HDB blocks 101 to 109 in Potong Pasir Ave 1 to get lift upgrading
Posted: 02 October 2009 1907 hrs

	Photos 1 of 1 Lifts in a HDB block in Singapore. (file pic)
	Video Lift upgrading for HDB blocks 101-109 in Potong Pasir Ave 1

SINGAPORE: Blocks 101 to 109 in Potong Pasir Avenue 1 will be the first in an opposition ward to undergo lift upgrading, according to People's Action Party (PAP) adviser to Potong Pasir, Sitoh Yih Pin, in a news release on Friday evening.

In July, the government announced that some blocks in opposition-held Potong Pasir and Hougang will come under the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP). The plan is to have all eligible blocks go under the programme by 2014.

Mr Sitoh, who was also the PAP's candidate in Potong Pasir in the last election, added that he will be forming a working committee.

This committee will implement the upgrading, which involves garnering a necessary 75 per cent support from affected residents.

The scope of works for LUP includes an overhaul of existing lifts and works required to give direct lift access on every floor.

3 Cheers to Opposition Member of Parliament, Chiam See Tong!

Finally the opposition estate have break it's curse..... :)

It has long been overdue but i guess something happening is coming. Keeping my finger crossed.

But the joke of this all, as a writer sent to the ST Forum Page, is that these initiatives were anounced by the PAP losers in the wards, and not the Opposition MPs themselves.

To make the losers looks like they win big-big ma.

There must be a big reason behind to make such a big hoo haa. Putting this whole thing aside, Potong Pasir and Hougang are mature estate and there are quite a lot of old people staying there. Taking care of the welfare of the older generation should be the main priority instead of using as a "carrot".

Low Thia Kiang: No basis for MP not to announce lift upgrading

I REFER to the HDB’s reply yesterday (’Why grassroots advisers announce lift upgrading’).

The HDB deems the grassroots adviser as the appropriate person to announce the lift upgrading programme because he gathers input from residents, ensures that the plans meet residents’ needs, can propose changes based on residents’ feedback, and seek residents’ support.

On what basis does the HDB assume that the Member of Parliament, who has the support of the constituency’s electorate, is unable to do the same and is therefore inappropriate to play the same role as the adviser?

The HDB acknowledged that it is the town councils that have an in-depth knowledge of the schedule and status of the works and can coordinate other projects to minimise inconvenience to residents.

Moreover, town councils are required to co-pay for the lift upgrading programme whereas grassroots organisations are not.

Why is the chairman of the town council, the elected MP statutorily responsible for town management and who must decide to pay for the programme, deemed inappropriate to play a leading role in it?

The role of the elected opposition MP in this process is relegated to an administrative role, perhaps merely to authorise payment for the programme from the town council funds.

This is the manifestation of the Government’s attitude towards elected opposition MPs, that they are not representative of the constituency but the grassroots advisers are, despite the fact that the grassroots advisers, candidates of the People’s Action Party (PAP), had been rejected by the voters in Potong Pasir and Hougang.

I suppose the PAP wants its potential candidates in the next election to claim credit for the programme, although the money does not come from either the PAP or the grassroots organisation. This is playing politics.

I am prepared to work with anyone from the Government for the benefit of my constituents.

However, I feel compelled to respond because the HDB’s justification for the role of advisers in opposition wards in the programme touches on the fundamental issue of respecting the will of the people expressed at elections.

The elected MP in opposition wards is here reduced to performing a municipal function.

This says much of the respect of the ruling party for the will of the people expressed at general elections and how mature we are as a democracy.

Low Thia Khiang
Member of Parliament for Hougang

it's all in an attempt to make the non-opposition ward look glamorous.. GE's coming..

The Opposition in Singapore has no OOMPH!

Opposition wards run on a very tight manpower and budget, and it is commendable that their estates are still well maintained.

The PAP wards have massive budget, to the extent of using conservancy funds to invest in Lehman Brothers and losing the conservancy funds.

PAP wards also have a massive oversupply of manpower.

3 more precincts in Potong Pasir selected for Lift Upgrading Programme
Posted: 06 November 2010 2010 hrs

SINGAPORE: Three more precincts in Potong Pasir have been selected for the HDB Lift Upgrading Programme.

This was announced by Mr Sitoh Yih Pin, Adviser to Potong Pasir Grassroots Organisations at a community event on Saturday evening.

The precincts are: Blocks 113 to 120 in Potong Pasir Avenue 1; Blocks 121, 122, 126, 131, 133 to 135 between Potong Pasir Avenue 1 and Avenue 3; and Blocks 136 to 142 in Potong Pasir Avenue 3.

Mr Sitoh said residents in the selected blocks will be notified through a circular.

Last year, Blocks 101 to 109 in Potong Pasir Avenue 1 were the first in the opposition ward to be selected for the lift upgrading programme.

-CNA/ac

I think the residents in Potong Pasir are getting a real good deal.

Vote for Opposition and yet still get PAP support.

That is only when the election is near. They will ignore you for 4 years and then they will take care of you the last year.