SDP’s chief Chee Soon Juan reveals hazardous condition at Bukit Batok SMC; questions MP Murali Pillai’s efforts

Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Dr Chee Soon Juan made a Facebook post today (27 June) revealing a site that’s under construction which was left in a hazardous manner in Bukit Batok.

He said that four days ago the site in Blk 154 of Bukit Batok was left with no proper barricade to cordon off people from entering the area. To make it worse, the site is in the most crowded spot in Bukit Batok with a wet market and hawker centre located around it.

Based on the picture Dr Chee uploaded along with his post, one can see that the site has only been half covered with blue cloth, while the ground was sprawled with stones. Thankfully, Dr Chee said that things improved today as the area now has a proper barricade to ensure no one can enter the spot and the ground is properly cleaned with no dangerous materials laying around.

“Four days ago, I took this picture at BB and the site was a hazardous mess. Went back this morning and there is now at least a proper safety cordon in place,” the party chief wrote.

He added, “The site is not in some obscure corner in the estate. It’s the most crowded spot in BB (Blk 154) with a wet market and huge centre.”

As such, Dr Chee pointed out that the MP of Bukit Batok, Mr Murali Pillai, did not even see this dangerous area in his constituency.

Having said that, Dr Chee pointed out that this is why a full-time MP is needed in the SMC as it’s impossible for an individual to give his full attention to the people who voted for him if he has another day job elsewhere.

“This is what I mean when I say that MPs must go full-time. It’s impossible to give your 100% if you spend all your time in your day job. This is what happens when you have a part-time MP,” Dr Chee stated.

He added, “The people elect you to run the estate, you collect the $16k/month salary, out-source the work to a managing agent and then make the people pay for it. Someone please explain to me the logic.”

SDP’s chief went on to state as an MP, it becomes their responsibilities to do different things for the people who voted for them, making it a full-time job.

“With all the responsibilities entrusted upon you – running the Town Council, looking after the estate especially the residents’ safety and wellbeing, representing them in Parliament, fostering a strong community, protecting the vulnerable – that’s a full-time job,” Dr Chee said.

“And that’s what I’ll do as BB’s MP.”

Last November, Dr Chee uploaded another post on Facebook slamming Mr Murali for a statement he made in 2016.

During the 2016 by-election, Dr Chee said that MPs “should serve their constituents on a full-time basis and give them undivided attention”, which Mr Murali disagreed with.

“Mr Murali countered that there was no need for this because it would mean MPs having to ‘give up their day jobs’. This unfortunate description gives us an insight into his thinking – than an MP’s role is only a part-time gig,” Dr Chee wrote.

Mr Murali is currently a partner in Commercial Litigation practice at Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP.