GE2020 constituency broadcasts: What Hougang SMC candidates have to say
Candidates for Hougang Single Member Constituency: Mr Lee Hong Chuang (left) from the People's Action Party and Mr Dennis Tan from the Workers' Party.
SINGAPORE — The candidates from the Workers’ Party (WP) and the People’s Action Party (PAP) contesting Hougang Single Member Constituency (SMC) outlined their respective plans for the ward in a constituency political broadcast on Saturday (July 4), ahead of the July 10 polls.
The traditional stronghold of WP will be defended by Mr Dennis Tan, 49, contesting in place of incumbent Png Eng Huat, 58.
Mr Tan is also an outgoing Non-Constituency Member of Parliament, a post he has held since the 2015 General Election (GE), when he contested Fengshan SMC and narrowly lost to PAP’s Cheryl Chan.
During his speech, Mr Tan said that the PAP Government’s handling of the Covid-19 crisis has left much to be desired.
"The post-Covid world brings new challenges and therefore now, more than ever, we need a balanced Parliament so that Singaporeans will benefit from scrutiny of the uncertain PAP 4G (fourth-generation) leadership," he said.
The opposing candidate from PAP is Mr Lee Hong Chuang, 50, who chairs his party’s branch in Hougang.
This will be Mr Lee’s second time contesting the ward. During the last GE in 2015, he stood against Mr Png and lost after receiving 42.34 per cent of the votes.
In his speech, Mr Lee spoke of how the pandemic has affected the livelihoods of Singaporeans.
“Our Government had committed to create more jobs,” he said. “I will create job opportunities for the residents by working closely with different enterprises and organisations.”
In these constituency political broadcasts, candidates vying for single-seat wards have three minutes each to speak. Those contesting in four- and five-member GRCs have 12 and 15 minutes respectively in total.
The broadcasts are being aired on Channel 5, CNA938, cna.asia, 8world.com, CNA YouTube, CNA Facebook and TODAY at 7pm from July 3 to 8.
WP’S PROPOSALS:
If elected, Mr Tan said that he will be the voice of his constituents and, where necessary, vote against any undesirable bills or motions in Parliament.
Since 2011, Mr Tan noted, various upgrading programmes have started in Hougang. He will ensure that these are completed successfully.
He will also strive to improve the services around Hougang and keep the ward a beautiful home for the residents.
Mr Tan assured voters that even if Mr Lee is defeated, he will still remain PAP's grassroots adviser in Hougang SMC.
“One more PAP Member of Parliament will not make any difference,” Mr Tan said. “ He cannot be your voice and vote against his party.”
PAP’S PROPOSALS
Mr Lee said that he will assist Hougang residents to transit into the new jobs that the PAP Government has committed to creating during the economic downturn caused by Covid-19, as well as improve the quality of life for residents.
Speaking in Mandarin, he said that he has fulfilled the promises he made in 2015.
He has improved the medical care services in Hougang and hosted activities for families to get closer to each other.
These, he said, have forged a “big family community” in Hougang that “rallies around when one of our very own is in need”.
“Together with you, we can do more. Please give me your support to serve you,” Mr Lee said.
