Good Question: Why did the HDB choose to work with Losers?

<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>Oct 7, 2009
UPGRADING IN OPPOSITION WARDS
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>MPs should front initiative
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>




<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to last Saturday's report, 'Non-PAP wards get lift revamp', and Sunday's article, 'Lift upgrading for six blocks in Hougang', both of which stated that the two opposition wards of Hougang and Potong Pasir would be getting their lifts upgraded.
I am glad the Government has decided to proceed with the lift upgrading programme in these constituencies.
The programme comes under the Housing Board, a government statutory board, and it is gratifying to note that Potong Pasir and Hougang residents will benefit.
What disturbed me is the fact that news of the programme came from the People's Action Party's (PAP) unelected candidates in the two wards - Mr Sitoh Yih Pin and Mr Eric Low.
Mr Low justified his announcement of the programme by saying it was the usual practice, even in PAP wards, for the grassroots adviser to lead the programme.
My question: Under what authority did both Mr Low and Mr Sitoh act as advisers to the grassroots organisations, given that the People's Association is a government statutory board and should work with the elected MPs of the constituencies?
Why did the HDB choose to work with unelected candidates instead of the elected MPs in the constituencies?
I agree that the needs of the residents would be served either way, but shouldn't the mandate that the residents gave to the elected MPs be respected? The proper protocol would have been to have the elected MPs act as grassroots advisers and announce such programmes.
Muhammad Yusuf Osman

<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=heading>Latest comments</TD></TR><TR><TD id=messageDisplayRegion width="100%"><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" class=Post cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>Singapore is a "Unique" state.
The losers are authorised to announce and decide.
The people elected MP need to apply permit to plant a tree.
Well done and good luck Singapore!
</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>Posted by: perry0164 at Wed Oct 07 22:53:34 SGT 2009
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" class=AlternatePost cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>This incident only shows the very ugly side of PAP!!

They really squandered a chance to show Sinkies how to "open hearts and minds".

What kind of example are they setting for Sinkies????

Totally shameless.
</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>Posted by: ronintan1 at Wed Oct 07 22:29:00 SGT 2009
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" class=Post cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>What a lame excuse given by Mah Bow Tan.

When LUP came to PAP wards, it is always the elected MP announcing it, BUT when it came to opposition wards, Mah Bow Tan says their "advisers" should be the to announce it !!!!

I am speechless. Who voted this donkey in???!!!!
</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>Posted by: ronintan1 at Wed Oct 07 22:27:01 SGT 2009
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" class=AlternatePost cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>Do not worry, people. The cradle of democracy and the right to choose the new government depends our vote. Our voting exercise give us the power to select new government. However, due to one or two opposition in this era, it is imperative that people should establish themselves the shadow government consists of forward-thinkers with high intellectual and expertise in their own field. The task of building the shadow government cannot be done within one day; it takes another 10 years from now to form the equally formidable opposition. The task is upheaval but not impossible. At this moment, the process should be silent. To form a powerful team, the party-in-waiting needs to be nurtured and enhanced; members must be taught the laws of land, regulation, government organization, policy and lots more. When the party is ready in the future in the next century, PAP will be history given the fact that the current PM and his teams will not live long in the next century to see the new party-in-waiting running the government. Once it happens in the future, PAP's story will become the artifact in museum. The future generation will always celebrate PAP, the annual anniversary of the founding of The Republic of Singapore.
</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>Posted by: cledrag at Wed Oct 07 21:15:29 SGT 2009
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left><TABLE style="WIDTH: 100%" class=Post cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>The ruling party will stoop as low as it wants.
Integrity and shame are simply non-existence in its ranks.
It is impossible to stoop lower then these two.
</TD></TR><TR><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" align=left>Posted by: commentator_sc at Wed Oct 07 18:52:12 SGT 2009
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>