Bt Batok Day 1 Campaign Outlook

PAP appears to have decided on a localised and quiet approach with Tharman coordinating once the candidate was approved at Party HQ level. I can't recall a campaign this low key both by the activities on the ground and the media coverage. Contacts and kakis have indicated that is is a deliberate strategy to avoid highlighting David Ong adultery and to create an atmosphere that it is business as usual and nothing to make a fuss about. The fact that Murali is seen often on the ground with casual wear which is a big no-no for the Party is a telling sign.

Kakis were however divided on the role of "sponsor" or campaign spearhead. In the past Teo Chee Hean's in your face approach and going to the extent of detailing the other party's issue in minutiae is a contrast to Tharman's approach Some felt that the Party chose the approach as Teo's was detrimental to the campaign and one can remember's Low's heavy criticism of Teo's conduct post results while felt that it was personality driven.

"Mural's big lie" in regard to the $1.9M NRP upgrade is now an issue. Both Chee and PT went in hard and hopefully reflects a major change to the quiet but heavy personal level of campaigning. PT's letter was spot on the issue of ethics and possible contravention of the law and Chee's post nomination press conference where he raised the issue of the missing $24 million promised at the last GE is important and effective. I could not help but notice that both Tharman and Murali have not responded. Murali remained silent and Tharman made a minor point a day before nomination. So this has to be the burning issue.

The media is unfortunately doing a terrible job which does not surprise people but seriously how often is there a GE or a BE. And how important it is. Compare the coverage to MediaCorp Prima Donna that knocked the bike. I now know how much the bike cost!.

A tip about SDP media coverage especially their photo taking. I know that Photos are best taken in sunlight so having PT leaving his day job is going to be a challenge. SDP has to manage this. How many parties are lucky to have a full professor from NUS and not some dumb in a party. Chee needs to be shown more often with PT than the ever smiling mini-skirt queen. This is basic political tactic! Murali taking a photo with Sundram was not an epiphany in the politics. These resonate with some segments of the voters and goes in line with their "humble, casual, man of the people" approach" Football always trumps jogging in most countries, Singapore included. Photos with old man wearing wig with jet black hair forming the TC transition team, Tan Kin Lian, and unknown people doing counselling etc are all poor tactics.

"avoid highlighting David Ong adultery and to create an atmosphere that it is business as usual and nothing to make a fuss about"

In the teachings of old, YOU STONE THE ADULTERY & certain religion , you whip the woman in public & in Chinese culture in the past, you cage the woman in a pig carrier & dip her in the river...

what is the fuss about??....you mean, it is not a big fuss "screwing" around....if one is the common variety garden type, that is bad already...but this is BRANDED GOOD....

is the pxp candidate " CELIBATE"...

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/bukit-batok-by-election/2736692.html
Bukit Batok by-election: Candidates take different tacks in campaign push
People's Action Party's Murali Pillai talks about plans to help residents while Singapore Democratic Party chief Chee Soon Juan raises more questions about upgrading promises.

By Yvonne Lim, Channel NewsAsia
Posted 27 Apr 2016 18:16 Updated 28 Apr 2016 08:26

SINGAPORE: One is a long-time grassroots activist who pledges “actionable plans” and not just talk. The other promises to be a full-time MP if elected.

Both candidates in the Bukit Batok by-election wasted no time in getting down to official campaigning on Wednesday (April 27), immediately after it was confirmed at the close of nominations that this would be a straight fight between the People’s Action Party’s Murali Pillai and Singapore Democratic Party chief Chee Soon Juan.

Given one minute each to address their supporters at the Keming Primary School nomination centre, after being officially announced as candidates, lawyer Mr Murali, 48, introduced himself to residents in Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and English. He called on them to help make Bukit Batok “a beautiful place for all of us” and to “vote for a better home, vote for a brighter future”.

Dr Chee, 53, pledged to serve as a full-time Member of Parliament (MP) if elected. “My top priority will be to take care of the housing estate and run the town council in the most productive manner,” he said. He aimed to “make Bukit Batok the envy of Singapore” and to be the residents’ alternative voice in Parliament.

The 25,727 voters of Bukit Batok single-member constituency (SMC) will go to the polls on May 7, after incumbent David Ong resigned over an alleged affair in March.

Over the next nine days, the two candidates are expected to canvass the ground and speak at rallies. Police on have announced two rally sites: Bukit Batok Industrial Park and Bukit Gombak Stadium.

CHEE: ‘DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MURALI AND ME’

Dr Chee launched his official campaign after the close of nominations with a 15-minute press conference at which he spoke about the importance of serving full-time. He also hit out at the PAP for its conditional upgrading plans.

He said: “Bukit Batok residents are looking not just for somebody that they can just go to during Meet-the-People sessions. They want somebody to sit with them, be their friend, to listen to some of their difficulties and then bring it to Parliament.

“This you can only do as a full-time MP. It is just not humanly possible for you to go to work from 9 to 5 and then stay back for more meetings … and then come back 7, 8 o’clock and tell everybody, I’m going to serve you with all my heart.”

He added: “The clear difference here is that every morning when Mr Murali wakes up, his first destination would be his office. When I wake up every morning, my first destination is Bukit Batok. That’s the difference.”

He said he would continue to reach out to the estate’s residents, especially the elderly, at the coffee shops, at home and via social media.

MURALI: ‘NOT JUST TALK’

Mr Murali, meanwhile, chose to hit the campaign trail immediately after a quick media doorstop. The long-time grassroots activist in Bukit Batok walked around the estate and took the feeder bus, meeting and conversing with residents in Mandarin, Malay and Tamil.

He told the media he intended to meet as many residents as possible over the next nine days of campaigning. He intends to explain his plans to them.

“I understand their concerns because we are facing a gloomy economic climate – they are concerned about jobs, concerned about costs for the elderly family members who may be sick, they are concerned about how to uplift their children (particularly) from our low-income families,” he said.

He also noted that if he was elected, Bukit Batok would be part of the bigger Jurong family and enjoy “economies of scale”. As a PAP ward, it would continue under the purview of the Jurong-Clementi Town Council.

Mr Murali, a commercial litigator, added: “I will not just talk in Parliament or on YouTube, but come up with actionable plans on the ground to help Bukit Batok residents.”

PLANS TO SERVE RESIDENTS

Both candidates reiterated their plans for Bukit Batok, which they had unveiled ahead of Nomination Day.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Mr Murali talked about the programmes that he would push for, including setting up a health cooperative, a community job placement programme to help unemployed residents, and a mentorship programme for low-income youth.

“Caring for our residents forms the foundation of my manifesto,” he wrote. “I am also happy to report we have a strong base of passionate volunteers and businesses who can help bring these plans to reality for our residents.”

Dr Chee has thus far announced four broad social initiatives, which include getting households to “adopt” needy families, a financial clinic and a trust fund for the elderly poor. He has said he would contribute part of his MP allowance to kick-start programmes.

But he also spoke of being told “no” by the town council when applying to conduct health screenings for residents recently. “I just don’t want to keep on doing this sort of thing whereby the PAP town council keeps preventing us from serving the residents, and then later on, turn around and say, ‘What have you done for the residents?’,” said Dr Chee.

CHEE QUESTIONS UPGRADING PLANS

The SDP candidate also criticised his PAP rival’s S$1.9 million Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) as typical of the "knee-jerk reaction" every time an election comes around.

“If the PAP was better prepared, why didn't they raise the S$24 million in projects that Mr David Ong promised?” Dr Chee asked, referring to pledges by the former Bukit Batok MP during the 2015 General Election.

He called on the PAP to give a “progress report” on these projects. “What has been done? Has anything been done?... If not, then why not? Were those just promises to entice voters, then you do something else, or worse do nothing else?”

But, he added: “If things are already underway, then I say there is a problem isn’t it? Because if funds have been allocated, contracts signed, regardless of whoever is the MP will continue with this programme.”

Dr Chee repeated his party’s criticism of Mr Murali’s statement on Sunday regarding infrastructural plans for Bukit Batok, including walkways, ramps and a jogging track.

Mr Murali had said: "This plan that we are presenting is part of the PAP Jurong Town Council ... If we don't have the mandate then we don't have the ability to carry on, because we wouldn't form the town council. That's the rules."

In a press release on Wednesday, the PAP reiterated that if a candidate is not elected, his party’s town council cannot be responsible for the ward. “Whoever Bukit Batok residents choose will have the responsibility of leading the town council to implement the NRP,” Mr Murali said when asked about his earlier comments as well.

“Our come-back is that, ‘Look, URA has got this masterplan in place, they are going to be constructing all these projects regardless of who is the MP and … as an MP, I will continue to push for these projects',” said Dr Chee, referring to the Urban Redevelopment Authority's 2013 draft master plan.

Mr Murali was part of the PAP team that contested Workers’ Party-held Aljunied GRC in GE2015, garnering 49 per cent of the vote. He was a party activist in Bukit Batok for years, serving as branch secretary from 2007 to 2011.

He is also first non-Chinese candidate being fielded by the PAP in a by-election since 1979.

Dr Chee contested in the 2015 General Election as part of the four-man SDP team in Holland-Bukit Timah Group Representation Constituency (GRC). They garnered just 34.4 per cent of the votes.

Prior to a period of being barred from standing for election due to bankruptcy, Dr Chee had contested in Marine Parade, MacPherson and Jurong in previous polls.

THE QUINTESSENTAL HEARTLAND WARD

Bukit Batok, created in 1972, has been described by some as embodying the heartland constituency. More than 95 per cent of its residents live in public housing, nearly one-third of them in one- to three-room flats.

Prior to the last GE, it was last contested as a single seat in 1991, when the SDP’s Mr Kwan Yue Keng got 48.2 per cent of the vote in his narrow loss to PAP’s Mr Ong Chit Chung.

The ward then became a part of Bukit Timah GRC, and later Jurong GRC, but was hived off as an SMC in 2015. PAP’s David Ong won with 73 per cent of the vote.

On March 12, 2016 however, Mr Ong resigned over an alleged affair, setting in motion the by-election – Singapore’s third in four years.

In the weeks leading up to Nomination Day, Mr Murali and Dr Chee had been working the ground. The Election Department’s receipt of five applications for a Political Donation certificate, however, threw up the possibility of a last-minute entry to the electoral fight.

However, the noon deadline for nominations on Wednesday (April 27) came and went with only two sets of papers filed.

Turning up at the Nomination Centre, private-hire car driver Shirwin Eu failed to get any assentors; while former SDP member Kwan Yue Keng told reporters he was there only in case Dr Chee was disqualified.

In a statement, the Elections Department said election officials had explained to Mr Eu and Mr Kwan “the requirements and procedure under the law for nomination as an election candidate. Both individuals left after hearing the explanation without filing any nomination papers”.

- CNA/yv

Note it is PAP, a political party that is responding with the press release and not URA, HDB or any other Government agency or official. After the Chan Chun Sing lie about PA, even a Minister does not want to stand behind this claim by PAP. It also contradicts what MP Maliki said in response to WP Pritam Singh's query in Parliament over funding of NRP. The PAP is obviously making things up as they go along. No Town Council since it was formed has ever funded an NRP nor do they have funds. It comes from the treasury and thus taxes.

So why is Tharman and Murali not signing this press release?

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/town-councils-not-ura/2738782.html

Town Councils, not URA, responsible for Neighbourhood Renewal Programmes: PAP
In a statement issued in response to a comment by Singapore Democratic Party chief Chee Soon Juan, the People’s Action Party says Town Councils are responsible for initiating and implementing neighbourhood upgrading plans.

Posted 28 Apr 2016 08:15


SINGAPORE: It is Town Councils, not the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), that is responsible for initiating and implementing upgrading plans for the estates under their charge, the People’s Action Party (PAP) said.

The statement, issued in the early hours of Thursday (Apr 28), was in response to a comment by Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief and Bukit Batok by-election candidate Chee Soon Juan on a Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) for a Bukit Batok neighbourhood.

The plan, unveiled last Sunday by PAP’s candidate for the by-election Murali Pillai, proposed the building of covered walkways and a multi-generational park in Bukit Batok West Avenue 4.

Mr Murali had said: "This plan that we are presenting is part of the PAP Jurong-Clementi Town Council ... If we don't have the mandate then we don't have the ability to carry on, because we wouldn't form the town council. That's the rules."

Dr Chee said on Wednesday at a press conference that the NRP was part of the URA’s masterplan and would go ahead “regardless of who is the MP”.

In response, PAP said: “URA puts together a national masterplan to guide the overall development of land in Singapore. But it is not the URA or any other Government agency that initiates an NRP or is responsible for its implementation.

“The Government funds approved NRPs after they are proposed by Town Councils. And the Town Councils are responsible for implementing the NRPs, from start to finish.

“This means the Town Councils are responsible for prioritising needs within all the estates under their charge, developing detailed plans in consultation with residents, awarding tenders responsibly, overseeing the contractors and finally ensuring maintenance of estate enhancements,” the party said.

“The PAP Jurong-Clementi Town Council takes its responsibilities very seriously. As the SDP says it will run an exemplary Town Council, voters will have to judge if it understands its responsibilities and can carry them out efficiently.”

- CNA/cy

Click to expand...

I must admit I was naive. Thinking I may see a sub-title (note: not expecting headline) of Chee asking what happened to the $24M plan in MSM or who going pay for the $1.9M upgrading.

After searching tonnes of words, found it in normal print, obscured and buried in long paragraphs, under portion about Chee, as in Scroobal's #3 post above.

And kudos to all other oppositions and individuals to avoid getting into this foray, enabling Chee to a straight fight with PAP. If this is not a showdown of the century, I don't know which election is.

Chee should tabulate all questions for Murali to response to show what voters can expect when they put him into parliament. This is a perfect opportunity for chee to show what a real politician should be doing, ie, raising out issues detrimental to citizens. And PLEASE do not just use FB to communicate with BB voters. Many old folks and lower level voters not PC-literate.

Should Chee failed this BE, this may well be his last chance in politics.

Sdp found a good attacking angle from and loads of ammo from the $1.9m and $24m upgrading issues. It would be silly that they give up on these and switch focus to national issues. I expect quite a heavy emphasis on municipal issues this time ironically for a party that had always use national issue as the focal point in the past.

There is a possibility pap out of desperation will bring out csj past to launch personal attack.

Caution Dr Chee. Anything you say during the campaign may be used against you in a court of law, in our case marsupial supreme court. Any defaming rhetoric against any PAP member will be construed as defamation against the entire Cabinet and you may calculate their total worth to see how wide you have to stretch your backside to accommodate their demand for damage.

Cloudy, with occassional showers across the island. Temperatures ranging from cold to lukewarm.

SINGAPORE: It is Town Councils, not the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), that is responsible for initiating and implementing upgrading plans for the estates under their charge, the People’s Action Party (PAP) said.

Click to expand...

Note the key words "initiating and implementing" That means even a SDP TC can initiate and implement NRP and funding has to come from URA or HDB. PAP fucking careful not to use the term "funding". In other words, SDP kickstart the process and see it thru. $$$ from govt which they have to give.

This is why no civil servant will issue such a press report unless you threaten them with unsavoury consequences. Its semantics.

WP and Chiam were fighting for years to have access to funds to initiate their own town council plans. There was also one incident where to fix footpath that ran between Govt and Town Council covers land in Potong Pasir, the Govt refused to cooperate. So they can do all the initiating but no funds will come their way.

kingrant said:

Note the key words "initiating and implementing" That means even a SDP TC can initiate and implement NRP and funding has to come from URA or HDB. PAP fucking careful not to use the term "funding". In other words, SDP kickstart the process and see it thru. $$$ from govt which they have to give.

Click to expand...

"If the PAP was better prepared, why didn't they raise the S$24 million in projects that Mr David Ong promised?” Dr Chee asked, referring to pledges by the former Bukit Batok MP during the 2015 General Election.

He called on the PAP to give a “progress report” on these projects. “What has been done? Has anything been done?... If not, then why not? Were those just promises to entice voters, then you do something else, or worse do nothing else?”

But, he added: “If things are already underway, then I say there is a problem isn’t it? Because if funds have been allocated, contracts signed, regardless of whoever is the MP will continue with this programme.”

---------------------------------------------------

Excellent response!

Looks like either Chee is finally coming of age or has some really good advisors.

halsey02 said:

"avoid highlighting David Ong adultery and to create an atmosphere that it is business as usual and nothing to make a fuss about"

In the teachings of old, YOU STONE THE ADULTERY & certain religion , you whip the woman in public & in Chinese culture in the past, you cage the woman in a pig carrier & dip her in the river...

what is the fuss about??....you mean, it is not a big fuss "screwing" around....if one is the common variety garden type, that is bad already...but this is BRANDED GOOD....

is the pxp candidate " CELIBATE"...

Click to expand...

It is a big fuss when PAP who is supposed to be clean and is committing adultery.. it is really a BIG fuss and people can see it damn clearly.

scroobal said:

Mr Murali had said: "This plan that we are presenting is part of the PAP Jurong Town Council ... If we don't have the mandate then we don't have the ability to carry on, because we wouldn't form the town council. That's the rules."

Click to expand...

Murali, the issue is not about implementation of plans. It's about the source of the funds for the implementation of the plans enunciated, and more importantly, eligibility for such funds.

Why not address the issue head on ? Instead of dribbling around like Sundram, tell the voters straight in the face the source of the funds for your plans, and whether the same voters under a different political party MP are eligible to the use of such funds.

Bonut said:

Murali, the issue is not about implementation of plans. It's about the source of the funds for the implementation of the plans enunciated, and more importantly, eligibility for such funds.

Why not address the issue head on ? Instead of dribbling around like Sundram, tell the voters straight in the face the source of the funds for your plans, and whether the same voters under a different political party MP are eligible to the use of such funds.

Click to expand...

Thanks. In a nutshell that is the real crux of the issue

scroobal said:

MURALI: ‘NOT JUST TALK’

Mr Murali, a commercial litigator, added: “I will not just talk in Parliament or on YouTube, but come up with actionable plans on the ground to help Bukit Batok residents.”

.......................

On March 12, 2016 however, Mr Ong resigned over an alleged affair, setting in motion the by-election – Singapore’s third in four years.

Click to expand...

Therein lies your veiled threat, kelengkia. You are insinuating that whatever plans rolled out by SDP are not actionable because you or your party are going to withhold the funds (belonging to the taxpayers) and turn every actionable plan from SDP into non-actionable ?

As for Mr Ong having resigned over an alleged affair, exactly what allegation are you talking about when Mr Ong himself has admitted and apologized? Do you need CCTV footage of the actions in the RC Karaoke room before you remove the word "alleged" ?

Thick Face Black Heart said:

"If the PAP was better prepared, why didn't they raise the S$24 million in projects that Mr David Ong promised?” Dr Chee asked, referring to pledges by the former Bukit Batok MP during the 2015 General Election.

He called on the PAP to give a “progress report” on these projects. “What has been done? Has anything been done?... If not, then why not? Were those just promises to entice voters, then you do something else, or worse do nothing else?”

But, he added: “If things are already underway, then I say there is a problem isn’t it? Because if funds have been allocated, contracts signed, regardless of whoever is the MP will continue with this programme.”

---------------------------------------------------

Excellent response!

Looks like either Chee is finally coming of age or has some really good advisors.

Click to expand...

Yes power response.
Let's hope BB residents get to read it

Narong Wongwan said:

Yes power response.
Let's hope BB residents get to read it

Click to expand...

My toilet flush spoil. Will Chee fix it free or not? This is chance for residents to get their pound of flesh. If not, they are truly stupid.

Bonut said:

Therein lies your veiled threat, kelengkia. You are insinuating that whatever plans rolled out by SDP are not actionable because you or your party are going to withhold the funds (belonging to the taxpayers) and turn every actionable plan from SDP into non-actionable ?

As for Mr Ong having resigned over an alleged affair, exactly what allegation are you talking about when Mr Ong himself has admitted and apologized? Do you need CCTV footage of the actions in the RC Karaoke room before you remove the word "alleged" ?

Click to expand...

Another gay dumbfuck in the half Indian bastard Jah's league. Ni Na Bu Puah Cheebye never paid attention to the words..."On March 12...." Failed English comprehension and want to keh kiang here?

He is not going to admit neither will the PAP. Sad that we have people who need to lie, omit and deceive to this extent. This is what the residents must realise and make them pay the price. I am sure they will never do this when it involves wards where there a lot of private estates.

Bonut said:

Murali, the issue is not about implementation of plans. It's about the source of the funds for the implementation of the plans enunciated, and more importantly, eligibility for such funds.

Why not address the issue head on ? Instead of dribbling around like Sundram, tell the voters straight in the face the source of the funds for your plans, and whether the same voters under a different political party MP are eligible to the use of such funds.

Click to expand...