me her shock at the way a TV journalist in the UK queried a high-level member of the Parliament. The question asked by the journalist went like:”What the hell were you thinking of?”

The Member of the Parliament adopted his usual decorum and addressed the question in a respectful and dignified manner. However, when we relate this situation back to Singapore, the circumstances take a 180 degrees turn. For starters, no journalist from either the mainstream or I dare venture the alternative media would be brazen enough to use such a tone on our Members of the Parliament, especially those from the ruling party.

The culture is different in the UK whereby the Members of the Parliament (MPs) are viewed as the servants of the people. Hence, the use of such demanding tones in the event of unhappiness over the action, policies and performances of the MPs. The media there also has a large degree of freedom, unlike here in Singapore where there is a risk of being sued for libel like Hugo Restall of the Far Eastern Economic Review and enacted laws to curb the propagation of political videos such as the newly revised Film’s Act, which some thought was more restrictive. And if the journalist draws the ire of our establishment, the repercussions can be severe. Ask British freelance journalist Benjamin Bland, who happened to maintains a blog known as the Asia File which features occasional critical commentaries on Singapore. Our Ministry of Manpower refused to renew his visa, fuelling speculations that the latter is among the long list of foreign journalists targeted by our authorities.

The main difference between politicians in the UK and the ones here in Singapore is that our MPs especially from the ruling party are perceived to enjoy the elevated status of sacred cows. The existence of the GRC contest, as admitted by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong was considered a surer ticket to entry into our Parliament, especially for the new PAP candidates. “Without some assurance of a good chance of winning at least their first election, many able and successful young Singaporeans may not risk their careers to join politics,” Mr Goh said. Put another way, the GRC is in a sense a ladder into the circle of power, where sacred cows are really made. Mr George Yeo aptly described this situation in an issued advice:”Remember your place in society and make distinctions what is high, what is low, what is above and what is below.”

This advice wasn’t lost on everyone. Disgruntled cynics came up with their version of a Singaporean hierarchy, which contained three classes, and imprints of such can be found online. The first class, or what we call the elites comprise the sacred cows. The second class are the foreigners courted and coveted by our government, whom the latter claimed can help create jobs in Singapore. This second class was conceptualized as a result of unhappiness over the open door policy adopted by our government. The last class or third class are Singaporeans, the non-elites ones who were supposingly fighting for their bread and livelihood in the face of competition from their foreign counterparts. Google for the terms “Singapore” + “Third” + “class” + “citizens”, and you will know what I mean.

Such is the disparity in status of the MPs here in Singapore and the UK that little wonder my Singaporean course mate experienced a culture shock. Relativistically speaking, MPs from the ruling party are somewhat perceived as sacred cows more than the servants of the people. The opposition MPs do not enjoy such a luxury. They are not sacred cows because they have all to lose with only 2 seats in the Parliament which places pressure on them to consolidate and win more support, and thus, they need to function like the true servants of the people and continually win more support. If only our entire political scene was like that…is that wishful thinking? I do not know…