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During my rounds at Bedok Reservoir yesterday evening, a young resident asked me if I am paid to do my community work. It was a sincere question, and I thanked him for asking. The answer is "not a cent". I told him we as volunteers even spend our own money doing community work. He was surprised, but appreciated the truth. Seems he was told something different by others. He then asked me when I started volunteering. The answer is "since 1999" when I wanted to help those who lost jobs in the Asian Financial Crisis.
Later, another resident asked if the best losers in the elections are paid for their unelected seats in Parliament. [For background, Singapore has a Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) scheme that ensures up to 9 seats for unelected opposition voices alongside the 89-seat Parliament. This will be increased to 12 at the next election. Plus, NCMPs will be given the same voting rights as elected MPs.]
I answered, "yes". Then, he laughed, "but actually, you guys in Aljunied GRC lost by the smallest margin (of less than one percent). Yet, opposition losers gets paid and sit in Parliament while you still walk the ground with no pay and no Parliament seat? Better you join opposition! Le siow ah!" (translated as "are you crazy?")
I decided to let him have the last laugh while I focused on resolving problems faced by a resident. Another day in Aljunied GRC...
Victor Lye Thiam Fatt fb on 20 June 2018