Andrew Loh

Senior members of the People’s Action Party (PAP) have been calling on Singaporeans to scrutinise the manifestos of the opposition parties.

Mr Wong Kan Seng, in particular, had urged voters to “drill down to the details as to what exactly do they mean by their specific recommendations.”

Mr Wong, who is also the 1st Assistant Secretary General of the PAP,  said, “When people look at all these items, they should perhaps look into the details or perhaps ask for better explanation as to how these policies can be implemented.”

His remarks came days after the Workers’ Party (WP) unveiled its 63-page election manifesto. Comprising 15 chapters, it delves into various aspects – from the economy to civil liberties, from law to society.

The Singapore Democratic Party  (SDP) launched its alternative economic programme in a 47-page document in November last year.  The party had also unveiled in February its shadow budget for the nation even before the Government’s own budget in March this year.

Another opposition party, the National Solidarity Party (NSP), made available its 11-page manifesto on 21 April. (See here.)

The party which was earliest in presenting its “policy promises” for the elections, as far as its programme for the nation is concerned, is the Reform Party. It revealed its manifesto last year. (See here.)

The PAP unveiled its programme on Sunday at a big rah-rah gathering of members celebrating its youth wing’s 25th anniversary. The manifesto, a 13-page document, was roundly criticised for its brevity and lack of specifics. Even its attempt at a simpler video presentation was so badly received that the party had to disable the ratings and comments facility on the video. (See here.)

Its 2006 election manifesto too was slammed for lacking in substance.

Looking at all the manifestos, it is quite clear that the opposition parties are more willing to spell out their ideas and plans for the country than the ruling party; and that they have apparently given more thought into their programmes.

In defending criticisms from Singaporeans about its manifesto, the PAP’s Mr Lim Swee Say said the manifesto “is a compass that charts a firm, long-term course for the country.” He also said that “people should not just think about the micro aspects of policies.”

Mr Lim’s remarks are in sharp contrast and contradiction to that of his PAP colleague, Mr Wong.

It is a shame that the PAP, being the ruling party and one which is calling for Singaporeans to demand the opposition parties reveal the details of their respective programmes, should itself be so stingy in the details of its own programmes.

Indeed, as the party which is likely to be returned to power with a convincing majority in Parliament, voters should question the PAP on the finer points of its intentions.

For example, in its 2006 election manifesto, there were no mentions in the PAP programme of raising the Goods and Services tax to fund “programmes for the needy”, nor were there any revelation that the PAP Government would open the floodgates to foreign labour, nor did it spell out changes to the CPF scheme, or raising the retirement age or raising the CPF withdrawal age.

Could it be that it is precisely because these are unpopular policies that the PAP felt it was not wise to disclose these during an election?

If so, how then do Singaporeans make a “wise” and “informed” choice at the polls, the very same thing which the PAP is again asking Singaporeans to do?

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
You May Also Like

毕丹星:家访让工人党更好地了解居民所需

工人党阿裕尼集选区候任议员毕丹星在脸书分享,家访乃是在野党议员和选民之间的重要接触点,让工人党更好地了解居民们最为关注的事项和需求。 他指出在2020选举后,欣慰能恢复家访工作,拜访友诺士一带的居民。他的观点也再次强调走访群众仍是该党建立群众基础的关键。 他也提及民众反映当前疫情下的裁员现象。“我遇到一位新翔集团(SATS)资深工会领袖,提及在冠病疫情下,有数百名马国客工被裁,而即使还在职的,亦不敢指望有花红。” 还有居民继续继续深造,攻读人工智能学士学位,希望能在波动到来时,能发展第二事业。人们为适应新的经济形势需求和就业机会作出调整。 毕丹星也提及阿裕尼-后港市镇会计划未来三年,为惹兰登南加(Jalan Tenaga )一带组屋更换电梯。

包装纸巾都要“减料”? 职总平价促民提供样本

包装上注明内含10张纸巾,但是细数后只有七张,遭网民讽刺职总平价(Fairprice)应该是“不平价”(Unfairprice)。对此,职总平价呼吁上传有关视频的网民提供产品样本,以便协助调查,而目前超市存货内并没有任何异常。 据了解,名为Raven Qiu的网民,日前在脸书专页Complaint Singapore上载约两分钟30秒的视频,视频展示一大包的职总平价Soft包装纸巾,从中抽出一包来做示范。 他展示了包装上的资料,包括厂商、地址、品牌和包装内容后,就取出纸巾,一一点算并放置在桌上,发现只有七张纸巾,并非如包装所述的10张数。 有关的视频传出后,已经有3万4490人看过,454人有反应,195个评论以及293人转发。大部分网民都表示难以置信,但是也有的网民表示曾经开过拥有13张纸巾的包装,也有人认为这个实属正常,毕竟人有错手。 职总平价获悉有关事件后,在回复公民记者网站《Stomp》的询问时表示,他们非常重视有关事件,并且指产品的完整性至关重要。 惟,他们表示未接获有关的反馈,因此希望能够和制作视频的网民取得联系,提供产品样本,让他们能够履行责任展开调查。 职总平价也呼吁人民停止传播煽动性言论或未经证实的消息,避免造成不必要的恐慌。他们也强调对其产品有不满的人士,可以随时要求退款或退换,更欢迎有疑问的民众直接联络他们的客服热线(电话:65522722)询问。

职总平价超市新措施 设定顾客每日限购额

相信是为了避免囤货“恐慌”,职总平价超市今天(17日)推出限购措施,所限购的物件包括了鸡蛋、纸制品如卫生纸和厨房纸巾、意大利面或即食面、米、蔬菜和新鲜肉类。 职总平价今日在脸书上发出新措施时表示,虽然了解人们会因为马来西亚的新限令而有所担忧,但是当局保证,会为顾客提供足够的库存。 帖文中,当局也感谢顾客们更加慎重和负责任的购物方式,并列出每天指定的购物限额。 当局表示,每名顾客每天只能够购买不超过四单位的纸制品,包括厕纸、面巾纸和厨房纸巾、不超过两个单位的即食面或意大利面、不超过两袋米、30元内的蔬菜、30元内的新鲜肉类,以及不超过30粒鸡蛋。 当局也指出,超时需要时间来补货,并且将扩大供应来源,避免过于依赖单一来源。“对于某些类似商品,我们也刻意和谨慎地增加仓库库存。” 当局也承诺,在此非常时期会加强所有商店内的清洁和消毒制度,包括为顾客提供洗手液、为员工进行每天两次的体温检测、提供口罩等,以备不时之需。

PAP candidates appear to enter politics for career moves whereas opposition ones need character and courage: Lee Hsien Yang

Lee Hsien Yang has asked Singaporeans in a Facebook post on Sunday…