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Candidate plans to add eldercare centre, emergency systems for seniors

SINGAPORE — With one in nine Bukit Batok residents aged 65 and above today, the People’s Action Party (PAP) candidate in the by-election, Mr Murali Pillai, wants to plan for their future needs by adding an eldercare centre and providing seniors living alone with emergency buttons.

PAP's Murali Pillai speaking to members of the media on the sidelines of a walkabout around the Bukit Batok block 229 area. Photo: Ernest Chua

PAP's Murali Pillai speaking to members of the media on the sidelines of a walkabout around the Bukit Batok block 229 area. Photo: Ernest Chua

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SINGAPORE — With one in nine Bukit Batok residents aged 65 and above today, the People’s Action Party (PAP) candidate in the by-election, Mr Murali Pillai, wants to plan for their future needs by adding an eldercare centre and providing seniors living alone with emergency buttons. 

The 48-year-old lawyer also noted that while there are various national policies in place for the elderly, there is still a need to have concrete plans to help residents within each constituency. 

Speaking to the media after a morning walkabout in Bukit Batok on Wednesday (May 4), Mr Murali said some organisations in the area —  such as St Luke’s Hospital, and Concern and Care Society — already provide some services for the elderly.

“But we need more. An additional eldercare centre will help provide more therapy services, daycare centre services, and we believe this will offer much needed respite to the caregivers,” he said. 

Tapping both technology and the “kampung spirit” in Bukit Batok, Mr Murali also plans to introduce an emergency button system, where seniors can press a small device that they can wear around their necks to seek help in emergency situations. 

The help can come from their neighbours, relatives and community leaders, he said.

Mr Murali was also asked about comments made by his election rival, Singapore Democratic Party’s chief, Dr Chee Soon Juan, at his rally on Tuesday. According to Dr Chee, the Government had failed Singaporeans in the areas of employment and retirement adequacy.

Mr Murali said: “It’s one thing to talk in Parliament and push for an issue, but that’s not a panacea for everything. We also need to have concrete plans to help our local residents.”

For Bukit Batok, Mr Murali said he chose to deal with retirement and eldercare issues, and came up with plans that he hopes will resonate with residents. He had spent the last couple of days elaborating on his plans — a job placement programme, a healthcare co-operative and a youth mentorship programme. 

While some may view this as “carrot-dangling”, Mr Murali noted that in any election, it is quite common for residents to have expectations of what the candidates can do for them. 

Meanwhile, the PAP headquarters on Wednesday issued a statement refuting an online article posted by All Singapore Stuff, titled “PAP entourage say ‘Indians should support Indians’”.

The writer alleged that an Indian member of Mr Murali’s “entourage” had urged his family to support Indians. 

“We have checked and confirmed that the incident is fictitious. Playing the race card is irresponsible,” the PAP statement said.

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