In an article published in the Straits Times today (060506), the PAP candidate for Potong Pasir, Mr Sitoh Yih Pin, rebutted the incumbent, Mr Chiam See Tong, saying that it was just not possible for Mr Chiam to have enough funds to upgrade lifts in all the blocks in Potong Pasir SMC.
SM Goh Chok Tong who have been tasked to win back Potong Pasir, further urged the voters to vote for the PAP. "If the residents voted for the PAP, they would get new lifts under the Lift Upgrading Programme, and government funds from taxes would cover 90% of the cost."
The battle for the single seat of Potong Pasir over the past 9 days seems to hinges on one particular issue; Lift Upgrading. Once again like the last election in 2001, the message of the PAP to the residents of Potong Pasir is simple - Vote PAP or you can forget about any development in your living enviroment for the next 5 years.
However, it must be noted that in the first place,
who was responsible for lifts not stopping on every level in an HDB block?I believed everyone knows the answer. In this case, why is the PAP government repeatedly using lift upgrading as an election incentive?
Doesn't they realised that past inexperience of the HDB have led to the deficiency in the blocks that 85% of Singaporeans live in?Thus,
personally, the author strongly believed that no matter who is going to win Potong Pasir; be it the PAP or the opposition, the next government, which is most probably going to be formed by the PAP team led by PM Lee Hsien Loong, is to release much needed funds required for lift upgrading to the relevant MPs in Potong Pasir and Hougang.The next government has the duty and obligation to rectify this mistake caused by poor foresight of past PAP governments with regard to housing policies, in particular, lifts not stopping on every level. The next goverment MUST make sure that all blocks in Singapore have a lift that stop at every level, no matter which constituency the residents are living in. To put it in the words of PM Lee Heisn Loong, "I will do more to take care of your needs and to take care of those who are in trouble"In that case, making sure that all Singaporeans get to enjoy lifts stopping at every level is a good way to start.
