Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) secretary-general Dr Chee Soon Juan has slammed ruling party leaders for being out of touch with the ground and for being “arrogant, high-handed, and hypocritical,” in a new video.
Asserting that the People’s Action Party (PAP) politicians “suffer from a disease called entitlement,” Dr Chee highlighted many examples of things local political leaders have said that show their disconnect with the average Singaporean.
Dr Chee began by covering Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s suggestions that Singaporeans use free wifi, eat $3 economical meals at hawker centres and opt for cheaper products like milk powder, to cut down costs as they contend with the ever-rising cost of living.
Comparing PM Lee’s advice to Singaporeans to the VIP treatment PAP leaders receive at events like the National Day Parades – where they get separate seating areas and their own personal monitors to view the ceremony – that cost $40 million for a single parade, Dr Chee highlighted the disparity between how locals are expected to live and how ruling party politicians live.
Further, Dr Chee highlighted several examples that show PAP leaders’ sense of “entitlement” and alleged arrogance. Among other incidents, the opposition politician cited:
The fact that Minister Vivian Balakrishnan overspent on the Youth Olympic Games by a whopping $200 million and that he later said he had no regrets and would do it all over again;
An interview in which Now-Minister of State Koh Poh Koon who bragged that he and his wife have two cars because they are “professionals”. When asked why he has two vehicles, Dr Koh responded, “Well, everybody has a car”;
An interview in which Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan indicated that folks who don’t have a lot of savings in their MediSave accounts are “lazy.” The Minister had said, “I work hard, I earn more, my MediSave is bigger. You’re lazy, you earn less, your MediSave is small”;
A speech in which ex-Minister for Manpower Lim Swee Say said he “feels so rich” when he receives his CPF statement every month;
Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong’s assertion that “Ministers are not paid enough!”
An interview in which junior minister Edwin Tong “cried about” how his family has to survive with a $50,000 pay cut after he chose to enter politics;
Ex-Minister for Health Lim Hng Kian’s call for citizens to skip on one hairdo appointment to go for a breast screening.
Dr Chee asserted: “That’s how arrogant and high-handed PAP ministers are – not to mention, hypocritical. Because they keep denigrating us and lecturing us on how to cut down on our expenses, while they lavish themselves with astronomical salaries.”
Dr Chee added that the time for change is coming soon and urged the people to take back their power and vote for a brighter future at the next General Election. In the meantime, Dr Chee revealed that his party is ramping up their efforts in preparation for the next election.
Watch his full video here:
Posted by Chee Soon Juan 徐顺全 on Wednesday, 19 September 2018