Farmville Singapore

The recent brouhaha over some squatter farms on former KTM land in Clementi is interesting not so much over the obvious issues but more on how the government and its agencies have conducted themselves. And this is not a one off, but has precedence leading back a few years.

It is sad that the manner in which the government conducts itself has not changed. The fact that it hasn't changed shows that those responsible for this mode of governance have not been removed from their positions/changed their ways post general election loss. It is still business as usual.

The Singapore Land Authority(SLA) and Urban Redevelopent Authority(URA) would have us believe that they are acting on the complaint of a single resident about burning of leaves in the area, causing discomfort to her children. Are we REALLY to believe that absent that complaint, SLA and URA would not have taken the action they did?

If we may innocently ask: How about the burning of incense and 'hell money'? Now that is something many would really wish the authorities would crack down on. Perhaps the same resident could put up a complaint. Many Singaporeans I'm sure would be ever so grateful if the practice were banned.

Why did the authorities feel the need to justify their actions with so obviously transparent a ruse? Do they think so lowly of us that they think we cannot see through their gimmick? This is just so sad. Policies that make sense and are truly for the benefit of the people can stand on its own without need for all these 'wayang'. I mean, firecrackers were banned. We don't remember the authorities justifying putting a stop to the practice due to a complaint by any resident.

If only the government and its agencies are REALLY so concerned and reactive to the complaints of Singaporeans. We're sure there were more than ONE resident of Toh Yi that petitioned against the construction of an eldercare centre in the midst of their flats. And the outcome? Toh Yi residents lost. Shucks...what happened?

Or the petition on the preservation of Bukit Brown. we're sure more than ONE person made their opinions known about the plan to bulldoze a four lane road through the area. The local papers published quite a few articles on it. And the outcome? Bulldozers are likely already flattening the area. Man, just when we thought all it needed was one letter or one complaint and miracles would happen and good sense would prevail ...

Unfortunately, in this farmville case (as in other previous cases), the government agencies have a hidden agenda. Now that the KTM land has reverted to Singapore control and the government has (again, hidden uses for it - despite all that public posturing of gathering public feedback), it has suddenly become an issue that needs to be acted on.

Oh, and the bus parks that are going to be built in Woodlands to house the 500 buses that taxpayers are gifting to the private transport companies? Anyone wants to bet that it will be built on KTM land? You know, the KTM land that is supposed to be hands-off until at least 2013 while public feedback is gathered on how best to preserve/utilise it? I bet the revving of 500 buses will definitely bring a buzz to that portion of the KTM land. Our PM would be so pleased. And we are all so screwed.