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By Judith Tan and Audrey Tan
The New Paper
Monday, Jan 21, 2013
PEOPLE'S Action Party (PAP) candidate Koh Poh Koon said he knows what is like to be poor.
Speaking at the first campaign rally of this by-election, the 40-year-old colorectal surgeon told a crowd that growing up, his family of seven had to share a kuning fish (yellowstripe scad).
"My mum would strip the fish bare of all the flesh, mesh it up, mix it in the porridge and flavour it with some soya sauce. And that was all we'd get for a meal," he said, adding that his mother would eat only the bones, fish head and tail.
"There were times when we could not even afford this. A tin of biscuits given by my uncle would be the ration for the whole family for a couple of weeks," he said.
Having lived through poverty, Dr Koh felt he would be able to empathise with the issues of the lower-income families. He told the crowd that hope, family and action have shaped him and made him what he is today.
"And I humbly offer myself to be at your service, to be your MP," he said.
Dr Koh also spelt out plans for Punggol East. They include:
- A new community club located near Rivervale Plaza, which is expected to be completed by July; n Pushing for earlier implementation of the dual- carriage LRT;
- Working with residents and transport operators on introducing feeder bus services for residents living in the peripheral areas to connect with the rail;
- Looking into integrated eldercare facilities and comprehensive health screening for the elderly;
- Plans to extend the capacity of the childcare centre at Block 195 and to build more childcare facilities in the community;
- Asking the Education Ministry to expand after- school care within the schools in Punggol East;
- Exploring the possibility of making more coffee shops available in Punggol East;
- Setting up a job placement centre, together with the monthly food distribution programme to help families experiencing difficulties get back on "their own two feet".
Also addressing residents of Punggol East, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said the party is carrying out all the programmes it promised during the General Election in 2011.
"Poh Koon will build upon the good work that has been done in the past... I intend to appoint Poh Koon to the Town Council's welfare committee, (to) look into how we can better assist those residents who are facing financial difficulties... This will ensure continuity, that your home, your estate, your families continue to be well looked after," he said.
Also weighing in was Education Minister Heng Swee Kiat,who called Dr Koh"a good man".
Spirit of service
"His peers respect him. His patients trust him. His soldiers are prepared to soldier on with him. He has a spirit of service. Give him an opportunity to serve you in three ways:
As your MP to help you if you have difficulties;
- As a member of the Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council to improve the estates and facilities ...
- As your voice in Parliament, and more importantly, as your voice to the ministries on issues that you are concerned with,"Mr Heng said.
Resident Joseph Lee, 42, a project manager, said both the PAP and the Workers' Party seemed more active in the constituency.
He said: "Definitely, we have to select an MP who can raise issues like housing and the cost of living." Another resident, Mr Norshahril Saat, 29, a PhD student who is is back in Singapore for field research, said that he is looking for a candidate who "can fulfil promises".
He said: "Some of the issues would be the (renovation of) Rivervale Plaza and the municipal and national issues that overlap, like transport, housing and population."
Madam Tee Ah Hong, 55, a resident and Chinese calligraphy enthusiast, said before the rally: "I'm always excited about voting... We residents are quite simple. If we have any problems, we hope they can help us. Even if you're not voted (in), but still look after us, you'll have another chance."
She had written a Chinese couplet for Dr Koh, which said: "PAP promises true capability, Punggol East residents vote for Dr Koh."
Speaking to reporters after the rally, Dr Koh said he felt energised "because they (the residents) stood in the rain, cheered and supported me".
"They gave me a lot of strength and energy," he added.
His wife and two daughter also attended his maiden rally.
[email protected]
The New Paper
Monday, Jan 21, 2013
PEOPLE'S Action Party (PAP) candidate Koh Poh Koon said he knows what is like to be poor.
Speaking at the first campaign rally of this by-election, the 40-year-old colorectal surgeon told a crowd that growing up, his family of seven had to share a kuning fish (yellowstripe scad).
"My mum would strip the fish bare of all the flesh, mesh it up, mix it in the porridge and flavour it with some soya sauce. And that was all we'd get for a meal," he said, adding that his mother would eat only the bones, fish head and tail.
"There were times when we could not even afford this. A tin of biscuits given by my uncle would be the ration for the whole family for a couple of weeks," he said.
Having lived through poverty, Dr Koh felt he would be able to empathise with the issues of the lower-income families. He told the crowd that hope, family and action have shaped him and made him what he is today.
"And I humbly offer myself to be at your service, to be your MP," he said.
Dr Koh also spelt out plans for Punggol East. They include:
- A new community club located near Rivervale Plaza, which is expected to be completed by July; n Pushing for earlier implementation of the dual- carriage LRT;
- Working with residents and transport operators on introducing feeder bus services for residents living in the peripheral areas to connect with the rail;
- Looking into integrated eldercare facilities and comprehensive health screening for the elderly;
- Plans to extend the capacity of the childcare centre at Block 195 and to build more childcare facilities in the community;
- Asking the Education Ministry to expand after- school care within the schools in Punggol East;
- Exploring the possibility of making more coffee shops available in Punggol East;
- Setting up a job placement centre, together with the monthly food distribution programme to help families experiencing difficulties get back on "their own two feet".
Also addressing residents of Punggol East, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said the party is carrying out all the programmes it promised during the General Election in 2011.
"Poh Koon will build upon the good work that has been done in the past... I intend to appoint Poh Koon to the Town Council's welfare committee, (to) look into how we can better assist those residents who are facing financial difficulties... This will ensure continuity, that your home, your estate, your families continue to be well looked after," he said.
Also weighing in was Education Minister Heng Swee Kiat,who called Dr Koh"a good man".
Spirit of service
"His peers respect him. His patients trust him. His soldiers are prepared to soldier on with him. He has a spirit of service. Give him an opportunity to serve you in three ways:
As your MP to help you if you have difficulties;
- As a member of the Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council to improve the estates and facilities ...
- As your voice in Parliament, and more importantly, as your voice to the ministries on issues that you are concerned with,"Mr Heng said.
Resident Joseph Lee, 42, a project manager, said both the PAP and the Workers' Party seemed more active in the constituency.
He said: "Definitely, we have to select an MP who can raise issues like housing and the cost of living." Another resident, Mr Norshahril Saat, 29, a PhD student who is is back in Singapore for field research, said that he is looking for a candidate who "can fulfil promises".
He said: "Some of the issues would be the (renovation of) Rivervale Plaza and the municipal and national issues that overlap, like transport, housing and population."
Madam Tee Ah Hong, 55, a resident and Chinese calligraphy enthusiast, said before the rally: "I'm always excited about voting... We residents are quite simple. If we have any problems, we hope they can help us. Even if you're not voted (in), but still look after us, you'll have another chance."
She had written a Chinese couplet for Dr Koh, which said: "PAP promises true capability, Punggol East residents vote for Dr Koh."
Speaking to reporters after the rally, Dr Koh said he felt energised "because they (the residents) stood in the rain, cheered and supported me".
"They gave me a lot of strength and energy," he added.
His wife and two daughter also attended his maiden rally.
[email protected]
can tell he's trying to hard to win votes . 
