(Unlicensed) Property Agent in the News again

TodayOnline carried an article about a man who became the 1st person to be convicted for practising as a property agent without a license issued by the CEA.

MP for Hougang SMC Mr Yaw Shin Leong recently came under the spotlight for his informal dialogue with property agents and raised points which favoured the property agents. In his defence, Yaw took a squirmy stance by saying he “do not necessarily share the same views for each recommendation” and “strongly agree that it is important that, for consumers who wish to conduct property deals themselves; they must be able to continue to do so. “

Yaw’s approach reminds me of the typical PAP’s position – PAP MPs take similar PR approach by issuing a follow-up statement when their initial  comments attracted negative responses from netizens.  At the end of the day, I believe we should be aware these are not battles between the political parties, rather it is to uphold their own occupations as Politicians.  In the 5 years as elected MP, the politicians have to perform or gather  support from the ground to convince the party CEC that they are worthy candidates for the next 5 years. I believe politicians are all for self-interest and ego, as WP member Eric Tan resigned from WP after Gerald Giam was given the green light to be NCMP  instead.

Apart for his involvement with his Hougang constituents and tabling good questions in Parliament, Yaw also undertook a series of informal dialogue sessions and talks with activists & the aggrieved, as documented in his blog – Dialogue With The Ex-Students of Brookes Business School, Dialogue on the Impact of Rising Public Transport Fares , Informal Dialogue with Property Agents, Informal Dialogue on the impact of GST, On Unlicensed Monk’s Operations, Discussions With Canine Activists (IV) , An Account by a HIV Ex-inmate .

It is not up to me to comment on the intention & sincerity of such dialogues or whether there are any positive outcomes from these dialogues. Nonetheless, Yaw generated goodwill and attention from his attempts; but in the eager attempts to win over the hearts of the aggrieved or underdogs, as we have seen in the recent Property Agent saga, Yaw did miss the bigger picture as there are consumers on the wrong end of property deal.

Yaw is a politician and PAP MPs could learn a thing from him.