Latest news with #GE1991
CNA
30-04-2025
- Politics
- CNA
GE2025: Hougang SMC does not belong to the Workers' Party but to the people, says PAP candidate Marshall Lim
SINGAPORE: Hougang SMC, Singapore's longest opposition-held ward, does not belong to the Workers' Party (WP) but to the people, said the People's Action Party's (PAP) candidate for the ward, Mr Marshall Lim, on Wednesday (Apr 30). "When you go to the polls on Saturday, remember that Hougang does not belong to the Workers' Party, no matter what they say and no matter how many documentaries they produce about it. "Hougang belongs to you," Mr Lim, 38, told voters during his maiden rally speech at Anderson Serangoon Junior College. In his speech, he made a broader point about how Hougang was 'more than a symbol' and how politics should not come at the expense of community, saying that over the years, 'politics has begun to test the care that we have for each other'. The criminal lawyer relayed how last week, one of his campaign volunteers, a Hougang resident, was spat at by someone twice while helping him to distribute cards outside Hougang MRT Station. "Now, I firmly believe that that moment does not define Hougang, or anyone of us here tonight," said Mr Lim, who took over as PAP's Hougang branch chairman in February. "But I will not pretend that it did not disappoint me." The incident was a "sobering reminder" of how far Singapore has drifted from the "politics we deserve", he said. The choice for voters was not just between two candidates or parties but between two visions of Hougang, he added – one rooted in 'old lines, drawn deep and hard" and the other a Hougang that chooses 'something different' where unity is the foundation. Mr Lim is up against WP incumbent Dennis Tan, who was voted in at the 2020 General Election (GE). The WP has occupied Hougang SMC since GE1991, when then-party assistant secretary-general Low Thia Khiang triumphed over his PAP opponent with 52.8 per cent of the votes. "CLEAN SLATE FOR HOUGANG" Despite the Single Member Constituency's history, Mr Lim sought to present a clean slate to the voters of Hougang, saying that the ward deserved to move forward instead of being 'held back by the weight of past politics'. 'Many people describe Hougang as the stronghold of the Workers' Party. I get it,' he said. "Some of you tell me that I am new here and they have the advantage. I get it too. But every five years, the slate is wiped clean. 'You get a chance to decide what the future holds and candidates like me get a chance to convince you that we deserve to be a part of the future." He also noted how WP has advanced a narrative of Hougang being 'penalised' for choosing the opposition, something its secretary-general Pritam Singh raised during a rally on Tuesday. 'For years, you've heard one story – that voting for the PAP, or not voting for the PAP – means getting left behind, that Hougang was once penalised for its choice. 'That's the narrative the Workers' Party has repeated, time and again. And don't get me wrong, I understand why it strikes a chord. But I'm standing here today to tell you: That was then and this is now.' He added that many residents told him "candidly that after 34 years under the Workers' Party, the time for change has come". 'But there are also some of you who are not ready. You have voted for the Workers' Party for many years, standing up for what you believe is right." He said he would honour Hougang's residents' decision no matter who they voted for and promised to 'keep working hard' for them. He asked residents to consider his promises, including how he would speak up for them. 'I am not here to erase Hougang's past – but to build its future.' PLANS FOR HOUGANG Mr Lim also outlined his plans for Hougang should he be elected into parliament. These include enhancing transport connectivity to Hougang central, Kovan and other areas, and reducing waiting times for buses and better routes. Mr Lim said he also intended to push for safer, elder-friendly facilities, while expanding programmes to support low-income families. On estate matters, Mr Lim said he would "work tirelessly" to ensure that estates stay clean and well-maintained. If residents should approach the town council with an issue, Mr Lim said he would ensure the concern is directed to the right agency. 'I won't send you on a wild goose chase. I will make sure that you don't get bounced around – that your issue is directed to the right agency and resolved efficiently. You will not be alone,' he said. Mr Lim also shared his vision for a green Hougang, with community fridges, composting, recycling and food rescue programmes as part of a sustainability plan. Tapping on his background in law, Mr Lim said he would also use his skills, knowledge and experience to raise parliamentary questions, scrutinise policies and 'ask the tough questions'.
CNA
23-04-2025
- Politics
- CNA
GE2025: Last-minute switches, surprises galore on Nomination Day
Singapore The People's Action Party shifted some of its big guns around and left the opposition parties guessing until the eleventh hour on its final slates. The Workers' Party also sprung unexpected moves. SINGAPORE: The race for the 2025 General Election kicked off in earnest on Wednesday (Apr 23), living up to its billing as one of Singapore's most keenly contested elections after a Nomination Day chock-full of surprises. This was largely due to last-minute tactical manoeuvering by the ruling People's Action Party (PAP). The PAP moved some of its big guns around while leaving the opposition parties guessing till the eleventh hour whether Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat and Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean would be fielded. In the end, both were not. The Workers' Party also did the unexpected by moving former Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC) Member of Parliament Faisal Manap to lead its Tampines GRC team. Prominent new face Harpreet Singh was fielded in the new Punggol GRC, while the party turned to an old hand, former Non-Constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong, to lead its campaign in East Coast GRC. It also made a surprise move not to contest in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, handing PAP a walkover in the five-member GRC. After the dust settled on an eventful and rainy Nomination Day, this was the picture that emerged: A total of 92 out of 97 seats will be contested There will be five multi-cornered fights, a high since GE1991 which had the same number of such contests Among these, four parties will slug it out in Tampines GRC - the last time there was a four-cornered fight in a GE was back in 1997 There will be two independent candidates in Radin Mas Single Member Constituency (SMC) and Mountbatten SMC. Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC was a walkover for PAP after a no-contest, the first in a GE since 2011. Manpower Minister Tan See Leng was the anchor minister for the GRC in the last GE and was expected to lead the PAP's charge there again. Even he had expected to do so, until just hours before the nomination proceedings. Mr Tan told the media that he was informed on Wednesday morning that he would be redeployed in Chua Chu Kang GRC. Mr Tan replaced Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong who moved to Punggol GRC to fend off the WP challenge. Speaking to the media, DPM Gan said that 'plans are always made depending on availability of candidates; we always need to make adjustments'. WP EXPLAINS NO-SHOW IN MARINE PARADE-BRADDELL HEIGHTS GRC Soon after a walkover was declared in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, WP put up a statement by party chief Pritam Singh on the 'very difficult decision' not to contest there. In the last GE in 2020, a WP team led by Mr Yee contested what was then Marine Parade GRC, garnering 42.26 per cent of the vote against PAP's 57.74 per cent. Referring to the redrawn electoral boundaries for the GRC that saw the absorption of Macpherson SMC and other changes, Mr Singh said: "As a small opposition party, we are constantly faced with difficult choices about where and how best to deploy our limited resources, particularly after electoral boundaries are redrawn. "After much reflection and careful consideration, we have determined that in order to continue fighting for the principles and changes we all believe in, and to give our candidates the best chance of electoral success, the party must focus its best efforts this GE on a smaller number of constituencies than we would have hoped to contest." Speaking to reporters later, the WP chief was asked whether the decision was a miscalculation given that it gave the PAP a walkover. In response, Mr Singh said: 'I'm sure the PAP was watching who was going to Marine Parade as well, so these decisions also were taken, as you would have realised, over the hour between nomination opening and nomination closing.' He added: 'So, it's not a case as if everyone knew in advance that the PAP would field … I'm not going to say it's a weakened slate because there are no such thing as weak candidates in my view. "It's going to be a very tough election for us. I'm sure they were watching where we were going, but this is what we've decided to do.' WHERE THE MULTI-CORNERED FIGHTS ARE In contrast to the walkover in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, five other constituencies will be intensely fought by more than two parties. Tampines GRC will be the battleground of a four-way contest among PAP, WP, People's Power Party and National Solidarity Party (NSP). Over in Sembawang GRC, PAP will be in a three-way tussle with NSP and Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), while in Ang Mo Kio GRC, PAP will face off against PPP and Singapore United Party. Two single-seat wards will also see three-way fights: Potong Pasir and Radin Mas. In Potong Pasir, PAP's Alex Yeo will be up against PAR chief Lim Tean and SPP's Williiamson Lee. The Radin Mas contest will feature independent candidate Darryl Lo against PAP's Melvin Yong and the People's Alliance for Reform's Kumar Appavoo. Mr Lo is one of two independent candidates who have tossed their names in the hat this General Election. The other is Mr Jeremy Tan, who will mount a challenge against PAP candidate Gho Sze Kee in Mountbatten. With their successful nominations, all parties and candidates now enter the official campaign period, which will last for nine days. GE2025 People's Action Party Workers' Party
CNA
22-04-2025
- Politics
- CNA
GE2025: Five GRCs, two SMCs set for multi-cornered fights - highest number in over three decades
Singapore Several opposition parties have made last-minute attempts in the past week to deconflict and avoid multi-cornered fights, though members told CNA that these attempts fell through. SINGAPORE: With less than a day to go before Nomination Day on Wednesday (Apr 23), up to seven constituencies appear headed for multi-cornered fights - down from more than a dozen just a week ago - as this General Election (GE) shapes up to be one of the most fiercely contested to date. Several opposition parties have made last-minute attempts in the past week to deconflict and avoid multi-cornered fights, though members told CNA that these attempts fell through. Over the past 34 years, there has been an average of two multi-cornered fights across the last seven elections, with the previous high of five recorded in GE1991. In 2020, two such contests were seen, in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC and Pioneer SMC. Singaporeans will head to the polls on May 3, with more than 2.75 million eligible to vote. Experts said that while a large number of multi-cornered fights can be expected as the competition heats up, not all may play out when nomination closes. 'Why three-way contests may not materialise is that the party which finishes third and which also loses its election deposit would signal the irrelevance of that party,' said Singapore Management University (SMU) law don associate professor Eugene Tan. Jalan Kayu Single Member Constituency (SMC), for one, will not see a multi-cornered fight this election, after Red Dot United (RDU) and People's Power Party (PPP) announced on Tuesday that they would step aside for the Workers' Party to contest. The PPP is also dropping out of Tampines Changkat SMC to make way for the Workers' Party, said PPP party secretary-general Goh Meng Seng on Tuesday. Based on party movements and statements of intent made by the parties, five GRCs and two SMCs may still see multi-cornered fights. They are: Punggol GRC, Tanjong Pagar GRC, Tampines GRC, Sembawang GRC, Ang Mo Kio GRC, Radin Mas SMC, and Potong Pasir SMC. More multi-cornered fights could emerge if independent candidates enter the race on Nomination Day. Political party insiders told CNA that, unlike previous elections, opposition parties did not hold their traditional 'horse-trading talks' to decide which parties would compete in which constituencies and avoid multi-cornered fights. In response to a question about multi-cornered fights during a press conference on Apr 19, Workers' Party chief Pritam Singh said: 'I mean, we don't attend these sessions, but what I would say is it's an open system, and you can certainly expect there to be more three- four-cornered fights from here on.' FAILED TALKS In the lead-up to Nomination Day, several opposition parties have initiated talks among themselves. However, not all discussions have been successful. People's Alliance for Reform's (PAR) potential candidate for Yio Chu Kang SMC, Michael Fang, for instance, told CNA on Apr 12 that he had attempted to organise a dinner with National Solidarity Party (NSP), RDU, Singapore's People's Party (SPP) and Singapore United Party (SUP). The dinner, initially planned for on Apr 19, was later cancelled as there were 'not enough interested party responses', said Mr Fang. PAR comprises three parties: Reform Party, Peoples Voice and the Democratic Progressive Party. 'PAR has always indicated a willingness to talk previously. Unfortunately, due to the closeness of the elections, most other parties involved in the three-cornered fights declined the invitation for last-minute talks and decided to fight instead,' Dr Fang said. PAR's secretary-general Lim Tean, however, told CNA on Apr 18 that the dinner was meant to be a fundraising event, rather than a platform to discuss avoiding three-cornered fights. Dr Fang had chosen to cancel it because 'everyone is now rushing to do other things' after the nomination date was announced, Mr Lim added. Mr Lim also said that 'there have not been planned talks with other parties and we don't see a need to'. 'Our position on where we are going to contest is very clear and has been clear from day one. We are contesting places where we have done serious groundwork over the last five years and other parties have not,' he said. 'We don't see the need to negotiate in these circumstances.' People's Alliance for Reform member Michael Fang distributing bread and meeting residents at 628 Market in Ang Mo Kio, Apr 12, 2025. He plans to contest in Yio Chu Kang SMC. (Photo: CNA/Raj Nadarajan) Of the seven constituencies PAR plans to contest, it is expected to face a three-way showdown at Tanjong Pagar GRC, Radin Mas SMC and Potong Pasir SMC. Mr Lim had initially announced in March that the party would contest in eight SMCs and two GRCs. However, on Apr 18, he said PAR would not run in Marymount, Jalan Kayu and Kebun Baru SMCs "after careful deliberation and also taking into account the interest of the other parties and their movements". Mr Lim added that he 'does not foresee much problems' with multi-cornered fights in the upcoming general election. FALL OUT Voters in Ang Mo Kio GRC can also expect to see three parties campaigning in the ward. SUP and PPP secretary-generals have told the media previously that talks between both parties fell through. Mr Goh, secretary-general of PPP, told CNA that he had suggested SUP run under the PPP flag, but SUP's chief Andy Zhu declined the offer. Mr Zhu confirmed to CNA on Apr 21 that he last received a message from PPP's Derrick Sim on Apr 14, but declined to reveal what the message was about. In his reply to Mr Sim, he asked that PPP 'recede' their team in Ang Mo Kio to avoid a three-cornered fight, and has not heard from the other opposition party since. At the press conference on Tuesday where he announced the party would not run in Jalan Kayu SMC and Tampines Changkat SMC, Mr Goh said the party will not contest against WP "because they are the most effective, so called branding, in and out of parliament". However, his party will likely be involved in two multi-cornered fights in Ang Mo Kio GRC and Tampines GRC. "Both SUP and NSP are friends. I know their leaders … I have to say sorry to them for our agenda, our specific unique agenda,' he said, without elaborating further. However, some opposition parties have stepped aside to avoid going into a multi-cornered fight. The NSP announced on Apr 20 that it will not field candidates in Sembawang West and Tampines Changkat SMCs as well as Jalan Besar, Marine Parade-Braddell Heights and Marsiling-Yew Tee GRCs. Secretary-general Spencer Ng said the party stepped aside because of its 'long-standing commitment to responsible engagement and meaningful opposition co-operation". However, the party has not given up Tampines GRC, which might see a four-way fight between the PAP, WP, PPP and NSP. The party had contested the ward in GE2020, garnering 33.59 per cent of the vote. NSP has also refused to back down from a three-cornered fight in Sembawang GRC. This prompted the RDU to withdraw from an opposition coalition involving NSP, SUP and SPP on Apr 12. PPP's Goh Meng Seng apologising to the other two opposition parties contesting in Ang Mo Kio and Tampines GRCs, during a press conference at Jayleen 1918 Hotel on Apr 22, 2025. (Photo: CNA/Lauren Chian) When asked about the party's preparations for three-corner fights, Mr Ng said on Apr 20: 'Let us not be disillusioned that the PAP can be easily dislodged.' Meanwhile, the SUP team has spoken to Reform Party treasurer Mahaboob Baatsha, said Mr Zhu, and Mr Mahaboob confirmed that his party would not contest in Ang Mo Kio GRC again this year, CNA reported on Apr 6. In the 2020 election, the PAP secured 71.91 per cent of votes in Ang Mo Kio GRC against the Reform Party. The Singapore Democratic Alliance was supposed to reveal if it would contest Punggol GRC, which might be contested by the PAP and WP, on Tuesday. However, the party had cancelled a press conference to attend a funeral. IMPACT OF MULTI-CORNERED FIGHT DEPENDS ON WHICH OPPOSITION PARTY CONTESTS: EXPERTS Experts said there are several reasons for the increased number of multi-cornered fights. Independent political observer Felix Tan said the 'dramatic' changes to electoral boundaries is one reason, with another being the announcement of many new candidates. 'Everyone feels that they have the opportunity to start afresh in these constituencies,' he said. 'Each of these political parties feel that no one political party has all the answers to policymaking in Singapore.' Associate Professor Tan Ern Ser of the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) said that many opposition parties have confidence that the "ground is sweet for them". 'The opposition landscape seems to have morphed into parties that see themselves as more or less equally electable based on their own merit in the constituencies they consider themselves to have a significant foothold,' he told CNA. SMU's Assoc Prof Tan said while there will be more multi-cornered fights than previous elections, many may not materialise. He noted that such contests are more likely to occur in SMCs and in the western half of Singapore, areas where the WP is unlikely to contest. 'Where WP is involved, the opposition vote will likely and significantly coalesce around it. This vote pooling behind the WP could result in the other opposition party coming a distant third and losing the election deposits,' he said. He added that in a scenario where the difference between the two opposition parties is 'not clear', the opposition vote could be split between both parties. Such a scenario could pave the way for a 'comfortable victory for the PAP'. While Dr Tan said multi-cornered fights have made Singapore's opposition landscape 'really messy', it can also be seen as a sign that more people are becoming actively engaged in politics. 'In a democracy, you tend to see this sort of active involvement of political parties. There seems to be more people being involved in politics because they want to play a part in deciding or charting Singapore's direction.' When asked about how the rise in multi-cornered fights has changed the messaging of opposition unity, Dr Tan said that "there's no unity in the opposition parties. It's each for themselves. At the end of the day, politics is a selfish game", he said. Dr Tan added that the PAP would have to 'strengthen its core' and attract the right people into their team, and the same goes for WP. 'They are so far the strongest opposition party. They have maintained a lead amongst all the opposition parties, and they need to continue with that lead,' he said. 'So to attract more credible individuals into their party would be something very important for them,' Dr Tan added. Additional reporting by Ang Hwee Min, Davina Tham and Abigail Ng
