It is agonizing to have to plough through that article only to find it concluded that “at present the vote is in the never-never land between being a right and a privilege.”

Something must be very wrong here in Ms Chua’s thinking, and if that reflects the same thought of the PAP that has ruled this island for 42 years, then truly Singapore’s wonderful education system must have produced geniuses. The Minister of Education, Mr Teo Chee Hean, should remind young Singapore minds he intends to nurture as to what is written herein within the syllabus of the newly concocted National Education scheme.

A right is an entitlement, a guaranteed (or should be guaranteed by the state whose duty is to protect and govern citizens) safeguard that is afforded to all human beings, regardless of creed, color, nationality or political affiliation.

Basic examples of ‘rights’ are that of food, air, water and education. Each of these alone is not sufficient for wholesome human survival and development, however necessary they may be on its very own. Necessity does not equate with sufficiency. One can breathe all the oxygen one can but that alone does not guarantee survival of one’s species. One must also have other rights available to him/her.

A privilege, on the other hand, can sometimes put on par with that of a luxury and special interests. It is ‘nice’ but not necessary for human survival or development. Take a car for example, of which the PAP government has been trying hard to curb by imposing quotas, the COEs, ERPs, etc. One does not need a car in order to live as a functional human being, convenient and fashionable though it may be.

Ms Chua confuses, or tries to induce confusion, the difference between what is a right and what a privilege is. She appeals to the constitution of Singapore and to the Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Wong Kan Seng (“for he should know”) for guidance in the interpretation of “the law” on voting. The public should be aware that this Mr Wong Kan Seng, Minister for Home Affairs, played a part in the continued detention of Singapore’s longest serving political prisoner, former Barisan Sosialis MP, Mr Chia Thye Poh who was made to suffer in the hands of the Singapore Internal Security Department (ISD) in their dungeons for 23 years. And, Ms Chua apparently trusts this Minister to interpret “the law” and “the Constitution” for us.

On the subject of the right to vote:

The UN Declaration of Human Rights states in Article 21:

(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.

(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.

(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent of voting procedures.

The International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights reiterates clearly in Article 25:

Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity, without any of the distinctions mentioned in Article 2 and without unreasonable restrictions:

(a) To take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives;

(b) To vote and to be elected at genuine periodic elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held be secret ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors;

(c) To have access, on general terms of equality, to public service in his country.

Which parts of these do the actors portrayed in Ms Chua’s report do not understand on the subject of the right to vote?

Ms Chua cited the Singapore constitution as an authority to be submitted to. Unfortunately in Singapore, the Constitution has been amended at the whim of the PAP government and can safely be said as no longer sacrosanct. There is no genuine free speech and freedom of association and assembly in Singapore. Unless of course, the government gives one the luxury and privilege of doing that. And if the PAP government can give us a Speakers’ Corner subject to its rules and regulations, it can also take it away these privileges.

Is it any wonder why many young and bright Singapore students are not even considering this country a home worthy to live in for the pure lack of rights? If the PAP government wants to rule Singapore for generations to come, and if Singaporeans continue to want that to happen, then may God help us all. And this country.

Kevin Liew