SINGAPORE : The National Solidarity Party (NSP) has said there would be no future for Singapore if the People’s Action Party cannot secure cheaper housing for future generations.

It was responding to the ruling party’s manifesto entitled, " Securing the Future Together" , which was released on Sunday.

The NSP’s Secretary General, Goh Meng Seng, along with his party’s members and volunteers, covered the Chua Chu Kang, Jurong and Pioneer areas on Sunday.

Mr Goh said he disagreed with National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan’s comments that lowering the cost of state land was equivalent to " raiding the reserves" .

Mr Goh said: " At this moment, we know that we have about S$300 billion of reserves.

OVERHEARD :

RESERVES BUILT frOm peOple's BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS ? ? ? ?

LAND PRICE, HDB, COE, GST, ERP, HIGH COST OF LIVING ? ? ? ?

NOT FROM FOREIGN INVESTMENT OR FOREIGN PROFITS ? ? ? ?

 

And I think it is about time that we can do with a lower growth for the reserve. And I would rather (have) a lower reserve growth than HDB raiding the people. Raiding our young generation with high cost of housing."

The NSP will be going up against Mr Mah in Tampines Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

Mr Goh said that the Socialist Front’s move of not standing in the Whampoa and Mountbatten single—member constituencies was a " considerate gesture" , while the NSP’s withdrawal from Moulmein—Kallang GRC was to have a more " harmonious opposition movement" .

Mr Goh said: " But of course, there are still areas which we are facing three—cornered fights at. As far as NSP is concerned, we have made the greatest compromise that we could, and I think the ball is in other people’s court now."

The NSP still faces possible three—cornered fights in Radin Mas and Pioneer, which the Reform Party is also contesting.

Mr Goh was walking the ground with his party’s Chua Chu Kang and Jurong GRC teams, and its candidate for Pioneer, Steve Chia.

Potential NSP candidates like former Nee Soon Central MP, Cheo Chai Chen, as well as 35—year—old Dexter Wong and 29—year—old Abdul Salim Harun, were also present.

— CNA/ms

SINGAPORE : Singapore Airlines (SIA) could face legal action from a BBC radio presenter over the way it handled his medical condition during a flight in March.

According to a report in Britain’s ’Daily Mail’ on Sunday, Max Pearson was on a connecting flight from Singapore to London, having flown in from Tokyo.

He had been covering the Japan earthquake and tsunami for a week.

According to the report, not long after the plane took off, Mr Pearson suffered a heart attack.

The report said the cabin crew allegedly refused requests to divert the plane to the nearest hospital for him to receive medical attention.

Instead, the 51—year—old had to endure a 14—hour flight to London’s Heathrow Airport on March 18.

He was rushed to a hospital and given emergency surgery.

The report said Mr Pearson was in hospital for over a week.

The report quoted Mr Pearson’s colleagues as saying that he suffered long—term heart damage as a result of the incident.

The report also quoted a BBC source as saying that Mr Pearson was lucky to survive, as it appeared that a passenger who is a doctor attended to him during the flight.

" He says he asked for them to redirect him to hospital but it didn’t happen. After that, it was touch—and—go whether he was going to make the 14—hour flight, but amazingly he did," the BBC source was quoted as saying in the Daily Mail report.

" Max is still very poorly and is considering taking legal action against Singapore Airlines," the source added.

When contacted by MediaCorp on Sunday, an SIA spokesman said the airline is not able to comment on individual cases.

— CNA/ms

 

 


The ruling People's Action Party's wide-ranging manifesto has spelt out several plans to achieve the key objective of ensuring that growth benefits all citizens. 

To achieve higher incomes for all, the PAP says it will create fulfilling jobs and opportunities for everyone to progress, including the lower and middle income groups. 

This, through a diverse and innovative economy that enabled Singapore to overcome the competitive challenges ahead. 

It will also work with unions and firms to raise productivity and upgrade jobs in every line of work so that all workers can raise their skills and earn more. 

Improving the lives of lower-income Singaporeans is another key objective of the PAP.

It says every citizen will share in the country's progress and the government is doing more to help lower-income Singaporeans to uplift themselves and to encourage their children to discover their strengths and do well. 

That's where bringing out the best in every child is key says the PAP. 

For this, it will create one of the best education systems in the world, giving Singaporeans of diverse abilities and interests, the paths to develop themselves to the fullest. 


OVERHEARD :

30% young polytechnic graduates UNemployed ? ? ? ?

20% young University graduates UNemployed ? ? ? ?

foreign talent taken over those jobs ? ? ? ?

 


The PAP also wants to involve all Singaporeans in shaping the future. 

So it will enhance channels for public participation and feedback to encourage fresh and diverse ideas and to build a broad based consensus on key national issues. 

The Party will also strive to deepen the trust among the different races and religions and strengthen the common identity with each new generation of Singaporeans.

 

 

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore's system of Group Representation Constituencies is here to stay. 

The relevance of the scheme was raised at a Chinese-language forum.

The Prime Minister was clear on the need for Group Representation Constituencies.

" The fundamental reason is that GRCs ensure that in our Parliament, there will be a minimum number of minority MPs. That's very important. We are a multi-racial, multi-religious society. Without this system, the multi-racial feature of our Parliament will be under threat."  

A panel member asked if the religious background of new candidates is a cause for concern. 

In reply, Mr Lee said it will not be allowed to interfere in policy making, and stressed 
Singapore must remain a secular society. 

Participants also asked for more diverse views in politics 

But Mr Lee disagreed with a suggestion  to expand debating rights for Non-Constituency MPs,
saying that as a result of political reforms, there will more NCMPs after the election. 

Social worker Leng Chin Fai asked if retiring ministers could be retained in Parliament.

" They understand the workings of a ministry. When they ask questions on policy, they may be able to better reflect ground sentiment."  

" If the retired Minister supervises the new Minister, the new Minister won't be able to do his job. Former PMs working with the new PM, that's workable."

Besides politics, other issues touched on concerns about job security, the adequacy of CPF, and the social impact of the Integrated Resorts. 

Mr Lee said the government may raise safeguards against problem gambling, if needed