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GE: WP's Lee Li Lian questions Mah Bow Tan over cost of public housing
Posted: 01 May 2011 2047 hrs
Photos 1 of 1
Lee Li Lian, Worker's Party
Special Report
• Vote 2011
SINGAPORE : Workers' Party (WP) candidate Lee Li Lian, who is contesting the Punggol East Single-Member Constituency (SMC), took National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan to task over the cost of public housing at the WP's rally on Sunday.
Ms Lee said: "Dear Mr Mah Bow Tan, I am sure many Singaporeans here tonight would agree with me that the length of our mortgage loan is an issue. Mr Mah, I am just curious... do you want your own child to take 30, 40 or even 50 years to repay his or her own housing loan?
"And I am sorry Mr Mah, I forgot you actually do not have that issue, you have the money to pay for private housing, unlike us."
Meanwhile, WP's candidate for Nee Soon GRC, Sajeev Kamalasanan, told supporters at the rally that upgrading policies are simply aesthetics but there are deeper concerns for residents.
He said: "I have seen how this town has been upgraded with newer facilities over the years. Things may look good on the outside, but with my talks with Nee Soon residents, I have heard concerns on the high cost of living and overcrowding situations. In the morning, many of you have to wait for up to three MRT trains before you can squeeze into one to to work, despite the frequency of trains being increased to 2.5 minutes.
"Worse, bus and MRT fares keep going up as transport companies say their cost have increased, but they are just concerned about their big fat profits."
WP's candidate for Nee Soon GRC, John Yam, told supporters to question PAP's job creation figures and how many Singaporeans actually benefited from it.
He said: "With a GDP growth of 14.7 per cent last year, which is mainly contributed by the opening of the two casinos, how many new jobs have you created for us Singaporeans? I challenge the Labour Minister to provide us the statistical breakdown here. How many jobs are actually created for Singaporeans? Please do not lump up the employment figures for Singaporeans and Prs. We need more transparency here.
"The ruling party is importing another 18,000 foreign workers. Many of our loved ones, especially those who are above 45 years old, are facing difficulties for jobs."
He added: "Say no rising HDB prices, say no to higher cost of living, say no to poorer quality of living. To all my foreigner friends, I assure you we are not xenophobic, we are not against you, we are just fighting for the basic rights of our fellow Singaporeans."
Dr Yam also told supporters to question the ruling party's recent announcement of the S$600 million upgrading plan for the constituency.
He said: "Why PAP (People's Action Party) did nothing for five years, and now (announced the) S$600 million upgrading before elections for Nee Soon GRC, whose money is that? PAP money? Will PAP deprive Nee Soon voters of S$600 million if PAP loses the election? Please make this very clear to all Nee Soon voters.... PAP owes them the answer."
Posted: 01 May 2011 2047 hrs
Photos 1 of 1
Lee Li Lian, Worker's Party
Special Report
• Vote 2011
SINGAPORE : Workers' Party (WP) candidate Lee Li Lian, who is contesting the Punggol East Single-Member Constituency (SMC), took National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan to task over the cost of public housing at the WP's rally on Sunday.
Ms Lee said: "Dear Mr Mah Bow Tan, I am sure many Singaporeans here tonight would agree with me that the length of our mortgage loan is an issue. Mr Mah, I am just curious... do you want your own child to take 30, 40 or even 50 years to repay his or her own housing loan?
"And I am sorry Mr Mah, I forgot you actually do not have that issue, you have the money to pay for private housing, unlike us."
Meanwhile, WP's candidate for Nee Soon GRC, Sajeev Kamalasanan, told supporters at the rally that upgrading policies are simply aesthetics but there are deeper concerns for residents.
He said: "I have seen how this town has been upgraded with newer facilities over the years. Things may look good on the outside, but with my talks with Nee Soon residents, I have heard concerns on the high cost of living and overcrowding situations. In the morning, many of you have to wait for up to three MRT trains before you can squeeze into one to to work, despite the frequency of trains being increased to 2.5 minutes.
"Worse, bus and MRT fares keep going up as transport companies say their cost have increased, but they are just concerned about their big fat profits."
WP's candidate for Nee Soon GRC, John Yam, told supporters to question PAP's job creation figures and how many Singaporeans actually benefited from it.
He said: "With a GDP growth of 14.7 per cent last year, which is mainly contributed by the opening of the two casinos, how many new jobs have you created for us Singaporeans? I challenge the Labour Minister to provide us the statistical breakdown here. How many jobs are actually created for Singaporeans? Please do not lump up the employment figures for Singaporeans and Prs. We need more transparency here.
"The ruling party is importing another 18,000 foreign workers. Many of our loved ones, especially those who are above 45 years old, are facing difficulties for jobs."
He added: "Say no rising HDB prices, say no to higher cost of living, say no to poorer quality of living. To all my foreigner friends, I assure you we are not xenophobic, we are not against you, we are just fighting for the basic rights of our fellow Singaporeans."
Dr Yam also told supporters to question the ruling party's recent announcement of the S$600 million upgrading plan for the constituency.
He said: "Why PAP (People's Action Party) did nothing for five years, and now (announced the) S$600 million upgrading before elections for Nee Soon GRC, whose money is that? PAP money? Will PAP deprive Nee Soon voters of S$600 million if PAP loses the election? Please make this very clear to all Nee Soon voters.... PAP owes them the answer."
