In the past two weeks, 2 members of the research division of Think Centre's election watch, with the help of some students did a fact-finding mission at Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC. They went around Junction 8 and the hawker centres in the area. They interviewed 50 people. It took the team two weeks to interview the fifty people despite the daily efforts. Most people shunned the interview because they were not interested in politics. One even asked us whether we were from the opposition party and only when we convinced the person that we were from civil society did the person agree to answer our questions.
Half of the interviewees were below the ages of 50 and the other half above the age of 50. We had 35 male interviewees and 15 female participants. The older generation spoke more freely and focussed on health, higher cost of living and the decline in moral values among the young. For the younger lot, they were more interested in job security, self-improvement in education, COE prices and their children's education. The one issue that united the two groups was the rise of ministerial salaries. Forty of them disagreed to the rise. Five agreed. Five wanted to hear more details about the issue.
On the issue of the ISA, only 3 out of the 50 were interested in it and did not agree with its existence. 5 of them did not know it existed and 22 knew of the law but did not have an opinion. The rest thought it was important for keeping crime low but did not know its mechanism. When asked whether it would be an election issue for them, 39 people said that it would not. 3 said that it would be an election issue for them. The rest were not sure.
Only 2 of the 50 were able to name correctly all their MPs. The person they recognised most was Mr. Wong Kan Seng who according to some of the interviewees was a man whose actions spoke louder than his words and who always got results for the benefit of his constituents. Dr. Ho Tat Kin and Mr. Leong Horn Kee were next in line. 39 people did not know who was managing their town council but felt that the town councils were well run. When asked whether privatisation had improved the general cleanliness and facilities, the majority felt that there were no significant improvements despite increased conservancy charges but they were equally quick to point out the HDB rebates which they felt justified. 15 people expressed disappointment that some well to do families living in three room flats receiving larger proportion of the rebates.
On the topic of law and order, some of the interviewees expressed fear of growing teenage gangs and rowdy behaviour especially during the weekends at Junction 8 and its nearby vicinities. 37 people felt safe in the area and 13 people (all above 50) felt threatened by rowdy teenagers. The older generation also lamented the decline in moral values among the youth. For example, one man said more should be done in stopping the blatant smoking among minors especially in their school uniforms.
When asked whether they needed an opposition challenge in the GRC, 20 people felt that they needed a challenge. 22 felt that it would be better for a walkover and 8 did not have an opinion. However, when we asked if a person like Mr. Ong Teng Cheong stood with a group of young graduates/professionals as independent candidates whether they would welcome that sort of opposition challenge. 32 said they would welcome that challenge but some were quick to point out they would want to hear them out first. 10 said that the GRC would be better off with a walkover. 8 did not have an opinion. Some of the senior citizens were eagerly asking us whether Mr. Ong Teng Cheong would re-enter politics and actually the sampling of the people above 50 showed that the former president has substantial support among the older generation.
Grassroots organisations and RC committees are strong in this GRC. Yet one interesting profile we found out among the older flats in Toa Payoh was that there were younger couples staying amidst senior citizens. In a certain sense, this could prove difficult for assessing the support base of each block of flats. Even though the research team is still studying the demographic and class profiles of this GRC, the survey is indicative of the national sentiment. That is, people want a PAP government but want credible opposition members to check the dominance of the party.
The research team will do its next study on the Jalan Besar GRC where it is rumoured it could be the "Cheng San" of the next election.
