SINGAPORE – The stage is set for multi-cornered fights in Ang Mo Kio and Tampines GRCs in the upcoming election, after the People’s Power Party (PPP) announced on April 22 that it will contest both constituencies.
PPP had earlier indicated that it was preparing to contest Tampines Changkat SMC, Nee Soon GRC and Jalan Kayu SMC.
It later backed out of running in Nee Soon GRC to give way to Red Dot United (RDU). It will also not contest Tampines Changkat SMC or Jalan Kayu SMC.
PPP secretary-general Goh Meng Seng, 55, will lead the Tampines team, which comprises operations executive Vere Nathan, 26, green technology firm founder Peter Soh, 65, entrepreneur Arbaah Haroun, 50, and party chairman Derrick Sim, 44, who is a financial planner.
For Ang Mo Kio, its candidates are former civil servant Martinn Ho, 64, safety coordinator Thaddeus Thomas, 43, horticulturist Heng Zheng Dao, 24, and IT engineerSamuel Lee, 33. The team will be led by party treasurer and limousine service provider William Lim, 47.
Mr Goh said in a press conference at the Jayleen 1918 hotel on April 22: “There are a lot of contestants in different places with conflicted interests.”
On the party’s decision to pull out of the contests in Tampines Changkat and Jalan Kayu, he said: “As a party, we also want to give respect to the bigger parties... We have decided that we will actually have to disappoint our candidates, as well as our supporters.”
The move sets up a likely fight in Jalan Kayu between labour chief Ng Chee Meng from the PAP and a candidate from the Workers’ Party, after the People’s Alliance for Reform and RDU backed out of the single-member constituency.
Tampines will be the most hotly contested GRC in this election, with four parties currently staking their claims.
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Other than the incumbent PAP – the team is helmed byMinister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli – the WP and the National Solidarity Party (NSP) are also expected to contest Tampines GRC.
In Ang Mo Kio, PPP will be going up against the PAP team led by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and the Singapore United Party (SUP).
Mr Goh apologised to the NSP and SUP for “this conflict”, with the team also bowing at the press conference.
When asked why PPP has chosen to contest Ang Mo Kio and Tampines GRCs, he said: “Our personalities are very important, especially as a leader. So we have walked around everywhere, and we found that in terms of recognition... I’m the strongest because I stay there almost for all my life.”
In its manifesto issued on April 4, the party’s key policy suggestions included monthly payouts of $300 for each child from families that earn a household income at or below the 70th percentile of the population until the child finishes secondary school.
It also suggested that employees’ contribution to the Central Provident Fund be reduced to 5 per cent from the current 20 per cent, and that essential groceries and healthcare services be exempt from the goods and services tax.
Members of the two PPP teams also spoke at the press conference – except for Mr Soh, who was not present – highlighting issues such as job insecurity for young Singaporeans, the cost of living, the environment, and foreign labour.
The mood was relaxed and, at times, emotional as members – including Mr Goh – became teary as they spoke about their reasons for wanting to contest this time. Mr Lee even broke out in song as he called for the election to “make Singapore home again”.
PPP’s chairman, Mr Sim, who told the media that he is a former police officer, wants to help shape policies if elected. He said: “I’m here with a mission to change and push certain laws in Parliament. I’m not here for fame.”
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