K Shanmugam, People's Action Party (PAP) candidate for Nee Soon GRC, gave his views regarding the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) and their candidates during a doorstop on July 4.

In response to a question from the media, the Minister for Law and Home Affairs said that the PSP team contesting Nee Soon has "no plans" for the constituency, and that its manifesto lacks answers to the serious questions of the day, like the Covid-19 pandemic.

National issues

Shanmugam said that in every general election, voters would have two considerations, both national issues and issues specific to the GRC or SMC they live in.

Shanmugam referred to Covid-19, and said,

"We've said many times, this is the greatest crisis since the Second World War. We haven't cleared Covid, so it's a health crisis and an economic crisis and the two are linked. You don't control the virus, your economy is not in control."

He said that he felt it's important that every party sets out concrete plans to deal with the crisis, and not just sound bites or "broad statements", naming in particular the challenges of jobs, the economy, and the looming recession.

Shanmugam also made the point that even if MPs are "there to check", people should ask what alternate policies they have. He added:

"I have looked at the manifesto of the candidates who are competing here, and I don't find any answers on these questions. That's the first point at the national level, so there are no answers. So question is, what are you running for Parliament for? You got to have a plan and a policy for people."

What are the PSP's plans for Nee Soon?

Shanmugam then addressed the question of issues at the local level. He said that his team has set out a list of what they seek to do in the next five years, in concrete terms, about the incoming developments.

He said that residents could also look at his track record of what he promised in 2015, and he delivered. Then he said:

"I then look at the opposition candidates' manifesto specific to Nee Soon town. There's nothing there, as far as I can see."

Shanmugam said he's heard what they've said, both in public and through residents who have asked questions, and "It's very clear they have no plans."

Nee Soon has kampung spirit

He then referenced a comment apparently made by another opposition politician, who said that while Nee Soon may have the "hardware" and it is developed, it has no "soul" or "kampung spirit."

On this, he said, "I don't know how long they've spent here but I think they don't know the ground. This is a place with a lot of kampung spirit."

He described the cultural celebrations in Nee Soon, with the Chinese clans, and Chinese and Indian temples and mosques working together on community projects.

He also referred to fellow Nee Soon PAP candidate Louis Ng's Project HOPE, which collects toys, clothes, and other items for the needy.

"You know, to say that this place has no soul, to divine suddenly that this place has no soul, and I don't see what concrete plans there are to infuse that soul, if it is indeed absent. So we will see."

A PSP team is contesting Nee Soon, including Brad Bowyer, Muhammad Taufik Supan, Kala Manickam, Damien Tay and Sri Nallakaruppan.

Besides Shanmugam, the PAP team includes Louis Ng, Muhammad Faishal bin Ibrahim, Carrie Tan and Derrick Goh.

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Top image from Nur Syahindah.