GE2020 constituency broadcasts: What Jurong GRC candidates have to say
Candidates from the People’s Action Party (top) and Red Dot United (bottom) are contesting for five seats in Jurong Group Representation Constituency.
SINGAPORE — Candidates from the People’s Action Party (PAP) and Red Dot United, Singapore’s youngest opposition party, who are vying for Jurong Group Representation Constituency (GRC), have set out their proposals to voters.
They were speaking in constituency political broadcasts on Sunday (July 5), the sixth day of campaigning before Singaporeans head to the polls on Friday.
The PAP team is led by Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 63. The other four members are Dr Tan Wu Meng, 45, Ms Rahayu Mahzam, 40, and new faces Shawn Huang, 38, and Xie Yao Quan, 35.
Mr Xie replaced 42-year-old Ivan Lim, who withdrew his candidacy three days before nominations were to be filed after criticism of his character emerged online.
Mr Tharman who was first elected as Member of Parliament in 2001 in Jurong GRC, and has been re-elected three times since, said that the PAP has been with Jurong residents for “many years”, including its two new members “who have each been working tirelessly as community volunteers in Jurong”.
“During the Covid-19 crisis, we have worked hard and mobilised all our volunteers and community networks… But there is more we have to do in the coming year and the years to come, nationally and in each of our neighbourhoods,” he said.
The Red Dot United team comprises party founders Ravi Philemon, 52, and Michelle Lee, 43, who are former members of Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s Progress Singapore Party (PSP). The other three members of its team are Ms Liyana Dhamirah, 33, Mr Nicholas Tang, 28, and Mr Alec Tok, 55.
Mr Philemon and Ms Lee started Red Dot United after leaving PSP in the first half of this year.
The party’s main message was focused on jobs and how the PAP’s strategies are no longer a “winning formula” and will no longer work in a post-Covid world.
In these broadcasts, candidates in four- and five-member GRCs have 12 and 15 minutes of airtime respectively. Those vying for single-seat wards each have three minutes to speak.
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.
PAP’S PROPOSALS
Mr Shawn Huang, the director for enterprise development at Temasek International, said that in Jurong, residents pitch to help and look after one another. He told the story of a man who was given a second chance and is now committed to helping others.
Ms Rahayu said that policies and programmes would “mean nothing” if they do not translate to actual support and help to residents. She spoke about an empowerment for women programme in Bukit Batok East where women from low-income families get help to attain financial independence.
Mr Xie, the head of healthcare redesign at Alexandra Hospital, said that the team is aware that many residents have been finding alternative ways to make a living and that many fresh graduates are trying to secure jobs. He said that the team will “do all we can to help you bounce back into good jobs”.
Dr Tan said that he hopes to provide residents with equal opportunities but “with extra help for children with less”. He mentioned a tuition mentoring programme where young volunteers of different races help young children.
Mr Tharman said that the PAP’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic has been to help families whose incomes have been hit, ensure that disadvantaged children get extra support and help seniors. He added that the Government hopes to ensure that every Singaporean who loses a job is able to get a new job and that employers “do not have easy excuses” to turn down middle aged or mature Singaporeans.
“(There’s) much more to be done to achieve a fairer and more inclusive society,” Mr Tharman said. “The PAP is committed to achieving this with Singaporeans. We are making steady progress, but there is more to be done together. It involves government policies but ultimately, an inclusive society is about all of us.”
RED DOT UNITED’S PROPOSALS
Mr Philemon said that the Red Dot United’s focus is on creating good jobs, instead of just job opportunities. If elected, he said that the party will push the Government to reverse its current “train first, jobs later” approach.
Ms Lee said that Red Dot United will champion more information, more choices, more equality of opportunity and help for the disadvantaged and the elderly.
Mr Tok said that everyone in Singapore really respects Senior Minister Tharman. However, as he is only one person working in a large system, he would not be able to push for any change.
Ms Liyana questioned the PAP for arguing that the best form of welfare is work. “Does this mean you have to take two jobs to live a comfortable life? Does this mean you need to always be afraid of losing your job and left behind?” she asked.
Mr Tan said that the party wants to empower Singaporeans to make their own decisions. “We believe that you know better than the government what's best for you, and how to live your lives,” he said.
Mr Philemon added: “PAP sees Singapore as a sampan. Even if it is a sampan 2.0, it is vulnerable, weak and swings precariously in the tides of the times. At Red Dot United, we believe we need to be a confident ocean liner where Singaporeans can confidently navigate the challenges we face today.”
