Nicole Seah breaks down during rally

Nicole Seah is a pretty 24-year old, an executive with a multinational advertising agency. However, do not overlook her, for she is at the heart of the political party, National Solidarity Party in Singapore and is contesting in the in the Marine Parade GRC.

On the night of 5 May, Nicole Seah participated in a rally for the National Solidarity Party(NSP). During the rally, she actually broke down in tears while recalling a meeting with a poor family in MacPherson. According to the Straits Times article reporting on this affair, Nicole said that "she was saddened when the mother said that she could not get help to fund her son's $80 tution fees. Worse, when the mother sought help, she was chided for the small amount."

I think that there are two viewpoints from which to look at this affair. The first viewpoint is that in trying to convince the people that the NSP was the best candidate for the job, she, without knowing, blurted out this story. She crying means that she has compassion in her and is able to sympathise with others. The public will certainly be moved and impressed by the maturity of this young woman.

However, the other, negative, viewpoint is that this was all an act. Nicole Seah purposely brought up this affair so that the public will also will compassion for the poor family and hence will start to sway in her and the NSP's favour. If this is true, it would mean that Nicole Seah is a dirty player and will resort to every mean ti achieve her goals, in this case being to be elected into the GRC.

Which one is true, and which is false? It all depends on who is deciding. Followers of Nicole Seah would agree strongly with the first argument while those supporting others would have taken up the second viewpoint with enthusiasm.