Government will work for all Singaporeans no matter who
they voted for, says Tan Chuan-Jin
SINGAPORE - The Government's work cuts across all
constituencies, and all Singaporeans are meant to benefit from it,
regardless of who they voted for, said Minister for Social and
Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin.
He assured residents of Serangoon ward, which comes under the
Workers' Party-run Aljunied GRC, that they have not been
forgotten.
Mr Tan was on a community visit to the division, when some
residents asked him when the People's Action Party would return to
the constituency.
"Earlier, some of the residents were asking me when are you all
coming back, this sort of thing," he said during an hour-long
dialogue at the end of his six hour tour of Serangoon.
"It's a democracy, we decide what we want to choose, you decide
what you want to choose, for better (or) for worse. I can tell you
we endeavour to do our best, no matter the outcome...all of you
remain Singaporeans," he said.
Mr Tan said that this was because the aim of Government policies is
to "make sure that everything I do must benefit Singaporeans
...(and) also benefit Singapore as a society".
"You don't vote for us, but we are here (and will) still continue,"
he told some 100 residents at a dialogue that wrapped up his visit
to the division. Those present included students and local business
owners.
Mr Tan, who also holds the Manpower portfolio until May 4 when he
hands over to Mr Lim Swee Say, addressed a number of issues ranging
from employers who overly emphasise paper qualifications to the use
of electric scooters in the neighbourhood.
He later told reporters that he received a "very warm" reception
from residents he met during his visit.
"There are of course usual local issues, some are municipal issues,
which I guess is something the Town Council needs to settle, but
nothing peculiar. You get that in other wards," he said.
"The reason why we do this is (that) it's just an opportunity to
meet up with people... They come forward, share their thoughts and
views. It's useful to touch base with people here."
He said that this was not his first visit to Aljunied GRC. He has
also met residents in Kovan, Hougang Mall and during a Serangoon
North National Day dinner.
When asked by reporters about the People's Action Party's strategy
for Aljunied GRC - which the ruling party lost in the 2011 general
election - he said the Government's work will continue whether
there are elections or not.
"As for elections we know it's going to come at some point so
strategy wise, I guess we have to work that out. But our
responsibilities as a government don't change," he said.
-- ST
