By Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss, SPP Candidate for Mountbatten SMC
And so this lap of my journey for Mountbatten’s nearly complete. Today is the last day of campaigning, and tomorrow is cooling off day. It has been physically and mentally draining but I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
Mountbatten and I go way back. I grew up in Jalan Sedap and I have happy memories of my childhood spent there. When I got married, our first matrimonial home was at Meyer Road where I bore three out of my four children. As a child, I played at Katong Park. When I had my kids, I brought them there to play too.
Over the course of the campaign, I’ve reconnected with family friends and neighbours from my childhood and early marriage days. Just last week, one of my mum’s friends came up to me while I was giving out pamphlets at Dakota MRT and cheered me on. I’ve lost count of the friendships from GE2011 which I’ve re-kindled and the new ones I’ve made.
From my previous experience in 2011, I knew running a campaign in an SMC against an entrenched incumbent was never going to be easy.
So, I’m proud to say I’ve run my campaign to the fullest of my ability with the help of a dedicated core of volunteers and the backing of the Singapore People’s Party (“SPP”).
This is a summary for why I would like you to give me a chance to serve you in Parliament.
My Mountbatten Manifesto
The centrepiece of my campaign is “My Mountbatten Manifesto”, a detailed document which I sent to residents in Mountbatten, and have made available online. The Straits Times described it as a “masterplan for the area”.
“My Mountbatten Manifesto” is crafted with a ear to the ground: it specifically addresses issues of Town Council management and handover (I promise to work with the incumbent to ensure this is done smoothly) as well as assuring residents that I will continue to fight for their community care assistance.
“My Mountbatten Manifesto” highlights practical improvements that need to be made around the constituency such as a lift at the overhead bridge outside Kampong Arang, and the importance of securing greater transport connectivity by internal shuttle services in Mountbatten.
However, more than that, “My Mountbatten Manifesto” is an invitation to the residents of Mountbatten to build a home for the heart with me. And, I don’t mean that as just a slogan.
“My Mountbatten Manifesto” details realistic and specific plans I have for the partial conservation of Dakota Crescent, and recommends turning it into a mixed commercial-heritage development which will house a community museum and integrated design, creative and heritage space where small business can co-exist with community projects. It also details plans for keeping prices of hawker food at Mountbatten’s hawker centres affordable.
“My Mountbatten Manifesto” also sets out the course I will chart in Parliament, and my plans to hold the Government accountable, if elected. This is the primary function of an MP: to speak up for residents in Parliament and to put the constituency on the national stage.
To me, “My Mountbatten Manifesto” is an opportunity for Mountbatten residents to
reimagine the community, and a call-to-action to achieve these ideals together.
Many of the proposals are small ones, but grounded ones. They have the potential to better the lives of Mountbatten residents with regard to local and national challenges ahead.
Executing My Plans
I am confident of my ability to to make “My Mountbatten Manifesto” happen.
As a corporate lawyer for 26 years who has built her own legal practice, I have the necessary attention to detail and an eye for compliance to execute my plans.
In estate matters, I have served several terms on the management committee of condominium in Siglap with aroud 1,000 units, and was Chairperson for two terms. I have dealt extensively with issues relating to third party contractors, vendors and suppliers, common property maintenance and management and sinking funds.
I promise to be a responsive MP: I will constantly interact with you to find out how I can improve to serve you better.
If elected, I will work twice as hard to ensure that your trust in me is not squandered. I will take pains to ensure that all Town Council matters are properly handed over within 30 days. My current campaign team, which will also form the nucleus of my transition team, includes a lawyer and an accountant.
Over the last four years, I have sought to retain my presence in Mountbatten within the constraints of my personal resources and time. I hope you will assess me based on the merits of my plans for Mountbatten and my personal attributes and credentials. If you give me a chance to serve you, you will not be disappointed.
Regardless of the outcome on polling day, thank you for the unforgettable experience of being able to run for office for Mountbatten.
As tomorrow is cooling off day, I will not be able to update my internet platforms. To assist you in finding out more about me, please see the following material to get to know me better:
MY INTERNET MATERIAL
My YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpPxGGSWIMG84hCTVQwL3cg
My Nomination Day Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhj7Th28qXU
My Campaign Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rIu6Y90B2U
My Rally Highlights Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AONfhjKk6Yg
My Rally Speech:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVNPCx8V7k4
My hubby’s rally speech:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k42HliaAngU
My Supporters’ Rally speeches:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bt4LsUhPeOohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP0VLiHbnPE
My blog
http://jeannettechongaruldoss.blogspot.sg/
My Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/jeannetteformountbatten
MEDIA MATERIALS ON ME
From The Straits Times:
http://www.straitstimes.com/politics/ge2015-singapore-peoples-party-candidate-jeannette-chong-aruldoss-unveils-manifesto-for
http://www.straitstimes.com/politics/condo-voters-hold-court-as-lawyers-face-off-a-second-time
From Today:
http://www.todayonline.com/ge2015/chong-aruldoss-work-architects-preserve-dakota-crescent
http://www.todayonline.com/ge2015/chong-aruldoss-highly-unsatisfied-elds-response-pms-photos
http://www.todayonline.com/ge2015/spps-chong-aruldoss-plans-make-managing-town-council-her-priority
http://www.todayonline.com/ge2015/mps-real-value-fight-residents-says-chong-aruldoss
From Yahoonews.sg
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/ge2015--jeannette-chong-aruldoss-of-the-singapore-people-s-party-080034134.html?linkId=16882062
From The Online Citizen
http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2015/09/welcome-to-battlefield-mountbatten-jeannette-chong-aruldoss-strives-to-swing-voters-her-way/
http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2015/08/jeannette-chong-aruldoss-launches-mountbatten-manifesto/
From The Mothership.sg
http://mothership.sg/2015/09/nicole-seah-interviews-spps-jeannette-chong-aruldoss-why-contest-in-mountbatten-smc-again/