记者问候选人:潘群勤(国民团结党)

Translated by Donaldson Tan

This is a non-verbatim translation of Wanbao report 《记者问候选人:潘群勤(国民团结党)》 dated 26 March 2011.

(2011-03-23) ● 蔡永伟 报道

Mr Tony Tan and wife Madam Hazel Poa exchanging comments with NSP President Sebastian Teo

Mr Tony Tan and wife Madam Hazel Poa exchanging comments with NSP President Sebastian Teo

本届大选将出现许多新候选人,他们为什么要参加大选?他们希望为民众做些什么?他们有哪些出众的地方?不论是执政党或反对党,推出的新候选人,都将引起人们的关注。晚报推出《记者问候选人》栏目,由记者向候选人发问,再听听他们的真实回答,让你更深入认识这些大选新面孔。

①你为来临大选做了什么准备?

我目前在准备群众大会及竞选期间的个人演讲稿,以及党的政策方针。中英文版本都会准备,但华文版不会直接从英文的翻译过来,毕竟文法不同。我的华文还好,曾当第一语文修读。

②你认为自己具备当议员的最佳条件是什么?

我的沟通技巧不错,善于聆听,也能清楚地传达意思。如果有人有问题找我,我一般能找出问题的根源,然后提供不同解决方案。

③为什么加入反对党,而不是行动党?

政府经常用金钱或物质奖励来解决问题,例如交通拥挤就实施公路电子收费制度,生育率低就发放婴儿花红等等。这些政策的基本原则不对,希望政策可以从“物质”化,转为“人情化”。

④如果可以让你修改一项政策,会是什么?

我认为教育体系还是过于注重成绩和数理,每个学生都得修读统一的课程。我希望学校能因材施教,因为教育的目的是让莘莘学子毕业后,都能发挥所长,变得更有自信。

⑤你曾经担任公务员,这方面的经验对参选有何影响?

公务员的经验对参选有所帮助,我对政府的运作相当清楚,现在写政策方针,也得心应手。

⑥夫妇同时竞选,家庭方面需做哪些调整?

虽然现在与孩子相处的时间少了,但也无需做太大调整,因为我们是自雇人士,一般在家里办公,还是会经常见到孩子,不过,我们现在较少带孩子出去玩。

⑦是否有想过只让丈夫从政,自己照顾家庭?

我曾想过,但发现没有这个必要,因为我们是四代同堂,家人很多,孩子不怕寂寞。

Wanbao interviews Candidate: Hazel Poa (NSP)

There are many new faces this coming General Election. Why do they want to stand as candidates? What do they want to achieve for the people? Do they have any outstanding characteristics? Whether the candidates originate from the ruling party or the Opposition camp, they are certainly the centre of attention. Wanbao introduces a new section call “Wanbao interviews Candidates” so readers like you can find out more about these new faces.

1. What preparation have you done for contesting at General Election?

I am currently preparing my election speech as well contributing to the formulation of public policies under the National Solidarity Party. There will be both English and Chinese versions. The Chinese version cannot be a direct translation because the grammatical structure of both languages are different. My command of the Chinese language is not bad as I used to study Higher Chinese.

2. What do you think is your biggest strength as a GE candidate?

My biggest strength is my communication skills. I am an avid listener and an articulate speaker. I can transmit ideas effectively. If someone were to approach me with a problem, I usually can find the root of the problem and come up with multiple solutions.

3. Why did you join the Opposition and not the People’s Action Party?

The PAP government often resorts to monetary or materialistic incentives to solve problems, such as Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) to alleviate road traffic congestion and Baby Bonus to boost the low Total Fertility Rate (TFR). These measures are fundamentally incorrect and I would like to see a shift in public policy from economics incentive to a more humane / compassionate approach.

4. If there is one public policy you can change, what would it be?

The education system overtly emphasises on mathematics, the natural sciences and examination results while the curriculum is standardised for every student. I prefer a more tailored student-centric approach towards education because the objective of education is to identify a student’s needs, interests and talent, develop his potential and boost his self-esteem.

5. How does being a former civil servant affect your candidacy?

My experience as a former civil servant gives me insight on how various government agencies operate and coordinate with each other. As such, I can factor these considerations in the formulation of public policies.

6. What adjustment your family have to make since both you and your husband are contesting GE?

Although we spend less time with our kids now, the adjustment isn’t too big. This is because being self-employed, we operate our office from home, so we actually see our children everyday. The main difference now is there are less family outings with the children now.

7. Have you ever considered to let your husband take up public office while you take care of the family?

It did cross my mind but considering we are a four-generation household, there are plenty of family members around, so our children would not feel neglected or lonely.