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PAP’s Holland-Bukit Timah team issues strong rebuttal to SDP rivals

SINGAPORE — Dr Teo Ho Pin, the People’s Action Party (PAP) candidate for Bukit Panjang Single Member Constituency (SMC), as well as the PAP team contesting the Holland-Bukit Timah Group Representative Constituency (GRC) yesterday issued a strong collective rebuttal to their Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) rivals.

Dr Teo Ho Pin of the People's Action Party on Sept 5, 2015. Photo: Jason Quah/TODAY

Dr Teo Ho Pin of the People's Action Party on Sept 5, 2015. Photo: Jason Quah/TODAY

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SINGAPORE — Dr Teo Ho Pin, the People’s Action Party (PAP) candidate for Bukit Panjang Single Member Constituency (SMC), as well as the PAP team contesting the Holland-Bukit Timah Group Representative Constituency (GRC) yesterday issued a strong collective rebuttal to their Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) rivals.

“I do not agree with Singapore Democratic Party candidate Khung Wai Yeen, when he downplayed the importance of running town councils,” Dr Teo, the incumbent for Bukit Panjang SMC, said at a rally yesterday night near Petir Road.

“In fact, the running of a town council can make a big difference to the quality of lives of our residents.”

Dr Teo, the current chairman of Holland-Bukit Timah Town Council, said he has always taken a hands-on approach with town council management as it is one of the main duties of an elected member of parliament.

The PAP candidates for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC — including Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister of State (Education and Communications and Information) Sim Ann, Mr Christopher de Souza and Mr Liang Eng Hwa — also spoke during last night’s rally against the SDP’s recent “tax-and-spend” proposals.

With reference to the SDP’s suggestion to increase personal income tax to 28 per cent and raise S$1 billion via corporate taxation to fund its proposed healthcare revamp, Ms Sim pointed out that these measures will affect the business climate, especially from the perspective of the small and medium enterprises (SMEs). “The high income, they are more mobile. If taxation increases, they will relocate. The same applies to large companies, but our SMEs will not be able to relocate,” she said.

“If we spend all the money meant for tomorrow, it is not the Government that lets down the people. It is us (Singaporeans) who have let down the next generation.”

Mr De Souza added that the SDP’s proposal to cut defence spending by almost half “will ambush Singapore’s sovereignty”.

“In this geopolitical environment, that is naive and dangerous, but most of all for the discerning voters, opportunistic. But they (the SDP) know they have to cut from somewhere to fund their extreme policies.”

Commenting on the SDP’s proposal to enact a minimum wage, Mr Liang highlighted that many countries have implemented a minimum wage, but it has done very little to improve the life of the people.

“Some employers may just pay the minimum wage and they will not be prepared to raise the income of their workers. Minimum wage becomes maximum wage,” he said. Mr Liang also said that setting a minimum wage for foreign workers would only drive up business costs and reduce the disposable income of Singaporeans.

Dr Vivian said it was important to consider the character, values and beliefs of candidates as voters prepare to cast their votes. “I ask you for your support. Please support people you know, people you trust, people who will take action, and people who will lead us into future,” he said.

Dr Teo described Bukit Panjang today as a home, a kampung and a place for residents to lead active and healthy lives, attributing it to the work of the town council and the support of government agencies and community partners, as well as the feedback from residents on improving the town.

“This strong partnership between the town council and our residents has been the key success factor in ensuring the town council serves the interests of our residents,” he said.

Citing examples of improved public infrastructure and amenities, Dr Teo said Bukit Panjang is a “seamless town”.

“We have built ramps and railings to make Bukit Panjang 100 per cent barrier-free, where the young, old and wheelchair-bound residents can move (about) freely,” he said.

In the previous General Election in 2011, Dr Teo, 55, garnered 66.3 per cent of the vote against then-SDP candidate Mr Alec Tok.

Dr Teo appealed to voters yesterday to continue giving him the mandate, detailing three areas that he will focus on improving if he is re-elected: home upgrading, enhancing the transport system in the ward, and organising more community bonding activities.

“We want to build a healthy and caring community in Bukit Panjang,” Dr Teo said. CELENE TAN

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