There is suddenly a lot of interest on Minimum Wages, thanks to a Facebook post by Jamus and many criticizing him on this.
In case you have missed, I am re-sharing a speech I made during GE2020 devoted to Minimum Wage and Fighting Poverty. The Workers’ Party makes no apologies for making our case for Minimum Wage, something that has been in our manifestos over multiple GEs already (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y49Vv7uZZ8).
Minimum Wage is Budget neutral, i.e. it will not impact government spending unless the government chooses to subsidise increase in costs or wages.Minimum Wage is also discussed in A levels economics. I had a tea session with a JC Econs teacher today. Econs was my favourite subject at JC but too bad I did not continue at the varsity level. It is under the topic of Microeconomics under government interventions to markets. In a market driven model, wages will be set according to demand for and supply of labour. Theoretically, when the Minimum Wage is set at a higher price than where demand intersects with supply, then it will lead to a drop in quantity demanded and hence there will be some loss of jobs. How much the drop will be will depend on the elasticity of the demand curve. In practice, in many countries where Minimum Wages have been established, there has not been significant job losses. It may lead to an increase in cost of services. In a recent survey, 8 out of 10 Singaporeans expressed a willingness to pay more for essential services. Ironically, almost all of the 100,000 or so whose salaries fall below our recommended $1,300 take-home Minimum Wage are essential service providers. The government is also not alien to the concept of Minimum Wage, except that they practice it for selected industries only via the Progressive Wage Model. That has also led to some increases in cost for certain services, for which Singaporeans had been prepared to pay for. It might take a very long time for the government to move PWM to all sectors, so having a Minimum Wage is a good signal that we wish to leave no workers behind.If we call ourselves a First World country, we must be more equitable in the way we treat lower wage workers. Singapore’s share of GDP for wages is very low compared to other developed countries.
During the TV debate, Jamus had unapologetically made our case to want to push for a higher share of GDP for workers, in line with that of developed countries. If Singaporeans complain that Jamus has misled that we did not say that Minimum Wage may lead to higher cost, I can guarantee that when our GST is raised to 9% (and it certainly will be raised because the PAP had already promised so if it gets the mandate), the costs of everything will immediately rise. The impact will be far greater than Minimum Wage. Singaporeans are prepared for 9% GST but not an increase in wages for the lowest 100,000 of income earners in Singapore?
Note: This article was first written as a Facebook post and re-posted here for easier future referencing.
I was told that our opponent said that we appear only once every 5 years and that they have covered the ground well in their term.
I am sure they have to cover their ground. The voters elected them to be their representatives, for which they get the monthly MP allowance on top of their full-time pay if they are holding other jobs, which nearly all PAP MPs were. I am not so sure though, why some need to run from house to house during GE if they have covered the ground so well.
My response:
1. From what I know of the WP MPs, they are full-time or virtually full-time MPs. The reality is that to run an opposition ward with its town council duties, it does require full-time attention. How many in the PAP’s Marine Parade team or other teams have been full-time MPs?
And yes, WP MPs do cover their grounds very well. All WP MPs work hard on the ground. I am 100% sure if elected for Marine Parade, my team members and I will dedicate ourselves more than 100% in our roles for town council management, community projects and parliament work.
2. When I was in parliament 2011-2015, the records will show that I was one of the most active, if not the most. I do not bother to count, but a major local newspaper did report the speaking tally.
After 2015, I continue to write on policies and contribute to my WP parliamentarians. WP MPs have to work harder. Some PAP backbenchers have zero or just 1-2 speeches in an entire 4-5 year term. Go check it out and see for yourself.
3. Some losing PAP candidates in past elections disappear after the GE. Some reappear elsewhere in easier wards on the coat-tail of ministers. Not all. Some stay on as Grassroots Advisors (GRAs), and they will get the support of the PA, funded to the tune of $1 billion a year. They also get access to certain spaces within the constituency to continue their work, with an army of people helping.
I lost in Joo Chiat SMC in 2011 by over 300 votes. I could not get any facilities to use. We once tried to use the Telok Kurau park but the use was rejected. We ended up going door to door singing carols for Christmas since our Christmas party could not be realised. Sorry for my bad singing and lousy guitar skills. The ministries cannot accept my appeals or letters for residents. It has to go through the PAP MP. GRAs, however, can.
4. Despite the challenges, I continued my twice-weekly visits from 2011-2015, only to find Joo Chiat SMC absorbed into Marine Parade GRC just weeks before the GE, with no reasonable explanation.
Just as one small proof, a lady came to me today in the Marine Terrace market to show me a picture taken with her son in her house in one of my many visits to Telok Kurau before 2015. Another showed me something similar too, yesterday at another market.
During this GE, I visited some parts of the now-defunct Joo Chiat SMC. A good number of people remembered my visit to their homes post GE2011. One even thanked me for writing back in response to an email from her over an issue in her neighbourhood which I had tried to solve. I could not even quite remember it until she mentioned that she wrote to both the PAP MP and I, and only I had replied.
We did quarterly food distribution at Marine Terrace and later in a smaller way at Chai Chee after 2015. When Covid-19 Circuit Breaker came suddenly, all the RCs and almost all social services had to cease operations on 7 April 2020.I volunteered immediately with an essential social service provider and we did daily cooked food distribution so that those who had been receiving could still get their food. Later, this expanded into Eunos in response to another request to help with distribution there.
Today, we give out some 400 packs of cook food daily, since 7 April 2020. It has grown to become a community project, by residents, for residents. No government funding at all.We just need to be more resourceful. We give them a run for their money. Competition is good.
I would like to see which high-flying PAP MPs can do any of the above when they lose in this GE? What happened to Ministers and those with Ministerial potential after they lose a GE? Go check out for yourself what happened to these high-fliers in the past. And try doing outreach work without the PA or an army to support you, or any space to do your work with. We did. Of course we can never be like the elected MPs. They are paid to do their work. Do they even do it full-time?
So don’t tell me that we just appear once every 5 years for 1-2 months before a GE. I find it ridiculous that an elected MP can compare the work we do versus the work for which they are paid to do.
During this General Elections, we came across the PAP’s Marine Parade team several times during campaigning and of course in polling and counting stations. The exchanges have been cordial. While we fight for every vote and they do as well, the battle has been civil.
On the eve of cooling day, one of the PAP’s flyering team member at Kembangan bought my volunteers drinks from the nearby convenient shop. Much appreciated. I noticed too that some of my flyering team members and those at the PAP’s side at Kembangan that day were having cordial conversations when there were no residents around.
During my distribution of packed lunch and dinner to our polling agents at the stations, I also offered our packs to the PAP side at some stations.
Even as we challenged for disputed votes that were not clearly marked during counting, we were firm and civil.
I continue to believe we can have constructive politics even as we continue to put up a challenge to the super dominant ruling party. I hope this will can be seen in the transfer of TC management at Sengkang and also in how elected opposition MPs can have the direct and final say in how Community Improvement Projects funds can be used. Also elected opposition MPs should have access to PA facilities so as to better serve residents who have elected them.
Even as I write this, my thoughts are with those early and brave warriors who championed on the alternative camp. Many were detained, lost their jobs, became bankrupt or were even exiled. Some returned to Singapore eventually, as ashes. May we never return to these dark days. Beyond going towards a First World Parliament, we should move towards a united First World Singapore
(I tried to share from Jeannette’s post but seemed it did not appear so I am inserting as a picture instead. Many thanks too to Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss 张媛容 and family for helping during this GE as seconder, assentors, campaigning and counting agents.)
Note: This article was first written as a Facebook post and re-posted here (with minor edits) for easier future referencing.
There are many interesting lessons from this GE. I will just touch on two and perhaps reserve the rest for another day.
1. GRC – no longer the fortress
Kudos to Mr Low Thia Khiang for showing how a GRC can be broken down in 2011. After some hiccups, the operations are now running smoothly, with ratings similar to that of any PAP town. The 2011 takedown of Aljunied saw the loss of two full ministers (one very senior one) and a senior minister of state. Some attributed it to LTK and that it would be hard to repeat a GRC takedown without another LTK.
In 2020, without LTK and with a relatively unknown and young team, the Sengkang GRC has fallen. One 4G minister and two other office bearers have been taken down in one fell swoop.
East Coast and West Coast GRCs were nearly lost, and might have been lost if not for the movement of heavyweights Heng Swee Kiat and Desmond Lee to these. WP stronghold Hougang aside, PAP’s four worst performing constituencies are in the GRCs – Aljunied, Sengkang, West Coast and East Coast. Even the PM-in-waiting could only just manage to salvage East Coast GRC. All these in a pandemic-GE in which ground campaigning became super limited due to a long circuit breaker after the EBRC report was out.
Singaporeans no longer just buy the story that we cannot afford to lose a GRC because of the ministers inside. Even the future PM is not seen by Singaporeans as indispensable. No, Aljunied residents did not repent in 5 years. They did not repent even after 10 years. Aljunied has shown the way for other GRCs to follow when rubbish did not pile 3-storey high as predicted by the PAP. A new IT system has been developed by the WP-run TC and ready to be used in new opposition-led wards.
It is a crying shame that the IT system should even have been weaponised in the first place. The PAP was just using the politics of fear to hold back voters who were afraid of the unknown. Fewer are now afraid, and even fewer will be in 2025.
When PM said several years back that the size of GRCs would be reduced and that there would be more SMCs, really, it was just a token reduction. Now they will have to seriously judge the GRC system.
The opposition has too few SMCs to contest in and there are few SMCs in areas that the WP are known to be interested in (the better performing ones since 2011 have all mysteriously vanished). Ministers or not, the stronger opposition parties have been forced to move into GRCs and future loses of ministers can be expected if this GRC game continues to be played.
2. Race-based politics
The WP’s team in Aljunied GRC has three minority candidates (only 1 is required) and two chinese. Yet it won with an even bigger vote share against a PAP’s team with 4 chinese and 1 minority.
The best performing GRC by the PAP is led by an Indian, Mr Tharman together with 2 newcomers and 2 relatively lightweight previous MPs. The new official leader of the opposition, with 10 elected seats, is Mr Pritam Singh, a minority. The position was handed to him by Mr Low, chinese educated and fluent in dialect. New and capable people of all races continue to join even though a minority is helming the Workers’ Party.
Who says Singapore is not ready for a minority PM. Who says minorities cannot hold their own in GEs? Dr Paul Tambyah polled over 46% against a 3-term chinese MP. Why do we need to reserve presidential elections for minority candidates and set qualifying criteria to be so ridiculously high?
55 years after independence, Singaporeans have learnt to judge people for their abilities and not for their race.
If you believe that our political system needs to be reformed, please share!
Note: This article was first written as a Facebook post and re-posted here (with minor edits) for easier future referencing.
In a recent Facebook post, the retired ESM Goh Chok Tong called the official appointment of Pritam as Leader of the Opposition a “very significant move” by PM Lee. Mr Goh added: “Our opposition MPs and NCMPs will now have to go beyond merely serving as a check-and-balance. They can put forward their alternative policies and solutions so that Singaporeans would know the choices available, besides the Government’s.”
Mr Goh must have been in parliament when the WP proposed our alternative A Dynamic Population For A Sustainable Singapore, or when we proposed our alternative model for ministerial salaries. I was deeply involved in those. I had also presented various proposals in education and early childhood during my time in parliament, amongst others. Most of what I had proposed for reforms to the early childhood sector have now been adopted in one form or another. When I had proposed them early in my parliament term, the proposals were new at that time. Perhaps others had proposed similar policy transformation to the sector that I had called for, but not in parliament before I did, unless I am mistaken. I am not claiming credit for proposing these persistently. Just because the government does not acknowledge our contributions when changes were made does not mean that the opposition did not propose anything.
Similarly, I had persistently called for all primary schools to have Student Care inside the school, and the proposal was brushed aside. I went through extensive effort on my own to even call many existing SC centres within schools to better understand the situation of urgent shortage of places. Some time later, MOE announced that all primary schools would eventually have SC centres. I was the first to propose in parliament that we could implement laws to punish companies outside of Singapore for transboundary haze. That was eventually done. There were many other proposals I had made which are not yet implemented but I hope will eventually be. These include through-train primary to secondary schools and smaller class sizes.
The WP had also made various significant proposals, done with extensive consultation with industry experts. These include Redundancy Insurance and alternatives to the HDB decaying lease issue. There are other policy ideas, proposed within parliament and outside (for those like myself who are now not in parliament).
Sure, the move to have an official Leader of the Opposition with government-funded staffing and resources is a significant first step. I hope data and the intent behind impending policy changes can be shared more openly with those in the opposition. In my time in parliament, I often had to probe and dig, and use various creative ways to file parliamentary questions because we sometimes get evasive answers. I cite my probe into scholarships for foreign students as one example. You can google for more details on this topic and judge for yourself by looking at the answers that I had been given.
I hope the 14th parliament will be a better experience for the opposition MPs. I am writing this to dispute that WP is just check and balance, that we just nudge the government to do a bit better here and there.
I think if there is to be a more significant change, it should be that elected opposition MPs must be allowed to use grassroots facilities, particularly the PA resources and decide on use of Community Improvement Funds. There is absolutely no need for the PAP to appoint their grassroots advisor. There is no need for WP elected MPs to have to get permission from GRAs for use of community funds from taxpapers’ monies. Contrary to what some try to portray that GRAs are doing the ‘sai kang’ or dirty work on behalf of residents, the Town Council where the real ‘sai kang’ are, is run by the elected MPs. GRAs basically just give the PAP a foothold in the constituency to launch their attack at the next election. There is no need for GRAs to have to write letters on behalf of residents when those by elected opposition MPs will suffice.
The road to a first world parliament continues. Let’s us continue to do more. A big ‘thank you’ to Singaporeans whose determination to see a fairer political system is now bearing some fruits.
Note: This article was first written as a Facebook post and re-posted here (with minor edits) for easier future referencing.
Dear voters of Marine Parade GRC, my name is Nathaniel Koh.
The Workers’ Party is here again to bring Marine Parade, Together.
Marine Parade GRC is diverse in many ways.
Geography, distance, what type of house you live, whether you’re young or young at heart.
There is strength in diversity and we want to harness that strength.
From the kampung spirit of Chai Chee to the history of Joo Chiat.
From the village vibe of Siglap to the hustle of Serangoon.
From the working heartland of Ubi to the neighbourliness of Eunos.
From the heritage of Geylang Serai to the flavours of Katong.
Let us bring Marine Parade, Together.
We, the Workers’ Party candidates for Marine Parade GRC, will speak up for you in Parliament.
We will speak up on national issues, and help you with your local ones.
Collectively, we have the experience, expertise, and commitment to serve you.
Like you, we are ordinary Singaporeans. We’ve been through hard times. We know what it’s like to fall and get back up.
Within Marine Parade GRC, we want to bring Marine Parade, Together.
We want to empower you to shape your community. We will listen to you. We will be guided by you. We will walk with you.
Make your voice count. Make your ideas count.
Make your vote count. Vote for the Workers’ Party.
Azhar Latip
Salam sejahtera kepada para pengundi GRC Marine Parade
Saya, Azhar Latip, calon Parti Pekerja bagi Kawasan GRC Marine Parade
Parti Pekerja telah kembali sekali lagi dengan matlamat untuk bersama dengan anda
GRC Marine Parade mempunyai kepelbagaian dari segi geography, jarak, seni bina, mahupun usia
Dalam kepelbagaian terdapat kekuatan yang dapat kita manfaatkan
Dari semangat kampung Chai Chee sehinggalah ke sejarah Joo Chiat,
Dari getaran nadi Siglap sehinggalah kemeriahan Serangoon,
Dari gerak nadi pekerja di Ubi sehingga ke semangat kejiranan Eunos,
Dari warisan Geylang Serai sehinggalah keakraban Katong,
Marilah kita Bersatu
Kami calon Parti Pekerja bagi Kawasan GRC Marine Parade, berikrar untuk menjadi suara anda di parlimen.
Kami akan mengetengahkan isu-isu kebangsaan dan membantu anda mengatasi isu- isu tempatan
Berbekalkan pengalaman, kebolehan dan semangat yang jitu, Insyallalh kami boleh berkhidmat untuk anda
Seperti anda, kami juga rakyat Singapura biasa. Kami faham cabaran yang anda lalui, dan kami bersedia untuk berkhidmat untuk membantu anda bangkit semula.
Kami bersatu demi anda, untuk anda
Penduduk GRC Marine Parade, anda berhak untuk membentuk masa depan anda Keluhan anda akan diambil kira. Anda tidak akan diabaikan.
Suara dan pendapat anda menentukan hala tuju masyarakat dan negara kita
Manfaatkan undi anda, undilah Parti Pekerja.
Fadli Fawzi
Dear voters of Marine Parade GRC, My name is Fadli Fawzi.
Voting for the Workers’ Party means having representatives in Parliament who would listen to you, care for you, and fight for you.
This is our unwavering commitment.
In this broadcast, I want to reassure the residents who are thinking of giving us a chance, but who may be anxious about the future of the estate under the Workers’ Party.
I have served as a Town Councillor in Aljunied-Hougang for the past six years. Managing a Town Council, especially as the opposition, is indeed challenging. For one, we had to work harder with far fewer resources.
We have learned a lot and grown from our experience. We are now better prepared to take over and run a Town Council effectively.
We have also created a new accounting software system to help us manage Town Council matters.
This will ensure that the handover process will be smooth and that services to residents will not be disrupted.
So I promise the residents of Marine Parade: the estate will be kept clean, the lifts will work, and you will still get to enjoy the amenities in the neighbourhood.
But the Workers’ Party wants to do more than just provide efficient municipal services.
We want to build in Marine Parade a sense of community and belonging. We want every single Marine Parade resident to feel that they matter.
So let me share with you the Workers’ Party’s vision for Marine Parade. We want to build a neighbourhood that is inclusive, cohesive, and accountable.
First, inclusivity is about ensuring that each and every resident of Marine Parade is able to live with dignity.
We will pay particular attention to the vulnerable and those with greater needs, especially the elderly and the disadvantaged.
Second, cohesion means strengthening the community ethos between the residents and neighbours of Marine Parade.
This will be a welcoming home for everyone, regardless of your ethnicity or religion, or even your political allegiance.
Third, accountability reflects our pledge to be transparent and resident-centric on matters of estate governance.
We will seek your civic participation in monthly town halls where we will listen to your thoughts about how to improve Marine Parade. These town halls will also create social capital in the community, making us more resilient in times of crisis.
These three principles — inclusivity, cohesion, and accountability — are our guiding lights.
Under the Workers’ Party, Marine Parade will not just be your home, but the neighbourly sanctuary that we all belong to: Marine Parade, Together.
So Make Your Vote Count and Vote for the Workers’ Party.
Yee Jenn Jong
大家好。我是余振忠. 我是一名教育企业家, 也曾当过非选区国会议员。
I am Yee Jenn Jong. I contested in Joo Chiat SMC and became a Non-Constituency Member of Parliament. I contested in Marine Parade GRC in 2015. I thank all the voters of Joo Chiat and Marine Parade who had supported the Workers’ Party since 2006.
The Workers’ Party is back, with yet another dedicated team. We have never left. Over the past few years, despite the challenges of not having been elected, we have initiated various community projects in this GRC. We continue to visit residents. We are touched by your encouragement and support.
You have heard from my team mates about our hopes for a better Singapore and a better Marine Parade, together. The now-daily 400 packs of food distribution that we have initiated since day 1 of the Circuit Breaker taught me that we can have ground up residents programme. The distribution is run by volunteers, some of them living in rental flats with a big heart to help their neighbours.
We can build a better Marine Parade, not just with infrastructure, but to invest in people so that initiatives can be ground-up, by Marine Parade residents, for Marine Parade residents.
The PAP has told you that Singapore only has enough talent for a team A, that only the PAP can run this place. My years of participation in the alternative camp tell me otherwise. Hougang and Aljunied are well maintained, just like any town in Singapore. The Workers’ Party has raised many issues in parliament and in a responsible way. Our proposals are made with serious thoughts.
I am concerned that the PAP has led us for the past 2 decades by simply injecting more capital and labour, especially low wage migrant workers without meaningful growth in productivity. This has led to an overcrowded Singapore, depressed wages for many of us, and vast inequality.
I am concerned that we have not adapted fast enough to industry disruptions. We have many retrenched PMETs. Many of us struggle with the high cost of living. 2 out of 3 working Singaporeans do not have enough savings for more than 6 months. It is as if we are two different countries in one small island.
The PAP does not have a monopoly of wisdom. Our team members are passionate, hardworking and resilient.
Ron has many years of experience serving in the grassroots in Aljunied. He served under Mr Low Thia Khiang for the past 3 years.
Nathaniel, an IT professional, has been with the Party for 11 years and is actively assisting Mr Pritam Singh.
Azhar had to take a year’s break from university to earn money for his school fees. He graduated from NUS, had a stable career. Then he lost a leg and his job after a nasty road accident. These did not kill his desire to want to be a voice for ordinary Singaporeans.
Fadli is driven by his passion to help the less fortunate. He switched to being a lawyer because he wants to be better equipped to champion for ordinary Singaporeans. He has been a Town Councillor in Aljunied-Hougang for 6 years.
Singapore needs MPs who can connect with the people, who cares deeply for them. We have the right team to be your voice in parliament and to manage this town.
The PAP wants 100% dominance of parliament. They tell you that you can have 12 NCMPs because they want to win it all. They want all 93 seats.
As a former NCMP, I tell you that this will not be the effective check against the PAP. They only fear when their vote share is low. Do not give the PAP a blank cheque.
I am Yee Jenn Jong. I contested in Joo Chiat SMC and became a Non-Constituency Member of Parliament. I contested in Marine Parade GRC in 2015. I thank all the voters of Joo Chiat and Marine Parade who had supported the Workers’ Party since 2006.
The Workers’ Party is back, with yet another dedicated team.
We have never left. Over the past few years, despite the challenges of not having been elected, we have initiated various community projects in this GRC. We continue to visit residents. We are touched by your encouragement and support.
You have heard from my team mates about our hopes for a better Singapore and a better Marine Parade, together. The now-daily 400 packs of food distribution that we have initiated since day 1 of the Circuit Breaker taught me that we can have ground up residents programme. The distribution is run by volunteers, some of them living in rental flats with a big heart to help their neighbours. We can build a better Marine Parade, not just with infrastructure, but to invest in people so that initiatives can be ground-up, by Marine Parade residents, for Marine Parade residents.
The PAP has told you that Singapore only has enough talent for a team A, that only the PAP can run this place. My years of participation in the alternative camp tell me otherwise. Hougang and Aljunied are well maintained, just like any town in Singapore. The Workers’ Party has raised many issues in parliament and in a responsible way. Our proposals are made with serious thoughts.
I am concerned that the PAP has led us for the past 2 decades by simply injecting more capital and labour, especially low wage migrant workers without meaningful growth in productivity. This has led to an overcrowded Singapore, depressed wages for many of us, and vast inequality. I am concerned that we have not adapted fast enough to industry disruptions. We have many retrenched PMETs. Many of us struggle with the high cost of living. 2 out of 3 working Singaporeans do not have enough savings for more than 6 months. It is as if we are two different countries in one small island.
The PAP does not have a monopoly of wisdom. Our team members are passionate, hardworking and resilient.
Ron has many years of experience serving in the grassroots in Aljunied. He served under Mr Low Thia Khiang for the past 3 years. Nathaniel, an IT professional, has been with the Party for 11 years and is actively assisting Mr Pritam Singh. Azhar had to take a year’s break from university to earn money for his school fees. He graduated from NUS, had a stable career. Then he lost a leg and his job after a nasty road accident. These did not kill his desire to want to be a voice for ordinary Singaporeans. Fadli is driven by his passion to help the less fortunate. He switched to being a lawyer because he wants to be better equipped to champion for ordinary Singaporeans. He has been a Town Councillor in Aljunied-Hougang for 6 years.
Singapore needs MPs who can connect with the people, who cares deeply for them. We have the right team to be your voice in parliament and to manage this town.
The PAP wants 100% dominance of parliament. They tell you that you can have 12 NCMPs because they want to win it all. They want all 93 seats. As a former NCMP, I tell you that this will not be the effective check against the PAP. They only fear when their vote share is low. Do not give the PAP a blank cheque. Make your vote count. Vote The Workers’ Party.
Yee Jenn Jong 