Last weekend and most of this week, I thought apathy was alive and well.
I went to class and when the teacher asked about the coming polls, the only two audible responses were 'I don't need to vote 'cause I live in Tanjong Pagar' and 'I don't need to vote 'cause I'm not Singaporean'.
I apparently belong to the demographic categorised as the "Gen Y voter", who make up some 28% of the electorate. Under 34 years of age, we're said to be more adventurous at the ballot box. I reckon most of my classmates belong in the same group, but the lack of reaction doesn't bode well for adventuring.
It was disconcerting, as all I've been hearing and reading about over the last two weeks was election buzz. Thousands at the rallies! Granted, 4 figures at some, up to 5 figures at others, but still, thousands actually crawled out of the woodwork? Mother even asked, 'What entertainment do they have there? Singing and dancing?' Maybe she had it confused with a Justin Bieber concert.
But who would be adventurous, if not the Gen Y-ers? Who else would rebel against the constant refrain of 'You should do this' and 'You should do that'? Who else would flick the finger of choice at dire warnings (or threats) like 'You will regret it' and 'You will repent'?
Among the never-ending supply of comments on the WWW, I came across one that asked, 'What more can the opposition do for my lovely Bishan?' The question came after a description of how lovely the Bishan estate is. Another that I overheard along the office corridor: 'She said, I want the baby bonus, of course I will vote for ...'
Well, what a conundrum. Who do you vote for if you want someone who has proven ability to manage the everyday upkeep of your neighbourhood, and still have different voices in government so no one party has absolute control over the nation? Who's going to be the brave ones willing bear the possible sacrifice of lift upgradings, baby bonuses, stat board job promotions and who knows what else fear has instilled in us?
Some are optimistic.
'People are not asking for a total take-over of the government, they are not ready for that,' the cab driver said. 'They just want more voices in government to balance and check.'
I asked him how many seats he thought the opposition would win.
'Four GRCs,' he replied. That adds up to 20 seats out of the 82 contested. That's a 10-fold increase from the two seats currently occupied by opposition members.
So I asked him if he'd be staying up to catch the results.
'Maybe I will start work a little earlier, and after that, stay at home for the show,' he answered. 'I already have a bottle of champagne at home. Tomorrow the balloon will burst and I'll pop the champagne!'
'You don't believe me?' he asked.
'As a cab driver, I hear many things,' he said. 'The level of hatred has grown high. One of my passengers even said not to let the Old Man leave. Let the Old Man stay and see the ruling party be crushed.'
As I exited the car, I bid him enjoy his champagne, and he laughed and replied, 'Do you want to join me?'
