PAP’s Murali tries out new way to distribute necessities
The We Care, We Share@Bukit Batok Carnival was organised by the constituency’s Merchants Association and the PAP’s by-election candidate Murali Pillai (centre), who mooted the idea of the event. Photo: Wee Teck Hian
Singapore — Instead of getting pre-packed groceries delivered to their homes, rental-flat residents at Block 210A in Bukit Batok were treated yesterday to a carnival where they could pick out the necessities they needed.
The We Care, We Share@Bukit Batok Carnival was organised by the constituency’s Merchants Association and the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) by-election candidate Murali Pillai, who mooted the idea of the carnival.
He said he drew inspiration from a similar project organised by Jurong GRC Member of Parliament Ang Wei Neng.
“If we were to deliver goods to their houses, one would have to assume what they want. I’ve done this food distribution for many, many years and, inevitably, you deliver things that they actually don’t need, and it may go to waste,” said Mr Murali. “In this way, we prevent waste because they’re given a number of points that they use to choose items they actually need.”
Each of the 360 households in the block received free vouchers totalling 30 points they could use to redeem for items. Toothbrushes, body soap and Milo were worth three points, for example, while oil, rice, bottles of kaya and Meiji plain crackers were worth six points.
Three weeks ago, Singapore Democratic Party chief Chee Soon Juan and his team, who are set to face off with the PAP in the coming by-election, were seen delivering groceries to the same rental block of flats.
For residents such as divorcee Sufiah M Salleh, 31, stepping out of the house to get groceries can be a challenge, with two young sons aged three and eight, and a sickly elderly father to care for all on her own. Mdm Sufiah, who supports her family through her own home-catering business, said: “Especially during weekends, I’m with my kids and ... I have to stay home to look after my father ... It’s very difficult.”
Beyond getting groceries more conveniently, some residents welcomed the initiative yesterday as a chance to mingle with neighbours.
“This carnival is also good for the elderly. We can come and pass time here ... because we’re old already (and) we never go anywhere,” said Mdm C Kamala, 67, who picked up some Milo, biscuits and shampoo. “So we can come and enjoy ourselves.”
Asked about the coming by-election, Mr Murali said he had “no expectations” of when it could be called, adding that the decision is up to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who has said it will be called “in due course”.
“I’ll carry on serving the residents,” he said. “The focus really is on serving residents, identifying their needs and addressing their issues.”
On whether he would be ramping up house visits and resident engagement, he said: “It’s not about going round and making sure that you clear all the houses, that’s not my focus. It’s really to see and interact with our residents, find out what they’re concerned about and having conversations.”
The Bukit Batok seat was vacated following the resignation of PAP MP David Ong last month over an alleged extramarital relationship with a grassroots volunteer.
