I see no reason why the HDB should break the news to the losing PAP candidates. Does the HDB inform losing opposition candidates of impending upgrading in the wards they contested in, for example in East Coast or Tampines? Definitely not!
Gerald Giam, on HDB informing losing PAP candidate in Potong Pasir, Sitoh YihPin, of the upcoming lift upgrading in the ward.
On whose instructions did the HDB officer sent an email to inform Sitoh ? Did the CEO of HDB authorised such an email ?
This incident clearly demonstrated the partisanship of one the nation’s key institution to the PAP political party.
Just another case that further reinforced my believe that the continuation of a one-party rule is detrimental to the progress of this country.
Sitoh yih Pin was the guy who abandoned Potong Pasir residents after the 2006 elections. Now he says he is doing this LUP because he cares for the residents? This is one guy who is totally unfit to be an MP.
Remember the lamp post saga? Report from ST, 2008: http://theonlinecitizen.com/2008/05/chiam-fulfils-walkway-promise-made-at-2006-polls/
Before the election, Mr Sitoh had installed solar lamps along the pathway – where the walkway now stands – after obtaining lease of the land from the Singapore Land Authority (SLA).
When some of the lights were vandalised, Mr Sitoh declined to repair them, saying the land’s lease was due to expire.
Mr Chiam, on the other hand, said it was illegal for his town council to use its funds for the repairs, as the land was not under the council’s jurisdiction.
This shows you how desperate they are to win back the ward…Chiam may have just recovered from his stroke but I hope his spirit for the people of potong pasir will prevail…
Hopefully I hope that the residents of PP will not get suckered by the carrots…It’s another one of the sweets that will be offered for elections only.
I agreed with Andrew and had in mind where the ruling party losing candidate was after election. With well-earned efforts for the genuine interests of the citizens at heart, I am not denying any party who wants to claim credits. However, I think :
(a) it is entirely inappropriate to speak on behalf of the residents through the media as well (Incidentally, why did the media allow coverage on the losing candidate in this manner ?) So the media is also going to allow air coverage on TOC’s publicised view here to the same extent ?
(b) it is entirely inappropriate for HDB to demonstrate or give the slightest impression on partisan politics here. If I do not hear a satisfactory answer from HDB by this coming Monday, I will conclude that (at least) the HDB head should be non-partisan.
Seetoh YihPin is a sore loser. After losing to Chiam See Tong, he abandoned the voters that voted for him in Potong Pasir. Before election in 2006, he enticed the residents with abalone porridge and talked big about upgrading the blocks in PP.
When he lost to Chiam, he just vanished and showed how irresponsible he was and is. Now upgrading is in the air, he showed himself and want to claim credit. What kind of a MP is he? What integrity has he got? And why must HDB inform him about the upgrading not Mr Chiam.
Seetoh is an opportunist riding on the waves of PAP. We have seen your true colours. We need say no more.
Imagine the head of state of a another country writing to the leader of our opposition parties instead of the PM to inform him that they are establishing trade ties with Singapore. That would definitely be a breach of protocol and a snub to the PM, no?
And what right does Sitoh has to see the project through with his grassroots? Is it a new government policy that its upgrading projects are to be run by “grassroots”? Or does Seetoh think that he’s going to win the upcoming election so that he see the project through as an MP? Little wonder Tharman said that Singapore places trust in individuals rather than the system. Our “system” is run and easily changed by the “individuals” in white. Uniquely Singapore!
Oh Man, this Sitoh…after GE2006 and his reaction post-lost! yikes…we can see his true nature…
this is what i called ghetto trash of Singapore society.
Singapore is not transparent. why are we arguing over why hdb reports to seetoh? every government agency work for pap – full stop. I think everyone in Singapore knows. ha ha ha
Evidence of PAP loser
Read this in case the article will be “mysteriously taken down”
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/282914/1/.html
The highlights from the above article
“A year ago, a despondent Mr Eric Low fresh from a second straight morale-sapping electoral defeat at the hands of Workers’ Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang — decided that he would stop being taken for granted by Hougang residents. So, he slapped a fee on his previously free health-screening programme and stopped his Meet-The-People sessions and popular free breakfast service for the needy.”
“Over at the other Opposition-held ward Potong Pasir, however, Mr Sitoh Yih Pin — who also made his debut for the PAP in 2001 — has been keeping a low profile since his loss to Mr Chiam See Tong.
Resident Melvin Tan, 28, remarked: “It has been very quiet as compared to in the past. I’ve not seen Mr Sitoh or his people around.”
When contacted, Mr Sitoh said he had “no immediate plans” to resume his activities, including meet-the-people sessions, in Potong Pasir. According to grassroots leaders, residents have probably seen the last of the famous $2 shark’s fin soup and abalone porridge dished out at community events in the past.
Mr Sitoh’s right-hand man Chua Kian Meng said no community outreach events have been held since the elections. “So far, there’s been nothing. There’s also nothing planned,” he said.
Shortly after the PAP’s defeat in the two single-seat wards, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong — who had thrown his political weight behind the two candidates – announced that both would cut back on their services to residents. They would also “act like an opposition” by pointing out faults in the two constituencies, Mr Goh had said.”
“WP chief Low could not be reached for comment on Sunday, but Mr Eric Low’s perseverance has not gone unnoticed by Hougang residents. Said 60-year-old Mr Ng: “He is still working very hard. We still see him making his rounds regularly.”
On the positive side, he still working very hard just to win election. But what is the point of this clown working hard who intention is not for the people, but for himself in pursue of joining Paplite circle for money, power and fame ? So after he win, he will abandon the citizens who vote him and start giving nonsense like MIW ?
That say it all how much Pappy loves to serve Singaporeans.
Evidence of PAP loser
Read this in case the article will be “mysteriously taken down”
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/282914/1/.html
The highlights from the above article
“A year ago, a despondent Mr Eric Low fresh from a second straight morale-sapping electoral defeat at the hands of Workers’ Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang — decided that he would stop being taken for granted by Hougang residents. So, he slapped a fee on his previously free health-screening programme and stopped his Meet-The-People sessions and popular free breakfast service for the needy.”
“Over at the other Opposition-held ward Potong Pasir, however, Mr Sitoh Yih Pin — who also made his debut for the PAP in 2001 — has been keeping a low profile since his loss to Mr Chiam See Tong.
Resident Melvin Tan, 28, remarked: “It has been very quiet as compared to in the past. I’ve not seen Mr Sitoh or his people around.”
When contacted, Mr Sitoh said he had “no immediate plans” to resume his activities, including meet-the-people sessions, in Potong Pasir. According to grassroots leaders, residents have probably seen the last of the famous $2 shark’s fin soup and abalone porridge dished out at community events in the past.
Mr Sitoh’s right-hand man Chua Kian Meng said no community outreach events have been held since the elections. “So far, there’s been nothing. There’s also nothing planned,” he said.
Shortly after the PAP’s defeat in the two single-seat wards, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong — who had thrown his political weight behind the two candidates – announced that both would cut back on their services to residents. They would also “act like an opposition” by pointing out faults in the two constituencies, Mr Goh had said .”
“WP chief Low could not be reached for comment on Sunday, but Mr Eric Low’s perseverance has not gone unnoticed by Hougang residents. Said 60-year-old Mr Ng: “He is still working very hard. We still see him making his rounds regularly.”
On the positive side, he still working very hard just to win election. But what is the point of this clown working hard who intention is not for the people, but for himself in pursue of joining Paplite circle for money, power and fame ? So after he win, he will abandon the citizens who vote him and start giving nonsense like MIW ?
That say it all how much Pappy loves to serve Singaporeans.
The PAP will tell u not to be partisan, while they play gutter partisan politics to the core. Most foul.
Mr. Sitoh, When are you going to resume your abalone porridge? Perhaps you may wish to change the menu! Why not sharksfin soup ?(artifical one as the recession is not over)
Mah Bow Tan is next on the strike-out list.
If he is voted out, I think the first thing the winning opposition MP would do is to OPEN THE BOOKS of HDB. And let the entire country know the breakdown and real cost of construction and upgrading works, as while as the Town Councils accounting books. And also bring the property market back to a normal healthy level.
I would vote an oppostion party willing take on these issues, issues that the current MBT is purposefully avoiding.
HDB should contact MP first to inform not sitoh who lost
I hope people like Gerald , Andrew ,Ravi and Mr Leong or Mr Tan could run for Potong Pasir or whatever it may be grouped under, hypothetical eg. Jurong GRC, yes far away but technically is it not possible?
If humans still fail, there is always the Life’s Automatic Flushing Toilet which Dictates when poo should be cleared.
massivelosses_sohow? on October 3rd, 2009 11.45 pm
“Singapore is not transparent. why are we arguing over why hdb reports to seetoh? every government agency work for pap – full stop. I think everyone in Singapore knows. ha ha ha ”
Every govt agency might “work” for PAP… but rest assured not every govt worker supports this party in heart and mind..
Are singaporeans happy to based on TRUST without the need for more transparency? where ‘more’ is relativity.
this shows that our civil servants are merely boot lickers, hankering after the favour of the political masters and high pay rather than striving to serve the people with integrity and passion as they should. So is there a problem with our country’s selection of civil servants?
But you know what, if remember correctly, My Chaim won in the last GE with a bigger margin *slightly* even though this Sitoh offers this and that to the people including the carrot GCT offers.
So this time round, even if Sitoh try this, I won’t be surprise if he doesn’t win…i think the people at PP are not that superficial
putting food on the table,
FAS lousy performance-sounds stupid but they are wasting money nontheless.-Community and Sports
HDB’s overcharging,- National Development
CPF withdrawal, GIC, Temasek- Finance
all these are issues that will shape the next government.
Stupid upgrading is not. When the hell will they learn that both the numbskulls won’t win?
Have the courage to put a minister in that ward so that people can decide between that minister and the current incumbent.
It will be nice to see a minister eating humble pie for once. They’re not known for it.
I don’t think it’s an issue for opps, especially in the case of LTK being a MP, becos it has been like that for donkey years and this is not the first time, and WP & LTK already long live with whatever circumstance is, e.g. WP strongly oppose ncmp scheme, but still grabbed it, and will try to fill up as much as possible (out of 9 vacancies) after the next GE. WP’s stand is – no fish, prawn also can.
Sitoh Yih Pin and Eric Low are only interested in getting elected and do not have the people’s interest at heart. They so typify today’s PAP, selfish and self serving.
Let’s face it. The LUP is for foreigners. Many of them buying old HDB flats complained to the government that they would not accept PR unless the government build lifts stopping on every floor in their block.
LUP is not for locals.
It seems to me that the HDB is just another PAP organ. We really should do something about this at the next elections and vote the PAP out of office. We need to give Singapore back to Singaporeans.
A breach of protocol. Right in your face. 1 party system.
the lesson learnt….NEVER EVER TRUST your opponents….however their cheap way to earn brownie points will not fool us! Nevertheless, the opposition must really up their game!…especially in the PR side….whatever media…use it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who is Seetoh ?? Goh chog tong announced also no use. PM annouced also no use. The people of potong pasir will know what to do. HDB already shows its true colour. Trying to delay upgrading until now. People are not stupid. Pap plays dirty politics, Mah Boh Tan also lost to Mr Chiam, seetoh is nothing. Look at his face, like a running dog, in Japanese time
A perfect chance for Sitoh and Eric to win votes the correct was thrown away. I think they would earn more respect for themselves if they had used the opportunity to tell the press that they would be informing the MP in charge, and then publicly say that they will work with the existing MP to further improve the constituency. This is teh gentlemen way and even though you may not win in the short term but you have sown good seeds which might yield fruit in the long term. at the very l;east, it tells others that you are fair, gentlemanly and has the courtesy to work within protocol.
But they were so eager to rush in and claim credit that the gain, if one may call it gain, is short term because their so-called credit for this would last only as long as the limelight of a press report. People can see through it and in the long-run, their eagerness to claim credit would just reveal how fair-weather they really are. everyone knows the game PAP is trying to play in HG and PP so by having 2 losers so quickly break protocol to claim credit only reinforces the impression that the whole issue is sorely for PAP and not for the citizens.
So sad that we have people like that who rush in like dogs rushing for a bone without looking 2 steps further.
How to trust such people to lead?
I am sure NO BODY can break the spirit of Potong Pasir people….
The people there were friendly…holding the lifts for others and when I dropped a letter once at a carpark…an old aunty told me about it.
I was quite surprised of their friendliness and easy going way…
I felt the one kampong feeling….it was nice, that day.
HDB is in another mess. Real fools. Ought to find out who the person was and sack him/her for bringing the instituition into disrepute.
mabuk tan should stand in either of these wards…. no upgrading for so long right??? now then want to give?? a few token blocks?
let the people of potong pasir and hougang decide what they think of him as a minister…
Such action speaks volume about leadership and their moral authority. Lately I am able to put new meaning to the words “political cowards”.
Actually, someone should seek legal redress over this LUP nonsense. Why are opposition wards penalised? Its not as if the residents there dont need to pay taxes. Or for that matter dont serve in the army. Its sickening that our elite government can resort to such lowball tactics. I remember the speech in parliament by the dead Teh Cheang Wan. As the Minister for Development then, he says that if a HDB block catches fire, and it happens to be in an opposition ward, the fire engines will not prioritise the emergency. And it was delivered with a chuckle. Kudos for the opposition wards for having the backbone that the rest of singaporeans lack. You deserve the LUP just like the rest.
where is the transparency??? such news should be released to the MP in charge and for the MP in charge to inform the residents……
It’s very sad to see PAP grassroot advisors who were rejected by Potong Pasir and Hougang residents so quick to authorize and appoint themselves to announce the LUP and work on the projects.
Look at Sitoh face do he look like a goodu ganster. How to be your MP.
His hair cut go up to 4 by 3 cut. Kon person.
Dear voters of Potong Pasir,
If pap wins P.P, it will be absorbed into neighbouring GRC, so please vote Mr Chiam to maintain the single seat. Right now pap dare not abolish this SMC, as there will be backlash from the people
All the lobbying of LUP are done by the opposition in their wards long ago, what have the losers done in Hougang and PP to have the credit?
If PAP dont please the voters, you will see the same happening in Japan. Learn from the democrats in Japan and kick out those civil servants who are the dogs of the ruling party.
If CST retires today and puts a dog in his stead, my vote goes the dog even. PAP? Come on, what a bloody joke. I have never seen Sitoh Yih Pin around since the ’96 elections after he got his ass handed to him by CST on the silver platter. Please, LUP? I’ll friggin’ climb the stairs if it calls for it. My vote to you? Keep dreaming!
This is what happened when one party stays in power for too long, they will step you weaker opp members all over at the expense of the taxpayers. So, what can we do now? ASK YOURSELF THIS VERY QUESTION NOW!
I still remember Sitoh offering residents free abalone porridge just before the last general election…….but still couldn’t win!!
This political party should call themselves “Men in Wolf’s Skin” instead!!
Ops….I meant “Wolves in Man’s Skin”
CEO HDB SHOULD EXPLAIN WHY OPPOSITION MPs IN POTONG PASIR AND HOUGANG WERE TOLD OF THE LUP N ALLOWED TO ANNOUNCE IT, BUT NOT THE MP IN CHARGE.
NEW SCHEME???
SO FUTURE UPGRADES WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY OPPOSTION MPs IN EACH TOWN?
For your info. Lift upgrading is not free…residents have to pay for it. It’s not as though HDB will forked out tax payer $$$ for it. Even though HDB call it subsidized.
Remember not too long ago,residents got to pay for aluminum window stills rivets to be changes to steel rivets even though it’s clearly a design fault of HDB…
Singaporeans have to stand up and demonstrate to any leeders that we do have some sense of integrity and justice, and we do not condone pork-barrel politices.
Not when the favours are bought with OUR OWN MONEY, while the credit for a “job well done” goes back to them!
Always remember to contrast the millions of cold, hard cash our ministers are making every year, versus our “fix” of hundreds of dollars once every five years.
This is a senseless posting. We can verify if it is true or not. Even if it is true we do not know the circumstances.
TOC seem to be going down the gutters to bring Singapore a bad name.
I am saddened and ashamed. I do not think Singaporeans are like that.
If Chiam , THE PEOPLE-ELECTED MP FOR POTONG PASIR, also has access to the same sum of people’s Money, i have no doubt in my mind he would have used it to upgrade the lifts of his residents long long long ago.
Do, the credit, if any, should go to who? The Elected MP for Potong Pasir for the lift upgrading for its residents or to the Non-Elected MP of the same?
Irony.
So, the credit, if any, should go to who? The Elected MP for Potong Pasir for the lift upgrading for its residents or to the Non-Elected MP of the same?
Irony.
This new incident shows all singaporeans one thing, HDB, STRAITS TIMES and other institutions are all run by the PAP. And they the government say that they are run independantly.
It’s a slap to the MPs that they are not given due recognition. The PAP has no say in this 2 places. You lost them not once twice but many times over and they still cant take the hint that they dont like the PAP. And for heaven sake have you no shame to try to claim that you have been doing all this for the people!
I salute the people of these 2 towns, well done and continue to show the government that you cannot be bought. You pay the same taxes like all of us and you all should be entitled to the same priviledges and perks that we have all the while been receiving. And the government says this is democracy?
The CEO of HDB should step down for such a boo boo. But wait maybe, maybe in a way there is some link up and just like the CEO of Temasek Holdings, lets move on it.s one of those things again,
Wake up all you singaporeans, the time has come to stand up with solidarity and speak up or we can just forget ever about posting all these comments in the future cos it will be a waste of time reading them anyway.