Chiam See Tong

Chiam See Tong

Secretary-General of the Singapore People's Party (SPP), Chiam See Tong, has said he wants to make Bishan-Toa Payoh "his kind of town".

Speaking at a rally on Thursday night, the former MP for Potong Pasir said he wants to bring the spirit of love and compassion from Potong Pasir to Bishan-Toa Payoh, where neighbours will help one another.

He pledged to run the constituency democratically, through engaging residents.

He said: "We shall encourage residents to be active in voicing what they want, and...not to be afraid to let the town council or the candidates they have elected...know that you are dissatisfied with their services, make sure they do their work. They are your servants, not your bosses."

Meanwhile, SPP's candidate for Bishan-Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency (GRC), Benjamin Pwee, has called on residents to give a GRC referendum in this General Election.

He cited the example of People's Action Party (PAP) ministers who were Members of Parliament only because of walkovers, and asked if they really were the choice of voters.

Mr Pwee said: "I will like to call for a GRC referendum, for MPs on the PAP side who have walkovers all these years, and this is your chance to show them, if you could vote them all those years, would you have voted them in? This is your chance to have a GRC referendum to decide by vote if the PAP candidates are who we wanted before, now and into the future, because the SPP is here."

The SPP candidate for Potong Pasir, Lina Chiam, addressed the problems facing senior citizens.

She said many work long hours earning a low salary, and this is not the way they should be treated.

Mrs Chiam said: "These senior citizens have served our nation well. When they were young, many of us have parents who had very little education and yet through their hard working attitudes, they have provided food, roof, education for us.

"However, there are far too many old senior citizens who should enjoy their life during twilight years. Instead we find them working where? Food courts, McDonald's, fast food chains, as cleaners of all sorts."

Meanwhile, the candidate for Hong Kah North, Sin Kek Tong, spoke about salaries.

He suggested that the pay of political officer holders be revised down, while salaries of civil servants be given a boost.

He said: "Civil servants form the bulk of the working class in Singapore. So my proposal is to review and increase the timescale officer for all government civil servants, division 1, 2, 3, and 4, all inclusive, so that we close the gap. The government must lead by example.."