Member of Parliament (MP) for West Coast Group Representative Constituency (GRC), S Iswaran has announced the government’s efforts at the community level to help “people secure jobs and training opportunities”.
However, it seems that this initiative might only be focused on West Cost GRC and Pioneer Single Member Constituency (SMC) given that it is only these two constituencies that are launching a 12- month JOBS Programme together with the Employment and Employability Institute and South West Community Development Council.
S Iswaran went on to state there will also be “West Coast Job Stations” in the Community Centres from mid July, making it easier for residents to find employment, and seek job and training advice too.
However why the focus on just these two constituencies? Aren’t all Singaporeans beset by economic uncertainties and job concerns? While S Iswaran is the MP for West Coast GRC, he is also a cabinet minister. With that in mind, doesn’t he owe a duty to the rest of Singapore as well? And not just the constituents of West Coast GRC? In his own words, he said: “We are sparing no effort, at the local and national level, to secure jobs and training opportunities for everyone.” However if the government is really “sparing no effort”, why is this initiative only at West Coast GRC and Pioneer SMC?
Coincidentally, it would appear that the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), led by former Ayer Rajar PAP MP, Tan Cheng Bock, might be contesting in both of these constituencies for the upcoming General Election (GE).
Could this announcement by S Iswaran be a reactionary measure on his part to secure votes for himself and the PAP right before the GE?
Where the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic is concerned, the incumbent PAP government has been criticised as being reactive as opposed to proactive. Can the same be said of how the government is choosing to handle this election? Refusing to commit to an election date and trying to win votes in opposition contested constituencies with last minute sweeteners instead of having a concerted election plan?
Or could it be because the PAP does fear Tan Cheng Bock’s potential success? After all, many have speculated that the rules for the elected Presidency were only amended to prevent Tan from winning the contest and not about protecting minority rights at all.
Does the PAP have an overall strategy to win or is it simply implementing last minute measures to ensure that the opposition parties do not gain ground?