It was reported that each of the 84 constituencies here received 200 vouchers and distribution is left to the discretion of MPs or the area's grassroots advisers.

As an elected Member of Parliament for Hougang Constituency, I did not receive any of the vouchers. Neither was I informed of their availability to help needy families who were affected by the economic downturn.

Many Hougang constituents who face financial hardships have approached me for help. Some of them have had their supplies disconnected and in extreme cases, I have to find ways to help them myself as Singpower will insist on some payment upfront before re-connection of the supplies. Had I known of the availability of this scheme, many more could have been helped. They could have avoided having their supplies disconnected or they could have them re-connected earlier instead of suffering in darkness. Based on 200 vouchers of $30 each per constituency, a total of $6,000 would have been available to help needy constituents of Hougang.

I regret that SingPower chose to operate the scheme in such a covert manner thereby resulting in some of the households that face financial hardships to live in darkness. I would like to know whether such utility vouchers have been given to Hougang Constituency and how many of them have been distributed so far to help those in need. And if the vouchers have indeed been given to Hougang Constituency, I would also like to know why SingPower decided to give the vouchers to the grassroots adviser rather than to the elected MP?

Is SingPower of the view that grassroots advisers are better placed to help constituents than their elected MPs? Or does SingPower deem that an opposition MP, elected and mandated by the people, is less legitimate in making discretionary decisions on the distribution of the vouchers than the PAP grassroots adviser? Is it the position of SingPower that any scheme to help constituents should be handed to the grassroots adviser quietly and constituents seek help from elected opposition MP should be left to fan for themselves?

SingPower hitherto is still owned by the government. Is this a new strategy to help PAP MPs and grassroots advisers in opposition wards to win votes in future elections? Will we be seeing more of such examples in the future from similar organisations?

Transparency, in this case, is dead!

Low Thia Khiang
MP for Hougang
28 September 2004

Sources and Relevant Links:

The Optical SingPower Utility Vouchers