Latest news with #MadamKala
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
GE2025: Opposition strengthens Govt with new ideas, debates on issues, says RDU's Kala Manickam
Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE – Having opposition MPs in Parliament would strengthen, not weaken, the Government because they bring new ideas and perspectives to the table, Red Dot United's (RDU) Kala Manickam said. The Jurong Central SMC candidate was asked during a walkabout in Jurong Central Plaza on April 29 about Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's statement during the Fullerton rally the day before, when he said having more opposition voices would weaken the Government amid challenging times. Madam Kala said: 'We are actually bringing in new ideas and co-creating, and we can debate on topics and issues, which is best for Singaporeans.' 'How can they say that the opposition coming in will weaken the Government? In fact, it will be better,' added the 57-year-old, who previously contested Nee Soon GRC in 2020 as part of the PSP. Madam Kala was also asked for her comments on Sustainability and the Environment Minister Grace Fu's rally speech on April 28, during which the latter said tough decisions like raising the goods and services tax always come with trade-offs. The Government recognises the struggles faced by those with little or no income, Ms Fu had also said. In response, Madam Kala said Singaporeans are stretched because of PAP's policies. If the policies are 'able to provide stress relief and happiness, then people may not necessarily seek out opposition parties', she added. Madam Kala said: 'Who comes up with the policies? It's PAP. We only have 12 opposition party members in Parliament, how much can they do? They don't have a say in what is passed through because we don't have a one-third majority.' In Singapore, constitutional amendments require the support of a two-thirds majority in Parliament. 'Basically, they created the policy, they stretched the people, and now they're saying it is very challenging. They need to review themselves,' the former SAF officer said. Madam Kala also disagreed with Ms Fu's statement on April 28 that debates do not lead to better policies and good governance. The RDU candidate said credible opposition candidates can speak up on issues in a mature manner, and there will be 'a very instructive culture' if there are no debates in Parliament. She added: 'Are you saying that when children have debates in school and open up and speak up, it's not healthy for the teachers or the principal? It is developing a 'thinking society'.' Madam Kala also countered what Ms Fu said about it being easy for the opposition to ask the Government to give out money to Singaporeans, but their proposals lack detail on where the money will come from. Madam Kala said: 'We have a surplus of Budget every year. Why can't we take certain portions from the surplus Budget?' She added that it would help people if part of the surplus can be distributed to the people as a $200 dividend – a proposal in the RDU manifesto. This proposed dividend is expected to cost between $2 billion and $4 billion, RDU secretary-general Ravi Philemon said previously, adding that the proposal would not dip into the national reserves. Madam Kala said: 'If we are really unable to take from the Budget's surplus, then I will find ways to raise money.' She added: 'Raising money in Singapore is not a difficult thing, because Singaporeans are very kind and good-hearted people. When there are disasters in any country, Singaporeans are the first ones to actually donate money.' Madam Kala said she hopes to emulate President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who used to anchor Jurong GRC when he was part of the PAP. Jurong Central SMC comprises part of the former GRC, as well as portions of the former Yuhua SMC. She said: 'Residents hold him in very high respect – they told me Mr Tharman is a very nice and a very compassionate man. That is the path I want to walk. 'If they can love Tharman, they can love Kala also.'
Straits Times
30-04-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
GE2025: Red Dot United raises unemployment and job security issues at rally for Jurong Central SMC
Jurong Central candidate Kala Manickam (fourth from left) got emotional when she said she has met many individuals who were retrenched, or jobless and unable to find a job. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE – Unemployment and job security were key issues raised by opposition party Red Dot United (RDU) at a rally on April 30, with candidates sharing personal stories and highlighting examples of how some Singaporeans have fallen through the cracks. Several of the 12 candidates who spoke at the field at Boon Lay Way called for fair job opportunities and sensible approaches to immigration as solutions to address job security issues. Jurong Central candidate Kala Manickam got emotional when she said she has met many individuals who were retrenched, or jobless and unable to find a job, despite sending in countless resumes. 'In all these years, one thing continues to be a pain, very deeply – even with the reskilling, upskilling, cross-skilling, whatever skilling, even with hard work, too many Singaporeans remain unemployed or under-employed,' added Madam Kala. She added that if elected, she will step forward to advocate for the dignity of Singaporeans. 'Gainful employment isn't just about money, but is also related to mental health, family stability and national pride,' she said, adding that children are the most affected in such situations. 'The mental well-being of our young people is being affected and many of them are going through (it) in silence,' she said, before taking a moment to compose herself. Madam Kala also commended her PAP opponent, incumbent first-term MP Xie Yao Quan, for his efforts to walk the ground and introduce support programmes to help with the cost of living and ageing. 'That's commendable, but we must be honest with ourselves, these are basic expectations of an MP,' she said, adding that many residents have told her that Mr Xie does not speak up for them in Parliament. 'That is the key issue. A leader must be more than pleasant; he must be bold and courageous,' said the former Singapore Armed Forces officer. In their rally speeches, several speakers also said ministerial salaries should be lowered. The party's candidate for Nee Soon GRC Pang Heng Chuan said: 'Ministers want million-dollar salaries, justified as competitive pay. Fine. But if they want CEO pay, they must accept CEO accountability.' When something goes wrong, 'their heads must roll, not the juniors', said Mr Pang, who is a director at an international company. 'Trim the waste at the top and use it to strengthen the backbone of this nation, housing, healthcare, eldercare and job support,' he said. Holland-Bukit Timah GRC candidate Emily Woo suggested pegging ministerial pay to median wages so that 'leaders are invested in growing the incomes of all, not just the top 10 per cent'. This is on top of removing 'duplicate office holders' and reducing the number of mayors, she said. Nee Soon GRC candidate Sharon Lin hit back at Sustainability and the Environment Minister Grace Fu, who at a PAP rally on April 28 said the goods and services tax increase allows Singapore to tax tourists, as well as people who have no income here but spend on items like cars and watches. In Mandarin, Ms Lin said visitors are only in Singapore for three to five days, and they are also eligible for a tax refund. 'But Singaporeans have to live here and pay GST every day, whether you're a student, an unemployed person or a low-income family,' she said. RDU secretary-general Ravi Philemon urged residents in the four constituencies RDU is contesting in to vote for them. The RDU is going head-to-head with the PAP in Jurong East-Bukit Batok, Holland-Bukit Timah and Nee Soon GRCs and Jurong Central SMC. Mr Philemon, who is standing in Nee Soon GRC, said a greater opposition presence in Parliament would provide a check and balance for the ruling party. 'It is time to bring yang into society. We are the yang to the yin of the PAP,' he said. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
GE2025: Opposition strengthens Govt with new ideas, debates on issues, says RDU's Kala Manickam
Red Dot United party candidate Kala Manickam for Jurong Central SMC during a walkabout at a wet market at Jurong Central Plaza on April 29. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE - Having opposition MPs in Parliament would strengthen, not weaken the Government, because they bring new ideas and perspectives to the table, Red Dot United's (RDU) Kala Manickam said. The Jurong Central SMC candidate was asked during a walkabout in Jurong Central Plaza on April 29 about Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's statement during the Fullerton Rally the day before, where he said having more opposition voices would weaken the Government amid challenging times. Madam Kala said: 'We are actually bringing in new ideas and co-creating, and we can debate on topics and issues which are best for Singaporeans.' 'How can they say that the opposition coming in will weaken the Government? In fact, it will be better,' added the 52-year-old, who previously contested Nee Soon GRC in 2020 as part of the PSP. Madam Kala was also asked for her comments to Sustainability and the Environment Minister Grace Fu's rally speech on April 28, where the latter said tough decisions like raising the GST always comes with trade-offs. The Government recognises the struggles faced by those with little or no income, Ms Fu had also said. In response, Madam Kala said Singaporeans are stretched because of PAP's policies. If the policies are 'able to provide stress relief and happiness, then people may not necessarily seek out opposition parties', she added. Madam Kala said: 'Who comes up with the policies? It's PAP. We only have 12 opposition party members in Parliament, how much can they do? They don't have a say in what is passed through because we don't have a one-third majority.' In Singapore, constitutional amendments require the support of a two-thirds majority in Parliament. 'Basically, they created the policy, they stretched the people, and now they're saying it is very challenging. They need to review themselves,' the former SAF officer said. Madam Kala also disagreed with Ms Fu's statement on April 28, that debates do not lead to better policies and good governance. The RDU candidate said credible opposition candidates can speak up on issues in a matured manner, and there will be 'a very instructive culture' if there are no debates in Parliament. She added: 'Are you saying that when children have debates in school and open up and speak up, it's not healthy for the teachers or the principal? It is developing a 'thinking society'.' Madam Kala also countered what Ms Fu said about it being easy for the opposition to ask the Government to give out money to Singaporeans, but their proposals lack in detail on where the money will come from. Madam Kala said: 'We have a surplus of Budget every year. Why can't we take certain portions from the surplus Budget?' She added it would help people if part of the surplus can be distributed to the people as a $200 dividend - a proposal in the RDU manifesto. This proposed dividend is expected to cost between $2 and $4 billion, RDU secretary-general Ravi Philemon said previously, adding that the proposal would not dip into the national reserves. Madam Kala said: 'If we are really unable to take from the Budget's surplus, then I will find ways to raise money.' 'Raising money in Singapore is not a difficult thing, because Singaporeans are very kind and good-hearted people. When there are disasters in any country, Singaporeans are the first ones to actually donate money.' Madam Kala said she hopes to emulate President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who used to anchor Jurong GRC when he was part of the PAP. Jurong Central SMC comprises part of the former GRC, as well as portions of the former Yuhua SMC. She said: 'Residents hold him in very high respect - they told me Mr Tharman is a very nice and a very compassionate man. That is the path I want to walk.' 'If they can love Tharman, they can love Kala also.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
