"Average Singaporean" MP

casefan SG

A letter in today’s ST (25th Mar) forum page by a reader stating how it would be better if an MP were to be an “average Singaporean”. Such an MP would better understand the needs/concerns of the man in the street. Someone who is a CEO, company director, doctor, lawyer and the like would be less likely to be able to relate with the difficulties faced by the average Singaporean. Relying on the feedback by grassroot people isn’t always prudent. If the candidate for the coming election is an average Singaporean, I will be more inclined to vote for him. What do you think?

NewAge SG

I just prefer a MP that is not dam rich, takes public transport and live in HDB smaller than 5 rooms. That will enable him to know what the middle class feel about policies especially if it links to price hike.

LazerLordz SG

I do not want another CEO MP who will probably not STAY in the GRC he is responsible for.

Worship of a paper. What a sad, pathetic policy.

Get the meaning of a MP right..

LittleTiger SG

fully agreed. They never know our hardship.
keep asking company to slash our bonus and paid but themselves are getting fat bonuses and salary.

Atobe SG

It will be interesting to see a summary of " Types of Houses " that our elected Members of Parliament live in - a list for those from the Ruling Political Party, and those from all the Opposition Parties.

Will it surprise anyone if the MPs from the Ruling Political Party are all living in 'landed properties' - averaging MILLION plus per house ?

With Ministers earning annual salaries of A MILLION Plus, and Members of Parliament selected from those with successful Public or Private Careers earning similar mega-bucks, can they have any first hand experience to the difficulties encountered by those ekeing below subsistance levels, or those in the Lower Income, as well as the struggling Middle Income Groups ?

Who is the " average Singaporean " who can make it as a Member of Parliament ?

The " average Singaporean " need to have a minimum tertiary education, at least a career that is independent of Government licensing requirements, and most importantly a cupboard empty of any skeletons.

cornyfish2000 SG

How to have "average Singaporean MPs" when all MPs are paid an allowance in excess of $13k/month, and given some high post in NTUC which will earn them somemore on top of their MP allowance? Laughing

These perks will straightaway catapault them from HDB heartlander to District 10 bungalow dweller, from Nissan Sunny driver to BMW owner. They will no longer be 'average', they will no longer squeeze for the MRT, they will no longer go to coffeeshops... till election time. It really doesn't make a difference what bloody background they come from.. the perks are so lucrative that they wouldn't dare to speak up against the govt (Party) and risk losing their new found wealth and status.

That's why i wanted to laugh when i read about the 3 new PAP candidates who said they would not think twice to speak their views, even if they run contrary to the Party's opinions. And what do they have to offer? Something about helping the needy should be a govt-led rather than a govt-supported effort blah blah blah. I was like, come on, do you have something better to offer?? We already have enough sleepers in Parliament, who totally don't deserve their allowance. PAP better go do some Q/C on its candidates, and not try to 'smuggle' them into Parliament by hiding them in big GRCs fronted by a Minister. Confused

Personally, i've NEVER seen my MP(s) at all.. in fact i don't even know who the hell they are. It's only during election time that they come around in that white lorry with the blaring loudspeakers asking me to vote for them. Frankly I don't care what background they come from, but if they are not interested to serve, they deserve a boot up their asses.

king108 SG

What normally a CEO do when its comes to cost reduction Crying or Very sad ...(Well experienced by many by now). Hence may not be too appealing to me even got PHD. I am scared even I see tears these days. If anyone wished to have one..I wish you good luck.

MP, if for normal public only required pure heart and (hand+leg+head) to serve only. Qualification is not a varied argument anymore.

When I mentioned to MP to use (hand+leg+head), it does not mean only during servicing the residents. It is more importantly that they show it when certain bill is not proper and favourable to singaporeans.

Hand - to vote against if needed. (Can they now, don't talk talk only)
Leg - to kick against if vote not use.
Head - come out and join the other side. (Head to head on)

Do we see it after so many years, none I can say. Kong song ne..

I think it is better for them to concentrate on their company's performance to ensure that their employee are "well taken care off" rather than to run for MP.

Ito_^ SG

refuse to vote den.

LazerLordz SG

Let's even have a compromise, let's say that we've sucked our thumbs and have accepted corporate MPs.

Still, a legislator should be required to live in his campaigning district.That, at the very least should be what the MP has to do.You're a MP, elected or not, you better stay in that area and serve the people, and work the ground.

charlize SG

That's what the grassroots people are for.

Er, oops. Laughing

king108 SG

Mr. Green Can they be given the option of elected then move into the estate. Permission seeked.

Also need time to find houses for them if they capture GRC. Good for property market.

Must support this idea.

Medicated Oil SG

Average Singaporean - Worker Party

Elite - Ruling Party

That is the rule of the game.

No matter who is elected, all turn a deaf ear to feedback for fear of losing the 5 figure salary.

king108 SG

If one believed that own view is right, then stayed to it and vote against.

By no voting is equivalent to "cannot stand firm in position", we don't need these MP belonged under this classification, simply no position.

First to bring up any issue, he or she would have prepared and understand what he or she stand for. Does it means that they are all convinced by the other speakers after heated debate to found that they are wronged.

That will be even worst, "never studied book hal" unlikely right. All high high one.

We don't need shadow cabinets, we don't need to have objection voices from the same lots (no saying non-ruling parties).

Hence, to have objection voices and more importantly objection votes on important issues, it seen likely only the non-ruling parties can do it.