Forget rhetoric, it’s the ideas that count

I found Dr Gillian Koh’s commentary “GE2015 hustings: Let’s focus on policy, not political grandstanding” (Aug 31) rather comprehensive — an overall review, rather than an in-depth look at issues that matter to voters.

While the parties’ manifestos and claims about what they will do upon being elected are important, the real grassroots involvement of candidates and their actions will speak louder.

Many voters may be keen to vote for candidates who best empathise with the situation faced by individual heartlanders rather than who voice high-sounding, abstract policies.

In particular, the voters’ profiles indicate issues peculiar to their age group and social backgrounds.

It is true that the ruling party has made a positive shift to the “left-of-centre”.

This augurs well for the party, as people can see tangible outcomes.

As a voter, I cannot help but wonder whether this may have been the result of the previous General Election as well as subsequent by-elections.

Population and immigration issues could have been exaggerated, but it is true that some people have been affected adversely by the growth of the foreign-worker population over the past decade.

What percentage of voters, however, is unknown, and one must discount rhetoric in the media to be sure. So I am a little disturbed that Dr Koh alluded to the issue of xenophobia as a potential tool for candidates.

I am certain that no Singaporean politician would resort to this. Let us not be swayed by a minority of keyboard warriors; xenophobia is not acceptable, least of all in seeking the high office of parliamentary representation.

Finally, as a mature voter, I would like politicians to avoid denigrating their opponents.

Rather, they should analyse the manifestos of the parties and ask relevant questions.

I would be aghast at cheap comments and ugly criticisms that try to, but will not, score political points.