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Rooting for S’pore’s “invisible poor”

As part of Yahoo! Singapore's coverage of the 2011 General Election, we speak to new faces to look out for in the coming weeks. In the final installment of a four-part series, ALICIA WONG speaks to Angela Oon of the Workers' Party.

Workers' Party newcomer Angela Oon, 32, wants more help for the underclass. (Angela Oon photo)
Workers' Party newcomer Angela Oon, 32, wants more help for the underclass. (Angela Oon photo)

Singapore has a "growing underclass" that is not receiving much of policy makers' attention, said Workers' Party (WP) newcomer Angela Oon.

During her walkabouts, she meets those struggling to make ends meet but cannot get government assistance because they fall just outside the eligibility criteria.

Under the government's public assistance scheme, those unable to work owing to old age, illness or unfavourable family circumstances, and who have limited means of subsistence can qualify for cash grants or medical and education assistance.

"That's why the WP advocates a needs-based social safety net," said the 32-year-old researcher, who joined the 54-year-old party last July.

She is expected to contest in the new five-member Nee Soon group representation constituency.

In an email interview with Yahoo! Singapore, Oon disclosed why she joined opposition politics and shared her views on the issues that she feels most strongly about.

Other than the plight of the "invisible poor", the widening income gap and lack of transparency in Singapore are other issues close to her heart.

Lamenting the lack of openness in the workings of key government ministries, and in the disclosure of statistics, she questioned how the government could be held accountable if there is little knowledge of what it is doing.

For example, employment figures for permanent residents and Singaporeans are not released separately so it is hard to tell if certain initiatives to increase jobs or salaries benefit Singaporeans or PRs.

"It's impossible for the WP to advocate a more detailed recommendation in our manifesto without such information," she added, responding to Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng's call for the WP to elaborate on plans to in its manifesto.

Acknowledging that Singaporeans prefer gradual reform, particularly when it comes to introducing more "alternative voices" into Parliament, Oon pointed out there may be no better time than now.

"Right now, we have the luxury of implementing such changes in incremental steps because our country is in a period of growth and stability," she said.

'Politics is intensely personal'

Oon described her decision to join politics and the WP in particular as "a natural progression of my inherent interest in politics and civil society".

Singaporeans often think of politics as "distant" from everyday life, but politics is "intensely personal", she stressed. Public policies impact "almost every aspect of our daily lives".

She started her involvement with the WP a few years ago when some friends, who were party members, invited her to help in activities such as temple tours.

"It was when I saw how much they (WP members) happily sacrificed to be part of a larger cause that my admiration for them blossomed," she said, referring to the time and effort spent on house visits and to sell the party newsletter, The Hammer.

"I decided to stand next to them, to be part of this like-minded team of people working toward the goal of making sure Singapore has a First World parliament as befits its First World status," she stated.

It was a decision that could not have come easily given that Oon is working under a statutory board.

In an earlier interview, the Singapore history and heritage researcher at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies simply said, "I was prepared for the worst but hoping for the best."

Her family, however, was not surprised.

"They were a little apprehensive (at first)... now they are wholeheartedly behind me," said Oon, who has been married for four years and has no children.

While she only became a Singaporean citizen in 2010, Oon, who was born in Kelantan, has been in Singapore since she was two months old. She became a PR when she was five.

"I've gone through all the joys and trials and experiences of growing up as a Singaporean," said the National University of Singapore graduate.

"I have chosen to make Singapore my home, to sink and swim with its fortunes, and to continue building a life here with my loved ones. That's why I'm stepping forward to do my part to strengthen Singapore's parliamentary system," she said.

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