Tag: PAP

Changes To Town Councils Act, Prompted By AIM Saga, Could Be Delayed

More than two years after a review was announced in May 2013, changes to the Town Councils Act (TCA) could be delayed if the elections are called.

This was revealed by the Minister of National Development, Khaw Boon Wan, who made the remarks last Thursday to the media but which were only reported on Monday, 17 August.

“Previously, I was hoping we can amend the Act within this year,” Mr Khaw said.

“But market talk is the election is just around the corner and, if so, I would not be able to meet this particular KPI (key performance indicator),” he added. “We have to wait until the next term of government.”

Khaw, Minister of MND

Mr Khaw is also the chairman of the People’s Action Party (PAP).

The review, Mr Khaw told Parliament in 2013, would include the councils’ duties and responsibilities in relation to HDB; the adequacy of their sinking funds and long-term financial sustainability; and the arrangements when town councils are handed over between MPs.

The review committee is being headed by the Senior Minister of State for National Development and Trade and Industry, Mr Lee Yi Shyan.

The review was called after a long debate took place when the Workers’ Party (WP) revealed that the computer system used by the former PAP-run Aljunied Town Council (ATC) in Aljunied GRC had been sold to a PAP-owned company, Action Information System (AIM).

AIM, with a paid-up capital of S$2, is headed by three former PAP members of parliament as directors. It does not seem to have any other staff, or a website.

Its mailing address is the same as the PAP’s headquarters in Bedok.

The computer system, which was being used by all PAP town councils, was built at a cost of some $25 million, but later sold to AIM for $140,000.

The co-ordinating chairman of the PAP town councils, Teo Ho Pin, explained that in 2010 [the PAP] had called an open tender to which AIM submitted the sole bid though five companies had collected the tender agreement.

After the system was sold to AIM, the 14 PAP town councils then leased back the system from it.

This raised questions about the transaction, which came just months before the elections of 2011 were called.

Former PAP stalwart and presidential candidate, Tan Cheng Bock, also queried the transactions, and said that they “beg a few questions… especially when the company may not serve, ‘due to material change’, an opposition ward.

Tan

“This software is developed using public funds by town councils. Is it right for the TCs to give up ownership in this manner?” he asked.

“So did the town councils as public institutions do the right thing, selling (the system) to a company owned by a political party with its own agenda?”

AIM also withdrew its services from the then new WP town council after the WP won the Aljunied GRC in the 2011 elections.

The public outcry over the saga – which many saw as being unfair to the WP – prompted the government to call for a review of the sale of the computer system.

The task was carried out by the Ministry of National Development (MND) itself which found no impropriety with the transaction, and said that “the AIM sale complied with regulations and there was no conflict of interest.”

However, the fact that the MND was the agency which carried out the review was also criticised, since the minister of the MND was also the chairman of the PAP which owned AIM.

A Straits Times report then said:

“It gave the all-clear, but some remain unconvinced by the finding that the deal is above board, MPs and experts said.

“One point of contention is why the company, Action Information Management (AIM), would take on a loss-making venture in 2010.

“AIM had said it was to help the PAP town councils, which had no takers for a near-obsolete software programme.

“But some think “this is too good to be true”, said MP Baey Yam Keng of Tampines GRC.

“While many were not surprised by the findings, most of the 50 polled felt that having the MND do the review affected public perception of the report’s finding, even if it was wholly objective.”

Source: www.theonlinecitizen.com

August 17, 2015
Yaacob Ibrahim: Nilai AP Melayu Pada Kemajuan Masyarakat

Menteri Bertanggungjawab bagi Ehwal Masyarakat Islam, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, menekankan bahawa rekod beliau dan rakan-rakan Anggota Parlimen (AP) Melayu daripada Parti Tindakan Rakyat (PAP) harus dinilai dari sudut pembangunan masyarakat Melayu setempat secara menyeluruh, meliputi kemajuan yang dicapai dalam pelbagai bidang seperti pendidikan dan sosial.

Berkata demikian kepada Berita Harian (BH) setelah memperkenalkan pasukan PAP bagi Kawasan Undi Perwakilan Kumpulan (GRC) Jalan Besar yang diterajuinya pagi semalam, Dr Yaacob berkata beliau berharap pengundi Melayu akan berfikiran luas dan tidak hanya menilai AP-AP Melayu PAP berdasarkan satu-satu isu yang belum terhurai.

“Masyarakat kita masih berdepan dengan beberapa isu, masih mempunyai cabaran, saya tidak menafikannya.

“Tapi cabaran ini sedang ditangani bukan hanya oleh badan-badan Melayu/Islam, malah dengan kerjasama agensi pemerintah,” ujar beliau yang tidak menyebut isu-isu yang dimaksudkan secara khusus.

Di peringkat nasional pula, Dr Yaacob menekankan bahawa dasar perumahan, kesihatan, pendidikan dan sosial yang diperkenalkan pemerintah turut memberi manfaat kepada masyarakat Melayu.

Inisiatif SkillsFuture, menurutnya, akan memberi manfaat besar kepada pelajar dan pekerja Melayu.

Lantaran itu Yayasan Mendaki telah pun membentuk divisyen khas bagi meneroka cara memastikan masyarakat merebut peluang penuh skim pemerintah itu.

Dalam pada itu, Dr Yaacob berkata pemerintah telah membuktikan ia sentiasa terbuka kepada kerjasama dengan masyarakat Melayu/Islam dalam memperbaiki hidup mereka dalam segala aspek.

Antaranya menerusi perubahan dasar pendidikan yang memberi manfaat kepada pelajar di madrasah.

“Jadi, saya rasa jika kita jujur dalam penilaian kita, pengundi Melayu akan melihat bahawa pemerintah hari ini prihatin dan jujur berkhidmat bagi pembangunan masyarakat.

“Dan pada masa yang sama, pemerintah ini juga memerlukan sokongan masyarakat Melayu untuk ia memimpin negara kita mengharungi tempoh mencabar pada masa-maa akan datang,” kata Dr Yaacob, yang juga Menteri Perhubungan dan Penerangan dan Menteri Bertanggungjawab bagi Keselamatan Siber.

Sementara itu, selain Dr Yaacob, melengkapi pasukan PAP di GRC Jalan Besar ialah Menteri Negara Kanan (Pejabat Perdana Menteri), Encik Heng Chee How; Mayor Central Singapore, Cik Denise Phua; dan AP veteran, Dr Lily Neo.

GRC Jalan Besar dibentuk semula dalam semakan sempadan kawasan undi baru-baru ini, menggantikan GRC Moulmein-Kallang.

Source: http://beritaharian.sg

August 17, 2015
Yaacob Ibrahim Terajui Pasukan PAP Jalan Besar GRC

Menteri Perhubungan dan Penerangan, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, akan menerajui pasukan Parti Tindakan Rakyat (PAP) bagi GRC Jalan Besar yang dibentuk semula bagi Pilihan Raya Umum akan datang.

Selain Dr Yaacob, melengkapi pasukan PAP di GRC Jalan Besar ialah Menteri Negara Kanan (Pejabat Perdana Menteri), Encik Heng Chee How; Mayor Central Singapore, Cik Denise Phua; dan AP veteran, Dr Lily Neo.

Pasukan itu dijangka menghadapi saingan daripada pasukan Parti Pekerja (WP).

GRC Jalan Besar dibentuk semula dalam semakan sempadan kawasan undi baru-baru ini, menggantikan GRC Moulmein-Kallang.

Semalam, PAP turut mengumumkan pasukannya bagi GRC West Coast, yang telah dikurangkan daripada GRC lima anggota kepada GRC empat anggota.

GRC itu akan menampilkan anggota baru – Encik Patrick Tay.

Tiga lagi anggotanya ialah Menteri Perdagangan dan Perusahaan, Encik Lim Hng Kiang; Menteri di Pejabat Perdana Menteri, Encik S. Iswaran; dan AP, Cik Foo Mee Har.

Encik Tay menggantikan Menteri Kebudayaan, Masyarakat dan Belia, Encik Lawrence Wong, yang mengetuai GRC Marsiling-Yew Tee yang baru, bersama Speaker Parlimen, Cik Halimah Yaacob.

Encik Tay, Penolong Setiausaha Agung Kongres Kesatuan Sekerja Kebangsaan (NTUC), sebelum ini adalah AP GRC Nee Soon.

Encik Lim, yang menyertai politik pada 1991, akan memimpin GRC tersebut bersama Encik Iswaran.

Encik Cedric Foo pula diumumkan akan kekal dalam Kawasan Undi Perseorangan (SMC) Pioneer.

Sementara itu, GRC Chua Chu Kang melihat seorang muka baru – Encik Yee Chia Hsing.

Beliau menggantikan Encik AlvinYeo, yang meninggalkan politik setelah berkhidmat selama dua penggal.

Menteri Kesihatan, Encik Gan Kim Yong, kekal menerajui GRC tersebut.

Anggota-anggota lain pasukannya ialah AP-AP Encik Zaqy Mohamad dan Cik Low Yen Ling.

Selain PAP, parti pembangkang juga tidak melepaskan peluang mengadakan lawatan menemui penduduk di serata pulau.

Dalam lawatan ke pasar dan pusat makanan Chong Pang, Pengerusi WP, Cik Sylvia Lim, mendedahkan kepada media bahawa AP partinya akan kekal di kawasan undi masingmasing mempertahankan kerusi Parlimen mereka.

Sementara itu, Parti Rakyat Singapura (SPP) dan Parti Progresif Demokratik (DPP) masih mengadakan perbincangan menampilkan pasukan gabungan bertanding bagi GRC Bishan-Toa Payoh.

Source: http://beritaharian.sg

August 17, 2015
Zaqy Mohamad Kekal Di GRC Chua Chu Kang

Anggota Parlimen (AP) GRC Chua Chu Kang, Encik Zaqy Mohamad, akan mempertahankan kerusinya bersama pasukan Parti Tindakan Rakyat (PAP) GRC itu dalam Pilihan Raya Umum akan datang.

Ini merupakan pilihan rayanya yang ketiga sejak beliau menceburi politik pada 2006 ketika bertanding bagi GRC Hong Kah.

Sejak dilantik menjadi AP, Encik Zaqy telah diberi beberapa tanggungjawab seperti Pengerusi Majlis Bandaran Chua Chu Kang, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Parlimen Pemerintah (GPC) bagi Perhubungan dan Penerangan, dan Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Bulan Bahasa.

Beliau kini merupakan seorang Pengarah Akaun Asean dan Pembangunan Perniagaan di Ernst & Young.

Source:http://beritaharian.sg

August 17, 2015
WP’s Low Thia Khiang Hits Back At Teo Chee Hean, Calls For ‘Civilised’ Political Engagement

Workers’ Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang yesterday (Aug 16) shot back at Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean’s recent withering attack on the opposition party and its leaders, by asking the public to judge the politics that the People’s Action Party (PAP) practises.

“With all due respect, (Mr Teo) wanted to comment in that way, let Singaporeans judge and see this is the kind of standard of the PAP in politics. Is this the kind of politics we want in future?” said Mr Low. “What do we want the future of Singapore to be? Do we want to be more civilised in our political engagement? We are not a Third World country.”

In a media interview last Friday, Mr Teo ripped into the WP for its handling of the financial lapses at its Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC), and criticised Mr Low for shedding “crocodile tears” over the stepping down of Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew.

“It’s very in character for Mr Low to squeeze the most political mileage out of anything. The reasons that Tuck Yew decided to step down are known to everyone,” Mr Teo had said.

Mr Low had earlier said that he was disappointed and could not understand why Mr Lui had chosen to leave politics at this point in time.

Yesterday, he reiterated that his views on Mr Lui, whom he has known for several years from their interactions in Parliament, were authentic and “heartfelt”. Using a Chinese idiom, Mr Low said his comments on Mr Lui were grating to the PAP as “good and honest advice is unpleasant to the ears”.

Describing Mr Lui as a “hardworking” minister, Mr Low said his departure from politics would be a loss to the Cabinet as he was accountable to Members of Parliament (MPs).

Speaking to reporters at Chong Pang Market — where party supporters and members were greeting residents and selling its newspaper — Mr Low said: “He (Mr Lui) can even cite you details of very technical matters…(and) he doesn’t try to score political points in answering questions, neither does he try to find a way to try to attack or bully the Opposition.”

WP chairman Sylvia Lim, who was part of the party entourage, said that the opposition party was “surprised” by Mr Lui’s decision to step down. She added that the WP was looking at the issue of collective responsibility of the Cabinet.

Responding to Mr Teo’s criticism of the WP’s handling of the AHPETC saga, Ms Lim said it is for residents to decide if they have been taken care of.

Hougang MP Png Eng Huat, who chairs the town council’s audit committee, said that the town council is seeking to close its financial year 2014/2015 accounts by August 31 – the deadline for all town councils. Any discussion on the town council’s financial position will be “more meaningful after that”, he said.

Last Friday, Mr Teo pointed out that the Constitution guarantees there will at least be nine Opposition members in Parliament. He also said that the Opposition in Parliament had no bearing on the many policies introduced or refined by the PAP government since the 2011 General Election, as the foundation for these plans had been laid even earlier – a point that was echoed by Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam at a separate event.

In response, Ms Lim noted that Singaporeans have already shown a desire for elected Opposition.

“On the opposition front, we have to make sure that we continue to give Singaporeans a credible choice. It is up to Singaporeans to decide whether they are satisfied with constitutionally-guaranteed Non-Constituency MPs or whether they would like to have elected MPs governing their constituencies,” she said, adding that it is for voters to judge whether having Opposition MPs made the PAP more sensitive to their needs.

Mr Teo also took a jibe at WP chairman Sylvia Lim who on Wednesday posted on Instagram a picture of herself eating at Fengshan Hawker Centre with the caption, “The taste of Fengshan — heavenly!”, and the hashtag #reasonstowin. On Thursday, Ms Lim posted a blank picture with the caption, “how to avoid speculation”, along with the hashtag #electionseason. Mr Teo said: “What’s going to happen? You’re going to swallow up Fengshan for what purpose? To serve the residents of Fengshan? Or is Fengshan delicious because you want to add it into the pot to help the town council with the deficit?”

Ms Lim said: “I think it is a pity that (Mr Teo) doesn’t’ seem to have a sense of humour.” Yesterday, she put up another picture — of her with three other WP members in Chong Pang, which is the ward of Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam — with the caption, “In the den of my ‘favourite’ Minister… Better move in groups.”

Source: www.todayonline.com

August 17, 2015