PM Lee subtly pokes CPF blogger, matriarch-author Catherine Lim back

He publishes a letter on Facebook by an unnamed woman praising him and his government for all the good things they've done.

Belmont Lay| June 11, 01:02 AM

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has published on his Facebook an image of a letter sent to him by an unnamed Singaporean social worker on June 10, 2014.

In a post accompanying the letter, he said he felt "cheered" after reading it, where the writer expressed gratitude for his government and their policies that have helped her family and those in her line of work.

Touche.

This "publish-a-letter-to-counter-another-letter" move comes three days after matriarch-author, Catherine Lim, wrote a political missive dressed up as an open letter to the prime minister, covering the same theme she did 20 years ago about how the relationship between Singaporeans and the ruling PAP is/ has been deteriorating.

The day Lim published her open letter was also the day a protest against the Central Provident Fund (CPF) system drew almost 3,000 people to Hong Lim Park.

However, no other exact motive for publishing this letter on PM Lee's Facebook page is known, besides Lee also revealing he circulated the letter among his cabinet colleagues.

However, what is known is why the letter writer was prompted to write.

She revealed she wanted to assure PM Lee that “not all Singaporeans think like Roy Ngerng and the other activists who are overly self-righteous in the ways they challenge the government”.

But not before declaring at the very start of the letter that she is "rather disengaged with the political landscape in Singapore".

Ngerng is currently being sued for alleged defamation by PM Lee.

 

Here is the letter, in full, that was sent to PM Lee:

Dear Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong,

I am a social worker by profession and I work for one of the voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) that support families with children who are ill.

I have to admit that I am rather disengaged with the political landscape in Singapore, but I am familiar with many of the policies that affect me and the families I serve as a social worker. The recent contention with the activists and bloggers such as Roy Ngerng has evoked some thoughts and feelings within me that I wish to share with you.

Firstly, I would like to thank you and your ministers for doing so much for Singapore. As a citizen, I could live comfortably and afford a HDB flat right across the road from my parents, even though my earnings as a social worker is much lower than my fellow graduate friends who work in a different industry.

The charge for infant care services at PCF Sparkletots is affordable after the significant government subsidies. The quality of care given by the teachers there is also highly commendable. This allows me to return to work with a peace of mind knowing that my daughter is in good hands.

I could commute comfortably every morning on the bus and bring my daughter to the infant care with just a baby carrier. On rainy days, I have a sheltered walkway that starts right at the bus stop which I alight with my daughter, and it leads all the way to the infant care which is a good 15-minutes-walk away.

I am amazed and impressed that the infrastructure put into place could allow me to walk that distance without an umbrella on a rainy day. It is a pure delight for me, that the government goes to such details in planning for the convenience of everyone living in Singapore.

As I work in the healthcare industry, I am familiar with the MediSave, MediShield and MediFund. I have seen how these healthcare policies work. It supports needy families and it urges the less needy to be self-reliant and work on their budgeting to live within their means. Through the course of my work, I have met with numerous families who choose to be self-reliant and I am deeply encouraged and inspired by their sense of integrity and dignity despite their financial challenges.

I am thankful for the recent changes in bus fares which charges slightly more for those who can earn a decent living, keeping public transport still affordable for the working population. At the same time, I see redistribution of wealth through this change as more subsidies are given to students, elderly and people with disabilities.

All in all, I am glad I am a Singaporean. I am thankful that my government is thoughtful and far-sighted. I hope it will bring you some comfort that not all Singaporeans think like Roy Ngerng and the other activists who are overly self-righteous in the ways they challenge the government.

Thank you for taking up the responsibility of leading Singapore. It is a lot of hard and heart work. Thank you also for your grit and not giving up on us when we can be so difficult to deal with at times.

My family and I wish you good health and happiness in the many years to come. Please take good care of yourself.

 

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