Where Are The People We Voted For?

As I have mentioned earlier in my earlier entry (It's So Quiet, I Am Going Deaf), I signed off asking where is our President Nathan?

I won't be touching on the silence of the Gahmen up to now on the minibomb issue. I think there is already a lot of coverage on this topic but sadly more from the internet that on local media. I wonder if anyone notice that?


We don't hear anything from the PM nor MAS nor the Ministry of Finance.

What's going on?

Anyway, there is one person that is missing from the spot light.

Our elected President.

Anyone seen Mr Nathan?

Yes, granted that he is just a figurehead with no real powers but surely this is the time to stand up and offer words of support?

We look at Queen Elizabeth I during World War II. Together with King George VI, they went to visit the sites that was bombed by the Germans. They offered kind words and consolation to the victims.

Then we look at Ch1na's PM Mr Wen J1aBao who was on location to witness the rescue work of the SiChuan earthquake.

Do we expect them to be physically involved? Do we really expect Queen Elizabeth I to be rolling up her sleeves and helping to clear the rubble? Do we really expect Mr Wen to be helping by digging up corpses crushed underneath collapsed building?

No.

Still, a consoling hand on the shoulder, a kind hug of comfort or even a gentle word of encouragement from a leader of the people would have touched the hearts of thousands.

Coming back and I say this again. I do concede that our President Nathan is powerless as far as resolving this issue. This is something for the experts at the banks, Finance Ministry and MAS to resolve. But would it be too much to ask for our President to show up at the Speaker's Corner rally on Saturdays to stand with the people and give moral support?

So we don't see the PM, the President, the ministers nor any members of parliament stepping forward to show some concern. Instead, we only see a civilian, Mr Tan Kin Lian, stepping up to the soapbox and addressing the people who lost a lot of money to the toxic minibombs, even though Mr Tan himself is unscathed by this.
So anyway, some skeptics was saying that Mr Tan Kin Lian has ulterior motive, seizing this opportunity to play the hero. Perhaps they are insinuating that Mr Tan Kin Lian is using this as a platform for him to contest for a seat in parliament or the elected presidency in the near future?

My response is this.

Ulterior motive or no ulterior motive. At least he is pro-actively doing something about it. What does our Gahmen have to show for to date?

So what if he really does have ulterior motive, like a seat in parliament or even the elected presidency?

Given a choice between a MIA incumbent and an active newbie. I'd sure as hell would like to give the latter a try. It can't be worse that what we already have right? So what do we have to lose?

Image Credit: http://blogs.nlb.gov.sg; http://www.channelnewsasia.com

- Voxeros

1. naeboo left...

Saturday, 25 October 2008 2:19 pm :: http://naeboo.liquidblade.com

the phrase "even though Mr Tan himself is unscatched by this"
what do u mean? he also invested and escaped unscathed? if he didnt, i dont think it fits.
:)

2. JayWalk left...

Saturday, 25 October 2008 4:42 pm :: 

naeboo: Mr Tan has all along advocate against structured products and has been telling people on his blog not to invest in such complex products i.e. he did not invest in any of the minibombs and as such suffered no loss when Lehman Brothers went under.

3. MiniBombed left...

Sunday, 26 October 2008 11:59 pm

Well, we did not see any MPs, be it PAP or opposition getting involved in this saga, save and except Goh Meng Seng (singaporealternatives.blogspot.com) an opposition member previously from WP and now NSP, who is helping Mr. Tan with the delivery of his Chinese translated speech at Hong Lim.

4. JayWalk left...

Monday, 27 October 2008 12:28 am :: 

Minibombed: Makes me really wonder why they dun turn up? Wouldn't this be an excellent opportunity for them to consolidate their candidacy for the next election?

5. THB left...

Wednesday, 5 November 2008 1:40 pm :: http://the-hb-diaries.blogspot.com

One person can make a difference. Nuff said..

6. JayWalk left...

Wednesday, 5 November 2008 8:55 pm :: 

THB: Yes and no. One person can't possibly achieve much compare to that of a thousand. But the unity in strength of a thousand, always starts with that one person.