SINGAPORE – In his first, albeit indirect, comments about the results of Saturday’s General Election, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said at a community event in Tanglin Halt last night that “2011 has seen a generation that does not remember from whence we came, but that is to be expected. But I do, and those amongst you who are over 50 will remember”.
He also cautioned: “Do not believe that the Singapore flight can be on auto-pilot. We will run into storms, we will run into all kinds of emergencies and we must have good pilots on board.” The Minister Mentor was speaking to residents in Queenstown to celebrate the completion of several pavilions at a community plaza.
Earlier, the Minister Mentor, accompanied by his five-member team and Radin Mas MP-elect Sam Tan, had toured Tanjong Pagar GRC for almost two hours on an open-top bus to thank voters for their support (picture). The People’s Action Party (PAP) team in Tanjong Pagar was returned unopposed, while Mr Tan won the contest in Radin Mas with more than 67 per cent of the vote.
Speaking to the media, Mr Lee was asked about the swing in support, which saw the PAP secure 60.1 per cent of the vote, down from the 66.6 per cent it garnered in 2006 and the lowest by the party ever.
“I’m sure the Prime Minister and his team would sit down carefully and analyse the reasons and adapt our policies. I can’t say more. I’m not the Prime Minister,” said Mr Lee.
Asked by a Berita Harian reporter whether Mr Lee’s comments had affected the party’s votes, Mr Lee said that he did not think so.
by TODAYonline
Published at 5:32 pm, April 27, 2011
‘I have not actually worked with the Tanjong Pagar GRC grassroots team before, I only met some of them this morning,’ said new MP Chia Shi-Lu, a last-minute entry into the PAP’s Tanjong Pagar team this morning.
by TODAYonline
Published at 11:25 am, April 27, 2011
There was a last minute surprise at Dumnan Sec School, where the appearance of former Tanjong Pagar GRC MP Baey Yam Keng confirmed rumours that new PAP candidate Steve Tan had quit the race.
The PAP leader for Tampines GRC, Mr Mah Bow Tan told reporters that Mr Tan had pulled out at the last minute because of “personal” reasons.
The 5-man team now consists of Mr Mah Bow Tan, Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Ms Irene Ng, Mr Heng Swee Keat and Mr Baey Yam Keng.
by TODAYonline
Published at 10:11 am, April 27, 2011
Mr Chia Shi-Lu, a former President’s Scholar, has arrived at the SCGS Nomination Centre. He could be a surprise candidate for the PAP team there, helmed by MM Lee Kuan Yew.
Mr Chia had previously been seen working the ground for two years in the Hougang area. He is 40 years old and single.
When asked if he would be fielded in Tanjong Pagar, he told TODAY: “We’ll find out in two hours.”
by TODAYonline
Published at 1:24 am, April 26, 2011
With only one day to go before Nomination Day on Wednesday, the 2011 General Election (GE) is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in decades.
Notwithstanding last-minute tactical switches or administrative gaffes, 82 out of 87 seats could be contested, up from 47 out of 84 seats in the 2006 GE.
by TODAYonline
Published at 11:59 pm, April 25, 2011
Abdul Mutalib Ithnin, SDA member & 2nd vice-president of PKMS, explains SDA’s reasons for not fielding a team in Tanjong Pagar during a press conference dated 25th April 2011.
by TODAYonline
Published at 4:39 pm, April 25, 2011
Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency (GRC) looks set to be the only ward that will not be contested in the upcoming elections.
With just two days to go before Nomination Day, the candidates tipped to be standing in the GRC said they would not be doing so.
In a media statement released at 4pm today, the team which includes Socialist Front chairman Ng Teck Siong and Singapore Democratic Alliance assistant secretary-general Nazem Suki said they were pulling out because of a shortage of funds and the last-minute withdrawal of support from the SDA.
The statement added they were very disappointed and said it was too late for them to find replacement candidates to contest the GRC at the May 7 polls.
It added: “We plead for your empathy, and hope that the people of Singapore continue to support the Opposition cause.”
by TODAYonline
Published at 7:57 pm, April 23, 2011
Speaking at the Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency Family Day event at Bukit Merah View, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew tells residents how fortunate Singapore is to be free of natural disasters and the good education system it has. He says this includes the policy of keeping the polytechnics for those who think with their hands. But he also stresses the need to work on the country’s declining birthrate, and urged motorists to be more courteous.
