AHPETC a national issue ‘as it concerns values, integrity’
ESM Goh Chok Tong and Mr Seah Kian Peng meet residents on a walkabout at Serangoon Avenue 3 food centre and market. Photo: Ernest Chua
SINGAPORE — Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong today (Sept 4) argued that the Workers’ Party’s (WP) management of Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) is a national issue, not just a municipal one, as it concerns values and integrity.
“If I am in charge of a town council and I run it any way I like as long as I have not run afoul of the law ...
“Yes, there is accounting, disclaimers and so on, but I am not in jail … that is a values issue. Where is the transparency? Where is the accountability and responsibility?” said Mr Goh, referring to WP chief Low Thia Khiang’s charge this week that the People’s Action Party (PAP) has exaggerated the AHPETC issue for the past two years and that the subject has not resulted in any criminal charges.
“We’ve got to put (it) across that these values and the issue of integrity is what underpins Singapore,” said Mr Goh, who added that the Opposition has to prove its capability in running town councils before it can think about running a country.
Mr Goh was speaking to reporters after a walkabout on Serangoon Avenue 3, which is part of Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC).
Adding that he was not running the election campaign, Mr Goh nevertheless said he did not believe that the PAP’s entire campaign is focused on the AHPETC issue only. “But it has given the PAP an advantage to seek a clarification,” he said, and added that the PAP would return to the topic of leadership renewal.
“I believe the PAP must come back to what we are seeking: We are seeking a mandate for the agenda,” he said.
He added: “PAP will tell people what is it they want to do for Singapore over five years and 10 years, beyond leadership renewal. Everybody knows the importance of leadership renewal, but what programmes do you have under the new leaders?”
About the mood on the ground in Marine Parade GRC compared with the 2011 GE, Mr Goh said he had noticed “two big changes”, which have resulted in citizens who are “much more open, much more supportive and much more assertive in support of the PAP”.
Older voters, who were already supportive of the PAP in the previous elections, are “very forthcoming” this time, Mr Goh said.
He felt that it could be because of the Government’s recognition of their status as pioneers.
“They came forward, shook hands, took pictures and so on. They were very open about their feelings,” he said. “I think the recognition of the pioneers was a very important element ... It’s not the money but the recognition.”
Smartphones have also had a positive multiplier effect, with people taking pictures and sharing them on social media platforms, he said.
Mr Goh said he sensed that most voters have already made up their minds about who to vote for.
“In the past, the (undecided) voters were higher in the last election because issues were ... in the air. This time I think they more or less are settled,” he said.
“There is still a segment of people who have not yet decided who to vote for.
“But I think most people have decided, either for us or for the other side. What percentage it will be, we don’t know ... but my general sense is most people have decided.”
