SDP launches petition to reform election system as part of new campaign, Singapore News
SINGAPORE - Putting aside the results of GE2025, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has resumed its groundwork by launching a petition calling for changes to the election system.
It was launched by party chief Chee Soon Juan on May 18, during SDP's thank you dinner for its volunteers. About 180 volunteers attended the dinner, which was held at The Legacy at One North.
The petition calls for six changes to the current election system in Singapore. This includes ensuring a minimum three-week campaign period, and setting a six-month gap between boundary changes and the dissolution of Parliament.
It is one of the SDP's three initiatives launched as part of its new campaign "Renew, Rebuild, Reignite", in the lead-up to the 2030 General Election.
SDP lost in all four constituencies it was contesting in the 2025 General Election.
Speaking to the media at a press conference before the dinner, Dr Chee said that the recent election did not give the electorate sufficient time to grasp national concerns which affect society.
"This has been the feedback we've been getting over and over especially (from) the younger voters, who are just coming together to learn about the (election) process."
Other proposed changes in the petition include removing the election department from being under the Prime Minister's Office, abolishing the GRC system, and reviewing the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act.
Dr Chee did not give details on how many signatures the party hopes to get for the petition, or what it plans to do after this.
Mr Muhammad Aqmal Harris, a member of the SDP's youth wing Young Democrats, said: "This is not just a 'sign it and forget it' campaign.
"This document is the beginning. A conversation starter, a rallying point, and it will evolve with your input."
Mr Ariffin Sha, who was part of the SDP's slate contesting Marsiling Yew-Tee GRC, said: "The whole idea is to start this important conversation about electoral reform.
"And I think one thing that has been quite interesting that we have seen is many young people, even those who are too young to vote, expressing an interest, and that's very heartening."
Besides the petition, SDP will ramp up youth engagement, said Dr Chee, who added that he hopes to publish a book targeted at younger voters.
The party also hopes to engage university students through dialogue in universities, and through their social media channels.
He said: "We want to engage our younger voters, get them knowledgeable about what politics in Singapore (is about), and about current affairs. This is what is going to be important."
The SDP also intends to launch the Orange & Teal social enterprise and cooperative (OTSEC), said Dr Chee, who added that members can join the cooperative for a $100 fee.
"The OTSEC is meant to be a ground-up (initiative) where we are looking for Singaporeans to own a part of this business, and to encourage young entrepreneurs."
Said Dr Chee: "I look to all of you to actively participate. Let's not go back into our comfort zone (and) keep quiet and lie low for the next four to five years and then awaken again just before the elections, only to find results like what we're seeing today. Let's go out and make the change that we want to see."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Online Citizen
3 days ago
- Online Citizen
PAP's Goh Pei Ming tops spending so far as 35 candidates declare S$884,978 from 3 May General Election
SINGAPORE: A total of 35 candidates who contested the General Election on 3 May have declared their election expenses, with combined spending reaching S$884,978. These figures were made publicly available on the Elections Department's (ELD) website on 28 May. Under Singapore's election laws, candidates must declare their expenses and the nature of spending. This process aims to ensure transparency and accountability in campaign financing. Candidates have until 16 June to file their election returns. PAP's Marine Parade–Braddell Heights team spent S$388,756 in sole walkover victory Among those who have submitted so far, People's Action Party (PAP) candidate Goh Pei Ming topped the list with S$104,085 in declared spending. More than half of his expenditure went towards non-online election advertising, including printed materials and physical displays. Goh, a former chief of staff in the Singapore Armed Forces, was part of the PAP team in Marine Parade–Braddell Heights GRC. His team was the only one to win in a walkover on Nomination Day. Their collective campaign expenditure stood at S$388,756 — the highest recorded among the teams that have declared their finances so far. In total, the 35 candidates represented a range of parties, including the PAP, Progress Singapore Party (PSP), National Solidarity Party (NSP), People's Alliance for Reform (PAR), Red Dot United (RDU), and Singapore People's Party (SPP). One candidate each from the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), People's Power Party (PPP), and Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) also submitted their expenses. Additionally, independent candidates Darryl Lo and Jeremy Tan have declared their financial statements. No candidates from the Workers' Party (WP) have submitted returns to date. This leaves 176 candidates either yet to file or whose submissions are pending announcement in the Government Gazette. According to the data released, the average expenditure per candidate came to S$25,285. However, spending varied significantly. While some candidates incurred no expenses, others spent over S$100,000. The PAP led the average spending per candidate at S$77,751. This was followed by the PSP with an average of S$32,303 and the NSP at S$24,378. At the lower end, RDU averaged S$1,297 per candidate, while PAR had the lowest average at S$898. Seven candidates report zero spending Seven candidates declared zero expenditure. These included Sharad Kumar, David Foo and Pang Heng Chuan from RDU; Alec Tok from SDP; Harminder Pal Singh from SDA; and Lim Rui Xian and Muhammad Norhakim from SPP. PPP's Samuel Lee reported S$100 in 'other expenses'. He announced via TikTok on 27 May that he had resigned from the party, effective 23 May, to pursue other opportunities. Among independent candidates, Jeremy Tan, who contested Mountbatten, spent S$16,075. His largest cost was for his solo rally at the Home of Athletics on 1 May. Darryl Lo, contesting Radin Mas, spent S$12,213, with most of it going towards printed materials and other non-digital promotional tools. The only other full team to have submitted expenses was NSP's Sembawang GRC team, which reported a total of S$121,888 in spending. In addition to spending, candidates are required to declare any donations received. Among the 35, only RDU's Ben Puah, who contested Jurong East–Bukit Batok GRC, declared donations. He received S$280 from anonymous donors, via six PayNow transactions ranging from S$10 to S$100. Puah spent S$109 in total on his campaign. RDU's Kala Manickam submitted disputed claims Another RDU candidate, Kala Manickam, submitted disputed claims amounting to S$1,365. These included S$404 in food expenses for campaigners, S$66 for transport, and S$895 for printing extra campaign fliers. According to the ELD, such claims are filed when election agents dispute or fail to settle expense claims within the 28-day window. Kala, who contested in Jurong Central SMC during 3 May poll, told The Straits Times that her claims were not reimbursed by the party. She explained that she was advised to submit them as disputed. 'The party told me to raise petty cash to claim back my money, but when I submitted it after the election, they said the spending was not endorsed by the party,' she said. She added that the party also cited her lack of fundraising as a reason for the rejection of her reimbursement request. Kala said she would personally absorb the cost, stating her campaign was driven by a desire to serve Singapore. The ELD allows members of the public to view candidates' declared expenses by logging into its digital service with their Singpass credentials. Further updates are expected as the 16 June deadline approaches.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Straits Times
How GE2025 candidates are giving their campaign leftovers a second life
Physical advertising materials, like posters and flags, traditionally make up the biggest costs incurred during the election season. PHOTO: ST FILE How GE2025 candidates are giving their campaign leftovers a second life SINGAPORE - With the 2025 General Election now over, several political parties and candidates say they are reducing wastage of their campaign materials by reusing, recycling and even selling some of them. Those who are selling their physical advertising materials like posters told The Straits Times that they are doing so to raise funds to cover the cost of the campaign, or to donate to charity. On May 28, the Elections Department (ELD) released preliminary data showing that the average election spending per candidate worked out to be $25,285. The records showed that the five members of the PAP's Marine Parade-Braddell Heights team, which enjoyed Singapore's first walkover since 2011, were the top spenders among 35 candidates who have declared their expenses so far. Non-online election advertising was the slate's largest expense, accounting for about 60 per cent of $388,756 spent by the candidates . Physical advertising materials like posters and flags, which are grouped under non-online election advertising in ELD data, traditionally make up the biggest costs incurred during the election season . However, there are no official figures for how much of the materials wind up in the landfill once these campaigns end. A PAP spokeswoman told ST that the party sorted its election paraphernalia into recyclable and non-recyclable materials, and disposed of them properly. She said: 'Our campaigning materials are not for sale or auction.' Some items like corrugated parts may be repurposed by printers for other uses, such as cardboard standees, she added. The spokeswoman said the party also reuses some materials produced before the 2025 General Election, like banners with PAP logos . PAP volunteers and workers keeping PAP posters featuring Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and elected candidates in Ang Mo Kio GRC on May 4. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) and Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) said they recycle some of their campaign materials. SDA chief Desmond Lim said the party has used biodegradable materials since 2020, and raised $8,000 through sales of roadside posters in 2025, up from about $5,000 after the previous general election. The proceeds and another $8,000 from Mr Lim's pocket were donated to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund to help children and youth from low-income families with school-related expenses. Posters of SDA Pasir Ris-Changi GRC candidates on display near Tampines Meridian Junior College on April 28. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY Mr Lim added: ' This initiative isn't just a practice; it embodies our commitment to reducing waste and championing sustainability within our community. 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.
AsiaOne
6 days ago
- AsiaOne
Jalan Kayu SMC, Punggol GRC form new town councils, Singapore News
Jalan Kayu SMC and Punggol GRC have established their own town councils following the 2025 General Election. The Ministry of National Development (MND) said on Friday (May 30) that it issued an order to put into effect the setting up of 19 town councils, which were formed at the request of the wards' respective MPs. As a result of changes to electoral boundaries, which involved some areas being transferred between towns, 12 town councils have been reconstituted, said MND, adding that five of them remain unchanged both in their boundaries and names. Under the Town Councils Act, elected MPs are either to form a town for their own constituency or group up to three constituencies together to form a town. Each town should be managed by its own town council. The new Jalan Kayu Town Council, comprising the SMC won by labour chief Ng Chee Meng, will be chaired by him. A town council was last formed with just one SMC after the 2011 General Election, where PAP candidate Sitoh Yih Pin took back Potong Pasir SMC from the Singapore People's Party. Sitoh ran the town council until the 2015 General Election, after which the constituency was grouped under the Jalan Besar Town Council. Punggol Town Council, which consists of the GRC won by the PAP slate helmed by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, will be chaired by Senior Minister of State for Transport and National Development Sun Xueling. Senior Minister of State for Education and Sustainability and the Environment Janil Puthucheary and Ms Yeo Wan Ling, will be vice-chairs, reported The Straits Times. Four town councils have been renamed following changes to electoral boundaries. Jurong-Clementi Town Council will be known as Jurong-Clementi-Bukit Batok Town Council, while Marine Parade Town Council has been renamed to Marine Parade-Braddell Heights Town Council. Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council will now be Pasir Ris-Changi Town Council, while West Coast Town Council is to be known as West Coast-Jurong West Town Council. The remaining eight reconstituted town councils' names remain unchanged. For areas that will be transferred to other towns, town councils must complete the handover and takeover of management within 90 days, said MND. This means the two new town councils and 12 reconstituted town councils will take over management of the transferred areas from Aug 1 this year. Town councils can also mutually agree to complete the handover and takeover before Aug 1, provided they inform residents of this date, the ministry added. "MND encourages all town councils to work together to ensure a smooth transition, so that the needs of residents can continue to be served," it said. [[nid:718138]]
