CNA: GE: S$90m Facelift for Whampoa Still on the Cards

[Vulcann]

...even if the ruling party lose?

 

From Channel News Asia website:

 

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin...1116216/1/.html

 

GE: S$90m facelift for Whampoa still on the cards

 

SINGAPORE : Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Heng Chee How has said a S$90 million programme to spruce up Whampoa is still on the cards despite the electoral boundary changes.

 

The S$90m programme is part of the S$460 million facelift for Jalan Besar GRC announced in January.

 

Mr Heng said the team of People's Action Party MPs will go ahead with the plan, if given the chance to do so.

 

He told MediaCorp: "Jalan Besar GRC has come up with a five-year masterplan. This plan is our group's promise to the people that if we get the chance to do it, we will do it."

 

It was a chance for residents to raise national issues to a visiting minister on Sunday. Instead, the hour-long dialogue was dominated by the airing of local issues.

 

These issues included too few schools, inadequate banking facilities and the absence of a polyclinic.

 

Transport was another concern. The Whampoa bus terminal is several decades old and in some residents' view, badly in need of an upgrade. But that is not their only grouse over transport issues. Some feel that bus networks serving the area could be better improved, while others are unhappy that they have to go to neighbouring Toa Payoh and Novena just to do something as simple as topping up their ez-link fare cards.

 

Mr Heng said he has approached the public transport operators to provide top-up machines, and notes that there are top-up facilities at the community club and certain retail outlets like 7-11.

 

He also told MediaCorp that a S$500,000 contract has been awarded to refurbish the 28-year-old bus terminal, and to provide for wheelchair-friendly access. Work is expected to start in the next few months, and could take about a year.

 

Residents said they have seen some small improvements over the years, but note that some of these concerns have been raised time and again. One resident, Tina Nirmal, hopes the situation will change after the General Election.

 

She said: "Whampoa used to be part of Jalan Besar GRC, it used to be part of a bigger entity. Maybe right now, because it is now a separate SMC, there is going to be more focus, a separate plan for us. We will have to wait and see what happens."

 

Their MP, Mr Heng, said he has been working to plug the gaps, but said that in some ways, Whampoa is just too small. He said decisions to site amenities often depend on the presence of a critical mass.

 

The estate has some 24,000 residents now, of which about one in three is aged 50 and above. With the redrawing of the electoral boundaries, however, Whampoa Single Member Constituency will have about 33,000 residents. The new Whampoa Single Member Constituency is carved out of the current Jalan Besar and Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituencies.

 

Mr Heng said: "Within this one square kilometre, we try to do the best we can within here, never saying that it is perfect. At the same time, we do not imagine that this less than one square kilometre is the universe.

 

"Therefore, we also have to tap on the surrounding area as our hinterland, so that we access their services as well. And I think that would be a smart way of doing things."

 

Separately at the dialogue, one resident asked why work permit holders needed permission from the authorities before they could get married.

 

Singaporeans who want to marry a work permit holder or former work permit holder need to apply to Ministry of Manpower's Controller of Work Permits for permission.

 

In response, Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam said work permit holders typically earned low wages. Allowing them to settle here would add a cost to society.

 

Mr Shanmugam said: "They are going to need services, they are going to use medical services. Somebody has got to pay for it, right? That could be you and me."

 

He said such cases are currently considered on a case-by-case basis.

 

---------

 

"Mr Heng said: "Within this one square kilometre, we try to do the best we can within here, never saying that it is perfect. At the same time, we do not imagine that this less than one square kilometre is the universe. "

 

Also very unwise to make this type of statement.

 

Does it imply that yours is a small estate so DON'T ask too much?

 

Wonder how the voters there feel about this...

Edited March 13, 2011 by Vulcann

[Icedbs]

strangely, there is no "development news" for Bishan-Toa Payoh area since it should be the most keenly contested with Chiam going for this GRC now.

[Kb27]

Does the $90mil belong to PAP or the public ?

Or public fund now all belongs to PAP ?

[Vulcann]

strangely, there is no "development news" for Bishan-Toa Payoh area since it should be the most keenly contested with Chiam going for this GRC now.

 

Could it be a "woon woon jia beehoon"-type of situation?

 

Meaning the GRC is bao jia?

 

The uncumbents seem very confident of winning against a proclaimed challenge from Mr Chiam & his team.

 

Even though I admire Mr Chiam for his valiant attempt in his seemingly last shot of winning a GRC, it is quite a tall order given that it is anchored by not one but two height-weights, the DPM & the Education Minister.

 

Given the kiasu/kiasi attititude, if the ruling party even sniff of a minute scent of discontent, rest assured that all the other big guns will swoop down there to fight along their colleagues there & placate any unhappy folks.

 

[Vulcann]

Does the $90mil belong to PAP or the public ?

Or public fund now all belongs to PAP ?

 

Sadly in local context this first-world government link all such upgrading projects as a means of support of the government i.e. ruling party.

 

Both PP & Hougang constituents were tempted with massive upgrading carrots during the last GE but both still opted for theri beloved oppo MPs thus earning the wrath of the ruling party & withdrawing these badly-needed upgradings.

 

So much so for a "more good years", " leave no man behind" & "swiss-style of living" government.

[Icedbs]

Could it be a "woon woon jia beehoon"-type of situation?

 

Meaning the GRC is bao jia?

 

The uncumbents seem very confident of winning against a proclaimed challenge from Mr Chiam & his team.

 

Even though I admire Mr Chiam for his valiant attempt in his seemingly last shot of winning a GRC, it is quite a tall order given that it is anchored by not one but two height-weights, the DPM & the Education Minister.

 

Given the kiasu/kiasi attititude, if the ruling party even sniff of a minute scent of discontent, rest assured that all the other big guns will swoop down there to fight along their colleagues there & placate any unhappy folks.

 

Actually there is very little news on Bishan-Toa payoh GRC which is strange. I mean the opp. powerhouse guy is contesting this one and so little news about it.

[Vulcann]

Actually there is very little news on Bishan-Toa payoh GRC which is strange. I mean the opp. powerhouse guy is contesting this one and so little news about it.

 

This could be due to the fact that though Mr Chiam has indicated his intention, no concrete action has been taken by him or his party so the media did not follow-up on it.

 

In all likelihood, he may drop his stated aim & go back PP to defend his turf IMHO.

 

Nobody wants to divulge any additional valuable info to be used against them.

 

We have to wait & see come Nomination Day...

[Xtrocious]

Hi guys...

 

Note the caveat...

 

He told MediaCorp: "Jalan Besar GRC has come up with a five-year masterplan. This plan is our group's promise to the people that if we get the chance to do it, we will do it."

 

Does this mean that if they don't get the mandate (i.e. lose the vote), they won't do it?

 

 

[Celicar]

Hi guys...

 

Note the caveat...

 

He told MediaCorp: "Jalan Besar GRC has come up with a five-year masterplan. This plan is our group's promise to the people that if we get the chance to do it, we will do it."

 

Does this mean that if they don't get the mandate (i.e. lose the vote), they won't do it?

 

I was just about to highlight the same thing. You can bet your last Singapore dollar that the plan will be changed/shredded if they lose.

[Xtrocious]

I was just about to highlight the same thing. You can bet your last Singapore dollar that the plan will be changed/shredded if they lose.

 

It's so blardy obvious that it's scary...sigh

[Vulcann]

I was just about to highlight the same thing. You can bet your last Singapore dollar that the plan will be changed/shredded if they lose.

 

This is a harsh reality facing all voters: Vote for the ruling party you will get these upgrading packages, nil if you don't.

 

First-world government?

 

You decide.

 

[Wind30]

This is a harsh reality facing all voters: Vote for the ruling party you will get these upgrading packages, nil if you don't.

 

First-world government?

 

You decide.

 

This is the issue that caused me to vote for the opposition. Everything thing else like I think still have excuse but tying use of public funds with elections is inexcusable.

 

 

 

 

 

[Christan]

I go to Whampoa quite often to makan & see that place still like in the 90s like that while other areas have been more developed. Look at the bus terminal & the number of buses serving that area. If you're staying there, likely u'll need to make at least 1 transfer to other destinations. So to me this facelift is long overdue.

[Ticklish8]

Yaacob busy with flood issue... no time for Jalan Besar GRC aka Molmein Kallang GRC now...

 

 

I go to Whampoa quite often to makan & see that place still like in the 90s like that while other areas have been more developed. Look at the bus terminal & the number of buses serving that area. If you're staying there, likely u'll need to make at least 1 transfer to other destinations. So to me this facelift is long overdue.

 

[Zanter]

Does the $90mil belong to PAP or the public ?

Or public fund now all belongs to PAP ?

 

Does the lift upgrading cost belong to the public?

 

The modus is simple. 1 Get the "best" people who can think of ways to tax the people eg coe,arf,erp etc

2. Award their appraisal by the amount of money they can tax

3. Pay for the "best" people to explain to the public why they are being taxed.

4. Collect the taxes

5. Every 4/5 years give 1-2% of collected taxes back as "goodies". Keep 98 % as "investment".

6. Get reelected and tell the people dont complain so much- look at japan

Edited March 14, 2011 by Zanter

[Vulcann]

I go to Whampoa quite often to makan & see that place still like in the 90s like that while other areas have been more developed. Look at the bus terminal & the number of buses serving that area. If you're staying there, likely u'll need to make at least 1 transfer to other destinations. So to me this facelift is long overdue.

 

Actually some folks prefer things to be like that: laid back, quiet, peaceful sleepy small little estate.

 

Then again the mass majority will want their estate to rival those like TP, AMK if not better.

 

After upgrade more amenities.

 

More amenities will bring in more people.

 

More people means more space constraint.

 

More space constraint means more friction...

 

 

 

[Kezg1]

Hi guys...

 

Note the caveat...

 

He told MediaCorp: "Jalan Besar GRC has come up with a five-year masterplan. This plan is our group's promise to the people that if we get the chance to do it, we will do it."

 

Does this mean that if they don't get the mandate (i.e. lose the vote), they won't do it?

 

 

 

 

VERY OBVIOUS.....I thk anyone that can read will understand.

[Lv3338]

regardless.... any GRC... or election boundary to who...

 

Those that dont fall under the lightining party.....those people dun need to pay tax is it?

 

So using people own money to play those dirty political games?