PAP, WP reveal manifestos

This article is more than 12 months old

Aug 30, 2015 06:00 am

There is no time and no room for error.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday emphasised the importance of the coming general election.

"This is a general election. You are choosing who will form the next government of Singapore and in this general election, there is no 'by-election' effect. Every constituency will be contested," he said.

He urged voters to pick a team that would be able to see Singapore through some serious challenges in future.

The head of the ruling People's Action Party was speaking at an event to unveil the party's election manifesto and campaign slogan.

Looking ahead to Singapore's 100th anniversary, he asked: "Which direction will we go? Up or down? There's no in-between."

Singapore

PM Lee: Singapore needs a multi-racial elected president

Nov 09, 2016

Mr Lee reminded the 1,000-strong audience, made up of both party members and invited guests, of the management lapses in the Aljunied-Hougang Punggol-East Town Council.

He said: "If you vote for the Opposition and they win many constituencies to form the Government, then Singapore is sunk.

"Therefore, please take this general election seriously."

EXPECTATIONS

Mr Lee noted that most of the electorate were born after independence and have a higher expectation of jobs, better homes and a secure future.

He said that some of these sentiments and worries had surfaced through channels like Our Singapore Conversation.

The PAP, as the ruling party, had addressed these over the years by increasing the number of homes built, introducing MediShield Life and programmes like ComCare.

"But we're far from done. There's much more to be done and much more that we can do together," said Mr Lee.

In the manifesto, which spells out the party's goals for Singapore in the next term, the party's stated objectives include more childcare and more education pathways to help fulfil aspirations, for instance.

Its campaign slogan "With you, for you, for Singapore" is meant to reflect the party's desire to work with the people for a better Singapore.

Mr Lee said: "(The slogan) tells of what we have achieved together, it tells you what we are doing together, it sets out the challenges we are facing together and it points to what more we can build together."

Main points

Here are some of the highlights from the People's Action Party's election manifesto.

EDUCATION

More childcare centre places
More support for weaker and special needs students
More publicly funded university places in Singapore Institute of Technology and SIM University
Better professional development for teachers

JOBS

More skills learning through SkillsFuture
Increased support for PMETs
Help for businesses with manpower, talent sourcing and development
Keep Singapore competitive for businesses

FAMILIES

Increase birth rate
Increase childcare and pre-school support
Support families who look after children and care for elderly parents
Help companies be productive yet family-friendly

HEALTHCARE

Affordable healthcare
Build regional health centres
Increase hospital bed spaces and step-down care facilities
Better geriatric care and support for caregivers

SOCIAL

Social safety net
Help those with temporary problems get back on their feet

TRANSPORT

Double rail network
Expand Changi Airport and PSA

SECURITY

A strong Singapore Armed Forces and Home Team

URBAN DEVELOPMENT

More housing choices, pedestrian and cyclist-friendly areas
New developments like Southern Waterfront, Rail Corridor and a second Central Business District at Jurong Lake District

For the full document, go to www.pap.org.sg

WP: We can refine govt policies

Ng Jun Sen

PROPOSALS: Chaired by its central executive committee member Gerald Giam (third from left), the Workers’ Party released its manifesto yesterday. TNP PHOTO: CHOO CHWEE HUA

By NG JUN SEN

The Workers' Party (WP) has revealed its manifesto, which seeks to "re-examine" Singapore's approach to social, urban, governance and security policies.

It contains more than 130 proposals, said WP central executive committee member Gerald Giam.

"We have, in the past, been dependant on a small group of elites from a single party to lead us. This is no longer adequate," he said.

Its title, Empower Your Future, was unveiled by secretary-general Low Thia Khiang on Wednesday.

'REFINEMENTS'

Both Mr Low and chairman Sylvia Lim were absent from yesterday's press conference.

Breaking from tradition, five WP potential candidates, who helped create the manifesto, introduced the salient proposals to the media.

Many of the ideas in the manifesto are not new as they are "refinements" from previous manifestos and current government policies, Mr Giam said.

"We are not in the business of throwing out everything that the current Government is doing and introducing a new set of ideas. I don't think that is responsible," he added.

Main points

These are some highlights from the WP's manifesto.

POPULATION

Improve low fertility rate through financial support and flexible work
Citizenship priority for foreign spouses and permanent residents with uninterrupted residency
Promote female and elderly labour force participation through training and job-matching schemes

ECONOMY

A national minimum wage, pegged to average household expenditure on basic needs.
Mandatory unemployment insurance
Lower CPF payout eligibility age to 60.
Halt the Goods and Service Tax at 7 per cent
Increasing progressive income tax for those earning above $320,000 per annum

For the full document, go to www.wp.sg

EDUCATION & FAMILY

Ten-year through-train school programme from Primary 1 to Secondary 4l Three-tries BTO system, which gives priority to first-time applicants up to their third try.
No more casinos beyond the existing two

INFRASTRUCTURE

Create a national transport corporation to run public buses and trains

GOVERNANCE

Abolish the GRC system. Elections will run only on single seats
Create an independent Election Commission and Electoral Boundary Review Committee
Abolish the Internal Security Act and create a dedicated anti-terrorism law
Replace the Sedition Act with a Hate Speech Act

DIPLOMACY & SECURITY