WP secretary-general and MP Low Thia Kiang (Hougang) asked whether the Senior Minister of State remembered how the PCF had “threatened” to withdraw kindergartens in opposition wards after the election of an opposition member in 1991. “Is that not political?” asked Mr Low.

Since the PCF is affiliated to the PAP, it is “quite natural” for its services to be withdrawn when a ward goes to the opposition, replied Assoc Prof Ho, but the services themselves “are surely unpolitical in nature”.

(TODAY newspaper, “Why PCF got apermit when WP was denied one” , 17 Sept 2008)

“Just please, in burning the effigies, don’t burn down our trees and shrubs.” – Dr Leong Chee Chiew, NParks chief operating officer, on whether effigies of politicians can be burnt during demonstrations at Speaker’s Corner. (ST, “Ban on outdoor demos eased from Monday”, 26 Aug).

Mr Sivam Pillay, 40, a company vice-president, believes GRCs are “a good thing“. “It’s not the job of the Government to make things easy for the opposition,” he says. (ST article, “GRCs: 20 years on”, 02 Aug 08.)