As the nomination day of the Bukit Batok by-election approaches, opposition SDP candidate Chee Soon Juan has unveiled a four-point action plan for his constituency.
Chee presented the cornerstones of his plans for Bukit Batok development ahead of PAP candidate Murali Pillai. The by-election will be held on May 7.
Presenting his election manifesto at the Singapore Democratic Party headquarters Chee said certain sections of society have been left behind in a "big bureaucracy", adding that his plan accommodates everyone.
Chee said MPs have a big role to play and that he will set apart a portion of his monthly allowance to fund a specific welfare initiative.
The nominations will take place on 27 April at Keming Primary School. The election day will not be a public holiday, but the government asked employers to allow reasonable time for people to cast their votes.
According to the elections department, there are 25,616 voters in the Bukit Batok single member constituency.
The Bukit Batok by-election was necessitated after People's Action Party (PAP) MP David Ong resigned in March after admitting to an extra marital relationship.
Chee cited the example of various households in the constituency that need assistance on many fronts, explaining why he has proposes the specific four-point action plan.
"These are people we can help. It's not rocket science. It's just where your priorities are," hee said, according to the Straits Times.
Here are the four main campaign promises Chee has made:
1. Adoption of households: Under this initiative, capable families will be encouraged to adopt households in need and contribute time and resources for them. Chee himself will use his monthly allowance to adopt as many as ten families. The SDP will also put in place a trust fund for taking forward the initiative named as Hearts for Bukit Batok.
2. The second initiative is labeled 'Pathfinder' and it provides for the organisation of youth sports clubs, libraries, book clubs and science fairs. Children from low-income families will also be given subsidised private tuition.
3. SDP plans to establish a financial clinic named Dollars and Sense offering business consultancy.
4. The fourth campaign promise is a legal lifeline that offers legal guidance to the constituents by as many as seven lawyers.
