National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said the government is not so-called “sharing money” with the Worker’s Party and the Singapore People’s Party when it releases funds to Hougang and Potong Pasir Town Councils. He said the move to release funds comes under a nationwide scheme to improve barrier-free accessibility for HDB residents by 2011.
The same follows for the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP), which will be completed by 2014. Mr Mah said: “When we say barrier-free accessibility for our residents, it means all our residents. There’s no question about leaving parts of Singapore aside. When I say we’re going to have LUP for all, we’re going to have LUP for all.
“It’s not a new policy or a change of mind, change of heart, whatever. It’s just simply doing what’s good for residents and to work with town councils and advisors to do it quickly. “So CIPC (Community Improvement Projects Committee) funds are now being utilised for these purposes. We channel CIPC funds through the CCCs (Citizens’ Consultative Committees), through the advisers. We’ve always been doing that. It’s not something new. And we also channel CIPC funds to the opposition members in the past, it’s not new.”
He said: “It’s very strange when you have barrier-free accessibility all over Singapore, but when you come to the opposition ward, you find that the kerb is high and the barrier is still there. It doesn’t make sense, it’ll be a laughingstock. So we said no, it’s something we want to do.”
Foreigners who happen to stumble into the opposition wards might notice this, and then wonder about the segregation in the political areas of control. This will not reflect well on our country in the long run, showing that the efficiency of the government is only for the benefit of those in their area of control. It is wise to declare that the government will look into the welfare across the nation, in case it causes unnecessary worry and unrest.
“Lift upgrading is another thing. We’re going to do it for all eligible blocks. That’s the promise we’ve made. We have not left anybody out, and we will not leave anybody out. But we’ve always said that when it comes to prioritisation between the two, we will put PAP ward first. We’ve explained this many times.”
Well, that’s enough said about where the priorities of the government lie. However, in terms of welfare for the citizens, I think that maybe, as our pledge does mention that everyone be treated equally, that our government should take a day off to review their priorities and assertions as a whole, as a nation, as a government body.
The government has taken a big step to more forwards a barrier-free society. This also meant that the Singapore is one more step nearer to her goal as a First Class Society. It can also be an electoral strategy to win the hearts of many.
Information from ChannelNewsAsia
Filed under: Politics, Society | Tagged: Project, Singapore, Society, Upgrading, Welfare
