Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC, Seah Kian Peng said that he hopes that his solo walk around the various kopitiams and wet market at the constituency, will not be politicised.
This was said in response to online criticism of his playing the role of a safe distancing ambassador (SDA) while strict social-distancing measures are in place due to the “Circuit Breaker”.
Mr Seah who is also group CEO of NTUC FairPrice, had earlier posted a photo on his Facebook page, showing him taking a selfie with a market stallholder on Sunday (26 April).
“This morning, I walked alone through the various kopitiams as well the wet market, playing the role of a safe distancing ambassador (SDA),” he said.
He said he talked to some residents and merchants as well as group of SDAs when they were having their lunch break, and made a few observations:
- Compliance is high;
- Merchants and residents all understood importance of wearing a face mask and the need for safe distancing and we are all getting used to it;
- Temperature screening and crowd control measures were in place at popular places like supermarkets and wet market;
- For those who sometimes forget, a gentle reminder to keep to safe distancing is all that is required;
- Even with a mask on, most people seem to be able to recognize me.
His last observation is interesting. He said most of the people could recognize him even though he was wearing a mask. He seems to be more concerned about people recognizing him.
In response to CNA queries, Mr Seah said he has been working from home “almost the entire week”, and that he was out on Sunday as he had to sign some documents at the community club.
“I also went to check on how things were at the two FairPrice supermarkets in vicinity (this is part of my job to find out from time to time how operations were and situation is on the ground),” said Mr Seah.
“At same time as I walked through the estate, I would pass by the kopitiams in (the) estate, wet market too. And I thus made those observations. At all times observing safe distancing rules. Based on what I saw, happy that things are all in order,” he explained.
“One or two merchants in wet market had some feedback for me as well. All short conversations. Another two residents who saw me had some enquiries for me which I gave them my advice accordingly. All parties concerned observed the safe distancing rules.”
Mr Seah also added hashtags that include #socialdistancing and #walkabout.
Since the start of the circuit breaker period on 7 April 2020, 3,000 Enforcement Officers (EOs), and SG Clean and Safe Distancing Ambassadors have been deployed daily to public spaces in HDB estates across Singapore to ensure elevated safe distancing measures are observed.
They come from almost 50 public agencies and include non-public servants recruited from the hospitality and aviation sectors, as well as volunteers recruited by the People’s Association and other Government agencies.
Mr Seah told CNA on Monday (27 April): “I hope we don’t politicise this matter. It appears that some are clearly wanting to do so.”
He added: “If people want to volunteer as a SDA, it takes a few hours a day and some of them especially during the initial period had it rough. So it is work for them.
“Let’s focus on what we all need to do. And work as a team whether you are part of those providing essential services or WFH. If I can make a call out, I hope all of us make things easy for the essential workers and also SDA and let us continue to show our appreciation to all those who are going to work day in, day out to provide these essential services for us.”
PAP announces suspension of its ground engagement activities
Two weeks ago (13 Apr), the People’s Action Party (PAP) made a post on its Facebook page announcing that it will suspend its usual ground engagements such as market visits and home visits, and Meet-the-People Sessions in light of the COVID-19 outbreak (‘People’s Action Party posts on its Facebook page, announcing for the first time that it will suspend its ground engagement‘).
While it did not mention any reason for this announcement, it has been speculated that the announcement was linked to the barrage of criticism the party had received over a “walkabout” conducted by its MP Chia Shi Lu at the Alexander Village Food Centre the day before (‘PAP MP Chia Shi Lu: We’re not doing walkabout but educating people to wear masks at hawker centre‘).
Dr Chia is a Member of Parliament of Tanjong Pagar GRC, led by Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing. He is also the Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Health.
Defending himself later, Dr Chia told Straits Times that he was at the food centre to “encourage hawkers to wear masks”. He added that the group accompanying him was kept small – fewer than five people. It was noted that he was also accompanied by at least one reporter and photographer from the Chinese media.
He denied doing a walkabout, “We were not doing a walkabout, we were there to tell people to wear masks when serving and please wear masks, it was more an education thing.”
After news of Dr Chia’s “educational” walkabout broke, former Workers’ Party (WP) non-constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong commented on his Facebook page saying that he hoped leaders from the ruling party could set a “good example” in the fight against the coronavirus, noting that the WP had suspended its outreach activities.
