GE: "We'll take care of all of you", says PM Lee
By Imelda Saad | Posted: 29
April 2011 2155 hrs
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister
Lee Hsien Loong said this election is about voting for the party
that can serve Singaporeans best.
In his first rally speech on Friday night in Ang Mo Kio
constituency, PM Lee said the National Wages Council
recommendations released on Friday for "higher total wages" for
Singaporeans show that despite the last five tumultuous years,
Singapore is doing well.
Mr Lee assured Singaporeans that the government will take care of
all Singaporeans, including the low- and middle-income group.
He dealt squarely with the issues which the Opposition has picked
on, such as the cost of living, and the affordability of
housing.
"Everyone (is) feeling the pinch of the cost of living because
energy prices go up, electricity prices go up and it's not cheap
compared to last year, even more, compared to two or three years
ago.
"We have a 'Grow & Share' package this year to address these
problems and to help Singaporeans.
"For example, to help with the utilities bills, we have more U-Save
this year, we have more S&CC rebates this year.
"In fact, the U-save for some households should be enough to pay
for five months of utilities bills so if you are careful, it can go
a long way.
Mr Lee promised that HDB flats will be kept affordable, especially
for young couples.
But he also added the government needs to safeguard the value of
current HDB flats and enhance them.
"The reality is, we will promise you that if you are buying a flat
from the HDB, we will keep the prices affordable, because we
building flats for Singaporeans and we want Singaporeans to be able
to own that flat," Mr Lee said.
"And we will make sure Singaporeans can afford these flats."
Speaking at the same rally, PAP candidate for Ang Mo Kio GRC
Inderjit Singh said residents should rate Members of Parliament
(MPs) not just according to how well they speak in
Parliament.
They should also focus on the work that gets done
behind-the-scenes.
Mr Singh recalled how in the past he ensured every housing estate
would have lift floor indicators.
He also asked PUB to provide every household with sandbags
following the floods in July last year.
Mr Singh added that in future, Ang Mo Kio residents will also see a
renovated park.
"We are upgrading Bishan Park. In a few months, you (will) have a
new river in Singapore, the newest river running along Bishan
Park.
"That is something that our residents in Ang Mo Kio will be
enjoying.
"And do you know how much this is going to cost? It's going to cost
S$1.2 billion in the next five years -- double of what we spent in
the last five years.
"So the Ang Mo Kio team is committed to (making) Ang Mo Kio even
better for all of our residents".
Separately, at a rally held near Kallang Ave, Minister for
Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim urged all
Singaporeans to show their support for Prime Minister Lee Hsien
Loong's entire team in this election.
Dr Yaacob said given the PAP's track record, Singaporeans can trust
Mr Lee's promise that the government is doing something to tackle
the rising cost of living.
The PAP candidate for Moulmein-Kallang GRC also joined in the war
of words over Workers' Party's driver analogy.
"........ And so we hear a party that's come to our GRC which only
appeared on the 27th April," Dr Yaacob said.
"Before that, they were missing. We do not know who they were. But
they want to be a co-driver. But they have been missing.
"So how can you be a co-driver if you're missing, right?
"So it's difficult for us to take these people seriously because
they've not been around for the last five years to work the ground
here and deliver services.
"They pop up (all) of (a) sudden like Minister Lui said the story
of mushrooms and I'm confident they will disappear after the 7th
(of) May."
"So we need to build that team, of a Prime Minister supported by a
strong Cabinet behind, to make sure that we can work
together.
"This is not about a co-driver, who sometimes can fall asleep and
disappear for five years.
"This is about a team that can bring Singapore to the future.
"So let's work together, let's put the PAP back in government on
the 8th of May, and not just Moulmein-Kallang, but the rest of
Singapore.
"Because we want to show the rest of the world we know what we're
talking about because this is about the future of Singapore.
"(This is a) team that the Prime Minister has assembled... a team
that will bring Singapore into the uncertain future but with a safe
pair of hands on the wheel, supported by a strong and dedicated,
committed team to bring us into a bright future. That's our
vision."
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