Channel NewsAsia: WP questions timing of PAP's upgrading plans in East Coast GRC

SINGAPORE VOTES 2006

By Farah Abdul Rahim

SINGAPORE : The Workers' Party on Thursday questioned Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar's comment that 97 percent of East Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC) had been upgraded.

Professor Jayakumar, who is heading the People's Action Party (PAP) team there, had said this on Wednesday in response to WP's earlier remarks in the day that the PAP had neglected East Coast Group GRC over the years.

On Thursday, while on a walkabout in the GRC, the WP also questioned PAP's claim that there had been an upgrading project almost every year for the past 13 years.

The WP team said residents had also told them they were being asked to consider lift upgrading in some areas in Bedok and Fengshan.

The team questioned the timing of the upgrading.

Perry Tong, WP Candidate, East Coast GRC, said, "My question would be why is upgrading only offered now during election period? Does it mean that only if they are returned to power, lifts will be upgraded? If not, how long will residents have to wait for? The PAP has been here for 15-18 years, it's been a walkover, I think, and they had all this time to do all the upgrading.

"My query now is the 97 percent claim by Professor Jayakumar. Does it include the new intended upgrading facilities, over and above that, many blocks have been 'so called' removed from electoral boundaries of East Coast GRC, including a good 40 blocks in Kaki Bukit, which have also not had upgrading. If we were to throw this in under original East Coast GRC, I am not so sure Professor Jayakumar can lay claim to the 97 percent." - CNA/ms