Tag: GE2015

Father Supports Yee Jenn Jong’s Decision To Join Opposition Despite Apprehension

When Mr Yee Jenn Jong joined the Workers’ Party (WP) shortly before the 2011 General Election (GE), his father was apprehensive and concerned about the possible repercussions. “He was worried that if I am in the Opposition, what will happen to me?” said Mr Yee, 50.

Mr Yee noted that part of his father’s apprehension stemmed from the fact that the 82-year-old — who was a Chinese teacher — had witnessed turbulent times when the Government was fighting the Communists.

Today, his father still has a slight reluctance but has left him to do what he wishes, said Mr Yee, joking that he is already 50 years old now.

Despite their disagreement over his decision to join the WP, Mr Yee said that during the 2011 GE hustings, his father took him around the neighbourhood to personally tell their neighbours to vote for him. “Though (my dad) was apprehensive … the touching thing is he still very supportive,” Mr Yee said.

That support has not wavered. Whenever matters concerning the WP hit the headlines, he would receive a phone call from his father. “When things get a bit ‘hot’, he calls me up and say ‘are you okay’? I’ve to assure him ‘don’t worry I am okay, dad’,” Mr Yee said.

Similarly, his wife has also overcome her initial apprehension and now follows him on his outreach activities. Their three children — aged between 16 and 21 — have also gotten involved: They are roped in as assistants when Mr Yee performs magic tricks during community events.

Recounting his experiences with his family members, Mr Yee said he hopes that more younger people will join the Opposition as the political space here gradually opens up.

He said: “This election to me is as much about the next generation of how Singapore Opposition should be … It is also about the SG100 of the Opposition.”

To that end, Mr Yee said he was heartened by the fact that for the coming General Election, the WP has managed to attract a crop of highly-qualified young candidates who are getting their hands dirty instead of just “complaining about the Government in coffee shops”.

On his parliamentary performance, Mr Yee stressed it is for the public to judge how he did and he did not want to take credit for any policy shifts.

Nevertheless, he was glad that some policy changes in early childhood education — including the expansion of the anchor operation scheme — were along the lines of suggestions that he had made in Parliament. He added that he was among the first MPs to seek amendments to laws to penalise culprits outside of Singapore who contribute to the haze problem. The Transboundary Haze Pollution Act was passed in Parliament last year.

Mr Yee said one of the things he has had to learn to deal with, as an Opposition figure, was “personal attacks” from members of the public.

“When I previously raised issues among friends and go to coffee shops to debate, I don’t get personal attacks. Now, there will be attacks from people who do not like you or the stand you are making … I will then try to improve on my speeches and ultimately, I hope people who disagree with me may see the merits to things I am proposing.”

Source: www.todayonline.com

August 31, 2015
Workers’ Party To Field Residents In Marine Parade GRC

The Workers’ Party (WP) team for Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency could be banking on home ground advantage, as WP central executive council Yee Jenn Jong — who is expected to lead his party’s team there — revealed that the “majority” of the five-member slate are residing in the ward, and that he will be leading a team of new faces.

Speaking to TODAY during an interview last week, Mr Yee, 50, declined to say who his team-mates are, but he added that they have several years of grassroots experience, and the party has sought to ensure a balanced make-up, with people possessing legal, finance and operational expertise, which is required to run a town council, should the team get elected. “They are also people who are prepared to roll up their sleeves, go down to the ground and get things running,” said Mr Yee, adding that the line-up was decided via a “collective” process involving himself, the WP leadership and the potential candidates.

“When we got started, I already told them this is a very difficult campaign … Contesting against a former Prime Minister (Mr Goh Chok Tong, who is now Emeritus Senior Minister) and with Marine Parade considered a People’s Action Party (PAP) stronghold,” he said. “I believe if (the candidates) also did not sign up for this willingly, they might crack under the pressure.”

The WP has been formally introducing its new candidates since last Wednesday. Apart from announcing that its incumbents in Aljunied GRC and the Hougang and Punggol East single-seat wards will stay put and defend their turf, the opposition party is playing its cards close to its chest in terms of the line-ups for the other constituencies where it will be contesting.

Nevertheless, over the past weeks, some WP candidates — including Mr Yee — have been spotted regularly doing outreach activities in Marine Parade GRC. Apart from Mr Yee, the others are corporate lawyer He Ting Ru, 32, chocolate business owner Firuz Khan, 48, lawyer Terence Tan, 44 and banker Dylan Ng, 40. Among them, Mr Yee, Mr Khan and Mr Tan are living in Marine Parade GRC. Mr Yee is the only candidate among this group — should this turn out to be the WP’s final line-up for the constituency — who has contested in elections before.

Mr Yee, an entrepreneur running various education businesses, made his electoral debut in the 2011 General Election (GE) standing in the Joo Chiat Single-Member Constituency (SMC). Banking on his selling point as a “local boy made good”, Mr Yee — who has resided in Joo Chiat all his life, while his parents have lived there for more than five decades — garnered 49 per cent of the vote, losing by a narrow margin of 388 votes to the PAP’s seasoned campaigner Charles Chong. The result placed him among the “best losers”, and earned him a ticket to Parliament as a Non-Constituency Member of Parliament.

For the coming GE, Joo Chiat has been absorbed into Marine Parade GRC under the redrawn electoral boundaries. Mr Yee had previously said that he had asked to remain in the GRC. On the difference between contesting in an SMC and leading a team in a GRC, Mr Yee said it is a different ball game altogether.

Apart from the obvious task of covering a bigger area, Mr Yee said the fact that he is the only one in the team with GE experience also meant that he felt a responsibility to help his team-mates avoid some of his campaigning mistakes from the previous election. For instance, in terms of engaging residents, he has learnt to condense his message so that voters can understand it within the small window of interaction.

He added: “Contesting in an SMC, you are very much the candidate managing yourself and the team of helpers. But now, I also have to keep my team members and a much larger team of volunteers motivated … taking on the leadership, inspirational and organisational role.”

Nevertheless, with his team members contributing their own expertise, Mr Yee said he has also learnt from them ways to engage residents and how to use social media. On his hopes for the coming elections, Mr Yee said: “I had a gentlemanly contest the previous time and would like to see the same for this round as well.”

Last week, Mr Goh likened opposition politicians to nomads who move from one place to another, without having any interest in the people’s welfare. As a parting shot, Mr Yee said: “I am no nomad, that’s why I am back.”

Source: www.todayonline.com

August 31, 2015
Youths Will Be Careful With Votes

First-time voter Tan Yu Jun, 22 is excited about casting his first ballot. The economics undergraduate and West Coast GRC resident says: “I feel privileged to have a say in the direction Singapore will be taking.”

Law undergraduate Ian Low, also 22, and who lives in Tanjong Pagar GRC – which saw a walkover in GE2011 – agrees: “I finally have the right to suffrage, and I have a say in who governs my country.”

This year, there will be an estimated 245,500 young voters aged from 21-25, most of whom will be voting for the first time, and 220,700 voters aged 26-30, according to the population census figures of citizens as of June 2014.

Of the 25 first-time voters Insight spoke to, issues like the accessibility of education and social welfare are what they would like to see politicians address on the hustings.

Part-time relief teacher Francoise Lee, 23, who lives in Hougang SMC, appreciates the education policies that have allowed her to earn a degree in sports science and management. But business student Joshua Wong, 24, who is in East Coast GRC, thinks more can be done, saying there is still a stigma surrounding polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE).

Referring to upgrades such as a $380-million ITE mega campus that opened two years ago, he says: “Just revamping these schools and providing financial support is not sufficient. More has to be done with employers to ensure it is not a paper chase.”

Mr Tan, meanwhile, wants to hear more about social welfare policies. More can be done to help less fortunate Singaporeans, especially “those struggling to keep a roof over their head and make ends meet”, he says.

Physics undergraduate Jackson Leow, 24, who lives in Ang Mo Kio GRC, admits some policies for the lowest tier of society are comprehensive, but ” the middle-class earners are left by themselves”.

National University of Singapore (NUS) political scientist Reuben Wong thinks education, jobs and housing will be the key issues among youth. “I am not sure Singaporeans aged 21-30 are so much more confident about their jobs and future as they were in 2011,” he says.

East Coast GRC resident and law student Godwin Tan, 22, says it is untrue that only the older generation appreciates the People’s Action Party’s (PAP’s) work. He says: “The peace and prosperity in Singapore do not go unnoticed, especially among the younger generation.”

Young voters have been a concern for the PAP, as they prefer more diverse views in politics, which is seen as a disadvantage for the ruling party.

NUS sociologist Tan Ern Ser believes that young voters want greater diversity in Parliament, but they will vote only for credible opposition parties.

“It matters to them that whichever government they vote in must deliver stability, good jobs and a decent standard of living,” he says.

Similarly, political science undergraduate Henry Lim, 24, of Sembawang GRC, believes his peers will be discerning: “We are not anti-establishment. While conservatives may worry that youth will opt for the opposition for the sake of (it), many young voters also recognise that many opposition parties are just not there yet.”

But some first-time voters are concerned about having enough opposition voices in Parliament.

Singapore Management University law undergraduate Benedict Chan, 22, of Aljunied GRC, says: “While I do believe that healthy debate can occur within a single party, having two parties of different values does contribute greatly to having differing, but not necessarily opposing, views.”

Jurong GRC resident Amanda Yeo, 21, an accounting undergraduate, says: “Although the opposition is not as strong as the PAP, they are capable and persuasive. Also, it helps to keep PAP on its toes if they do not want to be overtaken by the opposition in the future.”

However, biological sciences student Benjamin Goh, 22, a Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC resident, feels opposition voices should not come at the expense of residents’ well-being. He says: “The most important thing for an MP has to be the capability to work for your voters.”

Ultimately, the youth Insight spoke to emphasised candidate quality rather than political party branding. Mr Chan of Aljunied GRC says: “Candidates should be able to communicate their ideas well but, more importantly, communicate well with residents and translate their opinions in Parliament.”

Computer science undergraduate Wong Jing Yao, 22, of Sengkang West SMC, says: “It is not about PAP or the opposition parties, but the components and talents that make up these parties. I will vote for those who can lead us, regardless of their party.”

Miss Dew Yang, 23, a pharmacist from Sembawang GRC, says: “My vote, though small, can affect the future of Singapore. With that in mind, I will vote wisely for the most deserving candidates who will be able to lead Singapore for another 50 years.”

Source: www.straitstimes.com

August 30, 2015
Tan Cheng Bok: PAP Will Lose Elections Because Of Foreigner Issue

The PAP Government may be trying hard to fix problems caused by the large inflow of foreigners, but it has got itself in a tight bind, said 73 year-old former presidential candidate Tan Cheng Bock.

Its difficulties could help the opposition Workers’ Party in the next general election, he said.

The former PAP MP for Ayer Rajah spoke on the future of both political parties in an hour-long interview with the media at his home.

Since the watershed 2011 General Election, the Government, especially its younger ministers, has been “trying very hard” to resolve issues – like immigration – that contributed to its loss of votes, he said.

In 1999, when he was still an MP, he had called on the Government to tone down its talk on attracting foreigners, earning rebukes from ministers, including then Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

“Now, (the Government) has a quota system for foreigners in HDB,” noted Dr Tan.

But they have got themselves into “a very tight situation” by letting in too many foreigners.

“The original lax policy has created a lot of problems. If you suddenly pull the brakes too hard…you titrate wrongly, you have a big, big problem, because the companies will suffer,” he said, adding that the Government may now be “overdoing it” in tightening labour flows, as businesses are facing a manpower crunch.

This means there is “a very likely chance” the WP could win more seats at the next election, given that some wards in the last election were won narrowly by the PAP.

“I think it’s good because the WP can make the Government work harder, and also I think debate on issues will be much better,” he said.

Asked what he thought of PAP’s criticism that WP often sits on the fence or does not voice out its position on several issues, Dr Tan said: “They don’t have to put forth an alternative every time an issue comes up. You can always wait. Timing is very important in politics… So they will know when to push their agenda.

“I think the PAP is the same, because (when rolling out) some of their policies they will wait.”

With next year marking 50 years of independence, “if I were the Government, I would capitalise on it”.

One thing working for the party now is its renewed vigour in fighting for votes, he noted.

But despite efforts to communicate more with citizens, “I don’t think they have really nailed it yet…there is still a lack of trust” in the Government and its leaders, he said.

They have also yet to solve the “divide” in the party, where grassroots activists can feel snubbed after “they work like hell but they don’t get to be MP” when the leadership parachutes elite “prefectorial, army, navy types” who are not in touch with the ground.

One exception is Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, whom he praised as “down to earth”.

“Tharman is the type of person we should look for, and if we can get many people like him, I think the PAP will win (future elections) hands down,” he declared.

“I think Tharman is a very practical chap, he knows how to move the ground…he’s got the charisma to convince me that I want to go along with him,” he said.

Source: www.allsingaporestuff.com

August 30, 2015
Opposition Legend Chiam See Tong Will Not Contest In Upcoming GE

Veteran opposition leader Chiam See Tong will not contest the coming general election.

The Singapore People’s Party (SPP) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) announced their slate of candidates for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC on Sunday (Aug 30) morning.

Mr Chiam, 80, the SPP’s secretary-general, was excluded from the line-up in the constituency he contested in 2011 and will not stand due his age and health, according to his wife Mrs Lina Chiam.

However, Mr Chiam, who was Potong Pasir MP for 27 years, was present to give his backing to the joint team – comprising of DPP secretary-general Benjamin Pwee, 47, DPP chairman Hamim Aliyas, 55, former marketing manager Law Kim Hwee, 55, training company manager Abdillah Zamzuri, 31, and tech entrepreneur Bryan Long, 37 – that will contest under the SPP banner.

Mr Chiam said: “As you’ve seen for yourself we have a strong team here, a very good line-up. They are professionals with good experience.”

Mr Pwee and Mr Hamim, who both contested Bishan-Toa Payoh with Mr Chiam in 2011, both quit their posts in the DPP to join SPP as election rules state that candidates for a GRC team must either come from one party or consist solely of independents.

Mr Pwee will co-lead the team with Mr Long, who is making his GE debut like his fellow SPP teammates, Mr Abdillah and Mr Law.

Despite his exclusion, Mr Chiam nixed suggestions that he was retiring from politics by saying: “I’ve got a long way to go.”

At the last election, Mr Chiam’s SPP team garnered 43.1 per cent of Bishan-Toa Payoh’s votes against the People’s Action Party (PAP) team led by Dr Ng Eng Hen.

Source: www.tnp.sg

August 30, 2015