Tag Archives: gerald giam

It is good that the Lease Buyback Scheme (LBS) has been extended to 4-room flats. The LBS has not seen a very good take up rate so far, in large part because it was restricted to only 3-room or smaller flats. But as I had stated in my 2012 Budget debate speech, I would prefer for LBS to be extended to all flat sizes. This will help more elderly folks monetise their flats without having to sell and move out of their flats, which many of them attach a lot of sentimental value to.

I will continue to join my Workers’ Party colleagues to contribute constructively to debates on issues that matter to Singaporeans. If we assess that a policy will go against Singaporeans’ interests, we will oppose it and where possible, propose alternatives. If the policy is good for our country, we will support the Government for the benefit of our people. This is how we play the role of a constructive opposition. Madam, I support the motion to thank the President.

Public hospitals should not admit foreign patients and deprive Singaporeans of hospital beds. Period. Gan should have simply admitted that Singaporeans should be given priority, agree to channel all invited foreign patients to private hospitals in future, learn from whatever mistakes and move on. Gan shouldn’t try to save face, beat around the bush and try to wriggle out of a mistake. Singaporeans are by and large a forgiving lot and we are really not dumb.