Re: GE: WP's Chen Show Mao
Good evening my fellow Singaporeans. Thank you for coming, walking in the m&d, braving rain, thunder and the lightning bolt.
Some people say that during elections the opposition only talks about how bad things and have nothing good to say. Well, I have good news today for Singapore and the residents of Aljunied GRC.
ZAINAL
The other day Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said, if the Workers’ Party should be elected in Aljunied, Singapore will lose a beautiful picture of multiracial harmony. A beautiful picture with an Indian as President, a Chinese as Prime Minister and a Malay as Speaker of Parliament. This is because Encik Zainal Abidin who is contesting in Aljunied has been earmarked to become our next Speaker if he is elected into Parliament. I admire what Encik Zainal Abidin has done in his long career of public service, and I hope that he will continue to serve Singapore after this election.
The Workers’ Party brings good news to you and Minister Goh, and his beautiful picture. Let me tell you, Encik Zainal Abidin can STILL be the next Speaker of Parliament EVEN if he is not elected MP at this general election. This is because Article 40 of the Singapore Constitution says, “The Speaker may be elected … either from among the MPs … or from… persons who are NOT MPs.” In fact, did you know that Singapore’s very first Speaker, Sir George Oehlers, who served from 1955 to 1963, was not an elected MP? Therefore, my friends, vote the Workers’ Party. Encik Zainal Abidin can serve as Speaker and the Workers’ Party can serve the residents of Aljunied GRC. This is what I call a win-win solution from the Workers’ Party!
Now all of us have a beautiful picture of multicultural Singapore. Multiculturalism is close to our hearts. It is what makes Singapore the Singapore we love. The Workers’ Party Manifesto says that Multi-culturalism should be actively promoted and should form the corner stone of our social policies. It is what we will work towards in Parliament.
HOUGANG
My fellow citizens of Aljunied, I have another piece of good news for you. I know that some of you worry that if Workers’ Party is elected, the value of your property may go down. I can tell you that the story is not so simple. Based on HDB data for the resale of flats in Hougang HDB Town in the last 12 months, the average resale price per sq foot for Model A 4-room flats (which was the most commonly transacted type of 4-room flats) was higher in Hougang SMC than elsewhere in the same HDB Town. So, who knows, the value of your property may go up!
You should know that the Workers’ Party has a proven track record of managing Hougang Town Council, with all credit to the hard work of Mr Low Thia Khiang and dedicated Hougang town councilors. Please come to Hougang for a visit. And you will not only find a clean and well-run neighbourhood but also a vibrant and friendly community. A community that has what we call Hougang Pride! We try to foster a true Kampong spirit in Hougang. Residents are encouraged to take the initiative to organize social activities and community outreach.
The Workers’ Party Manifesto says that we believe in the development of a strong and vibrant community And that the best way to do this is to encourage individuals within the community to serve the neighbourhood to foster the organic growth of a natural community leadership. If we are elected in Aljunied, we will invest not just in hardware but also heartware so that people would want to live in Aljunied BECAUSE of the well-kept neighborhoods and vibrant community life. BECAUSE of Aljunied Pride!
CHANGE
Fellow citizens of Aljunied, I have more good news for you. Some of you worry about change. Minister George Yeo has told us that announced plans for the extension of the North East MRT Line and lift upgrading for housing estates would carry on, even if the PAP team loses. And if the Workers’ Party gets elected, we will work closely WITH the government to implement these plans! The Prime Minister has said that if the PAP loses a GRC, “Life…will…go…on”. The Minister Mentor has said that if the PAP loses Aljunied, it would NOT be the end of the world and they will fight to get Aljunied back. Similarly, the Workers’ Party will work hard to get re-elected. You will have TWO sets of public servants working hard for you in Aljunied in the next five years. So, my fellow citizens, there will be no need to regret or repent when you vote for the Workers’ Party. Instead, we will REVIVE and REJOICE! Vote the Workers’ Party. Towards a First World Parliament.