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Independent Singapore
01-05-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
GE2025: Vote with hope, not habit — Red Dot United calls for radical but necessary reform at Jurong Central SMC rally
Singapore: In the drizzle of a late evening rally in Jurong Central on April 30, umbrellas opened not just against the rain, but as shields for what RDU describes as deeper frustration felt across Singapore. One by one, Red Dot United (RDU) candidates took to the stage — to voice a growing sentiment among Singaporeans: it's time to raise the standard. 'Citizens are not asking for riches,' declared Liyana Dhamirah, 'they're asking for dignity.' From the young graduate drowning in gig work to the mother in Bukit Batok who gave up on dental care due to unbearable queues and costs. Liyana believes that 'the status quo no longer serves the people it claims to represent.' Reset, not patchwork RDU's 2025 manifesto is framed as a national reset — a rejection of piecemeal reforms in favour of bold, people-first policies. 'Singapore doesn't need more patchwork,' said Dhamirah. 'We need real solutions.' These solutions include a proposed citizen dividend — an unconditional payout to all Singaporeans, not as charity, but recognition. 'You are stakeholders in this country,' said business director Pang Heng Chuan. 'A responsible leader doesn't start with cutting workers. You cut the bloat. You stop vanity projects. You protect people.' Pang, who has led turnarounds in the private sector, brought his managerial lens to governance. 'If ministers want CEO pay, they must accept CEO accountability,' he said, calling out multimillion-dollar projects like the $330 million Founders' Memorial while basic estate maintenance suffers. From theory to lived reality RDU candidates repeatedly stressed their lived experience and how that informs their policies. Emily Woo, a PSC scholar and music educator, said her time in classrooms and communities showed her a disconnect between policymaking and people's daily struggles. 'I met an uncle who asked me, 'What are you giving out?' I told him — no gifts. Just my voice to speak for you. And he smiled. He said, 'Good. That's what matters.'' Emily has called for trimming redundant political roles — such as mayors and excess political secretaries, and pegging ministerial salaries to the median wage. 'It's time our leaders were invested in the incomes of all, not just the top ten per cent,' she said. A family's struggle, a nation's fight Other candidates turned to personal testimony. Marcus Neo recalled the pride in his mother's eyes when he landed a corporate job — and her heartbreak when that job, despite his performance, became a casualty of a stacked system. 'I gave them three chances,' he said, describing how a foreign HR manager dismissed Singaporean employment protections. 'Eventually, I took them on — legally, professionally. I won. But I also lost my job, and my mother's hope.' Neo's story, like many others that night, carried a quiet but powerful indictment: that a generation is growing up in a system where meritocracy is preached but privilege reigns. The H.E.A.R.T. Framework Harish Mohanadas, a civil and software engineer whose career revolves around handling and creating complex systems, introduced RDU's H.E.A.R.T. framework: H ousing security through a comprehensive reset and rent-to-own schemes E quitable healthcare that caps out-of-pocket costs A ssured prosperity through a citizen dividend and reversal of the GST hike R esilient economy prioritising SMEs and citizen-first hiring Transparent governance with public KPIs and an end to rubber-stamp politics 'We're not here to tinker around the edges,' Harish said. 'We're here to transform Singapore.' A serious plan for local governance Candidate Harish Mohanadas assured residents that RDU is ready to run town councils with competence and transparency from day one. 'We've launched a full Town Council Management Plan,' Harish told the crowd, 'and we've assembled a transitional committee made up of professionals with experience in finance, systems, and community engagement.' RDU's plan, first unveiled on Aug 25, focuses on sustainable urban management and citizen-focused service delivery. Harish emphasised that RDU's readiness was not theoretical. 'We're engineers,' he said. 'We're builders. We know how to scale operations, manage complexity, and get things done.' RDU's ground-up approach to town council governance stood in contrast to their portrayal of the incumbent PAP MPs as 'part-time representatives' disconnected from the daily realities of estate living. For RDU, managing a constituency isn't an add-on — it's core to what it means to serve. No more double standards Osman Sulaiman, a former corporate leader and current entrepreneur, took aim at the unequal expectations between the government and the citizen. 'When rules bend for the powerful, faith in the system dies,' he said. 'Whether you're a minister or a cleaner, the rules must be the same.' He cited the Crony Capitalism Index , where Singapore ranks 4th globally for economic systems that favour politically connected elites. He was echoed by Sharad Kumar, who highlighted the silence of PAP MPs during the GST hikes. 'Not one voted against it,' he said. 'We need a Parliament where MPs challenge bad policy, not explain it away.' Governance with grace For Kala Manickam, it was a daughter's safety and a single mother's grit that shaped her political conviction. A former officer and education leader, she wept recalling the mental burdens today's youth face — and the isolation of many parents trying to hold things together. 'Even with upskilling and retraining,' she said, 'too many Singaporeans are unemployed, underemployed, or stuck in systems that don't care.' Kala's five-year plan focused on valuing seniors, expanding mental health support, and ensuring that every child has a fair and dignified start. 'This isn't about envy,' she said. 'It's about fairness.' The rooster and the rainbow Then came Secretary-General Ravi Philemon, standing drenched in the rain, declaring that 'if we can't brave the weather for the people, how will they trust us?' Ravi painted RDU as the balance Singapore desperately needs — 'the yin to PAP's yang' — and described the party as the necessary reset for a system gone rigid. 'We are the rooster that crows,' he said. 'It's never easy to be the rooster in Singapore — they'll try to silence you, pluck your feathers, cook you into curry. But after the downpour comes the rainbow.' A vote for a voice As rallying cries go, Red Dot United's was simple, heartfelt, and firm. 'We don't just want a seat in Parliament,' Dhamirah said. 'We want to be your voice.' In a political climate often thick with fear, RDU made an appeal not just to the mind, but to the soul: Vote with hope. Not habit. Because for them, this election is not about who gains power, but who finally gets heard.
CNA
26-04-2025
- Business
- CNA
GE2025: Red Dot United questions job security, spending on Founders' Memorial in maiden physical rally
SINGAPORE: Red Dot United (RDU) levelled criticism at the government during the party's first-ever physical rally on Saturday (Apr 26), with issues ranging from job security to spending on the Founders' Memorial. 'It is never unreasonable to us that we have steady jobs and stable incomes, and that is what Singaporeans are asking for,' said RDU secretary-general Ravi Philemon. He was the first of 15 speakers at the rally held at Bukit View Secondary School in Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC. The party, which was founded three weeks before the 2020 General Election during the COVID-19 pandemic, had never held a physical rally prior. On Saturday, the rally started with a one-minute silence to commemorate the death of Pope Francis. In Mr Philemon's speech, he said that in the next decade, there will be more people entering the workforce globally than jobs available. 'Singapore, being an open, globalised city, cannot escape from this onslaught on the opportunities that will be available, which means that Singaporeans will be affected by this sea change that is coming around the world,' he said. He questioned how Singapore would protect its workers given that 'we are already seeing lots of retrenchments happening last year'. Mr Philemon said that the retrenched find it hard to be re-employed, 'especially if you are a single mother and looking after your young child, or if you have reached a certain age'. He added that Singaporeans should not feel like 'second class citizens in their own homes'. He said that there is a new 'five Cs' that 'we are told to look forward to: cash handouts, CHAS card rebates, conservancy rebates, CPF top ups and CDC vouchers'. He asked: 'Where is the dignity for Singaporeans in living like that?' 'When you go to the polling booths on May 3, please remember that it is about your children, it is about your grandchildren,' he said. 'They will be here long after you are gone, and that is an important decision.' Mr Philemon will lead a team to contest Nee Soon GRC, alongside Dr David Foo, Mr Pang Heng Chuan, Ms Sharon Lin and Dr Syed Alwi Ahmad. In his speech, Mr Pang questioned what he termed as 'astronomical salaries' of mayors and senior parliamentary secretaries. He said that every position must 'justify its existence through value creation'. 'Yet our government creates these bloated positions that drain our national coffers, while ordinary Singaporeans struggle with rising costs,' he added. He also criticised the estimated S$335 million spending on the Founders' Memorial. 'Singapore doesn't need more monuments, it needs a government that respects your money as much as you do,' he said. 'Together, we can end the great Singapore wastage and build a future where prosperity is shared by all, not squandered by a few.' COST OF LIVING, MALAY COMMUNITY ISSUES Other candidates spoke about the cost of living, issues facing the Malay-Muslim community, and rental costs. Nee Soon candidate Ms Lin questioned why, despite the strong Singapore dollar, that 'we find ourselves struggling to afford a car, and we find ourselves struggling to afford a HDB, which is getting smaller and yet more expensive'. She compared this to Malaysia, where there is a weaker currency but 'they can live in bigger houses and own cars'. 'Singapore should not just be a playground for the elites and the super rich,' she said. 'Singapore must be able to provide a better quality of life for the majority of Singaporeans, of ordinary Singaporeans whose hard work must be respected and must be valued.' Dr Alwi, who is the head of RDU's Malay bureau, said that there are many issues in the Malay-Muslim community that are important to him, such as why there is 'no halal kitchens on navy ships'. A reply in parliament last year by Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad to a question posed by Workers' Party's Faisal Manap confirmed that there are no halal kitchens on navy ships due to operational and space constraints, but said the ships provide options for Muslim personnel. 'The Malay soldier will be as ready to give up his life as the Chinese soldier. We must be inclusive, and we should include them too,' said Dr Alwi. He also advocated for a Lieutenant Adnan Saidi Day, to recognise his sacrifice and commemorate his death every Feb 14. Lieutenant Adnan had put up fierce resistance against the Japanese during the Battle of Pasir Panjang in Singapore during World War II, which resulted in his death in 1942. Party chairman Dr Foo touched on rental costs in his speech. He said that if rental could be lowered for hawkers, for instance, food can be kept more affordable. 'We need to move away from a rent-seeking economy by which its very nature is transactional, and that strips away value from the people,' he said.
Online Citizen
25-04-2025
- Business
- Online Citizen
GE2025: SDA unveils 'Make Change Happen' manifesto with audit push, NSF pay hike, housing reforms
The Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) officially launched its 2025 General Election manifesto on nomination day, unveiling a reform-driven platform as it contests Pasir Ris–Changi Group Representation Constituency (GRC) against the People's Action Party (PAP) team helmed by Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Leader of the House, Indranee Rajah. The SDA's slate will be led by its long-time chairman Desmond Lim, 58. He is joined by party secretary-general Abu Mohamed, 74, and communications head Mr Harminder Pal Singh, 53. In a surprise development on nomination day, the team was joined by 32-year-old restaurant owner Chia Yun Kai, who had previously announced intentions to form his own party—the Most Valuable Party—to contest East Coast. Chia eventually entered the race under the Singapore Justice Party (SJP) banner, one of the two constituent parties of the SDA. Formed in 2001, the SDA is a coalition of the Singapore Justice Party and the Singapore Malay National Organisation. The alliance has long positioned itself as a voice for ordinary citizens, with its latest campaign framed as a challenge to what it describes as the PAP's 'Ivory Tower' governance and unchecked dominance in Parliament. In its manifesto, titled 'Make Change Happen', the SDA outlines a series of proposed reforms to address issues it claims have been exacerbated under the current administration. These include the high cost of living, unaffordable housing, job insecurity for Singaporean professionals, and strains in the public healthcare system. Call for Independent Audit Agency to Curb 'Fiscal Flops' The manifesto proposes the creation of an independent agency to audit and review government spending, arguing that billions have been lost through what it terms 'fiscal flops'. Examples highlighted include overspending on projects such as NS Square, the ERP system revamp, and the Founders' Memorial. To tackle rental pressures, particularly for hawkers and small businesses, the SDA suggests rent controls and property tax rebates for landlords who practise fair leasing. It also calls for transparent oversight of rental agreements to curb hidden charges. Another major proposal is the introduction of a Family Care Account, offering monthly government grants and co-savings options for families to cover caregiving and healthcare expenses. This would be partially funded by increasing the Net Investment Returns Contribution by 5 percent, which the party argues is a reasonable adjustment given the country's recent fiscal surpluses. Boosting NS Allowances and Expanding Education Benefits for Servicemen On employment, the SDA proposes a staggered levy on Employment Pass holders to encourage firms to prioritise local talent. This, it claims, would rectify what it sees as an imbalanced hiring environment where local professionals are penalised by compulsory Central Provident Fund contributions, making them less attractive to employers. The party also champions an increase in National Servicemen's base allowance to S$1,600, equivalent to the Local Qualifying Salary, alongside a proposal for free local university education for NSFs—an initiative inspired by the US GI Bill. 'Build More, Build Ahead': SDA's Scaled-Up Housing Proposal For housing, the SDA calls for a dramatic scale-up in flat construction under its 'Build More, Build Ahead, Build Simpler' strategy. This includes building ahead of demand in pre-zoned areas, offering bare-bones housing options to reduce renovation costs, and capping price increases to the growth of median wages rather than market rates. Making Medisave Portable Across ASEAN to Ease Local Healthcare Burdens On healthcare, the party proposes widening the use of Medisave across ASEAN countries, particularly in Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, to improve affordability and reduce domestic system strain. The manifesto also includes constituency-specific plans for Pasir Ris–Changi. These include bursaries, enhanced after-school learning, community employment networks, business mentorship schemes, and mental wellness centres. Infrastructure upgrades for safety and mobility are also promised, particularly benefiting seniors. The SDA positions these proposals as achievable and financially sound, hinging on the political will to reform. 'Together, we can make change happen,' the party declares, emphasising its desire to serve as an effective check on PAP dominance in Parliament.
