LEADERSHIP TO KEEP SINGAPORE GOING - IN THIS ISSUE - People's Action Party
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A Q U A R T E R LY P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E P E O P L E ' S A C T I O N P A R T Y
May 2015
LEADERSHIP TO KEEP
SINGAPORE GOING
Good mentors in Tampines East pg20
IN THIS ISSUE
Why an MP’s work is never done pg27
04 MAY DAY Outstanding leadership will keep Singapore
PUBLICITY AND
PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE
exceptional
Secretary-General Lee Hsien Loong emphasises the importance of
Lawrence Wong (Chairman)
outstanding leadership if Singapore were to continue making its
Desmond Lee
Seah Kian Peng mark at home and abroad. * Also in Chinese, Malay and Tamil
Lim Wee Kiak
Baey Yam Keng 10 BUDGET 2015 Building for the future
Zaqy Mohamad Something for everyone, to build a good foundation for Singapore.
Janil Puthucheary That’s what Budget 2015 aims to achieve.
Chiang Heng Liang
Diana Pang 12 FEATURE Your CPF
Hamidah Aidillah An easy-to-read guide on the CPF Advisory Panel’s recommen-
Benjamin Tay dations on more options for CPF savings.
Teo Lin Lee
Adrian Liew 16 SHORTIES A summary of major new polices and news in numbers.
Editor 17 CONVERSATION Online blade
Lim Huan Chiang The Internet caused some grief to Dr Lam Pin Min during the
Editorial and Design columbarium saga in his Sengkang ward. He has resolved it through
Focus Publishing Limited
quiet behind-the-scene discussions.
(Tel: 6319-2392)
Printer
KHL Printing Co. Pte Ltd
Photos
Singapore Press Holdings,
istockphoto.com
MCI(P) 144/02/2015
Petir is published by the
People’s Action Party Central
Executive Committee. Material
in this publication may not be
reproduced in whole or in part
without the prior consent of the
publisher. Views expressed in
this magazine are not neces-
sarily those of the PAP or the
Government. All rights reserved.
PAP Headquarters
Block 57B, New Upper Changi
Road, #01-1402, PCF Building,
Singapore 463057
Telephone: 6244-4600
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04
Internet: www.pap.org.sg
2 May 2015
May 2015
Contents
20
10
17
Please send feedback,
suggestions and
24 comments to
paphq@pap.org.sg.
GROUNDWORK
20 BRANCHING OUT The lure of MPS at Tampines East
Activists get exposure at an early age to MPS work and activities to help them understand government
policies.
23 WOMEN'S WING Wanted: More activists
It is grooming activists who can explain government policies from the women’s perspective and garner
votes for the PAP.
24 YOUNG PAP Engaging with a cause
24
Some Sundays in March and May were busy for Nee Soon Region YP activists. Find out what they have
been up to.
25 PAP POLICY FORUM Top concerns of young adult Singaporeans
Innovative solutions were thrown up to address the concerns of young adults at the 6th Council’s
inaugural dialogue.
27 BACKBENCHER’S BITE An MP’s work is never done
Lim Biow Chuan is always busy, as he is a believer of constant improvements in his work as an MP and
head of Case.
28 QUOTE & UNQUOTE Thoughts-provoking quotes from parliamentarians.
May 2015 3
MAY DAY
Outstanding
leadership
will keep Singapore exceptional
Singapore is respected on the global stage because
of the outstanding quality of its pioneer leaders. The
challenge is to continue having such leadership to
keep Singapore relevant, said PM Lee
4 May 2015
I
t was outstanding modern country it is today. can speak up and people listen
leadership that “One reason for the strong re- to us. We have freedom of action
brought Singapore action when Mr Lee passed away to set our national directions to
to where it is today, was because everyone knew that, advance our interests,” he said.
and the country without him, what we see around “To stay exceptional, we need
needs more excep- us would not be here today,” he a successful economy. We need
tional people at the pointed out. “Mr Lee’s passing re- hardworking and skilful workers,
helm to stay relevant minded people that exceptional and we need outstanding leader-
and special, said leadership made a big diơerence ship.”
Prime Minister Lee for Singapore.”
Hsien Loong at the annual May “A” team for Singapore
Day Rally. Why we punch above For now, PM Lee described
PM Lee, the Secretary-Gen- our size his current Cabinet as a bal-
eral of the PAP, said at the May Mr Lee Kuan Yew and the anced one, with a good mix of
1 event that his job is to build a pioneer generation of ministers experienced ministers with over
strong leadership team that will – the likes of Goh Keng Swee, S 20 years of experience and fresh
lead Singapore into the future. Rajaratnam, Lim Kim San, Hon faces who came on board at the
Leadership renewal will be Sui Sen, E W Barker and Othman last GE in 2011.
the most important issue at the Wok – helped pave the way for “I think they have come
upcoming general election (GE), Singapore to have institutions under some Ƥre, they have come
said PM Lee, who is 63 this year like the HDB, the Singapore through and they have gelled and
and in his 11th year as Singapore’s Armed Forces and Changi worked together as a team, not so
third prime minister. Airport. many soloists but a team. That is
“It is not doing more or Singapore may be a small very important, but we all grow
spending more, as some would nation with just over Ƥve million old and we all need successors.”
like you to think. It is who will people, but other countries re- PM Lee, who has been given a
lead Singapore into the future. gard it seriously and believe that clean bill of health after undergo-
It is our future at stake and our it can make a contribution, PM ing treatment for prostate cancer
children’s future. Because if this Lee added. in early 2015, stressed that no
government fails, what is going The prime minister recalled one was infallible and that it was
to happen to you, to all of us, to how scores of foreign leaders important to Ƥnd capable people
Singapore?” he told his audience came to Singapore to attend Mr who can step in during times of
of nearly 5,000 people at The Star Lee Kuan Yew’s state funeral need.
Performing Arts Centre in Buona service, including the heads of “I need good men and women
Vista. state or government of Japan, to come in, to form the next
The next GE must be held by South Korea, India, Israel and team to take Singapore forward
January 2017, and PM Lee said Canada. The United States sent – beyond me and my generation
the nation needs a new team of former President Bill Clinton, of ministers and leaders. It is very
leaders who are of “high ability, while China was represented by hard to do,” he said. “I am still
strong character, dedication and Vice-President Li Yuanchao. trying hard and I think I will get
gumption”. “Because we are exceptional, a few people to enter and join
He spoke of how the hard because we had an extraordinary politics and stand for election in
work of the late founding leader, people have regard for the next GE, but you can never
Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew us. Therefore, we have friends have enough. We can never have
and his team of ministers had in other countries. We have a an ‘A’ team for Singapore which is
transformed Singapore into the voice when events aơect us, we too strong.”
“This is a special May Day Rally and not just
because we are holding it in a different place.
,t·s a May Day Rally for 6* and it s the Àrst
May Day Rally we are celebrating without Mr
Lee Kuan Yew, our founding Prime Minister.
We rejoice but it is a bittersweet occasion.”
May 2015 5
MAY DAY
ABOVE A rousing
May Day Rally to
celebrate SG50.
LEFT PAP is always
looking out for a
high ability, strong
character team.
6 May 2015
х⻭⮱䶳ᄩఏ䭌䃖ߍಎԊᠮ䲋➦䉕
ᱻ᭫哆ᕨ⤳䄡喑ߍಎ㘪ౕప䭲㝋झ̷䊏ᓄᄷ䛺喑⮳ڣᐧప䶳㷃㉍䉕̺ȡ᱗Გ
⮱ᠾᝅ᭜ຯ҂㐔㐚᠒ᰶ䔆ᵤ⮱䶳ᄩఏ䭌喑Ԋߍಎ㘪̻ᬣԞ䔈喑̺㷘⌅↝ȡ
ᱻ᭫哆ᕨ⤳ౕڕప㕹ጒᕨч⮱፥Ꭱߠߕ㞯䯳ч̷ ⮱⩌ٵప㦙Зᐼ喑࠲͚ڣ᠙ᬒ᱙Ƞ䴖పȠ࢝ᏓȠВ㞟
⑁䃟ᬣ䄡喑᭜х⻭⮱䶳ᄩ䃖ߍಎᰶϷ๖⮱ᅞ喑㔹 ݄হߍᠬ๔⮱పუٰ仃ᝃᩬᏉ仃㘾ȡ㒻ప≫ݺᕨ㐌ٸ
పუ䰭㺮ᰶᰡ็ܧㆨ᠁㤰⮱ϧᲒᢹ㝢喑㘪์̻ᬣᎣ ᳄䶬ܧፚ喑㔹͚ప݆⩞పუͨޜፚᱻ⎽⒛А㶕ܧፚȡ
䔈喑䊲㓑ܧфȡ Ąຯߍಎ᭜͗ᮛ䕇⮱పუ喑ᱻ⩌ٵ᭜̭㝙⮱
Ό᭜ϧℾ㵹ߕ⼅ڇΓ䪬⮱ᱻᕨ⤳ౕᰵᬒ⮱ߠߕ 䶳ᄩϧ喑ЃЙч䔆͵ևॄ喤ѳЙ᭜䲋́➦₷⮱
㞯䯳ч̷䄡喑᭜ក䕍̭ᩜ㘪ፓ䶳ߍಎ䓵ा᱗Გ⮱ᑧ పუ喑ݘϧΌₑᄷ䛺Йȡͧߍಎ⮱䲋喑
๔䶳ᄩఏ䭌ȡ ప㘪̻ڣЃపუͧࣸ喑㘪ౕ̭ψ䛺๔θУࣾ⩌ᬣࣾ
ϷᎡᆮ⮱ᱻ᭫哆ᕨ⤳៲Шߍಎす̶Шᕨ⤳ጟ 㶕ⰸ∂喑Ꭳ㘪᠒ᰶݣჇపუा ᣕߕపუ⮱⯷ݖ㜗
ᰶᎡȡЃᠴܧ喑పუ䶳ᄩᅯ⮱ᰡ᭜̸ᅷ๔䔶ᰭ䛺 ⩞ȡąЃ䄡䖀ȡ
㺮⮱䃛䷅ȡ Ą㺮㐔㐚ःᓄ䲋ᅞ喑ߍಎ䰭㺮ߌ⮱㏼≻
ᕨ⤳ౕѺλ∏䗐㐡䓫⮱ᭌႴ㶕⑁㞧ᱜ͚ᓰा䓾 ̭ឦࠑ́ឭᱜ⛌㏰⮱অጒВࣷх⻭⮱䶳ᄩȡą
ऺ̻ч㔲䄡䖀喟Ą䔆̺᭜̭ψϧ䄡⮱喑㺮և
ᰡ็ᝃ㟞䉦ᰡ็ȡ䔆ڠ㈨⩞ݝ䄮ፓ䶳ߍಎ䓵ा᱗ ͧߍಎᐧ⿸⩟㏔䶳ᄩఏ䭌
Გ喑ڠ㈨ݝЙহ႖ၽ⮱᱗Გȡͧ喑մຯ䔆͗ᩬᏉ ᱻᕨ⤳ᒏღ喑Ⱋڲ⮱ݺ䬮ఏ䭌䉱ࢳᎠ㶎喑ᬏᰶڤ
䉒γ喑䗐ҍЙȠЙ๔უহߍಎчϭ͵ᵤ喤 ิ็Ꭱបᩬ㏼侹⮱䉱⌞䘕䪬喑ΌᰶౕᎡ⮱̷
ЃΌ䄵ݝጟᩲᐧపᕨ⤳ᱻٶ㔭হЃፓ䶳⮱䘕䪬 ̭ᅷ๔䔶ऻ䊝侙̷Ш⮱Ꭱ䒨㙥ႁȡ
Й᭜ຯ҂ߗ߈ᄳߍಎក䕍Ϸᬒ⮱⣝Аࡃపუȡ ĄᘠЃЙጟ㏼ऄ̭ݝψ⸕◩喑Ꭳ́Ό䓴ڠγ喑
Ѓᠴܧ喟Ąᐧపᕨ⤳ᱻٶ㔭䕊̓ऻͫపह৭喑 Όദڨγ吅হ႓чࣾᡒఏ䭌व҉⮱⺋ȡЃЙ๔็
ͧ๔უᘼ䃳⇎ݝᰶᱻٶ㔭হЃ⮱ఏ䭌喑ߍಎᅞ̺ч 䘪̺ࢂ⠙㵹ߕ喑㔹᭜Вఏ䭌⮱༬ᔮ㵹ߕȡ䔆ᒵ䛺㺮喑
ःᓄϷ๖⮱ᅞȡąЃ䃑ͧĄᱻٶ㔭䓋̓䚿పϧ䲋 ѳЙ䘪㏵ᄳ㔮ࣨ喑䘪䰭㺮ᣒ⤚ϧȡą
⮱䶳ᄩ䊤γᒵ๔⮱҉⩕ȡą Ą䶨㺮ᑂ䔈ᰡ็х⻭⮱⩤ຠᲒ㏱̸̭͗䶳ᄩ
ఏ䭌喑ౕহ䔆̭А䶳ᄩϧऻ喑ፓ䶳ߍಎ䊝ा
Йͧ҂㺮ࣾᡒ䊲⮱ᒞ৺߈ ᱗Გȡ䔆Ꭳ̺ღᭀȡϺ♣ౕߗ߈喑ᘠ㘪䄡̭
ᱻᕨ⤳䄡喑ߍಎ㮪♣ग᭜̭͗᠒ᰶρ⮫็̴ϧ ψϧϻᩬ喑̸ౕ̭ᅷ๔䔶͚ܧᲒ࣯䔶喑ѳᬍ䃧ຯ҂䘪
ऐ⮱ᄼప喑ڣЃపუࢡ䃑ⱌౝⰸᒲႰ喑ᎣⰥԎႰ㘪ᰶ ᭜̺์⮱ȡЙ㐊ᄦ̺чౕᘼ̭͗ă⩟㏔ఏ䭌ă ⮱
䉎⡛ȡ ߈䓴λᑧ๔ȡą
ᕨ⤳ᓳ䔝喑็ప䶳ᄩϧ㏤㏤ݝߍಎܧፚᱻٶ㔭
“It’s very important you don’t lose that mag-
ic. To stay exceptional, we need a successful
economy, we need hardworking and skilful
workers.We need outstanding leadership.”
May 2015 7
MAY DAY
Kepimpinan cemerlang memastikan Singapura terus unggul
Singapura dihormati di pentas dunia kerana mutu kecemerlangan pemimpin perintis. Cabarannya
adalah untuk Singapura terus melahirkan kepimpinan sedemikian demi memastikan Singapura kekal
relevan, kata PM Lee...
Kepimpinan yang cemerlang telah membawa kepada
kejayaan Singapura hari ini, dan negara ini memerlukan
lebih ramai orang yang berkebolehan untuk menerajui
tampuk kepimpinan agar ia kekal relevan dan istimewa,
kata Perdana Menteri Lee Hsien loong di Rapat Tahunan
Hari Pekerja.
PM Lee, setiausaha agung PAP, berkata di acara 1 Mei itu,
tugasnya adalah untuk membina satu pasukan pemimpin
yang utuh yang akan memimpin Singapura mengharungi
hari muka.
Pembaharuan kepimpinan akan menjadi isu paling pent-
ing dalam pilihan raya umum (PRU) akan datang kata PM
Lee, 63 tahun, yang merupakan perdana menteri ke-3 dan
telah menjawat jawatan itu selama 11 tahun. berbeza, disebabkan kita mempunyai pemimpin unggul, TOP The late Mr
Lee Kuan Yew
“Ia bukanlah tentang melakukan lebih banyak lagi atau orang menghormati kita. Kerana itu, kita punya rakan-rakan and his pioneer
berbelanja lebih lagi, seperti mana yang diƤkirkan seseten- di luar negara. Kita punya suara apabila ada kejadian yang generation of
ministers helped
gah orang. Ia adalah tentang siapa yang akan memimpin menjejas kita, kita boleh bersuara dan orang mendengar apa pave the way for
Singapura mengharungi masa depan. Masa depan kita yang kita katakan. Kita punya kebebasan untuk bertindak Singapore's suc-
cess. Pictured is
kini menjadi taruhan dan masa depan anak-anak kita. dalam menentukan hala tuju nasional demi mencapai the 15th Central
Ini kerana, jika pemerintah gagal, apa yang akan berlaku kepentingan kita,” ujarnya. Executive Commit-
tee (1979-1981).
kepada anda semua, ke atas kita semua, ke atas Singapura?” “Untuk kekal unggul, kita perlu sebuah ekonomi yang
beliau menyatakan demikian kepada hampir 5,000 hadirin berjaya. Kita perlu pekerja yang gigih bekerja dan berkema-
di panggung kesenian, The Star Performing Arts Centre, di hiran, dan kita memerlukan kepimpinan yang cemerlang.”
Buona Vista.
Beliau mengisahkan kerja keras mantan Perdana Menteri Pasukan “A” untuk Singapura
Lee Kuan Yew dan pasukan menterinya dalam merubah Untuk sekarang ini, PM Lee menyifatkan Kabinet beliau
Singapura menjadi negara moden hari ini. adalah seimbang, dengan percampuran yang baik antara
“Salah satu sebab timbulnya reaksi mendalam apabila menteri-menteri mapan dengan lebih 20 tahun pengalaman
Encik Lee meninggal dunia adalah kerana semua orang dan muka-muka baru yang ditampilkan dalam PRU 2011.
tahu, tanpanya, apa yang kita lihat di sekeliling kita tidak “Saya Ƥkir mereka semua telah menghadapi saat-saat
akan wujud hari ini,” katanya. “Pemergian Encik Lee meng- genting dan telah mengharunginya dan mereka semakin
ingatkan kita bahawa kepimpinan yang cemerlang akan serasi dan mampu bekerja bersama-sama sebagai sebuah
membawa perbezaan besar kepada Singapura.” pasukan, tidak ramai pemain solo tetapi sebagai sebuah
pasukan. Itu amat penting, kerana kita semua semakin tua
Mengapa kita tidak dipandang enteng dan kita semua perlu pengganti.”
Singapura mungkin sebuah negara kecil dengan pen- “Saya perlu lelaki dan wanita yang baik, untuk memben-
duduk berjumlah lima juta orang, tetapi negara-negara lain tuk (pasukan) bagi penggal berikutnya untuk membawa
memandang serius dan percaya negara ini boleh menyum- Singapura ke hadapan – melepasi saya dan menteri-menteri
bang,” tambah PM Lee. dan pemimpin segenerasi dengan saya. Ia satu perkara yang
Perdana Menteri mengisahkan bagaimana sejumlah sukar dilakukan,” katanya. “Saya masih berusaha bersung-
pemimpin asing menghadiri upacara pengebumian negara guh-sungguh dan saya Ƥkir saya akan mendapat sebilangan
Encik Lee Kuan Yew, termasuk ketua-ketua pemerintah kecil orang untuk masuk dan sertai politik dan bertanding
Jepun, Korea Selatan, India, Israel dan Kanada. Amerika dalam pilihan raya untuk PRU mendatang, tetapi anda tidak
Syarikat diwakili mantan presiden Bill Clinton, sementara akan berasa kecukupan. Kita tidak akan mempunyai sebuah
China diwakili Naib Presiden Li Yuanchao.“Disebabkan kita pasukan 'A' untuk Singapura yang terlalu kuat.”
8 May 2015“In the next election, leadership renewal is the most important issue. It
is who will lead Singapore into the future and it’s our future at stake and
our children’s future. Because if this government fails, what is going to
happen to you, to all of us, to Singapore?”
May 2015 9BUDGET 2015 Everyone, from young to senior
citizens, gets a helping hand
Building for in the Budget 2015 announced
by Finance Minister Tharman
Shanmugaratnam on Feb 23,
the future 2015. Petir highlights some of the
key initiatives for the different
groups of Singaporeans.
ÂTHE WORKERS
SkillsFuture Credit
What it is: A fund for every
working Singaporean to tap on to
oơset the cost of training courses.
It will cultivate a strong culture of
lifelong learning to help workers
develop new skills and Ƥnd better
career opportunities.
Who it's meant for: Those aged
25 and above.
How it'll work: Those eligible
will get $500 from next year in
their SkillsFuture Credit account
and top-ups in the future, to ÂTHE SENIORS
pay for a broad range of courses
oơered by government training CPF changes
agencies What it is: Higher total CPF contribution rates between 0.5 and 2
What it'll cost: About $1 billion percentage points from next year. CPF members aged 55 and above
a year. will receive an extra 1τ interest on the Ƥrst $30,000 of their total CPF
savings.
Who it's meant for: Workers above 50 to 65 years old.
How it'll work: For workers aged above 50 to 55, employers and
employees will split equally the CPF rate hike of 2 percentage points,
bringing the contribution rate for this age group to 37 per cent, on par
with younger workers. Workers between the age of 56 and 60 will get
a 1 percentage point increase while those between 61 and 65 will have
theirs raised by 0.5 percentage points.
Silver Support Scheme
ÂTHE PARENTS What it is: About 150,000 needy elderly citizens will get quarterly
payout of up to $750.
Childcare subsidies Who it's meant for: The bottom 20 per cent of elderly Singaporeans
What it is: Childcare centres' fees will be lowered by about $100 every aged 65 and above, with a smaller degree of support extended to 30
month. per cent of elderly.
Who it's meant for: Parents with children who need childcare. How it'll work: Quarterly payouts from $300 to $750, depending on
How it'll work: New scheme will complement a current scheme, the elderly’s HDB ƪat size, amount of household support, and lifetime
where childcare centres receive government grants and rental sub- of wages based on CPF contributions. As the payouts only start in the
sidies in return for charging a lower fee. About half of pre-schoolers Ƥrst quarter of 2016, an extra Goods and Services Tax voucher of $600
will beneƤt by 2020. will be given to seniors aged 65 and above living in HDB ƪats.
What it'll cost: $250 million on both schemes over the next Ƥve years. What it'll cost: About $350 million a year.
10 May 2015ÂTHE STUDENTS
Free examinations
What it is: Students will take
exams for free.
Who it's meant for: Students
in mainstream schools as well as
polytechnic and ITE students.
How it'll work: The fee waivers
will work out to about $900
savings for a child from primary ÂTHE “SANDWICHED’’ MIDDLE CLASS
school to pre-university.
What it’ll cost: $250 million CPF changes
over the next three years. What it is: The CPF salary ceiling will be raised from $5,000 to $6,000
from Jan 1, 2016.
Who it's meant for: At least 544,000 middle-income workers.
How it'll work: By raising the ceiling cap, middle income work-
ers can save more in their CPF accounts. A 45-year-old worker who
‘’Finding earns above $6,000 will save an extra $60,000 in his CPF by the time
something he reaches 65. There is also higher annual contribution cap for the
Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS). This will be raised from
that we think $12,750 to $15,300 per year for citizens and PRs. Every dollar put into
we can be good the SRS account is tax-free which lowers the amount of tax a person
at, persevering has to pay. Also eơective Jan 1, 2016.
over the years
and taking
pride in it, and ÂTHE LOW-INCOME
passing the
passion on to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Voucher scheme
next generation, What it is: $50 more in cash payouts a year under the permanent
scheme.
so that we keep Who it's meant for: About 1.4 million lower-income Singaporeans
moving up.’’ aged 21 and above.
How it'll work: Those who qualify will receive either $150 or $300
- Finance Minister worth of GST Vouchers this year, depending on the annual value of
Tharman Shanmugaratnam
their homes.
BY THE NUMBERS:
$79.9 billion in total government spending,
an increase of 19.3 per cent
from 2014.
$73.2 billion in total government revenue,
a rise of 4.7 per cent
from 2014.
May 2015 11Your CPF
FEATURE
More Flexibility, More Options
How much will you need during your retirement? The CPF
Advisory Panel recommends giving you more options
You Decide What Payout You Want:
You turn 55 in 2016. You will be able to choose from:
Basic Retirement Sum Full Retirement Sum Enhanced Retirement
(with property) (without property) Sum
$80,500 $161,000 $241,500
Monthly payout of Monthly payout of Monthly payout of $1,750-
$650-$700* for life $1,200-$1,300* for life $1,900* for life if you choose to
to meet your basic to meet your basic put more into your Retirement
needs. needs. Account.
*Based on estimates from the CPF LIFE Standard Plan today.
How Will You BeneƤt? ,
WHAT IT
IS NOW?
YOU HAVE MORE OPTIONS One CPF Minimum Sum
You can decide the monthly payout that will best meet your retirement needs. for everyone in the
same age group.
The New Choices You Have:
You will know your options ------------------------------------------------
ahead of time. This is because
the Basic Retirement Sum will
be announced up to 2020.
$80,500 $83,000
,WHAT IT IS NOW?
The Minimum Sum for your age group
was hard to predict because the rate of
change was diƨerent each year. Age 55 Age 55
in 2016 in 2017
12 May 2015FLEXIBILITY TO
The New Choices You Have: RECEIVE HIGHER CPF
RETIREMENT PAYOUTS
You will have ƪexibility to withdraw FOR LIFE
more or top up:
At 55, you will still have the
same options to withdraw as
before.
Start your payouts later,
For future cohorts*, when you turn 65, you will up to age 70
be able to: 40% work beyond 65
Receive 7% more payout for every
year that payout is deferred.
Withdraw up to 20% (includes Ƥrst $5,000 with-
drawn from 55) from your Retirement Account.
However, your monthly payouts will be lower.
*Applies to those who turned 55 from 2013.
You will also be able to:
ҞTop up your Retirement Top up your spouse’s CPF
so that he/she can also have
Account, up to the Enhanced higher payout*
Retirement Sum.
*as long as you set aside the Basic
Retirement Sum.
ҟYour monthly payouts will
be higher.
,WHAT IT IS NOW?
Everyone can withdraw up to $5,000
How Will You BeneƤt?
Put in more savings in
CPF LIFE
from their CPF accounts from age 55. YOU WILL HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY
to best meet your retirement needs. You can top up to the Enhanced
Anything above half the CPF Minimum Retirement Sum.
Sum and Medisave Minimum Sum
can be withdrawn from age 55 with a
property pledge.
How Will You BeneƤt?
----- Basic Retirement Sum ----------------------------------------------------- YOU WILL HAVE GREATER ASSURANCE
AND FLEXIBILITY
Cohorts turning 55 later will have peace of
mind knowing that they will be able to receive
higher payouts by putting aside a higher sum
to cope with changes in standard of living and
$85,500 $88,000 $90,500 inƦation.
Age 55 Age 55 Age 55
in 2018 in 2019 in 2020
May 2015 13SHORTIES
New Cabinet appointments
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New unit to study
critical issues
facing Singapore
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NEWS IN NUMBERS
$45 million
More than 00,000 households in HDB
$50
The face of PAP founding member Lee
flats receiUed up to ʙ each of rebates, *uan 8ew, who died on March 3 at ,
depending on their type of flat, in April. A total will be printed on new commemoratiUe
of ʙ million worth of &ST 5oucher Utilities ʙ0 notes that will be issued this year to
SaUe U SaUe rebates was giUen to eligible mark Singapore’s 0th birthday. The note
households. Those in to room HDB flats will show Mr Lee with ƥst raised, leading
can offset about three to four months of the crowd with the ‘Merdeka’ rallying cry
utilities bills on aUerage with the Uoucher. which means freedom in Malay.
0.3% 1%
Singapore’s Consumer Price Index fell by The HDB resale market price index fell
0.3 per cent in March compared with a year by per cent in the ƥrst three months of
ago. 3his was the ƥfth straight month the this year compared with the last quarter
index has fallen, due largely to declines of 0 while the number of transactions
in home rentals and transportation costs. in the resale market declined by 0. per
Core inƦation came in at per cent, down cent to ,3. The price index for priUate
from .3 per cent in the preUious month. properties also dipped by per cent.
16 May 2015CONVERSATION
Online
Blade
Dr Lam Pin Min shares his learning points from the Sengkang West
columbarium saga and his work in the constituency
T
he Internet is a double-edged sword and and making new friends. I am truly honoured to be in-
Sengkang West MP Dr Lam Pin Min is familiar vited to be a ‘friend’ in their Facebook pages. Whatever
with both sides of the blade. they post there appears on my timeline. That is good,
Like many MPs, he learnt how to wield the sword by for I can act on their concerns and feedback rather “If everyone
starting a Facebook account and engaging his residents than having the residents complain about certain is- can just put
by posting photos of his constituency events. sues without my knowledge.” in a little
As Sengkang is a “young’’ constituency peopled However, it was late last year that the double-edged more effort
with couples with young children, many residents use blade inƪicted a deep cut on Dr Lam, ͢͠, and he to be nice to
the social media. For instance, those staying in new experienced one of the most trying moments of his one another,
BTO (Build-To-Order) developments such as Anchor- nine-year MP career.
Singapore
vale Cove and Fernvale Foliage have started BTO-relat-
will be a
more pleas-
ed Facebook pages. Slaying the online rumour mill ant place to
“They are very active,” noted Dr Lam. “Even before When news broke on December ͟͜, ͜͞͝͠ that future live in.”
the residents collect the keys and shift into the ƪats, residents of BTO project Fernvale Lea in Sengkang
they are already communicating amongst themselves West were surprised and unhappy that a Chinese tem-
May 2015 17CONVERSATION
ple with a commercial columbarium would
be built next to their new ƪats, Dr Lam Ƥrst
had to quash swirling online rumours about
the building of a funeral parlour or cremato-
rium.
Then he had to deal with the online fall-
out when, in a dialogue with residents to dis-
cuss and clarify the matter, he sat at the same
table as representatives from the developer,
which some residents mis-interpreted as sid-
ing with the developer and the authorities.
“On hindsight, I should perhaps have
stood separately, introduced myself and the
panel, and then moderate the dialogue in a
diơerent manner,” said Dr Lam, when asked
if he would have done anything diơerently in
his handling of the columbarium saga.
Rather than adopting a vocal, combat-
ive approach to represent his residents’
interests, Dr Lam preferred to work quietly
behind-the-scenes, discussing the issue with
relevant agencies and also with the Minister
for National Development Khaw Boon Wan.
On January 29, 2015, a month after the news
broke, Mr Khaw conƤrmed that no commer-
cial columbarium would be built at the site.
Reƪecting, Dr Lam said: “The columbari-
um episode was quite a challenging time for
me, not just from managing the unhappiness
of my current and future residents, but also
in trying to dispel some of the untruths that
were circulating in the social media.”
Did you really aspire to be a veterinarian courage as I detoured from mainstream
when you were young? doctoring to embark on a military
Yes, it was my childhood dream. But it profession. I became the ƥrst qualiƥed
required me to study abroad, which would aviation ophthalmologist in Singapore.
have wiped out my parents’ savings meant I also went to East Timor for
for my three other siblings’ and my tertiary three months in 2000 to provide
education. Getting into medical school in humanitarian support at the United
Singapore was the logical and most feasible Nations Military Hospital for which I
option then. received the United Nations Medal for
I still love animals, so do my wife and Service. It was a war zone there. We
two daughters. We have 20 rabbits, two had very basic facilities and had to
dogs and two terrapins at home. improvise to care for everything, from
gunshot to grenade wounds to aircraft
What inspires you in your career path? accident injuries. In our free time, we
Aspiration and I have always been adventurous and helped in the villages and orphanages.
have often taken the road less travelled. It made me realise how lucky we are
Inspirations When I ƥrst signed on with the Republic of in Singapore and how we shouldn’t take
Singapore Air Force in 1997, it took a lot of things for granted.
18 May 2015No surprises, please
To avoid similar unhappiness in future,
Mr Lam said it is crucial that Singaporeans
be kept well-informed of any development in
their vicinity. “The element of ‘surprise’ will
not go down well with residents,” he said.
This could even include the building of
DR LAM an eldercare facility, or the seemingly simple
conversion of a void deck space in a HDB
PIN MIN block to a childcare centre, which might be
Minister of State for Health
interpreted as the removal of a public gather-
Age: 46
Family: Married to con- ing space for residents. Dr Lam Pin Min keeps tabs on his residents’
sultant obstetrician and And in order to keep people informed, he health as one of them does her listening
gynaecologist, Dr Jeanette test.
strongly suggests that government agen-
Chen, with two daughters,
Kate-Lynn, 14, and Emma- cies keep the local MPs informed of future
Lynn, 11. developments in their constituencies so that
Hobby: Collecting stamps
residents can be engaged constructively way
Sports: Swimming and
working out in the gym. ahead of time. shopping malls and the new Anchorvale
Represented National He acknowledged that the episode has left community club.
University of Singapore in While the Internet could be a double-
a blot in an otherwise clean sheet of constitu-
canoeing, former dragon
boater and canoeist in ency work. He said: “Some residents may edged sword, his greatest challenge is not
National Junior College. still be sore and unhappy about it, but what’s online, but oƫine. “Trying to solve all the
Car music of choice: problems of my residents can be physically
important is how much we have done for the
938LIVE for news, and Jia
FM 88.3 as it is a bilingual residents over the years.” and emotionally challenging as you don’t
music station. Apart from stepping up the establishment necessarily have control over some issues,
Favourite food: Vegetarian like inter-personal relationships resulting
of childcare centres and kindergartens to ca-
beehoon from Ruyi Yuan
Vegetarian stall in Tanglin ter to young families in his ward, and starting in neighbourly disputes. Such social issues,
Halt. a Guardian Angel project to raise funds for unfortunately, cannot be resolved easily,”
low-income residents in two rental blocks, he said.
LEFT Scoring with young Dr Lam is also transforming Sengkang into Therefore, if there is one thing he hopes
Sengkang residents for, it is that people treat one other with
through a game of basket- what he calls a “suburban recreational hub”.
ball. New facilities built in the last few years more respect: “If everyone can just put in a
include the Sengkang Riverside Park, little more eơort to be nice to one another,
Sengkang Floating Island, Anchorvale water Singapore will be a more pleasant place to
activity centre at the Punggol reservoir, new live in.”
ble raising the subject of death with their elderly implemented at the end of 2015. “This will
Medical Man parents. It’s ironic. Perhaps they are afraid their entail a multi-pronged approach, including
Appointed Minister of State for Health in parents may think they are unƥlial to talk about print advertisements, TV interstitials, dialogue
August 2014, Dr Lam wants to champion such issues.” sessions and radio talk shows.”
end-of-life issues and improve the model of He intends to ramp up the national discourse At the MOH, he also oversees intermediate
primary healthcare in Singapore. on end-of-life issues such as the Advanced Medi- and long-term care, communicable diseases,
“End-of-life care is still nascent and needs cal Directive, advanced care planning, hospice the engagement of medical professionals
to be developed further, considering the and palliative care, and the quality of death. He and primary healthcare. He is in the midst of
rapidly ageing population,” he said. “Many says MOH could start the ball rolling by working reviewing the primary care model.
Singaporeans still ƥnd the topic of death a with organisations like the Lien Foundation. Professionally, the specialist in paediatric
taboo and many, both young and old, still shy “By talking more about such issues, Singapo- ophthalmology left his job of nearly nine
away from talking about this topic openly.” reans could get de-sensitised to the topic. It will years at the KK Women’s and Children’s Hos-
He attended an event organised by the be interesting to ƥnd out how many Singaporean pital in January 2014 to head the Paediatric
Lien Foundation and was surprised to ƥnd families have actually sat down with their parents Ophthalmology and Strabismus Service in
that the elderly in attendance were quite will- to discuss what they want towards the end of private practice at the Eagle Eye Centre.
ing to discuss issues dealing with death. life?” “I treat every milestone in life as a new
“It was quite an eye-opener, especially With his MOH colleagues, he is also busy challenge. And each new challenge oƤers me
when the elderly residents remarked that it’s getting the word out on the new universal health invaluable opportunities to learn and be a
the younger people who are not so comforta- insurance scheme MediShield Life, which will be better person,” he said.
May 2015 19G RO U N DWO R K > B R A N CH I N G O U T
the MPS. I couldn’t believe that there were
so many poor people seeking help,” Ms Ho
recalled.
This prompted her to join the PAP, to do
her bit for the community, volunteering at
the weekly MPS and more.
Still, she sensed some gaps in the way
residents are being helped through the
MPS which she described as “rather passive,
where we sit here to wait for people to come.’’
The lure of MPS
Together with some like-minded young
activists at the Tampines East branch, Ms
Ho embarked on a “mobile’’ MPS to plug the
gaps. Started two years ago, the mobile MPS
at Tampines East operates once a month.
“With the mobile MPS, we take on an ac-
tive role, go out to the residents to say hi. Not
everyone is aware of the existence of MPS,”
Petir speaks to three core members of Tampines East meet-the-people said Ms Ho.
session (MPS) team who are dedicated to helping fellow residents gain Working in a pair, on “good” days, Ms
access to social services BY CHONG KOH PING PHOTO: LOO HUEI HONG Ho and her fellow comrade will cover an
entire block of some 70 units of ƪats at one
go. However, on some occasions, it may take
 MPS at your doorstep
Ms Charmaine Ho, 30, was Ƥrst intro-
duced to branch activities when she sought
them an entire night to cover just four ƪoors.
Some residents have more issues to cover,
some just simply hostile.
help at one of Mr Mah Bow Tan’s meet-the- “We usually listen to what they have to
people sessions (MPS). say Ƥrst. Then explain to them that we’re
“I was trying to apply to university some residents living here in Tampines East, repre-
years ago, and I met my MP, Mr Mah at one senting the MP to come and speak with them
of our block parties. He told me to come to as an advance party.”
the MPS to help him understand more about Ms Charmaine Ho “We provide a sort of one-to-one touch
• 30, branch YP chair
my case and to appeal on my behalf. That • Member since 2007 point, and so far, the residents are happy to
was my Ƥrst encounter with the PAP, and • Sales account manager see us,” she added.
20 May 2015G RO U N DWO R K > B R A N CH I N G O U T
 MPS an eye-opener
Attending her Ƥrst few MPS, Samara
Thirushelvam came across fellow residents
attachment ended, she continued going back
to help, and eventually became a PAP mem-
ber in 2013. She confesses that she can only
with stories that seemed more like scenes help with “simple things” like translating
straight from MediaCorp TV serials than the English into Chinese, Ƥlling in documents
real life she was used to. and drafting letters. More importantly, vol-
For the then 18-year-old Samara, this unteering at the MPS also gave her insights
was a sort of “awakening” for she could not into policy-making.
imagine that there were still people living in “Mr Mah will often talk to us about hot
Ms Samara Thirushelvam
poverty in a First World Singapore, right in • 20, branch YP exco member button issues after our MPS. We recently had
her neighbourhood, no less. • Member since 2013 a session on the CPF policy where activists
• National University of Singapore
“There was a family of six who came to ask Year 2 student gave him feedback on Singaporeans’ griev-
for a rental ƪat. They were sharing a rental ances. And he clariƤed some misunderstand-
ƪat with seven others, and the children ing and explained the rationale for some of
couldn’t use the light at night. They had to shadowing a letter-writer, listening to the these policies to help us understand,” she
use the light in the public spaces to do their bread-and-butter woes of the man in the said.
homework,” she recalled. street. Currently a political science student,
This and many others are the MPS cases “I got to see how government policies Samara also relishes the opportunity to
Samara encountered as part of her “Grass- impact diơerent people, and see things be- experience Ƥrst-hand the constraints and
roots and Governance” attachment pro- yond our text books. I saw the problems that diƥculties of policy-making.
gramme when she was studying at Victoria people face, on CPF, on money, on housing,’’ “Such are the things that I would never
Junior College. Every week, for six weeks, she she said. be exposed to, this was such an eye-opener,”
attended the MPS in her school uniform, So inspired was Samara that after the she said.
“Like our Tampines East
PAP.SG chapter, it’s not years, 48 years, 33 years, and so on. They are
entirely made up of senior generous in sharing what they know.
activists. We make sure that “At the same time, we have an active
some of our YP members renewal process to bring in new blood. The
are part of the chapter. They seniors are always more than happy to relin-
recently helped the older quish their positions for the young people to
members do up a Áyer ex- take over,” said Mr Yeo.
plaining the various Ànan- But, the senior activists do not just fade
cial assistance schemes. oơ after they step down. Instead, they stay on
This way, the young and old Mr Benny Yeo to mentor, playing important roles as advis-
activists can learn from one • 50, branch secretary
• Member since 1995 ers to impart their knowledge and experience
another.” • General Manager of the PCF to the younger comrades.
- Mr Benny Yeo Tampines East 3-in-1 Family Centre
Conversely, the younger members are
roped in to help the seniors in areas that they
à Culture of mentorship
At a relatively “tender’’ age of 50,
Mr Benny Yeo is already a veteran branch
are savvier in.
“Like our Tampines East PAP.SG chapter,
it’s not entirely made up of senior activists.
secretary of 15 years. He was entrusted to this We make sure that some of our YP members
position by the MP Mr Mah when he was just are part of the chapter. They recently helped
35 years old. the older members do up a ƪyer explaining
Describing it as a culture “unique” to the various Ƥnancial assistance schemes. This
the branch, Mr Yeo said he had no lack of way, the young and old activists can learn
mentors to help him when he took on the from one another,” Mr Yeo elaborated.
DEMOGRAPHICS
OF TAMPINES EAST top branch position when he was in his mid- A beneƤciary of the nurturing culture at
thirties. the branch, Samara describes Mr Yeo as a
or 2 room Ʀats 1%
Today, the branch has a good mix of some mentor who is like a “walking encyclopedia”.
room Ʀats 31% 20 senior and young MPS helpers who never “He’s always ready to help us, with any let-
room Ʀats 42% fail to show up, week after week, to serve the ter or any sort of documentation. The older
5 room Ʀats 23% residents. members are very supportive of us newbies
Private EC 3% “We have some very senior activists who and they welcome us with open arms,” said
have spent decades serving at the branch, 53 Samara.
May 2015 2122 May 2015
G RO U N DWO R K > WO M E N ' S WI N G
Wanted:
More
activists
Women’s Wing chair
spells out the key
direction for women
activists in the lead up to
the next general election
WW chairman Grace Fu with fellow women MPs at the 3rd WW
Annual Conference held on April 18 at Grand Park City Hall.
WW EXCO
Jan 2015 to Dec 2016
E
nergising and invigorating women ac-
tivists politically continues to be one “We are here to deliver a Chairman : Grace Fu
of the main focuses of the new WW better Singapore through Vice chairman (outreach) : Indranee Rajah
executive committee, says Ms Grace Fu. political means. How do we
Vice chairman (advocacy) : Josephine Teo
In an interview with Petir, the WW chair-
deliver a better future for the
Vice chairman (outreach) : Amy Khor
people? We need to Àrst ask
man points out that conventional mobilisa-
why we are doing it before Secretary : Sim Ann
tion is no longer enough; women activists we answer the question of Assistant secretary : Ng Hsueh Ling
have to go out there to get more people what we are doing.We need Assistant secretary : Lee Su Min
interested and understand politics, build a to show how to do it, through Treasurer : Foo Mee Har
stronger network of supporters and get more actions, not just talk.We need Assistant treasurer : Low Yen Ling
people to cast their votes for the PAP. to govern effectively and New Media – lead : Tin Pei Ling
Being in WW is not just volunteering to to show that this can done New Media – deputy lead : Lena Lee
do social work, or helping the neighbours, through our political party.”
she reminds them.
“When volunteers help out at the meet- For example, when it comes to major gov- campaigning during elections.
the-people sessions, their hearts are in ernment policies like the Pioneer Generation “Half of the voters are women, and we in
the right place. It’s a good start. But we are package, she will discuss with them: Why WW, as women, understand the psyche and
here to deliver the bigger good. We need to is the government doing this? What does it know how to position ourselves and explain
continue delivering the right for the PAP to mean for the elderly? Why is it important the PAP’s policies to the women voters,” Ms
govern.” to the women? What are the views from the Fu explains.
Since taking over as Chairman of WW, Ms women’s perspective? In the new Exco, whose term started in
Fu has been giving the women activists more “As women, we live longer, and so this Jan 2015, the WW is also looking to expand
exposure to the political aspect of WW’s package beneƤts women more. We need the its reach in the cyberspace, to rally the people
work, through the quarterly meetings, as well women activists to recognise this and discuss to support and amplify the women’s voice –
as the annual conferences. how to address the political needs of women to share and defend the PAP’s positions.
of diơerent age-groups, and be active advo- The Exco role on new media has been
Sharpening political perspectives cates for them,” she adds. enhanced to organise the WW’s presence
And the women activists are urged to Armed with heightened political aware- and to take positions on government policies
hone their political perspectives when they ness, they will become eơective activists from the women’s standpoint.
meet. for their branches in communications and
May 2015 23G RO U N DWORK > YO U N G PA P
Engaging with a cause
Nee Soon YP interacts with residents through a variety of causes,
ranging from environment to social BY TAN AI CHENG
T
wo meaningful events were organ- Bringing home the importance of
ised by Nee Soon Region Young PAP water
(YP) members recently as part of Earlier in March, the Nee Soon Region YP
their community outreach with a cause. held an event to advocate water conservation
They were Mother’s Day on May 10 and in conjunction with World Water Day on
water conservation (water being a scarce March 22.
resource) in March. Thirty-six members distributed 8,000
Bright and early on Mother’s Day, which bottles of Newater, tagged with the message
fell on a Sunday, about 40 YP volunteers “Every single drop matters’’ to Nee Soon
fanned out in Nee Soon Central, Chong Region residents. Newater bottles were also
Pang and Nee Soon East constituencies distributed on March 15.
to distribute 3,000 stalks of carnations to As in the Mother’s Day event, the mem-
residents. bers spread their message by giving the
Their cause? To get residents to show Newater bottles in public areas such as the
appreciation to the “special woman” in their wet markets, food centres, entrances of the
lives. A card accompanying each stalk read: bus interchange and link ways to Yishun and
“On a special day, for a special woman”. Khatib MRT stations.
“It was sweet to see young children get- Ms Cynthia Mark, 30, chairman of Nee
ting the ƪowers from our volunteers before Soon Region YP, explained the rationale be-
running back into their mothers’ arms. hind the two events: “The mission statement
Husbands were also coming forth to collect of Nee Soon YP is: Outreach with a cause.
them for their wives and thanking them on
the spot,” observed Ms Athena Michael, 24,
We wish to advocate diơerent causes ranging
from environment to social causes.”
“The event gar-
chairwoman of YP at Chong Pang. “For the Mother’s Day event, we hoped to nered positive at-
Volunteers also handed out the carnations raise appreciation for motherhood. With the tention as all 3,000
to youths and passers-by so that they could
bring them home for their mothers.
World Water Day event, we hoped to advo-
cate the acceptance of alternative sources of
Áowers were given
Mr Jiang Yulin, 25, chairman of Nee Soon water and also the importance of conserv- out within an hour.”
East YP, said: “The event garnered positive ing water as it is indeed one of our scarce
attention as all 3,000 ƪowers were given out resources.’’
within an hour.”
24 May 2015G RO U N DWO R K > PA P P O LI CY F O R U M
Top concerns of
young adult
Singaporeans
More affordable housing, work-life balance and
educational opportunities were the regular hot
topics at the PPF 6th Council’s inaugural dialogue
T
he 60 young adults, at the “Aspira-
tions of Young Singaporean Adults” “Improved
work place
dialogue, also came up with in- Áexibility, such
novative ideas on how to solve them. It was as allowing
held on Feb 14, 2015 to gather feedback and parents with
young children
suggestions for the policy needs of young to do part of
Singaporean adults aged between 18 and 35 their work from
years old. home, or great-
er application
It was attended by Comrade Lawrence of Áexi-hours by
Wong, Minister for Culture, Community employers, may
and Youth. Mr Wong, who is also an advi- signiÀcantly en-
hance our work
sor to the PPF, gave insights into how their force participa-
feedback could help to shape future policies tion rate and
which would impact young Singaporean reduce reliance
on foreign man-
adults. The participants were divided into power.”
four focus groups, with about 15 in each
group.
Some participants, worried about down
payment for ƪats, suggested “leasing”
schemes for Ƥrst-timers to lower the barriers suggested that NSFs be allowed to earn uni- Many were also worried about insuƥcient
of entry. Under such a scheme, the Ƥrst- versity credits during their two-year NS stint retirement income as large amounts of sav-
timers could buy the ƪat with no downpay- or provide work place relevant skills training ings are locked up in property assets. One
ment but pay “leasing” charges every month. for them. They could study some of the mod- suggestion was to oơer investment options
After a certain number of years of “leasing’’ ules part-time and use them as credits for that would take into account the longer in-
charges, the ƪat would become theirs. their university degree. This will help them vestment runway period that young working
Others suggested more work-life balance shorten the time required to complete their adults have.
for the work force. Biomedical scientist, Dr tertiary education. Many of the participants found the
Zheng Shunsheng, 31, pointed out: "Work- session fruitful. Full-time NS man Kelvin
life balance is one of the main issues that Useful takeaways from dialogue Aw, 19, shared: “It was a thought-provoking
young Singaporeans adults are concerned Career opportunities and advancement, and fruitful session. I took home valuable
about. Improved work place ƪexibility, such adequate funds for retirement and health- thoughts that I would not have gotten any-
as allowing parents with young children to care cost were other topics discussed during where else and I wish to attend more of such
do part of their work from home, or greater the dialogue. sharing sessions.”
application of ƪexi-hours by employers, may Another concern was the over-reliance on
signiƤcantly enhance our work force partici- educational qualiƤcations in career opportu-
pation rate and reduce reliance on foreign nities and advancement. To overcome this, it
manpower." was suggested that there could be multiple
SONNY WEE
Other participants were concerned about progression tracks for non-graduates, with Vice Chairman
the delay in starting tertiary education for the public sector taking the lead in imple- 6th PAP Policy Forum (PPF) Council
Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs). They menting such a policy.
May 2015 25BACKBENCHER'S BITE
WHO: Lim Biow Chuan,
MP for Mountbatten SMC.
He entered politics in 2006
and is a senior lawyer in his
own law ƥrm, #errick 6ong
& Lim BC LLP.
WHERE: Mui Thiang Kee
Eating House at Block ,
Cassia Crescent, along Old bibed in the students’ everyday life in school,
Airport Road.
so that it becomes part of their lifestyle.
ON THE MENU: Two char Otherwise, VIA becomes just another subject
siew bao ʙ0.70 each from
Old Airport Road Home to the students. More can be done by schools
made Paudian, one bean to emphasise values on an every day basis.
paste bao ʙ0.60 and
iced Milo ʙ.0.
Ҡ Chief consumer advocate
As President of the Consumers Associa-
tion of Singapore (CASE), one of the things
we have been working on has been to en-
courage more companies to come on board
the CaseTrust Accreditation scheme so that
the businesses commit themselves to fair
business practices.
Another important aspect is to educate
consumers, to make them more aware of
their rights and their right to say No, so
that they are more cautious when they buy
An MP’s work things. Working on these two areas will
strengthen consumer awareness and hope-
fully, prevent future sagas like the Sim Lim
is never done Square incident.
ҡ Not a Dzmicro-manager’’ parent
As a parent, I make it a point to Ƥnd out
T
he saying goes that “A woman’s work overnight. Not naming the top scorer for the my daughters’ strengths. They are aged 14
is never done” but it also applies Primary School Leaving Examinations is a and 16. When I see that they have put in
to Mountbatten SMC’s Lim Biow correct signal so that you don’t just focus on eơort, I accept their results. Each of them is
Chuan. Except it is “An MP’s work is never the students with the top academic scores unique and I love them equally, regardless of
done.” but we should also recognise students with their performance in school. I don’t believe
Several hot potato issues he has handled other strengths and gifts. that I should micro-manage them.
in recent years are still “work-in-progress” for We also need to acknowledge that stu- My wife, Cheng Yee and I put up a united
Mr Lim, 52. While there have been improve- dents develop at diơerent pace and that there front in front of our daughters so that we
ments to the situations, he believes more can are diơerent paths to attaining success in life. have a consistent stand as parents.
be done. We are in the right direction but it will take a
These range from the Sim Lim Square while to change people’s perception. Ң SG50 oơers avenue to engage
saga, to education issues like changing residents
parents’ mindsets towards emphasis on ҟ Values as part of lifestyle Half of my residents live in private hous-
academic grades. We should focus on inculcating the right ing so it is a challenge trying to engage them,
values in our young. Character values are of- especially if they live in condominiums.
TOPICS DISCUSSED ten caught and not taught, as children model We organise chit-chat sessions during my
Ҟ More time to adapt to reduced on what they see. We must push character weekend visits so that I can get to know them
emphasis on academic scores education more. This will make up the soul better.
We are moving away from the focus on of our nation. As part of SG50 celebrations, we are
academic excellence to recognise other Schools run the Values In Action pro- planning to organise events such as estate
traits, like character and leadership. But gramme but this is insuƥcient. The culture light-up, movie screenings and other open-
just because the Education Minister say so of the school must be values-driven, all edu- air events so that residents can celebrate the
does not mean parents’ mindset will change cators must believe in it and it must be im- nation’s 50th birthday with us.
May 2015 27QUOTE & UNQUOTE
DzWe are never too
young to do good,
DzI want the ǮMany Helping Hands’ to be like the
and I’m glad to
ǮThousand Arms Bodhisattva’ or the ࡰ㻯䴠.
We can have many hands but we must have a see our students
body and a central nervous system to coordinate truly putting their
the helping hands.” values into action.”
Parliamentary Secretary Low Yen Ling on building future ready Minister for Education Heng Swee Keat
systems to coordinate help for the needy. on Eunos Primary School students for
showing kindness and care to the vic
tims of the Nepal earthquake.
And
Ʃnally...
“It takes hands to build a
house, but only hearts can Dz... an ageing
build a home. We can have population does
the best architects and not necessarily
urban planners to build our signify a crisis
communities but it is the to the nation,
unless we as
people who live in them a nation are
that give it the spirit – the unprepared for
kampong spirit.” it. Think not of
a Ǯsilver tsunami’
MP David Ong
on his support
but of a Ǯsilver
for the Commu boom’…”
nity Disputes
Resolution Bill. MP Chia Shi-Lu
on how a healthy
senior may be
more productive
than a younger
but unƥt person.
28 May 2015May 2015 29
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