Dr Chee Soon Juan vows SDP will press on after GE2025 defeat, unveils Renew, Rebuild, Reignite movement
Dr Chee Soon Juan, secretary-general of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), has reaffirmed the alternative party's commitment to serve the nation, despite its recent loss in the General Election 2025.
Speaking after the election, Dr Chee declared, 'Let's not wait until 2030 to start our work,' signalling the party's determination to continue engaging residents and advancing its quest to return to Parliament.
He congratulated Poh Li San of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) for her victory in Sembawang West Single Member Constituency (SMC), where she secured 53.19 per cent of the votes against Dr Chee's 46.81 per cent.
A challenging post-election period
Reflecting on the aftermath, Dr Chee admitted, 'It's been a harrowing few days… trying to make sense of the results, figuring out the next steps and clearing up post-election work.'
Despite the setback, he thanked voters and supporters, calling their messages of encouragement 'nourishment for the soul.'
Dr Chee also expressed gratitude to the SDP team and volunteers, describing them as a 'dedicated group of Singaporeans answering the call of democracy.'
True to the party's spirit, Dr Chee emphasised that the SDP remains 'undaunted.'
Plans are underway to advance the Renew, Rebuild, Reignite Movement, which will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
He promised continued engagement with residents using 'reasoned argument' and 'the force of logic, not fanciful rhetoric,' reflecting his belief that Singaporeans 'hunger for educated views and logical persuasion.'
Dr Chee urged Singaporeans to join the campaign, highlighting its goal of achieving 'a democratic society based on justice and equality,' as articulated in the national pledge.
Calling for public involvement, Dr Chee invited supporters to sign up as SDP changemakers via the party's website.
He assured them, 'It is going to be an uplifting and gratifying endeavour.'
A promise to keep fighting
Despite the repeated setbacks, Dr Chee assured supporters that 'the flame of democracy kindled decades ago burns brighter now than ever before.'
He pledged to keep the public updated on the SDP's initiatives and expressed confidence in the party's future.
'Believe me, the SDP is on an upward trajectory, and you are going to play a large part in it,' he declared.
Dr Chee closed his address by encouraging Singaporeans to take an active role in shaping the nation's future, saying, 'Sign up now and be a part of history in the making.'
SDP's performance during GE2025
The General Election on 3 May 2025 saw Poh Li San winning Sembawang West SMC with 11,978 votes, while Dr Chee garnered 10,541 votes out of a total of 22,519 valid votes.
Poh, a former member of the PAP team in Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC), had previously secured 67.29 per cent of the vote in the 2020 election.
The Sembawang West area became an SMC after a review of electoral boundaries earlier this year.
Dr Chee has a history of challenging PAP incumbents.
In the 2020 General Election, he contested Bukit Batok SMC but lost to PAP's Murali Pillai with 45.2 per cent of the vote.
SDP chairman Professor Paul Tambyah also contested Bukit Panjang SMC, where he lost to PAP's Liang Eng Hwa, who secured 61.41 per cent of the votes.
Additionally, the SDP fielded a team in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC and Sembawang GRC but failed to win seats.
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