By Low Ching Ling

OVERNIGHT, American politicians put us to shame.

After the mudslinging was done, they showed grace.

The winner was not smug, and the loser was not sore.

Now, fast rewind to Singapore's past polling days. Flash back to the long faces and the flying darts.

Singapore politicians are no different from others at the hustlings in getting personal. But, to the ordinary voter, they seem to take it personally even after the campaigns are over.

Can we come together after the heat of electioneering has died down, or is this a naive question?

One has to ask because of the graciousness displayed by the victor and loser of the US presidential election.

Who would have thought that after all the potshots taken, some of which were personal, that Senator John McCain would be a class act in the face of defeat?

After his loss, he referred to Mr Barack Obama as 'the man who was my former opponent who will now be my president'.

Mr Obama was equally gracious towards the man who had earlier launched relentless personal attacks on him in the fierce battle for votes.

He said: 'He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.'

Now, imagine a People's Action Party (PAP) candidate and an opposition politician doing the same after they have fought tooth and nail in a general election (GE).

Can't picture such a scene? We don't blame you.

How often have we heard the PAP acknowledge that the opposition gave them a good fight in the GE?

And how often have we heard the losing opposition give the ruling party due credit in their post-election speeches?

More often than not, we hear of the winner scorning the loser, and the loser denying the winner his rightful moment.

S'pore's GE

Just look at our past elections.

In the 1991 GE, the PAP lost an unprecedented four seats.

Then-PM Goh Chok Tong said in a post-election press conference that residents in Potong Pasir, an opposition ward, had their 'bread buttered on both sides for too long'.

He was referring to how the PAP had continued serving the estate even after it fell to opposition politician Chiam See Tong in 1984.

So, Mr Goh said, the PAP should withdraw its services from Potong Pasir.

Was the PAP a sore loser?

The opposition is just as guilty.

In the 1997 GE, the late Mr J B Jeyaretnam refused to leave the stage after he lost. Instead, he stood fuming, glaring at the PAP victors as they gave their speeches.

Later, the then-WP chief questioned if voters in Cheng San GRC, where he lost, were intimidated into voting for the PAP.

So much for graciousness in Singapore politics.

But are we being fair in drawing comparisons with a superpower like the US, with its long history, tradition and political maturity?

'It is easier for US politicians to do it because many of them, both Democrats and Republicans, have worked together on numerous committees and working groups,' said Dr Terence Chong from the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.

'They have a history of bi-partisanship which allows them to understand that cooperation is vital for politics.

'It's different in Singapore where the ruling party dominates every area of government and the state. There is no need for co-operation with the opposition. As such, this kind of graciousness is less evident.'

But it's important, Singapore Management University law professor Eugene Tan noted.

'It's not about treating the other side as the loser or the enemy,' he said.

'Though we don't have a two-party system yet, there's still a sizeable 30-35 per cent who will vote for the opposition. It's still important for the winner to reach out to those who have not voted for them.'

'Every government wants its policies to be successful. It's something very clear to Obama - he knows he will never be successful if there's a gulf between us (Obama voters) and them (McCain voters).

'An election shouldn't be about Singaporeans fighting among themselves. Once the election is over, it's important for the different groups to try and work together.'

Does he foresee Singapore ever becoming politically more gracious?

'Yes, as society matures further,' he said.

Indeed, there are already some signs of change.

In the GE two years ago, a victorious Low Thia Khiang credited PAP candidate Eric Low for having done his part for Hougang and hoped 'he will continue to do so'.

He also said PM Lee was 'gentlemanly' in the contest.

As gracious, PM Lee Hsien Loong said the results in the two opposition wards showed that voters wanted a credible, strong opposition.

He added: 'Whichever party you voted for, let's close ranks and, in the words of our slogan, stay together and move ahead.'

This article was first published in The New Paper on Nov 6, 2008.

Is this article useful to you?