Integrity, honesty vital traits for MPs
Media photographers taking pictures of Minister for Social and Family Development and MP for Marine Parade GRC Tan Chuan- Jin, and incumbent MP for Mounbatten Lim Biow Chuan at the Old Airport Road Food Centre. Photo: Don Wong/TODAY
SINGAPORE — Besides meeting their residents’ needs and speaking up on issues, Members of Parliament need to be able to run town councils competently, including planning for an estate’s future needs, said Social and Family Development Minister Tan Chuan-Jin today (Aug 21).
Introducing incumbent Mountbatten Single Member Constituency MP Lim Biow Chuan as the People’s Action Party (PAP) candidate to defend the ward, Mr Tan said the estates in the Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency — where he is an MP — and Mountbatten are getting older and might need more funding.
“It’s not just about having competent leaders but having values of honesty and integrity ... and in having the financial prudence to prepare for future needs,” Mr Tan said, echoing what several ruling party heavyweights have said in recent weeks.
Although the minister made no mention of the Workers’ Party, it appeared to be a veiled reference to the Opposition party’s leaders being called out by the Ministry of National Development for failing to make timely transfers to the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East town council sinking fund for long-term maintenance needs.
Mr Tan was speaking at the Old Airport Road market and hawker centre, where a press conference was held on Mr Lim’s candidacy.
Mr Lim has been taking care of the ward for the last nine years. He spoke of contributions at the local level that include upgrading of playgrounds, the installation of closed circuit television systems in lifts and pushing for the extension of bus service 11 to serve Tanjong Rhu.
The lawyer and father of two has also advocated greater emphasis on character development in schools, and for a “kinder, gentler approach” in government policies.
“I’ve felt that our policies are too logical and rational. And if I was perfectly happy with the government in 2006, I wouldn’t have stood for elections,” said Mr Lim.
Mr Tan said PAP MPs are given latitude by party chief and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to voice their opinions. “We obviously have perspectives as a government, but as members of a political party, we should be speaking up and advocating issues,” he said.
On a potential challenge by Mrs Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss of the Singapore People’s Party, Mr Lim said he has become a familiar face to residents, going to the constituency about four to five times a week. He also has “direct access” to the ministers, and can inform them directly of issues on the ground.
A contest at the coming General Election would allow residents to give him a report card, he added. “I welcome the competition, it keeps me on the ball.”
In 2011, Mr Lim beat Mrs Chong-Aruldoss by securing 58.62 per cent of the votes.
