A Q U A R T E R LY P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E P E O P L E ' S A C T I O N P A R T Y
July 2013
SERVING THE NATION IN CIVVIES IN THIS ISSUE
Lau Ping Sum’s political takeaways pg6 Debate on hot button housing matters
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Contents PUBLICITY AND PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE Chairman Lawrence Wong Vice-Chairman Seah Kian Peng Secretary Lim Wee Kiak Members Alvin Yeo, Arthur Fong, Devi Vasantha Haridas, Kalyani Ramasamy, Chiang Heng Liang, Abdul Jafar Darwis District Representative Diana Pang Young PAP Hamidah Aidillah PAP Policy Forum Malminderjit Singh PAP WW Teo Lin Lee Editor Lim Huan Chiang Editorial and Design Focus Publishing Limited (Tel: 6319-2392) Printer KHL Printing Co. Pte Ltd Photos Singapore Press Holdings, istockphoto.com MCI(P) 106/02/2013 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
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CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE
Thank you
PAP HQ
A man for all seasons
Thank you for your positive feedback about the revamped issue of Petir, says Publicity and Publications Committee Chairman Lawrence Wong. And tell us what else you would like to read in future editions
How Lau Ping Sum ‘entered’ Parliament ahead of former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong
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PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION
Why MOE Kindergartens? – Stevie Wonder had it pegged MOE kindergartens will provide triple A education for our children
13
HOUSING
Housing matters Singaporeans’ love aơair with property gets a good airingǣ our activists give their view points
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SHORTIES
A summary of major new policies and news in numbers
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CONVERSATION
Engaging online Acting Manpower Minister does not always beaver away. He takes the occasional break from his work by checking his Facebook page
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GROUNDWORK BRANCHING OUT
Traits of a Potong Pasir activist Their enduring ‘never-say-die’ spirit uplifts the constituency
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YOUNG PAP
MPS goes ‘mobile’ Pounding the ground to help the needy
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WOMEN'S WING
Women’s advocate, upfront and behind-the-scenes Always on the lookout to give women a bigger hand in shaping society
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PAP POLICY FORUM
Grow population to remain vibrant Reasons behind the quest for population growth
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Thank you Dear readers, Many thanks for your feedback on our revamped Petir. We’ve received lots of positive comments on the Ƥrst issue, and also many suggestions and ideas to improve, which we will incorporate into future editions. In this issue, we have an interview with Mr Tan Chuan-Jin on his experiences with social media engagement. Ms Indranee Rajah shares her thoughts on pre-school
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education, Ms Josephine Teo elaborates on advocacy in the Women’s Wing, and Ms Intan Azura Mokhtar tells us what she gleaned about the conduct of international
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relations from her recent trips to the US and Europe. We also talk to party stalwart Mr Lau Ping Sum who has just retired from his position as Executive Director of PAP-HQ. Many of us know and respect Ping Sum for his commitment and dedication in serving the party and nation all these years. We will miss him at HQ, and wish him all the best in his retirement! Other topics include a debate on housing, a matter close to all our hearts, and a feature on our activists in Potong Pasir. Who else would you like to see featured in Petir? What other topics would you like Petir to cover? Drop me an email at Lawrence.WongPAP@pap.org.sg and let
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BACKBENCHER'S BITE
Always on the move Why MP Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar was a bundle of nerves in Parliament
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CAUGHT ON THE NET
What others say on the Internet
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QUOTE & UNQUOTE
Thought-provoking quotes from parliamentarians
me know what you think.
Lawrence Wong Chairman Publicity and Publications Committee
July 2013
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PAP HQ
W
hen Lau Ping Sum takes up a task, he throws his heart and soul into it. It was the case when he was in public service, as an MP, and as the Ƥrst full-time executive director of the PAP’s Headquarters. He described the last as “ensuring adequate support for the HQ exco.Çł He served there for Í?Íž years, retiring in January this year. “In the last Ƥve or six years, we had lots of foreign delegations visiting, mostly from China.Çł He observedÇŁ “The Chinese no longer want to know the formula for economic development, but how we manage to win successive general elections and deal with the challenges we face now.Çł One such challenge he cited is the need for the Party to regain the trust and conƤdence the electorate had in it. “The PAP still has a high level of support, but we can’t deny that other views are getting support. The danger of this is opposition just for opposition’s sake. This is not to say criticism is wrong. ut it must be constructive. And policies should be eĆĄectively explained in plain language.Çł
Mr Lau himself is not averse to speaking up against a policy. Of the gifted children programme, he said it “introduces unhealthy comparisons and labelling. We must not allow these social divisions.Çł These handpicked students can get detached, he noted, citing the example of some government scholars who were seen looking impatiently at their watches when observing a meet-the-people session Č‹MPSČŒ. “So there are reasons why people think we’re too elitist.Çł He addedÇŁ “People must be convinced we’re trying our best to help them. Humility and patience, besides communication, are vital.Çł The economics graduate of the Australian ational University used to write computer programmes, among them the PU ’s billing of water and electricity. Considering he also holds a Diploma in usiness Administration, did he not consider following his dad into business? “ ever gave it a thought, partly because I was bonded,Çł said the Colombo Plan scholar, whose education was largely funded by the
government. “To be an entrepreneur, you have to be much more willing to take risks, and I suppose, have a passion for striking out. I’m too much of an employee,Çł explained the one-time senior vice-president Č‹IT system servicesČŒ at OC C, a chairman of the Ang Mo ioČ€ ishun Town Council, political secretary Č‹Ministry of HealthČŒ and PAP Organising Secretary. The call to serve came in Í?ÍĽÍ¤Íœ, after lunches with Goh Chok Tong, S Dhanabalan and Ahmad Mattar. He mulled it over for a week as he had a young family and was “concerned it would take up a lot of timeǢ and it did.Çł elieving he should give back to society, he said yes. One of Í?ͤ newbies in his batch, the others included Messrs Jayakumar, Lee ock Suan and Lim oon Heng. In the run-up to the Í?ÍĽÍ¤Íœ general election, he under-studied the late Mr Fong Sip Chee, MP for Chai Chee. “What impressed me was how seriously he took every case. He didn’t write every appeal letter, but he went through with the branch exco each one line by line at the end of the
A man for
all seasons Party stalwart Lau Ping Sum reflects on his storeyed career in an interview with Petir BY JUDITH HOLMBERG PHOTO: HAN
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MPS, making it stronger, better. He re-wrote some letters with cogent reasons on why the constituent deserved a favourable response from the government agency. “One of the key duties of an MP is the MPS, meeting people. These are people who have nowhere else to turn to, so it’s critical for the MP to show compassion and try his best to help.” Block visits and other face-to-face contacts
are also important channels to reach out to the residents. He stood in Yio Chu Kang, and scored 86 per cent of the vote. It was the second highest after Lee Kuan Yew, then prime minister, but he brushed away his victory, saying, “there were no issues then” and that his competition was “relatively weak”. In 1996, he made way for new blood, retiring from Ang Mo Kio GRC then. However, he was a regular in Parliament from the 1960s – as a part-time interpreter. “I was there before Goh Chok Tong and remember seeing him walking into the chambers, the tallest member in the House,” joked Mr Lau. He continues translation work to keep mentally agile, practising as he watches the news bulletins. Looking back, he said: “I’ve been fortunate the Party has given me so many chances and opportunities.”
“The PAP still has a high level of support, but we can’t deny that other views are getting support. The danger of this is opposition just for opposition’s sake. This is not to say criticism is wrong. But it must be constructive. And policies should be effectively explained in plain language.”
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July 2013
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PAP HQ
Shocks at the frontline Flushed with the satisfaction of receiving an overwhelming endorsement from voters, Mr Lau Ping Sum was brought sharply back to earth by the enormity of the work of being MP in a new constituency. The experience stands out in his years in politics. “We had to set up new grassroots organisations from scratch, from the Citizens’ Consultative Committee, Residents’ Committees, other grassroots organisations to the Community Centre Management Committee and build a community centre,” he recalled. “One NE NTQ ƥQRS OQNIDBSR V@R SN Q@HRD ETMCR ENQ SGD "" “Some of us were unconvinced it should be us raisHMF SGD ETMCR 6GX BNTKCMŗS SGD FNUDQMLDMS ITRS ETMC the building of the CC, instead of only matching every dollar we raised? It would’ve been so much easier. ř(S V@R NMKX K@SDQ SG@S VD QD@KHRDC SGD CHƤDQDMBD when you have to raise the money yourself. “We had to organise quite a few functions to do so Ŕ LNMSG KNMF SQ@CD E@HQR ƥKL OQDLHDQDR CHMMDQR @MC walkathons etc. In the process of working together, you establish camaraderie among the community leaders. Having to do it yourself also gives you a sense of ownership, a feeling of pride. “It was then that we realised the government was QHFGS MNS SN ETMC SGD OQNIDBS BNLOKDSDKX 3G@S V@R @ very useful lesson.” It was not the only one. The loss in the 1981 by-election in Anson, won by opposition member J.B. )DX@Q@SM@L NƤDQDC @MNSGDQ ř(M ONKHSHBR NMD BNTKC never take things for granted.” Just the year before, Devan Nair – who stepped down as MP to become president – had won the constituency with an 84 per cent vote. “He’d been one of SGD SNO ƥUD Ś QDL@QJDC ,Q +@T ř6D CHCMŗS DWODBS NTQ RG@QD NE UNSDR SN CQNO SN ODQ BDMS ITRS LNMSGR later.” A number of local factors were responsible, he MNSDC 3GD MDVAHD ƥDKCDC CHC MNS G@UD SHLD SN RSQHJD up a rapport with residents; PSA workers living there had to relocate but were not given alternative accomLNC@SHNM @MC '#! OQHBDR VDQD @CITRSDC TOV@QCR “So you see, HDB prices are not a new issue.” Unpopular policies also brought the PAP’s votes crashing in the 1984 GE, from 77.6 to 64.8 per cent, he pointed out. That was the year graduate mothers VDQD FHUDM RODBH@K ADMDƥSR řBKD@QKX TME@HQŚ @MC HS was announced CPF monies should not be withdrawn completely at 55 years old. “Unfortunately, not enough was done to convince the population this last was good for them. So communication is vital.”
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RIGHT Mr Lau scored 86 per cent of the vote when he stood in Yio Chu Kang in 1980.
ABOVE Mr Lau (second from the right) marching alongside fellow party comrades at the 1982 National Day Parade. LEFT 0U /DX RƫFLDWLQJ DW WKH opening of a Japanese plant in 1981.
‘Thank you, Mr Lau’ “Mr Lau has given his best years to the PAP and to Singapore. Over several decades, he has served as party cadre, MP and party ED. His intimate knowledge of the party and friendship with many generations of party cadres and MPs is unmatched. Being effectively bilingual, he also doubles up as our party’s interpreter. He is our party’s face when interacting with our many visitors, especially from China. Mr Lau’s diligence and loyalty to the party comes with a bonus: Mrs Lau is often a quiet volunteer behind-the-scenes, ensuring that the party HQ’s logistical support runs seamlessly. 0U /DX SHUVRQLÀHV VHOÁHVVQHVV DQG DEVROXWH FRPPLWPHQW WR WKH party’s cause: to ensure the continuing prosperity of Singaporeans.”
“It was a great privilege to have learnt the ropes from Mr Lau. He was patient and meticulous. From him, I learnt the importance of keeping calm when engaged in HQ work, to always assess the myriad requests that we receive – all at the same time. He has valuable insights on our Party’s machinery, every detail is at KLV ÀQJHU WLSV +LV VWDEOH JXLGDQFH has been a ballast against the changes over the years.”
Comrade Khaw Boon Wan, Party chairman
Comrade Alex Yam, acting executive director, Party HQ
“I knew Mr Lau since he became the MP at Yio Chu Kang in 1980. I compered many of his activities and learnt compering VNLOOV IURP 0U /DX DV KH LV YHU\ ÁXHQW LQ ERWK (QJOLVK DQG Mandarin. He treated all the grassroots leaders and residents very well. He is just like a loving dad to all.”
“Mr Lau is a very unassuming person, a true gentleman. He can communicate with and engage anybody, at any level. If someone is worked up, he or she will calm down after talking to him. As an MP, he worked closely with party activists. He would sit down and write letters together with them at the MPS. I hope he will continue to share with us his wealth of experience and knowledge of politics and grassroots work.”
Comrade Heidi Wong Gue Kuew, branch secretary, Kebun Baru branch
“I’ve received a lot of guidance from Mr Lau on how to be an effective branch secretary and how to run the GE operations over the years.” Comrade Ng Yong Hwee, vice chairman, Kembangan-Chai Chee branch
Comrade A. Marai Malai Maran, branch secretary, Yio Chu Kang branch
“He instills in his staff the right values. My favourite is "ь咱Њ⢩" (ren zou cha bu liang) which means out of sight but not out of mind. With every GE, new MPs are appointed and the old ones retired, but not forgotten.’’
Comrade Lynda Ng, assistant director, Party HQ
His past, his future Mr Lau Ping Sum’s past is central to his plans for his future. “I intend to do what I enjoy most – giving talks and doing HMSDQOQDS@SHNM Ś R@HC SGD XD@Q NKC 2ODBHƥB@KKX GD HR @ EQDDK@MBD lecturer, passing on his observations and experiences of Singapore’s development. He is doing this at the Civil Service College, Human Capital Singapore and other training institutions. “I recently talked to a group from Macau on how Singapore developed so quickly, from Third World to now. “The unemployment rate was close to 14 per cent when the PAP came into power in 1959. The average education level of workers was primary school. Only a minority had a secondary school education,” he reminisced. He is also consultant to the PAP’s headquarters, pro bono, and helps to receive foreign delegations. Mr Lau is a member of the advisory
committee and guest lecturer for UniSim’s Translation and Interpretation BNTQRD @MC @M DWSDQM@K DW@LHMDQ NE HSR "DQSHƥB@SHNM $W@LHM@SHNM NE Professional Interpreters. Since 1985, he has been a simultaneous interpreter for PM’s National Day Rally speech telecast ‘live’ each year. He has also acted as consecutive interpreter at high level meetings between Singapore and Chinese leaders, here and in China. ,Q +@T NARDQUDC SGD DCFD 2HMF@ONQD@MR G@UD HM L@RSDQHMF $MFKHRG and the mother tongue is valuable in the region with the emergence of Asia. But he felt the current bilingual standards need to be raised, and will pursue activities related to this end. But he is making time for short holidays, travelling with his family @MC EQHDMCR (M )TMD GD GD@CDC ENQ 'NJJ@HCN )@O@M VGDQD SGD ƦNVDQR are in bloom. It seemed the appropriate cherry on a blossoming new stage in his life.
July 2013
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PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION INDRANEE RAJAH
The writer is the Senior Minister of State for Education and Law. She is also the MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC.
Why MOE Kindergartens?
– Stevie Wonder had it pegged
A
fter the announcement earlier this year that the Ministry of Education (MOE) will set up 15 pilot kindergartens by 2016, it has been asked why the Ministry is venturing into the kindergarten space? The clue is in the Stevie Wonder song "Isn't she Lovely", composed when his daughter, Aisha, was born. The Ƥrst stanza goes: "Isn't she lovely Isn't she wonderful Isn't she precious Less than one minute old Never thought through love we'd be Making one as lovely as she But isn't she lovely, made from love." The song captures all of a father's sense of awe and wonder at his new born child, a tiny precious being whose whole future lies ahead of her. The underlying motif is an unspoken promise that he will do everything he can for her. The government does not express itself in such lyrical terms but the driving sentiments are similar. What drives MOE is the sense that each Singaporean child is a precious being, our citizen (made with love in Singapore!) whose life is just beginning, in whom
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parents' hopes are vested and to whom it is our responsibility to give the best chances of succeeding in life. This includes giving them a good pre-educational start, a critical foundation in life. Research shows that children with a good quality pre-school education generally fare better in later life, socially and economically. ScientiƤc studies indicate that infancy and early childhood are the most critical phases of human growth, especially for language and cognitive skills, as this is when the brain is developing. A child's early experiences impact his or her future learning, behaviour and health. In short, our children must start well in order to do well. We have a diversiƤed pre-school landscape, with commercial operators, anchor operators and VWOs (Voluntary Welfare Organisations). This provides an array of choices. However, there are diơerences in quality, and access is uneven, depending on the children's socio-economic backgrounds. MOE's objective is to level oơ some of this unevenness and provide a triple A education in terms of: Ȉ Accessibility. The MOE kindergartens will be
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located in the heartlands. Čˆ ĆĄÂ‘Â”Â†ÂƒÂ„Â‹ÂŽÂ‹Â–Â›. Fees of MOE kindergartens will be kept aĆĄordable. Čˆ ˜ƒ‹Žƒ„‹Ž‹–›. Quality pre-school education should be available to children from all backgrounds. We will achieve this by: (i) providing quality education directly through the MOE, and (ii) leveraging on our resources to raise the quality levels across the sector
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OHVV WKDQ Specialists from MOE will develop teaching and learning resources and best practices. MOE will also work with other pre-school operators to learn from their best programmes. These will then be shared with the sector to raise standards. Quality pre-school is not about rote learning, or cramming children with information. It's about letting the children discover the wonder and joy of learning and laying
KRXUV The kindergartens will operate two four-hour sessions, in the morning and afternoon. Each class will have 20 students.
children (M SGD ĆĽQRS XD@Q SGD JHMCDQF@QSDMR in each primary school will have places for 120 children, while the kindergarten in Tampines will enroll 80 children.
the foundation for strong social relationships and good character. It should be the beginning of an inspiring educational journey, at the end of which we hope they will become people of character with breadth and depth of knowledge, who care not just about themselves, but also for family, fellow citizens and Singapore, and who will make a positive diĆĄerence in the future world.
July 2013
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Although almost all children are able to attend pre-school, there are still concerns among Singaporean families: Access
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July 2013
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will be built across Singapore, with the bulk in the newer estates, like Sengkang and Punggol. This is part of the government’s plan to build 200 more childcare centres and kindergartens by 2018.
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HOUSING
Housing matters Ǥ Ǯ ǯ Ǯ ǯ
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ore aơordable housing would enable young Singaporean couples to purchase a ƪat at an earlier stage of their lives. Ability to own a ƪat would encourage marriage. If the ƪat is not aơordable, they may defer their marriage plans until they are able to get one. This would in turn delay their procreation plans, further aơecting the already low fertility rate. Many young Singaporean couples work a few years before they have savings to make the downpayment for a ƪat. Cheaper housing would make it easier for them to achieve this goal sooner – than later. It would also promote independence for young couples. A more aơordable ƪat would also mean a smaller percentage of their income would be required to pay their mortgage loan. This would reduce the stress from shouldering a huge loan and the fear of losing their jobs. Less work stress would in turn help improve work-life balance and more time for family and procreation. For some, it could mean juggling fewer jobs to pay oơ their loan and support their family at the same time. By making housing cheaper, the low-income family would be able to own their home rather than rely on government support in the form of rental housing. Some of these families earn barely over ͊1,000 a month and have a few children to support; many are also single-income families. This would allow them to have long-term sustainability as part of their monthly salary goes into the ƪat, which they can call their own eventually.
SONNY WEE
Sengkang West branch
/HW YDOXH RI +'% ƪDW appreciate to build nest egg
R
eading the speech by Mr Khaw Boon Wan at the Ministry of National Development budget debate has reminded me of the major changes that HDB ƪats have undergone over the decades. Ȉ 19ͣ1, HDB ƪats were allowed to be re-sold for a proƤt. Before that, ƪats could only be sold back to HDB at low pre-determined prices. Ȉ 1989, owners were allowed to retain their HDB ƪats, in addition to private property. In the past, they had to sell their HDB ƪat when they own private property. Ȉ 199͟, buyers had to take housing loans based on the prevailing market value of the HDB ƪat, which allowed sellers to maximise the value of their assets. Previously, housing loans were based on HDB's historical selling prices. Ȉ 200͟, ƪat owners were allowed to sub-let their ƪats. It used to be strictly owner-occupied. The above shows that HDB’s policy over the decades has been evolving; the only constant would be change. Amid this, I want to raise the concerns of HDB ƪat owners. Take the example of a Ƥve-room HDB ƪat in 199ͣ. Such a ƪat used to be about triple the price of a Toyota Corolla car of the same period. But since then, the price of the same ƪat has appreciated a few times more, compared to the vehicle. Owners have now come to view their ƪat as an asset which appreciates in value over time, selling it when they reach retirement age to beneƤt from the sale proceeds. The money comes in handy as retirement savings. It would therefore beneƤt existing ƪat owners to see the value of their ƪats at least be maintained (if not appreciate) for them to build a tidy retirement nest egg.
YAP JUN LIN
Chua Chu Kang branch
July 2013
13
HOUSING Accessible Housing
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DB’s objective is to provide home ownership for Singaporeans. So HDB ƪats should be accessible to those who require it and not serve a privileged few. Life-changing events such as becoming single parents or overnight widowhood are traumatic. Families, especially those with young children in such situations should not have to worry about their basic physiological needs. They should be assured of a ‘‘permanent’’ roof over their heads Currently, singles, under the Ƥanc±Ȁ Ƥanc±e scheme, wait three to four years for the completion of their Build-To-Order ƪat. But low income groups or singles in need of ƪats are denied access to an aơordable home purchased directly from HDB. If these Singaporeans do not have access to basic housing, there could be further social stratiƤcation. It would create more burdens for newly-single parents such as divorcees or those widowed with young children, and low-income groups. Give these groups of people priority under the sales of balance ƪats scheme so that they can get back on their feet as soon as possible. Enabling them to buy subsidised homes directly from HDB could also be a long-term solution as opposed to the short-term nature of renting ƪats.
PATRICK RICK LIEW Ayer Rajah branch
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July 2013
0RUH FDOLEUDWHG KRXVLQJ SROLF\
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rioritise and calibrate the existing one size Ƥts all policy. That’s what we need to do, to better manage the limited supply of HDB ƪats to meet the housing needs of diverse groups. On one hand, we must not close the door to any Singaporean who genuinely requires a ƪat. On the other, we must not adopt such an open policy that allows everyone, regardless of their actual needs, access to a HDB ƪat. For example, if we do not prioritise the needs of a family over that of a single person for BuiltTo-Order four and Ƥve-room ƪats, we may eventually experience a shortage of such ƪats for families. A single’s needs would be easily met with a two or three-room ƪat while a family would require a bigger-sized ƪat. Although it is never easy, we need to strike balance in deciding who gets priority among the diơerent groups. How to do it? Take the lower income group. Land cost, which is the single largest cost component in a ƪat, be it public or private, could be deferred for them when they purchase a HDB ƪat. They pay upfront only the construction cost and Ƥnancial cost associated with HDB transactions. However, they have to reimburse the HDB the land cost, which will factor in two components – its appreciation and the inƪation rate over the years that the buyer has owned the ƪat – when they sell the ƪat. In this way, the low income families will have a roof and an asset over their head. It is obvious HDB can't have a one size Ƥts all policy for its ƪat allocation policy. We need diơerent options for diverse groups. A priority system will be useful.
EDWIN PANG
Bukit Timah branch
Keep the EC scheme but modify it
I
n deciding whether or not the Executive Condominium (EC) scheme should be scrapped, we should Ƥrst identify the cause of the current housing woes. Introduced in 1996, the EC scheme has come under much scrutiny recently because of speculators who took advantage of it, buying ECs with subsidies from HDB, and then selling them for huge proƤts. Many of them receive larger subsidies than those in the lower income group, reinforcing the sense of inequity. This has led many observers to ask for the EC scheme to be scrapped. However, it would be wrong to scrape the EC scheme simply for this reason. Its existence to provide Singaporeans with an alternative housing choice in itself is not wrong. And that’s why it should not be scrapped. Instead, the EC scheme should be reviewed. Currently, the ECs can be sold after a minimum of Ƥve years occupancy. This is a relatively short period of time compared to the lease of 99 years. I would like to suggest: Ȉ EC buyers should not be allowed to sell their homes in the open market. They should be sold back to HDB. It should be done after buyers have owned it for 20 years by which time the lease remaining would be about ͣ5 years, after factoring in three to four years required for construction. Ȉ The household income ceiling be increased from the current ͊12,000 to ͊15,000 a month to allow more Singaporeans who cannot aơord private property a chance to purchase an EC. The EC scheme should continue but modiƤed to prevent speculators from abusing it.
DENNIS NIS TAN ENG SIONG Ulu Pandan branch
Scrap the ECs to reduce social inequity
Equitable
Housing Schemes
T
he ECs should be scrapped as their owners enjoy more beneƤts compared to their counterparts in ͟, ͠ and 5-room HDB ƪats, resulting in inequity in public housing. Public housing in Singapore provides aơordable housing for the masses. The ECs cater to those who do not want to live in a HDB ƪat but Ƥnd private property too expensive. But there must be a clear distinction between public and private housing, with no grey areas. A good analogy is health care services in Singapore, where one expect diơerences in services and cost at government and private hospitals. Likewise, Singaporeans who want the perks that come with private housing should purchase their properties from the private market, not depend on public housing. EC owners currently enjoy subsidies similar to those living in ͟, ͠ and 5-room HDB ƪats. Married couples with monthly incomes of ͊12,000 who buy ECs should not enjoy subsidies, considering they are much better oơ Ƥnancially compared to the average wage earner in Singapore. The sale prices of ECs in the open market are comparable to private apartments of similar leasehold periods. These EC owners have beneƤtted handsomely from rising property prices over the last decade. At the same time, the diơerentials in sale proceeds from ECs compared to those from ͟, ͠ and 5-room HDB ƪats are also becoming wider. It is clear that EC owners are better oơ compared to those who own 3, 4, and 5-room HDB ƪats. It will be diƥcult to make changes to the EC scheme now. The best remedy to such inequities is to SCRAP it.
TAN EE TIONG Eunos branch
The writers are members of the PAP Policy Forum team who have an interest in housing policies.
July 2013
15
SHORTIES Town council framework under review
T
he government will conduct a comprehensive review on the roles and functions of town councils in Singapore. It will focus on these main areas: the duties and responsibilities of town councils vis-�-vis the HDB, the adequacy of town councils’ sinking funds and long-term Ƥnancial sustainability, as well as the handover arrangements when there is a change in the Member of Parliament. However, the government has ruled out a return to the days when town councils were run by HDB and MPs have no authority or responsibility over their estates. The announcement came on the back of a Ministry of National Development review of the sale of PAP town council software to PAP-owned company Action Information Management.
Individual licence scheme for large news websites
M
edia Development Authority will license major news websites which produce regular reports on Singapore and have signiƤcant reach. Ten such websites were identiƤed. These news websites were previously regulated under an existing Class Licensing scheme, which sets out baseline responsibilities and content standards. Under the new licensing scheme, the responsibilities and content standards remain the same. But the news websites will now be licensed individually, like how the newspapers are licensed. This will result in greater consistency in the way MDA regulates traditional and online news platforms. MDA has said the change is due to the convergence across different media platforms. More than 30 per cent of Singaporeans now access the news over the Internet.
NEWS IN NUMBERS
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T5
2015
Singapore was ranked 18th out of 187 countries in the United Nations’ latest measure of well-being. Moving up seven places in the UN Human Development (MCDW HM ƼUD XD@QR 2HMF@ONQDŗR QHRD HR @ QDRTKS NE HMBQD@RDR HM ODQ B@OHS@ HMBNLD KNMFDQ KHED DWODBS@MBX @MC SGD @UDQ@FD XD@QR NE RBGNNKHMF -NQV@X V@R -N
The government has decided to go ahead to build Terminal 5. To be NODQ@SHNM@K HM SGD MDWS CDB@CD HS will boost Changi Airport’s annual O@RRDMFDQ G@MCKHMF B@O@BHSX SN ADXNMC SGD LHKKHNM @ XD@Q DWODBSDC with four terminals. T4 is due to be completed in 2017.
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New surveillance cameras that can zoom in up to 60 times will be installed on selected high-rise buildings in the BHSX 3GDX B@M QDRNKUD E@BDR @MC UDGHBKD MTLADQ OK@SDR DUDM EQNL TO GHFG complementing cameras installed at street-level in more than 150 locations across Singapore.
Singapore will host the Southeast RH@M 2$ &@LDR HM @ LTKSH
sport extravaganza that will see participation from 11 countries in the QDFHNM 3N AD GDKC EQNL )TMD SN the SEA Games will also coincide with SGD SG @MMHUDQR@QX NE 2HMF@ONQDĹ—R independence in 2015.
CONVERSATION
Engaging online
PHOTO: MAX CHAN
The Acting Manpower Minister is active on Facebook. Although he has been burnt by abuse online, he remains undeterred about postings. He tells Petir why
P
ublic engagement is part and parcel of the responsibilities that every public oƥce holder has to undertake, and Facebook represents one of the platforms for that outreach. Acting Minister Tan Chuan-Jin said: “I had a Facebook life before politics as it was a way to stay in touch with family, friends and colleagues. I have continued with it. These days, when I need a break from clearing papers, I will check it to see what people are talking about.” He has two Facebook accounts ȃ a personal and a public page. He receives messages from the public at these two pages as well as his various emails pegged to his diơerent portfolios in the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the National Development Ministry (where he is Senior Minister of State) and as an MP in the Marine Parade GRC. “There are too many messages for me to reply to all... physically,
it is just not possible. Still, some people get upset if I don't reply,’’ he told Petir. Mr Tan administers his Facebook accounts but for his public emails, his Ministry staơ would follow up. Mr Tan, 44, is one of the most active ministers on Facebook, with almost daily posts on a range of topics – from ironing his daughter's pinafore to his two other passions, soccer and movies. While he does not have any particular themes, he did concede there were times when he wondered if he should have posted some thoughts online. Such as? “Perhaps my post on Bukit Brown after a dialogue was too emotive,” he explained. Mr Tan had posted a comment in November 2011 in response to a
July 2013
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CONVERSATION statement issued by some on Bukit Brown cemetery’s redevelopment ȃ an emotive issue with many. He had opened up the session to include more stakeholders but was surprised by what they claimed in their statement. He understood the opposition to the proposals but was disappointed with the misrepresentations, especially by those whom he had been working with. “It was how I felt at that time,” he said. “I am not sure if I should have been quite so frank. I reached out in good faith but ended up being stabbed in the back. But it was a useful lesson learnt about the people whom I reached out to.’’ Despite this, Mr Tan feels that one should continue to say what one feels. “You are who you are and you do need to be circumspect. But if you are overly cautious, too deliberate, then it becomes very unnatural. I get rather uncomfortable with that myself. Should we not be able to share some of our personal perspectives?” However, he observes that much of what is said is also often deliberately taken out of context online by some users. “You just have to learn how best to engage in this context.” And while he sees little diơerence to life as a politician and as a military man in terms of serving the country, he says the public scrutiny in politics is much more intense, especially online. And what comes out online
can be frustrating and d hurtful. “It is quite abusive, e, very personal, hateful, even. Mentally, I knew w it would happen, but still, when it happened, ed, it aơects you. We are after all human,” said Mr Tan. I am not sure if one can ever really gett used to it!’’ For him, engagement ment with the public allows them to get a perspective of the thinking behind the policies, and to better know the leaders shaping them. It builds awareness that facilitates sense-making and eventually policy formulation. Clearly, in policy making, more pressure is exerted via social media but it is important to develop the right policy for the right reasons, and not yield to populist temptations, he emphasised. Considerations include: Does it help our people and beneƤt society? Will it cater for the long term and the next generation of Singaporeans? “Politicians in some countries come up with policies to gain votes. It is political survival as the political game unfolds. One cannot be too judgemental about it because it is for other people to decide what system works best for them.” But being populist is not the way to go, as it can only be a ‘race to the bottom’. “How do we retain our courage, amidst the changing political landscape, to implement the right policies, rather than policies which are just popular?”
TAN CHUAN-JIN
Age: 44 Family: Married with two children Favourite football club: Liverpool Favourite movie: Lord of the Rings trilogy. Pet peeve: ‘Stupid’ bureaucracy. One of the things that HQJ LD LNRS HR RHKKX QTKDR SG@S sometimes exist and have S@JDM NM @ KHED NE HSR NVM 3GDX RNLDSHLDR BQD@SD LNQD VNQJ @QD BTLADQRNLD @MC EQTRSQ@SHMF 3GDQD @QD OQNAably reasons for them, but we should periodically stop and consider if some things still L@JD RDMRD @MC HE MNS RGNTKC it be changed.
it does not replace physical contact, just complements it in a meaningful way.”
On dealing with online abuse:
Face time with Tan Chuan-Jin On using social media to engage the public: ř3GD L@HM LNCD NE DMF@FDLDMS TRDC SN AD OTQDKX OGXRHB@K but this is also limited because there are only so many people XNT B@M LDDS @MC S@KJ SN HM @ C@X &HUDM SGD BNMRSQ@HMSR HS HR @KRN RNLDSHLDR CHƧBTKS SN DMF@FD HMCHUHCT@KR LD@MHMFETKKX 2NBH@K media opens up a whole new space for engagement. However,
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July 2013
“You have to learn to be dispassionate, but not totally be de-sensitised about all these nasty comments online. You need to have your own form of self-preservation; otherwise, it gets very tiring emotionally. I G@UD CDƥMHSDKX KD@QMDC SN AD LNQD SGHBJ
RJHMMDC Ś
On his transition from the army to politics: “A lot of it revolves around people-to-people relationships; how XNT VNQJ VHSG ODNOKD HMSDQ@BS VHSG ODNOKD 3GD ETMC@LDMS@KR NE treating people with dignity and respect, be it in the army, politics or in life in general, does not change.”
‘Labouring’ at home
On lessons from the SMRT bus drivers’ strike in November 2012, which occurred just months after his MOM appointment: ř3GD 2,13 ATR CQHUDQRŗ RSQHJD RGNVR SG@S XNT B@M S S@JD SGHMFR ENQ FQ@MSDC "NLO@MHDR MDDC SN V@SBG SGDHQ NVM L@M@FDLDMS 6D G@UD MN K@VR @F@HMRS A@C L@M@FDLDMS ATS SGHR DOHRNCD QDLHMCR BNLO@MHDR SGDX ADSSDQ AD RDMRHAKD HM GNV SGDX L@M@FD VNQJDQR (S V@R @ V@JD TO B@KK @MC MNS MDBDRR@QHKX @ A@C SGHMF !TS VD MDDC SN AD RSQHBS @ANTS VG@S HR @MC VG@S HR MNS @BBDOS@AKD GDMBD SGD ƼQL RS@MBD @F@HMRS SGD HKKDF@K RSQHJD Ś
On importance of work-life balance: Ĺ™-NMD NE TR @QD RN HLONQS@MS SG@S HE VD @QDM S @QNTMC SGD BNLO@MX NQ NTQ BNTMSQX VHKK BNKK@ORD !TS HM @ E@LHKX XNT @QD SGD L@HM ODQRNM @MC HE XNT @QD MNS @QNTMC SGDQD HR @ QD@K HLO@BS $UDQXNMD G@R @ BGNHBD VGDM HS BNLDR SN VNQJ KHED A@K@MBD ATS GD NQ RGD MDDCR SN AD BKD@Q @ANTS VG@S HR QD@KKX HLONQS@MS Ĺš
When Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin posted on Facebook about SGD CHƧBTKSHDR NE HQNMHMF GHR C@TFGSDQ R RBGNNK TMHENQL HS F@QMDQDC @KLNRS KHJDR @MC LNQD SG@M BNLLDMSR 3GD 2SQ@HSR 3HLDR DUDM QDONQSDC NM HS 3GD @LNTMS NE HMSDQDRS B@TFGS GHL AX RTQOQHRD @MC GD DUDM ONRSDC @ BGDDJX BNLLDMS SG@S HS LTRS G@UD ADDM @ ŖRKNV MDVR C@Xŗ @S SGD MDVRQNNL 3GD 3@MR CN MNS G@UD @ KHUD HM GDKODQ SGNTFG SGDX CN FDS RNLDNMD SN BNLD HM @MC GDKO CN RNLD BKD@MHMF NMBD @ VDDJ ř6D G@C @ GDKODQ VGDM VD G@C NTQ ƼQRS BGHKC ATS VD CHCM S QD@KKX KHJD SGD HCD@ NE G@UHMF @ RSQ@MFDQ HM SGD GNTRD RN VD CDBHCDC SG@S VD VNTKC MNS G@UD NMD /DQG@OR SGDQD L@X AD @ MDDC VGDM NTQ O@QDMSR FQNV NKCDQ Ś GD R@HC 6GHKD SGHR LD@MR SGDHQ GNLD L@X MNS AD @R BKD@M @MC SHCX @R HS HR BNTKC AD ,Q 3@M SGHMJR HS HR FNNC ENQ GHR SVN BGHKCQDM ř3GDX QD@KHRD SG@S MN NMD HR FNHMF SN OHBJ TO @ESDQ SGDL 2N HE SGDX KD@UD SGHMFR HM @ LDRR HSŗKK AD HM @ LDRR TMKDRR SGDX BKD@Q HS TO SGDLRDKUDR Ś GD NARDQUDC ř( CNM S SGHMJ HS R @ A@C SGHMF 3GDQD HR @ CNVMRHCD SN G@UHMF GDKODQR Ś ,Q 3@M GHLRDKE CNDR RNLD NE SGD housework such as the ironing; taking NTS SGD QTAAHRG BKD@Q OK@SDR DSB 3GD LHMHRSDQ G@R @ VHCD Q@MFD NE HMSDQDRSR Ŕ GD RTOONQSR +HUDQONNK %NNSA@KK "KTA @MC @KRN OTSR TO ONRSR NM @MHL@K @MC ODS HRRTDR @M @QD@ TMCDQ GHR OTQUHDV @S SGD ,HMHRSQX NE -@SHNM@K #DUDKNOLDMS ř6D TRDC SN G@UD @MHL@KR @S GNLD MNV VD G@UD SDQQ@OHMR 6D @QD SGHMJHMF NE @CNOSHMF DHSGDQ B@SR NQ CNFR ENQ SGD LNLDMS Ś R@HC ,Q 3@M
“Life carries on as normal. Most things have not changed. We have the same friends, eat at the same places and do pretty much the same things as before. But time available with family, unfortunately, is much less than before.� - Mr Tan on family life after entering politics.
)TKX
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G RO U N DWO R K
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B R A N CH I N G O U T
Traits of a
Potong Pasir activist Young and old alike, there is something special about the Potong Pasir activists. Petir highlights some BY WONG SHER MAINE PHOTO: SOO CHIN SAI key qualities that they exude
STAYING POWER
You don’t just stay for a while and go. You hang around for decades.
J
oseph Lim Hak Moh, PBM, 64, started branch work in the early 1980s. Mr Lim, who runs a metal and hardware business, has chalked up over 30 years of experience in Punggol and Potong Pasir where he is now serving. Fondly known as the “never-say-no” man, Mr Lim visits the branch at the drop of a hat even though he resides in Pasir Ris, almost an hour's drive away. Meet-the-people sessions (MPS), house visits, election duties (over Ƥve general elections!), he’s done them all. What keeps him going? For one, it is the thrill of helping others. “Sometimes, residents I have helped come up to say thank you. I feel comforted.” Two, there are the occasional highs – like when the PAP won the election in Potong Pasir after 27 years in opposition hands. Mr Lim recalls sitting in the branch oƥce, eagerly awaiting the results on that eventful night on 7 May 2011. He had been tasked to oversee logistics. “When I knew that we won, I felt all our hard work was worth it. Now we have to work even harder!” Three, is the reason why he has stuck to the same branch for 25 years. “We are one big Potong Pasir family and I’m part of it,” said Mr Lim, on the strong bonds he has built over the years with activists and residents. Even when your Party is not the one voted by the people you are serving, you stay on. There was no MPS when it was an opposition constituency. “But we continued with our other programmes like ROSE, which gives
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July 2013
out rice, oil, sugar and essentials to needy residents,” said Mr Lim. Still, there are misconceptions as people think he beneƤts from things like free parking. “It’s quite sad when I want to drink kopi and people tell me ‘mai lah, pai seh’. They think we are bootlickers and don’t want to be seen associating with a PAP member. But the fact is that I have done this for so long because I enjoy helping residents with a group of like-minded people.”
HOURS TO SPARE
Nobody has time to spare these days. But a dedicated activist is someone who willingly, consistently and even happily cuts time from other activities to devote to the branch.
W
hen most of his colleagues let their hair down at the end of the day for happy hours, Chew Wei Qiang, 29, diligently heads for Potong Pasir to listen to the woes of strangers. “I have a choice and this is my choice,” said Mr Chew, who works as a software specialist. “Friday nights are reserved for Potong Pasir residents.’’ When Mr Chew was studying at the National University of Singapore, he worked on a varsity project which got him involved with the branch. He became hooked. He recalled the times he had to take a long commute involving bus and train journeys to the branch after a full day of school. “After all the lectures, I realised it was only when I walked into the branch that I felt more awake and lively. I really enjoyed
“I don’t know if I have made an impact on the lives of these people, but WKH\ KDYH GHÀQLWHO\ PDGH an impact on mine...”
talking to the residents.” Happily, these days, there are more young ones like Mr Chew who choose to spend time doing good work than having a good time. A few years back, the under-40s made up about 20 per cent of the activists at the branch.Today, the trend is reversed, with the under-40s accounting for approximately 80 per cent. As branch secretary, Mr Chew oversees the MPS and ensures they run like clockwork. It is part of the branch’s renewal strategy to delegate leadership tasks to younger ones like him. Typically, Mr Chew is the Ƥrst to arrive at the branch at about 6.15 pm on Friday evenings when the MPS are held. He zooms straight for the letters from various government agencies. Branch vice chairman Mr Chua Kian Meng quipped: “Wei Qiang wants to see if our requests written on behalf of the residents have been successful. If it is, he is delighted. If not, he gets moody.” Why does Mr Chew devote his time to the branch? He said: “I don’t know if I have made an impact on the lives of these people, but they have deƤnitely made an impact on mine, in terms of life lessons. For instance, some are very contented with very little and all they want is a listening ear from me.”
G RO U N DWO R K
Alan Koong, 39 ª Regional sales manager ª Member since 2005
KNOWS THE GROUND
When you know the people in the estate and how they live their daily lives, you can serve them better.
A
lan Koong, 39, took that mantra so seriously he uprooted his wife and two primary school-going children from Pasir Ris to Potong Pasir last year. “The kids changed school and my wife changed her job because of the move,” said the regional sales manager. “To understand the ground, you must be part of the ground.” It’s a return to his roots. Mr Koong spent the Ƥrst 15 years of his life in Potong Pasir before moving away. “When I joined the Party in 2005, I chose to serve in Potong Pasir
“I feel closer to the residents because we are all part of the same neighbourhood.”
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B R A N CH I N G O U T
Chew Wei Qiang, 29 ª Software specialist ª Member since 2005
because it was my childhood home,” he said. “But it was almost exactly the same as what I remembered from my childhood! I felt that I could help to improve the lives of the people here.” His desire to volunteer was partly motivated by a 20-year career in the Navy, where serving the nation was his mission. “I wanted to continue serving people,” he said. As a Potong Pasir resident, Mr Koong hangs around the coơeeshops, close to the ground. “I feel closer to the residents because we are all part of the same neighbourhood. When we meet on a casual basis, they express themselves more freely because I’m a very familiar face,” he observed. “Whether they are PAP supporters or not, they tell me their problems, suggestions and enquiries. It may not necessarily be to tell them to go to MPS. If they have a parking issue, for instance, I would advise them to call the HDB hotline for a direct answer,” he said.
Joseph Lim Hak Moh, PBM, 64 ª Businessman ª Member since 1995
About Potong Pasir There is an upbeat spirit among activists in Potong Pasir, following Mr Sitoh Yih Pin’s successful wrestling of the ward from 27-year Potong Pasir veteran Chiam See Tong in the 2011 General Elections. /QNFQ@LLDR G@UD FNMD TO EQNL TMCDQ ƥUD a year pre-2011 to over 20 because the PAP now has the mandate. More youngsters are joining the team. The estate, which used to have two wet markets, is now going to get a NTUC FairPrice supermarket, POSBank and SingPost branches, and a gym in a new twostorey community club due for completion in the third quarter of 2014. Taking pride of place in the branch ofƥBD HR @ ONRSDQ EQNL @ QDRHCDMS VGHBG QD@CR “Thank you, PAP, for not giving up on us.”
July 2013
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G RO U N DWORK
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YO U N G PA P
Jalan Besar's YP members Lydia Quah and Joe Tan visited a rental block at Kitchener Road.
MPS goes
‘mobile’
YP members hit the ground running to help the needy PHOTO: MAX CHAN
T
hink of it as delivering the meetthe-people session (MPS) right to residents’ doorstep. That’s what some motivated youngsters from the Jalan Besar branch’s youth wing want to do with this eơort, to bring the service to those who need it the most. Aptly named “Beyond MPS”, it is led by the Young PAP’s (YP) executive secretary Lydia Quah, an energetic 21-year-old undergraduate who wants to do all she can to reach out to residents in the ward. On a recent Saturday evening, a group of YP members, along with some branch activists, combed a rental block at Kitchener Road, one of 10 such blocks in the area. Dividing themselves into three smaller teams,
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July 2013
they fanned out to cover the 14-storey block. Joining one of the teams was MoulmeinKallang GRC MP Edwin Tong. Over three hours, they knocked on doors to meet residents. Some residents talked with the youths at the doorway of their ƪat, while others invited them into their living rooms. The youths took the chance to get the residents’ feedback on various policies and programmes, such as whether they would like to have a new tuition centre built in the neighbourhood. For the most part, the residents spoke freely about their concerns, be it a leaky ceiling or help in applying for Ƥnan-
Moulmein-Kallang GRC MP Edwin Tong with his YP team.
G RO U N DWO RK
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YO U N G PA P
Going a step further
YP team from East Coast GRC.
“We believe there are vulnerable segments which we want to follow up on and connect with, such as single parents and the elderly. With our new initiative, we would like Singaporeans to know that we are there for them, come rain or shine, in good times or bad.”
Kembangan-Chai Chee ward's YP members.
- Larry Chua, YP East Coast Region chairman
nancial assistance. The YP members listened closely, taking notes and promising to get the relevant agencies to follow up soon. One of them, Joe Tan, has been volunteering at the Jalan Besar branch since January but this was the Ƥrst time he had gone doorto-door to meet residents. “It’s quite an eye-opener for me, and I have learned quite a lot from interacting with the residents. We will try our best to help them and improve their lives where we can,” said the businessman. As for Ms Quah, the third-year National
University of Singapore student hopes to rope in more fellow YP members for house visits to give them greater exposure. “It will be good to see more youths join us to interact with the residents, get to know them better and just let them know that there are people who are willing to help,” she said. For now, the plan is to re-visit this same block in a fortnight and ensure that the residents’ needs have been properly seen to. “I think the residents feel that they would like us to come by every now and then,
For an entire year, a group of 12 youths diligently pounded the ground in the Kembangan-Chai Chee ward, covering some 50 blocks in the division. Kembangan-Chai Chee branch's YP Chairman, Rahul Shah, 29, said it was all about going a step beyond the weekly MPS, and taking a more pro-active approach in reaching out to residents and hearing their feedback. “We have been able to spot issues the residents may be face earlier, gather the information and channel this back to the relevant parties. It’s certainly very ETKƥKKHMF SN AD @AKD SN OK@X NTQ O@QS Ś R@HC Rahul. One of the volunteers, Yong Xing, said interacting with the residents helped him gain insights that he could not get from the Internet or newspapers. “I developed a deeper sense of BNLLHSLDMS SN L@JHMF @ CHƤDQDMBD to their lives,’’ he noted. “Some might be less privileged and uneducated but SGDX @QD MNS FNHMF CNVM VHSGNTS @ ƥFGS They want to work for a living instead of receiving hand-outs and I respect them ENQ SG@S Ś Separately, YP teams from the East Coast GRC are conducting their own řLNAHKD ,/2Ś HMHSH@SHUD +D@UHMF MNSGHMF to chance, they are armed with items like application forms, food vouchers and rations when they go knocking on doors. %NQ RTQD SGD 8/ LDLADQR DƤNQSR VHKK complement the MPs' work.
judging by the smiles on their faces and how open they are in sharing important information and feedback with us,” Ms Quah added. Chiming in, Mr Tong said this initiative was useful on two fronts: increasing the branch’s outreach and allowing the YP members to connect more directly with the ground. “Many of them only hear about the problems that these residents face on a daily basis but here, they are able to see the living conditions for themselves. It helps bring to life what the volunteers hear at the MPS,” said Mr Tong.
July 2013
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G RO U N DWO R K
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WO ME N ' S WI N G
Women’s advocate,
upfront and behind-the-scenes
Women Wing’s vice chairman Josephine Teo speaks to Petir on the role of a new committee which produces policy recommendations on women’s issues
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July 2013
G RO U N DWO R K Petir: Why did Women Wing’s (WW) get started in policy advocacy? Josephine Teo: Early last year, WW went through a visioning exercise led by our chairman Grace Fu. Advocacy is one area that we decided to focus on. We're at a very important phase in Singapore's development. We are successful in many ways but not without challenges. Women have a big stake in how Singapore is being re-shaped. We are able and want to play a part. WW activists and leaders are on the ground, interacting with Singapore women from all walks of life. WW can be a conduit for these women, give them a bigger voice in Parliament and with policy makers.
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WO M E N ' S WI N G
Petir: What is the ultimate objective of policy advocacy? Josephine Teo: It’s not enough to just deƤne the problem. It’s more meaningful to identify opportunities for improvement. WW doesn't want just to be an ampliƤer adding to the chorus of feedback. We want to be part of the solution. Take the issue of young couples delaying parenthood because they do not yet have a home. We felt it was too broad to attribute the problem to "housing aơordability" or "government needs to build more ƪats faster". We saw the delay in parenthood as an expression of the couples' desire to have some time to themselves before having children. WW Advocacy led by Comrade Jessica Tan recommended that government made available temporary rental housing units until the Build-To-Order (BTO) ƪats were ready, so the couples need not delay their honeymoon and parenthood plans. We were happy that the Housing Board responded in a few months and introduced the Provisional Parenthood Housing Scheme.
´,W·V QRW HQRXJK WR MXVW GHÀQH WKH SUREOHP ,W·V PRUH PHDQLQJIXO WR LGHQWLI\ RSSRUWXQLWLHV IRU LPSURYHPHQW :: GRHVQ W ZDQW MXVW WR EH DQ DPSOLÀHU DGGLQJ WR WKH FKRUXV RI IHHGEDFN :H ZDQW WR EH SDUW RI WKH VROXWLRQ µ - Josephine Teo
Education is another area that WW is planning to look into.
Petir: How do you identify what issues to focus on? Josephine Teo: We identify themes based on feedback we hear from women, our observations of international developments and areas we believe can be improved. Last year, we focused on Marriage and Parenthood, and earlier this year, we issued recommendations on Women at Work. Because we are theme-driven, every woman PAP MP can get involved at diơerent times. My role is to coordinate the eơorts and move our agenda forward. The very consistent theme when we talk to women is the desire to be successful at work and at home. In Singapore, we're not held back by lack of education and career opportunities for women. But there are real impediments to getting the balance right. So, the underlying theme to the issues we work on is about addressing the sources of tension to help women be more successful at work and at home.
Petir: Apart from position papers, what else does the committee do? Josephine Teo: Being close to the ground, WW has another important advantage as an advocate ȃ our access to ministers and decision-makers. Our advocacy is not conƤned to speaking in Parliament and putting up proposals. Even if our proposals are not taken up initially, we can engage the decision-makers behind-the-scenes. This also allows us to Ƥne-tune our proposals. One good example was how we decided to push for shared parental leave instead of paternity leave. What was eventually introduced was a hybrid ȃ one-week paternity leave and another that the new mother could share from the 16-week maternity leave, a good balance. Through our own networks, we can inƪuence other decision-makers. I like to remind bosses to pay attention to the gender balance in their board and management teams. It's
not that there aren't deserving women, but people may forget to look out for them. Petir: What other issues is WW looking into? Josephine Teo: We have unƤnished business in getting more ƪexible work to be available to those who are professionally qualiƤed. We want to see more women in leadership roles in their workplaces too. Comrade Foo Mee Har leads this area of advocacy. Many women have also told us their concerns about education. So that’s an area we'd like to put some more thought into.
Scan here to read the position papers in full.
Marriage and Parenthood
Women at Work
July 2013
27
GRO U N DWO R K
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PA P P O LI CY F O R U M
Grow population to remain vibrant A growing population will ease some of Singapore’s future pains
T
he Population White Paper, which prescribes a population roadmap and a projected population of up to 6.9 million people in Singapore by 2030, created a stir when it was released earlier this year. There were criticisms from many quarters, given that the current population of about 5.3 million already presents intractable problems. The criticisms are understandable. Singaporeans are rightly concerned that the increase in population would compromise their lifestyle, transport, cost of living and exacerbate existing social tensions. Nonetheless, one must bear in mind that to preserve the status quo would only worsen matters. Singapore’s total fertility rate (TFR) is a low 1.2, and has been below replacement levels for over 30 years. To sustain the Singaporean core, the TFR would have to be about 2.1. Incentives such as cash bonuses and more maternity leave have proved insuƥcient to oơset the declining population. At this current trajectory, our population will decline from 2025 onwards. Currently, we have about six working age citizens to support each citizen above 65 years old. If nothing is done, it would fall to about 2 by 2030. What does a declining population portend for Singapore?
A smaller – and less vibrant workforce For sure, a smaller and ageing workforce would lead to lower productivity, resulting in a diminished economy. Singapore’s prospects would decline in the global economy, and companies relocate elsewhere. To argue that Singapore could aơord a much slower pace of growth as a trade-oơ to maintain its population size is ill-conceived and shortsighted. This would not meet the long-term needs of its populace and would create a brain drain, where the brightest and most
capable relocate elsewhere. Singapore would lose even more of its verve and competitiveness.
Who looks after the aged Singaporean? By 2030 – 17 years from now – based on our current trajectory, there would be 900,000 citizens aged above 65, as opposed to about 300,000 now. What’s to become of them? A measure – even a stop-gap one – is imperative over the next one-and-a-half decades so that our elderly can be looked after, while employed Singaporeans work to Ƥnancially provide for them.
Pitfalls of inaction To assume that retaining the same number of people in the workforce would still generate the same amount of productivity would be naïve. There would be such imponderables as to whether we have the requisite innovative skills to maintain sustained growth. While Ƥrst generation immigrants would take time to assimilate, their children, being born here, would feel more integrated. The Ministry of National Development has detailed plans to provide suƥcient space
for the projected 6.9 million people and the 700,000 more ƪats required to house them. Furthermore, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has aƥrmed the Ƥgure of 6.9 million (and that is the maximum projected Ƥgure) should not go up after 2030.
A global star or dowdy mediocrity? An increase in our population, for all its attendant diƥculties, is necessary. In the long run, the social costs would more than be oơset by the concomitant gains. Singapore would get to keep its lustre and draw talent to sink their roots here. Conversely, failure to anticipate problems would lead to Singapore not being able to punch above its weight; it would become a mediocre country. As PM Lee said in his National Day Rally speech in 2011, it’s not hard to be an ordinary country. But aren’t we short-changing ourselves by doing so?
JEEVA JOETHY
The writer is the head of training in the Changi-Simei branch exco. He is also a council member of the 5th PAP Policy Forum.
July 2013
29
BACKBENCHER'S BITE WHO: Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar, MP for the Jalan Kayu Ward in Ang Mo Kio GRC. She entered politics in 2011 and is currently an Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Education (NIE), Nanyang Technological University. WHERE: Kopitiam at Blk 555, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, where Dr Intan, her grassroots volunteers and activists visit for a drink, usually after their meetthe-people session (MPS) or a community event.
ON THE MENU
ª Heart-shaped kaya toast ($1.20) ª Milo kosong ($1.00)
Always on the move
T
here is hardly any free time in Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar’s schedule these days. Whether it’s gracing a constituency event, attending to residents’ concerns or catching up on her research and teaching at NIE, the 37-year-old rarely has an idle moment. The soft-spoken Ƥrst-term MP, however, admits she enjoys the fast pace of life but she always makes it a point to spend time with her loved ones – her husband and three young children – as often as possible. Petir catches up with her on a recent Thursday evening just before the start of her fortnightly MPS at Jalan Kayu. TOPICS DISCUSSED
House visits I have 116 blocks in Jalan Kayu, and I still have 40 per cent left to cover, which I hope to complete by the end of the year. I enjoy these visits, which I do three to four times a month. My pace is probably quite slow but I tend to spend more time with the residents I meet and try to get to know them better. It can get
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quite tiring at times for my volunteers who join me for these visits, so I try to strike a balance. Most people recognise me when I'm around the area but some don't, so I need to walk the ground more often, be it through my block visits, events or various activities.
Overseas exposure I was privileged to accompany Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on his oƥcial visit to the United States in April this year. I had the opportunity to meet President Barack Obama at the Oval Oƥce in the White House. It was very enlightening for me to hear how PM Lee shared with political and business leaders the diơerent policies that we have, the rationale behind them and their impact on our society. Recently, I also travelled with Minister Grace Fu to Spain, Portugal and Ireland. These trips are useful for Ƥrst-term MPs like me because we get good exposure to macroeconomics and politics, and observe Ƥrsthand how international relations between countries are conducted.
Parliament nerves The Ƥrst few times were nerve-wrecking. I may have looked calm when I was speaking, but in reality my knees were shaking behind the podium! People say I should be used to speaking in front of an audience because I'm an academic but I tell them it's very diơerent. In Parliament, I am speaking in front of ministers, other oƥce-holders and MPs, whom I respect because of their views, experience and commitment to their respective causes. So far I've raised issues concerning education, children and women, and more recently about abortion and adoption. I hope to do more to encourage our young couples to start a family.
Family time Since I became an MP, I have to see to many things that it invariably means less time for the family. I can feel the loss of time that I have, especially with my children. However, I make it a point to set aside a full day on a weekend at least once a month for my family, sometimes I even have to block my diary two months in advance. We enjoy waking up a little bit later, we will go to the park where the kids play and we have a nice meal together. We really treasure this precious family bonding time, given our hectic schedules.
CAUGHT ON THE NET We bring you a flavour of the bread-and-butter issues discussed online
Branch Exco
Meritocracy
COMMENTARIES
We need compassion alongside meritocracy There is more to Singapore society than the pursuit of individual success, said Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong at Ain Society's Charity Dinner on April 27. ESM Goh remarked that “those who have risen to the top owe the greatest responsibility to help the weaker in society.” More important than individual success is a “Compassionate Meritocracy” that would enhance and beneƤt society at large, as opposed to “SelƤsh Meritocracy” in which people seek their own gain without a care for others.
Healthcare Achievements
Scan the QR code to read on.
COMMENTARIES
Overcoming life’s pitfalls MP for Moulmein-Kallang GRC Denise Phua ponders over how diơerent people respond so diơerently to the same set of circumstances they face in life. She singles out a group of people whom she called “The Overcomers” and highlights steps taken by them to improve their lot in life.
Scan the QR code to read on.
COMMENTARIES
ON THE GROUND
World's healthiest nation, but we need to do more
Yew Tee PAP branch gets new, more representative exco
Bloomberg’s Global Health Survey in 2012 shows that Singapore has emerged as the healthiest nation in the world. Nonetheless, MP for Sengkang SMC Dr Lam Pin Min urges Singaporeans not rest on our laurels, pointing out that we need to do more to promote healthy living, especially in combating obesity and smoking.
Yew Tee branch is now more representative, with members coming from varied age proƤles, backgrounds and ethnic groups, said MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC Mr Alex Yam. He said on his Facebook page that a new exco has been elected, with the team almost doubled. New and younger members who Mr Yam said can “bring fresh perspectives on issues” have come on board. Senior stalwarts serve as mentors.
Scan the QR code to read on.
COMMENTARIES
ABOUT THIS WEBSITE
What is meritocracy? MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC Hri Kumar contemplates the meaning of meritocracy. He muses that to compare meritocracy with a system of absolute fairness and then criticise its shortcomings does not advance the debate because no system is absolutely fair.
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The PAP website is updated daily with speeches, commentaries and op-ed pieces written by Ministers, MPs and party activHRSR 8NT B@M @KRN ƥMC NTS SGD K@SDRS MDVR and announcements related to the PAP on this website.
Scan the QR code to read on.
www.pap.org.sg July 2013
31
QUOTE & UNQUOTE “It saddens me when people take out a balance sheet to try and calculate all the pluses and Ƥ ǡ ǡ decide to make that leap of faith.” - Acting Minister Chan Chun Sing, emphasising that incentives for having babies were never meant to suggest that babies were economic digits
“We must be a nation of learners and doers, and not a nation of bookworms and paper-chasers.”
And ƩQDOO\ Dz ơ from people to people, so success should not be measured by acquisition. People can also view success as happiness, life experience and taking pride in what they are doing.” - MP Lim Biow Chuan, lamenting that people tend to measure success by the size of their houses and vehicle marque.
“I wear white 'cause ‘it feels right’ ’’ - MP Foo Mee Har, who says it is an honour to wear the whites and be reminded of the strong party values, and to continue the party SQ@CHSHNM NE L@JHMF @ CHƤDQDMBD HM the lives of Singaporeans.
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July 2013
- Education Minister Heng Swee Keat warns against CDƥMHMF DCTB@SHNM too narrowly