Outreach Walkabout on 23 May around Buangkok area

This morning,  SDA team gathered at the Food Court at Blk 275 Compassvale Link for their prep talk, catching up and preparation for today's Outreach Walkabout session. Today's session is anchored by Desmond Lim himself.

The unrelenting rain that had persisted since the wee hours of the morning did not halt even at 10.00am as the SDA team set off for their interaction session. Undeterred, the team braved the rain to continue their fight for their beliefs, just like how they
braved the Sun on other Saturday mornings.

Armed with the Party's Pamphlets, the members penetrated the Food Court and made contact with the stall-owners  and diners. The contents of the pamphlets were being explained after the members introduced / re-introduced themselves and made the diners felt comfortable.

Many of the members of the public had queries on a certain "deliverance" today, and some expressed their views on the use of this interesting analogy.

The SDA members, shadow Town Councillors and DLs' Caring Community members moved from Blk 275 Compassvale Bow to Blk 266 Compassvale Bow, continuing their efforts to share their fighting spirit with the general public, as well as find out if there were any imminent concerns they were having currently.

Then the group proceeded over to Blk 267 Compassvale Bow's Coffee Shop to continuing reaching out to the residents there. Besides the introductions and gathering feedback on living conditions in Buangkok, the members also took time to listen to the residents' views on recent news and policies.

The team also touched base with the owners and employees of the various retail outlets / shop fronts situated along the estate, while they were on the way from one coffeeshop to another.

Today's Outreach interaction session concluded at 11.30am and the members headed for a debrief, consolidating the issues they had managed to collect during today's session.


Today's Walkabout session is covered by SDA's field journalist Elle Chen.








If you have any feedback, suggestions or would like to be a part of SDA or DLs' Caring Community, please feel free to get in touch via email or our Facebook page here or leave your comments on this blog itself. If you would like to be a part of this meaningful initiative, please feel free to get in touch too.

Outreach Walkabout on 16 May 2015 at Elias Road

The SDA outreach walkabout for this morning was anchored by Mr. Desmond Lim himself, conducted at Block 610 Elias Road.  The session kick-started at 10.00am sharp.

As per standard protocol, the members and shadow town councillors started from level 18 and slowly made their way down, interacting with all the residents staying in this block.

It was another fruitful session today; many residents were at home this morning to the members' pleasant surprise, allowing them to have quality interaction and communication.

Leaflets were being distributed and discussed as the members explained its contents to the dwellers in this block. There were questions being asked by the residents, who were curious to know what SDA's next step would be.

 

 

After engaging the residents in further conversation, the general consensus was that many of them harboured concerns over companies (and now even governmental organisations) employing foreign talents with fake degrees.

"Let's not talk about fake degrees alone," quipped one *Mr. Wong (name changed to protect privacy). "I feel strongly that it doesn't matter whether the foreign applicant has an excellent or mediocre degree - priority for a job should be given to Singaporeans first!"

Another young resident, one *Mr. Abdul (name changed to protect privacy) brought up another very good point. "I feel that many Singaporeans seem to confuse 'foreign talents' with 'foreign workers' - they constantly mention that we need 'foreign talents' to sweep floors and work in construction sites!" He laughed in irony. "Is it the picture being painted, that blurs the true meaning between a 'worker' and a 'talent'?"

There were a couple of residents who feedback that the amenities in this area were inadequate, such as eateries. *Mdm Teng (name changed to protect privacy) expressed concern that the plans to build MRT station at Elias area would only be completed in around 2030. "I don't even know if I would live to be able to see it by then."

A *Mrs. Ratna expressed concern that there is limitation to what one dares to voice out in Singapore. She pointed out that she has her thoughts and views, but is afraid to address them for fear that they may be deemed unsuitable and she might get into trouble with the Law.

Other than that, the residents agreed that opposition parties are needed in parliament to keep the ruling parties in check. The opposition parties should also introduce new policies and strategies for the citizens - policies that are outside the scope of what is currently being implemented.

It was yet another meaningful session today, refreshing the residents on SDA's ever-present concern for them, as well as gaining understanding on what the people need. The graceful residents thanked the members for taking time to do these house visits and listen to them, become their voices. SDA in turn appreciate the candid feedback from the people.


Today's block visit is covered by SDA's field journalist, Elle Chen.




If you have any feedback, suggestions or would like to be a part of SDA or DLs' Caring Community, please feel free to get in touch via email or our Facebook page here or leave your comments on this blog itself. If you would like to be a part of this meaningful initiative, please feel free to get in touch too.

Something to look forward to

If our party successfully wins the general election, we have decided that within the next three years,  we shall not to replace the entire staff and contractors of the existing Town Council.

 

We will hold district meetings on a monthly basis to allow residents of the region to get directly involved in the development and improvement projects.

There would be approval of land use rights, so that residents may produce vegetable and fruit orchards.

We would also approve the right of use over void decks, so that the estate neighbours may hold activities and gatherings there.

 

As long as the residents meet the criteria, they would be given priority rights to be employed by the Town Council etc.

Lim Bak Chuan Desmond 

Chairman of Singapore Democratic Alliance 

Secretary General of Singapore Justice Party

 

 

如果我党成功赢得大选,在三年内决定不更换现有的市镇会的全体职员。

 

会每个月举行分区居民会议,让居民直接参与区内发展和改善工程。

批准土地使用权,让居民开发蔬菜和果园。

批准组屋楼下的公共场所使用权,让居民搞邻里生活和聚会。

还有区内居民只要符合条件,有优先录取权等等。

林睦荃

新加坡民主联盟主席

Neighborhood Estate Harvesting

我支持这项活动,因为我在2011年竞选时,它是我的竞选计划书中的其中一个项目。当时有人还曾经把我提出的计划当成笑话看,如今三巴旺推出在区里种菜,把收成送低收入家庭和团体。

希望能够看到更多选区也能让退休或是失业的居民在区里种菜给供应自己食用另外三分之二再送给低收入家庭和团体。

I am in favour of this activity, because it was one of the suggestions listed in my proposal during my election campaign in 2011. During that time, there were those who mocked my proposal, but look - Sembawang is currently carrying out the idea of growing vegetation within the estates, and distributing them to low-income families and organisations. I hope that there would be more estates allowing the retirees or unemployed individuals do some farming within the estates in order to feed themselves and also disseminate to other low-income families and organisations.

Walkabout on 11 April 2015 - Punggol Area

After the Walkabout around the Pasir Ris area on 4 April 2015 (refer here), the SDA had another interaction session with the people of Punggol today.

The SDA team assembled at the Koufu Food Court at Punggol Plaza Mall at 168 Punggol Field for breakfast and briefing session at 9.30am.

Today's session consisted of the SDA members donning their signature lime green polo shirts and two of the Shadow Town Councillors, Mr. Derrick Tan and Mr. Lim Kim Soon, trained and ready to be of service to the people when opportunity arises.

 
The Walkabout Outreach kickstarted at approximately 10.00am starting from the alfresco dining area of the food court. The Anchor man charting today's walkabout path was Mr. Kaswadi B.  Atnawi. He can be seen shaking the hand of a friendly patron in this photograph herein.

 

The members were received by the diners warmly, from able young men to mummies with their kids. An elderly gentleman with a walking stick was seated down initially, but upon our approach, he made the effort to stand up just to welcome the members - this was a very heart warming moment for all the members.

The duo of Shadow Town Councillors touched base with the public after the SDA members have given out the Leaflets; and to gather some quality feedback from the residents about the general upkeep and support of this area.

 

 

SDA team continued reaching out to most of the people at the outdoors seating area, introducing themselves and disseminating more leaflets to the public. The residents were more than willing to share their dismay and feedback with these men with the friendly touch.

The team moved into the air-conditioned seating area of the same Koufu food court so as to interact with the diners within.

 

 

 

It was noted that most of the diners here comprised of young families, elderly citizens and a good mix of foreigners. The residents here gladly halted during their meals for a handshake and discussion with the members and Shadow Town Councillors.

Some of the pressing issues gathered from the SDA members till this point were that there are too many foreigners in this estate, with no reasonably-priced hawker centres in the vicinity to serve them; and that the narrow roads are very congested especially during peak hours.

There was an elderly lady who came over enthusiastically upon spotting the members in their familiar green shirts, and asked for copies of the leaflets.  She also asked about this issue's contents, which was explained in detail to her by one of the members, Mr. William Lim.

 

The general observation during this morning's Outreach Walkabout session reaped the consolation that members of the public were very receptive to a Party that genuinely care about them and what they think. They could be seen reading the leaflets all across the dining hall - some pausing their meals to do so, some reading over the enjoyment of their meals, while others were seen engaging in deep discussions together over the contents of these leaflets.

 

 

An hour later, the Outreach Program was still commencing strong. The members continued to introduce themselves and chatting with the residents about their concerns. 

The Shadow Town Councillors managed to collate more feedback from the residents who expressed dismay at the state of this area after so long. The promises of better amenities are not met with, and the upkeep of the existing facilities is poor. There is not a single hawker centre around the vicinity; even grocer shops or minimarts are scarce here - one could walk for blocks without even spotting a mama shop!

 

 

The climate of the Outreach Walkabout session came about shortly thereafter, whilst the diners were in the midst of sharing their grievances with the SDA members - the management of the mall came to interfere the meaningful session and informed the members that they could not distribute leaflets within the Punggol Plaza Mall itself.

Perhaps a road show booth is required in order for Party members to reach out to the people they could potentially be serving in the very near future and to give out leaflets thereof?

It was not the first time the members have conducted meet-and-greet sessions at this very exact location, therefore the prohibition was rather baffling this time round.

As such, the hardworking members and Shadow Town Councillors were driven out to the streets where they endured the glaring heat of the sun so that they could continue to touch base with the people. They also had to traverse around 150m in the sweltering weather in order to reach the nearest coffee shop in the vicinity. This was a good experience as the members now understood the pains that the residents staying in Punggol area are currently undergoing.

 

Finally, they reached the coffee shop at Block 108 Edgefield Plains, where they established contact with the residents having their meals here. The session here reaped some earnest feedback from the patrons as well, unloading their unhappiness with the lack of eateries and retail shops here.

Even over here, the members have been stopped from distributing leaflets and touching base with the people. That didn't happen during the past visits. If it were another political party conducting this Outreach session, would the same thing have happened?

The session concluded around noon-time for today,  with a fair bit of time having been wasted during the negotiation session with the first point of contact (read above for details / refresher). Nonetheless, the overall feedback gained was invaluable, and the members were contented that the residents entrusted them with their heartfelt concerns, giving them an insight on what they could do for the people realistically, in order of priority.

The above Interaction session is covered by SDA's field reporter, Ms Elle Chen.