Latest news with #JurongEast-BukitBatokGRC
Straits Times
28-04-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
GE2025: Opposition's plans to put money in people's pockets lack details on funding, says Grace Fu
Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said the proposals by opposition parties stop short of suggesting who will pay for their promises. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE - Opposition parties want to put more money in people's pockets by cutting GST rates, but their proposals stop short of suggesting who will pay for their promises, said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu on April 28. Hitting back at Red Dot United (RDU), whose chief Ravi Philemon had, in a televised round-table discussion on April 27, suggested cutting the goods and services tax from 9 per cent to 7 per cent, Ms Fu said: 'It is easy for the opposition to criticise. Our opposition here wants to put more money in everyone's pocket. 'So good, such a lovely idea. But it is hard to pay for. After these nine days, after all the promises that have been made, who in the opposition is here to sign the cheques?' said Ms Fu, who is the anchor minister of the PAP team contesting Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC. 'Who will pay for their promises? Is it the Government? The Government is only the custodian for Singapore. Ultimately, it is Singaporeans who will pay, either Singaporeans today, like you and me here, or Singaporeans of the future, your children,' she added. The PAP team will face RDU at the May 3 polls. Addressing the crowd at a rally at Jurong East Stadium, Ms Fu – who was one of 12 speakers at the event – said the decision to increase the GST was not an easy one. But the GST allows Singapore to tax tourists, as well as people who have no income here but spend on items like cars and watches, she added. She said the Government understands the pain caused by the GST on people with low or no income, adding that this is why the GST increase is accompanied by a 'permanent' support system, which includes the GST Voucher programme and other rebates to help the lower- and no-income households. 'We may be taking a chicken wing from you, but we are giving you a whole chicken,' she said. The GST was raised from 7 per cent to 9 per cent over two years, in 2023 and 2024. This increase has been a focal point of criticism by many opposition parties on the campaign trail, with the WP, PSP and Singapore Democratic Party calling for a rollback to 7 per cent or less to alleviate cost-of-living pressures. During RDU's first rally on April 26, the party's candidates zeroed in on other bread-and-butter issues, such as public housing affordability and the cost of living. Some candidates also portrayed the ruling party as being out of touch with the issues Singaporeans are facing, and said that opposition voices are needed in Parliament so they can speak up for residents. But Ms Fu said more debates do not give Singaporeans better policies and good governance. She added: 'We see countries with flowery debates, many different colours, many different parties, long debates in Parliament. Do they give you better policies? They give you policies that lead nowhere.' Acknowledging residents' concerns about jobs and the rising cost of living, she assured them that her team knows what the residents in Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC and Jurong Central SMC are going through. For instance, to alleviate the cost of living for residents in Yuhua, where she was the MP for 20 years, Ms Fu said initiatives such as vouchers, financial assistance, as well as food rescue programmes were rolled out. The Yuhua single seat is now part of Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC. 'These initiatives give immediate help, practical help; even in the smallest of gestures, they can make a difference in addressing cost-of-living concerns,' Ms Fu said. She also outlined the PAP's plans for those who worry about employment, which include matching residents to jobs in the community, creating micro-jobs like sewing for stay-at-home residents and holding job fairs for middle-aged workers. Ms Fu likened the community in Jurong East-Bukit Batok and Jurong Central to a kampung where residents in the community step in to help one another. 'Over the past five years, we have lived through a turbulent time – we had the pandemic, the rise in inflation, and we watched the world become uncertain,' she said. She also said in Mandarin that the world may be roiled in much uncertainty, but the ruling party has extensive experience in international negotiations. The PAP also brought the country through the Covid-19 pandemic and has the ability to stabilise the economy, she added. 'Our single-minded focus is to look after and serve you. Not just to get a ticket to Parliament ,' she said. 'And we want to build a Singapore where your hard work matters, where dignity is protected, where no one is left behind.' During the rally, Ms Fu was joined by her teammates contesting Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC. They include Minister of State for Law and Transport Murali Pillai, Minister of State for Health and Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam, political newcomer David Hoe, and Mr Lee Hong Chuang, who contested the Hougang single seat in the 2015 and 2020 elections. The PAP's candidate for Jurong Central SMC, Mr Xie Yao Quan, who had served the ward since 2020 as a Jurong GRC MP, also made a pitch to residents at the rally, which kicked off with speeches from party volunteers who drummed up support for the PAP's slate. RDU is fielding a team which has two candidates with political experience in Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC. They include entrepreneur and author Liyana Dhamirah, who was an RDU candidate for Jurong GRC in 2020, and waste management company director Osman Sulaiman, who was a Singapore People's Party candidate in 2020. The RDU team is rounded out by contemporary artist Benjamin Puah, marketing agency director Marcus Neo and principal software engineer Harish Mohanadas. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
CNA
28-04-2025
- Business
- CNA
GE2025: Singaporeans must reject populism, polarisation and post-truth politics, says PAP's Murali Pillai
SINGAPORE: Warning that there have been political systems elsewhere that turned "dysfunctional" due to polarisation, Minister of State for Transport and Law Murali Pillai said on Monday (Apr 28) that it is more difficult to make nuanced and truthful speeches about economic issues, even though it is the 'right thing to do'. When it came to competing ideas such as lowering business costs and uplifting workers' wages, for example, Mr Murali said a more nuanced take is what's needed to help weak businesses and workers who are truly underpaid. 'What would be irresponsible is to turn workers against businesses. That is polarising,' said Mr Murali. Polarisation, populism and post-truth politics are what Singaporeans must reject from taking root here, said the minister of state. Mr Murali was speaking at his party's rally at Jurong East Stadium, which featured speakers from the Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC – which he is contesting in – and Jurong Central SMC. He was previously Member of Parliament (MP) for Bukit Batok SMC, which has been folded into the newly formed Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC in the latest electoral boundaries report. His teammates are Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, new face David Hoe, former Hougang candidate Lee Hong Chuang, and Minister of State for Health, Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam. PAP's Xie Yao Quan, who is contesting Jurong Central SMC, also spoke at the rally. The PAP's Jurong East-Bukit Batok team and Mr Xie will be facing the Red Dot United's (RDU) slate in the polls on May 3. In his speech, Mr Murali gave an example of a speech by a MP during the Budget debate this year, though he did not name who it was or which party the MP came from. Mr Murali said that the MP highlighted how 'costs are spiralling', causing local businesses not to do well. On the other hand, Mr Murali said another MP from the same party stated that wages for workers are too low, and should be raised. 'Now, if both messages were saved by the same person, the audience will be confused. If the cost is too high, how can wages be too low? It can, if you are populist,' said Mr Murali. 'One will sound good to SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) bosses, and the other message will sound good to the workers. These are not hard truths, these are half-truths, and they create a house of cards.' "If you really want to make a difference, we would have to make a more nuanced speech. And in this speech, which is admittedly more difficult, we have to realise something, that not all businesses are weak and not all workers are underpaid," he said. "So if we identify the weak companies and the workers who aren't who are underpaid, then we will be able to take steps to resolve the issues, and that's the right thing to do." Mr Murali has previously spoken against populism in Parliament, such as during the Budget 2024 debate, noting at the time that there was bipartisan support from the PAP and the Workers' Party to stand against populism in Singapore. BEING A RESPONSIBLE POLITICIAN In his rally speech, Mr Murali also spoke about the importance of being a responsible politician. He said that around the world, politicians are routinely ridiculed and lampooned. 'Politicians in turn, make populist promises, easy choices, they say, give the people what they want,' he said, disagreeing with such an approach. 'To me, politics means using power for the good of the people, not just for now, but for the future.' He said that politicians should also uphold values such as honesty, integrity and responsibility. 'In life, things can go wrong, and when they go wrong, politicians should not duck. They should accept responsibility, square with Singaporeans,' said Mr Murali. 'Be transparent. Look at the problems and make the system stronger. That should be the way.' This message came to him in "a very personal way" in November 2019, said Mr Murali, citing a fatal fire that happened in Bukit Batok. During the firefighting efforts, SCDF found out that the wet water riser did not work as it had been accidentally switched off. 'This wet riser system is maintained by a specialist contractor of the town council. When I learned of this, I took political responsibility,' he said. 'We took care of the family as best as we could. We took care of the funeral expenses. We bought them replacement furniture. We also got them alternate accommodation. We got them lawyers to claim compensation.' Rounding off his speech, Mr Murali said that Singapore's founding fathers have built the nation into the metropolis that it is today by overcoming odds and being united. "We need to rediscover our pioneering spirit, because the world order is deteriorating," he said. "And we can only do that, if we have the right politics, the right politicians and we remain strong and united." Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC was formed from a merger of Bukit Batok SMC and parts of Jurong GRC, Yuhua SMC and Hong Kah North SMC following the latest electoral boundaries review. The GRC has 142,510 voters. During the 2020 General Election, Mr Murali won Bukit Batok SMC with 54.8 per cent of votes, defeating Singapore Democratic Party chief Chee Soon Juan, who is now standing as a candidate for Sembawang West SMC .
Straits Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
PAP's Lee Hong Chuang banks on decades of grassroots experience in bid to enter Parliament
Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE – He may become a first-time MP at age 55 after this General Election, but Mr Lee Hong Chuang says he is not a novice in helping residents solve their problems. He said he has decades of volunteering experience and has been a PAP activist since 2004. Mr Lee also contested, and lost, in the last two GEs as the PAP candidate for the Hougang single seat. The former national gymnast is part of the ruling party's Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC team in this election, standing in the Hong Kah North ward there. The PAP team is headed by Sustainability and the Environment Minister Grace Fu and includes Ministers of State Murali Pillai and Rahayu Mahzam, as well as newcomer David Hoe. Asked about the move from Hougang to the GRC, Mr Lee said: 'I think the party would actually deploy us to whichever area that best suits us, to position us to (where) we can help the community the most. That's my thinking.' While he may be a new face in the GRC for now, Mr Lee said he brings with him 30 years of community volunteering experience to help residents resolve their issues. 'I may not have 'official political experience', but whatever I'm doing, other than not going to Parliament, I'm doing it as if I'm one of (the elected MPs),' he said, before an evening walkabout in Bukit Batok on April 26. He said he is able to 'go into deeper conversations' with residents on the issues they face when he walks the ground, because he prefers to go on walkabouts alone. The lack of an entourage of volunteers, he believes, would put residents more at ease. When he comes across issues that he feels require immediate attention, Mr Lee said he would want to act on it immediately. 'They must be able to know that there are people who really care for them, and there are things that they can look forward to, and not like I told you something and I don't hear from you,' said Mr Lee, who works for an IT multinational corporation. He added that he takes time to explain to residents why some requests, such as for infrastructural upgrades, may take time, or why they should participate in national schemes such as SkillsFuture. Mr Lee said the nine days of election campaigning is 'a crash course' and he has been walking the ground, even visiting the same coffeeshop at different times of the day to catch different crowds. Mr Lee is among only a handful of non-incumbent PAP candidates in this election who are 50 or above, with the majority in their 30s or 40s. If elected, he believes '50s is a good time to start' as an MP, as 'everything has stabilised'. He noted that people in their 20s may also need to focus on building their careers, while those in their 30s may also need to juggle their families, children and duties as an elected representative. Mr Lee said: 'My kids are grown up and in their 20s, so I don't have to be too worried about them, and I have the privilege of having more time to focus on the community.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
AsiaOne
26-04-2025
- Business
- AsiaOne
'You get the GST cash twice a year, but you pay GST every day': RDU's Philemon calls for GST to be lowered in first GE2025 rally
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) should be lowered back to seven per cent, said Red Dot United's (RDU) secretary-general Ravi Philemon on Saturday (April 26) at the party's first rally in this General Election. The sparse crowd at the Bukit View Secondary School, numbering just about a hundred or so, broke into a smattering applause as Philemon spoke of reducing GST. "You get the GST cash twice a year, but you pay GST every day," he said. "Give chicken wing and take back the whole chicken." He also spoke about the difficulties of finding jobs after retrenchment in Singapore with a high inflow of foreign workers. "It is not unreasonable to ask for steady jobs and steady incomes," he said. "We don't want freelancing jobs," Philemon said. "Many of us, we have families children and commitment. Even if you are single, you still have bills to pay. "Largely, Singaporeans feel like we are digging deeper into our pockets." He shared that in the party's walkabouts, residents have shared they feel like "second-class citizens". "Singaporeans have to be first-class citizens in their own home," he said. "Make Singapore fairer for all who call it home." He outlined RDU's proposed schemes targeting economic, housing and healthcare issues, with the new 5Cs: CDC vouchers, cash handouts, CPF top-ups, conservancy rebates, and CHAS card discounts. Philemon also promised to prioritise citizens in housing, jobs and opportunities, and to push for more transparency of national data and information. There were cheers when RDU's candidates for Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC took the stage. Liyana Dhamirah, who is recontesting in the GRC, riled up the crowd when she asked: "Have your lives improved in the past five years?" Liyana shared that she met a resident who had to choose between going for a medical appointment or buying a meal. "How dignified is it to have to depend on handouts to survive," she said as she acknowledged Government support schemes. Fellow candidate Osman Sulaiman said: "Tackling the cost of living isn't a slogan for us. It's our priority." Philemon took to the stage again just before the rally ended at 10pm. Standing with his party members, he said Singaporeans should forge a "new social compact" that is based in collective prosperity, housing security and resilient economy. Philemon then asked the crowd to take the pledge together and started chanting "RDU" before the rally ended. Fifteen candidates will represent RDU across four constituencies at Jurong Central SMC;Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC; Holland-Bukit Timah GRC and Nee Soon GRC, where Philemon is heading its five-member slate. All 15 candidates spoke at the rally. For our GE2025 microsite, visit here. [[nid:717249]]
AsiaOne
26-04-2025
- Business
- AsiaOne
'You get the GST cash twice a year, but you pay GST every day': RDU's Philemon calls for GST to be lowered in first GE2025 rally, Singapore News
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) should be lowered back to seven per cent, said Red Dot United's (RDU) secretary-general Ravi Philemon on Saturday (April 26) at the party's first rally in this General Election. The sparse crowd at the Bukit View Secondary School, numbering just about a hundred or so, broke into a smattering applause as Philemon spoke of reducing GST. "You get the GST cash twice a year, but you pay GST every day," he said. "Give chicken wing and take back the whole chicken." He also spoke about the difficulties of finding jobs after retrenchment in Singapore with a high inflow of foreign workers. "It is not unreasonable to ask for steady jobs and steady incomes," he said. "We don't want freelancing jobs," Philemon said. "Many of us, we have families children and commitment. Even if you are single, you still have bills to pay. "Largely, Singaporeans feel like we are digging deeper into our pockets." He shared that in the party's walkabouts, residents have shared they feel like "second-class citizens". "Singaporeans have to be first-class citizens in their own home," he said. "Make Singapore fairer for all who call it home." He outlined RDU's proposed schemes targeting economic, housing and healthcare issues, with the new 5Cs: CDC vouchers, cash handouts, CPF top-ups, conservancy rebates, and CHAS card discounts. Philemon also promised to prioritise citizens in housing, jobs and opportunities, and to push for more transparency of national data and information. There were cheers when RDU's candidates for Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC took the stage. Liyana Dhamirah, who is recontesting in the GRC, riled up the crowd when she asked: "Have your lives improved in the past five years?" Liyana shared that she met a resident who had to choose between going for a medical appointment or buying a meal. "How dignified is it to have to depend on handouts to survive," she said as she acknowledged Government support schemes. Fellow candidate Osman Sulaiman said: "Tackling the cost of living isn't a slogan for us. It's our priority." Philemon took to the stage again just before the rally ended at 10pm. Standing with his party members, he said Singaporeans should forge a "new social compact" that is based in collective prosperity, housing security and resilient economy. Philemon then asked the crowd to take the pledge together and started chanting "RDU" before the rally ended. Fifteen candidates will represent RDU across four constituencies at Jurong Central SMC;Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC; Holland-Bukit Timah GRC and Nee Soon GRC, where Philemon is heading its five-member slate. All 15 candidates spoke at the rally. For our GE2025 microsite, visit here. [[nid:717249]]
