The Chiam factor, and when being wrong is being right

Just two quickie items today.

Election Quotable

"You must understand, Potong Pasir residents like the rustic environment. They don't like grand buildings coming up." -- The PAP's man in Potong Pasir, Sitoh Yih Pin, after he said he was the "underdog" and not feeling any more confident of his chance of winning the single seat ward although the incumbent since 1984, the Singapore People's Party's Mr Chiam See Tong, is not standing there but Mr Chiam's wife Lina is. Mr Sitoh said his electoral defeat in 2001 and 2006 had taught him never to discount the "Chiam factor" and that this time round, he will eschew promising major infrastructure projects in the estate with 17,318 voters.          

"I'm wrong. You're right"

Burmese strongman Senior General  Than Shwe, before he stepped down, sought  a  reconciliation with democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi. “I’ll admit I’m wrong if you’ll admit I’m right,’’ he offered her. Ever the lady, she replied, “Okay”. So, in front of a special session of Parliament open to the international media, he started his speech, “I was wrong…” In a crisp and steady voice, she cut in, “You are right.”