Steering SG Forward

EXTRA! PAP MPs + 2021 Calendar

PLUS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE OPENING OF SINGAPORE’S 14TH PARLIAMENT

DECEMBER 2020

STEERING SG FORWARD When PS stands for Punggol Shore

Tribute to our retired MPs for their dedication

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New Jurongg GRC MP Xie Yao Quan on plans p tituency for his constituency

MEET MS YEO WAN LING

INSIDE: YOUNG PAP’S “SINGAPORE – A GREEN HUB” POSITION PAPER TO SECURE A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

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Contents PUBLICITY AND PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE Lawrence Wong (Chairman) Desmond Lee Chee Hong Tat Seah Kian Peng Lim Wee Kiak Baey Yam Keng Zaqy Mohamad Janil Puthucheary Chiang Heng Liang Diana Pang Dexter Chan Theodora Lai Elaine Ho Adrian Liew EDITOR Chung Sang Pok EDITORIAL AND DESIGN Focus Publishing Limited (A subsidiary of Singapore Press Holdings)

PRINTER KHL Printing Co. Pte Ltd PHOTOS Singapore Press Holdings, istockphoto.com

MCI (P) 132/03/2020 Petir is published by the People’s Action Party Central Executive Committee. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the prior consent of the publisher. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the PAP or the Government. All rights reserved.

PAP Headquarters Block 57B, New Upper Changi Road, #01-1402, PCF Building, Singapore 463057 Telephone: 6244-4600 Telefax: 6243-0114 Internet: www.pap.org.sg Please send feedback, suggestions and comments to paphq@pap.org.sg.

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DEC 2020

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COVER STORY

PAP must adapt to Singapore’s changing politics while keeping its core identity Mr Lee Hsien Loong, the PAP SecretaryGeneral, says PAP must respond to Singaporeans’ evolving expectations and desires while maintaining its values.

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COVER STORY

Singapore will come out of Covid-19 better and stronger There must be hope in our hearts as the Government maps out priorities in the next phase of nation-building.

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COVER STORY

Thank you Comrades The PAP says a big Thank You to the 20 MPs who retired as part of leadership renewal.

DEC 2020

GROUNDWORK

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BACKBENCHER’S BITE

Service with full effort, full heart Mr Xie Yao Quan, the new MP for Jurong GRC tells Petir how his day job at a hospital gives him an even better ground-up perspective on some of the issues faced by Singaporeans.

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BRANCHING OUT

#PS I love you Kindness, consideration and lots of neighbourly love abound in Punggol Shore constituency.

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YOUNG PAP

YP to work with MPs on private member’s motion on sustainability It has drawn up a position paper “Singapore – A Green Hub” to secure our sustainability which will also create jobs for Singaporeans.

COVER STORY

PAP must adapt to Singapore’s changing politics while keeping its core identity Ruling party must govern Singapore well, work the ground, stay accessible to voters and lead by example, says Mr Lee Hsien Loong, the PAP Secretary-General

“We have made life better for millions of Singaporeans. We will constantly pursue a more just and equal society and we are ever determined to walk alongside every Singaporean, striving towards a bright future together.”

- Mr Lee Hsien Loong, the PAP SecretaryGeneral.

Mr Lee said every party member should be deeply conscious of the heavy responsibility that Singaporeans have entrusted them with.

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DEC 2020

ingapore and its politics are changing, and the People's Action Party must change as well in order to sustain the successful model that has shaped the country over the decades, said Mr Lee Hsien Loong, the PAP Secretary-General.

The PAP must adapt to what Singaporeans want to see in their politics, he told party leaders and activists at the 36th Party Conference on November 8, 2020.

“Singaporeans still want stability and progress, job security and opportunities for themselves and their children,” he said. “But increasingly, Singaporeans want other things too — to participate more actively in shaping our society, re-examine basic assumptions, and look beyond the tried-and-tested way of doing things.”

Mr Lee also cited the electorate’s desire for greater checks and balances, more alternative voices in Parliament, more robust public debates, and closer scrutiny of government policies.

These expectations and desires, he pointed out, will only grow with each generation of Singaporeans, and the PAP “must respond to them.” “At the same time, we have to maintain our core identity and what we stand for. We must continue representing all Singaporeans, and not just a particular sliver or segment of the population,” said Mr Lee, who is also the Prime Minister.

S

“I ask you to support me and my whole Ȅ ǡ ƥ holders and backbenchers. We will do Ƥ time,” he said.

PAP-NTUC symbiotic relationship The close partnership between the PAP and the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) will be a precious asset as Singapore navigates through an uncertain future, said Mr Lee. And in a time of crisis, it is “especially vital” to strengthen the partnership between the PAP and the Labour Movement.

The unions need the Government on their side, looking after workers’ interests, supporting their families, and protecting jobs and livelihoods, said Mr Lee. This is also when the PAP government needs “strong support” from the Labour Movement, “to keep Ƥ ǡ understand and support the measures and the policies that will help us get out of this black time and get through this ƥ Ǥdz Mr Lee noted that while the PAPNTUC partnership remains “very strong”

at the leadership level, the engagement on the ground between party branches and individual unions and union branches “is not so deep.”

He urged MPs to go beyond serving as advisors to the unions, by helping with the union ground and engaging workers directly. This would help the PAP MPs and leaders get a solid feel and understand the workers’ concerns and show them that they have a voice in the PAP when they speak in Parliament.

Mr Lee also stressed the need to recruit more union leaders to join the PAP and to have more party activists in the union ranks. This would keep ties warm and close at the working level, and allow both sides to groom new generations of activists.

GE results reflected apprehensive mood due to Covid-19 Although the PAP earned 61.2 per cent of the vote share at GE2020, winning 83 out of 93 seats, Mr Lee said the election results fell short of the party's expectations.

He observed the mood in the buildup to GE2020 was apprehensive, arising

Leading the Party forward On the important topic of leadership renewal, Mr Lee said he is proud of the latest batch of 24 PAP MPs elected at GE2020 in July, with each having established themselves in their professions and communities. Some of them have already been appointed to the Cabinet or ƥ ǡ the 4G team and help the PAP to provide Singapore with the leadership it needs, said Mr Lee. “Leadership renewal remains one of my top priorities,” he said, reiterating his promise to see Singapore through the Covid-19 crisis before he hands it over in good shape to the next team and into safe hands.

This year’s 36th Party Conference was a hybrid event held at several locations due to Covid-19 safe distancing measures. Thanking party members and activists, Mr Lee said an awards ceremony will be held to recognise their contributions when the situation normalises.

DEC 2020

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COVER STORY from the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic. The anxiety was palpable and it cost the PAP votes. “The results ƪ Singaporeans feel in this crisis, the loss of income, the anxiety about jobs, the disruption caused by the circuit breaker and the safe distancing restrictions,” said Mr Lee. He also noted the electorate’s broader desire for more alternative voices and a stronger opposition to check the PAP

The People’s Action Party is a “broad tent” that occupies the middle ground in Singapore and as such, the party can better organise itself to champion the concerns of various groups in society, said Mr Heng Swee Keat, the PAP's 1st Assistant Secretary-General.

He noted how, in recent years, the PAP’s MPs and activists have covered more ground to reach out to lowerwage workers, seniors, women and caregivers, among others.

“They are effective voices because they understand the concerns of these groups and our current approach to helping them, and are able to put forth good proposals that can make a difference,” said Mr Heng who is also Deputy Prime Minister.

government.

Mr Lee said the party was disappointed not to have done better in Aljunied GRC and Hougang SMC, despite the candidates and activists pouring their heart and soul into it. The loss of Sengkang GRC was “painful” for everyone, but Mr Lee said the party respects the decision of voters there.

“The PAP will not give up in these opposition constituencies. We will maintain our presence, strive to win back

the voters there, and one day we will succeed,” he said.

On the same day as the conference, the party also elected its 36th Central Executive Committee (CEC). In all, 12 members were elected and two members co-opted. The CEC subsequently met on Nov 19 at which it co-opted four additional members. It also elected its ƥ Ǧ Ǥ

He said the PAP must make an even more deliberate effort to recruit people with diverse viewpoints and perspectives who share our passion and values to do right

by Singapore and Singaporeans. “We must convince them to join the PAP, because this is their best way to make a difference. I am glad that many of our divisions are actively doing so, and finding new ways to connect,” he said at the Party’s 36th Conference on Nov 8, 2020.

Mr Heng highlighted several other ways that the PAP will adapt to the needs of a changing electorate.

He noted that strong ground engagement remains fundamental, which is the PAP’s strength. Singaporeans must not see the PAP as just a capable government, but also as people they can relate to and trust. All

divisions have regular Meet-the-People sessions, mobile MPS, walkabouts, and visiting families with needs.

The PAP can also do more to boost its online outreach, said Mr Heng, adding that anecdotally, some voters had responded to how opposition parties portrayed themselves online, more so than what they stood for and what they could do.

Mr Heng said that Comrade Desmond Lee has reached out to activists to do a review of the GE2020 results and gather views. The review has already been completed and the newly-elected Central Executive Committee will discuss the findings, he said.

PAP IS A BROAD TENT THAT CHAMPIONS THE CONCERNS OF SOCIETY

“Working closely and sincerely with fellow Singaporeans is how we will hold the ground and sustain trust in the PAP. So while we have a good mandate, we must remain humble and work together to win the support of our people.”

– Mr Heng Swee Keat, the PAP's 1st Assistant Secretary-General.

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DEC 2020

PAP’s 36th PAP Central Executive Committee (2020-2022) Vice Chairman

Chairman

Masagos Zulkifli Bin Masagos Mohamad

Gan Kim Yong

Secretary-General

1st Assistant Secretary-General

2nd Assistant Secretary-General

Lee Hsien Loong

Heng Swee Keat

Chan Chun Sing

Treasurer

Assistant Treasurer

Organising Secretaries

K Shanmugam

Ong Ye Kung

Desmond Lee Grace Fu Hai Yien

Members

Alex Yam Ziming #

Edwin Tong Chun Fai #

Indranee Thurai Rajah *

Josephine Teo *

Ng Chee Meng #

Lawrence Wong

Other CEC appointments

HQ Exco Chairman Assistant Organising Secretaries

Tan Chuan-Jin

Victor Lye Thiam Fatt #

Vivian Balakrishnan

Chair, PAP.SG Chair, Women's Wing Chair, Young PAP Advisor, PAP Policy Forum

Chan Chun Sing Alex Yam Ziming Chee Hong Tat Janil Puthucheary Desmond Lee Josephine Teo Janil Puthucheary Lawrence Wong

* Co-opted on Nov 8, 2020 # Co-opted on Nov 19, 2020

DEC 2020

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COVER STORY

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DEC 2020

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PAP mesti sesuaikan diri dengan politik Singapura yang berubah sambil kekalkan teras identitinya Singapura dan politiknya sedang berubah, dan PAP harus berubah juga untuk mengekalkan model kejayaan yang telah membentuk negara ini selama beberapa dekad, kata Setiausaha Agung PAP, Encik Lee Hsien Loong.

PAP mesti menyesuaikan dengan apa yang rakyat Singapura ingin melihat dari segi politik, kata beliau kepada pemimpin parti dan aktivis sewaktu Persidangan Parti ke-36 pada 8 November 2020 lalu.

“Warga Singapura masih mahu kestabilan dan kemajuan, jaminan kerja, dan pelbagai peluang untuk diri mereka dan anak-anak,” katanya. “Namun lebih dari itu, warga Singapura inginkan hal-hal lain — untuk lebih aktif dalam membentuk masyarakat, meneliti

semula anggapan asas, dan melihat lebih dari cara-cara yang telah dicuba dan diuji apabila melakukan sesuatu.”

Encik Lee juga menyebut hasrat pengundi yang mahukan lebih banyak sekat dan imbangan, lebih banyak suara alternatif di dalam Parlimen, perdebatan awam yang lebih berkesan, dan penelitian lebih rapi kepada dasar-dasar pemerintah.

Harapan dan keinginan ini, katanya, akan bertambah dengan setiap generasi warga Singapura, dan PAP harus “memberi jawapan”. “Pada masa yang sama, kita harus kekalkan teras identiti dan apa yang kita perjuangkan. Kita harus terus mewakili semua warga Singapura, dan bukan hanya sekelompok atau segmen penduduk yang tertentu,” kata Encik Lee, yang juga Perdana Menteri.

Hubungan PAP-NTUC yang simbiotik

“Bekerja rapat dan secara ikhlas dengan warga Singapura adalah bagaimana kita mempertahankan dan mengekalkan kepercayaan kepada PAP. Oleh itu walaupun kita mempunyai mandat baik, kita harus terus rendah hati dan bekerjasama untuk memenangi sokongan rakyat.”

--Penolong Setiausaha Agung Pertama, Encik Heng Swee Keat.

Kerjasama erat antara PAP dan Kongres Kesatuan Sekerja Singapura (NTUC) akan menjadi aset berharga sedang Singapura mengharungi masa depan yang tidak menentu, kata Encik Lee. Dan dalam masa krisis, “sangat penting” untuk memperkukuhkan kerjasama antara parti pemerintah dan Pergerakan Buruh.

Encik Lee menyatakan walaupun hubungan PAP-NTUC “kekal kukuh” di peringkat kepimpinan, penglibatan di peringkat bawah antara cawangancawangan parti dan kesatuan sekerja

secara individu dan cawangan kesatuan “tidak begitu mendalam”.

Beliau menggesa AP untuk berkhidmat lebih dari sebagai penasihat kesatuan sekerja, dengan membantu kesatuan sekerja dari bawah dan melibatkan pekerja secara langsung. Ini akan membantu AP PAP untuk lebih memahami keprihatinan pekerja dan paparkan mereka mempunyai suara dalam PAP apabila berucap di Parlimen.

Keputusan pilihan raya cermin kebimbangan berikutan Covid-19 Walaupun PAP menerima 61.2 peratus undi sewaktu GE2020, dan memenangi 83 daripada 93 kerusi, Encik Lee berkata keputusan pilihan raya tidak memenuhi jangkaan parti.

Beliau perhatikan suasana menjelang GE2020 mencerminkan kebimbangan, berikutan wabak Covid-19. Keresahan begitu dirasakan dan ia menjejas undi PAP. Keputusan pilihan raya memaparkan kepedihan dan ketidaktentuan yang dirasakan warga Singapura dalam krisis ini.

Encik Lee berkata parti juga kecewa kerana tidak pamerkan kelakonan lebih baik di GRC Aljunied dan SMC Hougang, walaupun calon-calon dan aktivis telah mencurahkan hati dan jiwa dalam usaha ini. Kekalahan di GRC Sengkang begitu “menyakitkan” bagi semua, tetapi Encik Lee berkata parti menghormati keputusan pengundi di sana. PAP, katanya, tidak akan menyerah kalah dalam kawasan undi pembangkang ini.

DEC 2020

11

COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

Singapore will come out of Covid-19 better and stronger The opening of Singapore’s 14th Parliament took place on Aug 24, 2020 and for the first time, it was held at two locations — Parliament House and the Arts House to ensure safe distancing due to Covid-19.

Singapore’s 14th Parliament opened on Aug 24, 2020 with 93 elected Members of Parliament, including 31 newly elected ones. A record 28 women entered Parliament and for the first time, it has a Leader of the Opposition.

Here are the highlights from President Halimah Yacob’s address at the opening of Parliament, and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s speech during the debate on her speech Photo credits: Ministry of Communications and Information

hen Jewel at Changi Airport opened, it was meant to showcase how the airport was built up over decades to become the best in the world, and home to the best airline in the world, Singapore Airlines.

But with Covid-19 grounding global travel, Changi Airport is now “deathly silent” and Jewel had also “gone dark” during the Circuit Breaker period, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his ͞ǡ ͜͜͞͞ Ƥ

W

14

DEC 2020

the 14th Parliament after GE2020 on July 10.

“Forty years of building up our airport and airline. Covid-19 came, and all of that suddenly came to a halt.”

But Mr Lee urged Singaporeans to Ƥ Dz dzǤ “Singapore was born from crisis. We have survived many life and death crises before… But each time, we did survive and actually came back stronger. Each time, the dire circumstances became the occasion and platform for ambition

and daring. Each time, we transcended ourselves and built again.”

Noting how Parliament opened sooner than usual after a general election due to the “urgent business” of handling Covid-19, Mr Lee said: “This searing experience will help a whole new generation of Singaporeans appreciate and treasure what we have.

“Do not doubt. Do not fear. Jewel will shine again. Changi will thrive again. SIA ƪ Ǥdz

Key concerns: social safety nets and foreign worker policy Singaporeans, he pointed out, are worried about two key issues – stronger social safety nets and foreign worker policy.

In the early days of nationhood, Singapore did not need extensive social safety nets because there was high GDP and income growth, with ample jobs.

But with the economy maturing and in ơ ǡ is now a “higher premium on specialised skills and education” and this makes it harder for someone who is retrenched to Ƥ Ǥ The Government now spends three times as much on social programmes every year as it did 15 years ago, with new schemes such as Comcare introduced in 2005, Workfare in 2007 and Silver Support in 2016. ơ Ǧ ơǡ bottom 20 per cent growing consistently faster than wages in the mid-range, said Mr Lee. “We need to do more and we are ready to do more… We must keep an open mind as we build and improve on the systems we have, and consider solutions that can work in our context.”

However, Mr Lee said help schemes Ƥ Ǥ Dz matter of principle, our social safety

The opening of the 14th Parliament took place earlier than usual to discuss pressing issues related to the Covid-19 crisis.

nets should be paid for out of current revenues. We should not draw down on what we have inherited, nor should we mortgage the future of our children.”

The Government is reviewing the foreign worker and work pass policies due to the rise in anti-foreigner sentiment.

While the number of Employment Pass and S-Pass holders have been coming down this year, Mr Lee also noted: “There is no comfort in knowing that the total numbers are not too many if personally, we feel that we have been discriminated against at the workplace.”

However, he cautioned against giving the wrong impression that Singapore is closing up to foreigners.

“Employers must be a bigger part of the solution. First, they must take greater accountability for their employees’ learning. Second, they must be willing to give more Singaporeans a chance, and look beyond paper and past experience.”

-- Ms Mariam Jaafar (Sembawang GRC) in her maiden speech in Parliament.

“Despite these challenging times, I remain confident that our entrepreneurs have got the grit and gumption to push through. Beyond providing jobs, they bring an important sense of purpose for Singaporeans.’’

-- Mr Edward Chia (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) on why entrepreneurs deserve more government support.

“None of us know for sure how Singapore will look like after this crisis right now... If we take care of the building blocks of our society, strengthen the connections and co-create and build together, I believe we can ride through this storm – not just surviving, but thriving...”

-- Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim (Chua Chu Kang GRC) on his vision of a stronger and more cohesive society.

“We have always been a people open to the world, welcoming others who can add value to our society, and bring the best out of us. We will adjust our policies to safeguard Singaporean jobs, but let us Ƥ hold our own in the world.”

New generation of leaders do things in their own ways Mr Lee said the new generation of PAP leaders will have to “do things in their ơ dzǤ He also expects the tone of the debate to shift with a stronger opposition presence in Parliament. “PAP Ministers and MPs will have to raise their game, be prepared for sharper questioning, and defend the Government’s policies and decisions,” said Mr Lee. Urging the opposition MPs to step up, he added: “Go beyond asking questions and criticising the Government’s proposals, which is part of their responsibility, to go on to put up serious proposals and ideas of their own to be examined and debated.”

He cautioned against turning every issue into a partisan one, where both Ƥ agree on. “Politics become toxic and bitter, the country is divided, and goes into a downward spiral. If this happens to Singapore, we will not just cease being an exceptional nation. It will be the end of us. We must not go down this path.”

DEC 2020

15

COVER STORY

Forging a new Singapore together verything was about the ”new” in President Halimah Yacob’s address at the opening session of Singapore’s 14th Parliament on Aug 24.

As a new slate of 93 Members of Parliament and two Non-Constituency MPs

E

began their first parliamentary session, President Halimah pointed out that new leaders are emerging to lead the country.

At the same time, new generations of Singaporeans are coming of age, with new aspirations and expectations, including a

desire for more diverse voices to be heard, and stronger checks and balances on leaders.

“The new generation of leaders and Singaporeans will have to form bonds and connections afresh, forge their own compact, find their own ways of working together and strike their own balances,” she said.

“They have to foster a more open spirit in our society, even as we strengthen the common cause holding us together as Singaporeans.”

She noted that the country is at an inflection point and will face major changes in the coming years. How Singapore responds to crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic and its worst recession since independence will define it for many years to come.

Securing Singapore’s future in a changed world

President Halimah called on Singaporeans to work in close partnership as one people, uniting behind the Government.

16

DEC 2020

The President spelt out several priorities for the next phase of nation-building.

The first was to secure jobs for Singaporeans, especially among the lower-

“We are developing many pathways so that young Singaporeans can achieve their fullest potential regardless of their starting point.”

– President Halimah Yacob.

wage, older and mid-career workers. While the Government is supporting businesses with cash flow and credit so that they stay afloat, the National Jobs Council is working to create new jobs and upgrade Singaporeans’ skills.

To keep creating jobs, the economy must be strong and competitive, she said, noting that the economy will undergo significant structural changes to find new ways of making a living.

Second, Singapore must build a fair and just society so that the benefits of progress are shared by all.

Emphasising social mobility, President Halimah said Singapore must continue to invest heavily in education and training, right from childhood.

“We are developing many pathways so that young Singaporeans can achieve their fullest potential regardless of their starting point,” she said.

Third, the strengthening of the Singapore identity. While Singaporeans largely are accepting of different cultures and different views, social media has “amplified contending voices and views”.

This is especially when foreigners are competing for Singaporeans’ jobs. “This has become a major source of anxiety... they not only touch on matters of livelihood, but also on our sense of identity and belonging. They will be addressed,” she said.

President Halimah urged Singaporeans and the Government to work closely as Singapore Together for the greater good of the country to save lives, protect livelihoods and secure a bright future.

Another $8 billion of Covid-19 support measures After four earlier Budgets which saw the Government dedicate close to $100 billion between February and May 2020 to help Singaporeans cope with the fallout from the Covid-19 crisis, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat pledged another $8 billion in support measures. Here are the three key strategic thrusts of the additional help which was announced on Aug 17, 2020.

Continue to support jobs and create new ones •

•

•

Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) extended for another seven months till March 2021. More than $16 billion have been disbursed, Ƥ ͜͝͡ǡ͜​͜​͜ Ƥ Ǥ $1 billion Jobs Growth Incentive to support companies which are still growing to hire more locals, especially mature workers. The Government will co-pay up to 50 per cent of the salary of workers above 40 and older.

Covid-19 Support Grant extended until December 2020 to help ơ income loss.

“Working together with our businesses, we will capture new opportunities, create better jobs, and re-imagine our economy, so that we can emerge stronger from the crisis.”

– DPM Heng Swee Keat.

•

•

well, will receive 10 per cent wage support until December 2020. $187 million to support aviation sector up to March 2021 to provide cost relief for airlines, ground handlers, cargo agents and airport tenants. $320 million in SingapoRediscovers Vouchers to boost tourism sector.

Support for hard hit sectors

Seize growth opportunities post-Covid-19

•

•

•

Companies in hardest hit sectors such as aviation, aerospace and tourism will receive 50 per cent wage support under JSS till March 2021. Other sectors such as the arts and entertainment, food services, ǡ ơ will have 30 per cent wage support until March 2021.

Sectors such as biomedical ǡ Ƥ supermarkets which are managing

•

$150 million to enhance the Startup SG Founder programme to spur innovation and entrepreneurship.

Emerging Strong Taskforce is prototyping new ideas in areas such as smart commerce and supply chain digitalisation.

Mr Heng said the Government does not plan to draw on past reserves for these support measures, beyond what was approved earlier.

DEC 2020

17

PAP MPs and Branch Chairs

Aljunied GRC/Hougang SMC (Branch Chairs)

Ang Mo Kio GRC/Kebun Baru SMC/Yio Chu Kang SMC

Victor Lye Thiam Fatt Chua Eng Leong

Shamsul Kamar

Lee Hsien Loong

Gan Thiam Poh

Darryl David

Bedok Reservoir-Punggol

Kaki Bukit

Teck Ghee

Fernvale

Ang Mo Kio-Hougang

Eunos

Alex Yeo Sheng Chye

Chan Hui Yuh

Paya Lebar

Serangoon

Ng Eng Hen

Saktiandi Supaat

Chong Kee Hiong

Gan Kim Yong

Low Yen Ling

Toa Payoh Central

Toa Payoh East

Bishan East-Sin Ming

Chua Chu Kang

Bukit Gombak

Lee Hong Chuang Hougang SMC

Ng Ling Ling Jalan Kayu

Kwek Hian Chuan Henry

Keat Hong

Chee Hong Tat

Yip Hon Weng

Toa Payoh West-Thomson

Yio Chu Kang SMC

Don Wee Boon Hong Brickland

Marymount SMC

Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman

Jessica Tan Soon Neo

Siglap

Changi-Simei

Jalan Besar GRC/Potong Pasir SMC

Jurong GRC/Bukit Batok SMC/Yuhua SMC

Vivian Balakrishnan

Sim Ann

Josephine Teo

Heng Chee How

Cashew

Bukit Timah

Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng

Whampoa

Denise Phua Lay Peng

Tharman Shanmugaratnam

Kampong Glam

Taman Jurong

Christopher De Souza Ulu Pandan

Tan Kiat How

Edward Chia Bing Hui

Fengshan

Kampong Chai Chee

Zhenghua

Liang Eng Hwa

Wan Rizal Kolam Ayer

Bukit Panjang SMC

Marine Parade GRC/MacPherson SMC/Mountbatten SMC

Tan Chuan-Jin

Edwin Tong Chun Fai

Seah Kian Peng

Kembangan-Chai Chee

Joo Chiat

Braddell Heights

Mohd Fahmi Bin Aliman

Sitoh Yih Pin

Murali Pillai

Potong Pasir SMC

Bukit Batok SMC

Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC

Amy Khor Lean Suan Hong Kah North SMC

Tan See Leng

Lawrence Wong

Zaqy Mohamad

Alex Yam Ziming

K Shanmugam

Marine Parade

Limbang

Marsiling

Yew Tee

Chong Pang

Rahayu Mahzam

Xie Yao Quan

Shawn Huang Wei Zhong

Clementi

Bukit Batok East

Jurong Central

Jurong Spring

Grace Fu Hai Yien Yuhua SMC

Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim

Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC/Punggol West SMC

Louis Ng Kok Kwang

Teo Chee Hean

Janil Puthucheary

Desmond Tan Kok Ming

Nee Soon East

Pasir Ris West

Punggol Coast

Pasir Ris Central

Sun Xueling

Nee Soon Central

Lim Biow Chuan Mountbatten SMC

Sembawang GRC

Tan Wu Meng

Nee Soon GRC

Geylang Serai

MacPherson SMC

Gan Siow Huang

Holland-Bukit Timah GRC/Bukit Panjang SMC

Cheryl Chan Wei Ling

Tin Pei Ling

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim

Kebun Baru SMC

East Coast GRC

Bedok

Chua Chu Kang GRC/Hong Kah North SMC

Cheng San-Seletar

Updated: December 2020

Heng Swee Keat

Nadia Ahmad Samdin

Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC/Marymount SMC

Sengkang GRC (Branch Chairs)

Ong Ye Kung

Vikram Nair

Mariam Jaafar

Ng Chee Meng

Amrin Amin

Lam Pin Min

Sembawang Central

Admiralty

Woodlands

Sengkang North

Sengkang Central

Sengkang West

Hany Soh Hui Bin

Carrie Tan Huimin

Derrick Goh Soon Hee

Sharael Taha

Yeo Wan Ling

Woodgrove

Nee Soon South

Nee Soon Link

Pasir Ris East

Punggol Shore

Tampines GRC

Tanjong Pagar GRC/Radin Mas SMC

West Coast GRC/Pioneer SMC

Masagos Zulkifli Bin Masagos Mohamad

Punggol West SMC

Koh Poh Koon

Baey Yam Keng

Chan Chun Sing

Indranee Thurai Rajah Joan Pereira

S Iswaran

Desmond Lee

Foo Mee Har

Tampines Central

Tampines North

Buona Vista

Tanjong Pagar-Tiong Bahru

Henderson Dawson

West Coast

Boon Lay

Ayer Rajah - Gek Poh

Eric Chua Swee Leong

Alvin Tan Sheng Hui

Melvin Yong Yik Chye

Ang Wei Neng

Rachel Ong Sin Yen

Nanyang

Telok Blangah

Patrick Tay Teck Guan

Tampines West

Poh Li San

Lim Wee Kiak

Sembawang West

Canberra

Raymond Lye Hoong Yip

Desmond Choo Pey Ching

Sengkang East

Tampines Changkat

Cheng Li Hui Tampines East

Queenstown

Moulmein-Cairnhill

Radin Mas SMC

Pioneer SMC

2021 JANUARY Su

3 10 17 24 31

Mo

Tu

4 5 11 12 18 19 25 26

FEBRUARY We

6 13 20 27

Th

Fr

Sa

7 14 21 28

1 2 8 9 15 16 22 23 29 30

MAY Su

2 9 16 23 30

5 12 19 26

7 14 21 28

Mo

MARCH

Tu

We

Th

Fr

Sa

1 2 8 9 15 16 22 23

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

5 6 12 13 19 20 26 27

JUNE Mo

Tu

3 4 10 11 17 18 24 25 31

We

5 12 19 26

Th

Fr

Sa

6 13 20 27

1 7 8 14 15 21 22 28 29

SEPTEMBER Su

Su

Mo

Su

Mo

Tu

We

Th

Fr

Sa

We

Th

Fr

Sa

6 13 20 27

1 7 8 14 15 21 22 28 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24

4 5 11 12 18 19 25 26

6 7 13 14 20 21 27 28

1 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 4 10 11 17 18 24 25

Su

3 10 17 24 31

Mo

Su

Mo

Tu

We

Th

Fr

7 14 21 28

1 2 8 9 15 16 22 23 29 30

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

5 6 12 13 19 20 26 27

Tu

4 5 11 12 18 19 25 26

Su

4 11 18 25

Mo

Sa

6 13 20 27

Th

Fr

Sa

7 14 21 28

1 2 8 9 15 16 22 23 29 30

Su

4 11 18 25

Mo

Tu

5 6 12 13 19 20 26 27

We

Th

Fr

Sa

7 14 21 28

1 8 15 22 29

2 3 9 10 16 17 23 24 30

AUGUST Tu

5 6 12 13 19 20 26 27

We

Th

Fr

Sa

7 14 21 28

1 8 15 22 29

2 3 9 10 16 17 23 24 30 31

NOVEMBER We

Source: Ministry of Manpower

APRIL

JULY

OCTOBER

Tu

CALENDAR

Su

Mo

Tu

We

Th

Fr

Sa

1 8 15 22 29

2 3 9 10 16 17 23 24 30 31

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 7 13 14 20 21 27 28

DECEMBER

Su

Mo

Tu

We

Th

Fr

Sa

7 14 21 28

1 2 8 9 15 16 22 23 29 30

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

5 6 12 13 19 20 26 27

Su

5 12 19 26

Mo

Tu

We

Th

Fr

Sa

6 7 13 14 20 21 27 28

1 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 4 10 11 17 18 24 25 31

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS FOR 2021 The dates of the 11 gazetted public holidays for 2021 are as follows:

JAN New Year’s Day

1 Jan

FEB Chinese New Year

12 & 13 Feb

APR Good Friday

2 Apr

MAY Labour Day Hari Raya Puasa Vesak Day

1 May 13 May 26 May

JUL Hari Raya Haji

20 July

AUG National Day

9 Aug

NOV Deepavali

4 Nov

DEC Christmas Day

25 Dec

COVER STORY

Thank you Comrades wenty Members of Parliament from the People’s Action Party retired after the dissolution of the 13th Parliament of Singapore on June 23, 2020.

Their retirement was part of the Party’s renewal process.

Among them are party stalwarts who have been part of Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong’s political journey.

They include Singapore’s second Prime Minister, Mr Goh Chok Tong; and Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport, Mr Khaw Boon Wan. Mr Goh, 79, has served the Party, residents of Marine Parade, Singapore and Singaporeans for the past 44 straight ›‡ƒ”•Ǥ ‡ ™ƒ• Ƥ”•– ‡Ž‡…–‡† ˆ‘” ƒ”‹Â?‡ Parade constituency in 1976 and reelected in nine general elections and one by-election. Mr Goh became Singapore’s second Prime Minister in 1990 and handed over the reins to PM Lee in 2004.

He was made Senior Minister and retired from the Cabinet in 2011. At that point, he was named Emeritus Senior Minister and continued serving as MP for Marine Parade GRC. In Mr Lee’s valedictory letter to Mr Goh on June 25, he said: “With sadness, I accept your decision to retire from politics at the forthcoming general election.� “I will always be personally indebted to you. You brought me into politics and have guided and mentored me all these years. Your advice, based on a lifetime of experience, helped me clarify my thoughts and avoid many unnecessary errors.

T

“Ours was a fruitful comradeship that spanned the entirety of my years in politics and most of yours – a close relationship between two prime ministers that would be the envy of many countries.�

When Mr Goh was Prime Minister, Singapore experienced various crises such as the Asian Financial Crisis of 199798, the September 2001 terrorist attacks and the SARS outbreak in 2003. “On those occasions, your calm and steady leadership gave Singaporeans comfort and courage,� said Mr Lee. In Mr Goh’s retirement letter on June 24 to PM Lee, the ESM said: “Smooth and systematic leadership succession is the key to Singapore’s political stability.

I decided to step down as PM in 2004 after the economy had recovered from SARS and when you were in place to take over as my successor. Similarly, I prefer to retire as Member of Parliament now whilst I am healthy and able to ease my successor’s transition into Marine Parade.�

Close comradeship Â?‘–Š‡” ’—„Ž‹… ‘Ƽ…‡ Š‘Ž†‡” ™Š‘ retired is Mr Khaw, 67. Describing him as a “close comradeâ€? who has been in his cabinet from day one, PM Lee said: “You have been one of my most reliable lieutenants. Beyond your own portfolios,

your comments on matters put before Cabinet always went to the heart of the matter, and focused our minds on the key …‘Â?•‹†‡”ƒ–‹‘Â?• ƒÂ?† Â–Â”ÂƒÂ†Â‡ÇŚÂ‘ĆĄÂ•Ç¤Çł “For the younger Ministers, you have been a role model and a source of sage advice,â€? said Mr Lee in his valedictory letter to Mr Khaw on June 26. ” Šƒ™ ™ƒ• Ƥ”•– ‡Ž‡…–‡† ĥ in 2001 after a distinguished public service career. During his 19 years ‹Â? ’—„Ž‹… ‘Ƽ…‡ǥ Š‡ Šƒ† Š‡ŽÂ?‡† –Š‡ Health, National Development and Transport ministries – some of the most challenging jobs in the Cabinet, pointed out PM Lee. Prior to his retirement, Mr Khaw was Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Minister, and MP for Sembawang GRC. When he became Health Minister after SARS, he instituted new processes and extensive preparations to get Singapore ready for the next novel disease outbreak – which has served us well when Covid-19 hit us, pointed out Mr Lee. Another stalwart who retired is Deputy Speaker of Parliament Mr Charles Chong, 67, whose last constituency was Punggol East SMC. Mr Lee said: “When –Š‡”‡ǯ• ƒ –‘—‰Š Ƥ‰Š– ƒÂ?† ™‡ Â?‡‡† ƒ •–”‘Â?‰ …ƒÂ?†‹†ƒ–‡ ™Š‘ ™‹ŽŽ Ƥ‰Š– Šƒ”† ƒÂ?† Ƥ‰Š– smart, we send in Charles Chong. And every time, Charles delivered.’’

“You have given your all and more in the service of your country and people. I wish you and Mrs Goh a long, healthy and happy retirement.�’ - PM Lee Hsien Loong.

DEC 2020

21

COVER STORY

Our deep appreciation to the retired MPs for their commitment and dedication

Goh Chok Tong

Charles Chong

Lim Hng Kiang

Marine Parade GRC

Punggol East SMC

West Coast GRC

10 terms

7 terms

6 terms

Lim Swee Say

Yaacob Ibrahim

Teo Ho Pin

East Coast GRC

Jalan Besar GRC

Bukit Panjang SMC

5 terms

5 terms

5 terms

Lily Neo

Khaw Boon Wan

Cedric Foo

Jalan Besar GRC

Sembawang GRC

Pioneer SMC

5 terms

4 terms

4 terms

Lee Yi Shyan

Teo Ser Luck

Fatimah Lateef

East Coast GRC

Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC

Marine Parade GRC

3 terms

3 terms

3 terms

Lee Bee Wah

Sam Tan

Ang Hin Kee

Nee Soon GRC

Radin Mas SMC

Ang Mo Kio GRC

3 terms

3 terms

2 terms

Chia Shi-Lu

Intan Azura Mokhtar

Ong Teng Koon

Tanjong Pagar GRC

Ang Mo Kio GRC

Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC

2 terms

2 terms

2 terms

Zainal Sapari

Yee Chia Hsing

Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC

Chua Chu Kang GRC

2 terms

1 term

22

DEC 2020

SPECIAL

PARTY People's Action Party Workers' Party Singapore Democratic Party National Solidarity Party Singapore People's Party Singapore Democratic Alliance Progress Singapore Party Reform Party People's Power Party Peoples Voice Red Dot United

GE2020 Results Aljunied GRC

Number of Voters: 150,821

Bukit Panjang SMC

Number of Voters: 35,437

PAP: 57,330

WP: 85,815

PAP: 18,085

SDP: 15,576

40.05%

59.95%

53.73%

46.27%

Chan Hui Yuh Chua Eng Leong Victor Lye Thiam Fatt Shamsul Kamar Bin Mohamed Razali Alex Yeo Sheng Chye

Gerald Giam Yean Song Sylvia Lim Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap Leon Perera Pritam Singh

Liang Eng Hwa

Paul Ananth Tambyah

Ang Mo Kio GRC

Number of Voters: 185,261

PAP: 124,597

RP: 48,677

71.91%

28.09%

Darryl David Gan Thiam Poh Lee Hsien Loong Nadia Ahmad Samdin Ng Ling Ling

Kenneth Andrew Jeyaretnam Noraini Bte Yunus Soh Guan Soon Yeo Yao Hui, Charles Zhu Laicheng

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his team thanked Ang Mo Kio residents on 12 July 2020.

Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC

Number of Voters: 101,220

Chua Chu Kang GRC

Number of Voters: 106,632

PAP: 59,554

PSP: 42,012

58.64%

41.36%

Gan Kim Yong Low Yen Ling Don Wee Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim

Abdul Rahman Bin Mohamad Choo Shaun Ming Tan Meng Wah Yuen Kin Pheng

East Coast GRC

Number of Voters: 121,644

PAP: 61,144

WP: 53,375

53.39%

46.61%

Cheryl Chan Wei Ling Heng Swee Keat Mohd Maliki Bin Osman Tan Kiat How Tan Soon Neo Jessica

Abdul Shariff Aboo Kassim Foo Seck Guan Dylan Ng Nicole Seah Terence Tan Li-Chern

Holland-Bukit Timah GRC

Number of Voters: 114,973

PAP: 62,983

SPP: 30,696

PAP: 71,218

SDP: 36,100

67.23%

32.77%

66.36%

33.64%

Chee Hong Tat Chong Kee Hiong Ng Eng Hen Saktiandi Bin Supaat

Steve Chia Melvyn Chiu Williamson Lee Osman Sulaiman

Edward Chia Bing Hui De Souza Christopher Sim Ann Vivian Balakrishnan

Min Cheong James Gomez Alfred Tan Tan Jee Say

Bukit Batok SMC

Number of Voters: 29,948

Hong Kah North SMC

Number of Voters: 28,046

PAP: 15,500

SDP: 12,787

PAP: 16,347

PSP: 10,457

54.80%

45.20%

60.99%

39.01%

Murali Pillai

Chee Soon Juan

Amy Khor Lean Suan

Gigene Wong

24

DEC 2020

ABBREVIATION PAP WP SDP NSP SPP SDA PSP RP PPP PV RDU

Hougang SMC

Number of Voters: 26,432

Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC

Number of Voters: 117,077

PAP: 9,791

WP: 15,451

PAP: 69,813

SDP: 40,690

38.79%

61.21%

63.18%

36.82%

Lee Hong Chuang

Dennis Tan Lip Fong

Hany Soh Hui Bin Lawrence Wong Alex Yam Ziming Zaqy Mohamad

Damanhuri Bin Abas Khung Wai Yeen Lim Boon Heng Benjamin Pwee

Jalan Besar GRC

Number of Voters: 107,720

Marymount SMC

Number of Voters: 23,431

PAP: 64,631

PV: 34,261

PAP: 12,173

PSP: 9,943

65.36%

34.64%

55.04%

44.96%

Heng Chee How Denise Phua Lay Peng Josephine Teo Wan Rizal

Michael Fang Amin Leong Sze Hian Lim Tean Nor Azlan Bin Sulaiman

Gan Siow Huang

Ang Yong Guan

Jurong GRC

Number of Voters: 131,058

Mountbatten SMC

Number of Voters: 24,246

PAP: 91,846

RDU: 31,260

PAP: 16,285

PV: 5,775

74.61%

25.39%

73.82%

26.18%

Shawn Huang Wei Zhong Rahayu Binte Mahzam Tan Wu Meng Tharman Shanmugaratnam Xie Yao Quan

Michelle Lee Juen Liyana Dhamirah Ravi Philemon Nicholas Tang Alec Tok

Lim Biow Chuan

Sivakumaran Chellappa

Kebun Baru SMC

Number of Voters: 22,623

PAP: 13,309

PSP: 7,842

62.92%

37.08%

Kwek Hian Chuan Henry

Kumaran Pillai

MacPherson SMC

Number of Voters: 146,902

PAP: 86,308

PSP: 53,131

61.90%

38.10%

Derrick Goh Soon Hee K. Shanmugam Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim Ng Kok Kwang, Louis Carrie Tan Huimin

Bowyer Bradley Peter Kalayarasu Manickam Muhammad Taufik Bin Supan S Nallakaruppan Tay Chye Seng

Number of Voters: 28,513

PAP: 19,009

PPP: 7,489

71.74%

28.26%

Tin Pei Ling

Goh Meng Seng

Marine Parade GRC

Nee Soon GRC

PAP candidates in Nee Soon GRC led by Mr K Shanmugam together with his team mates interacted with their supporters at Chong Pang City Wet Market & Food Centre on July 11, 2020.

Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC

Number of Voters: 166,556

Number of Voters: 139,622

PAP: 75,203

WP: 55,047

57.74%

42.26%

Mohd Fahmi Aliman Seah Kian Peng Tan Chuan-Jin Tan See Leng Edwin Tong Chun Fai

Azhar Latip Fadli Fawzi Nathaniel Koh Ron Tan Jun Yen Yee Jenn Jong

PAP: 100,932

SDA: 37,237

PV: 19,147

64.16%

23.67%

12.17%

Janil Puthucheary Sharael Taha Desmond Tan Teo Chee Hean Yeo Wan Ling

Abu Bin Mohamed Harminder Pal Singh s/o Gurcharan Singh Kuswadi Bin Atnawi Lim Bak Chuan Desmond Kelvin Ong Soon Huat

Goh Keow Wah Lim Kay Cheow Jireh Mohamed Nassir Ismail Prabu Ramachandran Vigneswari VR

DEC 2020

25

SPECIAL

Pioneer SMC

Number of Voters: 24,653

PAP: 14,593

PSP: 8,289

62%

35.22% 2.78%

Patrick Tay Teck Guan

Lim Cher Hong

Potong Pasir SMC

Independent: 655

Cheang Peng Wah

Number of Voters: 19,731

PAP: 11,264

SPP: 7,302

60.67%

39.33%

Sitoh Yih Pin

Jose Raymond

Punggol West SMC

The Tampines GRC team, led by Mr Masagos Zulkifli (centre), walked around markets and coffeeshops, speaking to residents and signing autographs.

Number of Voters: 26,587

Tampines GRC

Number of Voters: 151,589

PAP: 94,668

NSP: 47,875

66.41%

33.59%

Baey Yam Keng Cheng Li Hui Desmond Choo Pey Ching Koh Poh Koon Masagos Zulkifli

Choong Hon Heng Fong Chin Leong Mohd Ridzwan Bin Mohammad Vincent Ng Kian Guan Yeo Ren-Yuan

PAP: 15,655

WP: 10,017

60.98%

39.02%

Tanjong Pagar GRC

Sun Xueling

Tan Chen Chen

PAP: 78,330

PSP: 45,807

63.10%

36.90% A'bas Bin Kasmani Chua Teck Leong, Michael Harish Pillay Low Wei Ling Soon Jun Wei, Terence

PAP: 16,864

RP: 5,922

74.01%

25.99%

Chan Chun Sing Eric Chua Swee Leong Indranee Thurai Rajah Joan Pereira Alvin Tan Sheng Hui

Melvin Yong Yik Chye

Kumar Appavoo

West Coast GRC

Radin Mas SMC

Sembawang GRC

Number of Voters: 24,931

NSP: 45,778

67.29%

32.71%

Lim Wee Kiak Mariam Jaafar Ong Ye Kung Poh Li San Vikram Nair

Ng Chung Hon Sathin s/o Ravindran Sebastian Teo Yadzeth Bin Hairis Yeo Tiong Boon

Number of Voters: 120,100

PAP: 55,319

WP: 60,217

47.88%

52.12%

Amrin Amin Lam Pin Min Lye Hoong Yip Raymond Ng Chee Meng

Chua Kheng Wee He Ting Ru Jamus Jerome Lim Raeesah Begum Binte Farid Khan

26

DEC 2020

Number of Voters: 146,089

PAP: 71,658

PSP: 66,996

51.68%

48.32%

Ang Wei Neng Foo Mee Har Desmond Lee Ti-Seng Rachel Ong Sin Yen S Iswaran

Khoo Poh Tiong Jeffrey Leong Mun Wai N. Loganathan Hazel Poa Tan Cheng Bock

Number of Voters: 147,786

PAP: 94,176

Sengkang GRC

Number of Voters: 134,494

Yio Chu Kang SMC

Number of Voters: 25,962

PAP: 14,775

PSP: 9,519

60.82%

39.18%

Yip Hon Weng

Kayla Low

Yuhua SMC

Number of Voters: 21,351

PAP: 14,131

SDP: 5,901

70.54%

29.46%

Grace Fu Hai Yien

Robin Low

BACKBENCHER'S BITE

BY JANE NG

Service with full effort, full heart urong is a familiar stomping ground for newly-minted Member of Parliament, Mr Xie Yao Quan. He had been Ƥ years, mostly in Jurong Spring constituency before he stood for election in nearby Jurong Central. Both constituencies are part of Jurong GRC. When he was activated at a late hour to join the Jurong GRC team of candidates for GE2020, Mr Xie was more than ready to step up.

While the transition from volunteer to candidate to MP was compressed, he had been preparing for it. “So it was not a complete surprise,” said Mr Xie, recalling the lead-up to polling day on July 10, 2020.

“I felt a strong sense of responsibility to the team. I had to make sure I could present myself fully as a choice for residents to consider and not let the team and activists down,” he said.

His day job sees him looking into innovative practices and service provision for the healthcare system as the population ages. Ƥ as it gives him an even stronger ground-up look at issues faced by Singaporeans.

J

WHO: Xie Yao Quan, MP for Jurong GRC and chairman of Jurong-Clementi Town Council. He entered politics in July 2020 and is the head of healthcare redesign in Alexandra Hospital.

WHERE: Coffee United Coffeeshop at Blk 496, Jurong West Street 41.

ON THE MENU: Rojak from Hoover Rojak, $5 Kopi-C Gao Siu Dai, $1.30

MP Xie Yao Quan, Jurong Central (Jurong GRC) Tell us about yourself?

At Alexandra Hospital, my work is focused on finding new ways to meet the healthcare needs of our ageing population. I also led the hospital’s Covid-19 operations in a major Community Care Facility at the height of the pandemic. Before this, I spent five years in the private sector with an investment company and earlier, six years with the Singapore Armed Forces.

What are three traits that best represent you?

Curious, daring, servant-leader.

Why did you decide to join politics?

I believe an MP’s role is to bring together like-minded partners to serve and benefit the local community. This is how politics in Singapore must continue to be

28

DEC 2020

– a thriving democracy of deeds.

Ultimately, it is about galvanising and serving alongside fellow Singaporeans, and to step forward and be counted.

How has the ground experience been so far?

It has reinforced my belief that the focus should always be on the residents. Understand all their circumstances, feel their fears, concerns and hopes, and journey with them.

What are the areas that you would like to pay attention to?

Keep healthcare accessible, affordable and of quality for Singaporeans and offer holistic support for lower-income families and vulnerable individuals.

Topics discussed

Jobs This is especially important in the current climate, how we can complement national level services with opportunities in the community.

Support for lower income families In Jurong Spring where I was volunteering, we have been partnering non-profit organisation Heartwarmers since 2018 to offer a discounted grocery shopping programme called “100 = 50” for 200 families. For $50, you can buy $100 worth of groceries at a monthly pop-up supermarket.

I hope to replicate it in Jurong Central.

Jurong Central has a tuition and mentorship programme for 50 students from low-income families. We work with Loving Heart Multi-Service Centre and Providence Care Centre to help them academically. Our volunteers mentor and provide them with enrichment programmes such as robotics.

"When I manage to help residents, it keeps me going."

- Mr Xie Yao Quan, MP for Jurong GRC and chairman of Jurong-Clementi Town Council.

Youths I want to engage them on issues they care about, for instance, mental health, sustainability and social equality. One way is to identify people who have ideas, give them a platform and work with them. We want more youths to come on board in the coming months.

Priority areas for Jurong Central Seniors My mum lives on her own. As her child and caregiver, I look at her needs and extrapolate what seniors need. At the policy level, we are doing a lot for seniors, so it is about piecing everything together within the community to make sure we have a coherent platform so that any senior who needs support, can get it. It includes activities to keep them active, like digital know-how, exercises or gardening. Residents above 65 years old comprise 18 per cent of the population in my ward, above the national average of 15 per cent.

Children and education I want to focus on those from lower- income families to see how we can give them opportunities to be the best they can be.

Mr Xie with volunteers and partnering parents on a programme in Jurong Central to help uplift families in his community.

Listening to residents’ needs I have a resident who missed the criteria for the Covid-19 Support Grant by just one percentage point.

So I suggested in Parliament to pro-rate the grant and fine-tune it to benefit more people impacted by the economic recession. The grant’s criteria is at least a loss of 30 per cent salary for three consecutive months. But a 20 per cent reduction on a $5,000-a month salary will translate to an income loss of $1,000 a month. If the policy can be adjusted, any amount will help these middleincome earners who have financial commitments.

Then there was a couple who approached me for help to give up their new flat which they had booked.

This was because his wife came down with an unexpected health condition which forced her to stop work. We worked with them to withdraw their flat booking, get back their down payment and instead, booked a resale flat near her parents. So grateful was the couple that their problem was resolved quickly that the husband said to me: ‘I have been given help and now I want to help you and others’.

When I manage to help residents, it keeps me going.

DEC 2020

29

BRANCHING OUT

#PS I love you No, not you. The PS stands for Punggol Shore, and the line sums up Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC Ms Yeo Wan Ling’s warm approach to her constituency t’s all about community love and neighbourly kindness at the Punggol Shore constituency. Posters, banners and even a car decal featuring various Punggol Shore programmes are emblazoned with hearts.

Its new MP, Ms Yeo Wan Ling, 44, who helms the constituency after GE2020, comes up with monthly “love notes� which are one-page newsletters to her residents put up in the lift cars across the estates.

If there were a constituency tagline, it would be “PS I love you�. The PS refers to Punggol Shore, which is part of Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC. Besides being used in community hot spots such as a shipping container turned job-search facility located just outside the Punggol 21 Community Club, Ms Yeo also uses it as a hashtag for many of her

I

social media posts, #PSILoveYou. As part of promoting kindness and understanding, the Punggol Shore team works with the Singapore Kindness Movement on long term constituencywide campaigns. Singa the Courtesy ‹‘Â? ‹• –Š‡ ”‡‰—Žƒ” Ƥš–—”‡ ‘Â? • Yeo’s neighbourhood walkabouts and community events. “I really hope to manage my district with love! For a community to thrive, we need lots of kindness, consideration and good old neighbourly love, especially †—”‹Â?‰ –Š‡•‡ †‹Ƽ…—Ž– –‹Â?‡•ǥdz •ƒ‹† • Yeo, who ensures that Punggol Shore’s programmes and her team’s interactions with residents are driven by the same values.

Why Punggol Shore? “We thought that a name change

was important given that Punggol is a growing town, and Punggol North is no longer in the north of our town, with the creation of the Punggol Coast ward. Hence, as a team, we took a page from the Punggol Coast and re-named ‘—”•‡Ž˜‡• —Â?‰‰‘Ž Š‘”‡ –‘ ”‡ƪ‡…– –Š‡ beautiful nature and relaxed eco vibe of Punggol Town,â€? said Ms Yeo. Ms Yeo shared that Punggol Shore is the oldest area in Punggol Town.

Some of its 11 HDB districts and seven condominiums are about 20 years old. Thus, unlike the young families who populate newer areas such as Punggol Coast and Punggol West, her constituency has a good number of mature families. “While our town is still growing with the introduction of new —‹Ž†nj ‘nj ”†‡” ĆŞÂƒÂ–Â•ÇĄ ™‡ DEC 2020

31

BRANCHING OUT approach them with compassion, listen with care and earn their trust, we realise that, more often than not, the root of their worries is not about the tile or the noise. It is usually about job insecurities, families and livelihoods,” she said. ƥ on the big economic numbers, Ms Yeo pointed out that in the home, a 30 per cent drop in income could translate into having less food on the table for the family. Instead of “3 dishes 1 soup” (♲蝲 ♧寖) in a typical Chinese home-cooked meal, a resident could be looking at “1 dish 1 soup”. “Our residents can feel the hurt, especially when it comes to not being able to provide for their families and children,” she noted.

With this in mind, she has tried to lessen the sting by delivering new initiatives with cheer.

Programmes with heart

Ms Yeo shares the values of kindness, consideration and neighbourly love with residents.

recognise that Punggol Shore is growing older. We have a good proportion of children who grew up here and who are now teenagers. Similarly, their parents are now in their late 30s and early 40s and are starting to worry about their ageing parents. We need to develop new programmes that are relevant to our town which is changing day by day,” she said.

Ms Yeo visits about four blocks in a week to meet her constituents, and holds regular weekday afternoon kopi ơ understand the changing needs of her residents as well as to get inspiration from them.

“Indeed, our residents have been a great muse to our upcoming programmes. We met many farming enthusiasts during our block visits who wanted to have farming and community gardening programmes in the estates. We loved the idea, and are working 32

DEC 2020

on a town-wide urban farming project that will engage not only our residents, but also our community partners such as the schools and our local merchants. Our residents are very creative and passionate stakeholders in building up our town,” she shared.

Fewer dishes at dinner But just like the rest of Singapore, the residents of Punggol Shore are plagued with the same Covid-19 related concerns about jobs and income loss which Ms Yeo — true to form — takes to heart.

When she and her team of volunteers meet with residents, they look out for signs of resident distress such as not getting along with their neighbours, social isolation and sometimes even aggressiveness.

“Sometimes, our residents can get very angry with our team about a missing tile, or with a neighbour pulling a chair across ƪ Ǥ

ơ job-matching services, the Punggol Shore Job Container launched on September 18, 2020 has the tagline “This contains 55,000 jobs”, a play on the word container. The idea of having a real physical container as a “jobs container” was inspired by Punggol residents.

During Ms Yeo’s chats with them, many asked her where the jobs mentioned by the Government were, and the Punggol Shore team came up with the idea of a physical landmark to show residents where the jobs were contained. ƥ by a Punggol artist, the interior comprises cushions, plants and is ơ

All hands on board for Punggol Shore’s tree-planting day which took place on Nov 15, 2020. Ms Yeo, branch activists and key grassroots leaders planted a clove tree.

The brightly-coloured shipping container turned job-search facility contains 55,000 jobs for job seekers in Punggol Shore.

the Workforce Singapore agency. Its cozy and safe ambience will hopefully encourage residents to be more open and comfortable about looking for a job.

Punggol Shore will launch a second jobs initiative in December 2020, called PS Lvbang which is a play on the word “lobangâ€? in Malay which means leads. ˜„ƒÂ?‰ ™‹ŽŽ ‘ƥ‡” ‹Â?nj…‘Â?Â?—Â?‹–› Œ‘„• which housewives or other residents can take on, on a project or freelance basis, to supplement the family income. “It could be something like designing eight posters in a month, or even delivering parcels in their neighbourhoods which they can do from home or within the community. This allows them to work their life schedules around the job,â€? pointed out Ms Yeo. Another feature of her approach to

solving problems in the community is consultation and innovation.

For instance, one of the biggest problems which Punggol Shore residents faced was pigeons which would roost and leave their droppings at many units. The original plan was to build bird nets for entire stacks of HDB blocks but some residents she talked to vetoed it as they felt that the nets spoiled their views and ruined the pretty exteriors of their homes. “In the end, we hit on a creative solution of letting individual units install bird nets. This required a bit of work with the Town Council and calling for a special tender,â€? she said. “I felt that this is necessary because families who are ÂƒĆĄÂ‡Â…Â–Â‡Â† „› ’‹‰‡‘Â? •Š‡Â?ƒÂ?‹‰ƒÂ?• ƒ”‡ ”‡ƒŽŽ› •—ƥ‡”‹Â?‰ ˆ”‘Â? –Š‡ …‘Â?•–ƒÂ?– †”‘’’‹Â?‰• and unsightly feathers.â€?

JUST GETTING A JOB DONE IS NOT ENOUGH

seekers would still pick up the phone to speak to a customer service officer. “Actually they just wanted someone to listen to them,� said Ms Yeo, who left Caregiver Asia when she joined the NTUC in August 2020. “That was a very important lesson for me: while efficiency is important, it needs to be conducted with compassion and a listening ear.�

She has applied it to her work at Punggol Shore over the last five months, where she spends long hours chit-chatting with residents during her block visits and kopi sessions.

In fact, it was a young resident’s statement on the importance of listening which made a huge impact on her.

The 21-yearold female resident turned up at Ms

For an MP, the bottomline is getting a job done well.

Being efficient and effective are traits which Ms Yeo honed in a 15-year career at the Economic Development Board, where her job was to attract foreign investments into Singapore.

But it was when she left EDB and started Caregiver Asia that she realised these traits are sometimes not enough.

Caregiver Asia is an online platform which allows care seekers to find freelance caregivers.

The matching process could take a mere 10 minutes but Ms Yeo found that eight in 10 care-

Another instance of an alternative solution was when residents complained about second-hand smoke from their neighbours. “For everyone who hates it, there’s also people who smoke as part of their daily lives. As an MP representing all my constituents, I need to understand both sides,� she said.

Ideally, residents should talk to each other and come to an agreement. But if that is not possible, Ms Yeo has hit on the ‹Â?–‡”‹Â? •‘Ž—–‹‘Â? ‘ˆ ‰‹˜‹Â?‰ ƒ™ƒ› †‹ƥ—•‡”• Č„ ™Š‹…Š ’—”‹Ƥ‡• –Š‡ ƒ‹” Č„ –‘ ÂƒĆĄÂ‡Â…Â–Â‡Â† residents.

She feels strongly that everyone needs to be given a choice to make good decisions. “I believe that when you enforce everything, people cooperate only because they are afraid of the law, not necessarily because they want to do the right things. We stop being a civic society, if everything is just about legislation, the law and rules,� she said.

Said Ms Yeo: “The new programmes we have rolled out or are going to roll out, are initiatives born out of innovation, compassion and I hope that they are also Š‹‰ŠŽ› Â‡ĆĄÂ‡Â…Â–Â‹Â˜Â‡Ç¤Çł

Yeo’s Meet-the-People session did not understand her explanations on why certain things could not be done and was left dissatisfied.

She later emailed Ms Yeo and ended with: “Sometimes we just seek to be understood, instead of having to understand.�

Recounted Ms Yeo: “As I meditated on it, I realised that there is much wisdom in that statement.�

Happily, the two agreed to disagree, and they worked on a solution to resolve the issue faced by the resident. She has since become a member of Ms Yeo’s team of researchers for her parliamentary speeches. “I choose to believe and trust that our residents want to do their best for our Punggol Shore community. Together with kindness and compassion, we can build a wonderful happy home for all of us here,� said Ms Yeo.

DEC 2020

33

YOUNG PAP

YP to work with MPs on private member’s motion on sustainability The PAP’s youth wing has mapped out key industry recommendations in a position paper on what Singapore can do to secure a sustainable future for everyone fter developing the sustainability position paper “Singapore – A Green Hub” in March 2020, the Young PAP (YP) conducted two focus group discussions in Sept 2020 with climate activists and representatives from 14 business sectors to seek feedback to improve Singapore’s sustainability landscape.

On Nov 22 2020, YP held a public consultation webinar to gather further feedback on the updated 19-page position paper.

YP chairman, Dr Janil Puthucheary, MPs Louis Ng (Nee Soon GRC) and Hany Soh (Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC), ǡ Ƥ questions from members of the public. A wide range of sustainability topics such as smoking, mangroves, biodiversity, green buildings and recycling were discussed.

Dr Janil, Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information and also for Health, said sustainability means ơ ơ ǡ

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YP organised a series of three beach clean-ups at East Coast Park in Aug 2020. About 200 volunteers, comprising members of the public and party activists took part. YP also held a clean-up at West Coast Park in Oct where about 80 volunteers participated. Safety management measures were in place.

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ơ “one of the biggest and most important issues” facing the world today.

As sustainability has been on the agenda for some time and there are many related topics, it is about which to prioritise, which interventions to put in place and how to convince people to join ơ ǡ Ǥ Mr Ng, who chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Sustainability and the Environment, said it was important to “make sure sustainability is at the heart of everything that we do”. He added that there are many good ideas to tackle the issue and “it’s up to us to go out there to create a platform to capture some of these ideas and give them a voice in Parliament”.

Mr Ng, Ms Soh and another MP, Ms Poh Li San (Sembawang GRC), who is also the deputy chair of the same GPC, will be involved in drafting a private member’s motion to be discussed in Parliament in Feb 2021 that will include some of the issues raised in the paper. ơ areas of driving behavioural change, multi-stakeholder cooperation on climate resilience and sustainable urban development.

It also proposed that the Government conducts a feasibility study of the cap-and-trade (carbon quota) model as an alternative to the existing carbon tax model. The cap-and-trade model will promote greater certainty around emissions reduction and help countries to achieve pre-determined emissions targets and to apply a falling emissions cap over time.

These are the three key recommendations from the “Singapore – A Green Hub” paper:

Establish Singapore as a Research and Development hub for alternative energy • Direct more national resources towards scientific research for alternative energy.

• Increase the talent pool for scientific research and invest in clean energy infrastructure.

• Enhance corporate-universitygovernment partnerships.

• Host regional or international research competitions to tap on a larger pool of scientists.

• Deploy supercomputers to support research into alternative energy solutions.

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Professionalise the sustainability industry Singapore to lead global carbon documentation and reporting market and provide end-to-end carbon accounting services to the world.

Establish a state-supported set of protocols and accounting standards to document and report end-to-end carbon emission for all products.

These initiatives can potentially create jobs for Singaporean professionals, managers, executives and technicians.

Government-sanctioned training and certification for practitioners.

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Develop an energy usage data-sharing framework Data-sharing framework in two categories: sectoral data for each Key Industrial Sector and overall Key Environmental Indicators among industry players.

Data-sharing can reduce compliance costs for businesses and enhance market efficiency.

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