SINGAPORE: Since making history as the first Opposition party in Singapore to win a Group Representation Constituency (GRC) in a General Election in 2011, the Workers' Party “did not impress” and has "fumbled" in managing their Town Council, says former Cabinet Minister Lim Boon Heng.
The former People's Action Party (PAP) Chairman said that these missteps have led to a change in sentiment against the WP, which had seven elected representatives in the 12th session of Parliament, as well as two Non-Constituency Members of Parliament, before it was dissolved on Tuesday.
"Several commentators have said that this GE looks like a fight between PAP and WP. I have a different sensing," Mr Lim told Channel NewsAsia in a written response.
"In 2011, the WP looked to be the credible Opposition party, able to draw impressive talent. Since then there has been a change in sentiment. The WP talent did not impress – wasted their time in Parliament. Then they fumbled in running the Town Council, drawing harsh comments from the judge in court."
In February, the Auditor-General cited the Opposition party for several lapses in its running of the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council, including late transfers into its sinking fund, poor monitoring of Service and Conservancy Charges arrears, and a lack of governance in transactions with related parties.
Mr Lim, a former Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, said the change in ground sentiment could be felt even in Aljunied GRC, where a WP team led by Secretary-General Low Thia Khiang and Chairman Sylvia Lim beat the incumbent PAP slate with nearly 55 per cent of the vote. Earlier this month, WP indicated that it will field the same slate of five candidates in next month’s General Election.
"The mood in the Aljunied divisions has changed from unfriendly to friendly," said Mr Lim, who has been seen on the ground in Aljunied.
"Our branch chairs and activists had a difficult time post-2011 GE. But after persisting with ground work, people are now quite friendly. And increasingly those who need help come to our branches. They know our team is genuinely here to serve. I myself have been to different divisions within Aljunied, and residents encouraged us to visit more often.
"In recent months, some say that the HDB estates are dirtier than before, and sometimes maintenance is patchy. Indeed, some even openly said they hope for a change. Such sentiments give our team great encouragement, but I tell them not to hold their hopes too high."
"THINGS HAVE SETTLED DOWN IN KAKI BUKIT"
The PAP grassroots team at the Kaki Bukit ward in Aljunied was shaken at the end of July, when branch chairman Kahar Hassan stepped down after 16 months in the role. He was subsequently replaced by Mr Shamsul Kamar, a former school head of department. While the events "unsettled" some of the party activists in the ward, the change may have been for the better, said Mr Lim.
"Of course some of our activists were unsettled. We have been fortunate to be able to tap on Shamsul Kamar, who had served as a grassroots volunteer in Kaki Bukit for five years before he went to help Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim in Nee Soon," said Mr Lim, who is also the chairman of Temasek Holdings.
"Things settled pretty quickly. Many old activists returned to help. I was in Kaki Bukit on Saturday, Aug 22, and saw for myself several residents walk up to Shamsul to shake his hand and talk to him. They also sought his help on specific problems. Then on Sunday, Aug 22, at another event, one resident made it a point to tell me that “This one is better!”
"I think people warm up to Shamsul because he is humble, and helpful."
Mr Lim said the team in Aljunied - which also includes Mr Victor Lye, Mr Chua Eng Leong, Ms Chan Hui Yeh and Mr K Muralidharan Pillai - are familiar to the residents, with most having spent years on the ground. He added: "What has come across to many residents they interacted with is that these are people who are committed and sincerely wish to serve.”
Asked if he would consider coming out of political retirement to be part of the PAP team contesting Aljunied GRC, Mr Lim - who was an MP from 1980 until he stepped down ahead of the 2011 General Election - declined to comment.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/sentiment-has-turned/2078028.html
The former People's Action Party (PAP) Chairman said that these missteps have led to a change in sentiment against the WP, which had seven elected representatives in the 12th session of Parliament, as well as two Non-Constituency Members of Parliament, before it was dissolved on Tuesday.
"Several commentators have said that this GE looks like a fight between PAP and WP. I have a different sensing," Mr Lim told Channel NewsAsia in a written response.
"In 2011, the WP looked to be the credible Opposition party, able to draw impressive talent. Since then there has been a change in sentiment. The WP talent did not impress – wasted their time in Parliament. Then they fumbled in running the Town Council, drawing harsh comments from the judge in court."
In February, the Auditor-General cited the Opposition party for several lapses in its running of the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council, including late transfers into its sinking fund, poor monitoring of Service and Conservancy Charges arrears, and a lack of governance in transactions with related parties.
Mr Lim, a former Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, said the change in ground sentiment could be felt even in Aljunied GRC, where a WP team led by Secretary-General Low Thia Khiang and Chairman Sylvia Lim beat the incumbent PAP slate with nearly 55 per cent of the vote. Earlier this month, WP indicated that it will field the same slate of five candidates in next month’s General Election.
"The mood in the Aljunied divisions has changed from unfriendly to friendly," said Mr Lim, who has been seen on the ground in Aljunied.
"Our branch chairs and activists had a difficult time post-2011 GE. But after persisting with ground work, people are now quite friendly. And increasingly those who need help come to our branches. They know our team is genuinely here to serve. I myself have been to different divisions within Aljunied, and residents encouraged us to visit more often.
"In recent months, some say that the HDB estates are dirtier than before, and sometimes maintenance is patchy. Indeed, some even openly said they hope for a change. Such sentiments give our team great encouragement, but I tell them not to hold their hopes too high."
"THINGS HAVE SETTLED DOWN IN KAKI BUKIT"
The PAP grassroots team at the Kaki Bukit ward in Aljunied was shaken at the end of July, when branch chairman Kahar Hassan stepped down after 16 months in the role. He was subsequently replaced by Mr Shamsul Kamar, a former school head of department. While the events "unsettled" some of the party activists in the ward, the change may have been for the better, said Mr Lim.
"Of course some of our activists were unsettled. We have been fortunate to be able to tap on Shamsul Kamar, who had served as a grassroots volunteer in Kaki Bukit for five years before he went to help Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim in Nee Soon," said Mr Lim, who is also the chairman of Temasek Holdings.
"Things settled pretty quickly. Many old activists returned to help. I was in Kaki Bukit on Saturday, Aug 22, and saw for myself several residents walk up to Shamsul to shake his hand and talk to him. They also sought his help on specific problems. Then on Sunday, Aug 22, at another event, one resident made it a point to tell me that “This one is better!”
"I think people warm up to Shamsul because he is humble, and helpful."
Mr Lim said the team in Aljunied - which also includes Mr Victor Lye, Mr Chua Eng Leong, Ms Chan Hui Yeh and Mr K Muralidharan Pillai - are familiar to the residents, with most having spent years on the ground. He added: "What has come across to many residents they interacted with is that these are people who are committed and sincerely wish to serve.”
Asked if he would consider coming out of political retirement to be part of the PAP team contesting Aljunied GRC, Mr Lim - who was an MP from 1980 until he stepped down ahead of the 2011 General Election - declined to comment.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/sentiment-has-turned/2078028.html
