SPP outlines plans for S’pore, Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC
To help voters better understand the Singapore People's Party (SPP) and its plans, party candidates outlined their proposals for Singapore and Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC at their rally on Monday evening.
Party candidate Jimmy Lee, a former government scholar and senior civil servant, raised two proposals to tackle income disparity.
Speaking to a crowd of at least 7,000 at Bishan stadium, he called for public transport to be deregulated and for companies to justify why they need to hire foreign talent.
By allowing Singaporeans to operate transport services plying direct routes between housing estates and workplaces, profits can be shared among many people, said Lee, who runs a business management consulting firm.
Mainline public transport should also be run as a cooperative and surpluses earned should be used to subsidise the needy, he said.
"We want to democratise the economy, let small players, let individuals, let many people have a piece of this economy," he added.
Turning his attention to the issue of foreign talent, Lee said companies should show that they have tried all means to hire a Singaporean, before they employ a foreigner.
This means every foreign talent import will have to be case by case, he acknowledged. "But we believe this is what's needed to be done to protect Singaporeans."
Lee's teammate, Benjamin Pwee, another former government scholar and administrative officer, added that companies should also pay a 17.5 per cent flat tax on foreign employees and the money should be used to train Singaporean employees in the firm.
With its S$2 million funding from a donor, the party is also looking into starting a micro-financing revolving loan for small businesses.
Responding to voters' fears that the opposition could overturn the government, Pwee stressed that the party does not want to "sink the ship" but to strategically partner the ruling party.
He noted, even if the opposition wins three GRCs and two SMCs, the ruling People's Action Party will continue to "drive the car".
"If you even give the opposition parties 20, 25 per cent, 30, 33 per cent of the Parliament, we are grateful, we will serve you and this ship will still not sink," he stressed.
Lee and Pwee are part of the SPP's Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC team, together with SPP chief Chiam See Tong, Mohamad Hamim Aliyas and Wilfred Leung.
On Monday, Leung reassured voters that the estates will not fall apart if they voted for the opposition.
With the S$130 million sinking fund in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, all cyclical and maintenance work will be carried out should SPP be voted in, he said. Initiatives such as the lift upgrading programme have already been planned and will not be stopped, he added.
Leong, who served as Chiam's campaign manager in GE 2006, also promised that the team will hold two Meet the People sessions each week, if voted in.
"I assure you, everything will be fine," he said, adding that the party will also consult with residents to find out their needs before embarking on any five-year plan.
Chiam, who arrived at the rally to loud cheers at about 8.30pm with his wife Lina Chiam, was the last speaker of the night.
He highlighted the process of rejuvenation the SPP is undergoing and likened the fresh faces in his party to "new shoots and flowers" that grow during spring.
Calling for support for the party candidates, Chiam urged voters to "show courage" on Polling Day, which is on 7 May.
He said, "I have stood in seven elections and won them all, and have not got into trouble. And the people who voted for me, also did not get into trouble."
Watch how the crowd comes alive for Chiam.
Singapore People's Party rally 2011
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