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ALLOWING Singapore's two opposition wards access to the Community Improvement Projects Committee (CIPC) fund for upgrading works does not signal a 'change of mind' or a 'change of heart' by the ruling party.
National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan made this point on Friday at the sidelines of a media event at Marina Bay.
He was responding to reporters' queries on recent moves by the long-time rivals in Hougang and Potong Pasir teaming up to create a barrier-free environment for the elderly and the disabled.
It was reported on Tuesday that PAP's Mr Eric Low in Hougang and Mr Sitoh Yih Pin in Potong Pasir had offered the CIPC funds to both Mr Low Thia Khiang and Mr Chiam See Tong, who run Hougang and Potong Pasir respectively.
Their aim - To create a barrier-free environment for the elderly and disabled in all estates by 2011.
Opposition MPs have long complained that the CIPC discriminates against them and denies them money for improving their estates.
That's because access to the money is possible only through a constituency's Citizens' Consultative Committee, a grassroots organisation whose adviser is always a PAP representative.
Responding to the gesture by the two PAP representatives, Mr Mah pointed out the CIPC funds had always been there for opposition MPs to make use of.
'I don't know why it was such big news. We have been been talking to all the town councils to get them to implement and roll out their plan for barrier-free access as quickly as possible, so in the case of the two opposition wards, we asked the advisors to work with the town council to roll out their plans, so we can implement them.
'It's not new policy, it's not a change of mind, change of heart, it's simply doing what is best for the residents, and work with the town council and advisor to do it quickly,' he said.
Mr Mah added CIPC funds have been channelled to both Hougang and Potong Pasir in the past, for minor upgrading projects such as the building of a new playground.
Citing the Lift Upgrading Programme as an example, Mr Mah said town councils can use their sinking funds to upgrade their lifts but none of the opposition wards, he said, had approached the Government to do it.
'But tomorrow (should) they want to do it, they can do it,' said the minister.
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