GE2020: Promises made by PAP during GE2015 were ‘simply forgotten’ – PSP Francis Yuen
SINGAPORE — Promises made by the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) after it received a strong mandate in the 2015 General Election (GE) were simply forgotten, said Progress Singapore Party (PSP) member Francis Yuen on Saturday (4 July).
The candidate for Chua Chu Kang group representation constituency (GRC) at the upcoming GE said following GE2015, the cost of living kept rising, income inequality widened, and more locals were displaced by foreign workers.
The PSP Central Executive Committee member was speaking during a televised constituency political broadcast. He was accompanied by fellow team members for the GRC, Dr Tan Meng Wah, 57, Choo Shaun Ming, 23, and Abdul Rahman Mohamad, 67, all of whom spoke during the party’s 12-minute broadcast.
“Having a strong mandate does not guarantee strong performance. Their (the PAP) handling of the COVID crisis is a clear example that a strong mandate does not help solve the crisis,” added Yuen, 70.
“On the contrary, it is a strong alternative voice that is more important in today’s environment. We will be facing challenges made worse by the COVID crisis. Challenges on the economic front, challenges on the geopolitical front and challenges on the social front.”
Echoing what fellow PSP members have been saying during walkabouts, Yuen said that the country “would not come to a grinding halt” just because there were alternative voices in Parliament. There was no need to vote in fear because the civil service is neutral and will continue to operate normally, he said.
“We are here not to block or to fix the ruling party. Neither are we here to rock the boat. We are here to ensure a better Singapore,” said Yuen.
As for Chua Chu Kang GRC, Yuen promised to improve amenities in the area, bring back “the kampong spirit” and speed up plans of building hawker centres as well as better manage town councils.
The GRC will see a two-way fight between the PSP and the PAP candidates Health Minister Gan Kim Yong, 61, Low Yen Ling, 45, Don Wee Boon Hong, 43, and Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, 39.
Commenting on the past five years of work in the constituency, Gan said that his team had added new facilities, revamped existing ones as well as pushed out programmes to connect residents.
The minister outlined plans for the GRC in the next five years, which include a range of new facilities, including a Safra Club, a transport hub, the Jurong regional line, and new hawker centres.
Gan, who is also co-chair for the multi-ministry COVID-19 taskforce, also thanked healthcare workers for caring for patients during the pandemic period, adding that he was heartened by volunteers who have stepped forward to assist.
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