The Singapore Democrats today descended upon the constituency of Bukit Panjang to help residents there campaign against plans to convert the wet market at Fajar Road into a supermarket by the Sheng Shiong chain.
Members met with residents and shoppers, distributing flyers on why the wet market should not be privatised and converted into a supermarket.
The SDP expressed its concern that the sale of the market to Sheng Shiong will increase the cost of operating the facility, thereby increasing prices for shoppers.
Even though the HDB has said that the wet market will not be converted into a supermarket, concerns remain that the takeover by Sheng Shiong will cause the stallholders to become lessees of the new landlord.
The new owner might also implement plans to do away with indivdual vendors in which case the current stallholders will all lose their livelihoods. The vendors will then have to seek employment from Sheng Shiong and they will, like everything else in Singapore, have to compete with foreign workers for meagre wages.
There is also no guarantee that Sheng Shiong will not increase the rental of the stalls. In fact there is every likelihood that, being a private enterprise, the supermarket chain will look to maximise its profits to justify its investment.
This can only mean that prices will increase for consumers.
For these reasons, the SDP opposes the privatisation of the wet markets. Unless Sheng Shiong can guarantee that its operations will not lead to any increase in prices for shoppers, the premises should not and must not be privatised.
Throughout this episode, MP for Bukit Panjang has remained silent, preferring to bury his head in the sand. SDP wrote to Dr Teo, asking him to take a stand and support the people. (See SDP's letter to Dr Teo here)
The MP replied with a one-liner: "Residents in Fajar area prefer a wet market and I have conveyed their preferences to HDB. Thanks for your concern."
Dr Teo must understand that he is a Member of Parliament, not the postal service. We are asking him to take a stand on the issue and not just convey the residents' message to the HDB. He needs to state clearly his position on whether he supports the privatisation of the Fajar wet market.
The SDP contested in the single-member ward in the 2006 general elections and has been continuing its groundwork in the constituency since then in preparation for the next elections.
SDP Chairman Mr Gandhi Ambalam has sent Dr Teo a follow-up email, asking the MP to not to dance around the issue and clearly state his stand on the matter:
State your stand clearly
12 October 2009
Dr Teo Ho Pin MP Bukit Panjang
Dear Sir,
I read with dismay your response to my email of 8 October 2009 asking you to support the residents of Bukit Panjang by not allowing the privatisation of the Fajar wet market that will result in the increase of market prices.
Your reply that you have simply conveyed the residents' views to HDB is a cop out. What the residents want is your unequivocal support that their livelihoods will not be jeopardised and that pricess will not be increased as a result of the sale of the wet market to Sheng Shiong.
An MP represents the views and interests of his constituents. All you have done is to be a postman. Surely residents of Bukit Panjang deserve better - an MP who is willing to stand up for them, not one who simply conveys messages.
We call on you to pull your head out the sand even as this controversy rages on. As an MP you need to assure residents that you will not allow the sale of the wet market to lead to increase of prices of food items and daily necessities.
I look forward to your response.
Gandhi Ambalam Chairman Singapore Democratic Party
Sun 11 Oct 2009 9:00 PM|
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seebeng - PAP is anti-people
While the PAP ministers continue to help themselves to millions of dollars in salary and PAP MPs continue to hold numerous directorships in GLCs and TLCs, the average Singaporean is forced to compete with foreigners for a meager living.
The PAP is only for the rich and powerful who are also mainly foreigners with questionable background.
Compared to a decade ago, there is no pride among the people in being Singaporean. The National Pledge is not even worth the paper on which it is printed.
Sun 11 Oct 2009 9:33 PM
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jmiahlee
well done!!
good work by SDP
our country need more people like the SDP
please also come over to Bedok and Fengsan area, we have lots of nonsense from the PAP and HDB here.
for too long time, we have had enough of the stupid and useless PAP and HDB, we want change!
Sun 11 Oct 2009 10:27 PM
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BryanT - Leopards and wet-markets
[color=red]"...the SDP opposes the privatisation of the wet markets. Unless Sheng Shiong can guarantee that its operations will not lead to any increase in prices for shoppers, the premises should not and must not be privatised."[/color]
First, let's get the facts right. According to news reports, the wet-markets (including the one at Fajar) are currently owned by Heeton Holdings. This probably means that the wet-markets concerned are on lease to the latter and HDB is contractually bound to let a private vendor manage them for quite a while. The question of whether they should be privatised is moot, since they already are.
Similarly, much as I think THP needs to pull up his MP socks to be more upfront and pro-active with the issue at hand, SDP is quite mistaken in demanding that he "state clearly his position on whether he supports the privatisation of the Fajar wet market".
The issue arose as a result of Heeton Holdings selling the premises' leases to Sheng Siong. I maintain my stand that wet markets and other basic amenities should be not outsourced to private vendors. But since the HDB has taken the stand that these will be retained as wet-markets, SDP is correct to focus on protecting the livelihood of the stall-holders and applying pressure on Sheng Siong not to increase rental rates.
However, the facetious follow-up letter to the inept THP is not only an overkill, but also an indication that SDP can't rise above politics while it attempts to be seen to address community issues.
The leopards are still..... spotted.
Sun 11 Oct 2009 11:32 PM|
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seebeng - Reality different from PAP propaganda
The so-called news reports are nothing but PAP propaganda to distort ground reality.
A search on Heeton Holdings throw up some interesting revelations, including the fact that one of its directors is a former PAP MP.
The privatisation exercise is just a ruse by the PAP and its cronies to fleece the stallholders, vendors and residents.
The HDB has a property arm and why not the wet markets be managed by it?
Since the PAP is an agent for the rich and powerful, it's only proper for a political party SDP take up the issue of privatisation on behalf of the affected commoners.
In a system where even the way you spit is determined by a tyrant, community issues cannot be separated from politics. The autocratic PAP has politicised everything in Singapore.
Sun 11 Oct 2009 11:45 PM
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asoaso
Seebeng, why you so like that? Don't you know that this BryanT is from the PAP Idiot Brigade?
Heeton? He's the only one that doesn't know or won't acknowledge that HDB and Heeton play right hand-left hand game. His intention? To protect the PAP. Even when the SDP speaks on the right issue he says it is overkill.
Can't the PAP send someone more subtle? Send someone like this idiot really make me laugh. OMG, I got to run to pee now, I'm laughing so hard my bladder is about to leak.
Mon 12 Oct 2009 12:07 AM
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Seelan Palay - re: Leopards and wet-markets
[quote=BryanT]However, the facetious follow-up letter to the inept THP is not only an overkill, but also an indication that SDP can't rise above politics while it attempts to be seen to address community issues.[/quote]
That's quite silly of you BryanT, asking a political party not to engage in politics.
Mon 12 Oct 2009 12:24 AM
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BryanT - Letter to Mr Gandhi
[color=red]"Surely residents of Bukit Panjang deserve better - an MP who is willing to stand up for them, not one who simply conveys messages..........As an MP you need to assure residents that you will not allow the sale of the wet market to lead to increase of prices of food items and daily necessities."[/color]
Now, let me focus on Mr Gandhi's rather overbearing follow-up letter to THP.
Obviously, this second letter was not intended for THP's eyes. It was written as part of SDP's political parody to paint itself as the defenders of the constituents. At the same time, it is meant to smear the incumbent's reputation, or whatever there is left of it.
We are not aware of what and how THP wrote to HDB and/or Mah BT. Let's leave that aside. However, I would not blame THP for the curt reply given to SDP, which the latter has expectedly exploited to raise insinuations. It is a blow very low.
Mr Gandhi implores THP to "assure residents that (he) will not allow the sale of the wet market to lead to increase of prices of food items and daily necessities." No adept MP worth his weight in salt will grant an assurance that is beyond his control.
Not many people, including MPs, have the means to cap price increases on the free-market. Nor should they attempt to do so directly.
Perhaps SDP has a tendency to over-promise what it cannot or should not delivery. [b]In that case, we should challenge SDP to [u]promise[/u] not to allow prices of basic commodities in its constituencies to rise, should it succeed in winning a seat or two at the next election?[/b]
And no, the challenge in the above para is not rhetorical, but which I AM posing to SDP.
In the same vein, [b]I look forward to your response, Mr Gandhi.[/b]
Mon 12 Oct 2009 12:27 AM
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quantum
[quote]SDP can't rise above politics while it attempts to be seen to address community issues.[/quote]
What is the difference? The political party that best serves the people win.
Aren't you the one who says that the SDP does not serve the people's interest and win people's hearts? They are now doing that and you say that SDP is playing politics.
I think you have run out of ideas to sabotage. Time for your master to hire somebody else.
Mon 12 Oct 2009 12:32 AM
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quantum
Oct 11, 2009
Wet market to stay
By Yeo Ghim Lay
STALLHOLDERS at Sembawang New Market in Canberra Road - the only wet market in Sembawang - will stay put after all, instead of making way for a FairPrice supermarket.
Health Minister and Sembawang GRC MP Khaw Boon Wan said on Sunday the market operator has decided to extend its lease with the Housing and Development Board.
The decision came after news broke more than a week ago that stallholders at the wet market had been told to leave by the end of the month.
The market's master tenant had decided to end its lease, and it was reported that the space would likely be taken over by a FairPrice supermarket. That will not happen now.
Describing the latest turn of events as a 'good development', Mr Khaw said the operator was now discussing with the HDB the extension of its tenancy.
Speaking to reporters after a community sports event at Sembawang Park, Mr Khaw also assured Singaporeans that the first batch of vaccines against the Influenza A (H1N1) virus would arrive within 'the next few weeks'.
Mon 12 Oct 2009 12:34 AM
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quantum
BryanT:
I am amazed by the speed and efficiency with which you rise to protect your master from any little annoyances and inconvenience. How much did they pay you?
Mon 12 Oct 2009 11:03 AM
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BryanT - Champion market issues or crude politicking
[color=red]"....asking a political party not to engage in politics."[/color]
My initial impression was that SDP would use this wet-market issue as a vehicle to build a more wholesome image of itself. By getting involved in grassroots matters, it would paint itself as a party close to the ground and eager to play a constructive role in assuaging the concerns of the people.
The issue is whether a political party can draw a line between championing a community issue and pursuing its underlying political motivations. Actually Seelan is correct -- it is too much to expect political parties (SDP and PAP included) to delink the two.
Perhaps it is not too much to expect political parties to be less blatant in their politicking when pretending to be concerned for the people's welfare. Perhaps it is unavoidable, but my opinion is that it need not be so obvious.
Otherwise, the effect would be diametric to what is intended and in fact be a quite a turn-off to exactly those whom they are trying to appeal to. The tone and substance of the follow-up letter to THP was political avarice incarnate.
Even if SDP wants to help the people defend the wet markets, can it resist the temptation to score cheap political points that puts itself in an ignominious light?
I thought SDP can have more finesse than this.
Mon 12 Oct 2009 2:17 PM
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Seelan Palay
Anyway BryanT, with regard to your comment on "politicizing the issue", it doesn't seem too different from PAP's Eric Low who recently told WP's Low Thia Kiang: “Don’t politicize LUP!”
Right on, this Bryan T is very silly and nonsensical. Pap can play politics, but not opposition parties.pap can organise outdoor activities but opposition cannot because they scare people throw stones at opposition supporters." Don't politicise LUP " then why Goh C T offered Hougang residents $100 million for upgrading if voters vote in Eric Low ?? Nia Mah !!!
Tue 13 Oct 2009 1:15 PM
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juzONEsingh
its never a level playing field...
you know what i have been hoping for, all these years?
is that one of the PAP young stars is actually a spy and that when he comes to power, he will try his best to change the PAP mindset..
yeah, i know, its a dream, watched too many Hong Kong dramas..
but still... its a possiblity, yah? that SOMEONE inside PAP now, is actually an opposition @ heart...
shall we all pray for this type of senario??
oh yah, get rid of the retard grandson, pls......
Oh, Little Miss A-Cup of Ta-Ma-De Holdings... hmm...
Wed 14 Oct 2009 12:08 AM|
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seebeng - Only tyrants and dictators......
Only tyrants and dictators pretend “to be concerned for the people's welfare“.
The PAP dictatorial regime doesn't depend on "mandate from the people" to wield power. It does it through the total control of the entire state machinery, including the mainstream media.
Why is there a need to hand over wet markets to private concerns like Sheng Shiong? Is it not obvious that like Heeton Holdings, Sheng Shiong is also beholden to the autocratic regime?
These parasitical companies or businesses, including GLCs and TLCs can only survive in an autocratic regime through patronage.
In the name of "privatization and modernization", the dictatorial regime is completely ignoring the livelihood and interests of the stallholders/vendors of the wet markets and, above all, the residents.
The castrated media is then set loose to make sure that the true voices of the affected people are not heard. Even if it is heard, it is only allowed to reach a certain decibel at which the regime is comfortable with. At no time the people's voice is allowed to become loud and a threat to the stranglehold on power by the autocratic regime.
Wed 14 Oct 2009 10:51 AM
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ABW
Bryan T,
The scenrio is similar to someone who is getting drown when THP is the lifeguard standing nearest to him. SDP promting THP when SDP saw the incident from a distance.
You, Mr Bryan T instead of being thankful to SDP. You choose to say that SDP wana be a hero & politicizing the issue.
Wed 14 Oct 2009 12:36 PM
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juzONEsingh
ABW, were u from Greenridge Sec??
juz wondering..
anyways, yeah, I TOTALLY agree wif u.. we have a civic responsibility yah? Wats more, dat THP is a MP, for goodness sake!
“Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add Within the Limits of the Law, because law is often but the tyrants will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.”
The Singapore Democrats today descended upon the constituency of Bukit Panjang to help residents there campaign against plans to convert the wet market at Fajar Road into a supermarket by the Sheng Shiong chain.
This can only mean that prices will increase for consumers.
Support SDP , buy our 30th Anniversary Magazine here
The PAP is only for the rich and powerful who are also mainly foreigners with questionable background.
Compared to a decade ago, there is no pride among the people in being Singaporean. The National Pledge is not even worth the paper on which it is printed.