Punggol East By-election campaign - 19 Jan

Party leaders pitch to voters

PM Lee: Vote PAP if you support its plans Low: WP will make Govt work harder

By Robin Chan, The Straits Times, 20 Jan 2013

Punggol East voters yesterday heard two conflicting messages from the top leaders of the major parties fighting for their votes.

On his first walkabout in the north-eastern ward since he called for the by-election earlier this month, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday urged voters to support the People's Action Party (PAP) if they endorsed its programmes.

They should vote for what they believe in, and not tactically, he said. He made the call in response to a question on the so-called by-election effect of voters rooting for the opposition, secure in the knowledge that the PAP is already in power in the country.

Seeking to make capital out of the by-election effect, Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang urged voters to do precisely that, as the Government is already strong enough.

By holding it to account, the Government would not take voters for granted. By helping to grow the WP's presence, they can ensure the Government will work harder to improve the lives of Singaporeans, he said, pointing to a slew of policy changes that have helped Singaporeans, from housing to transport to health care, since the general election in 2011.

"The PAP has already formed the Government. They have the majority of the MPs in Parliament. It is already a very strong party. Do you need to make it even stronger?" said WP secretary-general Low Thia Khiang in Mandarin to a crowd gathered on an open field.

"There are still a lot of policies that need to be improved to make people's lives better. The cost of living is too high, public transport, housing, eldercare... Do you want the PAP to do more and do better? Then use your vote to make the PAP work harder," he added.

The calls from the party in blue last night ended a fourth day of campaigning.

The WP's appeal was countered immediately by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean who said last night that the best way to show support for the new policies was to vote for the PAP, not against it.

"Am glad WP agrees that PAP's new policies are good," he wrote on his Facebook page.

"If voters support the PAP's new policies, for example in education or making flats more affordable and available, the best way to show their support is by voting for the PAP and these policies, not voting against them."

Yesterday, on the rain-soaked field, the WP MPs also defended criticism of their performance in Parliament, and hit back at doubts that they would be able to run a larger town council since winning Aljunied GRC.

They also praised their candidate, Ms Lee Li Lian, for her energy, enthusiasm and empathy for people.

Earlier in the day, on a visit to Punggol East's Rivervale Plaza, PM Lee asked voters to show his party support for what it has been doing and is planning to get done, a day after the PAP's first rally in which DPM Teo and Education Minister Heng Swee Keat defended the PAP's record since 2011 from housing to transport to health care.

He said that the opposition MPs elected in 2011 have neither objected to the Government's agenda, nor offered alternative proposals of their own.

Asked about a "by-election effect" which may work against the PAP, he said: "You have to vote not tactically, to calculate which way you'll gain advantage, but really sincerely, to judge - what do you support, what do you believe in and if you believe in that, support that.

"If you say 'I like the PAP's programme, but it's already there, let me vote against it, because then I get two people to look after me' - if everybody does that, we have a problem.

"Vote according to what you believe in," he concluded. "If you think we are doing a good job, vote for us. If you don't think we are doing a good job, it's your prerogative to decide who you want to give your trust to."


 

Koh 'will be more than an MP'

If he is elected, PM Lee intends to appoint him to political office when time is right
By Rachel Chang, The Straits Times, 20 Jan 2013

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday that the People's Action Party candidate in the Punggol East by-election has the "ability and potential to be more than an MP".

If Dr Koh Poh Koon is elected, Mr Lee intends to appoint him to a suitable political office when the time is right.

"I told him, his first priority is to fight and win in Punggol East, and win the support and trust of the residents," Mr Lee said.

"But I think he can make a contribution not just in Punggol East, but more broadly, nationally.

"When I judge that he is ready, and we are ready, I will bring him into our leadership," he said.

Mr Lee's strong endorsement came after he made a campaign stop yesterday morning in the ward. He had breakfast with Dr Koh and PAP activists, before setting off to Rivervale Plaza in the steady rain to meet and greet residents.

During his introduction as a candidate, the PAP said that it had planned to field Dr Koh for the next general election, but after considering several candidates, decided he was the best for Punggol East.

Yesterday, Mr Lee revealed that the principal consideration was that Dr Koh is "young, has energy and a good record".

"He's distinguished himself as a doctor, respected by his fellow doctors. He has a sense of social responsibility and conscience, made an impact in the community. In all cases, people who know him have good things to say.

"I'm confident that he will make a good MP, and he has the character, conviction and commitment to do that."

On the previous night at the PAP's first rally, other big guns had also endorsed Dr Koh, who has described himself as a son of Punggol, having spent his early childhood there and even as a youth visiting the area for sports and to hang out with friends.

At the first PAP rally last Friday, both Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean and Education Minister Heng Swee Keat praised the colorectal surgeon's dedication and commitment to public service.

Mr Teo said the 40-year-old came from humble beginnings and knows what it is to lead the tough life, having worked part-time to put himself through school and support his family.

He also showed leadership in national service as a commanding officer of a combat service support battalion, and was the first medical officer to top the pinnacle course for Singapore Armed Forces officers.

Asked after the PM's visit yesterday where he thought he could contribute in political office if chosen for it, Dr Koh said he wanted to tap the energy and idealism of youth to make them "agents of change".

A vote for PAP is a vote for its new policies
"Am glad WP agrees that PAP's new policies are good. If voters support the PAP's new policies, for example in education or making flats more affordable and available, the best way to show their support is by voting for the PAP and these policies, not voting against them.

"Voting in dedicated and able people, like Koh Poh Koon, will help us do even better.

"Voting for Poh Koon in Punggol East will allow him to continue the good work there, and make even more improvements."
- DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TEO CHEE HEAN

I’ll just do my best for my job: Koh Poh Koon
TODAY, 20 Jan 2013

Responding to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s comments earlier today that Dr Koh Poh Koon would likely be appointed to political office if he is elected and when he is ready, the People’s Action Party by-election candidate said the decision is Mr Lee’s “prerogative”.

“I’ll just do my best for my job,” he said.

This morning, Mr Lee told reporters that he felt Dr Koh would be able to make a contribution nationally. “When he is ready, and I judge that he is ready, and we are ready, I will be appointing him to a suitable political office,” said Mr Lee.

Dr Koh was speaking to the media at Rivervale Mall, after visiting a low-income family.

He highlighted the need for safety nets for people who fall through the cracks. One way of doing so is to “engage the community” so that people can look out for one another, he suggested.

To engage with the youth, Dr Koh suggested providing them with a conducive environment to study, engage them in activities and set up facilities for them to congregate at so they can bond.

Party aims to set up childcare centres
By Janice Heng, The Straits Times, 20 Jan 2013

The Reform Party (RP) plans to set up a chain of nurseries in Punggol East if elected, candidate Kenneth Jeyaretnam told reporters yesterday.

"We have got people with the expertise to run these," he said, adding that the centres would not be run under the party logo but would be started by people in the party.

"That is one thing that will be a big element of our five-year plan for Punggol East."

This and other local initiatives will be presented at their rally tonight at the open field in front of Block 183C Rivervale Crescent.

RP will also develop its campaign theme of "No more broken promises", highlighting ways in which the ruling People's Action Party has failed to deliver on its promises.

The Sunday Times understands that speakers will include former RP candidates from the 2011 General Election, such as Mr Andy Zhu, Mr Osman Sulaiman and Ms Vigneswari Ramachandran.

Elaborating on RP's childcare centre plans last night, Ms Vigneswari said: "We are looking into hiring qualified teachers and principals to run our childcare centres."

She added that the party intends to have "at least one childcare centre in each of the areas" in the ward, such as Rivervale Drive and Sengkang East.

The party also listed 10 municipal matters on which they have received feedback, and some proposed solutions.

These include having a cinema at Rivervale Plaza, which is undergoing renovation; having more subsidised day-care facilities for the elderly; and monthly fumigation at dengue-prone areas.

As for national plans, those have been stated in their manifesto since 2009, Mr Jeyaretnam told reporters last night.

He also pledged that, if elected, he will be a full-time Member of Parliament and donate a tenth of his $192,500 annual allowance to support community projects. These could include after-school community activities, legal clinics and financial management clinics.

RP will also look into providing needy families with recycled laptops, and giving assistance to those who cannot afford broadband Internet access.

Rally plans cancelled; party to go online to campaign
By Toh Yong Chuan, The Straits Times, 20 Jan 2013

The Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) will not be holding any rally at Punggol East to save costs.

Instead, the party will be using the Internet and social media to spread its campaign message.

Party chief and candidate Desmond Lim said yesterday that the party will save at least $15,000 by shelving its earlier plans to hold a rally tonight, and the money would be spent to "do something new".

The Sunday Times understands that the SDA plans to release a series of speeches and videos online.

A professional video and photography crew was seen filming his campaign trail yesterday.

Such online political videos are permitted during elections after the Government eased restrictions on political campaigning and advertising on the Internet in 2011.

Mr Lim dismissed the suggestion that the latest move was to avoid repeating the embarrassment of poor attendance at SDA's rallies during the 2011 General Election.

He said that social media is "just as effective" because of the younger profile of voters at Punggol East.

He continued his campaign in a low-key manner yesterday, distributing fliers outside Rivervale Mall and knocking on doors with a four-page manifesto outlining his plans for Punggol East.

They include a promise to donate a third of his annual $192,500 MP allowance to local improvements if elected.

Mr Lim also hit back at an online report which criticised him for paying supporters $7.50 an hour for their time.

Without refuting the amount, he said in a statement: "Our group comprises a mix of paid and unpaid volunteers... It is very common and the norm for any party to engage paid assistance in doing ground work."

He remained tight-lipped on the breakdown of paid and unpaid volunteers or exactly how much is paid to helpers, but stressed that he had acted within the law.

He threatened to take legal action against those who discredit his party and campaign.

He told The Sunday Times that the online story was aimed at distracting voters. Describing it as an attempt to "create smoke when there is no fire", he said: "I will not be distracted."

Money reimbursed for volunteers’ help, not their votes: SDA’s Lim
TODAY, 19 Jan 2013

Singapore Democratic Alliance Secretary-General Desmond Lim refuted claims that he was paying for votes in the Punggol East by-election, saying that any money handed to volunteers was merely “reimbursement” for their help.

A report published on published on The Online Citizen portal cited an unnamed volunteer as having responded to an online advertisement to be a “company ambassador” at an event, paid S$7.50 an hour.

In a press statement today, Mr Lim said: “We had reimbursed the help as many are young school leavers with no disposable income. It is very common and the norm for any party to engage paid assistance in doing ground work.”

The hiring of youth is part of his policy to “engage young blood in the process so they understand Singapore politics, with hands-on experience”, he said.

He called the report something “raised to distract voters in their choices. It feels this matter is a situation of creating smoke when there is no fire”.

In the statement, the SDA said it “would not hesitate to take legal action if further comments diluting the parties credibility is mentioned”.