NSP candidate Nicole Seah breaks down during rally

On the final day of the hustings, she just couldn't hold it in anymore.

National Solidarity Party candidate Nicole Seah broke down during a rally at the Chinese Gardens on Thursday night, after recalling a meeting she had with a poor family in MacPherson earlier in the day.

The 24-year-old, who is contesting the Marine Parade GRC, said the resident told her how she could not get help to fund her son's $80 tuition fees. Worse, when she sought help from a Member of Parliament, she was chided for the small amount.

Pausing to compose herself, Seah told the estimated 10,000-strong crowd, "This is the kind of problem we have. We need a government who has a heart for Singaporeans."

It was the second time in a day that the advertising executive broke down. While speaking to the same resident earlier, she had also cried after listening to the mother's desperate situation.

An emotionally-charged Seah then told the audience at the rally that it was time for change.

She said, "They (the PAP) do not have the mandate of the of heaven but with the consent of the people... We must move towards the next phase of nation building to build a future that comes in more colours than white."

After the rally, which was the final chance for NSP candidates to address voters, members in the crowd told Yahoo! Singapore that Seah had left a deep impression on them.

Ting Lee Yiaw, 48, banker, a Jurong GRC resident, said, "What she said resonated with me. She's very down-to-earth and very real. I can see that she is truly compassionate and really stands for the NSP."

Nelson Tong, 36, civil servant, also a Jurong resident, said, "It is very encouraging to see someone like her. I can really see that she is feeling it like a true Singaporean. We feel it together with her and that's what being Singaporean is all about."

Brandon Chen, 26, another student, said "We need an MP like her to give the alternative voice. It doesn't matter as long as people feel that she is real."

A total of 12 other NSP candidates spoke during the rally.

They will be contesting the Marine Parade, Jurong, Chua Chu Kang and Tampines GRCs as well as the Radin Mas, Pioneer and Mountbatten SMCs.

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