To Mr Lim, the MP’s role seems to be confined to that of running the town council: Collect service and conservancy fees from residents and maintain the estate. And yet town councils, he emphasised, should not be considered local government — [...]]]>

Source: The Straits Times Page A2 22 Oct 2009
Article by Sue-Ann Chia, Senior Political Correspondent

To Mr Lim, the MP’s role seems to be confined to that of running the town council: Collect service and conservancy fees from residents and maintain the estate. And yet town councils, he emphasised, should not be considered local government — for Singapore has only ‘one level of government’.

This statement, however, contradicts statements that senior government leaders have made previously…

‘With town councils and community development councils, and my intention to give more power and responsibility to them (MPs), every election in a constituency is indeed a local government election,’ Mr Goh explained at the annual PAP conference held before the polls.

Letter by Sylvia Lim (Ms), Chairman, Workers’ Party

It was the HDB’s unjustifiable answer to Mr Muhammad Yusuf — that the grassroots adviser was more appropriate than the MP to announce the LUP plans because he was able to gather residents’ input and marshal support for [...]]]>

Source: The Straits Times Forum Page Page A27 15 Oct 2009

Letter by Sylvia Lim (Ms), Chairman, Workers’ Party

It was the HDB’s unjustifiable answer to Mr Muhammad Yusuf — that the grassroots adviser was more appropriate than the MP to announce the LUP plans because he was able to gather residents’ input and marshal support for the plans — which compelled Mr Low’s response.

The HDB should have just given the real reason in its reply and not beat around the bush.

Letter by Lim Yuin Chien, Press Secretary to the Minister for National Development

As Mr Mah highlighted, HDB’s upgrading programmes are carried out and funded by the Government. This is no different from other government programmes such as the building of roads and schools.

These programmes have to [...]]]>

Source: The Straits Times Forum Page Page A17 13 Oct 2009

Letter by Lim Yuin Chien, Press Secretary to the Minister for National Development

As Mr Mah highlighted, HDB’s upgrading programmes are carried out and funded by the Government. This is no different from other government programmes such as the building of roads and schools.

These programmes have to be implemented through government channels. In the case of HDB upgrading, this channel is the advisers to grassroots organisations, who are appointed by the Government. Opposition MPs are not answerable to the Government, nor are they obliged to carry out and explain the Government’s policies.

Letter by Low Thia Khiang, Member of Parliament for Hougang

The HDB deems the grassroots adviser as the appropriate person to announce the lift upgrading programme because he gathers input from residents, ensures that the plans meet residents’ needs, can propose changes based on residents’ feedback and [...]]]>

Source: The Straits Times Forum Page Page A40 10 Oct 2009

Letter by Low Thia Khiang, Member of Parliament for Hougang

The HDB deems the grassroots adviser as the appropriate person to announce the lift upgrading programme because he gathers input from residents, ensures that the plans meet residents’ needs, can propose changes based on residents’ feedback and seek residents’ support.

On what basis does the HDB assume that the Member of Parliament, who has the support of the constituency’s electorate, is unable to do the same and is therefore inappropriate to play the same role as the adviser?