Due in part to the upgrades, the value of Lim’s three-bedroom flat has appreciated by more than $100,000. The government program extended Lim’s master bedroom, upgraded the toilet, brought elevators to every floor (previously they stopped at every other one) and spruced up the exterior. The work was done by the town council. MacPherson is headed by the recently re-elected Matthias Yao, 40, an up-and-comer in the ruling party.
In the Potong Pasir constituency, which is represented by oppositionist Chiam See Tong, 61, of the Singapore People’s Party, improvements have been more modest. In five years Chiam has overseen the construction of two walkways, five covered linkways, reroofing of 17 apartment blocks, expansion of playgrounds and installation of booster pumps to increase water pressure.
Longtime Potong Pasir resident Lian, 37, who works for the Singapore Armed Forces, says his neighborhood is “a fine place.” But he reckons that the upgrading of flats has passed Potong Pasir by because it is opposition territory. “Chiam is very popular,” says Lian, “but he can’t do much. His hands are tied. He doesn’t have as much funds as the PAP constituencies.”
Chiam complains of a “very unethical disbursement of public funds.” He says that town councils run by the PAP “have almost unlimited funds. Their main source of money is the Ministry of National Development,” of which Yao is senior parliamentary secretary. Chiam has to make do with the maintenance rates collected from residents and the $280,000 that each town council receives annually from the government. “The world is divided between those who support the PAP and those who don’t,” says Chiam. “If you don’t vote for the PAP, you don’t get the facilities. These facilities are provided by public funds, yet the government is using public funds to gain votes.”
The PM counters that “you can argue that the money belongs to the people, but you still have to queue up to receive it.” Those who support the government and its programs most strongly, he says, get served first.
— By Sangwon Suh and Santha Oorjitham / Singapore
