Opposition MPs, PAP rivals team up for estate upgrading
Hougang and Potong Pasir will use funds to go barrier-free
Nov 6, 2007
Opposition MPs, PAP rivals team up for estate upgrading
Hougang and Potong Pasir will use funds to go barrier-free
By Peh Shing Huei
FOR the first time, Singapore's two opposition MPs and their
opponents from the People Action Party (PAP) have come together to
work on a project to improve their estates.
After years of barbs and battles, the long-time rivals in Hougang
and Potong Pasir are teaming up to create a barrier-free
environment for the elderly and the disabled.
The money for the projects will come from the Community Improvement
Projects Committee (CIPC) fund, the source of much frustration for
the two opposition MPs who have not been able to dip into the kitty
on their own previously.
The CIPC, which reports directly to the Minister of National
Development, disburses funds for minor improvements to
estates.
However, access to the money is possible only through a
constituency's Citizens' Consultative Committee, a grassroots
organisation whose adviser is always a PAP representative.
As a result, the two opposition MPs - Mr Low Thia Khiang in Hougang
and Mr Chiam See Tong in Potong Pasir - have long complained that
the CIPC discriminates against them, denying them money for
improving their estates.
But in this instance, Mr Eric Low in Hougang and Mr Sitoh Yih Pin
in Potong Pasir - the PAP men who had the funds - made the first
move in approaching the MPs, who run the town councils.
They did so as the nationwide move to make Singapore elderly- and
handicapped-friendly would require the building of ramps and
handrails in public places, which come under the purview of a town
council.
This tie-up is a break from the past, when Mr Sitoh, for example,
had avoided the town council by leasing state land from the
Government to build solar lamps and a playground in Potong
Pasir.
National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan told The Straits Times
last night the teaming up was a Government decision, prompted by
the tight deadline to make Singapore estates barrier-free by
2011.
'We have been encouraging them to work together. Both of them have
been responding,' he said, referring to the opposition MPs.
Mr Mah stressed that this project is unlike the Lift Upgrading
Project (LUP), which all constituencies will get, but Hougang and
Potong Pasir are at the end of the queue as they are opposition
territory.
Under the LUP, almost all HDB blocks will have lifts that stop on
every floor by 2014.
On whether the cooperation was a sign of things to come with more
projects undertaken jointly, Mr Mah said: 'If it is a project that
benefits the residents, then I think both the advisers and the town
councils should work together.'
Mr Eric Low said the Workers' Party leader has accepted his offer
of $100,000 for the project.
The PAP man said: 'I asked him to give me the plans on where to
install the ramps and handrails and he has done so.
'I should be able to approve it within the next two weeks.'
Mr Low Thia Khiang confirmed with The Straits Times that he had
handed over a plan but declined to elaborate.
Mr Sitoh also said he is working with Potong Pasir's town council
and added: 'This project is for the good of the residents.'
Mr Chiam welcomed the move last night, saying it is a 'very
sensible thing'.
'I have met residents who are in wheelchairs and they need to have
barrier-free places,' said the Singapore Democratic Alliance
chairman.
Mr Eric Low said the upgrading will be done across the estate where
over one-quarter of the residents are approaching their 60s or
older.
'Just as Mr Low said that he does not oppose for the sake of
opposing, I also do not oppose for the sake of opposing,' he
added.
'And don't forget that I'm the opposition in Hougang.'
Hougang residents like retiree Chew Hiang Tiak are delighted. Said
the 69-year-old: 'It's good the politicians put aside their
differences to work for the residents. There are lots of old people
here, so these changes will make our lives easier.'
Mr Eric Low and Mr Sitoh ran against the incumbents in the 2001 and
2006 General Elections, and lost both times.
Following their failure last year, the PAP suspended its weekly
Meet-the-People sessions indefinitely in both wards.