Latest news with #SembawangGRC
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
GE2025: Poh Li San edges out Chee Soon Juan in Sembawang West SMC with 53.19% of the vote
Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE – People's Action Party (PAP) candidate Poh Li San beat Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) secretary-general Chee Soon Juan to secure Sembawang West SMC for the ruling party, with 53.19 per cent of the vote. Ms Poh, 49, who was elected in the 2020 General Election as part of a five-member team in Sembawang GRC, has looked after the Sembawang West ward for the past five years. The senior vice-president at Changi Airport Group had said before the hustings that she was prepared for a tough fight. She eventually prevailed over Dr Chee, 62, one of Singapore's most recognisable opposition politicians. Her pitch to voters included more support for seniors, strengthening mental wellness programmes and speaking up for them in Parliament on jobs and bread-and-butter issues. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, who led the PAP team to win Sembawang GRC, had said he would continue to work closely with Ms Poh and pay close attention to Sembawang West SMC if they were both successful in the polls. Meanwhile, Dr Chee campaigned on several alternative policy proposals, on issues such as healthcare and the economy. These included removing the goods and services tax from basic necessities such as food, medication and education supplies, while raising it to 13 or 14 per cent for luxury goods to compensate for the loss in revenue. He also talked about SDP's healthcare proposal of switching to a national health insurance 'single payer' system for hospital bills. Dr Chee proposed organising town hall meetings to hear residents' issues as this would reduce waiting times at Meet-the-People Sessions. He also committed to being a full-time MP if elected. Ms Poh countered by saying that although his suggestions made for good rally speeches, they demonstrated a lack of understanding of how Meet-the-People Sessions work – offering a safe, private space for residents to talk about their life challenges. 'It is not a town hall for public political theatre,' she said at an April 28 rally. She acknowledged that Dr Chee is passionate and has walked a long political path, but has not served 'a community from within'. She said: 'Passion alone does not build playgrounds, nor support seniors, nor comfort a struggling family.' Sembawang West SMC, with 24,206 voters, was carved out from Sembawang GRC following the release of the report by the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee on March 11. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
Straits Times
03-05-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
GE2025: Poh Li San edges out Chee Soon Juan in Sembawang West SMC with 53.19% of the vote
Ms Poh Li San has looked after the Sembawang West ward for the past five years. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG GE2025: Poh Li San edges out Chee Soon Juan in Sembawang West SMC with 53.19% of the vote Follow our live coverage here. People's Action Party (PAP) candidate Poh Li San beat Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) secretary general Chee Soon Juan to secure Sembawang West SMC for the ruling party, with 53 per cent of the vote. Ms Poh, 49, who was elected in the 2020 General Election as part of a five-member team in Sembawang GRC, has looked after the Sembawang West ward for the past five years. The senior vice-president at Changi Airport Group had said before the hustings that she was prepared for a tough fight but eventually prevailed over Dr Chee, 62, one of Singapore's most recognisable opposition politicians. Her pitch to voters included more support for seniors, strengthening mental wellness programmes and speaking up for them in Parliament on jobs and bread-and-butter issues. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, who helmed the PAP team contesting Sembawang GRC, said he would continue to work closely with Ms Poh and pay close attention to Sembawang West SMC if they were both successful in the polls. Meanwhile, Dr Chee campaigned on several alternative policy proposals, on issues such as healthcare and the economy. These included removing the goods and services tax from basic necessities such as food, medication and education supplies, while raising it to 13 or 14 per cent for luxury goods to compensate for the loss in revenue. He also talked about SDP's healthcare proposal of switching to a national health insurance 'single payer' system for hospital bills. Dr Chee proposed organising town hall meetings to hear residents' issues as this would reduce waiting times at Meet-the-People Sessions, and committed to being a full-time MP if elected. Ms Poh countered by saying that although his suggestions made for good rally speeches, they demonstrated a lack of understanding of how Meet-the-People Sessions work – offering a safe, private space for residents to talk about their life challenges. 'It is not a town hall for public political theatre,' she said at an April 28 rally. She acknowledged that Dr Chee is passionate and has walked a long political path, but has not served 'a community from within'. She said: 'Passion alone does not build playgrounds, nor support seniors, nor comfort a struggling family.' Sembawang West SMC, with 24,206 voters, was carved out from Sembawang GRC following the release of the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) on March 11. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
GE2025: This election's not about ‘who speaks the loudest' but real progress, says PAP's Poh Li San
Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE –With Singapore facing economic uncertainty in a rapidly changing world, this is 'not the time for rhetoric or reinvention' but steady and trusted leadership, said Ms Poh Li San of the PAP. She said: 'This election is not about who speaks the loudest. It is not about personalities. It is about people, it is about purpose, and it is about progress – real, visible, meaningful progress.' Ms Poh, 49, who is facing off against Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan, 62, in Sembawang West SMC, was speaking at a rally at Evergreen Primary School on April 30. A first-term MP for Sembawang West when it was previously under Sembawang GRC, Ms Poh said she had met and helped 10,000 residents, and held more than 500 community events and 140 active ageing gatherings over the last five years. Ms Poh, a senior vice-president at Changi Airport Group, said she understood the pressures that residents face on bread-and-butter issues. Asking for support from voters, she said she will continue to speak up in Parliament for residents, especially on securing jobs in a more challenging economic environment. Ms Poh was joined on stage by her 'extended family' from Sembawang GRC, namely, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, Ms Mariam Jaafar and Mr Vikram Nair, who all spoke at the rally. In his speech, Mr Nair, 46, took a shot at the SDP, which is also contesting Sembawang GRC. Referring to the SDP's manifesto for the constituency, he said: 'What struck me was the complete absence of any plans for the Sembawang and Woodlands towns.' He said that if a person plans to run as a candidate, running a town council should be a first priority and responsibility. However, on April 27, Dr James Gomez, 60, who is leading the SDP team in Sembawang GRC, had told The Straits Times about a Sembawang town plan that proposed facilities such as a bicycle management storage system, air-conditioned co-working spaces, and lifts on all major overhead bridges. At the rally at Evergreen Primary, Ms Mariam noted that some people like to criticise the role of MPs as 'glorified estate managers'. 'I think they completely missed the point,' said Ms Mariam, 48, a managing director and senior partner of the Boston Consulting Group. 'You see, every plan, every improvement we make is because you, our residents, voice the need through house visits, through MPS (Meet-the-People Sessions), e-mail, social media, and these frequent touch points keep us grounded and in touch with your experience and aspirations.' She said: 'People used to call this place Ulu Sembawang. Soon, people will call it U-lala Sembawang!... I didn't make it up. It was a resident who commented on Mr Ong's manifesto video.' In her Malay speech, Ms Mariam, affectionately known as Kakak MJ, said Malay-Muslim organisations such as Mendaki and Muis have come together to help families and youth in Sembawang GRC with their educational and religious needs. She added that she had brought together other Muslim groups to raise about $300,000 for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Ms Poh, who had also spoken in Malay and Mandarin, said she had attended town hall meetings, void deck chats and youth engagement events. She told the audience: 'I have celebrated your milestones and stood by you during challenging times. This is the essence of public service – not just showing up for a speech but standing by you every day after it.' Zaihan Mohamed Yusof is senior crime correspondent at The Straits Times. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
Independent Singapore
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Independent Singapore
Paul Tambyah: Perhaps the People's Association may actually see the light & respect the will of the voters
SINGAPORE: At the Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) rally at Sembawang on Wednesday (April 30), party chair Paul Tambyah touched on the $1 meals made available to Bukit Panjang residents for a whole year from March 2024. Dr Tambyah said a resident brought up the issue recently. 'These meals are very popular. In fact, just this afternoon, a resident of Bukit Panjang told us that he voted for us in GE 2020. But he said that the current MP organised these $1 meals more than a year ago, and he showed me a very colourful brochure where he checked off every month as he got his $1 meals. 'He also mentioned the HDB's Home Improvement Programme, and I told him the money for these programmes came from him and all Singaporeans, as taxpayers. The work of the HDB and the People's Association will continue regardless of who he voted for on Saturday.' The SDP chair, standing against the incumbent from the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) for the second time, said the resident seemed to doubt the answer Dr Tambyah gave him. 'At the end of the visit, he said, 'You know, I like you, but those $1 meals did make a difference to me and my fellow citizens,' he continued, saying that he took note of the resident's point. Dr Tambyah added that he did some research into the matter and said the funding for these meals was provided by the People's Association, headed by the Prime Minister. Although opposition parties do not have access to these funds, Dr Tambyah said the SDP is confident it can find other ways to finance these projects. For example, a resident suggested funding could come from merchants' associations. 'Or perhaps the PA may actually see the light, respect the will of the voters, and appoint the elected MP as grassroots advisor regardless of who is elected as MP this Saturday,' Dr Tambyah added. Meanwhile, SDP secretary-general Chee Soon Juan addressed claims by the PAP's Ong Ye Kung, who heads the party's slate at Sembawang GRC. On Monday (April 28), Mr Ong dismissed the SDP's proposals for housing and healthcare, calling them 'mere populist calls', adding that they do not have 'a snowball's chance' of helping Singaporeans thrive. Dr Chee said he had four words for Mr Ong: 'Criticise first, copy later.' Explaining that this is straight from the PAP's 'favourite playbook', he went on to enumerate some policy proposals that the PAP later adopted, including an unemployment insurance scheme. Dr Chee is standing for election in the newly formed Sembawang West SMC this year, facing the PAP's Poh Li San. The SDP is also fielding a team at Sembawang GRC comprising party vice chair Bryan Lim Boon Heng, James Gomez, Surayah Akbar, Damanhuri Abas, and Alfred Tan. The National Solidarity Party is also contesting at Sembawang GRC, making it a three-cornered fight. 'We can expand social safety nets, provide universal healthcare, reform education to nurture critical thinkers, reduce inequality, and open up policies to be more transparent and responsive. That is the SDP's vision. That is the path to a truly thriving Singapore, one where our people are secure and happy,' he added. /TISG Read also: James Gomez: The academic, activist, and opposition voice contesting Sembawang GRC in GE2025
Straits Times
30-04-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
GE2025: PAP adopts our ideas as policy but won't give us any credit, says SDP's Chee Soon Juan
SDP chief Chee Soon Juan (third from right) and the party's candidates for Sembawang GRC (from left) Damanhuri Abas, Surayah Akbar, Bryan Lim, Alfred Tan and James Gomez at a rally on April 30. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI GE2025: PAP adopts our ideas as policy but won't give us any credit, says SDP's Chee Soon Juan Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE - The PAP has in the past criticised the Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) policy proposals, only to adopt several of them later, said SDP chief Chee Soon Juan. 'During elections, the PAP will slam the opposition for its alternative proposals, and after elections, it will adopt our ideas – but it won't give (us) any credit,' he told the party's supporters on April 30. Speaking at a rally for Sembawang GRC near Sun Plaza just days ahead of the May 3 General Election, Dr Chee laid claim to three proposals by the SDP that have since become policy. The first is an unemployment insurance scheme to provide retrenched workers with temporary financial assistance. Initially criticised in 2016 by then Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam as a 'populist policy', Dr Chee said that eight years later, a very similar policy – the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme – was announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in 2024 . Second, the SDP had proposed a higher income tax for Singapore's top earners to offset a reduction of the goods and services tax (GST) for basic goods. In 2015, the Government announced during the Budget that it would increase taxes on the rich, raising marginal tax rates for the top 5 per cent of income earners. Dr Chee pointed out that the SDP had also called for a minimum wage policy from as early as 2001. However, the policy was rejected by former manpower minister Lim Swee Say 'as a policy that would erode Singapore's competitiveness'. 'Then, in 2012, the PAP introduced a progressive wage model, which is similar to our proposal. It just set the minimum wage of $1,000 for low-income workers in selected sectors,' he said. He added that Health Minister Ong Ye Kung is now doing the same by criticising the SDP's policy proposals for healthcare and housing, claiming they are not feasible or realistic. Mr Ong is helming the PAP team in Sembawang GRC against the SDP and National Solidarity Party (NSP) in a three-cornered fight. During a PAP rally at the same venue on April 28, Mr Ong had scoffed at the SDP's proposals, saying: 'When something sounds so good, it is usually fake.' Said Dr Chee, who is contesting in Sembawang West SMC: 'So may I remind you... first they criticise, then they copy.' Earlier in the night, SDP's five-member Sembawang slate – party vice-chair Bryan Lim, 49; treasurer Surayah Akbar, 42; deputy head of policy James Gomez, 60; as well as party members Damanhuri Abas, 54; and Alfred Tan, 59 – also took turns to rebut Mr Ong's remarks on April 28. They took issue with Mr Ong's claim that the SDP's housing policies appeared to be borrowed from the Progress Singapore Party's playbook, particularly the proposal to remove land costs from the prices of Build-to-Order (BTO) and Sale of Balance flats. Ms Surayah, Mr Damanhuri and Mr Tan pointed out that the SDP had proposed the non-open market BTO flat scheme much earlier, in 2019. Non-open market BTO flats are Housing Board flats that are priced based on construction and administrative costs only, and exclude inflated land costs. 'To accuse the SDP of imitation is not only inaccurate, (but) it also distracts from the real housing issues facing Singaporeans today – runaway resale prices, housing insecurity for young families, and financial burdens on working citizens,' said Ms Surayah. Dr Gomez said that young people want affordable housing to start families sans worries about costs and other expenditures. 'Increasingly, for young people, a home is a place to live, not just to be a stock to flip down the line,' he said. 'For young Singaporeans, what matters most is affordable housing to start their independent lives.' Dr Gomez also reiterated SDP's call for mental health to be a critical component of Singapore's healthcare system. He was backed by Dr Chee, who outlined a vision of Singapore that prioritises happiness and well-being over 'GDP growth at all costs'. He said Singapore should be a place 'where success is not measured by how many foreign billionaires we can attract, but by how secure and supported every Singaporean feels', and where the Government listens and responds beyond election periods. Dr Chee added that the PAP's path is one that 'leads us right back to the problems we are drowning in – an unbearable cost of living, crushing mental stress, (and) a government that gerrymanders instead of listens'. At the rally, SDP chairman Paul Tambyah also shared a vision for a Singapore that includes a mandatory national health insurance scheme, a nationalised pre-school education programme, the removal of the PSLE exam, and greater freedom for individuals to pursue interests beyond traditional pathways, such as in the arts and culture. SDP is the only party to have held rallies every night since they kicked off on April 24. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
