Bread-and-butter issues take centrestage in RDU's first election rally

Straits Times

26-04-2025

RDU secretary-general Ravi Philemon speaking during the party's first election rally at Bukit View Secondary School in Bukit Batok on April 26. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
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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 a s being out of touch with 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 HDB 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 which includes PhD holders, captains of industries, entrepreneurs and people from all walks of life.
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 their 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 it is 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 back-up in time 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.
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