Shiny façade with little substance: Reflections from the Fullerton Rally

Online Citizen​

28-04-2025

by Kairen
Having missed out on the pomp and circumstances normally associated with elections in GE2020, I decided to go attend the PAP's signature Fullerton Rally even as it broke through my lunch break. Luckily for me, my workplace was not 20 minutes away by bus to UOB Plaza.
As speeches came and gone, I went closer and ever closer to the podium for increasingly better pictures. But in those moments where I had to bide my time within the hot sun and listen to them speak, it confused me slightly.
On the one hand, they played to their strengths. Their past legacy of building Singapore. Assurances to the future that they'll build with Singaporeans still in mind. Nothing out of the usual. In fact, it would be more shocking if they didn't play to their technocratic strengths. Those segments I could immediately grasp, I agreed with them.
The other half, however… Confused me greatly. They essentially said that they would be welcome to alternative voices within Parliament… So long as it wasn't the Opposition vying for their seats. Does that mean that they'll get rid of the Party Whip system and allow for internal ideological division? Or are they just throwing insults until something sticks?
At some point, though, I had to leave halfway. After all, it WAS during my lunch break. But it was somehow harder to get out than in. So many people poured in that I had to move snake-like. Eventually, through these monumental crowds and slight peer pressure, I found myself in the Szechuan restaurant on UOB Plaza's 60th floor.
I could've easily gathered my thoughts to go somewhere else, but I rationalised to stay and order as time was scarce. 15 minutes of half-masked anxiety later… I got myself a bowl of Dandan noodles that was less wide than the palm of my hand. It only had one piece of green mustard and a spoonful of minced meat. And the gravy didn't even numb my tongue once.
I had zero illusions that it would be cheap, given the ambience surrounding my paltry meal… But the bill gave me a small aneurysm. $19 ! AND THEY CHARGED ME FOR THE PEANUTS AND PICKLES THAT YOU'D ASSUME WOULD BE FREE IN A PLACE LIKE THAT. One wonders if the restaurant would've also charged me for the tea as well.
As I slowly found my way back to the office and recollected my thoughts, I realized that my lunch itself could be an apt summary of the PAP in 2025.
An organisation with a shiny, grandiose facade. One that is apparently highly rated by other customers. Even goes the extra mile for a good presentation. But ultimately under-delivers even as you pay more for what you normally would get for something considerably basic.
Not unlike that restaurant perched so high up in the clouds, I hope one day it gets changed or replaced with something for the better. They both kept me fed… But just about barely. Unless you consider what you've received to be 'well nourishing'.
So when you go to that ballot box on the 3rd, please choose carefully to make your vote truly money worth. Or else we might have to endure more expensive 'lessons' in the future.
I hope one day we get changes or replacements with something better.