Interested in rally? Not really

TNP poll shows most would rather follow GE in newspapers, on TV

By Low Ching Ling and Maureen Koh
May 1, 2006
The New Paper

NEVER mind that their houses are only a stone's throw away from the rally sites.

They'd still rather stay away.

Election rallies here are known to draw thousands of Singaporeans each time.

But there are those who still prefer to stay away.

Is this an indication of their apathy? Are their minds already made up? Or do they get their information from other sources.

In a straw poll of 150 by The New Paper last night, voters gave reasons ranging from already sure about their choices to being averse to mosquitoes at rally sites.

For some, the Progress Package may have something to do with their absence from rallies.

While Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan and his PAP teammates were canvassing for the support of Sembawang residents over at Woodlands Stadium, hundreds were shopping at the nearby Causeway Point.

Madam Karen Chiam, 31, told The New Paper: 'We already know who to vote for and we know which party will be returned to power, so what's the big deal?

'Now everywhere got sale. And we've got Progress Package payments already. So we might as well do some shopping.'

The huge crowds at rallies also put some people off.

Graphics designer Wong Kok Fai, 30, a voter in the Potong Pasir ward, said: 'It's too crowded. A few days ago, I passed by a rally.

'It was so crowded that the roads were jammed. Many people were straining to hear what was being said.'

Mr Wong skipped the PAP rally next to the Potong Pasir MRT station last night. About 1,000 people turned up.

Instead of squeezing in with the crowd, some opt to get updates of the General Election from newspapers or TV.

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Mr Wong said: 'The news will also highlight other activities. I find this a better way to update myself on what's happening so that I can decide who to vote for.'

Some people find that rallies do not throw up anything new.

Retiree Andrew Tan, 60, said: 'I already have an idea what each of the parties stand for and the candidates have visited me so many times.'

Mr David Han, 25, a student living in the Tampines GRC, said: 'There are better things to do like watching soccer. The candidates tend to say the same things at rallies.'
But, some would argue, nothing beats being caught in the electrifying atmosphere of an election rally.

Businessman Kenneth Kwan, 30, a resident in the Tanjong Pagar GRC, which won a walkover, attended the Workers' Party rally in Hougang last night.

He said: 'If I'm not at the rally, I would not know fully what the candidates had said or offered its audience.

'And I'd not have known that thousands of people turned up to hear the opposition.'

Mr WK Low, 46, was at the PAP rally at Woodlands Stadium.

He said: 'I came here to see what the PAP has to offer. I'm very concerned about rising health costs.

'Right now, I have to pay about $1,000 a month for my medical bills, and I'm hoping for some good news from Mr Khaw, who's the Health Minister.'

Mr Low suffers from diabetes.

There were others who were first-timers at rallies.

Ms Candy Tan, a 26-year-old sales administrator was at the Sembawang rally with four friends.

'I wanted to get a feel of what it's like as I'm a first-time voter.'

- Additional reporting by Tan May Ping, Eugene Wee, Ng Hui Hui, Kor Kian Beng, Dominic Ying