VIVIAN to the needy - U want 3 meals in hawker foodcourt or restaurant

††††† said:

Vivian's regret over comment on needy

DR VIVIAN Balakrishnan yesterday expressed regret over a comment he made in Parliament which he described as 'one statement which will haunt me for my entire political life'.

The comment was made in 2007, when the Minister for Community Development and Sports had an exchange with fellow MP Dr Lily Neo, on whether the government could give more money to the poor so that they could afford three meals a day.

He had said: 'How much do you want? Do you want three meals in a hawker centre, food court or restaurant?'

Last night at a rally in Clementi, Dr Balakrishan said that the statement he made 'was wrong'.

He urged Singaporeans to read the entire parliamentary exchange, in which he had gone on to point out that a targeted approach to help needy families who needed additional help was better as the needs of individual families were different.

Yesterday, he said that he made the remark because 'unfortunately for me, I'm one of those ministers who likes to speak without notes and sometimes I make mistakes'.

In 2007 when the issue came up, public assistance was $290 and it now stands at $400.

Dr Balakrishnan said that needy families can also tap on other social assistance schemes such as the CCC ComCare Fund to cover their food expenses.

He added: 'So I'm stating for the record that I believe in helping people, and... I do take action and I will look after each and every single Singaporean.'

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patrickv said:

Vivian the CCB, you will forever be associated with that damn statement. no running away. Go to hell asshole.

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††††† said:

... Last night at a rally in Clementi, Dr Balakrishan said that the statement he made 'was wrong'.
...

Yesterday, he said that he made the remark because 'unfortunately for me, I'm one of those ministers who likes to speak without notes and sometimes I make mistakes' ...

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myfoot123 said:

Now is the time for the needy to tell him to bend down and whether he wanted his ass to be screwed left, right or center.

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††††† said:

Vivian's regret over comment on needy

DR VIVIAN Balakrishnan yesterday expressed regret over a comment he made in Parliament which he described as 'one statement which will haunt me for my entire political life'.

The comment was made in 2007, when the Minister for Community Development and Sports had an exchange with fellow MP Dr Lily Neo, on whether the government could give more money to the poor so that they could afford three meals a day.

He had said: 'How much do you want? Do you want three meals in a hawker centre, food court or restaurant?'

Last night at a rally in Clementi, Dr Balakrishan said that the statement he made 'was wrong'.

He urged Singaporeans to read the entire parliamentary exchange, in which he had gone on to point out that a targeted approach to help needy families who needed additional help was better as the needs of individual families were different.

Yesterday, he said that he made the remark because 'unfortunately for me, I'm one of those ministers who likes to speak without notes and sometimes I make mistakes'.

In 2007 when the issue came up, public assistance was $290 and it now stands at $400.

Dr Balakrishnan said that needy families can also tap on other social assistance schemes such as the CCC ComCare Fund to cover their food expenses.

He added: 'So I'm stating for the record that I believe in helping people, and... I do take action and I will look after each and every single Singaporean.'

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Charlie99 said:

I do not believe that his last statement is sincere. I imagine that he has never been poor. Whereas, one or more of us grew up with no or little pocket money to go to school, unable to afford the 5 cents or 10 cents busfare, hand me down clothes, etc.
I hope all if not almost all Singaporeans will remember his lack of sympathy and empathy for those on public assistance. For a Minister who is paid about $2 million a year, he should have said something like "Well, if the Ministry is unable to increase the $290.00 to $350.00 per month, I will personally contribute or donate $20 per month to each of the 3,000 citizens who needed Public Assistance ($60 x 3,000 = $60,000 per month or $720,000 per year, excluding the income tax benefits of donations).

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††††† said:

DR VIVIAN Balakrishnan yesterday expressed regret over a comment he made in Parliament which he described as 'one statement which will haunt me for my entire political life'.
:
Last night at a rally in Clementi, Dr Balakrishan said that the statement he made 'was wrong'.
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:
Yesterday, he said that he made the remark because 'unfortunately for me, I'm one of those ministers who likes to speak without notes and sometimes I make mistakes'.
:
In 2007 when the issue came up, public assistance was $290 and it now stands at $400.
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:

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sense said:

On behalf of the needy in Singapore who have benefited from the PAs, thank-you.

Please work with Lily Neo to help them further. What Lily Neo said in that debate with you made lots of sense.

You may reduce your guilt further by doing more, a lot more for those who are in need of PAs.

The word in the communities is that your staff are very inefficient in the disbursements of the various schemes that helps the needy. Please act on that and set KPIs for your staff such that those who sit on the application will be punished during the EOY mid-year & EOY appraisal.

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patrickv said:

** pap ***,

what on behalf on the needy? who the **** are u? **********

there is no reason to forgive this half breed ah neh. same species as yellow_people. pui.

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