
GE2025: Red Dot United says election results encouraging despite losses, vows to return in 5 years
SINGAPORE: The swing in votes towards the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) this General Election was not a surprise, but the results were encouraging for Red Dot United (RDU), party secretary-general Ravi Philemon said.
Speaking to reporters in the early hours of Sunday (May 4) near RDU's office in Ubi Crescent, he said the world is in a time of turmoil, and it is reasonable for voters to look for a 'safe harbour' in these times.
'I think in this GE, the people have spoken,' he said.
'The PAP has been the government for the past 60 years, and it is understandable why the people have given the PAP the kind of mandate that they have.'
Mr Philemon congratulated Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, describing the win as a 'heavy responsibility'.
'I hope he keeps the trust of the people. Red Dot United will keep our prime minister on his toes in the next five years, that is for sure,' he said.
While RDU did not get the mandate in any of the constituencies it contested, the results were 'very, very encouraging', he added.
HOW DID RED DOT UNITED DO?
RDU fielded 15 candidates across three Group Representation Constituencies (GRC) and one Single Member Constituency (SMC). Nine of its candidates stood for election for the first time.
The party's Nee Soon team performed best, receiving 26.19 per cent of the vote in the GRC. In Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC, the RDU team finished with 23.34 per cent of the vote.
Its candidates in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC obtained 20.71 per cent of the vote, while Ms Kala Manickam got 19.49 per cent in Jurong Central SMC.

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Straits Times
8 hours ago
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Online Citizen
3 days ago
- Online Citizen
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Straits Times
3 days ago
- Straits Times
How GE2025 candidates are giving their campaign leftovers a second life
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We want to create a positive impact not only for our supporters in Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, but also for all Singaporeans.' Meanwhile, an SDP spokesperson said its leftover campaign material is recycled or used for fund-raising purposes. By June 1, the party had sold about 9 per cent of an estimated 450 roadside posters set aside for fund raising . As for its merchandise such as umbrellas and stuffed toys, the remaining stock has been stored at the party's headquarters for future use. A People's Power Party spokeswoman said its campaign materials have been distributed or sold to its volunteers and supporters to partially offset expenses. SDP bear plushies on sale during an SDP lunchtime rally at the promenade next to UOB Plaza on April 29. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM The independent candidates who ran during the recent election, Mr Jeremy Tan and Mr Darryl Lo, also said they had sought to make their campaigns environmentally friendly. Mr Lo, who took 23.52 per cent of the vote at Radin Mas SMC, said he paid more for paper from sustainably managed forests , and printed 13,000 fliers and brochures for roughly the same number of households. Less than 120 copies of each remained after the campaign. He chose to give away most of the 252 posters printed for the election. Instead of charging fees, supporters were told to donate generously to the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS). The law graduate who worked in the technology sector said he decided on SOS because of its 'profound' work to prevent suicide, which includes manning a 24-hour helpline. Mr Tan, who garnered 36.18 per cent of the vote share for Mountbatten SMC, said he used leftover plywood from a construction site for his posters. All 200 posters, except for four, have been recycled. The retired businessman said: 'It was cheaper to do things this way, so it wasn't too challenging.' He plans to set up a microsite to sell about 1,000 autographed fliers, clappers and t-shirts, with all proceeds to go to organisations like social service agency Care Corner. ST has also reached out to WP, the only opposition party in Parliament with 12 MPs, and other parties, including the PSP. The National Library Board's (NLB) collection of published heritage shows that the WP has, on occasion , donated some campaign materials through the Legal Deposit, which preserves such items. An NLB spokesperson said it has encouraged political parties and candidates to contribute materials like printed manifestos, fliers, brochures, recordings of campaign speeches, rallies, related websites and social media accounts to the board for preservation. She said: 'In line with the National Library and National Archives of Singapore's role as a memory institution, materials related to important national milestones in Singapore's history are collected, documented and preserved.' Analysts lauded the candidates' efforts to extend the lifespan of campaign materials, and urged candidates to be more ambitious in their initiatives. Dr Aidan Wong, who teaches urban studies at Singapore Management University, said the range of steps taken indicates a recognition across the life stages of printed material. 'This movement indicates a greater awareness among political parties that being environmentally sustainable is part of our DNA, and this overall consciousness is gaining good traction.' James Cook University's Professor Adrian Kuah, who advises developing countries on minimising waste and maximising resources , pointed out that strategies to reuse and repurpose existing materials are superior to using recycled materials because they reduce further production from raw resources. 'Instead of one-time use, the political party can consider producing posters that can be reused for future events and general elections,' he said. Dr Wong and Dr Kuah suggested that candidates can take further steps to protect the environment, like introducing zero-waste rallies and hosting more campaign materials online. During the 2023 Presidential Election, for instance, candidate Ng Kok Song opted to not have physical posters or banners. Still, party paraphernalia remain a part of political elections, the analysts acknowledged. Said Dr Wong: 'Not only do they make voters aware of the parties and candidates campaigning in their constituency, they also contribute to the overall atmosphere of the campaigning period.' The practice of selling and giving away party memorabilia dates back to the 1980s, but has become more visible with online platforms like Carousell, according Mr Emyr Uzayr, head of marketing at vintage shop Treasure At Home. The 21-year-old added: 'While I do not see value in the current election materials, you never know how they might be viewed in years to come... What seems unimportant today could become historically significant tomorrow.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.