Tag: Aljunied GRC

Aljunied Residents Lauds Area’s ‘Human Touch’

Since Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC) came under Opposition rule four years ago, some residents interviewed have noticed fewer grassroots activities, and a handful felt that there were fewer large-scale estate upgrading projects, and repairs for town amenities seem to take a longer time.

But with parts of the constituency currently undergoing the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme, and with the blocks of flats recently given a fresh coat of paint, the 50 or so residents interviewed by TODAY — which spent several weeks visiting the GRC — were hard-pressed to cite any material differences in their lives since the GRC changed hands.

The biggest change, they felt, was the greater human touch by the town council and Members of Parliament (MPs). Anecdotes abound of how the town council employees are prompt in attending to issues and MPs being more visible and approachable, with most residents interviewed able to tell who the MP looking after their estate is.

Shopkeepers interviewed also preferred the more laid-back approach in terms of enforcing regulations — for example, the town council usually closes one eye when they flout the regulations on how much space they can use outside their shops to display their wares.

In the 2011 General Election (GE), the Workers’ Party team won 54.7 per cent of the vote, defeating the People’s Action Party (PAP), which garnered 45.3 per cent of the vote.

The financial management lapses at the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council have dominated headlines, particularly since the hustings started last week. By and large, however, the residents TODAY spoke to were not seized by the issue.

The general consensus is that as long as their basic needs are taken care of, and the constituency is adequately maintained — corridors are kept clean, rubbish is cleared, lifts are working, as several residents put it —they said they did not understand the town council’s complex financial details.

They also noted that four years might be too short a period to judge the performance of the WP in running the estate.

Still, Mr Alex Toh, 37, who has stayed in the Serangoon North precinct for close to two decades, said there was a stark difference in the responsiveness of the town council when the constituency changed hands after the 2011 GE.

The town council officers are friendly and responsive, he said, whenever he calls them — be it to highlight a lighting problem or enquire about other municipal matters. He added that he would frequently see Ms Sylvia Lim, who is the sitting Member of Parliament for the Serangoon Division, in his neighbourhood — sometimes as early as 7am, and in the evening on the same day. “I thought she stays in Serangoon because I see her around often and she is in the estate so early in the day,” said Mr Toh, who was surprised to learn that Ms Lim resides in the western part of the island.

Madam Ade Huang, 59, who has been staying in Bedok Reservoir for the past eight years, said that the town council would clear the rubbish in her estate quickly whenever she calls to complain about it. “Last time … (the town council) didn’t even pick up the phone,” said Mdm Huang.

Madam Yeo Ah Gek, 47, who stays opposite the Hainanese Market and Food Centre, noted how the town council installed lifts at the food centre — which was built without government funding, Ms Lim had said at a recent election rally — after some issues that elderly residents faced with the escalators. Mdm Yeo said: “At least now with the lifts, I don’t have to worry about my elderly mother falling down if she goes to the market.”

Nevertheless, residents said they have felt the impact of having their estate run by a town council that has fewer resources compared with its predecessor. A Serangoon North Avenue resident of 10 years, who only gave her name as Mel, said she noticed that repair works seemed to take longer compared with the past. Referring to a mini exercise park in the constituency, she noted that the restoration works took at least six months. “I am not sure why it took so long to complete when it was just minor repair work and they blocked up a large portion of it, so residents could not use (the facility) for quite a while.”

Another long-time resident, who declined to be named, felt that upgrading work has been slower since Aljunied GRC came under the Opposition. “I don’t see a lot of upgrading work here compared with my friends staying in other estates such as Marine Parade,” said the part-time worker, who has been staying in Kaki Bukit for four decades.

In terms of the general maintenance of the estate, residents interviewed said they do not have any problems with the cleanliness, although some noticed that the washing of the corridors are less frequent.

Sprawling across several mature estates, Aljunied GRC is well-served by roads and public transportation. Facilities and amenities are also abundant, residents said.

RESIDENTS SUGGEST IMPROVEMENTS

Nevertheless, some residents suggested certain improvements to the amenities. Madam Serene Chai, 49, who stays along Bedok Reservoir Road, noted the lack of a bank branch near her home, with the nearest one located at Bedok Bus Interchange.

Madam Atmi Hamid, 57, who stays along Hougang Avenue 1, also felt there are insufficient Muslim food options. “Sometimes, you need something last-minute and it can be quite hard to get something ‘halal’ nearby,” she said.

Some residents said there was less buzz in the neighbourhood, even though they acknowledged that WP’s grassroots volunteers have been organising community activities.

A resident, 60, who only gave her name as Madam Low, remarked that the Serangoon area where she is living in “just doesn’t seem as lively anymore”. In the past, there would be more activities during festive occasions and the PAP MP would visit the neighbourhood with much fanfare, she recalled.

Shopkeepers lamenting the tough business environment, due to the proliferation of online shopping as well as new supermarkets and malls sprouting up in the area, said they were grateful for what they described as the town council’s “more relaxed approach”.

For example, the town council would not come down hard on the shopkeepers when new goods arrive and are temporarily placed outside the shops beyond permitted limits. A hardware shop owner, who wished to be known only as Mr Goh, said: “Last time, the PAP town council people always came and took photos, and threatened to issue me a summons when I put my things outside … Now, they don’t bother me as much … We are all happy.”

Other shopkeepers interviewed expressed the same sentiments. “(They) used to come almost every other day to tell me I cannot put my things outside,” said another shopowner, Mr Ho.

The town council was also responsive to their needs, the shopkeepers said.

Mrs Anchelly Devi, who owns a minimart selling Indian goods and spices, remembered calling the town council to ask to use the space outside her shop to sell some goods.

The officers came to her shop the very same day to look into the matter. “When business takings are already low … it is really nice when the town council is efficient,” she said.

Source: www.todayonline.com

September 7, 2015
No Surprises In Workers’ Party Line-Up For 10 Battlegrounds

A snapshot of the Workers’ Party (WP) line-ups in its 10 battlegrounds at the Sept 11 polls has emerged on Nomination Day, with the party pulling no surprises yet.

WP chief Low Thia Khiang, 58, chairman Sylvia Lim, 50, lawyer Pritam Singh, 39, and full-MPs Chen Show Mao, 54, and Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap, 40, are set to be defending the Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

The quintet have arrived on Tuesday (Sept 1) morning at the Raffles Institution, the nomination centre for the five-member constituency, along with Mr Koh Choong Yong, 42, a software engineer. He is likely again contesting the Sengkang West single-member constituency (SMC) like he did at the 2011 polls.

The WP’s Nee Soon GRC team will comprise: Singapore Cancer Society manager Kenneth Foo Seck Guan, 38, managing partner of private investment business Luke Koh, 41, lawyer Gurmit Singh, 55, and sales consultant Cheryl Denise Loh, 31. They have arrived at the nomination centre at Yishun Primary School.

Non-Constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong, 50, lawyer Terence Tan, 44, lawyer He Ting Ru, 32, bank wealth manager Dylan Ng, 40, and chocolate factory owner Firuz Khan, 48, could be contesting the Marine Parade GRC and have arrived at the Kong Hwa School.

Funeral services company executive Bernard Chen, 29, is set to be fielded in MacPherson SMC and is also at the same nomination centre.

The four potential WP candidates for the resurrected Jalan Besar GRC, medical social worker Frieda Chan Sio Phing, 39, polytechnic lecturer L. Somasundaram, 52, engineer Redzwan Hafidz Abdul Razak, 30, and businessman Adrian Sim Tian Hock, 43, have arrived at Bendemeer Primary School.

NCMP Gerald Giam, 37, National University of Singapore sociology professor Daniel Goh, 42; consultancy firm CEO Leon Perera, 44; former associate librarian Mohamed Fairoz Shariff, 36; shipping law firm partner Dennis Tan, 45, were at the Aljunied Town Council office in Kaki Bukit and have boarded a bus set for Fengshan Primary School.

It is the nomination centre for the East Coast GRC and Fengshan SMC. Mr Tan is likely to stand in the SMC as his team has split up with that of the other four WP candidates.

Also at the same nomination centre was Punggol East MP Lee Li Lian, 37, who will be defending the constituency she won in a 2013 by-election.

Hougang MP Png Eng Huat, 53, has also arrived at Poi Ching school, the nomination centre for the SMC that he won in a 2012 by-election.

Hougang is the stronghold of the WP, held by Mr Low from 1991 till he left in 2011 and won the first GRC for the opposition.

Source: www.straitstimes.com

September 1, 2015
An Aljunied GRC Resident On Life Under The Workers’ Party

Four years after votes were counted for Aljunied Group Representation Constituency on election night in 2011, I have yet to see the post-apocalyptic nightmare some had said my estate would soon be in.

As the first GRC to have ‘fallen’ to an opposition party, the Workers’ Party-run Aljunied was seen as the first real test of the opposition’s capability to govern, albeit on a smaller scale.

There has been a lot of news about the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol-East Town Council (AHPETC) recently, but in the Serangoon ward where I have stayed for 22 years, it is very much business as usual.

The garbage is still cleared, the chutes fumigated regularly, the unfortunate cockroaches that fail to escape the fumes are still removed from the side-walks within the day.

Coffee shop prices have risen, perhaps not as drastically as some other areas. My usual plate of chicken chop now costs $5.80 from $4.50 a decade ago but inflation is a fact of life everywhere.

In fact, if one were to ask me what the differences were between living in the Workers’ Party-run Aljunied and when my ward was under the People’s Action Party, I do not think I could give a satisfactory answer. Perhaps there were differences, but as a resident, my life has not been affected.

I have to put up with a new Build-to-order project next to my block, this on the somewhat tiny plot of land where dog owners used to gather on the weekends but it is an experience not uncommon in Singapore.

As a resident and dog-lover, I obviously wished the Housing Development Board could have chosen to build the project somewhere else. As a Singaporean, I realise it is necessary to ensure everyone has a place to call home.

I have emailed my Town Council several times, and each time someone would reply within a day and resolved the issues highlighted, such as the time I noticed a damaged external wall during a neighbour’s renovation works.

An upgrading of a nearby park was finished recently, and it now comes with a resurfaced basketball court and elderly-friendly facilities. And while I do not like the new paint scheme of my estate, it is just my personal preference.

As someone who does the occasional political commentary via Facebook, I do chance across comments regarding my GRC, usually supporting the establishment or the opposition incumbents.

I cannot identify with the ‘regret’ and ‘Aljunied residents have learnt their lesson’ camp, but neither can I attest to being on the Workers’ Party cheer leading squad.

I have seen my Member of Parliament, the WP chairman Sylvia Lim, around on several occasions, but I also have had the good fortune of not needing her assistance in most daily matters, and cannot describe any encounters with her beyond my professional job scope.

I saw my previous PAP MP, Lim Hwee Hwa, once when I was a young teenager and my ward was still part of the Marine Parade GRC.

Her supporters invited me down to shake her hand when I popped my head out of the window one Sunday morning. I declined, rather quickly, as I was in the middle of playing a game – as a 13-year-old then, politics didn’t interest me much. I remember someone gasping loudly when I said no.

I have been asked about the AHPETC saga and the council’s former managing agent, and the recent statement by the Ministry of National Development over the profits made by the said agent. My stand is simple – if there was wrongdoing, there should be a criminal investigation.

As it is, there is none, and the WP’s explanation to the residents suffices for now. Hougang MP Png Eng Huat even announced that AHPETC was back in the black, after compiling their annual report for 2014/2015.

Of course, there is also the matter of how the WP has performed in parliament, which is where most voters will expect their MPs to repay their trust and faith.

The WP’s ‘A team’ has stumbled along the way, such as Pritam Singh saying in parliament that he will only answer to Aljunied residents before checking if there were any present to actually demand an answer, but none at the level of what I would consider as political suicide. But which politician has not made a gaffe now and then?

The WP MPs have also argued against policies I am concerned over, such as the 6.9 million population target set out in the White Paper. Would I like to see more debate? Certainly, but with the party having just seven voting MPs out of 87 in parliament, I have learnt to tone down my expectations on such issues.

A common question I get asked, once people know which GRC I reside in, is whether I regret my GRC voting out former Foreign Minister George Yeo.

My answer is: had Yeo been fielded in a single seat contest, I do not believe he would have lost. The Aljunied residents did not vote for any single individual, but a team. For better or for worse, that is the nature of our unique GRC political system.

Life in Aljunied GRC under the WP has more or less been the same for me as before GE2011. I cannot speak for the capabilities of the other opposition parties, but considering the teething problems that arose from taking over a GRC, I would have to say the WP has done a decent job.

That alone, however, will not be enough to win my vote. What will swing it for me is what the candidates from WP or the ruling party standing this time around can bring to parliament, and focus on issues that have an impact on not just my estate or my GRC, but for Singapore and its citizens as well.

Both parties have unveiled their candidates for Aljunied, but it still feels premature to make a decision before Nomination Day and the rallies that follow. But my vote – and yours – counts so I will exercise that right as a resident in the GRC and a citizen wisely.

Source: https://sg.news.yahoo.com

September 1, 2015
Ex-Potential PAP Candidate Reveals He Wasn’t Invited To PAP’s Manifesto Launch

Who is Kahar Hassan? That will be the reaction of most Singaporeans unless you are a Kaki Bukit resident in Opposition-held Aljunied GRC.

We know about Kahar a month ago when he announced his stepping down as the Chairman of People’s Action Party (PAP) Kaki Bukit Branch.

Dear Friends & Residents of Kaki Bukit, It is with a heavy heart that I have to bid you farewell as today will be my…

Posted by Kahar Hassan on Friday, July 31, 2015

In other words, the Business Development Director with an engineering company was a prospective PAP candidate for its “suicide squad” in Aljunied until last month. His stepping down certainly raised some eyebrows among politicians and political observers because Kahar had been working on the ground for 16 months.

Former PAP Minister Lim Boon Heng, who announced current PAP candidate Shamsul Kamar’s “take-over” of Kaki Bukit to the grassroots leaders, told the media on Aug 1 that the decision to replace Kahar was “not because he’s done anything criminal or there’s a scandal”. (Thanks for putting this negative thought in our minds, Minister!)

After the sharing of Kahar’s Facebook post on July 31, it has been difficult to connect with him. We suspect it is probably an effort by Kahar to remain low profile for the time being. In fact, he told me that he preferred not to accept any media interviews during the GE campaigning period.

With a sighting of him at a Workers’ Party (WP) event and murmurs that Kahar was “hardworking” but perhaps did not build up rapport with his Kaki Bukit residents, Kahar finally relented and decided to share his side of the story and life after stepping down as a PAP chairman.

Mothership.sg met Kahar last weekend to talk about his previous role as the Chairman of PAP Kaki Bukit Branch, his strategy to reach out to the residents in the Opposition ward and why he is a “Teochew porridge”.

1. Tell us about your previous role as Chairman of PAP Kaki Bukit Branch.

Photo courtesy of Kahar Hassan

As a PAP Branch Chairman in an opposition ward, I do not have the luxury of learning the ropes from an incumbent PAP MP. I was immediately thrown into the deep end of the pool having to make decisions for the Branch and the activists. I have to also raise funds for both my Branch and the PCF to ensure its sustenance.

My priority when I first came to Kaki Bukit, was to increase residents’ awareness of PAP’s presence in an opposition ward. I found out that a good way for me to embark on this, is through organising exercise groups, overseas tours, local outings and events to engage our residents and make PAP’s presence felt.

I also conducted house-to-house visits in my capacity as a PAP Branch Chairman and helped explain government policies and programs such as the PGP, Silver Support Scheme, Medishield Life etc to our residents.

Being a deep advocate of Design Thinking (an innovation process), the key step to innovation is empathy. With empathy, one will naturally be sincere, be willing to listen and be able to come up with the right solutions to solve a problem, or in this case, help the residents.

I restarted the weekly Meet-the-People Session (MPS) on 5 May 2014 at Blk 519 PCF Kaki Bukit to help residents, and was attending to 5 to 7 cases every Monday. In less than 4 months, our MPS cases increased. During my tenure as Branch Chairman, I attended to approximately 30 to 35 MPS cases every week.

I have also launched the “Milk & Diapers Program” to help needy families. From my daily house-to-house visits, I met needy families with elderly or bedridden members, many of whom could not afford consumables such as powdered milk and diapers. Similarly, these consumables are also a huge financial burden on underprivileged families with toddlers and newborns. The program thus helped reduced these families financial burdens and ensured that no one is deprived of such necessities.

Nonetheless, in the midst of showcasing PAP’s presence, I have not forgotten that Kaki Bukit is an opposition ward. Therefore, I also made sure that I gave due respect to the elected MP, Mr Faisal Manap, who has been given the mandate to run the ward by the residents.

Source: Kahar Hassan Facebook page

2. How did you reach out to residents in the Kaki Bukit ward?

Source: Kahar Hassan Facebook

17 months ago, when I was told to go to Kaki Bukit, I thought about how I could appeal to the hearts and minds of the residents. I believe “it’s not about doing different things but doing things differently”. I know I would not be able to expect a different result if I were to replicate the same modus-operandi as when Kaki Bukit was still a PAP incumbent ward.

I asked myself 2 questions, “How did WP win Aljunied GRC in GE2011?” and “What is Mdm Halimah Yacob’s winning formula which makes her a household name among many Singaporeans?”.

With that in mind, I approached Mdm Halimah (Speaker of Parliament) to be my mentor which she graciously agreed. I followed Mdm Halimah on her block visits and learnt how she manages her ward in Bukit Batok East. I am not shy to say that I emulated what Mdm Halimah has done as her methods have proven to be successful. Occasionally, I would seek her advice and opinions on certain issues.

Photo courtesy of Kahar Hassan.

Back in Kaki Bukit, I told myself, my aim is to get to know every single resident. As such, after finishing my day job at 5pm, I conducted house-to-house visits 2 times a day (5.30pm-7pm & 8pm-9.30pm) every Monday to Friday. On weekends or public holidays, I would have market or coffeeshop visits in the morning, followed by 1 session of house-to-house visit in the afternoon or evening. These visits are not hi-and-bye sessions. I took time to listen to each resident’s concerns and offered them advice on-the-spot. For issues which cannot be resolved immediately, I would invite them to our Meet-the-People Session (MPS) so that we could explore other ways to assist them.

I have since completed 2 rounds of house-to-house visits within Kaki Bukit and was about to commence on my 3rd round prior to being asked to step down.

I intentionally conduct these house and market visits in my capacity as PAP Branch Chairman with only 2 or 3 Branch activists so that I could have deeper interaction with the residents at their doors and also to encourage the residents to approach me freely at the market to share any issues or concerns which they might have. I do not fancy having a big entourage with me at the coffeeshop or market, as that only creates unnecessary congestion and inconvenienced the business owners and diners.

I also make it a point to attend all wakes in Kaki Bukit to extend my condolences and assistance to the bereaved families. It is very sad to learn that some of these residents who have passed on, are residents whom I have met and spoken to during my earlier house visits.

Besides house-to-house visits, I attend community events and functions to interact and mingle with residents. The residents have grown so accustomed to my presence at these events that they have started asking my former activists why they no longer see me around in Kaki Bukit now.

I must say these outreach and establishment of relationship and rapport with residents cannot be achieved overnight. Most importantly, it requires long-term commitment and it is not something that you can try to outsource.

3. In your Facebook posting message on Jul 31, you mentioned that “the Party leaders have made the decision last Saturday, for me to step down as Chairman of PAP Kaki Bukit Branch”. Did they explain to you the reasons behind their decision?

No reasons given. I was told to step down to make way for Shamsul Kamar (PAP candidate for Kaki Bukit in Aljunied GRC).

4. How was the ground sentiment when residents found out about your departure from Kaki Bukit?

Source: Kahar Hassan Facebook page

I was told several elderly residents at Blk 509B cried and many residents were very upset that I could no longer be around for them. Residents have posted messages on my Facebook page (both private and public), encouraging me, thanking me for my contributions and telling me that they missed me. Some mentioned that they have written to the Prime Minister.

Many residents who are not internet-savvy have also approached my former Kaki Bukit activists, asking them to help convey to me how much they missed me, with some asking if I could still go on organised tours with them?

I must say I am really blessed to have been posted to Kaki Bukit and get to know such warm and loving residents.

5. Former Minister Lim Boon Heng told the press on Aug 1 about replacing you with Shamsul. He explained that the PAP will deploy who it believes would be able to deliver the “best possible performance” on the ground, and that you could be “placed in a better role somewhere else”. Did he contact you about the role?

No.

6. Have you been tasked to remain and help the current team in this upcoming election?

No.

7. At the press conference of the unveiling of the PAP Aljunied slate, Lim said that PAP “felt that it needed a change, even though Mr Kahar had been a “very hardworking person”. He thanked you for your work at Kaki Bukit and for letting residents know that the party has “not forgotten about them”. We were at the press conference and we didn’t see you. Did the party forget to invite you to the PAP Aljunied press conference or did you forget to attend?

I was not informed about this Press Conference.

8. Did PAP forget to invite you for the launch of the PAP’s manifesto last Saturday?

I was not informed about the launch of PAP’s manifesto.

9. PAP’s campaign slogan is “”With you, for you, for Singapore”. Are you still with PAP, for PAP, for Singapore?

Yes, I have been a PAP member for almost 20 years, and I am proud to be a Singaporean.

10. Anway, it seems like you haven’t been invited to PAP-related events since Aug 1! When was the last time you were invited to a WP event?

I was invited to WP’s Hari Raya event which was held in Kaki Bukit on Aug 2 2015.

11. This event took place 2 days after you announced your stepping down as PAP Branch Chairman, why did you still turn up for the event?

This invitation was extended to me by the MP of Kaki Bukit ward, Mr Faisal Manap, and I had accepted his invitation a few weeks before I was told to step down.

Because this event was held in Kaki Bukit, and also as a form of respect to the MP elected by the residents of Kaki Bukit, I thought it would be rude not to turn up merely because I had stepped down.

There is a Malay saying, “Rezeki jangan ditolak, Musuh jangan dicari” (loosely translated to mean, don’t push away goodwill and create animosity).

As Muslims, we are discouraged from rejecting invitations extended to us. In any case, I sat amongst our Kaki Bukit residents at the event for only 20 minutes, as I had to rush to another event.

12. We ask this question to every person we’re interviewing for this GE — if you were a Singapore hawker food dish, which would you be and why?

Teochew Porridge. I eat this at home all the time as it is one of my favourite foods.

It is a comfort food; plain and simple, and goes so well with any dishes, be it steamed fish, tofu, salted egg, braised meats or fried vegetables. (I have yet to find a halal version of this at hawker centres).

Teochew Porridge reflects my simple personality and people feel comfortable talking to me, as I can relate to just about anyone; whether they are young children, old folks or young adults who have just embarked on their careers.

Source: http://mothership.sg

August 31, 2015
Shamsul Kamar Named In PAP Team For Aljunied GRC

The People’s Action Party (PAP) on Friday (Aug 28) officially announced its lineup for Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC) for the General Election (GE).

PAP members Yeo Guat Kwang, Chua Eng Leong, Victor Lye, K Muralidharan Pillai and Shamsul Kamar will attempt to win back the GRC from the Workers’ Party.

At the 2011 polls, the WP took 54.72 per cent of the votes in Aljunied GRC against a PAP team led by former Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo. It marked the first time a GRC had been won by an Opposition party since the introduction of the GRC system in 1988.

The WP has already announced that its 2011 lineup of Secretary-General Low Thia Khiang, Chairman Sylvia Lim, Mr Chen Show Mao, Mr Faisal Manap and Mr Pritam Singh will defend Aljunied GRC this year.

The five PAP candidates for Aljunied GRC are:

Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, 54, Assistant Secretary-General of National Trades Union Congress (NTUC)

Mr Yeo served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Cheng San GRC from 1997 to 2001 and Aljunied GRC from 2001 to 2011 before moving to Ang Mo Kio GRC. He was tipped to retire from politics this year, but at the PAP’s unveiling of its Ang Mo Kio candidates for the GE, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong instead announced that Mr Yeo would be fielded in another constituency.

“It’s so good to be home. I served here for years,” Mr Yeo said, on his return to Aljunied GRC.

“I’m a PAP man – I’m a man who serves with passion and purpose. I remind myself to be practical, pragmatic, get to the root of the problem and help,” he said.

He has been championing labour issues since he entered politics in 1997, Mr Yeo said. “We do our best to help them (workers) enhance their employability and to increase opportunities for all.”

Mr Chua Eng Leong, 44, private banker

Mr Chua is the chairman of the PAP’s Eunos branch. His father is the late former Cabinet Minister Chua Sian Chin, who passed away last year.

He joined PAP in 2011 because he was concerned about the future of young Singaporeans, he said. “Why the PAP? I was born PAP – it’s about Passion, Ability and Purposeful service.”

“Politics is just another name for service to the nation,” he said, adding “we can only be effective if we listen. Voters want to know we care”.

Mr Lye, who has two children, said that one of the programmes he plans to champion for is youth at risk. “This is a special group … All youths should get opportunities to do well in life,” he said.

More should also be done for young families, he said. “We need to pay more attention to (these) families, catering for more childcare, infantcare and eldercare facilities.”

Mr Victor Lye, 52, Chief Executive of Shenton Insurance

Mr Lye is the chairman of the PAP’s Bedok Reservoir-Punggol branch. He is also chairman of the National Council against Drug Abuse, and sits on the board of directors at the Singapore Chinese Orchestra.

An Aljunied resident, Mr Lye has been involved in grassroots work in the constituency since 1999, and has been the PAP’s Aljunied branch chairman since 2012.

Currently the CEO of a medical insurance company, Mr Lye said he enjoys turning businesses around. “My experience in the private sector helps me understand problems faced by Singaporeans … helps me empathise with others.”

When the PAP lost the 2011 General Election to the opposition Workers’ Party, he decided to stay on. “After 2011, it would have been easy to walk away. But we are here to serve and that hasn’t changed. Where few dare to tread, it’s more meaningful because I finally know where my heart is,” he said.

“I believe in ground-up leadership. We need to connect better with our people.”

Mr K Muralidharan Pillai, 47, lawyer

Mr Muralidharan is chairman of the PAP’s Paya Lebar branch. Before embarking on a legal career, he was Assistant Superintendent in the Singapore Police Force.

Mr Muralidharan, who also spoke in Tamil, Mandarin and Malay during the press conference for the unveiling, said he was honoured that the PAP decided to field him as a candidate, despite being the son of a former political detainee.

“If elected, my focus would be on social mobility. We all don’t want a permanent underclass to emerge in Singapore. The Government has done a lot for social mobility, the challenge is for families to grasp the opportunities,” he said.

“This isn’t a career enhancement move,” he said. “I don’t know how long my political career will be – it could be 10 days … I’m not fazed by the odds. I will fight this election with all my heart.”

Mr Shamsul Kamar, 43, former head of department, Spectra Secondary School

Mr Shamsul took over as chairman of the PAP’s Kaki Bukit Branch just this month, although he was a grassroots leader there from 2006 to 2011.

The former head of department in Spectra Secondary School, Mr Shamsul said he taught students from the Normal (Technical) stream. These kids are “underdogs”, he said, “not academically inclined but creative”.

If elected, he will ensure that students like these are able to complete their education. “Education is one of the most effective social levellers,” he said.

Another issue close to his heart is underprivileged families, he said. “Despite the support available to them, many still need a leg up. We can do a lot more.”

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

August 28, 2015