SINGAPORE : Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has expressed concern
that Hougang and Potong Pasir residents will lose out on upgrading
if they do not vote for the People's Action Party.
He has also suggested that the party whip be lifted in Parliament
for the PAP MPs if they are elected in these wards.
Mr Goh has been tasked by the Prime Minister to help win back the
two opposition seats in the upcoming General Election.
Mr Goh says: "To my right, I see across the estates of the 1990s
and to my left, we have the estates of the 1950s. How can I come
out of the 50s' zone?"
Upgrading and rejuvenating Hougang constituency were some of the
key issues raised by some 500 residents and grassroots leaders at a
dialogue.
Mr Goh says he is not there to offer residents upgrading but to
hear what they want.
He is worried that the opposition wards of Hougang and Potong Pasir
would be left behind.
Mr Goh says: "I do not want the two constituencies to be left
behind, especially Potong Pasir, an old estate. Five years down the
road, assuming Chiam do win, there will be no upgrading.
"After that, we got to ask ourselves whether the estate is
worthwhile upgrading. I'm talking about Lorong 8. By then, the
estate would be around 35 years old and the lease is only 99 years,
so economically, is it worthwhile?
"My own view is Hougang should be upgraded, otherwise another five
years, another 10 years, it would become rather derelict compared
to other estates in Singapore."
To address concerns by Hougang residents for an opposition voice in
Parliament, Mr Goh says he will push for the party whip to be
lifted so that PAP's candidate Eric Low can speak up, if
elected.
Mr Goh says: "You have a choice - if having opposition is more
important, then vote opposition - but if there is a way to get my
views put to parliament to somebody, then vote for your interests,
vote for upgrading - and your views can be put across in Parliament
and if you vote for Eric Low, I can tell PM to let him be the
opposition in Parliament."
The Party whip ensures there are sufficient party members in
Parliament to support the party's position and that MPs vote on
party lines.
The Whip was lifted in 2002 for all PAP MPs on matters of
conscience and certain other issues, except those affecting the
Budget, the Constitution, no confidence motions and issues of
national security.
Residents had mixed feelings about upgrading.
"It's 50-50, because if you upgrade, then our rentals will go up as
well."
"I hope they can give this place a new lease of life and add more
facilities, to attract more people to come here and shop."
One market-cum-hawker centre at Hougang Avenue 7 has not been
upgraded for some 30 years, and Mr Goh has urged residents and
stallholders to take a long-term view.
While rent may go up, businesses will also increase and customers
too will welcome the move - all part of Mr Goh's hope to make
Hougang look as beautiful as his own ward in Marine Parade. -
CNA/de
