Not all MPs = Grassroots advisers

PA being non-partisan should appoint elected MP to be Grassroot Advisor and that all members of PA would work closely with the MP be it PAP or Opposition MP so much so is to the benefit of all constituents.

Put a side party affiliation and we will never be ever fail our people.

SingaShadow

Quote: "The expense is that housing cost, affordability, ownership, maintenance, upgrading policy, demographic distribution, etc. would be dictated by the commercial market and largely out of the control of the state."

Hence HDB is based on the same principal of Communism - fair distribution by the state. If you understand why Communism failed, you will understand why HDB fails to achieve its aim. Going by logic, the principal is good for the people but you forgot one most important component that can disrupt the whole logic - the human factor. If there is GREED by the person behind the distribution, we are ALL screwed. Can you guarantee against this in the HDB system (similar to Communist)? How? Is there any independent party auditing the accounts?

Do you know what’s the anomaly with the People’s Association in their dispense of public monies ? The PA is under the wing of the PM. But funds and budget of the PA is apportioned from the Ministry of Finance, i.e. from the public, from taxes paid by you and me. And PA manages all the ccs. The MP of each cc is a “patron” and “adviser” of the cc.

What happens when the constituency has an opposition member as its representative in Parliament (such as, e.g. Mr Low Thia Khiang of Hougang). Are the facilities of the cc (managed using public funds) accorded to opposition MP as an avenue of reach to his constituents? The answer is no. The unelected and unsuccessful PAP candidate remains in his ex-officio capacity there. The PAP is thus treating public funds of the PA as belonging to the PAP. This constitutes abuse at the highest level of authority in Singapore.

People’s Action Party please be Cheaper,Better and Faster!!!

@Ah Heng

Perhaps I wasn't clear about housing privatization. Let me try to rephrase my point.

As long as housing ownership is public, i.e. the land and building belongs to the state, there is always a chance that housing policies becomes politicized. (Affordability of housing to the public does not define public ownership.)

An alternative is to let private firms or individuals own housing land, and thus separate political friction from housing policies, like upgrading. The expense is that housing cost, affordability, ownership, maintenance, upgrading policy, demographic distribution, etc. would be dictated by the commercial market and largely out of the control of the state.

My point is that what people think about privatization as a way to de-politicize housing policies. And given that there are trade-offs, what their priorities are.

MP Chiam See Tong on Potong Pasir HDB upgrading

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

Comments

ongrat - i respect u ,, i regret voting for ,,, knowing that u care for singaporean rather than foreigner


talzzies - this guy has done alot for singapore. i love the sincerity in his voice. a pity he is not going to stay for much longer in the government

4119 - having live in potong pasir for all my life
i have great admiration for Mr Chiam See Tong
His constant contribution to the estate through out the years is deeply appreciated
i won't mind not having upgrades i am just contented to have him being the voice of our estate in parliament

bigfatfoot - Whenever I passby potong pasir, how I wish the government would upgrade their homes so that old people livng there at least do not suffer from climbing the stairs everyday. With the population aging, we all know it is a necessity but it is still left undone. Even a Geylang(red light district) housing gets upgrading. Potong pasir is a clean place but again overlooked. Hope the govenment is magnanimous enough to help out the people living there instead of being so narrow minded.

aldeayea - Obviously,the Gabermen is trying to politicise the upgrading of HDB flats.

shinserif - His points are valid and reasonable. Potong pasir should not be discriminated from the upgrading benefits. For more than 20 years, i must say, this is quite an unfair and bias treatment to the residents belonging there and commit to the same commitment as other residents of other constituencies like Ang Mo Kio. Size of the estate is a non-issue of eligibility.

HDB is already privatized.How can you call it public housing when the public cannot afford it.By offering subsidies, it already shows that it is unaffordable.

This upgrading is a necessity to address the design flaws.I think it is cheaper for the owners in an opposition ward to do a LUP than at a PAP held ward.

But the gist of it is that the PAP has again played dirty by getting the two losers to announce the upgrading.This is politiking.

I mean, they can always carve up hougang and potong pasir.They already demolished a couple of block of flats in hougang and relocated these people far away right.So why not demolish more blocks.

Lose 2 seats also get so Kiasu.No wonder the people of Singapore are also very kiasu.

@Bystander In Singapore Politics

I don't know have any clue about the costs of the upgrade, so I can't say whether if it's cheaper for the owners to pay for the upgrade themselves (assuming they have the permissions to perform the modifications).

But do you prefer that housing ownership be totally privatized -- once the government no longer own the housing, they can't provide any upgrading programs -- so that the issue can be de-politicized?

Through the whole exercise and by interacting with Ministers in FGDs, I realised one thing common in most (not all) PAP people. They are
a) very assertive;
b) very defensive
c) when asked tough questions, tend not to answer but ask the inquirer another question to put the whole issue off track altogether. (at this point, the inquirer if not alert=will be confused and tend to want to answer their question without getting their initial question answered by the PAP members.

This is a sort of pattern amongst PAP members and sympathizers. I think this is bad, really bad. Their politicking tactics destroy the essence of rational reasoning but instead attacking the emotion coated with self-declared "rational presumptions."

Voters BEWARE!!

Singashadow - ''how many people are also willing to acknowledge the effort from PAP and also HDB for making the upgrading possible? How people are just indifferent?''

It is a design flaw.But has the HDB or PAP acknowledge that till today?We are still paying for the 'upgrade' nonetheless.I don't remember it being a free upgrade or heavily subsidised.The Town Councils at the opposition wards do it cheaper.Why is that?

And, don't forget that the replies for the million dollar losses by the Town Councils are still unsatisfactory.It was the public that insisted for answers.With regards to the LUP,it has been self praise.

The HDB and PAP with the PA should not politicize this issue.I can't believe that the elected losers are announcing the work of PA and HDB.I will ask again :

Are only PAP party members are allowed to be Grassroots Advisers?

In another words,are only PAP party members recognised in the People’s Association?

This is a Public Relations exercise.

Only PAP party members are allowed to be Grassroots Advisers.In another words,only PAP party members are recognised in the People's Association.Might as well call it the Peoples Action Party Association.

Can ordinary Singaporeans who happen to be from the Opposition join the PA?

As a poster had put it eaier, 'this is politiking, bootlicking and bullying.' When will the PAP act in a gentlemanly conduct?

Hi Khartini

Am still waiting for you to enlighten us on the role of grassroot advisers. This needs urgent clarification esp since the grassroots of the opp wards have received first hand info on govt programmes and announcing them, not the MPs themselves. This fundamental question needs answering before we think that opp MPs should or should not also be grassroots. Their roles MUST be different otherwise what is the point of MPs (of the elected kind). The selection criteria is secondary.

Waiting eagerly for your answer to whats the role of grassroot advisers.

Hi A Voice

I do not have official answers with a whole list of points on the role of grassroots advisors. If I had all the information including on how they are chosen, I would not have written this post, would I? I'm expressing my thoughts on this blog based on what I read in the media and online so I too have questions (as expressed here).

Cheers!

This is a YPAP blog.They are the new generation.This is politiking, bootlicking and bullying.

Coming elections, they redraw boundaries.So no difference.PM announce changes to boundaries but still haven't change.They do groundwork, see where got sweet open an SMC shop.Ang Mo Kio does not look good since Young WP can get 35%.Looks like Chencg San is defnitely still alive.But no need to worry.Next door punggol GRC, so can link,link,link,link.

Where not sweet, Close it into GRC.Simple.Serangoon gardens tulan, become part of Tanjong Pagar.Link,link,link,link.Very Simple.Bishan and Toa pAyoh.Also same,link,link,link,link.Maybe can fix with Bukit Timah-Holland GRC.Loads of possibilities.

Aljunied last time 45%.Get carved,butchered,etc.Part go to Tanjong Pagar, linked by one road and the other go to marine Parade which may include part of Serangoon gardens.Also, all the tulan estates can be linked to Bedok GRC.All you need is one connecting road.

Don't forget LIm Hwee hua is now walking around Bishan, so Aljunied is going to disappear like Eunos and Cheng San.Soeasy to win elections every 5-6 years to get mandate.

Also, now press charges against SDP.Make them bankrupt, no contect.Soon smear SDA,WP,RO,NSP in all the press.Even make good honest people like Low and Chiam the bad guys by using all the SPH machinery of the press,radio and TV.So easy to win.

Also PAP know all the boundaries and give Opposition only like one week notice.Every election same.If one area got less Singaporean voters.Simple.Convert more PR into Citizens.Even non-professionals get citizenship.So easy.Boost population means more PAP votes.Boost to 6.5million.Surely likea couplemore hundred thousands more votes for PAP.

Hi Khartini Khalid,

Are you also from the young pap? Do you believe this is just politicking plain & simple, or outright bullying?

Hi A Voice,

Thanks for the link! I read the letter. Yeah I am also quite perplexed. I think it is fair for them to say that this is a govt programme etc etc but that still does not answer why the People's Association, which is a government organization, did not select the elected MPs from the opposition wards as grassroots advisers (and ideally govt organizations are supposed to be non-partisan even though it is dominated by one party). That part, I feel is not clear (and not fair?). I wonder if anyone from PA can enlighten us on how grassroots advisors are chosen and then we can decide if the selection criteria has any merit.

The way the response was written actually throws up more questions than answers.

Khartini, have you read this:

http://www.straitstimes.com/ST...

From this letter written by the press secretary of the Minstry for National Development, I am afraid it is now more complicated than rocket science.

I thought the purpose of grassroots is mainly to take feedback from the community in order for effective governance which includes the effort of all MPs. This letter mystifies the role of grassroots further.

More importantly, the letter has now caused more concern than just announcement by grassroots. It is deeply disturbing that the Govt or country's surplus/profit is to be used at the Govt's fancy to benefit who they like, with the reason that it is due to their prudence in spending. Someone commented that it is no wonder that the Govt is milking revenues and cutting back from citizens.

Perhaps it also takes rocket science to explain how a budget deficit can suddenlly turn into a surplus to be used for progs like LUP as explained by the secretary. There were budget deficits in the last 2 years, the biggest being in 2009/2010.(http://in.reuters.com/article/...

Any comments anyone?

Khartini,

this is pork barrel PAP politics.They use you and then chuck you.Do they listen to you? PAP culture not senang anymore.They play dirty we grassroots look bad.Last time PAP more community oriented.Now dirty.Always cheat at elections.

One Party Rule Is Really Bad,

you write very well.But they want power mah.The EZ link, BTO flats, Starhub Sports channel, all want to squeeze you dry.Who? Temasek and GIC.Family crown jewels.Who we grassroots work for? Singaporeans or some family and their friends?

Anson Lion,

JBJ semangat.Lau Singapore Hero.If PAP had this guy,maybe things different.JBJ Incorruptible.No Airs Ex Judge sacrifice everything for Singaporeans.This is love.True Icon got respect all over. And its true last time grassroots sabo JBJ but not their fault.You know who control PA/CCs mah.

A Voice,

'To build a road for getting straight across the mountain, you have to remove part of the mountain in order to create a tunnel, or better still, get rid of the whole mountain.'

I like this.

Khartini,

Firstly what exactly is the role of a 'grassroot adviser'? We all sort of know or expect what the role of MPs should be (referring to the elected kind), but grassroot advisor is unclear. Why can't all elected MPs give feedback in their capacity as MPs? Why must there be another name of 'grassroot adviser'?

SingaShadow

Rescuing Singapore is a process, and as in any process, there are several steps. The first step of this painful process is removing the obstacle. To build a road for getting straight across the mountain, you have to remove part of the mountain in order to create a tunnel, or better still, get rid of the whole mountain.

It takes more than toppling the PAP to "rescue Singapore".

Take for example this case of announcement of the Lift Upgrading Programme in opposition constituency. What is obvious is that the PAP is not giving due credit to opposition MPs. But on the other hand, how many people are also willing to acknowledge the effort from PAP and also HDB for making the upgrading possible? How people are just indifferent?

The only sustainable route to a higher standard of living is the ability to command a higher salary which is justified by adding more value. If you look at many of the policies in this light, you will see the intention behind.

But of course, an intention is just an objective. Execution can go wrong, mistakes can happen, and changes take time. And the most effortless thing is to put the blame on bad government. How many people are genuinely interested in getting it right?

Fighting politics with politics won't rescue Singapore. The political scene will continue to open up. But what is harder to say is whether a middle class that can self-organize to help set things right constructively will emerge.

Hi Khartini and P65 members and the PAP,YPAP affliates.

The Anson Lion Mr JB Jeyaretnam raised this issue in Paliament in the early 80's when he won the By Election in 1981.Please check the Parliamentary speeches of the early 1980's.

There was also live Parliamentary debates during this era.I am a retired teacher and the civil servants and the Singaporeans benefitted a lot when the Anson Lion was in Parliament.He was a one man show who was the voice for so many Singaporeans and still the PAP destroy a true Singaporean.

Civil servants those days had principles.We do not serve political masters like now.We were truly non-partisan.Now everything is PAP.Even the supermarket is PAP.

Chiam See Tong also raised this issue in the 1980's when he got elected in 1984.After this, the GRC was set up in 1988 to drown all these alternative voices.Don't forget all the arrests of helpers,supporters and also the Attorney General.

Maybe you are a young Singaporean and you do not understand the issues.Democracy died in the 1980's.And I agree with the young posters today.But change is to late.It was possible in the 1980's.But now,all the good people have left.Ask your parents and relatives from those days.

Ask the 1977 Singapore Malaysia Cup team and they will know PAP politics.Uncle Choo and Ganesan will know more.They are true Singaporeans.They play and serve the country with heart.

But PAP chase the Singaporeans with heart away.Now civil service is PAP service.Grassroots are all PAP.

My children told me to write about my experiences and also their pain.They have to go overseas and study and work because they do not agree with a lot of things.I am sure you are overseas and have the option to stay abroad.Please do.I encourage the young to move abroad.

My colleagues and friends and ex-neighbours all migrated in droves in the 80's.A lot of Eurasian families left because of PAP's Sinosization policies.And all the defemation suits and the shifting of political goalposts.

I am old and retired and I also kow that this is a PAP blog.We may be senior citizens but don't forget, we also have children and grandchildren.

So please tell your political masters to stop playing games with Singaporeans.The PAP is playing with our lives.There have been to many hiccups and mistakes since the last election and simply bringing more foreigners so that they vote for you is a big mistake.

You are losing a lot of generational votes.All this GRC,walkovers,shifting boundaries,increasing burden of ordinary citizens is making every one annoyed.

So if there are new Anson Lions out there and you are reading this.Step up and stand up for the opposition.Singapore is crying out loud for new leaders who don't play pork barrel politics.

Let's rescue Singapore.

Another sign that election is just around the corner. The PAP can ill-afford another issue that generate negative feelings on the ground.

Had there not been many current issues, such as large influx of foreign talents/workers, high HDB and property prices, etc, that pissed off the population, I am quite sure the HDB would not give two-hoots about the people’s concerns.

I am cynical. The track record of this govt has clearly shown that all decisions are made based purely on dollars and cents with little consideration for our feedback.

Another good example is the recent conversion of the EZ-Link card to one that is CEPAS compliant. LTA said it cost $100 million to convert the systems but what we got is a longer processing time to apply for GIRO top-up, cost us more (from free) to apply for one and cost more (from free) for each GIRO top-up. Are we better off or worse off with the new system ?

Singtel has just announced the price plan for the BPL subscription for next year. Why did they do now so since there is another 10 months before the next season kicks off? There must have been political pressure from the govt on them to do so now considering there are at least 250K pissed off subscribers to the current Starhub sports package.

Elections is definitely round the corner.

This incident tells us that all the statutory boards must not be placed under the command and control of a politically motivated leader.

They should be placed under the Chief of the Civil Service who should be appointed by the truly-elected President, both of whom should be independent bodies and entities, with their own independent powers to decide and take actions based on the interests of the people instead of the interest of the single ruling political party.

The present situation is far from achieving any checks-and-balance.

Everything and every organisation of importance is controlled either directly or indirectly by the one single ruling political party for its own selfish interests instead of for the interests of ALL Singaporeans, regardless of creed, race, religion and political affiliation, inclination and views.

Serious change is required. The wind of change must blow now even stronger than before. The whole whole for the last five years has experienced serious changes to the fundamental political systems and political leaderships. Singapore is too slow in this effort. Perhaps, it is because majority of Singaporeans are gutless and ignorant.

However, Singaporeans wake up their courage to dare to change, for better or for worst. We must not continue to be like the people of Burma or North Korea who are so docile and powerless that they have continued to be intimidated and bullied by their ruthless and selfish Military Dictators.

A One-Party rule is also a form of political dictatorship. The members of that party is ruled by the ‘whip’, and the ‘whip’ is controlled by the leader of the party. Therefore, the party dictatorship is actually a hidden form of a one-man dictatorship.

The earlier we can steer away from this dictatorship system, the brighter will be the future for all of us and our children, and children’s children, and so on. Rome is not built in one day, but the first day is NOW.

You are quite right! It does not make sense at all to have someone who has been rejected by the people - who shuts down his free breakfast/meet the people's sessions to be appointed to such a position

Amen.
But aren't you aware that the "non-partisan" institutions in Singapore are all helmed by the PAP? Eg. NTUC, CASE, PA.