Jose Raymond, Singapore People's Party (SPP) chairman and candidate for Potong Pasir SMC, made a spirited pitch during his online rally on July 3.

The night was busy with constituency broadcasts airing on TV and online, but over 600 people tuned in to watch Raymond's livestreamed video on Facebook, which started at 8:00pm.

What can Jose do that Sitoh can't?

The topic of the night was a simple one -- what can Raymond do for the Potong Pasir voter that can't be done by the incumbent Member of Parliament, Sitoh Yih Pin of the People's Action Party (PAP)?

Earlier, Raymond recounted that he had received many messages from the public, on all kinds of platforms.

He added that he valued their feedback and ideas, no idea was "too small" for him to look at, and he made it a point to respond to each message as soon as he is able.

He also outlined three examples where he had rendered his personal assistance.

Getting personally involved

Solidarity payout

On June 5, he received a call from a 72-year-old lady, who is a caregiver to her 96-year-old mother.

The woman told Raymond her mother had not received her Solidarity payment in April as she did not have a bank account. She wasn't sure who to contact to get help, as she was no longer a Potong Pasir constituent after the electoral boundary changes, but Raymond offered to do so.

"Within the next 20 minutes, I wrote the appeal and sent it off to the Ministry of Finance. By Monday, which was just two days later, the issue had been sorted out."

Meet-the-People session may be outdated, harness technology to respond more quickly to residents

Raymond added that the "age-old Meet-the-People sessions" may have run its course, a point included in his Potong Pasir manifesto.

He said that today, residents need to have their problems solved quickly, and technology could help bridge that gap.

"Having to wait for hours just to have their appeal heard should be a process from the past which we should just move on, once and for all."

HDB loan

Raymond then shared the case of a 42-year-old single mother living with a relative in Potong Pasir, and had applied to buy a resale home with a HDB loan.

However, she didn't have enough to buy a 4-room apartment. Based on her income and her CPF savings, it was assessed that she could only purchase a 3-room apartment.

But as she also had her parents to look after, a 3-room apartment would be too small for everyone to live comfortably. Continued Raymond:

"In short, all she needed was a higher loan eligibility from the HDB. When she sought my help, it was on the back of rejections on account of her income and her CPF balances. These appeals were filed through the MP."

Importance of framing an issue

Raymond met her to assess her case and see if there were grounds for an appeal. He reviewed the documents and sent in the appeal to the "Ministry and the HDB".

He said, "I'm happy that today she has a home where she, her son and her parents are all living under one roof."

Raymond said this case showed the importance of framing cases as "sharply" as possible, so residents could get help when they need it, as well as "collaborative politics" to help others regardless of party.

Legal matter

The third case involves an ongoing legal matter, which Raymond said he was sharing with the permission of the affected family.

He said that his personal lawyers are helping the family on a pro-bono basis, and that "not everything can be solved by giving a templated letter, or through a handout."

Independent voice

Raymond also stressed that if elected as an MP, he would not be bound by the PAP's party whip, unlike a PAP candidate.

He said he would be able to speak up without fear or favour.

He acknowledged that Singapore is battling a pandemic, but also views it as an opportunity to build a better society in a post Covid-19 world.

He promised that all residents' needs will be looked after on a personal level, that the Town Council and amenities will be managed well, and that he would be the residents' voice in Parliament.

Raymond said in Mandarin: "I will take care of you, and show concern for you. You are my family, my Potong Pasir family."

He added that he not only hopes to be the elected representative for Potong Pasir, but also their voice and friend.

You can watch the full online rally below: