mr funny
06-05-11, 20:37
http://www.straitstimes.com/PrimeNews/Story/STIStory_664012.html
May 3, 2011
MOULMEIN-KALLANG GRC
Low denies Hougang flats are lower in value
He cites two units that are costlier than similar ones in PAP-run wards
By Kor Kian Beng & Chong Zi Liang
http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20110503/ST_IMAGES_P1BLURBS03.jpg
A Workers' Party supporter having her picture taken with Aljunied GRC candidate Chen Show Mao before the Moulmein-Kallang GRC rally last night. Taiwan-born Mr Chen, a top corporate lawyer, called for a more calibrated approach to immigration in response to Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang's comments on the size of the foreign workforce. -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM
WORKERS' Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang last night rebutted Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's remarks that flats in the Hougang single-seat ward are lower in value compared to similar flats in those held by the People's Action Party (PAP).
Mr Low, who has held Hougang for 20 years, cited figures from the HDB website to back his claims.
He said a five-room flat in Hougang was sold at $560,000 some time between May last year and last month, while a similar flat in Hougang town - but part of the PAP-held Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC - was sold at $490,000.
He added that a five-room Hougang flat on the fourth storey without a lift landing was sold for $530,000 this year, while a similar flat on a high floor with a lift landing in a PAP-held ward, which he did not name, was sold for $450,000.
'So MM Lee should ask (National Development Minister) Mah Bow Tan why Hougang flat prices are higher than that in the PAP wards,' he said at a rally in Moulmein-Kallang GRC.
Housing has been a hot-button issue for this election, with opposition parties like the WP airing voters' concerns and blaming the Government over rising property prices in recent years.
Mr Low has been engaged in a war of words with Mr Mah over the WP's manifesto proposal to peg new flat prices to median incomes to make public housing more affordable. The current practice is a peg to resale market prices, and then discounted.
Last Friday, MM Lee jumped into the mix when he cited home values in Hougang to hammer home a message that voters would have to pay a price if they support the opposition.
He said Hougang flat values are lower compared to that of similar flats in neighbouring areas because they belong to an opposition ward.
'If you have the wrong government, your property prices go right down. Ask why in Hougang the property prices are not as high as their neighbours,' he said.
The lower flat values in Hougang, he added, should be noted by Aljunied GRC residents, as they decide who to vote for - the WP team led by Mr Low or the PAP team helmed by Foreign Minister George Yeo.
Mr Lee also said it would not be the end of the world if the PAP were to lose in Aljunied, although a WP win in the Group Representation Constituency would allow the party to make more inroads, and to take over as government some day.
Mr Low responded last night that it would be a good thing that the PAP fears it would be replaced in government 'because it will not take the people's requests lightly and will carefully devise and implement good policies'.
But he also spelt out why there was a need for a strong opposition presence in Parliament, to first check on the ruling party and then to grow into a credible alternative government over time.
'The PAP is strong and has unlimited authority because it has been the dominant party since independence,' he said.
'If the PAP falters one day, it means it has become corrupt. If that happens, it will be a good thing if there is another party in Parliament with legislative experience and the ability to form a government.'
[email protected]
[email protected]
May 3, 2011
MOULMEIN-KALLANG GRC
Low denies Hougang flats are lower in value
He cites two units that are costlier than similar ones in PAP-run wards
By Kor Kian Beng & Chong Zi Liang
http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20110503/ST_IMAGES_P1BLURBS03.jpg
A Workers' Party supporter having her picture taken with Aljunied GRC candidate Chen Show Mao before the Moulmein-Kallang GRC rally last night. Taiwan-born Mr Chen, a top corporate lawyer, called for a more calibrated approach to immigration in response to Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang's comments on the size of the foreign workforce. -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM
WORKERS' Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang last night rebutted Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's remarks that flats in the Hougang single-seat ward are lower in value compared to similar flats in those held by the People's Action Party (PAP).
Mr Low, who has held Hougang for 20 years, cited figures from the HDB website to back his claims.
He said a five-room flat in Hougang was sold at $560,000 some time between May last year and last month, while a similar flat in Hougang town - but part of the PAP-held Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC - was sold at $490,000.
He added that a five-room Hougang flat on the fourth storey without a lift landing was sold for $530,000 this year, while a similar flat on a high floor with a lift landing in a PAP-held ward, which he did not name, was sold for $450,000.
'So MM Lee should ask (National Development Minister) Mah Bow Tan why Hougang flat prices are higher than that in the PAP wards,' he said at a rally in Moulmein-Kallang GRC.
Housing has been a hot-button issue for this election, with opposition parties like the WP airing voters' concerns and blaming the Government over rising property prices in recent years.
Mr Low has been engaged in a war of words with Mr Mah over the WP's manifesto proposal to peg new flat prices to median incomes to make public housing more affordable. The current practice is a peg to resale market prices, and then discounted.
Last Friday, MM Lee jumped into the mix when he cited home values in Hougang to hammer home a message that voters would have to pay a price if they support the opposition.
He said Hougang flat values are lower compared to that of similar flats in neighbouring areas because they belong to an opposition ward.
'If you have the wrong government, your property prices go right down. Ask why in Hougang the property prices are not as high as their neighbours,' he said.
The lower flat values in Hougang, he added, should be noted by Aljunied GRC residents, as they decide who to vote for - the WP team led by Mr Low or the PAP team helmed by Foreign Minister George Yeo.
Mr Lee also said it would not be the end of the world if the PAP were to lose in Aljunied, although a WP win in the Group Representation Constituency would allow the party to make more inroads, and to take over as government some day.
Mr Low responded last night that it would be a good thing that the PAP fears it would be replaced in government 'because it will not take the people's requests lightly and will carefully devise and implement good policies'.
But he also spelt out why there was a need for a strong opposition presence in Parliament, to first check on the ruling party and then to grow into a credible alternative government over time.
'The PAP is strong and has unlimited authority because it has been the dominant party since independence,' he said.
'If the PAP falters one day, it means it has become corrupt. If that happens, it will be a good thing if there is another party in Parliament with legislative experience and the ability to form a government.'
[email protected]
[email protected]