The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) in a statement to reassure the voters of Bukit Batok that all government agencies are non-partisan and will work with whoever is elected as MP for Bukit Batok SMC, has suggested that Mr Murali Pillai may have contravened the Parliamentary Elections Act (Section 59) which prohibits parties or persons from bringing undue influence on voters.
Mr Murali Pillai has been named as the candidate for the People’s Action Party (PAP) for the coming by-election in that constituency. The Jurong-Clementi Town Council had an exhibition recently to showcase its $1.9 million infrastructural plans for Bukit Batok under its Neighbourhood Renewal Programme. Mr Pillai who was at the exhibition suggested that the residents of Bukit Batok cannot get the upgradings promised at the exhibition if he is not elected.
Dr Paul Tambyah, SDP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) member said in the political party’s statement that, “to say that major improvements will come only if the PAP candidate is elected is unethical and could even be a contravention of the Parliamentary Elections Act (Section 59) which prohibits parties or persons from bringing undue influence on voters.”
Dr Tambyah said that the infrastructural upgradings for the constituency have already been covered in the draft master plan of the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), and that if elected Dr Chee Soon Juan will work with URA to ensure the implementation of these plans.
The SDP would like to reassure . The URA has a draft master plan which covers all the planning areas in Singapore.
In their brochure of the draft master plan for Bukit Batok published in late 2013, URA has highlighted several key developments some of which have already been successfully completed.
Dr Tambyah said, “all the Home Improvement Projects will also proceed without disruption as these works are either already underway or the contracts have been signed and funds allocated.”
“The SDP-run Town Council will ensure that these projects are completed,” he added.
Any additional plans that the SDP Town Council proposes to the relevant government agencies will only come after in-depth consultation with the residents, SDP said.
“We will do this by holding forums and meetings with residents. In other words, the SDP will work from the ground-up instead of the using the PAP’s high-handed top-down approach,” Dr Tambyah assured the voters of Bukit Batok.
The opposition political party feels that it is more important to address the bread-and-butter issues that voters have then to rush into projects which will place a significant burden on tax-payers.
Such funds could be put to better use such as looking after the healthcare, senior care and educational needs of Bukit Batok residents, SDP suggested.
