The following is the translation of the Zaobao article:
NSP new election strategy of monitoring ministers' policies.
(2009-11-23）
Yew Lun Tian reports
The National Solidarity Party will be applying a new strategy in the coming general elections. It plans to take on the policy made by the PAP ministers anchoring the respective GRCs.
In respond to our queries, the leader of NSP Tampines team Mr. Goh Meng Seng told us, “This is to enhance the accountability of this government. When the ministers are formulating their policies, they should take the people's interests into serious considerations and be accountable for their policies. If the policies are bad, then they should step down.”
He revealed that NSP has decided to use the GRC minister-specify strategy for campaigning, monitoring and tracking closely the various policies made by the respective ministers after holding internal election seminars since August.
“The PAP government has always stressed about collective leadership and responsibility but most of the time it would mean that nobody will be accountable for the policies made. Since the ministers are just executing the will of the leadership, thus they won't be afraid of taking the rap if anything goes wrong.”
This is why they believe that the strategy of monitoring the ministers closely could create impact on the process of policy making by the government, letting the ministers know that voters want them to be responsible and accountable for the policies made under their charge.
When contacted, the President of NSP said, “We will focus on the policies made by the respective ministers but we will not rule out campaigning on National policy issues or local constituency issues as well.”
This party has announced plans to contest Tampines, Jurong and Jalan Besar GRCs, along with with Yio Chu Kang, Yishun Central and MacPherson SMCs in the next elections. Central Executive Member Teo Chai Chen and Yip Yew Weng have expressed interests to contest Yishun Central and Yio Chu Kang respectively.
Although there are no mention of the possible election dates yet, NSP has already made preparations and deploy ed their teams accordingly. Take the Tampines team for example, it is basically formed with candidates ready to contest. Mr. Goh Meng Seng did not reveal much details about the other candidates except that they encompass all age groups and some are working overseas.
He also pointed out that ever since NSP left SDA, it needs to attract more minority candidates to form the GRC teams. During the 2006 GE, NSP contested under the SDA banner and it could combine resources and collaborated with minority candidates from other component parties like PKMS to form up their GRC teams.
Most political parties will normally hold their cards close to their chests and reluctant to reveal their election plans until the final countdown. Will NSP lose out by revealing their intent of contests in various places and election strategy so early? Mr. Goh expressed confidence in doing so.
He said that even if the ruling party carry out preventive measures like hastening the progress of lift upgrading, the fundamental problem pertinent to the high inflated prices of public housing will still remain.
Mr. Goh believes that the government should not use the resale price of old HDB flats as the basis to determine the prices of the new flats because the amenities of the matured estate will definitely be more pricey.
“Unless the government change their policies to allow citizens to own two flats, else the paper capital gain generated by the rising HDB price is superficial and will not bring actual benefits to the people.”
NSP new election strategy of monitoring ministers' policies.
(2009-11-23）
Yew Lun Tian reports
The National Solidarity Party will be applying a new strategy in the coming general elections. It plans to take on the policy made by the PAP ministers anchoring the respective GRCs.
In respond to our queries, the leader of NSP Tampines team Mr. Goh Meng Seng told us, “This is to enhance the accountability of this government. When the ministers are formulating their policies, they should take the people's interests into serious considerations and be accountable for their policies. If the policies are bad, then they should step down.”
He revealed that NSP has decided to use the GRC minister-specify strategy for campaigning, monitoring and tracking closely the various policies made by the respective ministers after holding internal election seminars since August.
“The PAP government has always stressed about collective leadership and responsibility but most of the time it would mean that nobody will be accountable for the policies made. Since the ministers are just executing the will of the leadership, thus they won't be afraid of taking the rap if anything goes wrong.”
This is why they believe that the strategy of monitoring the ministers closely could create impact on the process of policy making by the government, letting the ministers know that voters want them to be responsible and accountable for the policies made under their charge.
When contacted, the President of NSP said, “We will focus on the policies made by the respective ministers but we will not rule out campaigning on National policy issues or local constituency issues as well.”
This party has announced plans to contest Tampines, Jurong and Jalan Besar GRCs, along with with Yio Chu Kang, Yishun Central and MacPherson SMCs in the next elections. Central Executive Member Teo Chai Chen and Yip Yew Weng have expressed interests to contest Yishun Central and Yio Chu Kang respectively.
Although there are no mention of the possible election dates yet, NSP has already made preparations and deploy ed their teams accordingly. Take the Tampines team for example, it is basically formed with candidates ready to contest. Mr. Goh Meng Seng did not reveal much details about the other candidates except that they encompass all age groups and some are working overseas.
He also pointed out that ever since NSP left SDA, it needs to attract more minority candidates to form the GRC teams. During the 2006 GE, NSP contested under the SDA banner and it could combine resources and collaborated with minority candidates from other component parties like PKMS to form up their GRC teams.
Most political parties will normally hold their cards close to their chests and reluctant to reveal their election plans until the final countdown. Will NSP lose out by revealing their intent of contests in various places and election strategy so early? Mr. Goh expressed confidence in doing so.
He said that even if the ruling party carry out preventive measures like hastening the progress of lift upgrading, the fundamental problem pertinent to the high inflated prices of public housing will still remain.
Mr. Goh believes that the government should not use the resale price of old HDB flats as the basis to determine the prices of the new flats because the amenities of the matured estate will definitely be more pricey.
“Unless the government change their policies to allow citizens to own two flats, else the paper capital gain generated by the rising HDB price is superficial and will not bring actual benefits to the people.”
