Prepare for elections by year-end: FM George Yeo

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Foreign Minister George Yeo has hinted that the next General Elections could be held “by the end of this year”.

Minister Yeo made the comment while speaking to reporters during a full-team walkabout with Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC) members on Sunday.

Ruling party, the People’s Action Party, must hold the next GE by February 2012.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Mr Yeo said, “We should be prepared for elections by the end of this year. We have to stay very close to the ground, respond to the residents’ needs, solve problems we are able to solve and make their lives better.”

Mr Yeo had earlier told The Straits Times last Thursday that party activists should be ready for an election at the end of this year, or in the second quarter of next year after the national Budget.

Aljunied GRC remains the hottest battleground since Mr Yeo faced the Workers’ Party team in 2006 led by chairman Sylvia Lim. Ms Lim said the party aims to contest the GRC again.

Five Aljunied GRC MPs spent two hours on Sunday with residents at the wet market and hawker centre at Block 630 Bedok Reservoir Road. They then watched a puppet show staged by Zhangzhou Puppet Troupe from China as part of events held for Racial Harmony Month.

Minister Yeo identified two main issues likely to dominate at the next polls — housing concerns and the influx of foreign workers.

“Housing is a major concern of Singaporeans right now, especially in a buoyant market. There’s always the anxiety that you can’t get the best flat at the best price… The government is reassuring Singaporeans that HDB flats will always be affordable to Singaporeans,” he said.

Responding to public outcry following PM Lee Hsien Loong’s forecast that more than 100,000 more foreigners are set to enter the workforce this year, Minister Yeo stressed that it does not mean locals will be displaced.

“The fact that our economy is growing strongly means it will create jobs, both in terms of jobs for locals, and jobs that Singaporeans do not want, which will have to be met by foreign workers,” he explained.

So, does Mr Yeo think the team would retain the hotly-contested GRC in the next election?

“Ask the residents. We don’t take voters for granted. If they vote for us, it’s because they see a greater hope for themselves in the future,” he said.

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