SINGAPORE — Punggol East residents should aim to get out of the “messy situation” of the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council ­(AHPETC), which is run by the Workers’ Party (WP), by choosing the People’s Action Party (PAP) instead, said Mr Charles Chong.

The six-term PAP veteran, who is seeking to unseat the WP’s Lee Li Lian in the single-seat ward of Punggol East, added that it is timely to get the constituency out of AHPETC.

He said: “It is not in the interest of our residents to (be under) a town council that is embroiled in a dispute with the Ministry of National Development (MND) over Government grants, or that is in dispute with its auditors over the accuracy of its financial statements, or is in a dispute with its former managing agent over the payment of fees … the list goes on.”

Taking a jab at the opposition party, he said it was “disconcerting” that the key players involved were too busy making excuses to explain why they were unable to do a proper job, instead of concentrating on finding a solution.

He added that many conflicting accounts of the issue had only served to stir up more controversy and confusion instead of providing enlightenment and clarity.

Urging voters to start afresh, he said: “(It’s a chance) to get our accounts in order, and remove any reason for the MND to withhold Government grants, or eliminate the possibility of our managing agents writing ‘owe money, pay money’ on the walls of our town council office.”

Referring to the speech made by Ms Lee during yesterday’s rally,

he agreed with her point on serving with empathy, where she spoke on greater support for low-income men who have married foreign wives.

Mr Chong had come across several cases during his block visits. Citing an example, he said it was gratifying to see that a former Indonesian national, a food-stall holder, had successfully obtained Permanent Resident status after her husband had approached him for his help. However, he called for more empathy for Singaporean mothers and children left without proper support when their men marry younger foreign wives.

Acknowledging that the PAP makes tough decisions that might cost it in terms of votes or popularity,

Mr Chong stressed that what the Government does is, ultimately, for the good of the people.

“The PAP does not play games. We’re not using you as springboards for greater parliamentary representation, and we don’t put forward unrealistic populist proposals just to win votes … We always act in the best interest of Singaporeans.”

Mr Chong also pointed out that the Opposition was not ready to fully take over the Government during this General Election. “Many of the Opposition want the PAP to remain on the job while they come on board as co-drivers, or free riders. On Polling Day, cast your votes wisely, and do not let the free riders in,” he said.