Dear Prime Minister Lee

 As been reported....in the local newspaper

" In the middle of the GE2015 hustings; PM Lee, lamented (in my words), that “Why the electorate think that his Party is out to do “evil” thing to the Citizens”.

Please do not be disheartened. 

It is absolutely no such thing and it is on the contrary.  

However,

I always believe that there are always three views to reflect on for any issue; your view, my view and the correct view.

However, in my view, many things or policies are still half-full in the most positive sense of the paradox "is my cup, half-full or half-empty". It certainly can be done “Better, Best and Besterness” (here, I have paraphrase an idea from Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say).

These are what I believe, it can be done “Better”; and most importantly, I am not advocating “Welfarism”. I believe, like Bapa Singapura, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew and the PG folks; this current generation of country folks, also has similar “Gu-Chi” or “backbone” or “tulang belakang” to strive for a better Singapura.

·         I embrace the ethos of our PM Lee’s on, “inclusive society”. However, I hope more “real engagement” can also be catered to those whose working hours, is “beyond” the standard normal office working hours. For example, to name one, the working hours for those in the public transport industry, is indeed beyond normal; and to a certain extend it can be considered to be, “excluded” from the main normal society function at large. As such, when there is a need to attend MPS, there is limited opening window hour for those resident Bus Captains to see and seek their MP for assistant or help. Perhaps MPS should be more frequent with other window opening hours within a week. May be one in the AM and one in PM. This is what I meant, it can be done Better.

        Family Bonding, the slew of HDB’s grant to encourage Parent-Children staying “closer” is a good and welcomed one. Yesterday (5/9/2015), was my off-day; together with my two NS-man sons; I visited my old aged parents of 80 and 76; and have lunch with them in Bukit Batok. Half way, eating our lunch, Election Candidate, Mr. David Ong KH, drop by to exchange greetings and well-wishes. Immediately, I told him, since, I already drove from Woodlands to visit my parents, would it be possible that MSF or other agency consider to waiver the 1^st 2 hours of the Parking Chargers. My view is that, I have no desire to move to Bukit Batok to secure the potential housing grant; but how about the Government helps to defray my $2 parking charges as a token of promoting Family bonding. This is what I meant, it can be done Better.

      In the same PAP press conference held on 5/9/2015; the reply by Election Candidate Mr. Desmond Lee on the role of an elected MP. According to him, fixing municipal issues and be the voice of the residents in the Parliament are the roles. I believe there is one more critical role; that is, to promote the spirit of “gotong-royong” or community spirit through solving neighbourhood issues. Having served as RC Secretary from 2000-2004; I came to the conclusion that an elected MP also needs to allocate some time; to go all the way to the resident home or door step to understanding their neighbourhood issue.  

o  I still remember two very unique neighborhood dissatisfactions:  Having received an official letter from my MP; together with the branch Vice-Chairman, we visited the family been complaint about noise by their neighbors. O my goodness, how would you expected not to have noise; when there are some 20 young children from 4 wives staying under one room!. At time of our visit, the “father”, a school bus driver, was in jail for “screwing” his under aged daughter also!. (sad, eh). 

o   The other incident is also, about continuous knocking and banging noise on the neighbor wall in the middle of the night. This family concern, do not have electricity supplied, because the PUB billed has not been paid for many months. From the corridor, I could see, indeed, the wall have a concave (about 1 foot in diameter) intrusion and the next door neighbor’s complaint is valid.

Eventually, I resigned from this RC Secretary role; while still working in Flextronics Design Asia as Principal Engineer, when a colleague of mine labelled me as “running dog for PAP”. Isn’t if would be better for an elected MP also have time to get involved in this way with the residents instead of through RC channel; this is what I meant, it can be done Better.

·         CPF Withdrawal Issue – Sir, now at the age of 53, by Singapore financial yard-stick, I am a little-man with a million dollars account; however, I did not “feel-wealthy” at all, because I am asset rich (locked away cash), but cash poor. So while waiting for 2 more years to go, today, I’m still gainfully employed as a public transport Bus Captain.  Those with little dust on their eyes, I believe; the current 3-tier minimum sum scheme is an excellent tool. Since we are the bearer of our own Karma; I wish to implore the next ruling Government to consider the 4^th Option; in allowing the Citizen to withdrawal, regardless how much they want at 55 and beyond; with the mandated conditions of participating a 3-session of counselling with MSF or similar agency. He or She will have to come for 3 counselling session with a minimum of 2 witnesses of which one is a immediate family member.  Since the person is already 55 years or more; I guess, if he or she would to squander it (all his CPF monies), in one-hand in the Casino, it also his own Karma, right? Equanimity is also a hallmark of a benevolent Government, right? This is what I meant, it can be done Better.

Thank You, Sir.

With Respect,

Wong Kam Wah, AAE