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Bishan-Toa Payoh gets new five-year makeover plan
All incumbent MPs likely to run in GRC, says Wong Kan Seng
By Andrea Ong
THE People's Action Party (PAP) team in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC is all geared up for battle, with its line-up almost finalised and a new plan for improving the constituency in hand.
The line-up will likely not change from the five incumbent MPs: Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng, Education Minister and Second Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen, Central District Mayor Zainudin Nordin, Mrs Josephine Teo and Mr Hri Kumar Nair.
The team is 'almost final', said anchor minister DPM Wong yesterday. Flanked by his four colleagues, he added: 'You can see all of us here.'
Mr Wong was speaking to reporters at the launch of the constituency's new five-year plan.
He said the team's election strategy will be to bank on its track record of improving the estate and community.
The 122,472 voters in the GRC will then have to consider 'which party and which of the candidates will be able to help them with whatever they need'.
'The main strategy for us is to tell our residents that we can do more for them,' said Mr Wong. 'We have been doing this for many years, and all the time when we say that we will carry out some plans, we get them done. So residents know that we do deliver on what we promise.'
Under the new five-year plan, residents can look forward to more greenery. Two three-generation parks, with facilities for young and old, will be ready by next year.
A concrete canal in Bishan Park will be transformed into a river by July next year under the Active, Beautiful and Clean Waters programme by national water agency PUB. Another such project in Bishan East ward will be completed in the next few years.
The five-year plan will also cater to the GRC's ageing population, said Dr Ng. Nearly one in seven residents in Toa Payoh is 65 or older, compared with the national figure of one in 12.
Besides upgrading lifts and improving barrier-free access, a seniors activity centre will be built in Toa Payoh Lorong 1. The number of exercise and fitness facilities for the elderly around the GRC will also be doubled to 50.
Green-friendly features like LED lighting and solar panels will be up in selected blocks. Other improvements include covered plazas and a new pedestrian mall in Toa Payoh Central.
To applause from residents, Dr Ng announced that indoor sports halls will be built in five schools within the constituency. These will also be open to the public.
While Singapore People's Party chief Chiam See Tong intends to form a team to contest the GRC, Mr Wong had questions about his plans for residents.
Speaking in Mandarin, he said: 'As for Mr Chiam, what plans does he have? This, I don't know. Perhaps when the time comes, he will announce what he plans to do for residents.'
This will be the first time Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC is facing a contest since its formation in 1997. Mr Wong welcomed the contest, saying: 'We take his challenge very seriously. After all, Mr Chiam is a veteran MP. He has been in Parliament for as long as I have.'
'We have not let down our guard at all. We are always ready to face any contest by any party that comes here.'
Added Dr Ng: 'I hope both sides will put up our plans for residents, and let the residents of Bishan-Toa Payoh choose. That's what an election means.'
Residents like retired magician Ng Wang Leng, 71, are won over by the PAP's track record. Said Mr Ng: 'I have lived here for 40 years and the PAP has done a good job with the estate. Everything is nicely done.'
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All incumbent MPs likely to run in GRC, says Wong Kan Seng
By Andrea Ong
THE People's Action Party (PAP) team in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC is all geared up for battle, with its line-up almost finalised and a new plan for improving the constituency in hand.
The line-up will likely not change from the five incumbent MPs: Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng, Education Minister and Second Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen, Central District Mayor Zainudin Nordin, Mrs Josephine Teo and Mr Hri Kumar Nair.
The team is 'almost final', said anchor minister DPM Wong yesterday. Flanked by his four colleagues, he added: 'You can see all of us here.'
Mr Wong was speaking to reporters at the launch of the constituency's new five-year plan.
He said the team's election strategy will be to bank on its track record of improving the estate and community.
The 122,472 voters in the GRC will then have to consider 'which party and which of the candidates will be able to help them with whatever they need'.
'The main strategy for us is to tell our residents that we can do more for them,' said Mr Wong. 'We have been doing this for many years, and all the time when we say that we will carry out some plans, we get them done. So residents know that we do deliver on what we promise.'
Under the new five-year plan, residents can look forward to more greenery. Two three-generation parks, with facilities for young and old, will be ready by next year.
A concrete canal in Bishan Park will be transformed into a river by July next year under the Active, Beautiful and Clean Waters programme by national water agency PUB. Another such project in Bishan East ward will be completed in the next few years.
The five-year plan will also cater to the GRC's ageing population, said Dr Ng. Nearly one in seven residents in Toa Payoh is 65 or older, compared with the national figure of one in 12.
Besides upgrading lifts and improving barrier-free access, a seniors activity centre will be built in Toa Payoh Lorong 1. The number of exercise and fitness facilities for the elderly around the GRC will also be doubled to 50.
Green-friendly features like LED lighting and solar panels will be up in selected blocks. Other improvements include covered plazas and a new pedestrian mall in Toa Payoh Central.
To applause from residents, Dr Ng announced that indoor sports halls will be built in five schools within the constituency. These will also be open to the public.
While Singapore People's Party chief Chiam See Tong intends to form a team to contest the GRC, Mr Wong had questions about his plans for residents.
Speaking in Mandarin, he said: 'As for Mr Chiam, what plans does he have? This, I don't know. Perhaps when the time comes, he will announce what he plans to do for residents.'
This will be the first time Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC is facing a contest since its formation in 1997. Mr Wong welcomed the contest, saying: 'We take his challenge very seriously. After all, Mr Chiam is a veteran MP. He has been in Parliament for as long as I have.'
'We have not let down our guard at all. We are always ready to face any contest by any party that comes here.'
Added Dr Ng: 'I hope both sides will put up our plans for residents, and let the residents of Bishan-Toa Payoh choose. That's what an election means.'
Residents like retired magician Ng Wang Leng, 71, are won over by the PAP's track record. Said Mr Ng: 'I have lived here for 40 years and the PAP has done a good job with the estate. Everything is nicely done.'
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