PAP strengths and weakness going into 7 May Polls

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An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:

I think we focused on SDP for much of this campaign. Its time to talk about the PAP.

Weakness
- rapidly declining economy - job losses, retail businesses collapsing, shops vacant, foreign factories closing ( yes its that bad and the media is talking about it for obvious reason)
- still seen as an autocratic regime with significant control over media and public discourse
- abuse of state funds and state agencies to do political party work ( though not apparent to voters with use of semantics and omissions are still language of use
- cover-ups such as patient deaths ( again not well known)
- candidate not up to usual standard

Strengths
- well oiled machine, using PA and CDC (an arm of PA) to run party work at ground level and provide more reach than ever before. CDC infrastructure and resources are immense and tailored to each of the 5 districts. CDC runs the town councils and covers every aspect of a constituency. When you see Murali, you will see Low Yen Ling and when you see Ministers, you will see Low Yen Ling. This is the lady that has the power to get someone in need a wheelchair, ramps etc. Even the setting up of the "Brisk Walking Club" by the CDC has obvious political link.
- Govt under the PAP has generally performed well over the years
- Controls the media
- controls development agenda and funds


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