Tag: GE2015

Nicole Seah Interviews SPP’s Jeanette Chong-Aruldoss: Why Contest In Mounbatten SMC Again?

Seven years ago, Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss had a conversation with her four pre-teen and teenage children.

She realised they did not feel rooted to Singapore as they had no say in the nation-building and decision-making process.

Troubled but still optimistic and wanting to be part of the solution, she did something not many people would even imagine doing: Go down the road of opposition politics.

It was not an easy step to take, but she has always believed that one has to start the ball rolling in order to see change.

Fast forward to today: The London School of Economics law school alumnus and former Katong convent girl who runs her own law practice, is currently making a second bid for the Mountbatten single-member constituency seat, where she is running on the Singapore People’s Party ticket.

In 2011, she ran against the People Action Party’s Lim Biow Chuan. Lim won 11,965 votes (58.64 percent), while she garnered 8,436 votes (41.35 percent).

Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss with Chiam See Tong. Behind her are her two children. Source: Jeannette For Mountbatten Facebook

But judging by the extent her children getting involved with her current 2015 campaign, perhaps her desire to have them stay put in Singapore and take part in the country’s decision-making process will no longer be wishful thinking but a reality.

Mothership.sg spoke to Jeannette to ask her about why she is back, what voters can expect and why she will put her legal career on hold to serve the people full-time.

1. First question: What is the best political advice you’ve ever received so far?

Jeannette: A veteran politician once told me that running for elections is like a marathon. It takes a lot of preparation, a lot of personal sacrifices have to be made and it’s a long journey. But as with any marathon, slow and steady wins the race.

Posted by Jeannette For Mountbatten on Thursday, September 3, 2015

2. How different is 2011’s Jeannette from 2015’s Jeannette?

Jeannette: In 2011 when I stood for elections, I had conviction in my heart, but perhaps I may not have articulated what I feel inside. Now in 2015, I am better able to explain my convictions and I believe that voters will be able to understand me better as to what values and things I want to do.

Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss Mothership interview: Nicole Seah spe…Good morning! Mothership.sg exclusive: Nicole Seah (佘雪玲) interviews Singapore People’s Party Mountbatten SMC candidate Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss (Jeannette For Mountbatten) about why she is back this #GE2015. Here’s a snippet of their conversation. Stay tuned for the full article.

Posted by Mothership.sg on Friday, September 4, 2015

3. I remember a conversation we had where I asked what motivated you to join opposition politics. You said your children felt a sense of disconnect and you worried they might not have a sense of belonging and that may leave Singapore one day. Does that still remain your motivation?

Jeannette: As a mother of four kids, I have a very vested and deep stake in the future of Singapore. And I wanted to set an example for my children, that if things are not what they prefer, and they would prefer something else, I want to tell them not to walk away or vote with their feet, but stick around and be part of the solution and try to make things better. So that is something I want to explain to my children. That’s what I want them to do, not just to go where the grass is greener.

Posted by Jeannette For Mountbatten on Sunday, August 16, 2015

4. So this is your second time running against the PAP’s Lim Biow Chuan, what do you think are your chances this time?

Jeannette: I would say that, firstly, the majority will decide the outcome and I am ready to be judged on the merits and the capabilities. I am confident I am up to the task. So I leave it to the voters, they have a choice and let them decide. I put myself out, my manifesto, my plans for Mountbatten, so it’s up to them.

5. Has it been challenging going down this path?

Jeannette: Yes, absolutely. I still need to do my job, I still need to meet deadlines, and I’m a working mom. It’s not easy to balance all these things, so that has been one of my challenges, but I still feel that this is something that I want to do, so I just have to get it done.

6. And you still have time to adopt a dog?

Jeannette: Ember was a rescued dog, she is part of a litter of maybe seven or eight which was found near a garbage bin in Tuas. A dog rescuer alerted and was asking if people might want to adopt, and the litter was so cute! I wanted to adopt more but one is enough and she is part of our family now. She is used to us and we are used to her, and she has a great personality.

Posted by Jeannette For Mountbatten on Friday, August 21, 2015

7. Back to something more serious. Since 2011, many have also said that the PAP is shifting left in its ideology somewhat. Policies have become a bit socialist and populist-leaning, and it’s been easier for people to get financial assistance too compared to in the past. Do you think the ground has sweetened in favour of the PAP government?

Jeannette: Well, I have a slightly different perspective, as I think this demonstrates that they are more responsive to the people’s needs, and this shows that competition is beneficial to citizens. Had not I stood up against the incumbent, would the incumbent have been more hardworking? Would the PAP have been more left-leaning, if not for the results of the 2011 elections?

8. Some might also say that in 2011 there were quite a number of strong candidates from several parties, but this time round it is quite plain to see that there are quite a number of sections in the opposition that might be in turmoil as well. Do you think this affects the opposition’s standing as a whole?

Jeannette: Well, we’re only a few days into a nine-day campaign. [Laughs] I think when you give all the opposition politicians a chance to show themselves, then maybe we can look back and see how it goes.

Posted by Jeannette For Mountbatten on Thursday, August 27, 2015

9. What are some of the changes you have seen in Mountbatten then?

Jeannette: What is most interesting is what has not changed about Mountbatten, which is the fact that Mountbatten is still an SMC and spared from the fate which befell Joo Chiat SMC.

I deplore the GRC scheme, which benefits the incumbent at the expense of the electorate. GRC constituents are short-changed by the diffused relationship between them and their collective MPs. In an SMC, the residents have a better sense of their identity as a community and have a more direct bond with their MP which enables residents to be better served.

10. Recently, there has been more attention paid online to MPs’ attendance in parliament. Can voters expect you to have 100 attendance record like Low Thia Khiang and Gerald Giam?

Jeannette: The ruling party has altered Singapore’s electoral process several times. With each amendment to the Constitution, it gets harder and harder for opposition politicians to enter Parliament. Every seat won by the opposition will be hard-earned, paid by heavy personal sacrifice and a history-making feat achieved against great odds. Voters can be sure that if elected, I will make full use of my seat in Parliament.

Posted by Jeannette For Mountbatten on Friday, August 21, 2015

11. Do you think it is important to be a full-time MP?

Jeannette: Being an MP is one of the highest calling in public service. If elected, my MP duties will take top priority and my legal career will be put on hold or otherwise take a backseat to my role as MP.

12. So, for the last question, not as loaded as the previous ones, the de facto question this GE: Describe yourself as a hawker dish?

Jeannette: Well, Nicole, sitting in front of you, I can only think of wantan mee because we used to enjoy it together. You used to SMS me and say “Shall we eat wantan mee? Let’s go!”

[Yeah, wantan mee is comfort food.]

I think it reminds me of home. And friendship too.

[Thank you for making time today. Wish you all the best for the rest of the hustings period.]

Source: http://mothership.sg

September 7, 2015
Amrin Amin: PAP Prihatin, Akan Terus Berusaha Cari Huraian Bagi Isu-Isu Melayu/Islam

Isu-isu Melayu/Islam terus menjadi tumpuan kempen para calon pembangkang Melayu sepanjang pilihan raya ini.

Tanpa menyentuh mana-mana isu tertentu, calon baru PAP, Encik Amrin Amin berkata, para anggota partinya prihatin dan akan terus berusaha untuk mencari huraiannya.

Namun katanya, ia perlu dilakukan secara bersama dan dengan pemahaman bahawa Singapura adalah sebuah negara berbilang kaum di mana keperluan kaum minoriti juga perlu dijaga.

Maka itu, beliau menyarankan agar pendekatan lebih luas diambil dalam hal ini, dengan tumpuan juga diberikan kepada gambaran lebih besar serta teras Singapura yang perlu dipelihara.

Encik Amrin ditemui semasa sesi kunjungan menemui penduduk di Woodlands Avenue 6, pagi tadi.

Lawatan-lawatan seperti ini sudah menjadi satu rutin biasa bagi Encik Amrin Amin sepasukan, sejak Hari Penamaan Calon Selasa lalu.

Diketuai Menteri Pembangunan Negara, Encik Khaw Boon Wan, pasukan lima anggota ini kelihatan bertenaga, meskipun bermula seawal 8 pagi tadi.

Menurut Encik Amrin, sambutan yang diterimanya setakat ini amat memberangsangkan.

“Saya telah berjumpa dengan ramai penduduk di kedai kopi, di kedai kopi dan pasar-pasar. Saya gembira dapat bertemu dengan ramai penduduk dan mereka memberi saya sokongan serta doa semoga dapat melaksanakan amanah masyarakat ini sebaik mungkin,” kata Encik Amrin.

Walaupun setakat ini belum lagi ada isu-isu besar yang diutarakan penduduk, Encik Amrin akui masih terdapat lagi ruang yang perlu diperbaiki.

Beliau berkata kesempurnaan mungkin tidak boleh dicapai.

Namun beliau yakin pasukannya mempunyai rancangan yang baik untuk meningkatkan lagi mutu kehidupan para penduduk di sini.

Sebagai calon kali pertama, peguam 35 tahun ini juga, berkata beliau banyak belajar daripada para aktivis serta para calon yang lain.

Kerja keras, ketabahan serta kekuatan mereka dijadikan inspirasi bagi membulatkan lagi tekadnya untuk menyumbang kepada masyarakat.

Source: http://berita.mediacorp.sg

September 7, 2015
WP Mahu Lebihan TTFS Digunakan Untuk Pelajar Dewasa Melayu Buru Ijazah Pertama

Parti Pekerja (WP) mengadakan rapat pilihan raya untuk pasukannya bagi GRC East Coast, di Simei Road.

Salah seorang calonnya bagi GRC tersebut, Encik Fairoz Shariff berucap tentang kesukaran yang dihadapi para pelajar dewasa.

Beliau menekankan lagi kandungan manifesto pilihan raya WP, yang mahu mewajibkan syarikat-syarikat melaksanakan peraturan kerja fleksibel untuk golongan tersebut.

Beliau juga mendesak supaya wang lebihan dari skim Subsidi Yuran Pengajian Tinggi (TTFS), yang kemudian disalurkan ke Dana Pembangunan Pendidikan (EDF) kendalian MENDAKI, digunakan untuk membiayai pengajian pelajar dewasa Melayu yang memburu ijazah pertama mereka.

Encik Fairoz berkata: “Laporan kewangan MENDAKI untuk tahun 2014 menunjukkan bahawa kira-kira $18 juta subsidi TTFS yang tidak diagihkan, telah dipindahkan ke EDF pada tahun 2014.

“Saya berpendapat membenarkan pelajar-pelajar dewasa Melayu kita untuk memanfaatkan dana yang tidak diagihkan dari subsidi TTFS tidak akan menimbulkan masalah kerana jumlahnya amat besar. Lagipun, pelajar-pelajar dewasa Melayu kita, patut dikategorikan sebagai pelajar-pelajar pengajian tinggi walaupun mereka belajar secara sambilan.”

Source: http://berita.mediacorp.sg

September 7, 2015
19 Year Old Student: Why I Will Vote Opposition

Dear fellow Singaporean,

I am just a student who is 19 this year, hence I am not able to vote for this upcoming General Election. I come from a very average family and my parents do not have any diploma certificates but just O’ level certificates which you can roughly estimate how much they earn. My dad works from 6am to 6pm daily just for the family. Have got to admit that I am not political type of person and I am not well with my language too, however I do want to stand up for my friends, my families and myself. The government says that we are the future of Singapore but as a student now, I am already being stressed up with my academic and as well as my future and yet the PAP says that they care for everyone in Singapore but in truth, do they really put themselves in the shoes of a teenager as well? As a 19 year old boy, I calculate my daily expenses which is just food and on average, I spend at LEAST $15 in school every day due to 8am – 5pm class. So how much do you think I can save now? The government urge Singaporeans to have more babies to increase the population of Singapore, however, how are supposed to have babies when starting a family would be a problem for most of the average income families now? Also, we still have to at least have a degree certificate in order to survive in this society right now. With all these calculations which includes National Service, how old would we be in order to have a baby which we are capable of raising him/her up?

My family does not own any cars but whenever I meet up with relatives, they would complain over cars expenses, work, studies etc. The government came up with policies for cars such as COE and ERP now, raising a car (for 10 years only) is near to the price of having half a HDB flat and according to the government, the reason they gave was limited area within Singapore. A place to stay is very important but transportation to destination is also important as punctuality, efficiency is affected. From what I can see, instead of making full use of the whole Singapore, I can only see houses being built everywhere every day, but traffic jam still remains everyday on my way to school. Some days on my way to and fro the interchange, I would see cars being jammed along the small road and the reason of the car jam is because of the barrier of the car gantries not able to function well at times. Sometimes, I could even see broken barriers at the side of the road, cars horning most of the time and sometimes I would even see people quarrelling just because of the gantry. (Is this your so called understanding of Singaporean?) Is the barrier of the gantries to collect money or the harmony of Singaporeans more important?

Alcohol and Cigarettes are really bad for health, (no offends to alcoholics or smokers) but with the high taxes of it does the amount of Singaporeans stop drinking or smoking? I know E-cigarettes are harmful to health and banned in Singapore, but honestly speaking would E-cigarettes be more healthier for the surrounding people of the smoker or the normal cigaratte and does that mean that normal cigarettes is not harmful to health? (this is the point which I don’t understand as a Singaporean though I am not a smoker) Medical expenses is another problem, with the weather in Singapore, even the yearly haze and not having sufficient rest due to work, stress just leads to illness. The government came up with policies which help the pioneer generation but teenagers like us would spend an average of $40 just for an MC and a couple of types of medication in a clinic. Are the pioneer generation the only Singaporeans?

Do you think the recent policies would help the future generation? Honestly speaking, as a student now, I myself would find that these policies does help but doesn’t remove the root of high expenses still in Singapore. I have watched these few days rally shows on television and made me realized that the PAP likes to dig out the past of opposition parties unpleasant past, as a leader of Singapore, I think winning with glory is needed. The Opposition parties pinpoint problems in Singapore, not problem with your opponents past. How do even trust our votes to you when what you doing is for Singapore, the country itself, not the Singaporeans living in Singapore.

I am really very worry of my future and as well as the future of Singapore because this is the country which I am going to spend for the rest of my life. I had managed to convince my parents to vote for Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) for my area, I really hope that many of us would vote for the opposition party as I really think that our future generation is at stake if our expenses continues to go up.

Opposition Seah
A.S.S. Reader

Source: www.allsingaporestuff.com

September 6, 2015
GE2015: Meet The Aunty Killers

At any electoral race, you can’t discount the benefits of putting your best faces forward. While it doesn’t guarantee a victory, a photogenic politician’s confidence and presence can sometimes change the tides in his or her party’s favour.

Even if voters don’t get to meet these politicians in person, their video interviews can strike a chord with the electorate.

Of course, anything can happen between now until polling day. Current Marine Parade MP Tin Pei Ling for instance, found that out the hard way at the last elections in 2011.

Then 27, Tin was fielded by People’s Action Party (PAP) in hopes that a younger political voice might win the votes of the younger electorate. But the plan backfired, when netizens and voters criticised the young candidate for her inexperience and conduct at interviews.

Will the coming elections become a battle of personalities? From the new faces to current members of parliament, we play our hand at predicting the likely ‘aunty killers’ and charismatic politicians that might just steal the show at the coming elections.

Darryl David

Image: Yahoo Singapore

He’salready a recognisable face to many Singaporeans. His claim to fame: he hosted The Pyramid Game, a popular television show in the 90s.

The 44-year-oldwill be contesting the Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency (GRC), as part of the People’s Action Party (PAP) team led by incumbent prime minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Although apolitical newbie, the photogenic PAP candidate’s media savvy (he has 22 yearsof experience in media and communications) could come in handy in tricky interviews.

His abilityto speak in Mandarin and Hokkien might just endear him to the older Chinese voters as well. The politician, who is of Indian and Chinese descent, told The Straits Times that he learnt the dialect from his maternal grandmother.

Currently the deputy director of Temasek Polytechnic’s School of Design, the educator has served as District Councillor for the North-East Community Development Council since 2009. He has also volunteered his time at Red Cross and other charitable non-profit groups.

Desmond Choo

Image: Yahoo Singapore file photo

In 2012, the Financial Times called this boyish-looking former policeman an ‘auntie killer’, who might just win the Hougang seat at the by-elections that year.

He didn’t; the PAP candidate lost to current MP Png Eng Huat from WP. He was also defeated at the 2011 elections when he contested for Hougang.

Choo’s persistence however, might finally pay off outside of the opposition stronghold in Hougang. For the coming elections, the 37-year-old will be fielded for Tampines GRC. As they say, the third time might prove to be the charm.

Choo has also been working the ground in Tampines,since his appointment as second adviser for the Tampines East grassroots in 2014. Outside of his political involvement, Choo also works as director of youth development for NationalTrades Union Congress (NTUC).

Chen Show Mao

With his credentials, the opposition politician was seen as the Workers’ Party (WP) trump card at the 2011 elections, when he won with 54.7 per cent of votes as partof the WP team for Aljunied GRC.

The corporate lawyer also came across as down-to-earth and sincere at walkabouts. At rallies, the 54-year-old is known to speak in English and Mandarin, withbits of Malay and Hokkien in his speeches.

Fluent in Mandarin as well as English, Chen’s language abilities have also helped the WP win over the older Chinese heartlanders; Chen was born in Taiwan and has been a Singapore citizen since 1986.

One of the most immediate challenges for Chen and the WP team includes the ongoing Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) financial saga. As one of the key WP figures, how Chen handles the situation in this upcoming electoral race may just sway or turn the voters in his favour.

He will defend his Aljunied seat at the coming elections.

Dr Lily Neo

Image: Lily Neo/ Facebook

Polished and articulate, this PAP politician has been vocal in her support for financial schemes for low-income families and the elderly. The 62-year-old currently serves as MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC.

Her outspoken stance for such bread and butter issues could continue to win her support for the next general election. One parliamentary session in 2007 even saw the usually calm Dr Neo flare up against minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan’s comments that increased funds for public assistance scheme might erode the incentive to work.

At the coming elections, Dr Neo will contest the Jalan Besar GRC with Communications and Information minister Yaacob Ibrahim.

Baey Yam Keng

Image: Baey Yam Keng/ Facebook

He’s got young fans on Facebook and Instagram, plus a reputation as an ‘auntie killer’.Could that work to his benefit at the coming elections too?

The 44-year-old has served as MP for two terms thus far; his first term in Tanjong Pagar and his second as one of the current MPs for Tampines GRC.

He is also one of the most active Singapore politicians on Instagram. His selfies even made the news in 2013, when local culture and entertainment website Popspoken crowned him its current ‘selfie crush’. To date, the politician has over 10,500 followers on Instagram and over 13,800 fans on Facebook.

At the last election, the 40-year-old was elected into the Tampines constituency, as part of the PAP team which won 57.22 per cent of total votes cast, beating the team sent by National Solidarity Party (NSP).

He will be defending his seat in Tampines GRC.

Teo Ser Luck

Image: Teo Ser Luck/ Facebook

This 47-year-old PAP politician is also a big fan of ‘group-fies’ (self-timed group photos), winning him support among the younger electorate.

On Facebook, the Pasir Ris-Punggol MP is oft pictured in the midst of taking a self-timed group shot with students and residents. He’s also known for his humorous hashtags, peppered with Singlish phrases and self-deprecating remarks.

And like Baey, Teo is also a fitness enthusiast. Teo however gained brief notoriety in March this yearfor the workout he dedicated to Singapore’s first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew. Some netizens saw the gesture as inappropriate in light of Lee’s passing.

Teo, who is also the Minister of State for Trade and Industry, has served as a MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol for two terms. He will contest in PAP’s team for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC.

Joan Pereira

PAP candidate Joan Pereira (left) with a resident from Bukit Merah. Image: Joan Pereira/ Facebook

Here’s another photogenic PAP candidate: Joan Pereira is one of two new faces to be fielded for the Tanjong Pagar GRC at the coming elections.

The 48-year-old has worked as a director at People’s Association for 25 years, before stepping down earlier this year. She is currently an assistant general manager at Temasek Cares, a non-profit charitable organisation founded by Temasek Holdings.

Pereira will be contesting for the Tanjong Pagar GRC, alongside incumbent MPs Indranee Rajah, Chan Chun Sing and Dr Chia Shi-Lu.

He Ting Ru

He Ting Ru (right) with a shopowner at Geylang Serai. Image: He Ting Ru/ Facebook

She’s young, photogenic and a corporate lawyer who comes across as thoughtful and articulate through her posts on Facebook.

He Ting Ru is one of the newest members from WP and has been active on the party walkabouts at Geylang Serai and Katong on Facebook, as of early August. These areas fall under the Marine Parade constituency, which the opposition party has said that it will contest for.

She currently serves as the secretary of the WP’s Youth Wing.

The 32-year-old has been unveiled as a WP candidate but has not been officially named as candidate for any specific constituency.

Kevryn Lim

NSP members Eugene Yeo and Kevryn Lim. Image: National Solidarity Party/ Facebook

As the youngest new member of National Solidarity Party (NSP), the 26-year-old been heralded as the possible new ‘Nicole Seah’, the ex-NSP member that made waves at the last 2011 elections.

To date, the former part-time model has also drawn online buzz for the sexy photos from her modelling portfolio. She currently runs EM.DM, an events management anddigital marketing company.

Although she has been seen on earlier walkabouts in the Marine Parade and Tampines constituencies, NSP has declined to comment on whether she will be fielded for the coming elections. Lim was notably absent at walkabouts recently due to a business trip.

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

September 6, 2015