DPM Teo Chee Hea said Opposition can't deliver~! - 07Apr2011

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, in introducing the three new candidates on Thursday, said the real "insurance policy" for Singapore is a team that can form a good, strong government.

And he said that while some PAP candidates are new and inexperienced, they will learn the ropes.

Mr Teo was referring to comments by some opposition parties that more opposition presence is needed to serve as an insurance should the PAP government fail.

"By the opposition's own admission, if you ask them, 'Are you ready to form a government? Show me, where is your Cabinet? Who are they going to be?' They say, 'no, no, no, we are not ready'. So, what they are asking you to do is to pay a very high premium for a so-called insurance, which, when you have to call that insurance, they can't deliver!" said Deputy Prime Minister Teo.

"There's no government that they can form today and they are not able to do so. And as the PM has said if they have good people, why would they want to spend many years by the side waiting for, maybe hoping for the government to fail?"

Speaking at the introduction session, Dr Itan said education issues are close to her heart and she plans to champion issues relating to women and children.

When asked if she has faced difficulties wearing a tudung to work, Dr Itan said: "We live in a multi-cultural, multi-religious society. We accept differences, we embrace diversity, we have enjoyed many good years of social cohesion and social harmony. In my personal capacity I have not had any difficulty doing my professional work in my tudung.

"I think I have gotten to where I am purely on meritocratic terms. For the recent grassroots work I have done, residents have been very welcoming. I think they see beyond what's covering my head. I think what's important is what's (in the heart). You serve with what's in here (the heart). I think I don't foresee any problem in me wearing a tudung and me serving the community."

For Mr Lawrence Wong, he has experience in healthcare and energy policies. He said he will focus on issues relating to the economy.

He remembers his involvement in reviewing Medishield as most rewarding.

"The Medishield scheme at that time was not working as well as it could have been. It was not offering patients protection with large hospital bills. We went through several rounds of consultation and eventually undertook changes to the scheme to enlarge its coverage and also introduce more competition so that patients could have more options to choose from.

"The whole reform exercise was quite a complicated one. So my team and I went from constituency to constituency explaining to the residents what the changes are about.

"It was a very rewarding experience for myself and for my team, because we could see that the changes made a tangible difference and helped many of these residents and gave them peace of mind about their medical expenses."

Moving on to candidate David Ong, he said ageing issues are close to his heart.

On opposition candidates declaring that they would become full-time MPs if elected, the PAP argues that it is not the number of hours that an MP clocks in that matters.

Mr Ong said: "It is the quality and intensity of work that you devote to your residents (that matters). We sometimes bring our problem to bed and it causes a real effect. I think you have to measure by how effective the Member of Parliament is and not how much time he spent as an MP. There are real issues on the ground. Much has to be done and someone else has to do it."

"From the party's point of view, we appreciate the diversity and the range of experiences which MPs, who are holding jobs and professions and businesses, bring to Parliament and to the discussions at the party caucus," said Deputy Prime Minister Teo.

"They are able to bring different perspectives when they tell us, 'this is what the business sector is worried about, this is what they want to do, this is what people in the professions are thinking'. These are very valuable ideas and feedback."

Deputy Prime Minister Teo, who is also PAP's Second Assistant Secretary-General, said a good, strong government is a key factor that brings long-term good for Singapore.

He said the PAP offers a steady hand as well as proven and trusted leadership to guide the people through the challenges of the years ahead.

Mr Teo said that ultimately, an election is about who the people can put their trust in to build a better future for themselves and their families.

He said the PAP has selected its slate of candidates carefully, both the new ones and serving MPs. He hopes Singaporeans will support them and work with them to build a secure and better future for the people and the country.

So far, the PAP has introduced 18 new candidates.

- CNA/sf/ir

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