Singapore Democrats
A small army of red descended upon the Marsiling and Bukit Panjang housing estates to connect with our residents, and the response could not have been more encouraging.$CUT$
It was great first outing since we launched our GE2015 campaign a fortnight ago. Two busloads of nearly 50 party activists, many of whom responded to our call for volunteers at our launch, mingled with residents to spread our campaign message:
In Singapore today, you are struggling to meet with your living expenses. You are competing in an overcrowded city to get a job – or simply to hold on to yours. You have to work your entire life to pay your HDB loan, and when you retire, you cannot get your CPF savings back.
We understand your concerns. Unfortunately, the government doesn’t. It ignores your views. The SDP wants the government to listen to you. We have drawn up alternatives policies to make life less stressful for you. Our plan is to:
Abolish the Minimum Sum so that you can get your CPF savings back in full.
Introduce a policy where employers give priority to Singaporeans when it comes to hiring.
Lower the cost of living by reducing rates for utilities, public transport, and healthcare.
The SDP has plans for you and your family to be more secure, prosperous and happier. To achieve a better tomorrow, support the SDP.
Many of those whom we had a chance to meet at the food centres and markets were from the older generation, and they signaled their displeasure at not having enough to retire on. A few of them had some choice words for the Government which we cannot repeat here.
“The money is mine! Now I need it, why can’t I take back?” a senior in his 60s fumed.
Another one asked: “Oil price drop but bus fare go up. How?”
Early in the walkabout, we made a media stop to answer queries from journalists.
Secretary-General Chee Soon Juan said that it was the escalating cost of living that is making the people very angry. “We are going to speak up for them, we’re going to be their voice in Parliament.”
Dr Chee approached a hawker who was selling a small plastic bag of clams and asked him how he was getting by. He replied in Hokkien: “Lun lor, mana oo pian.” (“I have to bear with it, what choice is there.”) He added: “Get into parliament and fight for us!”
That’s a promise.
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