Let choose our own MPs.

Many of the new PAP candidates had walked into Parliament uncontested, and it struck me these new PAP candidates had a “free” ride to Parliament, by the virtue of being selected by PAP to run for election.

This is not the fault of the new PAP candidates nor the PAP, as many of the wards are uncontested due to the lack of opposition members.

However, we must ask whether this a healthy trend? If future elections have less credible opposition members running for elections, won’t our future MP be chosen by the PAP, rather than the people?

However, to have credible opposition members, we need to vote them to give them a chance to determine their credibility. Many will agree that Mr. Low and Mr. Chiam had proven to be credible opposition members, because they had the opportunity to serve.

The PAP candidates in each constituency desire legitimacy from the voters, as seen from their lamentations when their wards are not contested.

Therefore, if we do not vote in more opposition members to serve in Parliament, won’t that be detrimental to Singapore in the long run?

Overseas Voting Criteria: A contradiction?

I applaud the Government's decision to implement overseas voting for the coming General Election for the simple reason that I personally will be able to vote while studying in the United States.

However, waiving the requirement to have spent at least two out of the last preceding five years in Singapore specifically for overseas government scholars strikes me as contradictory.

Even though the Government has expressed that the overseas voting criteria is not set up to alienate the privately-funded overseas student, the overseas voting criteria gives me the impression that I am viewed as less deserving to vote while studying overseas, simply because I am not a government scholar.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Goh has been wooing overseas Singaporeans, especially the overseas students of the so-called "Generation M", to return home and contribute to the nation's progress.

This contradiction in Government policy genuinely perplexes me.

I am persuaded to come back to Singapore, but yet am viewed as less deserving to have a voice in the nation I will be returning to.

This begs the question: why should I be persuaded to return if I am perceived as less deserving to vote?