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    ‘It felt like Stefanie Sun came on stage’

    Nicole Seah, 24, is the NSP's poster girl. (Yahoo! photo/Alicia Wong)Nicole Seah, 24, is the NSP's poster girl. (Yahoo! photo/Alicia Wong)
    "It felt like (local artiste) Stefanie Sun came on the stage".

    That tweet by Twitter user Joyce Sim (@jovenaheart) pretty much summed up the current pop-star aura of National Solidarity Party (NSP) candidate Nicole Seah when she addressed the crowd at her party's rally held at Geylang East on Thursday night.

    Certainly, an estimated 5,000-strong crowd, made up slightly of more men than women, reserved their loudest cheers for this General Election's youngest candidate.

    Seah, 24, who was the second-last candidate to speak, spoke about the rising cost of living during her 15-minute speech which she peppered with smatterings of Mandarin and Malay.

    The Marine Parade GRC candidate lamented the high prices of public housing -- "public housing, indeed" -- and the Goods and Service Tax which eats into the middle class households' expenses.

    She also argued against the increase in foreigners in Singapore -- to the extent that "everytime I take the train, no need for a passport, I feel like I'm on holiday in a different country."

    Seah --  who in the space of two weeks has gained a huge following on Facebook with over 30,000 fans -- said the NSP also would focus on employment, growing wages and building a better quality of life for Singaporeans, she said. The party also "promises compassionate lower prices for first time homeowners".

    She reserved her strongest criticism for Prime Minister Lee Hsieng Loong when she asked point blank, "PM Lee, whose money are you using for upgrading? Whose money is used to pay your salary?"

    Also responding to PM Lee's comment that the GE is not "masak-masak", she said,"Of course the NSP team feels that it is not masak-masak lah, that's why the NSP never change its Tampines team at the last minute."

    As Seah rallied the crowd, her parents (right) stood by the side of the stage as her mother nodded and clapped along with the crowd.

    A total of 10 NSP candidates spoke during the three-hour rally. They tackled a variety of issues, ranging from housing, transport, quality of life, the group representation system and ministerial salaries.

    Asked Tampines GRC candidate Gilbert Goh, "Are you having a better life compared to five years ago? Is your salary right now higher than five years ago? Do you think you have a better Singapore compared to five years ago?"

    NSP candidate Gilbert Goh makes his maiden rally speech. (Yahoo! photo/Alicia Wong)NSP candidate Gilbert Goh makes his maiden rally speech. (Yahoo! photo/Alicia Wong)

    There was a sombre moment when NSP chief Goh Meng Seng paid tribute to his late brother, David Goh, who died from a heart attack on Thursday morning.

    The NSP Tampines team leader went on to lambast Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong for the high cost of living today through measures such as the electronic road pricing.

    He said, Singapore's former Prime Minister had introduced a "Swiss cost of living", rather than a Swiss standard of living. He blamed SM Goh for turning Singapore into a "company" and for focusing on GDP growth instead of the people.

    Meanwhile former MP Cheo Chai Chen criticised the government for not listening to the oppositions' ideas, while newcomer and Mountbatten SMC candidate Jeanette Chong-Aruldoss questioned PAP's candidate in Marine Parade GRC, Tin Pei Ling.

    When Tin rallied hawkers in MacPherson to pledge to keep prices steady, did she ask the National Environment Agency not to increase the rent of these hawkers, questioned Chong-Aruldoss.

    An estimated 5,000 turned up for the rally. (Yahoo! photo)An estimated 5,000 turned up for the rally. (Yahoo! photo)Some members of the crowd told Yahoo! Singapore they found the atmosphere "festive" while others felt it was "a bit quiet".

    A group of four people, who live in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, Alujnied GRC, Radin Mas SMC and Marine Parade GRC, said they would be visiting various rallies to found out more about the opposition parties.

    They said the NSP's arguments were logical and the party "brought out the frustrations of Singaporeans".

    54-year-old Eric Perera, who lives in Marine Parade GRC, said the rally was "not as fiery" as previous rallies he had been to. But his two daughters who accompanied him felt the speakers "connected" with the ground, he said.

    After attending a few more rallies, "(there will be) deep searching inside on who I'll vote for," said Perera.

    For more details on party rallies on Friday, click here.

    Follow Yahoo! News on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

    This article is published by Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd., 60 Anson Road #13-01 Mapletree Anson, Singapore, 079914.

     

    358 comments

    • david  •  1 year 1 month ago
      In all my adult live i have never heard anybody dare to question any PM. Those who came
      close were either sued or had left singapore.
      It took a Young lady of 23 years of age to ask this question which we singaporeans
      were longing to ask the PM.
      I salute Ms nicole Seah. You have brightened up our day.
      Way to go. ask more question that singaporean are wanting to ask this government but are afraid to
      Long Live Nicole . Long live singapore
      • Shigure31 1 year 1 month ago
        Unlike some other opposition party in the past, she dares to because:

        1) these are the concerns of the people
        2) these are valid concerns she's raising with EVIDENCE
        3) she's a pretty face (honestly speaking)
        4) she dares to make herself heard (good or bad, that's left for the future to decide)
        5) people view her & the team she's contesting in as the underdog at Marine Parade

        Hmmmm but overall, the questions she directed to PM Lee are rhetorical and are pretty much facts that whatever comes from the government, and who pays their salaries are from the people. The only thing she's saying to the PAP govt is "Know where your power comes from", which is the basis of governments the world around - the people.

        She is a firebrand, no doubt. But it will take more than rhetoric and a pretty face to gain my trust and respect. While those are her words, she is just part of the NSP (their spokesperson), and it would be better to focus more on the party instead of just one person.
      • ChanH 1 year 1 month ago
        a chio bu and a genuine care for Singapore future.
        what more could you ask for?
      • Jeanie 1 year 1 month ago
        her speech reflects her mental maturity & sensibility.. it would be a waste if not given a chance to serve the people..
    • KenluckyL  •  1 year 1 month ago
      Without prejudice, with such a capable person and Mr Goh should not have criticised her for being a lone ranger in her party to take on 5 PAP speakers. I think this girl alone is already a talent to take on 5 persons from PAP and she has proven herself to be a true calibre, not a blind follower like the rest of the civil service staffs in all the gvt agencies! That goes to show that she should be given not a chance, but a confirmation to be in parliament to speak up for the people! Why have 5 when 1 alone can do the job? That is efficiency and competency! And it really saves how many millions of dollars from hiring incompetent civil serpents into the parliament and not delivering the promise! I am not in the Marine Parade, but I think this time the Marine Parade residents should think carefully if they are going to let incompetent people take on the job to with exorbitant salaries and making life hell for everyone, or vote a right calibre person in with the kind of salary they are paying for to help them! Don't vote because of fear, vote for your future!
      • want to know 1 year 1 month ago
        why not have the two female candidate debate for this matter for the general public to know who is with the brain, heart and soul the rightful person to lead the constituency. This will keep the lid on personal and more toward public concern.
      • Ross 1 year 1 month ago
        Easy to criticise the govement. Harder to run the country. Lots of employee complain about their employers. Let them take over and company become a big mess. Look at all the African countries. Kick the White colonial power out and now in the dumps
      • Kenneth 1 year 1 month ago
        "Civil serpents"...I like the way u put it.
    • A Yahoo! User  •  1 year 1 month ago
      PM said that in time to come TPL will make a good MP as she learns the rope. Well, if TPL take 5 years to learn the ropes, Nicole can learn it in 1 year. Just look at the perspectives Nicole is looking at. It's not just the confident manner in which she speaks, but the content of her speeches as well. This is a rising political star, and if given the chance by her electorate, she will become a very good asset for the country. Sorry, TPL is nowhere near her class.

      So, I call on Marine Parade GRC electorate to listen to her and so what is necessary to ensure that meritocracy is practised - send the more capable and potential future leader in Nicole into parliament and not the childish TPL who cannot even carry herself with confidence. It does not matter if GCT is not re-elected. He has served his time and done his contribution to the nation, so it is also good for him to step down and enjoy his retirement years. Let the younger and capable potential leaders come up and have a chance to lead the country, regardless of them not being from the PAP.

      The rest of Singapore will be watching to see whether the people of Marine Parade GRC can carry their aspirations and vote for the greater good of the country, instead of only after the interest of their constituencies. So far, the electorate of Potong Pasir and Hougang have been doing Singaporeans proud by their brave front in continuing to send the 2 opposition MPs into parliament to represent the whole of Singapore.

      Marine Parade GRC constitutents, it is now up to you to do the needy. Surely, you do not want someone like TPL in parliament? It will become a joke if she does. Notwithstanding her childish demeanour, imagine her receiving foreigner dignatories as guests to the nation, and worst still, the things she's going to talk to them for subject conversation ! Both our future and national pride is at stake here.
      • Nobody Cares 1 year 1 month ago
        That's why pappies are only looking for 'good pupies' only in their 'Elites' grounds and they thought 'Talented' people will only SMART enough to con the people on the ground and SMART enought to venture abroad for more businesses(profits);
        Who cares if you earn tons of Money but your home people is suffering in dirt shits!!!!!
      • iConcern 1 year 1 month ago
        If TPL needs 5yrs or even more 5yrs to learn the rope as mp shd she be elected thru GRC, then why is it fair to pay the 15K salary if she is to be an OJT?
        Voters of Marine Parade, you will be short change and dun forget, GCT says she need another person to buddy her shows that she can't handle the job. She is still little kid, thats why she have to 'get' someone much older....
      • MSS 1 year 1 month ago
        Nicole can learn it in 1 year. she need only 1/2 year FYI
    • My Sincere Apologies  •  1 year 1 month ago
      Just for the sake of it (off topic but);

      Who says Mah Bow Tan should go away? FOR GOOD?

      Your thumbs up will help NSP lots :)
    • Johnson  •  1 year 1 month ago
      Too bad only people like us logging into internet to read these comments know what is actually going on in Singapore, but majority of Singaporean including many educated personnel, still rely on Newspapers and TV programmes to get informations, as we know, those medias usually favour the ruling party. So I think the best way is to deliver the discussions (those true facts) over here to those people, our friends, colleagues, relatives.... by SMS so they can also forwards to as many Singaporean as possible before 7 May. Time is running out!!

      Always wondering why they keep on making us more n more difficult to withdraw our CPF, even let the HDB prices shoot up so high so when we are old not much money we can withdraw for retirement. Is it something already @#$!* up with our CPF? Too bad we don't have someone who we trust to check out the truth for us.
      • tan 1 year 1 month ago
        It's true but feelings are real. Those who are not making an effort to find out more are probably also satisfied with the way things are, hence they feel its not worth their time to learn more about the other point of view. Fair game though, next 3-5 years will be extremely crucial for PAP, you can fudge statistics and figures but you can't tell people how to feel and think.
      • Gaga Lady 1 year 1 month ago
        Use FB and tweet to spread the words.
      • max 1 year 1 month ago
        Your words reflect the views of most Singaporeans. The crux of the matter is that we are getting poorer in real value, while the govrnment we elected keeps talking the opposite and are not connected with the ground anymore. Yet they are in denial and think Singaporeans easily led by blind obedience.
    • My Sincere Apologies  •  1 year 1 month ago
      Nicole Seah is definitely more a potential MP than Ting Pei Ling,
      She holds herself well and shows maturity.
      I will vote for her any day over Ms Ting (well she can stamp her foot if she not happy .. cry lor).

      We have a more credible and powerful Opposition Parties these days and we have the opportunity to change our political landscape.
      Many of us are probably sick and tired of PAP's relentless pursuit of their own agenda leaving ordinary Singaporeans behind suffering all these years.
      Not many or almost none of the PAP MPs voice out for the sake of ordinary Singaporeans, afraid of going against the party.

      We are being held hostage with our own money and our money are being used for all other purposes except the Singaporeans.
      We serve and pay the govt but the money goes into building a country from FOREIGNERS.

      We are a 1st World country with 2nd World citizens, outnumbered by foreigners competing in all level of jobs opportunities.

      I personally will take the chance for the next 5 years to hold PAP accountable for their actions and to make them remember that the original PAP stands for the people and not the party or the economy.

      Well done Nicole Seah, you are the darling of the Opposition!
      (Ting Pei Ling please dun stamp your feet and pout, it is not that we do not like you .. but you are just plain irritating and please go buy yourself a Kate Spade bag to cheer yourself up. We do not really want you as an MP. Thanks!)
      • juzwakeup 1 year 1 month ago
        As what I mentioned earlier, her body language sold her off.
      • juzwakeup 1 year 1 month ago
        I means the body language of TPL - childish how can she lead n help the residents? If Marine Parade PAP win, all because of GCT. That is why PAP put her there. Please vote wisely or you all will suffer another 5 years. Or you are helping them putting in huge salary into their own pocket . It won't help any of us.
      • My Sincere Apologies 1 year 1 month ago
        She does have the charisma to hold my most basic respect.
        And too bad I am not in Marine Parade GRC, I will sacrifice GCT just to not have TPL in Parliament.
    • 丰光  •  1 year 1 month ago
      the fact of the matter is that, if the PAP gets elected to parliament to represent Marine Parade GRC, non of them will speak up for the people against party policies which are not FOR the people.
      On the other hand, if NSP is elected to represent MP GRC, even if Nicole is the only outspoken one in the NSP team (which the truth is, it is not as i found out at the NSP rally last night at Geylang East), we will at least have ONE voice in parliament speaking out against these policies in the interest of the electorate of MP GRC!!!!!
      Vote NSP!!!!!
    • JL  •  1 year 1 month ago
      Quod Erat Demonstrandum - "I rest my case"

      Like I said before she speaks better than that Tin Pei Lin, and not only that, has feelings and a heart for the people.
    • alo alo  •  1 year 1 month ago
      she is a chili padi. nicole, i dont know you, and you dont know me. i am 30,000 miles away from singapore, but i am a born singaporean. i support you and your team and the other opposition teams. when you win, be humble. look down. dont look up to the sky. nothing in the sky. look down to us and assist those folks. i will not even address you as Ms. Seah. i will not give you my respect until you earn it from me and the rest. i trust you will earn it. keep your spirit strong.
    • gustave154  •  1 year 1 month ago
      her speech was really good! hope to see her more in upcoming rallies!!
      go NSP!!!
    • a citizen of this planet ...  •  1 year 1 month ago
      Miss Nicole Seah so young but bold, patriotic and good intelligent speaker/leader. She has dedicated her life to serve this nation. She wins my admiration together with most Singaporeans and i am sure she brings great pride and joy to her parents. I hope many younger Singaporeans will take her example and serve the nation to keep Singapore a great place to live and feel secured
    • KS  •  1 year 1 month ago
      Time for Sporeans to wake up and fight for our future. No more being ignorant and leave everything to the current party. PAP is no longer the same PAP. I do not see the new PAP members (not all) working for the benefits of the citizens. We need a governement (not a party) who can lead us thru tough times and takes good care of the citizens.
    • Ka yew Lee  •  1 year 1 month ago
      This young girl is SO MUCH BETTER than TPL. At least she really understand the citizen and not like someone (TPL) who claimed that she is POOR but parent running a coffeeshop! Ha Ha Ha!!!
    • Dio  •  1 year 1 month ago
      She reserved her strongest criticism for Prime Minister Lee Hsieng Loong when she asked point blank ,"PM Lee, whose money are you using for upgrading? Whose money is used to pay your salary?"

      Well said Nicole, I like......lol
    • Chris  •  1 year 1 month ago
      Nicole Seah, i will vote for ur party even though u are not contesting my ward!
      U are really young, but very bold and dare to raise such questions to the PM!

      I salute u!

      I juz watched the political broadcast on chn 5 which Tony Tan presents the speech..

      it is fantastic and he talked with so much passion!

      NSP, you have my vote!
    • sporean  •  1 year 1 month ago
      every sporean pay tax , to be fair , the upgrading fees should divided equally according to the population of every estate & let the mp of each town to run the show , i do not think potong pasir or hougang will be as bad as other estate , they may be better , so whoever state that if u vote for me your estate will not be like potong pair & hougang is not in his mind , if he has the same fund as PP & HG , i think he will manage worse than him , so pls no not use upgrading as an excuse , why not plan with constructive ideas to win your vote instead , e.g better benefit of education / medical etc. , i hope this will help them in their next GE. FYI , i do not stay at PP or HG.
    • Angie  •  1 year 1 month ago
      Nicole, be the way you are and you will be doing fine (like tonight).

      Go for simplicity and go to the point.
    • Badly Squeezed  •  1 year 1 month ago
      Let's get her in, SM Goh has served his purposed and done the damage. It's time that the feudal lord goes and some one else come in as true Civil Servants. I have voted for SDP into Potong Pasir in the first Chiam's election, Marine Parade, do your job.
    • Criticise  •  1 year 1 month ago
      SM Goh may have contributed alot to Singapore, but that's passe. We look forward and at present we need to ask ourselves whether is this the state of Singapore we want to continue in the future? NSP has stepped up the plate at Marine Parade GRC, and this team is courageous and worthy opponents to the MIWs. Ms Seah is at least most deserving to be MP than TPL. Enough said!
    • Peter Black  •  1 year 1 month ago
      Nicole is a mature girl and I know her that she will abide by her character. From the way she speak at the rally. Well done and you have brought Proud and Glory to your party and your parent too. Keep on going and support you and your party all the way..

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