Link: http://johnislam.blogspot.sg/2015/09/on-calvin-chengs-polling-day-post.html
As an ex-NMP, I would think that Calvin Cheng has the decency to observe the spirit of cooling off day, which means not campaigning or canvassing for votes.
The ELD said on 9th Sep that "Candidates and their SUPPORTERS should refrain from conduct that goes against the spirit behind the prohibition against campaigning on Cooling-off Day and Polling Day."
Although cooling off day does not apply to individuals, it does apply to alternative news channels. If Calvin Cheng has indeed reached 1 million people as he has claimed, then he is more influential than an alternative news channel. Furthermore, as an ex-NMP, he has a greater responsibility to show impartiality and respect for the voting process.
In my humble opinion, Calvin Cheng is the worst NMP ever nominated for Parliament. The NMP system was supposed to bring alternative voices with distinguished public service records not affiliated with any political party into the Parliament. However, Calvin Cheng was a member of YPAP when he was an NMP which in itself is a conflict of interest. This conflict of interest turned out to be true as Calvin Cheng was hardly non-partisan. His rhetoric is at best weak and at worst, one-sided half truths or plain lies. Furthermore, when found guilty by the Competition Commissions of Singapore of price-fixing, he justified it by claiming that it is good for society, comparing himself to the likes of Microsoft and Bill Gates.
Fortunately, we have had many other great NMPs like Eunice Olsen, Eugene Tan, Kuik Shiao-Yin and Siew Kum Hong, who helped restore the purpose and identity of the NMP scheme and helped bring alternative non-Partisan voices to Parliament.
PS: Observing, the spirit of Polling Day and as a non-partisan member of society who has no distinguished public service record (unlike Calvin Cheng), I am not here to convince or canvass you to vote for any party. You are free to vote for any party you wish, and your vote is secret.
L.A.M.
Link: http://johnislam.blogspot.sg/2015/09/on-calvin-chengs-polling-day-post.html
As an ex-NMP, I would think that Calvin Cheng has the decency to observe the spirit of cooling off day, which means not campaigning or canvassing for votes.
The ELD said on 9th Sep that "Candidates and their SUPPORTERS should refrain from conduct that goes against the spirit behind the prohibition against campaigning on Cooling-off Day and Polling Day."
Although cooling off day does not apply to individuals, it does apply to alternative news channels. If Calvin Cheng has indeed reached 1 million people as he has claimed, then he is more influential than an alternative news channel. Furthermore, as an ex-NMP, he has a greater responsibility to show impartiality and respect for the voting process.
In my humble opinion, Calvin Cheng is the worst NMP ever nominated for Parliament. The NMP system was supposed to bring alternative voices with distinguished public service records not affiliated with any political party into the Parliament. However, Calvin Cheng was a member of YPAP when he was an NMP which in itself is a conflict of interest. This conflict of interest turned out to be true as Calvin Cheng was hardly non-partisan. His rhetoric is at best weak and at worst, one-sided half truths or plain lies. Furthermore, when found guilty by the Competition Commissions of Singapore of price-fixing, he justified it by claiming that it is good for society, comparing himself to the likes of Microsoft and Bill Gates.
Fortunately, we have had many other great NMPs like Eunice Olsen, Eugene Tan, Kuik Shiao-Yin and Siew Kum Hong, who helped restore the purpose and identity of the NMP scheme and helped bring alternative non-Partisan voices to Parliament.
PS: Observing, the spirit of Polling Day and as a non-partisan member of society who has no distinguished public service record (unlike Calvin Cheng), I am not here to convince or canvass you to vote for any party. You are free to vote for any party you wish, and your vote is secret.
L.A.M.
Link: http://johnislam.blogspot.sg/2015/09/on-calvin-chengs-polling-day-post.html
