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CNA
29-04-2025
- Politics
- CNA
GE2025: A multi-party system will help Singapore more than a 2-party one, says NSP at e-rally
SINGAPORE: A multi-party parliament with more than "two dominant voices" will serve Singaporeans better, said National Solidarity Party (NSP) president Reno Fong at an online rally on Tuesday (Apr 29). "In a multi-party system, parties need to negotiate, compromise and collaborate, because no party can rule unchecked," said Mr Fong, who will be contesting in a four-cornered fight at Tampines GRC. "Imagine a parliament where one party pushes for target subsidies for struggling families, another champions for fair wages and protection for workers, the third fights for truly affordable BTO flats for young couples," he added. "That's what more voices mean: more ideas, more accountability and more solutions." He also asked viewers whether they want a parliament with "just two dominant voices shouting across the aisle" or one that "represents the full spectrum of Singaporeans". "So let us not be contented with just the whites and blues in parliament arguing with each other like children in a playground, fighting who has the bragging rights to the hard work of our civil service," he said, referring to the party colours of the People's Action Party (PAP) and the Workers' Party (WP) respectively. "NSP MPs will be the one to whip the sailors in white and blue to do their work properly and plug all the leaking holes that leak oil and the one to steer firm and steady so that our direction stays true." Other than Tampines, NSP will also be contesting another five-member GRC this election - Sembawang. Both will be multi-cornered fights. Tampines is contested by three other parties - the PAP, WP and the People's Power Party (PPP). Sembawang is a three-cornered fight that includes the PAP and the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP). NSP's Tampines lineup features its president Reno Fong, Mr Eugene Yeo, Mr Mohd Ridzwan Mohammad, Mr Zee Phay and Mr Thamilselvan Karuppaya. Its Sembawang team consists party secretary-general Spencer Ng, Mr Lee Wei, Mr Raiyian Chia, Ms Verina Ong and Mr Yadzeth Hairis. Mr Ng, the party's secretary-general, said that if elected, NSP MPs will be full-time, and will "scrutinise every line item that the PAP wants to spend on, question the robustness of the policies and projects, and how much and how far future proof they are". He gave examples of what he perceived to be exorbitant spending on developing the ERP 2.0 system and the Youth Olympic Games in 2010, as examples of "failed handling of policies". He added that he has assembled a "very capable team of people" who can manage the Sembawang estate if elected. "We have people who are in tune with children's education, young couples' concerns, to working adults and our sandwich class and to the concerns of our retirement years," he said. Mr Fong acknowledged that a four-cornered fight at Tampines was not ideal. "Some say we may lose our deposit, we say we are not here to place bets. We are here to serve," he said, adding that NSP has been in Tampines for a long time. "Some say WP will attract more attention, but attention alone doesn't solve problems. Deep roots, long commitment and real engagement does." PROPOSALS BY CANDIDATES Speaking at the rally, several candidates offered policy suggestions they would champion if elected. Tampines candidate Mr Yeo touched on employment concerns faced by the sandwiched generation. He suggested that support for elderly workers such as the Senior Employment Credit (SEC) could be applied to displaced workers as well. The SEC is a government initiative that provides wage offsets to employers who hire or retain Singaporean workers aged 60 and above, under certain conditions. "We believe that this move will increase the rehirement probability of this sandwiched class and it can support job sustainability,' said Mr Yeo. Fellow Tampines candidate Mr Phay touched on his concerns of Singaporeans having poor financial knowledge, and suggested that financial literacy be introduced as an elective module in upper secondary school. "I want our kids to grow up understanding how insurance works, how CPF can be used and optimised, and the effects of inflation," he said. He also raised concerns of social media having an ill-effect on the lives of youths, and suggested that social media accounts for those under 16 be linked to a guardian's phone number. Sembawang candidate Ms Ong said she believes in spaces that bring people together, such as weekend markets, pop-up food streets and community bazaars that can also support local hawkers, home businesses and young entrepreneurs. 'I want to help shape a Sembawang that shines even brighter, a place that still feels like home, but grows into a town where our children will be proud to call their own,' she said.
Online Citizen
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Online Citizen
GE2025: NSP President Reno Fong pledges real solutions, not empty slogans
SINGAPORE: The National Solidarity Party (NSP) president, Reno Fong, declared that the party would not offer 'empty slogans' but real, tangible solutions for Singaporeans during the first political broadcast for the General Election 2025 on Friday (25 Apr). He outlined the party's vision for a more equitable society, calling for a 'transparent government with live parliamentary debates', climate action that extends beyond 'photo-op tree planting' events, and a political system 'where every vote counts equally'. 'For too long, we've been told: 'This is as good as it gets,'' said Fong, who addressed rising public frustration over persistent challenges. He noted that families are 'working harder than ever, yet struggling with rising costs', youths are 'burdened by an education system that sorts them at an early age', and seniors continue to worry whether their Central Provident Fund (CPF) savings will sustain them in retirement. 'This is not the Singapore we dreamed of,' he said, adding emphatically: 'Enough. Enough to policies that prioritise profits over the people.' 'Today we declare your future our priority and here is how we fight for it,' Fong pledged. On the economic front, he asserted: 'We will build an economy that works for you – not just for the privileged few.' Among NSP's key proposals are the implementation of a real minimum living wage, reforms to the CPF system, and 'SME-first policies' aimed at revitalising neighbourhood businesses. These were outlined in the party's 14-page manifesto, released earlier on Wednesday (23 April) and titled Your Future, Our Priority. The manifesto includes over 50 policy recommendations, such as removing the goods and services tax (GST) on essential items, fixing election dates, and introducing mandatory National Service for newly naturalised male citizens. Looking ahead, Fong said the party seeks to 'give our youth the stage they deserve'. The NSP proposes scrapping academic streaming systems that 'label children's failures at 12', ensuring free access to preschool education, and establishing a national platform called 'Youth Assembly SG' that will empower young people to shape legislation. Among other key proposals, the NSP will push for Build-to-Order (BTO) flat prices to be pegged to actual construction and land costs. The party is also advocating for a universal S$10 cap on general practitioner consultations at community clinics and the creation of 'mental health hubs' in every HDB town. 'We will protect what matters most – your home, your health,' Fong said, stressing the importance of social welfare and community support. In closing, he reminded Singaporeans that the national narrative is still evolving. 'The Singapore story isn't written yet,' he said. 'The next chapter belongs to you.' 'This is our pledge: We will fight for you, fight for your future as fiercely as we'd fight for our own children's. Because your struggles are our struggles. Your dreams are Singapore's dreams,' he declared. 'Together, let's build a nation where no one is left behind, where 'Your Future, Our Priority' isn't just a slogan – it's our promise.' The NSP was allocated the least amount of time for the public political broadcast (PPBs), as it is contesting a total of ten parliamentary seats. Eligibility for the PPBs is limited to political parties that field at least six candidates under a recognised party symbol. Fong is set to lead a five-member team into a four-way battle for Tampines GRC, while party secretary-general Spencer Ng will helm another five-man team contesting Sembawang GRC in a three-cornered fight.
CNA
25-04-2025
- Business
- CNA
GE2025: National Solidarity Party - Party Political Broadcast, Apr 25
The National Solidarity Party is offering 'real solutions' to problems, not just empty slogans, said NSP President Reno Fong. In a party political broadcast for GE2025 on Friday (Apr 25), he said NSP wants to build an economy that works for all, not just 'the privileged few'. His proposals include a minimum living wage, CPF reforms so that no senior outlives their savings and SME-first policies to grow neighbourhood businesses. Mr Fong also called for improvements in housing and healthcare affordability. NSP's plans include pricing BTO flats at cost, S$10 GP visits for all citizens and mental health hubs in every HDB town. The party also seeks greater empowerment of young people, through free preschool education so that every child 'starts life equal', abolishing streaming and creating a 'youth assembly' where young people's ideas can become law.
AsiaOne
25-04-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
GE2025: PSP, RDU, SDP, PPP, PAR, NSP promise to push for policy changes if elected to Parliament in first political broadcast, Singapore News
Singapore's opposition parties addressed the nation in the first party political broadcasts for General Election 2025 on Friday (April 25), promising to prioritise Singaporeans' lives and press for policy changes if elected. The National Solidarity Party (NSP) kickstarted the night in a speech that promised policy changes, including CPF reforms, free pre-school education and "cost-price" BTO flats. "Enough to policies that prioritise profits over people. Enough to 'wait and see' while other countries surge ahead," said NSP president Reno Fong. Fong continued that it is "unrealistic" to expect different results from current policies and pledged that the party would "fight" for citizens and their future. The Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) candidate Alfred Tan pointed to rising costs of living, job insecurity, housing affordability and healthcare cost worries of Singaporeans in his speech. "The SDP MPs will hold the government accountable, push to lower costs so that you and your family can thrive, not just survive," he declared. "We want a more compassionate Singapore where the government takes care of you, not exploits you. The SDP will see to that." Similarly, the People's Alliance for Reform (PAR) leader Lim Tean highlighted issues relating to the cost of living, job insecurity, housing affordability as well as immigration. He highlighted that if elected, the alliance will push for the policy changes outlined in its manifesto such as Goods & Services Tax exemptions and job priorities for locals. Progress Singapore Party founder Tan Cheng Bock said in his broadcast that the party has proposed over 60 policies in its manifesto, and will "actively bring up" citizens' concerns in Parliament, if voted in. "If we are elected to Parliament, we will speak up fearlessly. We will push the Government to adopt some of our policy proposals, because we believe our proposals will make your life better," he said. Red Dot United's (RDU) secretary-general Ravi Philemon said all Singaporeans should be "first-class citizens". The party outlined its proposed schemes targeting economic, housing and healthcare issues. It also promised to prioritise citizens in housing, jobs and opportunities, and to push for more transparency of national data and information. The People's Power Party's (PPP) candidate Vere Nathan said Singaporeans must elect leaders that are transparent, accountable and competent. The 26-year-old operations executive at a landscaping company also added that voters must choose leaders who are "ready and able to bring fresh and radical solutions to the table". For our GE2025 microsite, visit here
