Socialist Front’s 1st Press Conference

The following is my maiden address as Secretary General, Socialist Front to the press on 29th October 2010 at 107 Rowell Road, Post Museum.

Ladies & Gentlemen, thank you for attending this morning. I am the Secretary-General of the Socialist Front. I will first address this conference on the objects and ideology of the party and our Chairman Mr. Ng Teck Siong will touch on the issues which are pertinent in the coming election, our treasurer Mr. Mansor Rahman will also say a few words.

The administration of Singapore is bound by its Constitution. The Parliament is part of government and owes its existence to the Constitution, it therefore has no authority to unilaterally disregard the Constitution or amend it without a referendum.

Article 4 of the Constitution states that the Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Republic of Singapore. Any laws passed by parliament which is contrary with the Constitution shall be null and void.

The Judiciary if it wants to be seen as independent must ensure that the Constitution is obeyed and upheld and it cannot adopt an attitude of nil supervision or non-interference with executive action or hide behind the argument of parliamentary supremacy in the powers of legislation.

When Singaporeans elect a party to majority in Parliament, it does not mean that they have relinquished all their rights to the ruling party. The supreme authority of running this country remains with Singaporeans. No one single person or entity should be allowed to control legislative and executive powers failing which further influence on the Judicial branch will be inevitable and the supposed guarantees of freedom and democracy will no longer exist.

Singaporeans must therefore resist any attempt to concentrate power with one party. Abuse of power will be likely if this is not prevented. Power must be divided to be checked so that citizens can be protected against abuse. This logic is also irrefutable.

Singapore has a long history of one party rule. The ruling party measures progress by economic prosperity. Singaporeans have to decide for themselves if their lives have changed for the better or worse over this period. Singapore’s economic development even if true must improve the lives of its citizens for it to have any real meaning to Singaporeans. The government must better the lives, further the aspirations and guarantee the freedom and well-being of Singaporeans.

Economic factors cannot be the only consideration of a government administering Singapore. We are a nation not a corporation. As a nation we cannot be obsessed with economic growth and expansion and neglect political and social progress otherwise problems will arise.

The current economic policies propagate indirect state control of the economy for profit and depresses the people’s wages and increases their cost of living. Singapore’s income gap has widened over the years and left unchecked will create an unstable society.

Every Singaporean will understand that with obligations of citizenship come rights of citizenship. Every Singaporean holding public office must understand that as there is recognition and reward for such office, there exists a duty to carry out your responsibilities, an obligation to serve the people and a calling for personal sacrifice owed to Singaporeans at large.

Singaporeans cannot be expected to contribute and sacrifice unilaterally, to bear the burden of citizenship and to have no slice of the rewards of a country well run. This is unfair and unreasonable – an administration continuing to ignore the rights of the people can only do more harm to itself than it thinks.

This is where the ruling party has brought us. Singaporeans will have to decide where they wish to go.

Objectives of the Socialist Front

1. to further the fundamental rights and liberties of Singaporeans;
2. to contest the Parliamentary Elections and establish a socialist government for the benefit of Singaporeans;
3. to encourage ownership and active participation of Singaporeans in the affairs and politics of the country;
4. to make Singapore a home for all Singaporeans based on the socialism model;
5. to do all ancillary and related acts which espouse and promote the aforesaid objectives.

The Socialist Ideology

Socialism believes in setting economic and political policies for the good of the common people.

Socialism believes in the principle of “From each according to his ability, to each according to his contribution”.

Socialism believes in providing equal opportunities to all citizens to allow them to maximize their fullest potential. Socialism will further and not restrict the freedom and dreams of the common people.

A socialist government will put the basic welfare of Singapore citizens first before everything else.

A socialist government will take control of key industries within Singapore’s economy by nationalizing and running such industries and essential services for the benefit of the Singaporean people. The key industries and essential services that will be nationalized will include: defence and security, food and agriculture, utilities, transportation, hospitalization and medical services, education, land use and housing.

A socialist government shall strive to raise the quality of life of the average Singaporean.

A socialist government will restrain the unbridled greed of capitalism and prevent monopolization of industries by any party, individual or corporation for profit and ensure sustainable growth of the country.

A socialist government will regulate the economy and the essential industries by legislation and allow true competition to surface to control prices and excessive profiteering.

A socialist government will cut all unnecessary expenditure and wastage and remove all inefficient and unnecessary tax structures and regimes that impede economic growth.

A socialist government will restore the security of government officials and the civil service in line with the ideals of public service.

A socialist government will uplift all levels of society by making basic essentials available to all at affordable prices thereby reducing fear, materialism and greed amongst all and liberate the people to pursue their dreams.

A socialist government will free the Singaporean people to build charitable, social, religious, communal, and political power structures that develop leadership at all levels and sectors and deepen and strengthen the Singaporean Society.

A socialist government will liberate and empower Singaporeans to institutionalize democracy so that Singapore remains forever sovereign and free.

This is our promise to the people of Singapore.

The symbol of the Socialist Front – The Single Five-pointed Red Star

The meaning of the Five-Pointed Star

Each of the five points on the star refers to the ideals of:

1. democracy
2. equality
3. peace
4. progress
5. justice

 The meaning of the colour red

 The colour red symbolizes the socialist ideology or socialism.

The meaning of the Single Star

The single-minded objective of the party to achieve the above through national unity

The meaning of the White Background

Purity, transparency, accountability, integrity, honesty, the rule of law