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Straits Times
28-04-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
GE2025: SDP calls for nationalising mental health care, universal healthcare at Woodlands rally
SDP's deputy head of policy James Gomez put forth the party's proposals at the rally at Woodlands Stadium on April 28. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG SINGAPORE – The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) is calling for mental health to be a critical component of the national healthcare system, in a bid to stem a 'deepening mental health crisis' in Singapore. Its deputy head of policy James Gomez put forth the opposition party's proposals at the SDP rally for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC at Woodlands Stadium on April 28. These include formal mental health leave, increasing financial support for caregivers, expanding green spaces, a nationwide mental health education campaign to encourage people to seek help early, and building community wellness centres. '(The) bulk of mental health services are mostly in the private sector, and are unaffordable for ordinary Singaporeans,' Dr Gomez said, pointing out that 22 ( out of Singapore's 26) polyclinics offer mental health services, while there are more than 100 private clinics addressing mental health. As a result, he said many Singaporeans have 'no option but to seek costly private options they simply cannot afford, or avoid mental health care altogether'. The SDP candidate for Sembawang GRC pointed out five root causes of mental health issues in Singapore – 'uncontrolled' immigration, fierce competition for jobs due to foreign labour, rising cost of living, cyber bullying, and the burden of caregiving placed on working adults. He added that SDP's policy proposals in these areas lay the groundwork for addressing the root causes of mental health issues. Also on the healthcare front, SDP chairman Paul Tambyah reiterated his call for universal healthcare, which the party detailed in its manifesto. SDP has proposed a 'single-payer system', leading Health Minister Ong Ye Kung to call on the party to clarify its policy. Mr Ong said on April 26 that such a system would either mean relying on government subsidies and abolishing national health insurance scheme MediShield Life, or relying purely on national health insurance and doing away with subsidies. Singapore's current framework for healthcare payments uses a combination of subsidies, MediShield Life, MediSave – a mandatory medical savings scheme – and MediFund, a financial assistance scheme. At the rally – the party's fifth in six days of hustings – Professor Tambyah said that subsidies would not be needed in a single-payer system, which would mean 'huge savings'. Based on the party's proposal, every citizen would have a national health insurance card and pay a fixed premium out of their Central Provident Fund savings, said Prof Tambyah, adding that programmes like the Community Health Assist Scheme and Pioneer Generation and Merderka Generation schemes would be merged to 'cut wasteful duplication'. Other speakers called on voters to cast their ballots for the SDP as a check on the ruling PAP. Referencing the scuppered Income-Allianz deal, which came under public scrutiny after questions were raised about Income Insurance's ability to continue its social mission after the sale to the German insurer, another SDP candidate for Sembawang GRC, Ms Surayah Akbar, said there was no transparency and consultation with stakeholders. 'Unchecked power is reckless. The PAP's idea of accountability is, 'don't worry, we supervise ourselves'. It's no different to students marking their own exams and rewarding themselves with F1 and Taylor Swift concert tickets,' said Ms Surayah. Multiple SDP candidates also sought to assure voters that estate and infrastructure upgrading works would not be affected should the opposition be voted in. Sembawang GRC candidate Damanhuri Abas referenced the manifestos and town plans that have been rolled out in various GRCs. He said: '(The PAP) gives you five-year town plans that are actually routine works of the URA (Urban Redevelopment Authority) and HDB – non-partisan government agencies – timed perfectly for the election.' Inequality also emerged as a theme of the night, with multiple candidates making references to the 'privileged elite'. Party secretary-general Chee Soon Juan, who is contesting Sembawang West SMC, listed more than 10 foreigners who had purchased multimillion-dollar properties such as good class bungalows (GCBs) here, as well as PAP ministers who live in or who have sold their GCBs. SDP secretary-general Chee Soon Juan speaking at Woodlands Stadium during the party rally on April 28. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG 'When billionaires come in by the hundreds and snap up expensive properties in Singapore, they raise land prices. And when land prices go up, they drive up property prices and the cost of living for us,' he said. He added that while generational wealth can be accrued through the transfer of freehold properties, Housing Board flats must be returned to the HDB at the end of their 99-year lease. 'As the PAP keeps stoking the spectre of race and religion that will split our society, it is the widening inequality between the rich and the rest of us that will tear our society apart,' he said. 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Independent Singapore
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Independent Singapore
James Gomez: The academic, activist, and opposition voice contesting Sembawang GRC in GE2025
SINGAPORE: As Singapore gears up for the General Election 2025, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) is fielding seasoned academic and civil society veteran Dr James Gomez in the Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC). With more than two decades of experience in human rights research, regional advocacy, and democratic reform, Dr Gomez's campaign is rooted in one unwavering message: Singapore needs a more credible opposition. Early life and education Born on Jan 10, 1965, in Singapore, James Gomez's educational journey began at Serangoon Secondary School and Nanyang Junior College. He later pursued a Bachelor of Science in Political Science at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and furthered his academic pursuit with a Master of Arts in Politics and Human Rights from the University of Essex, UK. He holds a PhD in Political Science from Monash University, Australia, making him one of the more academically credentialed candidates in this election. Academic and professional career Dr Gomez currently serves as the Regional Director of Asia Centre, a civil society think tank with special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Based in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, Asia Centre operates at the intersection of policy research, governance, and civic engagement across Southeast Asia. Gomez's work focuses specifically on how emerging technologies—from social media to surveillance—are reshaping political participation, civil liberties, and governance. He has led multiple research initiatives evaluating the effectiveness of national and regional human rights mechanisms, such as: National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs): Assessing their independence and ability to hold governments accountable. Universal Periodic Review (UPR): Tracking whether ASEAN states implement recommendations from the UN Human Rights Council. ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR): Critiquing its lack of enforcement and calling for meaningful reform. As part of this work, Gomez collaborates with academic institutions, intergovernmental bodies, and civil society groups, helping shape policy discourse on democracy and human rights in the digital age. Civil society leadership In 2010, Gomez co-founded Singaporeans for Democracy (SfD)—a non-partisan civil society organization aimed at pushing for political reform and greater democratic space within Singapore. SfD organized high-impact events like the Freedom Film Festival and advocated for reforms, including: Election transparency Freedom of expression and assembly Abolishing the race column in NRICs Despite its contributions, SfD was classified as a political association under Singapore's regulatory framework and eventually dissolved in 2012, citing restrictions that stifled its advocacy efforts. This dissolution was itself a form of protest meant to draw attention to the legal constraints placed on political discourse in Singapore. Political journey: From Aljunied to Sembawang Dr Gomez's political career began with the Workers' Party (WP) in the 2001 General Election, where he attempted to contest Aljunied GRC but was disqualified due to paperwork issues. He contested Aljunied again under WP in 2006 but was unsuccessful. In 2010, Gomez joined the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP). He contested Sembawang GRC in 2011 and Holland-Bukit Timah GRC in 2020. Although not elected, Gomez remained a consistent voice for democratic accountability and civil liberties. Now, in GE2025, Gomez returns to Sembawang GRC with the SDP, backed by a team that includes Bryan Lim, Surayah Akbar, Damanhuri Abas, and Alfred Tan. The GRC will see a three-cornered fight between the PAP, SDP, and NSP. Message to voters: Time for a credible opposition Dr Gomez's message to the people of Sembawang — and Singapore at large — is clear: 'We need a more credible opposition in Parliament, not just for the sake of checks and balances but to ensure real policies serve people, not just party interests.' He speaks passionately about the rising cost of living, shrinking space for public discourse, and the urgent need for political reform. His candidacy offers Singaporeans the rare combination of academic rigor, regional policy expertise, and grassroots activism. Why Gomez matters In a political landscape often criticized for a lack of diversity in thought, James Gomez brings a deep understanding of governance, a critical eye for civil liberties, and a proven track record of standing up for democratic values. For voters in Sembawang looking beyond token opposition and seeking a candidate who understands both policy and people, Dr James Gomez may very well be that credible alternative Singapore's Parliament needs. Follow The Independent for more in-depth election coverage, candidate profiles, and ground reports as GE2025 unfolds.
