Self-help more empowering than handouts, says Sim Ann
SINGAPOREANS are a proud people who do not want handouts if given a choice, said People's Action Party (PAP) candidate Sim Ann yesterday when she contrasted the opposition's proposals on handouts to the PAP's self-help programmes.
Citing programmes such as Workfare and Jobs Credit, Ms Sim said the PAP's schemes were 'far more empowering' as they were based on mutual help.
She recounted meeting a wheelchair-bound former military man called Francis during a walkabout in 2007. He stressed to her that he wanted a job, not handouts.
Francis was eventually employed as a librarian at a children's community library, where he was trained to use the computer system. Today, he is self-reliant and happy, said Ms Sim.
The PAP candidate in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC said the opposition's suggestions of increasing the number of handouts for the poor and needy would inevitably impose a heavier burden on society.
She questioned the wisdom of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), which is running against the PAP in the GRC, for suggesting that income tax for the top pay bracket in Singapore be raised to fund handouts.
That would only cause these people to move to more tax-friendly countries, instead of increasing income tax revenues, she said.
'We're going to lose people who keep the economy going, and also the companies that hire them,' said Ms Sim.
And when she put to the lunchtime crowd at UOB Plaza if they wanted to pay more income tax, she got a resounding 'no'.
Ms Sim also criticised the SDP for neglecting community issues in Holland-Bukit Timah. She said there has been no indication about what they will do as the community's MPs - a stark contrast to the PAP candidates.
'Apart from debating national policies and shaping the direction our country is heading, each and every one of us here is prepared to be a community MP - prepared to listen, to hear, to care and most importantly, to act.'
TEO CHENG WEE
SINGAPOREANS are a proud people who do not want handouts if given a choice, said People's Action Party (PAP) candidate Sim Ann yesterday when she contrasted the opposition's proposals on handouts to the PAP's self-help programmes.
Citing programmes such as Workfare and Jobs Credit, Ms Sim said the PAP's schemes were 'far more empowering' as they were based on mutual help.
She recounted meeting a wheelchair-bound former military man called Francis during a walkabout in 2007. He stressed to her that he wanted a job, not handouts.
Francis was eventually employed as a librarian at a children's community library, where he was trained to use the computer system. Today, he is self-reliant and happy, said Ms Sim.
The PAP candidate in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC said the opposition's suggestions of increasing the number of handouts for the poor and needy would inevitably impose a heavier burden on society.
She questioned the wisdom of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), which is running against the PAP in the GRC, for suggesting that income tax for the top pay bracket in Singapore be raised to fund handouts.
That would only cause these people to move to more tax-friendly countries, instead of increasing income tax revenues, she said.
'We're going to lose people who keep the economy going, and also the companies that hire them,' said Ms Sim.
And when she put to the lunchtime crowd at UOB Plaza if they wanted to pay more income tax, she got a resounding 'no'.
Ms Sim also criticised the SDP for neglecting community issues in Holland-Bukit Timah. She said there has been no indication about what they will do as the community's MPs - a stark contrast to the PAP candidates.
'Apart from debating national policies and shaping the direction our country is heading, each and every one of us here is prepared to be a community MP - prepared to listen, to hear, to care and most importantly, to act.'
TEO CHENG WEE
