GE2025: Bread-and-butter issues take centre stage in RDU's first election rally
[SINGAPORE] – Red Dot United (RDU) candidates zeroed in on bread-and-butter issues, such as public housing affordability and the cost of living, in their first election rally on April 26.
Examples raised by the 15 candidates at Bukit View Secondary School in Bukit Batok include how some Singaporeans are relying on government vouchers to help pay for daily essentials, rising housing prices that have forced some to move to Malaysia, and MRT breakdowns.
Some candidates portrayed the PAP ruling party as being out of touch with the issues Singaporeans are facing.
Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC candidate Harish Mohanadas said he met residents during his walkabouts who 'felt a losing sense of control over their lives and livelihoods'.
Some are concerned about the price of Housing Board flats and whether their children can afford to buy homes in the future, he said, adding: 'This concern is very, very common. I believe that Singaporeans deserve better.'
RDU secretary-general Ravi Philemon, who is contesting Nee Soon GRC, said his party has presented Singaporeans a slate of candidates that includes PhD holders, captains of industries, entrepreneurs and people from all walks of life.
BT in your inbox
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
Sign Up
Sign Up
In contrast, the PAP's candidates are 'linked to the establishment, cut from the same cloth, live in ivory towers and align more with the billionaire class', said Mr Philemon.
'Do you think they will make life better for you?'
RDU is contesting four constituencies this election: Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC, Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, Nee Soon GRC and Jurong Central SMC.
Some candidates spoke about their personal setbacks and how they still see Singaporeans suffering from the same predicaments now.
Jurong East-Bukit Batok candidate Liyana Dhamirah, who shared her story of experiencing homelessness, said that it 'breaks my heart' that what she experienced 15 years ago is still happening today.
She said she met a resident who cancelled a medical appointment to use the money to buy groceries. 'Imagine that in a country as wealthy as ours, people are still having to choose between food and medicine,' she said.
'We hear about government voucher support schemes, but how dignified is it to have to depend on handouts just to survive?'
Jurong Central candidate Kala Manickam said opposition parties are needed in Parliament so that they can speak up for regular Singaporeans.
Saying that opposition parties are like 'insurance for the country', Madam Kala said: 'We need a backup in times of crisis… You hope you don't need it.
'But when problems happen – bad policies, mistakes – there's someone there to speak up for you in Parliament.'
Several RDU candidates outlined proposals in the party's manifesto that would reshape the social compact here, where Singaporeans would be treated as 'first-class'.
Mr Sharad Kumar, the party's youngest candidate and contesting Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, questioned why singles have to wait till 35 years old to buy a Build-To-Order flat.
'Young people shouldn't have to wait for permission to start their lives. They need support and options. They need hope,' said the 25-year-old.
As an alternative, he pointed to his party's proposed rent-to-own scheme, which allows either lower-income earners or young, single Singaporeans to lease first, with the rent going towards owning the flat.
Said Mr Sharad: 'Singapore must be a place, if you work hard, you can stand tall, where no one is made to feel small.'
Jurong East-Bukit Batok candidate Osman Sulaiman said his party takes town council management very seriously and asked residents to vote RDU into Parliament.
'If Hougang residents are called warriors for voting the opposition party, then on May 3, 2025, Jurong East-Bukit Batok voters will be the Paladins of the West,' he said. THE STRAITS TIMES

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Forum: What about a safety net for local students wanting a place in university?
I was heartened to learn that our Government is extending support to the 151 Singaporean students at Harvard (S'porean undergrads at Harvard can continue studies in universities here, June 6). I am sure the Government will similarly extend support to Singaporean students at other elite US universities if the situation deteriorates there. I sympathise with the Singaporeans studying at Harvard, but I wonder if the message is that our local universities do in fact have the capacity to take in more local students. Or is it that our local universities will reduce the number of places available to local students, to accommodate the returning US students? Many local students do not have the financial resources to seek an overseas education, and universities at home are their only option. But due to limited capacity, not every eligible applicant is accepted. So, I was surprised to learn that local universities are able to accommodate the affected Singapore students at Harvard. Wouldn't this be at the expense of eligible local applicants? Finally, these Ivy League students no doubt have the ability and resources to study in the US. They took the decision to study abroad willingly. In the face of adversity, is our Government expected to offer a safety net back home? What about a safety net for local students? Roy Tan Choon Kang More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.


CNA
a day ago
- CNA
Singaporeans living in Los Angeles take extra precautions amid immigration protests
Some Singaporeans living in Los Angeles say they are taking extra precautions, like avoiding downtown LA, as US immigration protests enter the fourth day. They tell CNA that the Singapore embassy has also not issued any warnings or advisory notes, as the bulk of the Singaporean community who are still there feel relatively safe.


New Paper
3 days ago
- New Paper
Nee Soon mosque reopens on Hari Raya Haji after $15m facelift
The $15 million facelift to spruce up Masjid Darul Makmur has not only refreshed an icon in Nee Soon, but the process has also strengthened the local community spirit, said Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim. At the mosque's reopening on June 7 - Hari Raya Haji - Associate Professor Faishal noted that the Muslim community had put up with inconveniences during the two-year renovation, which included having to conduct their religious rites at a temporary site. Agreeing, Nee Soon GRC MP Syed Harun Alhabsyi, who was also at the event, said the upgrading involved a lot of logistics, as well as support from the Singapore Land Authority and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis). Prof Faishal said: "This is the pride of Nee Soon residents, whereby with the strong community spirit, with the right support from grassroots organisations and government agencies, I think we can achieve better," he said. Darul Makmur mosque was first opened in 1987. After it closed in April 2023 for upgrading, the former North View Secondary School in Yishun Ring Road was designated as a temporary prayer site for congregants. The completion of upgrading works means the mosque can now accommodate 4,000 worshippers, up from 3,000 previously. Barrier-free access with ramps and a new lift were also added. Speaking to the media after Hari Raya Aidiladha prayers, Prof Faishal urged the Malay/Muslim community here to continue to feel blessed in Singapore, where there is harmony and they can perform their religious rites with peace of mind anywhere in the country. "This is something not available in many parts of the world," said Prof Faishal, who was an MP for Nee Soon GRC from 2011 to 2025. He was fielded in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC at the recent general election, which the PAP retained in a walkover. Echoing a sermon delivered earlier by Mufti Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, he also urged the community to have the notion of gratitude, and to continue playing its part in Singapore's quest to develop as a nation. As part of Singapore's humanitarian efforts for Gaza, more than 10 tonnes of korban meat will be channelled to Palestinians there, said Prof Faishal. Meanwhile, the meat that will be sent to Singapore will be distributed to the less privileged in the community, including zakat beneficiaries, families of incarcerated individuals, and migrant transient workers. Korban refers to the Islamic ritual of slaughtering farm animals such as sheep and lambs, followed by the distribution of the meat to worshippers and the needy. Prof Faishal noted that this year's Hari Raya Haji korban had 5,700 orders for overseas livestock on SalamSG, a platform for key mosque programmes. This is about a 20 per cent increase from 2024. Prof Faishal Ibrahim (right) greets congregants before the Hari Raya Aidiladha prayer at the recently upgraded Masjid Darul Makmur. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG The livestock will be slaughtered in Australia before the meat is chilled, packed and sent to Singapore - an arrangement that began in 2020 due to the pandemic. At the event, Prof Faishal also gave an update on Singaporean pilgrims in Mecca. He said all of them are doing well amid the intense heatwave. "I urge them to keep looking out for one another. I also urge them to look at their health, and also ensure that they drink lots of water and also (have a) good rest," he said. (From left) Nee Soon GRC MP Syed Harun Alhabsyi; Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim; executive chairman of Masjid Darul Makmur Mohd Fairus Abdul Manaf; and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam greet a congregant after Hari Raya Aidiladha prayers. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG Temperatures in Mecca exceeded 40 deg C this week as more than a million Muslim pilgrims poured into the holy city for the annual haj. In 2024, at least 1,300 pilgrims died after temperatures soared to 51.8 deg C. "We pray that they continue to remain safe and able to do their religious deeds... I look forward to welcoming them when they come back," said Prof Faishal. Besides Prof Faishal and Dr Syed Harun, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam also attended the mosque's reopening. In the afternoon, Prof Faishal observed a live korban at Pertapis Halfway House in Geylang, where more than 120 goats were sacrificed. The korban meat was distributed to 500 lower-income families at the event, with each household receiving 2kg of meat. The beneficiaries also received other essential items and cash vouchers.