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Tag: GE2015

  • GE2015 Causes Singaporeans To Run Out Of Problems

    GE2015 Causes Singaporeans To Run Out Of Problems

    Singaporeans from all walks of life, who are used to dealing with daily issues of all sorts that have plagued the country the last few years, are suddenly discovering that they are running out of problems.

    This after the General Election 2015 is causing their problems to be solved one after another at an alarming unprecedented rate.

    One Singaporean, Mei Wen Ti, said: “Suddenly, Sembawang residents wake up one fine morning and discover that they are having a new hawker centre and swimming complex built right in their neighbourhood to deal with the fact they didn’t have access to these basic amenities for years.”

    “It is like they used to have 99 problems but now they have none.”

    “And then two constituencies that are home to Singapore’s oldest estates, Jalan Besar and Tanjong Pagar, are set to be spruced up over the next five years as both town councils suddenly unveiled master plans to rejuvenate the estates.”

    “It’s like waking up one fine morning and then, ‘Woah, what the hell just hit me? Solutions!’”

    Other Singaporeans said these influx of solutions to age-old problems have reaffirmed their belief that having elections every year is the way to go.

    This is to bring about a better standard of living and quality of life for Singaporeans and the good times will continue rolling as long as Singaporeans head to the polls regularly.

    Another resident, Boh Dai Ji, said: “My neighbour, was in arrears, and HDB cancelled his outstanding debt.”

    “My son, fail all subjects in Primary 3, and still can go CC collect bursary award.”

    “Holding elections is, therefore, the most effective way for residents’ issues to be addressed. All GRCs and SMCs should have elections every year.”

    “Otherwise, all problems will be put on the back-burner, as Singapore only focuses on economic growth at all costs.”

     

    Source: http://newnation.sg

  • Chee Soon Juan: When The Reserves Go, The Economy Tanks And Everyone Goes With It

    Chee Soon Juan: When The Reserves Go, The Economy Tanks And Everyone Goes With It

    Dr Chee Soon Juan casted doubt on the PAP government’s ability to guard Singapore’s financial reserves during their house visits on Sunday, 16 August. Dr Chee contended, “Our message to [the voters] is that what we need is to make sure our reserves are being monitored [by a strong opposition].”

    The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) conducted their afternoon door-to-door visits at Bukit Timah. SDP activated more than 30 members and volunteers in cars and bicycles to cover a wide area of landed properties.

    While acknowledging the different concerns those staying in this area may have, Dr Chee noted everyone will suffer together when the government “does not know what is going on” with the financial market. This is because of a lack of opposition presence in parliament.

    Dr Chee cited the 2008 global financial crisis triggered by the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers. “Between GIC and Temasek Holdings, we lost close to $120bn -$140bn,” he said.

    He continued, “This is where I worry. In spite of the fact there were so many warning signals of the subprime crisis that was developing ahead, the government did not know what was going on and continued to plow in money to banks like Citigroup, Lehman Brothers, Bank of America, [and] Merrill Lynch.”

    Dr Chee contended the opposition’s role is “to question and make sure every one of our investments in the Sovereign Wealth Funds is transparent and well-managed.”

    Emphasizing the common destiny of Singaporeans of all income groups, Dr Chee encouraged the voters of Holland-Bukit Timah to support the SDP. “This is not about income. When the reserves go, the economy tanks. Everyone goes along with it.”

    Ms Chong Wai Fung

    Dr Chee also took the opportunity to introduce Ms Chong Wai Fung to the media despite being coy about whether she is running for office.

    Ms Chong is currently the treasurer of SDP and heads the Women Democrats. She is a healthcare research analyst and holds two master’s degrees in Clinical Epidemiology and Business Administration.

    Ms Chong noted that due to her job, she needs to be careful when commenting on healthcare issues publicly. Nevertheless, she had spoken at the “Free My CPF” rally and also actively champions women’s rights and issues.

    Coverage in the mainstream media

    Speaking exclusively to The Online Citizen, Dr Chee urged the mainstream media to report on its extensive policies because it is what the residents need to know. Dr Chee expressed his disappointment with the mainstream media’s lack of coverage on SDP’s proposals and alternative policy papers.

    Rather than being solely focused on which areas the parties are contesting and which candidates might be fielded, the media should spend more time talking about reasons why each party should be voted.

    Since 2011, the SDP has published annual shadow budgets, and presented several alternative policy papers on issues like population, housing, the economy, healthcare, and education. However, little of these were highlighted by the mainstream media.

     

    Source: www.theonlinecitizen.com

  • GE2015: A Local Or National GE?

    GE2015: A Local Or National GE?

    Preparations for the next General Election have begun in earnest. Some MPs have announced their retirement, while others have reaffirmed their commitment to continue serving the nation. Parties have begun announcing new candidates; and in a break from tradition, the incumbent has decided to introduce all new candidates before nomination day, giving them a chance to familiarise themselves with the electorate.
    This move could be read as an indication from the incumbent that this GE would likely be a “local” election. In a recent Facebook post, potential Workers’ Party candidate and current NCMP Gerald Giam, shared his thoughts on this issue
    As Giam has rightly pointed out, many constituents are happy with the municipal work done by their incumbent, and their votes would reflect their satisfaction. Considering the lack of a national platform for many MPs, the only real differentiating factor visible to residents is the “local” work done by the MPs.
    Building strong bonds with constituents is certainly beneficial to any candidate. At the end of the day, regardless of the national issues, it is the residents within the constituency that decide who should be their MP, and if the incumbent has done a good job within the division, their chances of re-election are high.
    As the campaigning heats up, the incumbents would certainly present their track record in managing the estate as a strong justification for re-election. Their ability to solve local issues, and provide their constituents with a safe and pleasant neighbourhood will certainly be a deciding factor; but I hope it is not the only one.
    As a young nation, we are at an inflection point. Forces beyond our control have dictated that our region will be one of the key drivers of the global economy. Technological advancements have made some of Singapore’s traditional strengths redundant – offshore centres in lower cost countries can easily provide the professional services that Singapore has been a global leader at.
    What worries me, is that many people have discussions regarding bread and butter issues, assuming our nation’s continued prosperity. Singapore’s success is not guaranteed, and as Mr. Lee Kuan Yew used to say, no one owes us a living.
    I hope that we never forget that our current success is an anomaly, a product of visionary leadership and a hardworking, self-sacrificing population. I would like to see today’s politicians display the same determination and clarity of vision that our pioneer leaders displayed. And I hope that we citizens are ready to work hard and sacrifice to ensure that Singapore continues to beat the odds.
    So on polling day, I will cast my vote for the  party that has the most compelling and actionable vision for Singapore – a Singapore that I would be proud to leave for future generations and one that my parents would be proud I helped shape.
    So parties it is time to convince me, and other voters, not only that you can keep my estate spotlessly clean but also that you have a vision for tomorrow.
    Source: http://inconvenientquestions.sg
  • SDA’s Desmond Lim: Don’t Judge Me By My Language

    SDA’s Desmond Lim: Don’t Judge Me By My Language

    He was ridiculed by netizens for his bad diction after an edited version of an old campaign video of his went viral on Facebook last week.

    But Singapore Democratic Alliance’s Desmond Lim Bak Chuan, 47, said his command of the English language should not be used to judge his abilities to serve the residents.

    Responding to the edited video, which used subtitles to make fun of Mr Lim’s diction, he told The New Paper: “Whoever did that, I don’t know what is his or her intention, but why go personal? You want to fault me, fault me on policy issues.

    “I have been in politics for 23 years. I have spent my life serving people. No matter how bad my command of the language is, I don’t deserve such a treatment.”

    Mr Lim was at the party’s walkabout at Punggol Plaza yesterday, where party members gave out brochures to residents.

    SDA is contesting the six-member Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC in the upcoming general elections.

    The 55-second clip mocking Mr Lim was edited from a 2013 video titled “Why Vote For Desmond Lim?: SDA Punggol East By-Elections Online Rally”.

    WATCH: Desmond Lim talks about ‘that’ video

     

     

    Mr Lim, who is married and has a three-year-old son, said he was not hurt by the clip.

    “I’m not bothered and concerned about what people think about me. I’m bothered about how I can help others,” he said.

    “That’s the past. We cannot be run down by our past. If we are held on by our past, we cannot progress.”

    He added that there are those who like to judge people despite not having met them personally.

    “People can say anything. You can’t control them. There will be people who like me, there are those who don’t.”

    Mr Lim said he has had problems speaking since a very young age.

    He did not attend pre-school and started speaking only at age seven, when he could not even spell his own name or read from A to Z.

    LATE DEVELOPER

    “People thought it was a late development where you can talk when you grow older,” said Mr Lim, who is a principal engineer with a telco.

    He said that his speaking disability was never diagnosed as his parents had been too poor to take him 
to a doctor.

    He overcame his challenges and went on to obtain a Masters in Engineering Management, despite taking five years instead of the usual three years for part-time study.

    To help him understand the lecturers, he would draw pictures and write his notes in Chinese.

    In response to the viral video, 
a supporter has edited a 2011 YouTube video titled “Unlimited Belief” to explain why Mr Lim does not speak eloquently.

    A friend of Mr Lim even likened him to a 2004 American Idol contestant, Mr William Hung, who became famous despite being mocked for his off-key audition performance of Ricky Martin’s hit song “She Bangs” in the reality talent search programme.

    In response, Mr Lim said: “I always believe I am who I am. You want to say I am Singapore’s William Hung, I’m okay.”

    You want to say I am Singapore’s William Hung, I’m okay.

    – Singapore Democratic Alliance’s Desmond Lim Bak Chuan on being compared to the American Idol contestant who was mocked for his off-key singing

     

    Source: www.tnp.sg

  • Melvin Yong Replaces Lui Tuck Yew In PAP’s Moulmein-Kallang GRC Team

    Melvin Yong Replaces Lui Tuck Yew In PAP’s Moulmein-Kallang GRC Team

    Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew on Sunday introduced senior police officer Melvin Yong as the People’s Action Party (PAP) candidate who will be contesting in his place in Moulmein at the coming general election.

    This even as he bade farewell to residents after he had announced earlier this week that he was leaving politics after serving the ward – which is now under Moulmein-Kallang GRC – since 2006.

    Mr Lui played on his surname and Mr Yong’s Chinese name, Yi Cai, when making the introduction. He said: “Last time, it was ‘Lui lai liao, (Hokkien for ‘Money is coming’), now it’s ‘Cai lai liao’.” Cai is Mandarin for fortune.

    Mr Yong is expected to join the PAP team for Tanjong Pagar GRC, which takes in Moulmein when the electoral boundary changes kick in at the next polls.

    The other members of the five-member GRC team are Labour Chief Chan Chun Sing, Senior Minister of State for Education and Law Indranee Rajah, backbencher Chia Shi-Lu and former public servant Joan Pereira – another new face.

    All were at the walkabout at Pek Kio market where Mr Yong was unveiled, except Dr Chia who was at another grassroots event.

    Today is the Assistant Commissioner of Police’s official last day of work in the force after he put in his papers for early retirement.

    Mr Chan said Mr Yong is no stranger to Tanjong Pagar GRC because parts of constituency came under his watch when he was commander of Clementi Police Division from 2010 to 2014. The 43-year-old was also Head Investigation at the station, which is effectively the No. 2 man at the division, between 2004 and 2006.

    “A formal announcement about the team will be made next week, but nonetheless we are happy that (Mr Yong) is here to join us and re-acquaint himself with Tanjong Pagar issues,” added Mr Chan at the sidelines of the walkabout on Sunday.

    PAP activists later surprised Mr Lui with a cake at the walkabout to celebrate his 54th birthday. Mr Lui joked that he felt like he was 108, “because the last nine years, you got to multiply it by seven.”

    Ms Indranee said she and her colleagues will miss Mr Lui, but told him: “We will build on the good work you have done.”

    Despite his upcoming retirement, Mr Lui said he will continue to visit residents as a private citizen. “Every time before I go for events, I would pray that I continue to see them, that they remain in good health,” he said. “I will continue to do the same after I leave.”

    Looking ahead, he said that his focus will be on helping Mr Chan and Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim – a fellow MP at Moulmein-Kallang GRC and now Jalan Besar GRC – lead their teams to victory at the next polls. And if the new candidate needs his help, “I will support him in any way,” he added.

    However, longtime residents of Mr Lui’s ward like Madam Koh Kwee Soh says the former Navy Chief will be missed. “Mr Lui is the best minister and MP,” said the 85-year-old retiree. “I am very sad he is leaving, he has done so much for me.”

     

    Source: www.straitstimes.com