SINGAPORE: All households with at least one Singaporean citizen will have their S$100 one-off Solidarity Utilities Credit payout credited to their July or August SP Group utilities bill.
The payout, which will be given to households in all residential property types, was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat during the Fortitude Budget in May.
“This is to thank them for doing their part in staying home for Singapore during the ‘circuit breaker’ period,” the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said in a press release on Thursday (Jul 2).
The utilities credit is on top of the permanent GST Voucher (GSTV) – U-save and the GSTV – U-Save Special Payment, which will also be paid out to eligible HDB households, said MOF.
About 940,000 eligible HDB households will receive double their regular U-Save this financial year through a one-off GSTV – U-Save Special Payment.
Eligible households with at least five members will receive an additional GSTV – U-Save rebate. They will thus receive a total of two-and-a-half times their regular (GSTV) – U-save this financial year.
These GSTV – U-Save rebates will cost the Government a total of S$630 million in FY 2020.
With the additional payouts, households in one or two room HDB flats will receive rebates equivalent to at least six to eight months of their utilities bills, on average. Usually, their GSTV – U-Save rebates are equivalent to about three to four months of their utilities bills, on average.
Meanwhile, those in three and four room HDB flats will receive rebates equivalent to at least two to four months of their utilities bills, on average. Their regular GSTV – U-Save rebates are equivalent to about one to two months of their utilities bills.
The GSTV – U-Save rebates that households will receive this financial year are shown in the table below:
The permanent GSTV scheme, introduced in 2012, helps lower- and middle-income households offset part of their utilities bill and lower their household expenses.
On Wednesday, the Government announced that 1.4 million eligible Singaporeans will receive their GST Vouchers payout next month.
This includes a GST voucher of up to S$300 in cash, as well as MediSave top-ups of up to S$450 for eligible seniors aged 65 and above.
Who knew Minister for Education Ong Ye Kung was the sort to break rules?
Ong — also a Sembawang GRC MP — uploaded a seemingly innocuous video to his Facebook page this afternoon (July 2) titled “The ‘MOE guy’ vs The Sembawang TripAdvisor”. In it, he meets a young boy Jony, who lives in his constituency Sembawang GRC.
The two talk about what’s good there — wonton mee at Blk 313 Sembawang Crescent, says Ong — the places in Sembawang that Jony likes, and whether Ong gets free food at said coffeeshop, since y’know he’s the guy “in charge of that area”.
Ong then shares with Jony about the food scheme for lower income residents, and the many changes that have taken place in the GRC. However, when Ong brings up Build-To-Order HDB flats, he loses little Jony.
As Ong talks about getting married and moving into a flat, the boy blinks, widens his eyes, and takes a sneaky glance at his watch.
“Erm, you tell me all of these for what?” he asks Ong.
“I’m explaining all these to you so that you know if you support us, these are all the things that we will deliver, and make life better for you,” Ong says.
SINGAPORE: The National Solidarity Party (NSP) on Wednesday (Jul 1) showcased their candidates for Sembawang and Tampines GRCs, where they will run against the incumbent People’s Action Party (PAP) in the General Election.
In two “get to know our candidates” posts on Facebook, the NSP delved into the backgrounds of the candidates for the two constituencies.
In their posts, the party also focused on the Government’s performance during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the need to look again at policies on employment and the need for more government accountability.
“Many companies have ceased operation(s) and many more will follow. The unemployment rate of Singaporean(s) will hit an all-time high, and many companies may not be able to recover,” the party wrote in their post introducing the candidates for Tampines GRC.
“If the ruling party is returned to power come Jul 10, 2020 with a strong mandate – it implies that they are doing a good job,” said the party. “I believe Singaporeans know better. It is time to ‘do the next right thing’.”
In their post for the Sembawang GRC candidates, the NSP said that there would be no accountability if the PAP has a “super-majority” in Parliament.
“No one is immune to mistakes. The opposition can offer perspectives which the PAP may miss out.”
SPENCER NG
NSP’s secretary-general Spencer Ng, 40, has been a business consultant to several local companies since 2009. He has been with the party for 10 years, contesting in Marine Parade GRC in the 2011 General Election and Sembawang GRC in the 2015 General Election.
NSP candidate for GE2020 Spencer Ng. (Photo: National Solidarity Party)
This year, he will run in Sembawang GRC against a PAP team led by Education Minister Ong Ye Kung.
“He is actively involved in local charity works and constantly tapping on his networks to aid the underprivileged,” said his bio sheet.
Mr Ng’s focus areas include building a better quality of life for all Singaporeans, ensuring that Singaporeans are happy, confident and “filled with soul and spirited” as well as making Singapore less stressful as a country.
He hopes to achieve this by formulating and pushing policies in Parliament.
SEBASTIAN TEO
Managing director of Knight Royal Management International Sebastian Teo, 73, has been with NSP for more than 20 years. He is currently the party’s head of advisory committee, but served as president between 2006 and 2017.
NSP candidate for GE2020 Sebastian Teo. (Photo: National Solidarity Party)
He will run in Sembawang GRC this election.
Mr Teo was previously the general manager of a British multinational company in Taipei and general manager of a main-board listed company subsidiary in China, according to his bio sheet.
His areas of concern include “Singaporeans’ apprehension over the escalating cost of living”, increasing income disparity and “Singaporeans’ difficulties in coping with soaring property prices, competitive employment opportunities and overcrowding of public infrastructure”.
IVAN YEO TIONG BOON
NSP treasurer Ivan Yeo, 72, is a business consultant. He previously worked in the civil service and has “vast experience” in personnel and organisation management, serving as a member of the Singapore delegate for ASEAN meetings on transportation.
NSP candidate for GE2020 Ivan Yeo Tiong Boon. (Photo: National Solidarity Party)
His bio sheet stated that he was also a co-opted committee member of the Automobile Association of Singapore for more than five terms.
Mr Yeo, who has been with NSP since 1995, will run in Sembawang GRC.
His concerns include the increasing cost of living for Singaporeans and income disparity.
“Ivan wishes to contest to represent the low-medium income Singaporeans, as he understands the frustrations and needs of the people,” said his bio sheet.
YADZETH HAIRIS
Yadzeth Hairis, 57, is a business development director at DCA management. He is in charge of Muslim affairs in the party, and has been active with the NSP since 1997. He previously ran in Sembawang GRC in the 2015 General Election.
NSP candidate for GE2020 Yadzeth Hairis. (Photo: National Solidarity Party)
He will contest Sembawang GRC again this year.
Mr Yadzeth’s focus areas include the high cost of living as well as professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) affected by the Singapore-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).
Some claims that CECA has allowed Indian nationals to take PMET jobs for Singaporeans emerged last year, after an expletive-laden video surfaced online, showing a man lashing out at a security guard at the Eight Riversuites condominium.
Following the incident Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said that CECA does not grant Indian nationals unconditional access into Singapore or immigration privileges.
“Yadzeth wishes to bring improvements to the lives of the residents at Sembawang and fellow Singaporeans. Also, to help the future generation have a less stressful environment to grow up in,” his bio sheet said.
SATHIN RAVINDRAN
Sathin Ravindran, 27, owns a car detailing studio He has been a member of NSP since 2019, and has been contributing behind the scenes, said the party. He is pursuing an education in real estate.
NSP candidate for GE2020 Sathin Ravindran. (Photo: National Solidarity Party)
He will contest Sembawang GRC.
His focus areas are improving the lives of Singaporeans, making public housing affordable for future generations and an “improved country with citizens that are happy”.
“Being a Gen Y, Sathin comprehends the tremendous amount of stress of the young adults and for the future generation due to the increasing cost of living and competitive workforce environment.
“The current system has so much more to improve (and) make lives better for the many generations to come,” his bio sheet said.
FONG CHIN LEONG
NSP’s president Fong Chin Leong, 51, is an engineer in the fire safety industry who will run in Tampines GRC this election.
NSP candidate for GE2020 Fong Chin Leong. (Photo: National Solidarity Party)
He was an NSP candidate for the same constituency in the 2015 and 2011 General Elections as well.
He said that it is a “great privilege” to contest for the constituency again, and hopes that his party’s presence had “made a difference by ensuring the ruling party worked harder for you”.
He noted that the party objected to holding this year’s General Election amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and urged voters to take care of themselves during this period, particularly on polling day when “there will be a surge in human traffic”.
MOHD RIDZWAN
Mohd Ridzwan, 58, is NSP’s vice-president and a senior manager at a construction multinational firm. He will contest Tampines GRC in this election.
NSP candidate for GE2020 Mohd Ridzwan. (Photo: National Solidarity Party)
He has “vast experience in both Statutory Board and private entities” and has been “actively taking part in volunteerism and grassroot activities”, said NSP.
Mr Ridzwan, who has been with the party since 2015, highlighted two issues in particular he wishes to champion – more assistance for single parents, parents with special needs children, caregivers, and the underprivileged, as well as reducing the high cost of living in Singapore.
YEO REN-YUAN
Yeo Ren-Yuan, 44, will contest Tampines GRC in the 2020 General Election, after running for Sembawang GRC in 2015, under the NSP as well.
NSP candidate for GE2020 Yeo Ren-Yuan. (Photo: National Solidarity Party)
Mr Yeo has been a central executive committee member with NSP since 2012 and is a business owner with vast experience in real estate, oil and gas, construction and aviation, his bio sheet wrote.
“He wants to play a part in contributing towards the improvement for this nation, and towards a better Singapore.”
He said that his main concerns are the rising cost of living, unaffordable housing and PMETs who are displaced from their jobs.
“He strongly believes that more could have been done to improve the lives of Singaporeans,” his bio sheet said.
VINCENT NG
Vincent Ng, 48, is a broker and recruiter in the private security sector. He was formerly a financial controller and manager in several multinational firms.
NSP candidate for GE2020 Vincent Ng. (Photo: National Solidarity Party)
According to his bio sheet, Mr Ng has been a member of NSP since 2011 and is actively involved in grassroots activities. He will be contesting Tampines GRC in the 2020 General Election.
Mr Ng’s focus areas include PMETs affected by the CECA and the Government’s transparency.
“We must exercise our ownership rights, birth rights to claim, protect and to fight for our fellow Singaporeans’ interests,” his bio sheet said, adding that there must be a chance given to develop Singapore into “a fair and equal country with a Government with empathy and graciousness”.
CHOONG HON HENG
Mr Choong, 49, is a business development director in the real estate industry and will be contesting Tampines GRC in the 2020 General Election.
NSP candidate for GE2020 Choong Hon Heng. (Photo: National Solidarity Party)
He has mentored youths, is actively involved in various charities, and previously volunteered with the National Council of Social Service, Chao Yang special school and the Singapore Association of the Deaf.
The three main causes he would like to champion are: Promoting and improving job security among Singaporeans, being a voice for small businesses and the self-employed and improving the local workforce.
“Choong Hon Heng seeks to improve the camaraderie between Singaporeans and improve the employment rate for Singaporeans,” his bio sheet said.
A video of a boy with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) being manhandled by his therapist in a home therapy session has caused an uproar among netizens demanding justice for the child.
Facebook user Safirah Oshin posted videos of her son, Ali, being manhandled by his home applied behaviour analysis (ABA) therapist in an incident that happened in March, 2019.
She said the therapist was given a “verbal warning with no further action” and that the case was reopened in January this year.
She appealed for netizens to be her son’s voice and to help ‘”fight for his rights”.
In the clips taken from a 40-minute-long video, the therapist is seen handling Ali roughly as the boy screams and cries.
Clips from Safirah’s post have been circulating on Instagram, with one post garnering over 10,000 views.
SINGAPORE – The expanded the Non-Constituency MP (NCMP) scheme is a ploy to entice voters to not vote for the opposition, said Progress Singapore Party (PSP) chief Tan Cheng Bock.
He added that he would decline an NCMP seat if he was offered one, although other party members could take it up if they wished.
Dr Tan was speaking to reporters during a walkabout on Thursday (July 2) with PSP candidate Kayla Low at a market in Yio Chu Kang SMC.
The NCMP scheme was amended in 2016 to ensure there will be at least 12 opposition members in Parliament – up from nine – even in the event that the ruling People’s Action Party wins all the seats.
NCMP seats are offered to losing opposition candidates with the highest percentage of votes during a general election.
Said Dr Tan: “For NCMPs, while they try and improve the scheme, I look at it as a ploy this round to entice you all to vote the PAP because they guarantee you that they (will) have 12 NCMPs.
SINGAPORE: As a debate about the intent of the Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) scheme continues to simmer, Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh on Thursday (Jul 2) questioned the People’s Action Party’s “magnanimity” in highlighting the scheme.
“Why is the PAP so magnanimous in offering additional NCMP seats? I hope this is something every voter reflects on,” said Mr Singh.
“The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Did any PAP MP file a question on the Keppel Marine scandal? Would any of them step up to consider the other perspectives to Bills that pop up?”
In response to a reporter’s question on whether the party will continue to take up NCMP seats, Mr Singh said: “It’s a very speculative question at the moment, but I’m sure you know we will have to address these matters after polling day.”
The NCMP scheme guarantees the opposition a minimum number of seats in Parliament. For the next Parliament, if the number of elected opposition MPs is fewer than 12, the “best losers” from the opposition will be given a seat in the House to make up the number.
On Wednesday, WP’s Hougang candidate Dennis Tan called the scheme a “poisoned chalice”, after People’s Action Party (PAP) leaders told voters that there will be at least 12 opposition voices in Parliament even if no opposition candidates were elected.
Several WP members have taken up NCMP posts in the past, including Mr Leon Perera and Mr Gerald Giam, who were at a walkabout at the Kovan Market and Food Centre with Mr Singh on Thursday.
The Workers’ Party’s (WP) candidates for Aljunied GRC, Leon Perera (left) and Gerald Giam, handing out flyers at Kovan Market and Food Centre during their walkabout on Jul 2, 2020. (Photo: Ruth Smalley)
The Workers’ Party’s (WP) former chief, Low Thia Khiang, poses with a resident during his party’s walkabout at Kovan Market and Food Centre on Jul 2, 2020. (Photo: Anne-Marie Lim)
The two candidates are contesting in Aljunied GRC, replacing WP stalwarts Mr Low Thia Khiang and Mr Chen Show Mao. Mr Low, who is not contesting GE2020, was seen walking the ground with the refreshed WP team that also includes Mr Singh, party chair Sylvia Lim and vice-chair Faisal Manap.
Mr Singh also apologised on behalf of the party for not sending a representative to a Channel 8 debate in Mandarin aired on Wednesday night.
The four parties with the most number of candidates contesting in the General Election were invited to send a candidate to an English debate and a Mandarin debate on Mediacorp channels.
Sengkang GRC candidate Jamus Lim represented WP in the English debate, sparring with the PAP’s Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan and the Progress Singapore Party’s (PSP) Francis Yuen.
PAP’s Ong Ye Kung, PSP assistant secretary-general Leong Mun Wai and the SDP’s Bryan Lim took part in the Mandarin debate.
The two former Aljunied MPs who have stepped down, Mr Low and Mr Chen, are articulate in Mandarin, and Mr Low is known for being able to connect with Mandarin and Teochew-speaking voters.
“I’m very grateful for the support of our Mandarin-only speaking supporters … We have individuals in the party who can make speeches in Mandarin, communicate effectively with residents in Mandarin but the quality of the proficiency required to participate in a live debate is of a higher order,” Mr Singh said.
“The Workers’ Party will continue to try to attract bi-cultural Singaporeans who can participate in such debates, but obviously we will place public service first.”
Both he and Mr Perera emphasised that they try to engage residents in basic Mandarin and Malay.
Mr Perera said: “When we engage with residents we do try to have meaningful conversations … engaging residents in rudimentary Chinese, rudimentary Malay as well as English, and I want to improve in both languages, I’m certainly trying to step up on that.”
During the English debate, Dr Balakrishnan commented that the WP is now “PAP-lite” and that the Workers’ Party uses PAP’s stand as a reference and takes a “half step to the left”.
Addressing the media’s questions on the foreign minister’s assertions, Mr Singh said: “I think Dr Balakrishnan also said that the manifesto could have been written by someone from the PAP … if that was the case, I hope the PAP takes up all our manifesto points and introduce them into their agenda, because I think that will really change the shape of Singapore, and we’ll have a more caring and compassionate society.”
SINGAPORE: It would be an “easy and convenient excuse” to say a flight to safety mentality during times of crisis would benefit the People’s Action Party (PAP), said Minister of State for Manpower and National Development Zaqy Mohamad.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a walkabout in the Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC where he is contesting, Mr Zaqy said his interactions with residents showed they were able to assess for themselves what each political party brought to the table.
While the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), which is also contesting in Marsiling-Yew Tee, has put forth a “series of ideologies”, the PAP’s team in the GRC has conveyed “solid plans” on issues such as estate development as well as social and employment programmes, he noted.
“I think citizens are rational, they can weigh for themselves what’s needed for the future,” he said.
“And I think it’s up to other political parties to put on the table what they stand for, and for them to also share with residents how they can deliver this, where the budget – (for) whatever they propose – will come from, and what resources do they have on the ground, et cetera.”
“When our party puts this on the table, when our GRC puts our plans on the table, we take into consideration all these things – from budgets to resources to how we can deliver these plans within a specified timeline,” said Mr Zaqy.
Residents can evaluate for themselves, based on candidates’ plans and track records, whether they are trustworthy and able to deliver on their promises, he said.
“So to me, I think it’s an easy and convenient excuse to say residents will move to an easy path, to take a flight to safety.”
“I don’t think our residents are that easily convinced, that just because it’s a crisis (you can tell them) please vote for PAP,” he said.
People will vote with a view to “what’s best for them and what’s best for Singapore”, he added.
The People’s Action Party’s Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC team led by Lawrence Wong (in blue mask), on an early morning walkabout at Woodlands MRT station on Jul 2, 2020. (Photo: Anne-Marie Lim)
The incumbent PAP will face the SDP at the polls for a second time in the four-member Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, which was formed ahead of the last General Election in 2015.
The PAP’s team is led by National Development Minister Lawrence Wong and includes Mr Zaqy as well as backbencher Mr Alex Yam and newcomer Ms Hany Soh, who replaces Mr Ong Teng Koon, who is not standing in the election.
They will be facing an SDP team composed of Mr Bryan Lim, Mr Damanhuri Abas, Mr Benjamin Pwee and Mr Khung Wai Yeen.
When asked how the response to the current COVID-19 crisis might impact the PAP’s chances at the polls, Mr Zaqy said residents had expressed confidence in the Government and in Mr Wong, who is the co-chair of the multi-ministry task force tackling the pandemic.
“I think many recognise … even though we face economic challenges, the Government has stepped in very quickly to ensure that we retain jobs through the job support schemes,” he said, adding that businesses appreciated that such schemes helped them retain local workers and continue operating even through the “circuit breaker” period.
“Yes, there are headwind challenges on employment, on jobs, and also the foreign worker situation, but I think many fully understand what are the counter-measures that the Government has put in place, and what are some of the other areas which we are already preparing in advance.”
The People’s Action Party’s Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC team members Alex Yam (left) and Zaqy Mohamad meeting residents at Woodlands MRT station on Jul 2, 2020. (Photo: Anne-Marie Lim)
While there were many infections in foreign worker dormitories, Mr Zaqy noted the overall fatality rate from COVID-19 has been kept low and hospitals have not been overloaded, allowing the authorities to ensure that those who are infected are able to recover.
He added that he and Second Minister for National Development Desmond Lee have been “working very closely” with the construction sector and the Manpower Ministry to facilitate the release of workers so construction work can restart.
“It’s a fine balance between managing the health situation and the economy,” he said.
As such, confidence in the PAP and a mandate from the voters is needed for the party to “do more and be really focused on what’s to come”.
Last night’s lively televised political debate involving politicians from four different parties saw the country tuning in to hear what they had to say.
Even though he isn’t contesting in this year’s election, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong was no exception.
In a Facebook post after the telecast, he commented on how he saw several familiar faces whom he thought “fall short of the standards” set by well-respected opposition members of parliament, Low Thia Kiang and Chiam See Tong.
Many words are exchanged over the course of an election campaign, whether it be in person or over social media.
In GE2020, shots have been fired in Nee Soon GRC between the incumbent Member of Parliament K Shanmugam and Progress Singapore Party’s (PSP) Brad Bowyer, one of the candidates contesting in the northern constituency.
Confused over what happened? Here’s a timeline of what you need to know about what has taken place.
June 23: RP says PSP offered to cede Nee Soon GRC to them
The war of words between the two men is rooted in a news article published in The Straits Times on June 23. It was reported that Reform Party’s (RP) secretary-general Kenneth Jeyaretnam said PSP offered to cede Nee Soon GRC to his party, but RP decided not to contest.
SINGAPORE: The Reform Party on Thursday (Jul 2) launched a green manifesto calling for Singapore to reduce its absolute emissions to an “ambitious target” of 40 per cent by 2030 and “as close as possible net zero” by 2050.
It proposed a Response to Climate Change Act, which will be a legal framework to coordinate government actions to reach net zero emissions within 30 years.
“The government of Singapore has signed up to the Paris Agreement but like most such agreements it signs up to, it pays only lip service to the targets. Singapore’s current targets are woefully inadequate,” said the Reform Party in its manifesto.
According to the National Climate Change Secretariat’s website, Singapore contributes about 0.11 per cent of global emissions. A 2019 report by the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources noted that Singapore generated more than 52,000 kilo tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent of greenhouse gases in 2017.
The Response to Climate Change Act will coordinate a mandate of “ambitious emission targets” across ministries, agencies and government-linked corporations, so that they are “put to a higher standard” and “lead the way in adopting green measures”, said the Reform Party.
Reform Party’s Andy Zhu interacts with a resident during a walkabout in Ang Mo Kio, Jun 27, 2020. (Photo: Christy Yip)
Town councils and residents’ associations will have to adopt green targets, and the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources and the National Climate Change Secretariat will be given extra powers to take action.
The party also proposed pumping in more public funds to “support the mandate” and fund research to reach the 2050 target, and create training and employment for those retrenched due to the climate change measures.
Reduce the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) to 5 per cent for car owners who exchange their petrol or diesel engine vehicle for an electric vehicle. Those who buy an electric vehicle without exchange a petrol or diesel engine vehicle should only pay 10 per cent COE;
Give all Singapore school children up to 16 years old, Singaporeans above 65 years old and those with special needs and their carers passes for free travel by bus;
A household green grant for Housing and Development Board (HDB) residents who wish to adopt greener air-conditioning models and maintain existing ones;
Tax breaks, expert training and guidance to encourage adapting and retrofitting existing buildings instead of tearing them down;
Expand point-to-point electric car share clubs and number of charge stations;
Introduce community composing sites;
The sovereign wealth funds, Temasek and GIC make public the companies they invest in each year and stop investing in fossil fuels and “other damaging industries”. They should also change their portfolio to a majority investment in the low carbon industry by 2025.
The Reform Party on Tuesday filed nomination papers to run in Ang Mo Kio GRC and Radin Mas SMC.
Reform Party’s Kumar Appavoo at Bendemeer Primary School, the party’s candidate for Radin Mas SMC. The field oil and gas company director also contested Radin Mas in 2015. (Photo: Marcus Ramos)
The Ang Mo Kio team comprises secretary-general Kenneth Jeyaretnam, chairman Andy Zhu, Mr Charles Yeo, Madam Noraini Yunus and Mr Soh Guan Soon. They will challenge the incumbent People’s Action Party (PAP) led by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Mr Kumar Appavoo will go up against PAP’s Melvin Yong in Radin Mas SMC. Mr Yong is also National Trades Union Congress’ assistant secretary-general.
