Straight from the horse’s mouth

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has spoken many times in the past few days about the People’s Action Party’s political opponents. Reproduced below are some comments of the more controversial comments Lee was quoted as saying to various news media outlets.

Quoted from Yahoo! News:

“The only way people learn is when they have to pay a price. From time to time we may lose, and the voters pay the price.”

“If Singaporeans are that fickle, they will have to pay a price, the hard way.”

“Just think. Five years, they’re in charge of your property and your lives… If you like to try your luck, well good luck to you. But I guarantee you, you will not do better than the PAP candidates.”

Quoted from Straits Times Online:

“If Aljunied decides to go that way, well Aljunied has five years to live and repent.”

“We accept the verdict of the people, but they must also accept the consequences of their actions. You must expect the PAP to look after PAP constituencies first.”

Quoted from TODAYonline:

“Ask why in Hougang, the property prices are not as high as their neighbours? What do you think will happen to your property values and your own comfort – your drains, mosquitoes – in the five years you have with this celebrity?”

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew handed over the reins of the PAP in 1990. However, as the founding father of the PAP and arguably, post-Malaysia Singapore, his words carry lots of weight and probably are still very much  indicative of the political mindset of the PAP.

Singaporeans should think hard about what Lee said and ask themselves if this is the kind of political party they want to make the rules: one that has no qualms about bullying others into submission to achieve their goals.