The matter might seem trivial BUT there are several serious issues and implications here.
1. Mr Baey is either really BLUR or acting BLUR to assume that the Nasi Pandang can be $2.50 and the Bandung drink $0.50. In either case, his suitability to be an MP is questionable. Even my grand daughter who is 8 years old is aware that the food and drink mentioned cost much more.
2. It is fortunate that Netizens pointed out the actual price of the food and drink to the MP. Otherwise he will go around thinking that the cost of living is so affordable (ie like the $8 heart surgery) and will assume like most MPs that Singaporeans like to ‘kpkb’ for no reason.
3. Gratification, goodwill etc under the guise of respect should not be condoned. Otherwise it is very difficult to determine what is daylight corruption! Likewise, ‘pinching’ of toothpicks should not be condoned as it is also a form of stealing!
4. Grassroots leaders or whatever you call them, should also not allowed to go ahead of the MP to coerce residents into giving special treatment to MPs or to put up a good show for them. Otherwise, these MPs will never be able to see the true picture on the ground and will always have the impression that everything is nice and rosy.
5. Businessmen, hawkers, shopkeepers etc should not be allowed to ‘suck-up’ to MPs in the hope of gaining favours, free publicity or special treatment. This is definitely a form of CORRUPTION!
6. MPs who are sincere and truly want to feel the ground should go for their walkabout incognito instead of demanding for press publicity, an entourage of ‘running dogs’ and all the unnecessary fanfare.
Senior Citizen