EBRC Report – Response to SM Goh Chok Tong

We refer to the remarks by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong (SM Goh) as reported in the Straits Times today, 28 Feb 2011.

In attempting to re-cast the boundary changes to Aljunied GRC as more disadvantageous to the ruling party than the opposition, he stated that opposition candidates “have no roots, they can go anywhere” whereas the ruling party candidates would need to cover areas which might be new to them.

It is well-known that the Workers’ Party’s (WP) roots are anchored in the Hougang area and the Party has been working consistently for many years on the ground there and in the contiguous areas. The precincts in Hougang Ave 8 cut out of Aljunied into Ang Mo Kio GRC are in the heart of WP’s root area.

In contrast, the adjustments to be made by the People’s Action Party (PAP) are minimal, as they can leverage on the vast grassroots network of Residents Committees and Citizens’ Consultative Committees under the People’s Association in every part of Singapore, funded by taxpayers’ monies. By comparison, the Workers’ Party works on more limited resources and roots itself in more localised areas.

The shift in the Aljunied GRC boundaries is significant, given the fact that 29,307 voters from WP’s root area next to Hougang Constituency have been largely drawn into Ang Mo Kio GRC, and replaced by 19,549 voters from Marine Parade GRC.

As regards his chilli crab stall analogy, SM Goh must be aware that he is one of the 3 most well-known chilli crab stall operators, besides Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, operating chain stalls all over Singapore in the form of the GRCs (Group Representation Constituencies). WP admits that it is no match for the PAP in this chain-stall setting.

The use of the analogy is therefore a red herring to confuse voters that the changes to the boundaries are fair and even “actually disadvantage the PAP more than the opposition candidates”.

The Workers’ Party believes that Singaporeans can judge for themselves.

SYLVIA LIM
CHAIRMAN
28 Feb 2011

Photo: WP Activists' group lunch (not chilli crab!) in an unspecified location before continuing with the 2nd part of our house visits on 27th Feb 2011

Moulmein-Kallang GRC, Here We Come!

Moulmein-Kallang GRC is a new GRC created from both Jalan Besar and Tanjong Pagar GRCs' precincts. On the same day the electoral boundary report came out (24th February 2011), the Workers’ Party Chairman Ms Sylvia Lim signaled WP’s preliminary intention of contesting in Moulmein-Kallang GRC via a media interview and a press statement.

Today several WP activists, volunteers and supporters conducted an outreach at Moulmein-Kallang GRC’s Bendemeer Market & Food Centre. The residents there are familiar with the Workers’ Party because of WP’s hammer logo and our regular public outreaches there since 2002.

During the visit, there was a light hearted moment, when one of the hawkers raised his voice and chanted the words ‘Workers’ Party’! Concurrently, he took out a small hammer and raised it high up in the air. With a determined look which suggested that he has waited for this day for a very long time!

Instantly, those around him broke into broad smiles. I was heartened by this welcoming gesture of the stall owner and those around. I asked him if he would permit the WP entourage to take a photo together with him. He replied with the following, ‘当然啦, 没什么的’! [Of course, there is nothing to be afraid of!] Another exclaimed ‘只有工人党来，我们才会支持！’[We will support, only if the Workers’ Party is here!]

With my right hand over his shoulder, together with my fellow WP activists, volunteers and supporters, we made our way across the food centre, towards the signage of Bendemeer Market & Food Centre, to take our photos. Several onlookers cheered us on and some exclaimed (in Hokkien) that ‘是工人党！’ [It is The Workers’ Party!]

As we were about to take our group photos, two other residents walked past us. Spontaneously I invited them to be part of the photo with The Workers’ Party. Very gamely, one uncle (the one standing behind me), took out his comb and combed his hair so that he will look great in the photo. Another uncle in checkered shirt, also very sportingly made a handsome pose.Fighting the PAP in any constituency is never an easy feat, politically, financially, logistically and even administratively. While the Workers’ Party’s organizing department has spent years building up back-end capacities, enough can never be enough.

Still, in GE2006, having led, fought and fully understood how a tightly organized force of few can effectively take upon an organized force of many. Therefore in appreciation & salute of WP’s organizing department’s back-end battle units' operational readiness, I declare ‘Moulmein-Kallang GRC, here we come’!


Photo 1: Photo with WP activists, volunteers and supporters at Moulmein-Kallang GRC (27th Feb 2011)

Photo 2: Straits Times news report about WP activism in Nee Soon GRC (27th Feb 2011)

Photo 3: ZaoBao news report about WP’s message to Nee Soon GRC residents (27th Feb 2011)

Photo 4: ShinMin news report about my blog post ‘The Battle For Nee Soon GRC’ (27th Feb 2011)

Photo 5: WanBao news report about WP's political resolve for Moulmein-Kallang GRC (28th Feb 2011)

The Battle For Nee Soon GRC

Nee Soon is now a GRC that comprises of the former Nee Soon East SMC, Nee Soon Central SMC, Chong Pang Electoral Division (Sembawang GRC), Canberra Electoral Division (Sembawang GRC) and Nee Soon South Electoral Division (Ang Mo Kio GRC).

I would like to quote my fellow party comrade, Dr John Yam (Chairman, WP Northern Area Committee & WP Central Executive Council, Council Member) who shared that ‘Nee Soon GRC is not a surprise because in politics, we will always make contingency planning’. As such I am heartened by the fact that the WP has been preparing for the battle for the hearts, minds & votes of Nee Soon residents.

Personally I have very fond memories for Nee Soon. During my secondary, JC and army days (1989 – 1997), periodically after saving up money, I will visit the two aquarium shops in the vicinity of Chong Pang. There, I will buy my fish food, accessories and my favorite tropical fishes that included angel fishes, tiger barbs, platys and the occasional ferocious oscar fishes :)

Prior to GE2001, I was slated to be fielded in Nee Soon East SMC by WP Secretary General Low Thia Khiang. Internally Dr Poh Lee Guan came to me and requested the possibility of swapping our constituencies (Aljunied GRC) with me.

I obliged gladly because I was of the view that Dr Poh stood a higher chance than me to win Nee Soon East SMC for WP. Despite bookies' speculations that GE2001 Nee Soon East campaign would be hotly contested, Dr Poh secured just 26.6% of the valid votes cast.

In 2004, I assembled a few volunteers and kicked started the Nee Soon Area Committee(This was later renamed Northern Area Committee) with Dr Poh Lee Guan as Committee Chair and I was the Co-Secretary alongside Leng Tian Ann.

The three of us & the volunteers worked very hard to ensure the sustainability of NAC. I recalled fondly too Sunday afternoons training alongside some youths in WP’s very own Nee Soon Warrior Football Team in the empty field plots around Nee Soon East ‘s Block 300+ cluster :)

By GE2006, Dr Poh Lee Guan had diligently made at least two visits to each Nee Soon East household. Not surprisingly, Dr Poh’s results improved to 31.28%. At the Nee Soon Central front, WP’s new face Mr Lian Chin Way challenged PAP veteran MP Ong Ah Heng and secured 34.63%.

That year, at the Nee Soon South front, upon the announcement of electoral boundaries, with some volunteers, I commenced house visits to each household there, which was under the Ang Mo Kio GRC electoral division. The results & support level for WP in Nee Soon South electoral division was considered very decent ;)

By July 2009, I turned my attention from WP’s eastern front and started capacity building in WP’s northern front. In August 2009, WP is blessed to have Dr John Yam to join the Workers’ Party.

In June 2010, Dr John Yam was appointed Chairman, WP Northern Area Committee and Dr Poh Lee Guan was appointed Advisor, WP Northern Area Committee.

Under the tag-team leadership of both Dr John Yam and Dr Poh Lee Guan, the strength of WP northern area committee grew.

Since 2004, the NAC has started preparing for battle for both Nee Soon East, Nee Soon Central SMCs and also for the possibility of a northern GRC.

Therefore when the GE2011 boundary report came out last Thursday (24th February 2011), there was indeed no surprise for WP’s NAC leadership team. WP’s planned house visits on that night itself in Nee Soon East SMC automatically became a house visit in Nee Soon GRC. This morning, several WP northern area activists visited Nee Soon GRC again.

The battle for Nee Soon GRC has begun!

Photo 1: News On WP Activism in Nee Soon GRC (WanBao Daily, 26th Feb 2011)

Photo 2: News On WP Walkabout in Nee Soon GRC (WanBao Daily, 25th Feb 2011)

Photo 3: Dr Poh Lee Guan, Angela Oon, Yaw Shin Leong & Dr John Yam at Chong Pang Market (26th Feb 2011)

The Time Has Come

The time has come for us to search our hearts. We have to ask ourselves, what do we wish to see in a democratic Singapore? Specifically, in the highest decision making body of our land, our parliament – should it continue to be shrouded in white? The answer is obviously no.

Since June 2001, I have dedicated a good part of my youth to build up the organizational capacities of the blue camp as a credible alternative to the white.

My political journey that spans across a decade has brought me vast experiences about lives and people in general and this is what I am sensing.

I sense in the multitudes of our hearts, a common desire to see our parliament in different shades of colors that include a distinctively strong ray of blue. Yet the fact of the matter is, my comrades-in-blue & I cannot do it alone. We need your help.

Therefore if you would like to do your part in Singapore's nation building process and Singapore's political development, please lend the Workers’ Party a hand during the elections.

Kindly fill in the form below, indicating the role you would like to play, and a WP volunteer-coordinator will contact you shortly. Thank you.


http://wp.sg/volunteer/

WP Gearing Up For Battle

‎"We [Workers' Party] would always like to focus on the areas we're more familiar with. [. . .] In addition to that, also noted there are two (new) SMCs, that are carved out in areas very close to Aljunied GRC, namely Punggol East and Sengkang West. And certainly we would be interested in looking at those as well" - WP Chairman, Sylvia Lim

GE: PAP, opposition gear up for action
By S Ramesh | Posted: 24 February 2011 2310 hrs

SINGAPORE: Incumbent Members of Parliament (MPs) from the ruling People's Action Party and opposition candidates have moved into the next gear of preparations for the coming General Election due by February 2012.

Changes are in store for two of Singapore's largest Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs), Pasir-Ris Punggol and Sembawang.

A new Single Member Constituency (SMC), Punggol East, will be carved out of Pasir-Ris Punggol, an area currently looked after by MP Michael Palmer.

"I think it is basically a population growth issue. Over the last three or four years, Pasir Ris- Punggol has grown tremendously with a lot of new flats coming up in Punggol as well as the Buangkok side of Sengkang," Mr Palmer said.

"If you look at that, if they did not carve out one division, we would actually be enough for a seven-man GRC.

"With the new flats coming up particularly in the Punggol area, Pasir Ris-Punggol remains as a six-member GRC but with one division carved out as an SMC.

"It's just a natural progression due to population growth. I have spoken to my key grassroots leaders; they are all very excited.

"They were quite surprised because the talk on the ground was that Punggol South was going to be carved out but seeing Punggol East being carved out, they see that as an affirmation and confirmation of the good work they have been doing and they are confident."

Meanwhile, in the north, a new GRC -- Nee Soon -- will be formed from two SMCs Nee Soon East and Nee Soon Central.
MP for Nee Soon East Ho Peng Kee said he views the development with a tinge of sadness, but says being part of a GRC will enable residents to tap on more resources.

Minister for Home Affairs & Minister for Law and MP for Sembawang GRC K Shanmugam added that having the new Nee Soon GRC is a logical change as Sembawang GRC has become very large and the population in Nee Soon Town has increased.

As for the new Whampoa SMC, MP for Jalan Besar GRC Heng Chee How said he's been looking after the area for the past 10 years.

"I certainly will know this area very well. I know the people here. I know every brick, every blade of grass here. I've walked the place. So it's a strong network of relationship," Mr Heng said.

Meanwhile, Minister of State Lee Yi Shyan who is Second Adviser to the Joo Chiat single division, said he hasn't seen any opposition activity in the area.

Joo Chiat is currently helmed by Mr Chan Soo Sen.

Mr Lee said: "We are a party that does our work all the time, consistently, and what we have promised in our GRC, we have fulfilled them, and all the changes and improvements, they're very visible, and can be seen.

"I think these are the kinds of preparations that we do. So we go in to the GE with, I believe, a strong track record".

The opposition parties in Singapore have been busy studying the details of the electoral boundaries review committee report.

While the report would give the parties the clearest picture of the divisions, they can now stake their intentions to contest.

Some have also had to relook at the earlier plans of where they had wanted to field their candidates.

Reform Party secretary-general Kenneth Jeyaretnam said: "We intend to contest in Hong Kah North SMC, Choa Chu Kang GRC, Pioneer SMC, West Coast GRC, Radin Mas SMC and possibly Yuhua as well.

"They overlap precisely with where we've been conducting outreach since 2009, and so residents generally know us very well by now".

The Workers' Party said it has been working in the northern sector of Singapore.

Worker's Party chairman Sylvia Lim said: "We would always like to focus on the areas we're more familiar with.

"So off hand, I would say, as an initial comment, that definitely Aljunied and East Coast GRCs would be within our area of interest, and of course Hougang SMC and Joo Chiat SMC, which we contested previously as well," Ms Lim said.

"At the last GE, we also contested in Nee Soon East and Nee Soon Central, and it's now a five-member GRC. Because we have been working in that area, we would also be interested in that.

"In addition to that, we also noted there are two (new) SMCs, that are carved out in areas very close to Aljunied GRC, namely Punggol East and Sengkang West. And certainly we would be interested in looking at those as well".

For the Singapore Democratic Alliance, it said it is interested in contesting in Punggol East, Radin Mas and Mountbatten SMCs and Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC.

Singapore Democratic Alliance Secretary-General Desmond Lim said: "We have been well prepared, and we will go for the six-man GRC and the two single seats.

"However, all this is still subject to the Supreme Executive Council's approval".

Much activity can be expected in the coming weeks at the different constituencies in the run up to the elections.

-CNA/wk

Photo 1: WP Org Dept's Recee at Sengkang West SMC (24th Feb 2011)
Photo 2: WP Org Dept's Recee at Punggol East SMC (24th Feb 2011)
Photo 3: WP Activists after house vists at Nee Soon GRC (24th Feb 2011)

WP Unofficial Anthem - 爱拼才会赢

Towards the closing of Hougang Constituency Lunar New Year 2011 celebrations yesterday, WP Chairman & NCMP, Miss Sylvia Lim, WP Secretary-General & Hougang MP Mr. Low Thia Khiang, WP Youth Wing President Mr. Koh Choong Yong and I sang WP activists' unofficial anthem -爱拼才会赢.

This is a very purposeful Hokkien song that proclaims that victory & success will only come to those who work hard. Below are the original lyrics + romanticized hokkien + an English translation.

爱拼才会赢

一时失志不免怨叹
一时落魄不免胆寒
那怕失去希望
每日醉茫茫
无魂有体亲像稻草人
人生可比是海上的波浪
有时起有时落
好运歹运
总吗要照起工来行
三分天注定七分靠打拼
爱拼才会赢

jit si sit ji mmm mehn wan tan
jit si lou pek mmm mehn dam han
la tong sit ki hi bbang
mui lit zui bbang bbang
mui lit zui bbang bbang
bbo hun wu tay cin ciu dio cao lang
lin sing ko bi si hai siong ey pou long
wu si kee - wu si lou
hoh oon pai oon
zong ma (jiao) ki gang lai gia
sa hun tin zu dia cit hun ko pa pia
ai pia a jia ey yia
ai pia a jia ey yia


When you suffer a setback it is hard not to sigh,
When you are down on your luck it is hard not to get discouraged.
But When you lose hope,
And be in a drunken stupor all day,
Then you are soul-less with a body, like a scarecrow.
Life can be compared to waves on the sea,
Sometimes it rises, and sometimes fall.
Good luck, bad luck -
We still have to work.
For 30% is determined by heaven, while 70% is how much you strive for.
Only those who work hard can succeed.


Lyrics from: http://chinesemusicblog.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=4825

Citizenry Activism in Hougang SMC

Yesterday, several WP activists attended a CNY dinner celebration organized by the residents of Block 702 Hougang Ave 2.

It is very heartening when residents initiated and sustained bottom-up celebrations on their own accord over the years.

This is highly positive, especially from the perspective of active citizenry.

Personally I am looking forward to experience more of such citizenry activism in the very near future, especially in WP-administered constituencies!

Photo: With WP Secretary General & Hougang MP Low Thia Khiang & WP Chairman & NCMP Ms Sylvia Lim