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GE2025: PPP calls on S'poreans to vote other opposition parties into Parliament, not just WP

GE2025: PPP calls on S'poreans to vote other opposition parties into Parliament, not just WP

Straits Times27-04-2025

PPP secretary-general Goh Meng Seng (right) and his fellow Tampines GRC candidate Peter Soh on a walkabout in Tampines St 81 on April 27. ST PHOTO: DAVID SUN
GE2025: PPP calls on S'poreans to vote other opposition parties into Parliament, not just WP
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SINGAPORE - The People's Power Party (PPP) hopes that come May 3, more opposition parties will be voted into Parliament.
Speaking to the media after a walkabout at Block 826A Tampines St 81 on April 27, party secretary-general Goh Meng Seng said he hopes both the PSP and Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) are voted in.
Mentioning PSP's Leong Mun Wai and SDP's Dr Chee Soon Juan and Dr Paul Tambyah by name, Mr Goh said he and they may not agree on everything, but that their diversity would result in robust debate in Parliament.
'They are all my good friends,' he said. 'They are people of conviction, although we share different views and policy ideals and values.'
He added that he hopes Tampines residents will vote for the PPP, so there can be debates between more than just the PAP and WP.
The PPP team contesting in Tampines GRC consists of Mr Goh, party chairman Derrick Sim; landscaping executive Vere Nathan; green tech firm founder Peter Soh; and entrepreneur Arbaah Haroun.
During the walkabout, Mr Goh was overheard using a crass word to make his case to residents on why they should vote for opposition parties that are not the WP.
Asked about the word, which alludes to rape and violence, he said it was 'local language' and that what he meant was that he wanted more diversity in Parliament, not just the PAP and WP.
Mr Goh had criticised the WP's move to not contest Marine Parade-Braddell Heights on Nomination Day on April 23.
Responding to Mr Goh's comments on April 24, WP's secretary-general Mr Pritam Singh said Mr Goh should focus on the campaign in Tampines.
Mr Goh said later at the PPP rally on April 24: 'Don't ask me about Pritam Singh again. I'm not interested in him, I'm not gay.' His comment drew laughter from spectators.
The next day on April 25, Mr Singh told the media: 'Mr Goh Meng Seng is Mr Goh Meng Seng. Nothing's going to change.'
Mr Goh in turn told the media on April 27: 'If Mr Goh Meng Seng is not Mr Goh Meng Seng, I may as well go and hide somewhere. But Pritam Singh will always be Pritam Singh.'
Both he and Mr Sim also commented about Mr Sim's Facebook account being suddenly disabled on April 25.
Mr Sim said he has reported the issue to Meta, which owns Facebook, and has changed his security settings.
Mr Goh chimed in, saying the party intends to report the incident to the police, believing it to be caused by 'black forces' and 'powers that be'.
'This is real interference of a fair contest,' he said. 'This should not be taken lightly. We have to get to the bottom of this.'
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