A conversation with an opposition politician candidate Anonymous

“Don’t you feel oppressed living in Singapore?"

As a teenager, I avidly consume social media. Initially, however, I was extremely disoriented reading comments by other users such as the one given above. The rest of the world seemed to be speaking of a different Singapore – a place I did not grew up in. I struggled to assert my identity as a Singaporean online, attempting to fend off misconceptions about my beloved country at the tender age of fifteen. However, I grew to accept that the rest of the world can never understand the paradox of Singapore’s polity. I come from a school that has produced politicians from across the entire spectrum, but has always been inclined to expose students to members of the ruling party.

My interest in politics brought me to the frontlines of the 2015 General Elections, listening intently to the rally speeches of the opposition parties to satisfy my craving for a perspective from the other side of the political spectrum. When I saw Roy Ngerng – a candidate of the Reform Party – leaving after the rally, I cleverly attempted to start a conversation by asking him for a photo.

Throughout our conversation, which lasted slightly more than an hour, Roy was quick to assert his opinion whenever he...