Heartlanders talk politics
Elections – it’s a word that excites Singaporeans of all ages.
Early mornings in the Singapore heartlands (photo: Shutterstock).
It is early Thursday (23 July) morning at a kopitiam (coffeeshop) in Bedok and this retiree was excited.
“Election is coming to Singapore,” he tells another patron over breakfast, pointing to a copy of the previous day’s newspaper which carried a report about the Elections Department’s changes to the boundaries of polling districts.
“Things would get very busy soon you know,” the rotund retiree, who only identified himself as Mr Gan, told the other patron in between sips of coffee.
“It will be time to talk about the hot issues again, and I think there will still be many these time around,” he chuckled.
For many heartlanders, the recent changes made by the Elections Department is another sign that a visit to the polls is imminent.
On 12 July, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told Parliament that the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC), which reviews the boundaries for elections, was formed in May and is preparing its report.
“(The EBRC) is now in the midst of its deliberations and will make its recommendations to me when ready,” the Prime Minister was quoted as saying in a Business Times report.
Nearly all of the 50 people – who were aged between 28 and 70 – Yahoo Singapore spoke to on Thursday said they expected the government to hold an election very soon.
More than half also said they expect hot button issues like immigration, rising cost of living, transportation and housing – issues raised in General Election 2011 – to be put under the spotlight again.
“These issues are not new, but the Government still has to address them I think,“ said Mr Samsuri Yusof, 35.
“Look at the transport situation, for example. Train breakdowns are always in the news and the opposition will certainly take advantage of this supposed infrastructure failing,” he added.
“In fact, don’t need to wait for elections – many are pointing out that fact on social media”.
For others, like Mr Lionel Sim, what needs to be addressed this time around is the rising cost of living.
“I haven’t decided on whom to vote for, but I think there are a lot of things to be addressed because things are just too expensive now,” said the 32-year-old sales manager, who plans to wed next year.
“The thought of raising a family is scary because housing is perceived to be expensive. Even with subsidies and loans, that would mean I have to work till I’m past 60 years old to pay off the HDB loans,” he added.
Job security is another concern, said another man who only wanted to be identified as Mr Tan.
“Costs are rising, but salaries are getting stagnant, especially in the private sector,” said the 38-year-old.
“And with reports of an economic slowdown happening, I constantly worry about keeping my job. It would be interesting to see what the government has to say about this during the campaign trail.”
“Good to the older folk”
But the views among the elderly, it seems, is not so bleak.
“The mood in Singapore is very good now, especially among the older folk I think,” said Mrs Jamilah in Malay. The 59-year-old housewife was on the way to the market when approached.
“Singapore is celebrating its 50th birthday and every news report I read seems to show that Singaporeans are really happy with this SG50 thing,” she added.
“If I were the government, I would definitely take advantage of this happiness,” she smiled.
For 69-year-old Mr Gan, the SG50 perks for seniors may also have something to do with this jubilant mood.
The grandfather of three added, “I think an election will happen soon, judging by the goodies like the GST vouchers (GSTV) and other bonuses.”
“The money is not a lot; the cost of living is getting very high now. Although my children take care of me, any extra cash will be useful for retirees like us.”
He was referring to the cash payouts that will arrive by 1 August. Most eligible Singaporeans will get up to $300 in cash.
Eligible Singaporeans aged 55 to 64 will get a seniors’ bonus, which increases their GSTV cash up to $600. Eligible Pioneers (aged 65 and above) will receive up to $900 in GSTV cash in total.
However, this seniors’ bonus won’t be given out all at once: Eligible Pioneers will get $600 in August and the remaining $300 in November, reported Business Times.
Mr Gan added, “The Government have certainly done their best to take care of us and recognising the older folk has helped build Singapore. That’s a nice gesture I think.”
Singapore must hold its next general election by January 2017, but political analysts have reportedly said that they expect Singaporeans to go to the polls by the end of this year.
According to a recent Straits Times report, the timeframe between the release of the EBRC report and when a general election is held – based on past polls – is between 17 days to six months.
