MP to parties: Put residents' interests first
Above photo is Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck.
By Adrian Lim
My Paper
Monday, Dec 31, 2012
SINGAPORE - With at least four opposition parties declaring interest in contesting the single-seat Punggol East ward, voters will have more choices should a by-election be called, said Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck yesterday.
"What is more important is that everybody that has (an) interest in Punggol East is really doing it for the residents," said the Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol Group Representation Constituency.
Mr Teo, who is looking after the Punggol East constituency following former MP Michael Palmer's resignation on Dec 12, said the "welfare, interests and well-being" of residents must be kept at heart.
He was speaking on the sidelines of a media briefing yesterday to announce safety measures to be implemented at a road junction in Sengkang.
When asked if he may be fielded as a People's Action Party (PAP) candidate, Mr Teo said: "To be fair to the residents of Punggol Central, I'm their representative and they have voted for me. I should serve them."
But, for the time being, he will do his best to serve both sides. Since Mr Palmer's resignation over an extramarital affair, four opposition parties have said they plan to run for the single-member constituency.
"The best way to prepare is to serve the people well," said Mr Teo, on how the PAP is gearing up for the likelihood of a by-election.
"Residents will be able to feel and see whether we have done a good job, and whether Michael himself has done a good job over the years," he added.
Discussing constituency issues, Mr Teo said that four preventive measures will be implemented at the junction of Sengkang East Way and Sengkang East Drive within the next two months, to improve safety at the accident-prone spot.
These comprise putting up speed-check warning signs, installing a countdown timer at the pedestrian crossing, raising the kerb height at the pedestrian island, and carving out a pocket for vehicles turning right.
In the future, a red-light camera will also be installed, he added.
With recent stepped-up enforcement by the Traffic Police against errant motorists, the number of accidents at the junction has fallen, said Mr Teo.
"But, I'm concerned that there may be near accidents which are not reported. And, if residents have brought it (the junction's safety) up quite often, then we have to address it before something happens," he added.
Resident Alan Lim, 56, the general manager of a transport company, welcomed the new measures.
He said: "It has been a long time coming... There have been quite a number of major accidents here. When pedestrians cross, the cars still speed through."
Sengkang East Drive is a straight road and links to a flyover.
As a result, cars tend to be driven faster, said residents.
At least five Punggol East residents whom My Paper spoke to said they hoped to see a by-election called.
However, they differed in opinion about the interest shown by various parties.
Pre-school teacher Jessica Wee, 24, said: "We should have the right to choose who we want. My vote will be based on the candidate and not on the party."
Mr Lim said: "Logically, it should be a straight fight. "If you have too many (candidates), it just reflects... that even the political parties are taking this small constituency for fun."
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Above photo is Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck.
By Adrian Lim
My Paper
Monday, Dec 31, 2012
SINGAPORE - With at least four opposition parties declaring interest in contesting the single-seat Punggol East ward, voters will have more choices should a by-election be called, said Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck yesterday.
"What is more important is that everybody that has (an) interest in Punggol East is really doing it for the residents," said the Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol Group Representation Constituency.
Mr Teo, who is looking after the Punggol East constituency following former MP Michael Palmer's resignation on Dec 12, said the "welfare, interests and well-being" of residents must be kept at heart.
He was speaking on the sidelines of a media briefing yesterday to announce safety measures to be implemented at a road junction in Sengkang.
When asked if he may be fielded as a People's Action Party (PAP) candidate, Mr Teo said: "To be fair to the residents of Punggol Central, I'm their representative and they have voted for me. I should serve them."
But, for the time being, he will do his best to serve both sides. Since Mr Palmer's resignation over an extramarital affair, four opposition parties have said they plan to run for the single-member constituency.
"The best way to prepare is to serve the people well," said Mr Teo, on how the PAP is gearing up for the likelihood of a by-election.
"Residents will be able to feel and see whether we have done a good job, and whether Michael himself has done a good job over the years," he added.
Discussing constituency issues, Mr Teo said that four preventive measures will be implemented at the junction of Sengkang East Way and Sengkang East Drive within the next two months, to improve safety at the accident-prone spot.
These comprise putting up speed-check warning signs, installing a countdown timer at the pedestrian crossing, raising the kerb height at the pedestrian island, and carving out a pocket for vehicles turning right.
In the future, a red-light camera will also be installed, he added.
With recent stepped-up enforcement by the Traffic Police against errant motorists, the number of accidents at the junction has fallen, said Mr Teo.
"But, I'm concerned that there may be near accidents which are not reported. And, if residents have brought it (the junction's safety) up quite often, then we have to address it before something happens," he added.
Resident Alan Lim, 56, the general manager of a transport company, welcomed the new measures.
He said: "It has been a long time coming... There have been quite a number of major accidents here. When pedestrians cross, the cars still speed through."
Sengkang East Drive is a straight road and links to a flyover.
As a result, cars tend to be driven faster, said residents.
At least five Punggol East residents whom My Paper spoke to said they hoped to see a by-election called.
However, they differed in opinion about the interest shown by various parties.
Pre-school teacher Jessica Wee, 24, said: "We should have the right to choose who we want. My vote will be based on the candidate and not on the party."
Mr Lim said: "Logically, it should be a straight fight. "If you have too many (candidates), it just reflects... that even the political parties are taking this small constituency for fun."
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in the appropriate place.
