河东狮吼

同样一片土地，半个世纪内经历过四次大变化，应该算是历史奇迹；或许更恰当的形容词是沧海桑田，十年风雨几番新。

加冷河畔的土地原是一片沼泽，新加坡第一座民航机场(旧加冷机场, Old Kallang Airport) 的所在地，填土后点石成金，化腐朽为神奇。战后航空业急速发展，旧加冷机场供不应求，1955年Paya Lebar Airport取而代之，旧加冷机场结束短短18年的历史使命。

（Aerial view of Old Kallang Airport. c.1940s）

后来，旧加冷机场的停机坪部分改建为加冷劳动公园（Kallang Park）。劳动公园是殖民地时代的产物，寿命短促，1966年12月7日，文化与社会事务部长Othman Wok在这块土地上为国家体育场主持动土仪式，赋予劳动公园更值得期待的新生命。

http://navalants.blogspot.com/2010/11/1949.html
http://navalants.blogspot.com/2010/10/blog-post.html

（旧加冷机场改建的劳动公园。c. late 1950s）

国家体育场是“赌”回来的，没有赌博便没有国家体育场。 1968年新加坡博彩公司（Singapore Pools）成立，为兴建中的体育场筹集资金。新加坡大彩（Singapore Sweep）和多多（ TOTO）的收入支付了约一半的建筑费用（总费用约五千万元）。赌博的张力造就了一个座落在加冷河东岸，独立桥一方，给国人缔造许多梦想的国家体育场。

（Singapore Sweep成就了国家体育场。1973）

（兴建中的圣火台。c.1973）

（初落成的国家体育场，在加冷河东岸。c.1973）

1973年7月21日，当时的总理李光耀为国家体育场主持开幕，一个多月后第七届东南亚半岛运动会在国家体育场掀开序幕（SEAP Game，9月1日至9月8日），这是新加坡第一次主办的大型体育盛会。记得当年正年少，我们挤在邻居的房门外，第一次在黑白电视光屏上见识可容纳五万五千人的国家体育场的风姿，第一次认识到赛场上的圣火原来是运动员擎着火炬，拾着台阶，一级一级地跑上去点燃的。开幕日沸腾腾的人心憧憬着未来一个星期的美梦，就像当年新兴的新加坡，对未来的希望鞭策着我们以不怕失败的体育精神，一步步创造奇迹，每一个小成就都足以使心情亢奋老半天。

（当年的总理李光耀在国家体育场开幕礼上演说。1973）

（SEAP Game opening ceremony. 1973）

一个星期的赛事结束后，友谊万岁（Auld Lang Syne）的歌声响彻体育场，圣火慢慢熄灭，有曲终人散的情伤，更有两年后再会面冲刺的感动。

长大一些才明白两年后可以再冲刺，在体育竞技场上见真章，但故人不再，一代新人换旧人，旧人如何站在浪尖上？时空的局限是冲不破的定律。

新加坡第一次主办的东南亚赛事，成绩也是七届以来最佳的。新加坡的业余足球队杀入半决赛，与南越（当时的越南还没统一，南越与北越战争还持续着）以1:1打成平手，踢罚球时以3:5不敌，饮恨体育场。以总金牌而言，新加坡一路领先，直到最后一天下午才被泰国的拳击选手超越，以45金50银45铜排名第二。

（1973年半岛运动会，体育场外。1973）

亲眼见证雄伟的国家体育场是跟大马金杯足球赛（Malaysia Cup）结缘的时候。国家体育场有东门和西门两个入口，东门是普通席，西门是贵宾席。入门前先爬上36级高，76米宽的石阶，石柱建筑是典型标志。住家走到国家体育场约一小时，来回两小时，我们从东门进去，一路走到西门旁最高处，通过斜角度，居高望远。

大马金杯足球赛一票难求，星期天早晨七点出售下周门票，每人限买四张票，大清早六点抵达时已经排起多条长长的人龙，一票难求。别小看这条人龙，1977年球迷抢购吉隆坡Merdeka Stadium大决赛的门票，场面混乱，一名球迷被活活踩死，多人受伤。

（天还没亮已在排队购买门票，足球也疯狂。1977）

（北上吉隆坡Merdeka Stadium的车队，挤爆新柔长堤。1977）

1977年大马金杯足球赛，新加坡迎战槟城，正赛靠“癫马Crazy horse”Nasir Jalil 的进球，以2:2言和。加时再战时，名将柯金松头球定江山，新加坡以3:2击败槟城，经过12年卧薪尝胆，重夺金杯，是个激情的不眠夜。Nasir Jalil 后来移民到登嘉楼，成为一名宗教师，死于2011年6月，56岁。

（Quah Kim Song 柯金松 scored the first and final goals. 1977）

(Parade around the stadium)

（Top: Robert Sim and Quah Kim Song, Bottom: Chief Coach Choo Seng Quee. New Nation Newspaper, 29 May 1977）

(Receiving the 1977 Malaysia cup Heroes at Paya Lebar Airport. 1977)

场场爆满的大马金杯足球赛最振奋人心的地方是由心发出的加冷狮吼（Kallang roar），群众一致的狮吼声浪爆发出爱国的情操与身为新加坡人的自豪。在那个为国家、为荣誉而战的年代，身穿浅蓝色运动衣的业余足球员给大家带来许多个情绪起伏的日子，我们就这样一波一波，在狮吼、referee kayu 和 balik kampung 声中走过1970年代。

（The defining moment. Dollah Kassim on his way receiving the Malaysia Cup. 1977。 Dollah Kassim died in Oct 2010, 61 years old）

（Front page of The Sunday Times, 29 May 1977）

当时的新加坡足球队最梦幻的4-2-4阵容:

守门员：Eric Paine
后卫： Robert Sim, Samad Alapitchay , Terry Pathmanathan，Lim Teng Sai
中场：Seak Poh Leong, M Kumar
前锋：Quah Kim Song, Dollah Kassim, Mohammad Nor, Rajagopal

"Every time when we trooped out into the National Stadium, you can get this Kallang Roar....the fans cheering us, it was full house....That kind of feeling, I think I cannot describe..."---Quah Kim Song

(The Singapore dream team. c.mid 1970s)

第一个十年后， 1983年5月28日至6月6日，新加坡主办第十二届东南亚运动会（SEA Game已经增加新成员，不再称为东南亚半岛运动会），多了强势的竞争对手，穿金戴银的风光已不及当年，但也有38金38银58铜进账。最有希望夺得东运会最后一面金牌的新加坡足球队由后来到欧洲踢球的Fandi Ahmad 和 V. Sundramoorthy助阵，以1:2不敌泰国，与金牌擦肩而过。

第二个十年，第十七届东南亚运动会回到新加坡，1993年6月12日至6月20日是丰收的日子，50金40银74铜是最好的礼物。国家体育场则再一次让球迷伤心落泪。新加坡足球队与缅甸交战，领先2:0，后卫林东海竟然射入两粒乌龙球，让缅甸大演翻身战。球赛结束，新加坡以4:5再三饮恨，与东运金牌有缘无分。

记得当时球赛和周华健演唱会撞期，加冷体育场和隔邻的加冷室内体育馆热烘烘一片。周华健是老婆的偶像，老早就和她的老友订了票，我只落得坐在Kallang的麦当劳等老婆跟周华健约会后从室内体育场走过来。在麦当劳看电视转播，也看着周遭大起大落的表情。因为我已不再迷本地足球，倒没有什么希望与失望。

（National Stadium 1990）

(Lightning protection was added to the lighting towerin 2000s. It arose from a soccer player died when playing a soccer game during one of the S-League games. 2010)

2001年7月24日是个让新加坡足球运动认识到何谓谦卑的日子。曼彻斯特联队来新马泰旅游兼赚外快，在国家体育场和新加坡足球联赛精选队进行友谊赛。新加坡先进一球，以为新加坡足球大有看头，谁知道一球惊醒梦中人，苏醒后的曼联连进八球，新加坡以1:8落败，溃不成军。要命的不是输球，而是曼联竟然让光头门将Fabien Barthez 当前锋，游刃有余。新加坡的职业足球没技术没斗志，真是愧见江东父老！

除了国庆日庆典和青年节开幕礼外，国家体育场也曾经见证了巨星的万种风华。1993年劳动节，Michael Jackson在体育场演唱，吸引九万歌迷，门票收入九百万。1999年9月25日，台湾新扎歌后张惠妹成为第一位在国家体育场开唱的亚洲歌手。随着encore最后一曲《温柔》，夜空燃放起烟花，是新加坡演唱会史上最经典的画面。

（张惠妹演唱会，《温柔》但很野性激情的夜晚。1999）

2010年9月29日，在加冷屹立37年的国家体育场开始拆除，2011年2月，兴建时所使用的30万包石灰，三百万块石砖和4500吨钢铁化为废料，加冷的地标被夷为平地，正式让贤给2014年开幕的体育城（Sport Hub）。至于1970年2月23日由吴庆瑞埋藏的时间囊，早已被人遗忘，当某某人想起曾经有过时间囊这回事时，时间囊已经找不回来。也许在拆除体育场的过程中，时间囊及所记载的一代人的记忆已经化灰了。

（拆除中的国家体育场。Sep 2010）

（拆除中的国家体育场。Jan 2011）

（国家体育场奠基石，吴庆瑞埋藏的时间囊。在拆除体育场的过程中，时间囊及所记载的一代人的记忆可能已经化灰了。1970）

永平鱼圆

现在少了军营用餐的机会，午餐时间多跟同事寻找价廉物美的小贩中心美食。小贩中心吃鱼圆面，似乎全新加坡大同，少了各自的特色。我们‘家婆’一下，尝试分析为什么传统美食不再拥有传统美食的味感，结论有三。

第一，现在什么都搞外包来减轻成本，小贩都向那几家生产商取货，鱼圆和面条的食味已经近乎统一。第二，我相信爱心餐，爱心是可以融入食物中的，爱心的多寡取决于厨师的出发点，是为民服务还是看钱份上。理念不同，料理出来的食物味觉自有出入。现在被生活环境打压的熟食小贩居多，以自家的鱼圆面而深感自豪的熟食小贩甚少，吃不出爱心。第三，别小看拥挤的熟食中心，其实租金、水电和食物成本都是负担，三几年又来个翻新，几个月的翻新期间要‘吃自己’，翻新后租金又跟着涨价，还有些“政治婴儿”为了捞取政治资本，跟小贩们约定三章，食物不起价。羊毛出在羊身上，后果不言而喻。

说起鱼圆面，最难忘的还是永平鱼圆。驱车沿着南北公路北上，过了关卡约一个小时便抵达永平（Yong Peng）这个古朴的小镇。永平小镇归柔佛州的Batu Pahat管辖，还保留着古早味，鱼圆也不例外。古早味的纯西刀鱼圆，正是童年时代路边摊的味觉。

（永平，宁静小镇。2011）

永平人口只有三万 人，主要是福州籍华人，被称为“小福州”、“福州城”等，镇上离不开著名的福州食物，除了福州鱼圆外，如福州炒面、福州糕点、红槽酒鸡等都是深具当地古早味的传统美食。

永平在十九世纪港主制度的时代（1847）由潮州籍人士开辟，种植胡椒与甘蜜。据说永平刚开发时叫‘Kangka’，也就是港脚（港口的衍生）之意，是当时永平的潮州人所取的名字。当时的港主是巫许阿鲁（Bor Koh Ah Loh），祖籍潮州饶平坪溪乡。港主制度废除后，部分巫许家族回到新加坡，如今多已改为‘许’姓。惟尚有少数保留‘巫许’之姓，例如新加坡电台933醉心频道的DJ巫许玛莉，可能是这一家族的成员。

约1912年，福州人迁居至此，将大片森林地带开辟为树胶园，奠定了该地的发展基础，成为富庶胶园的所在地。当时的卫生环境很差，胶工往往带了一些米饭和咸鱼就在园地里工作好几天。由於缺乏维生素，脚气病成了一个常见的疾病，加上疟疾造成许多人病死。基於这种种原因，1920年左右，村民们就把这个地方改名为‘永平’，希望“永远平安”。

（永平，纪念当年的开埠港主巫许阿鲁的Jalan Ah Loh，是一条黄泥路。）

英殖民地时期，英国政府为了对付马共动乱，在1948年6月颁布紧急法令。当时的永平是柔佛州境内最著名的‘黑区’。为了杜绝村民以粮食接济马共，英国政府将散居效外的村民，强制迁居到永平的新村，以铁刺网围住，实施宵禁令。村民外出割胶，必须接受严格的搜身检查。英政府也先后动员辜喀军团、苏格苏军团与菲济军团等，在永平展开军事行动。

1956年8月，英国政府进一步实行‘大锅饭’政策，每户人家不得自己烹煮食物，每家必须以人口登记米牌，每天在规定的时间和地点持着米牌与饭锅去取饭，当时永平的取饭地点是现在永平公园附近，县议会停放垃圾车处。紧急法令取消后，永平才由‘黑区’改变为‘白区’，重见蓝天。

永平西刀鱼圆陪伴了当地人20余年，位于永平大街创立于1988年的“元延正宗永平西刀鱼丸”，创办人是永平县议员陈敃菁，数年前已把事业交给二儿子陈春翰打理。继承父业的陈春翰，在英国念硕士后在银行工作，2000年回永平，2003年接手父亲的生意。

（永平镇，元延正宗永平西刀鱼丸。赞。）

店主使用新鲜西刀鱼，无防腐剂，无添加剂。由于西刀鱼多骨，细心是制作西刀鱼丸重要一环，尤其是去骨方面，他们会花上时间，确保顾客不会吃到鱼骨。制作西刀鱼圆需10至15分钟，并通过不断揉搓打，使每粒鱼丸都有弹性、爽口、结实。

香喷喷的鱼圆汤配上福州面，原汁原味，健康古早味。一流。

（元延西刀鱼圆面，西刀鱼餅。古早味浓。2011）

初恋红豆冰

跟一群来自联邦的年轻同事吃午餐，问起他们周末在异乡的活动，他们说忙得不可开交，单单电影院就够他们泡了。倒使我想起少年时代的电影院，曾经为了盲侠大战独臂刀、精武门、猛龙过江等电影而着迷，电影院大排长龙，每人限买四张票，票到手中已经多了一股汗酸味。如今戏院设在购物中心顶层，缩身变得迷你，可以翘起二郎腿上网购票，舒服自在。要不然到电影院排队，环境一样舒适。

（当年的大世界，在世界里头的广东和大西洋戏院看一部电影只需五毛钱）

（大世界常有特展，专卖国货（中国出品）。c.1930s）

告诉他们我通常是在新年期间泡影院。就已今年来说吧，人到知命之年，转换跑道前处于真空状态，一连跑了多场电影，单是华语片就有《大世界》、《香港万岁》、《新少林寺》和《山楂树之恋》等，喜欢它们带出的社会中的人情味与佛理中的舍得与放下。同事说他们喜欢梁智强的《笑着回家》。我则只对梁智强早年的《跑吧孩子》有兴趣，喜欢那种失去的乡土味与生活化的励志精神。

“其实阿牛拍的大马国产片《初恋红豆冰》是乡土电影的极品啊！”我由衷赞赏：“我在youtube看过，今年三月间去了马六甲一趟，买了还热烘烘的DVD，回家后重看，一气呵成，还是非常感动。”

你也喜欢我们的红豆冰吗？他们开心地问。接着下来七嘴八舌，你也知道啦！

(初恋红豆冰，赞！)

人的脑子里有一片储存记忆的空间，这一片脑细胞死亡后，记忆地带就会跟着流失，对曾经拥有的过去茫然无知。简单地说，就是患上失忆症。

《初恋红豆冰》有似曾相识的故事，简单的生活，羞涩的年华，美丽的误会；生活中还有许多交叉点，咖啡店内静观着一幕幕的人生百态，然后向往事告别，离开熟悉的地方。….

多年以后，蓦然回首，模糊的影像又逐渐清晰，原来没有失忆。

（《初恋红豆冰》有许多熟悉的人与事，没有失忆。）

没有失忆的生活有时是挺痛苦的。当我们必须不断地面对着地貌变迁，当人性良知被金钱效益所取代，人没有失忆，倒是城市患了失忆症，没有过去的回忆，只有未来的期待。我在李光耀时代成长，是他和他的同僚给我们生活的希望与勇气，脱离贫困的日子。我对他那一代为理想献身的政治家敬仰有嘉，但对他的价值观也有许多不认同之处，尤其在追求经济数字的过程中排挤我们那一代共同的记忆，缺乏一丝自信与包容。李光耀甚至留下“遗嘱”，去年钟爱一生的爱妻去世后，他交代说，那间酝酿新加坡脱离英殖民地统治的住所在他百年之后可以拆除，这块地建起高楼，可以赚很多钱！

记与忆是个理智与感情的结合体。记是为了保存。已经消失的、正在消失的、随时准备让贤的，都可以通过文字、图片与数码来记录保存；忆则是很微妙的东西，回忆是纯属个人的过去，是安慰式地认同感性的空间。但是人本来就是感性的动物，钱也是赚不完的，我们无须扭曲人性来成就贪婪的经济数据。

在记与忆的交错间，永远无法解开红砖国家图书馆的心结。红砖国家图书馆不是古迹所以不需保留，旧梦不需记。或许真应该学会淡然放下。

当年没有区域图书馆，红砖国家图书馆是国家成长的路上唯一拥有群体记忆的图书馆。在打造自治到独立的新兴国的坎坷路上，红砖国家图书馆从旁辅助，让两代人为国家的发展奋斗，献出他们的青春。它属于两代人生长的摇篮，是两代人的共同记忆。

（红砖国家图书馆拥有两代人的群体记忆。1990）

1953年，李光前捐献$375,000筹建一所新的国家图书馆，1957年8月16日，李光前受邀主持奠基仪式，1959年红砖图书馆落成，总资$2,300,000。1960年11月12日，新加坡首任元首尤索夫(Yusof Ishak) 主持开幕礼，官方语言称新图书馆使命重大，"would serve the needs of nation-building and its departments of knowledge, learning and technology embraced a wide field".

（新加坡首任元首尤索夫（Yusof Ishak）为红砖国家图书馆主持开幕礼。1960）

根据古迹保留局（The Preservation of Monuments Board, 1971年成立)的原则，国家古迹必须具备历史价值，贯穿城市的过去与未来，是国家生命记忆的基石。红砖国家图书馆绝对符合保留的条件，不过却在莫须有的牵强论证下拆除，2004年让位给福康宁隧道（Fort Canning Tunnel）。

如果红砖国家图书馆得以保留，所保留的就不止于短短的历史中潺潺流水的生命力，还包括了在短短的建国过程中对两代人的情感的尊重，对过去与当下包容的气度，而不单只是对未来的未知的认同。

（红砖国家图书馆的第一批读者。1960）

红砖国家图书馆的情意结只是冰山一角，还有许许多多剪不断理还乱的记与忆。

有趣的是，红砖国家图书馆前巴士车站旁有一间咖啡店，咖啡店有一个卖红豆冰的摊位，三毛钱一碗红豆冰，我的第一碗红豆冰就是在这里开始的。那时红豆冰不叫红豆冰，叫Ice Kachang。

红砖国家图书馆就像初恋红豆冰，在炎热的空气中转眼便溶化掉，红豆冰含在嘴里，把脸颊冻得酸痛，还有股寒气冲上脑门，眼皮都僵了。

吃红豆冰就是喜欢这种感觉，更能回味的，是藏在心里略带轻涩的甘甜。

附注：马来西亚歌手“阿牛”陈庆祥执导的电影《初恋红豆冰》因为以华语作为剧中媒介语，被马来西亚列为外国电影，征收20%的外语片娱乐税。马来西亚内阁于2010年11月23日推翻之前对于马来西亚本地电影对白必须有60%是马来语的规范；改为电影公司50%的股份持有人为马国人，和内容超过50%是在马国摄制，即可视为“本地电影”。 《初》在马来西亚的票房约400万令吉，获得马来西亚中央政府退还20%娱乐税回扣，一共是70万6000令吉（约29万新元）。

21st century's parliamentary general elections 2001-2011

GE 2001 saw the first time a formal political umbrella emerged from within the opposition. The four-party SDA was established with Chiam See Tong as chief, consisting of the SPP he led, which was the leader party, NSP, PKMS and SJP. NSP provided the bulk of nine candidates, SPP four and PKMS providing a required minority candidate.

Former WP NCMP J. B. Jeyaretnam, who lost his seat after being declared a bankrupt owing to lawsuits by PAP leaders, resigned from the party, citing disagreements with the present leadership. Low Thia Khiang took over as secretary-general and WP's third-generation leader.

(J B Jeyaretnam resigned from WP in 2001. He passed away in 2008)

GE 2001 also saw the shortest run-up period of 17 days after opening of the register of electors. Once again, Singapore was regrouped, now into 14 GRC and 9 SMC. A seat had been vacated in 1999 after the conviction of PAP MP Choo Wee Khiang over commercial crimes. Under the law, an entire electoral constituency, be it GRC or SMC, has to be vacated before a by-election is required. On nomination day, the sole WP GRC team was disqualified for filing incomplete papers in Aljunied GRC. Opposition parties ended up contesting only a-third of the seats, the lowest portion since 1968. PAP achieved its third highest vote share among the general elections it has contested.

WP's Low and SDA-SPP's Chiam retained their seats but saw their winning margins declined from the previous GE. With these two opposition won, one NCMP seat was offered to and accepted by Steve Chia of SDA-NSP, who became the youngest and first ever non-WP NCMP. Electorate in 84 constituencies: 2,036,923 . Walkover 55 electorate: 1,361,617 (66.8%) .Voters in 29 constituencies: 675,306 (33.2%). WP contested in 2 constituencies and won 1. SDP contested 11 seats and lost all. SDA contested 13 seats and won 1. PAP 75.3%. WP 39.3%. SDP: 20.4%. SDA 27.6%.

(Chiam See Tong 'accidentally' met Goh Chok Tong at Potong Pasir, 2001)

For GE 2006, the PAP government's second handover of power to a third Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, could spell an uphill task for the ruling party to maintain its domination, if going by GE 1991 standard where his predecessor, now Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, had assumed leadership and PAP lost four seats. Some constituencies were regrouped but as a whole, the country had 14 GRC, 9 SMC, same as the previous GE.

Adding to Lee’s challenge were opposition parties in improved shape and carried out preparations earlier, fielding enough candidates to deny PAP a return to power on nomination day, not seen since GE 1988. All contests were pure straight fights, something not seen before.

A rejuvenated WP, with secretary-general Low Thia Khiang, its sole Member of Parliament, and first woman chairman Sylvia Lim, released its manifesto ahead of PAP.

(WP's candidates for GE 2006. It inlcuded a 'suicide squad' contested in Ang Mo Kio GRC (PM Lee's ward) and garnered one-third of vote share)

The SDA alliance continued its united front amid revealed dissatisfaction with leader and MP Chiam See Tong, including from Chiam's own SPP. Again, NSP provided the most number of candidates - with 11 or about half for SDA. PKMS one and SJP none. SPP provided eight.

SDP's CEC fell into disarray after a defamation suit by PM Lee and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, which shook the unity of the once-strong party. Its leader Chee Soon Juan was barred from polls after being fined for speaking without a permit in 2002 and made bankrupt for libel in 2006.

For most of the campaign, PAP focused on James Gomez, a WP candidate in the Aljunied GRC team led by Sylvia Lim, over an ethnic minority certificate that Gomez alleged the Elections Department misplaced. However, the ED's CCTVs had filmed him inserting it into his bag.

PAP saw its margins reduced island-wide. PM Lee's assignment to SM Goh to regain the two non-PAP constituencies did not bear fruit. Both WP Low Thia Khiang and SPP Chiam See Tong retained their SMCs with improved margin.

Sylvia Lim took up the NCMP seat and became WP's third NCMP and the first woman opposition legislator in post-independence Singapore. Total 84 Electorate: 2,159,721. Walkover electorate: 936,279. Voters: 1,223,442. WP contested in 20 constituencies and won 1. (note: WP sent a young team of ‘suicide squad’ to AMK GRC and won one-third of vote share from PM’s team. Aljunied GRC 44%). SDP contested 7 seats and lost all. SDA contested 20 seats and won 1. PAP 66.6%. WP 38.4%. SDP: 23.2%. SDA 32.5%.

(Sylvia Lim, the first NCMP in Singapore history. c. 2006)

THE NCMP scheme was introduced by the Government in 1984 as a means of ensuring there would be opposition representation in Parliament. It allowed the highest-scoring losers in a general election to enter Parliament if there were fewer than three elected opposition MPs. There could be as many as six NCMPs if the President decreed it. In 2010, changes were made to guarantee a minimum of nine opposition MPs. If the opposition wins fewer than nine seats, NCMPs from the highest-scoring losers can meet the shortfall. However, there is a cap of two NCMPs from any opposition GRC team. NCMPs must get at least 15 per cent of the valid votes.

(Opposition parties met up for GE 2011)

(Chee Soon Juan and Chiam See Tong's relationship turned bitter when working together at SDP. Have they patched up after 15 years on? 2011.)

GE 2011 was the fiercest fight for post-independence Singapore. All the constituencies less Tanjong Pagar GRC were contested. PAP returned to power on polling day with total vote share of 60%. It was a convincing win by the standard of developed countries. However, it was the lowest in PAP history since independence. WP teams not only retained Hougang SMC with the highest margin in Hougang history, they also registered a historic achievement by winning the Aljunied GRC.

(PAP team contested in Aljunied GRC. 2011)

(WP team contested in ALjunied GRC. 2011)

For another opposition MP Chiam See Tong, he suffered two consecutive strokes in 2008 but still full of  fighting spirit. Like Low Thia Khiang, Chiam decided to walk out from Potong Pasir SMC and form a formidable group to fight in the adjacent Toa Payoh GRC. His team captured about 44% of the total vote share and earned high respect from the mass and the PAP team.

(Chiam See Tong in an election rally GE 2011. The WP team (6 elected MPs and 2 NCMPs) would fulfil his wish of restoring democracy in the Parliament. Would Chiam pull down the curtain after contributed his prime time to the Singapore politics? 2011)

(Chiam See Tong founded SDP and won the Potong Pasir Seat in GE 1984. He remained as a longest serving opposition MP for 27 years.)

Immediately after the election, PM Lee Hsien Loong told Singaporeans that this election was a watershed and your voices were heard. He determined to make significant changes to the way PAP government shaping its policies and connecting with people. He initiated a sweeping Cabinet reshuffle just 11 days after the general election. Three ministers who were highly controversial and scored the lowest winning margins were all booted out from the cabinets. They were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Land Security Wong Kan Seng, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan and Transport Minister Raymond Lim.

(Wong Kan Seng, Mah Bow Tan and Raymond Lim were dropped from the new cabinet lineup. 2011)

The question was inevitable: To what extent did the election results affect the shape of the new line-up? Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong responded:

'Certainly, the outcome of the election affected my thinking in deciding how to make this Cabinet. I wanted a fresh start and that's why I've gone for radical change.'

(PM Lee Hisen Loon announced his new lineup 10 days after polling day. 2011)

(New cabinet, 2011)

(PAP government expecting alternative voices from this team of MPs and NCMPs from the Workers' Party. 2011)

Total 87 Electorate: 2,350,873. Walkover electorate: 292,913. Voters: 2,012,976. WP contested in 23 constituencies and won 6. SDP contested 11 seats and lost all. SPP contested 7 seats and lost all. NSP contested 24 seats and lost all. Reform Party contested 11 seats and lost all. SDA contested 7 seats and lost all. PAP 60.1%. WP 46.6%. SDP: 36.8%. SPP 41.4%. NSP 39.3%. RP 31.8%. SDA 30.1%.

Watershed elections and government renewal 1984-1997

Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew was a strong eugenics believer. In his 1983 National Day Rally speech, he lamented that declining birth rates and large number of graduate women remaining single or not marrying their intellectual equal could shrink the Singapore's talent pool. The PAP government proceeded to launch the "Graduate Mother Scheme" to entice graduate women with incentives to get married and give birth to more babies. These could have caused a big dip in PAP's support for GE 1984. Its vote share plunged to 65%, the biggest fall and the lowest for PAP since independence. It was termed as a watershed at that time.

For this GE, PM Lee's son Lee Hsien Loong made his debut, while PAP stalwarts Goh Keng Swee and Ong Pang Boon stepped down. WP retained its sole Anson seat of leader J. B. Jeyaretnam while SDP made its first in-road into Parliament with the victory of Chiam See Tong, who would hold onto the seat for 27 years.

(Goh Keng Swee, Toh Chin Chye and Lee Kuan Yew)

A new Non-Constituency Member of Parliament scheme (NCMP) was introduced whereby between three and six seats would be offered to unsuccessful opposition candidates with the best scores and who garner at least 15% of the votes. Opposition parties dismissed the scheme for misleading voters into thinking that they could have opposition MPs without voting for them. WP's M. P. D. Nair was eligible for NCMP but declined. The offer was then made to SUF's Tan Chee Kien, who did the same.

I remembered Tan Chee Kien quite well and had good conversation with him back in my student years. He graduated from Nanyang University and was a Student Liaison Officer in Singapore Polytechnic. He was supportive of student activities. Because of his personal belief, he quitted the job in 1980 and eventually became a member of SUF (Singapore United Front). Eligible voters: 1,495,389 in 79 constituencies. Voters in 30 walkover constituencies: 550,765 (36.8%). Total voters in 49 contested constituencies: 944,624 (63.2%). WP contested in 15 constituencies and won 1. BS contested 4 seats and lost all. SDP contested 4 seats and won 1. PAP 64.8%. WP 41.9%. BS 38.2%. SDP: 46.1%.

(Tan Chee Kian. Student Liaison Officer turned business man. He contested under SUF and later NSP)

GRCs were introduced in GE 1988 to ensure ethnic minority representation in Parliament based on PAP’s theory. This was the last time Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew led the PAP in a GE. Another two stalwarts, former Deputy PM Toh Chin Chye and Senior Minister S. Rajaratnam, retired for PAP's renewal process. Singapore was divided into 13 GRC and 42 single member constituencies (SMC). Two seats were vacated in 1986 - Anson of WP chief J. B. Jeyaretnam and Geylang West of PAP Teh Chang Wan. Jeyaretnam disqualified as MP for improper party accounts and Teh Chang Wan committed suicide while on investigations for corruption. WP absorbed BS and SUF to become the largest opposition party and also allied with PKMS as one common unit.

Former solicitor-general and Law Society president, Francis Seow, standing under the WP ticket in Eunos GRC with veteran politician Lee Siew Choh. Francis Seow came under fire from the PAP leadership for his alleged dubious financial circumstances. Nevertheless, the strong WP team caught PAP's attention and Dr Tay Eng Soon, a popular PAP stalwart, was switched to face the team. In the end, PAP won the GRC by narrow margin (50.9%). With SDP's sole victory, two NCMP seats were offered to Lee and Seow. Seow fled the country to avoid arrest and was disqualified from the post. Lee Siew Choh took up the offer and became Singapore's first NCMP. This also marked his return to Parliament after 25 years since his last stint as a PAP and BS legislator. Eligible voters in 81 constituencies: 1,669,013. Voters in 11 walkover constituencies: 219,175 (13.1%). Total voters in 70 constituencies: 1,449,838 (86.9%). WP contested in 32 constituencies and lost all. SDP contested 18 seats and won 1. PAP 63.2%. WP 38.5%. SDP: 39.5%.

http://navalants.blogspot.com/2011/04/pathos.html
http://navalants.blogspot.com/2010/05/1949.html
http://navalants.blogspot.com/2009/10/blog-post_23.html

('Of the five younger Cabinet ministers - Ong Teng Cheong, Goh Chok Tong, Dhanabalan, Tony Tan and Lim Chee Onn - whom have you the most confidence in?' Mr Lee asked some members of the already disbanded task force in a confidential letter in April 1981. Ong Teng Cheong is on the left and Lim Chee Onn is third from left.)

In November 1990, the Nominated MP scheme was implemented to introduce non-partisan voices into the parliament. GE 1991 was Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong's maiden leading of PAP into an election after Lee Kuan Yew stepped down as PM and PAP's secretary-general in 1990. PM Goh called a snap election merely three years after the last GE to court a fresh mandate, setting Parliament's shortest term ever. The nation was regrouped into 15 GRC and 21 SMC. However, PAP lost an unprecedented four seats, the biggest number since GE 1963, and its vote share fell for the third consecutive time. SDP won two more seats in addition to the seat retained successfully by leader Chiam See Tong. In fact eight out of nine SDP candidates came in among the top ten opposition candidates. WP made its second in-road into the legislature with the victory of its organising secretary Low Thia Khiang, who would years later become WP secretary-general and leader. At a press conference, PM Goh attributed the loss to his "open and consultative style of government" and pledged to re-assess his style.

(Low Thia Khiang. Elected as Hougang MP in 1991. 20 years alter, he decided to walk out from Hougang and formed an 'A' team contested in Aljunied GRC in 2011. The team garnered about 56% vote share)

Since the introduction of the NCMP scheme in 1984, this was the first GE with no NCMP seats offered as the four opposition seats exceeded the minimum of three NCMP seats allotted. Therefore, the narrow defeat of WP's Eunos GRC team, helmed by Lee Siew Choh again, did not see to his return as NCMP. He retired from politics in 1993. The maximum of six Nominated MPs were appointed for this term, up from two NMPs previously. Eligible voters in 81 constituencies: 1,692,384. Voters in 41 walkover constituencies: 844,668 (49.9%). Total voters in 40 constituencies: 847,716 (50.1%). WP contested in 13 constituencies and won 1. SDP contested 9 seats and won 3. PAP 61%. WP 41.1%. SDP: 48.6%.

The first and only by-election in a GRC was called by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong in his own Marine Parade GRC in 1992 for two purposes. He hoped to secure another fresh, stronger mandate after last year's GE saw PAP lose an unprecedented four seats under his leadership. He also wanted to introduce Teo Chee Hean into the parliament. SDP unveiled its newly-acquired "trump card" - National University of Singapore lecturer Chee Soon Juan, who would subsequently become SDP's leader.

PAP won that By-Election in 1992 with 48,965 votes (72.9%) against SDP, NSP and SJP. It is interesting to note that for 1991 General Election, PAP won Marine Parade GRC with 51,685 votes (77.2%) against SJP. The vote share had dipped for the by-election.

(Chee Soon Juan, a NUS lecturer who was under attacked by the PAP heavy weight. c.1992)

GE 1997 was another opportunity for Goh Chok Tong to score a better mandate after PAP's considerably poorer showing in GE 1991. Singapore was regrouped again into 15 GRC and 9 SMC. Two seats in PAP-held Eunos and Toa Payoh GRCs were vacated after the death of Dr Tay Eng Soon and inauguration of former Deputy PM Ong Teng Cheong as Singapore's fifth and first elected President respectively. Eunos GRC, which twice saw narrow wins against WP, was dispersed into neighbouring constituencies. The main opposition SDP was facing serious internal conflict. SDP MP and former leader Chiam See Tong won a defamation lawsuit against his party's central executive committee, including its new leader Chee Soon Juan and one of its MPs, chairman Ling How Doong. Prior to nomination day, Chiam resigned from SDP and crossed over to its splinter party, SPP.

Two opposition candidates who came under heaviest fire from PAP were Chee Soon Juan and Tang Liang Hong. Tang was standing on the WP ticket with its secretary-general J. B. Jeyaretnam in Cheng San GRC. Tang was accused by PAP of being an anti-Christian Chinese chauvinist. After the GE, Tang fled Singapore after numerous lawsuits were filed against him by top PAP leaders, including PM Goh Chok Tong, Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew, DPMs Lee Hsien Loong, Dr Tony Tan and several PAP MPs.

(Lawyer Tang Liang Hong during GE rally. 1997)

With the "HDB upgrading" carrot dangled as a pricy stake for voters, PAP reversed its electoral decline for the first time in four GEs and recaptured two SDP seats out of the four it had lost the last round. With Chiam hopped to SPP, SDP had no representation in Parliament since 1984. Low Thia Khiang, now WP assistant secretary-general, and Jeyaretnam as a NCMP, returned to the legislature. It was Jeyaretnam’s first return to parliament since his last presence in 1986.

In June 1997, when NMPs were re-appointed, the number was increased from six to nine. Eligible voters in 83 constituencies: 1,881,011. Voters in 47 walkover constituencies: 1,115,679 (59.3%). Total voters in 36 contested constituencies: 765,332 (40.7%). WP contested in 14 constituencies and won 1. SDP contested 12 seats and lost all. SPP contested in 3 seats and won 1. PAP 65%. WP 37.6%. SDP: 33.1%. SPP 27.2%.

Into the election years of nation building 1968-1981

Unlike the last GE in 1968, vibrant contests made its return and PAP was challenged in nearly all seats in GE 1972. BS changed tack from its boycott strategy and attempted to make a comeback. BS’s Lee Siew Choh contested in Rochor but lost to PAP’s Toh Chin Chye again. This time lost by a larger margin of more than 1000 votes. WP was rejuvenated by former district judge J. B. Jeyaretnam while its former leader David Marshall, who had contemplated to stand as an independent candidate, was out of the running due to a stingray wound.

(Dr Toh Chin Chye visited Rochor Constituency. c. 1960s)

Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew anticipated 45 seats as a good-enough victory given the stiff competition. However, PAP returned to power by capturing all seats. Singaporeans did not see the need for political diversity, which they believed would lead to power struggle that would impede effective governance during the nation building years. Eligible voters in 65 seats: 908,382. Voters in 8 walkover constituencies: 95,456 (10.5%). Total voters in 57 contested constituencies: 812,926 (89.5%). WP and BS contested 27 and 10 seats respectively and lost all. PAP: 70.4%. WP 24.5%, BS 26.6%.

(阵线报published by BS, 1970)

GE 1976 was the electoral debut of both Goh Chok Tong and Chiam See Tong. Goh became Singapore's next Prime Minister 1990-2004. Chiam, standing as independent candidate, later became Singapore's longest-serving opposition MP (1984-2011. 27 years). PAP government produced credible records but had become authoritarian after being in power for a long time and denied Singaporeans democratic choices by changing laws to its favour and employing hardball tactics. Some opposition parties began to adopt a stand more in sync with the people's sentiments that no matter how good PAP was, a few opposition MPs in Parliament could serve as a check and balance on the PAP government. Eligible voters from 69 constituencies: 1,095,817. Voters in 16 walkover constituencies: 238,520 (21.8%). Total voters in 53 contested constituencies: 857,297 (78.2%). WP and BS contested 22 and 6 seats respectively and lost all. PAP 74.1%. WP 27.9%. BS 27.1%.

(Goh Chok Tong won his first election in Marine Parade. 1976)

(Chiam See Tong. The longest serving opposition MP from 1984 to 2011. He first contested in 1976)

Almost half the number of seats was uncontested in GE 1980 and PAP was one seat away to forming the government on nomination day. This was also the debut of the newly-founded SDP (Chiam See Tong). The school streaming system and former PAP Minister Phey Yew Kok's fraud of trade union funds were the main issues of this GE. Phey jumped bail and disappeared forever. PAP achieved another clean sweep of all Parliament seats with the party's second-highest vote share. Eligible voters in 75 constituencies: 1,290,426. Voters in 37 walkover constituencies: 605,285 (46.9%). Total voters in 38 contested constituencies: 685,141 (53.1%). WP and BS contested 8 and 4 seats respectively and lost all. PAP 77.7%. WP 29.2%. BS 27%.

PAP MP Devan Nair was nominated as the third President of Singapore and vacated the Anson seat for a by-election in 1981. WP leader J. B. Jeyaretnam's victory marked the end of PAP's 15-year monopoly since BS boycott of Parliament in 1966. It also marked WP's return to the legislature since 20 years ago in 1961 and in the same seat David Marshall clinched.

(Devan Nair. Once a leftist in 1950s. He became Singapore President in 1981)

(J. B. Jeyaretnam won Anson by-election in 1981)