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"It is an immigrant society, with a high inflow and outflow of people," the deputy associate dean of Monash University said in his exclusive interview with Malaysiakini.
Because of the highly transitory nature of its society, Gomez believes Singaporeans in general do not have a sense of belonging, nor any vested political interest.
"Attempts have been made to consolidate the people using traditional nation-building means to create a national identity.
Could the lack of candidates to contest against the PAP in general elections be a reason for this? Gomez (left) agreed.
"The main reason is fear. Because Singapore society is transient, the sense of belonging is less. If you are involved in politics, you take risks and make sacrifices.
"The proper question to ask is, who are you doing it for? Who are your people?"
In Malaysia, added Gomez, there is a stable population base and the impetus is to fight for your people.
No 'people' to fight for
This notion of a "people", he contends, is what is missing in transient Singapore. Not many are willing to risk all, for they have no grassroots to fall back on because of high population turnover.
The influx of immigrants, he said, was mainly for economic reasons.
"I have journeyed all over the world and from my observations, no one anywhere grows up wanting to migrate to live in Singapore," said Gomez.
However, the lecturer conceded that those who came to Singapore did so with their eyes wide open, drawn by the allure of its brightly shining economy.
"They come in aware of the political system and are willing to live with it. Whether or not the Singapore economy is a success story is debatable, but the government is efficient in making money for the state despite its limited resources," reasoned Gomez.
Transient immigrants
On one hand are the high-end bankers, businessmen and financiers, as well as academicians, all of whom live in comfort because of their high salaries.
The second group is the cheap foreign labour, mainly from the Philippines and Burma.
"It doesn't matter to them whether it is a totalitarian state, as long as the water is running and life is good," said Gomez.
For these people, salaries are low because of depressed wages. Not all of these people make money, for they have to pay off their agents. Most have very little left, and they spend all they have left just to live.
Straddling the line between the two groups, added Gomez, are Malaysians who came to Singapore to work because of the higher wages.
"They have no stake in society. A few give up citizenship to settle in Singapore," he said.
For the past 20 years or so, Gomez added, Singaporeans have also begun to leave their homeland in droves because they do not like the socio-political system.
"Many among the young cite education for their children as an excuse. The youth also see the draw of a more open university education overseas as very attractive."
Core group with vested interests
This emigration has left behind a core group with vested interest in colouring the political climate of the island nation.
"These are people associated with the ruling party, who use politics to extract benefits. Then there are people left behind, who can't leave."
Those in the ruling party have the most to lose, and therefore they continue to defend their way of life, while those who are not able to get out, have their backs against the wall, and therefore have no choice but to turn and fight.
"Singapore politics revolves around tension generated from influencing how the system is run," explained Gomez.
While race played a key part in the politics of Merdeka in both Malaysia and Singapore, it does have much impact in the island state today, opined Gomez.
"The Singapore government thinks it (issues of race) do not exist, that it has managed racial differences elegantly through multi-culturalism and the national education system.
"But on the ground, there is resistance to this line of thought. The minority races are discriminated by the Chinese majority."
This he said, had been validated by the United Nations special rapporteur, who has filed cases in workplace discrimination, housing and staffing in the civil service.
"There is some racial dissent expressed in the Internet, but nothing on the ground. It will not affect the political landscape much.
"Minority communities will instead express their dissatisfaction indirectly, by supporting the opposition party of their choice."
Tight grip of the Lee family
Without racial issues or clear ideology, Gomez said, the driving force in Singapore politics are the key leaders of the ruling party, with the party mainly being the administrative vehicle for elections.
Control rests with the leading personalities, restricting the political field further. It is not easy for a new leader to arise, for he or she would be eclipsed or pushed aside by the doyen of Singapore politics.
Gomez believes it is necessary to understand this, for it explains the 
Without more fundamental issues, the biggest issue of concern for Singaporeans, who do care about politics, is the cost of living, which dominates political campaigning.
"It depends on how it (cost of living) is affected. In the last few years, Singaporeans have been complaining that they have to compete with the foreigners flooding their country for scarce jobs and limited housing.
"Cheap foreign labour depresses wages and Singaporeans cannot compete and these workers. Locals have families, and they expect a certain lifestyle as opposed to mere survival, like foreign workers do."
However, Gomez does not think that these economic pressures will cause a political tsunami in Singapore's general election, which must taker place before February 2012.
"I look for change and hope for it, but it is too early to predict anything. At the end of the day, Singaporeans must feel angry enough to vote for change... some frustrations exist, but the citizens will have to decide if they have courage to make it count," concluded Gomez.
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