ST 10/2009: UPGRADING IN OPPOSITION WARDS- MPs should front initiative

ST forum:
Wednesday, Oct 7, 2009
UPGRADING IN OPPOSITION WARDS: MPs should front initiative
I REFER to last Saturday's report, 'Non-PAP wards get lift revamp', and Sunday's article, 'Lift upgrading for six blocks in Hougang', both of which stated that the two opposition wards of Hougang and Potong Pasir would be getting their lifts upgraded.
I am glad the Government has decided to proceed with the lift upgrading programme in these constituencies.
The programme comes under the Housing Board, a government statutory board, and it is gratifying to note that Potong Pasir and Hougang residents will benefit.
What disturbed me is the fact that news of the programme came from the People's Action Party's (PAP) unelected candidates in the two wards - Mr Sitoh Yih Pin and Mr Eric Low.
Mr Low justified his announcement of the programme by saying it was the usual practice, even in PAP wards, for the grassroots adviser to lead the programme.
My question: Under what authority did both Mr Low and Mr Sitoh act as advisers to the grassroots organisations, given that the People's Association is a government statutory board and should work with the elected MPs of the constituencies?
Why did the HDB choose to work with unelected candidates instead of the elected MPs in the constituencies?
I agree that the needs of the residents would be served either way, but shouldn't the mandate that the residents gave to the elected MPs be respected? The proper protocol would have been to have the elected MPs act as grassroots advisers and announce such programmes.
Muhammad Yusuf Osman
http://www.straitstimes.com/ST+Forum/Story/STIStory_439947.html

This post was responded to by:
ST:
09Oct2009: 'Why grassroots advisers announce lift upgrading'


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At/ related:
G Giam blog:
03Oct2009: HDB should be neutral and stop playing politics

Sboy:
07Oct2009: Good Question: Why did the HDB choose to work with Losers?