On Anonymous Poison Pen Letters

联合晚报 (Lian He Wan Bao) interviewed me this morning regarding the above.

The reporter shared that some quarters suspected that the anonymous poison pen letters might be due to the upcoming General Elections.

The reporter added that some speculated that opposition operatives might be behind the letters and sought my comments as an opposition leader.

I responded that I can't speak on behalf of the opposition but (just) in my capacity as a leader of the Workers' party. I stated that anonymous poison pen letters are non-gentlemanly and under-the-belt tactics. I said the WP will engaged only in ‘君子之争‘ (Gentlemanly Battles) and will never resort ourselves to such non-gentlemanly tactics.

News Link:
盛港居民接匿名抨击执政党黑函 (LHWB, 8th April 2010)

Concerns over Minister Lim’s comments

I refer to the comments by Second Minister for Transport Lim Hwee Hua during a recent ministerial visit. She said that no more cross-country bus services would be introduced and that long bus routes may be spilt in two. I urge Minster Lim to do a re-think on this matter.

There are at least 5 public concerns:

Firstly, long haul bus routes serve not just the purpose of getting from point A to point B, but also enable large/ extended families and friends to travel together in the most cost effective manner.

Secondly, such a proposed long bus routes spilt will likely inconvenience the aged and the physically-impaired, in view of incurring additional movements up & down the buses.

Thirdly, cross-country bus services, such as 23, 960 & 190 are favored by commuters because they run on expressways and travelling time is shorter compared to that on other bus routes.

Fourthly, while commuters should be allowed to choose whether they want to take the bus or train to reach their destinations, yet such choices should not be made between ‘more but lesser’ choices. Rather such choices must be made alongside the availability of ‘more and better’ choices.

Fifthly, the minister has not taken potentially longer waiting time into consideration, especially when commuters must spend time waiting for inter-connecting buses. Presently such waiting time is not required in cross-country bus routes.

Whilst it is understandable in the context of Singapore’s small island state for the need for bus-train integration, but in a truly world-class transportation system, the principle of choosing between ‘more and better’ choices must stand.

New Link:
New long distance bus services will no longer be introduced in S'pore (CNA, 28th March 2010)

Informal Talks with Fellow Opposition Leaders

WP Central Executive Council Member Dr Poh Lee Guan & I met National Solidarity Party’s President Sebastian Teo and Vice-President Christopher Neo over coffee (& cheese cakes!).

We exchanged candid viewpoints and forward strategies regarding Singapore's political development.

Photo: Sharing a light moment