Singaporeans First’s (SingFirst) candidate Fahmi Rais, the only Malay among all the candidates contesting Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency (GRC), said a voice for his community is important, especially if the Government wants to have its policies communicated to this group.
Noting that Tanjong Pagar has not had a Malay Member of Parliament (MP) since becoming a GRC in 1991, Mr Fahmi said: “I’ve come across so many Malays during my walkabouts and many of them are from the lower-income bracket and they may not be very educated, so how is the communication process trickling down to them, I wonder.”
The ruling People’s Action Party’s (PAP) slate for Tanjong Pagar GRC for the Sept 11 elections does not include a Malay candidate. The 48-year-old media consultant said the main issue that has come up during his interactions with Malay residents is that of employment.
The lower-income group is hit particularly hard by the influx of foreign labour as they have to compete directly with them for jobs. This worsens the income gap between the Malay community and others, he added.
If elected, Mr Fahmi said he will make tackling issues concerning the community a priority.
Mr Fahmi is contesting in Tanjong Pagar GRC along with SingFirst’s secretary-general Tan Jee Say, party chairman Ang Yong Guan, market risk manager Chirag Desai and sales executive Melvyn Chiu.
The party plans to hold its first rally tomorrow (Sept 3) at Jurong Stadium.
Source: http://www.todayonline.com
