Latest news with #HarishMohanadas
AsiaOne
19-05-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
'We do it because we care': RDU to continue engaging Singaporeans despite no GE2025 mandate, Singapore News
The opposition Red Dot United (RDU) said they are keeping their promise to continue serving Singaporeans despite failing to secure any seats at the recent general election. In a Facebook post on Sunday (May 18), RDU shared that the party is dedicated to continue with its community outreach, as member Harish Mohanadas spent Saturday morning at Block 287 Bukit Batok East listening to some of the residents' concerns. A resident had recognised Mohanadas and questioned his reasons for continuing the outreach. "In Singapore, people have grown used to politicians disappearing after Polling Day. The assumption is: if you didn't win, you won't bother," RDU said. "But we made a promise. And even without the mandate, we intend to keep it," they added, saying that the work does not stop despite their recent setback. Mohanadas was part of a five-member team from RDU that contested in Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC. The team's other four members were Osman Sulaiman, Liyana Dhamirah, Ben Puah and Marcus Neo. They lost to the incumbent People's Action Party (PAP) team led by Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, which received 76.66 per cent of the votes on May 3. 'We do it because we care' The party then reiterated their position on wanting to provide representation for Singaporeans, despite the difficulties of doing so without a mandate. "We do it because we care. Because someone has to show up," said RDU, adding that they are continuing their groundwork out of passion despite being busy with "raising children, caring for elderly parents, or just trying to stay afloat like everyone else". From their walkabout, Mohanadas said he was able to gather feedback from the residents of Block 287, which included concerns regarding unaddressed dengue breeding sites and the lack of a sheltered route to the nearby market. RDU concluded their post by recognising residents and supporters who motivate them to keep going, promising that they will not be "inactive post-GE" and that their work "won't end just because (they) didn't win". "We're on the ground, doing what we can, with what we have, because this is what genuine representation looks like," RDU said. RDU contested 3 GRCs and 1 SMC The party fielded 15 candidates across three GRCs and one SMCs but failed to win any seats in the 2025 General Election. The party contested in Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC, Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, Nee Soon GRC and Jurong Central SMC. It garnered 3.96 per cent of the national vote share, with their Nee Soon GRC team performing the best with 26.19 per cent of votes. While they did not manage to secure any seats in Parliament, secretary-general Ravi Philemon found the results encouraging. "What is most heartening for us is that the people have spoken, with their votes, that there is a place for politics like RDU's in Singapore," said Philemon in a Facebook post on May 4, promising that the party will be back at the next general election in 2030. [[nid:717403]]
Business Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Times
GE2025: Bread-and-butter issues take centre stage in RDU's first election rally
[SINGAPORE] – Red Dot United (RDU) candidates zeroed in on bread-and-butter issues, such as public housing affordability and the cost of living, in their first election rally on April 26. Examples raised by the 15 candidates at Bukit View Secondary School in Bukit Batok include how some Singaporeans are relying on government vouchers to help pay for daily essentials, rising housing prices that have forced some to move to Malaysia, and MRT breakdowns. Some candidates portrayed the PAP ruling party as being out of touch with the issues Singaporeans are facing. Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC candidate Harish Mohanadas said he met residents during his walkabouts who 'felt a losing sense of control over their lives and livelihoods'. Some are concerned about the price of Housing Board flats and whether their children can afford to buy homes in the future, he said, adding: 'This concern is very, very common. I believe that Singaporeans deserve better.' RDU secretary-general Ravi Philemon, who is contesting Nee Soon GRC, said his party has presented Singaporeans a slate of candidates that includes PhD holders, captains of industries, entrepreneurs and people from all walks of life. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up In contrast, the PAP's candidates are 'linked to the establishment, cut from the same cloth, live in ivory towers and align more with the billionaire class', said Mr Philemon. 'Do you think they will make life better for you?' RDU is contesting four constituencies this election: Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC, Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, Nee Soon GRC and Jurong Central SMC. Some candidates spoke about their personal setbacks and how they still see Singaporeans suffering from the same predicaments now. Jurong East-Bukit Batok candidate Liyana Dhamirah, who shared her story of experiencing homelessness, said that it 'breaks my heart' that what she experienced 15 years ago is still happening today. She said she met a resident who cancelled a medical appointment to use the money to buy groceries. 'Imagine that in a country as wealthy as ours, people are still having to choose between food and medicine,' she said. 'We hear about government voucher support schemes, but how dignified is it to have to depend on handouts just to survive?' Jurong Central candidate Kala Manickam said opposition parties are needed in Parliament so that they can speak up for regular Singaporeans. Saying that opposition parties are like 'insurance for the country', Madam Kala said: 'We need a backup in times of crisis… You hope you don't need it. 'But when problems happen – bad policies, mistakes – there's someone there to speak up for you in Parliament.' Several RDU candidates outlined proposals in the party's manifesto that would reshape the social compact here, where Singaporeans would be treated as 'first-class'. Mr Sharad Kumar, the party's youngest candidate and contesting Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, questioned why singles have to wait till 35 years old to buy a Build-To-Order flat. 'Young people shouldn't have to wait for permission to start their lives. They need support and options. They need hope,' said the 25-year-old. As an alternative, he pointed to his party's proposed rent-to-own scheme, which allows either lower-income earners or young, single Singaporeans to lease first, with the rent going towards owning the flat. Said Mr Sharad: 'Singapore must be a place, if you work hard, you can stand tall, where no one is made to feel small.' Jurong East-Bukit Batok candidate Osman Sulaiman said his party takes town council management very seriously and asked residents to vote RDU into Parliament. 'If Hougang residents are called warriors for voting the opposition party, then on May 3, 2025, Jurong East-Bukit Batok voters will be the Paladins of the West,' he said. THE STRAITS TIMES
