GE2015: NSP's Steve Chia will not contest in GE, MacPherson

Steve Chia

In a surprise twist to the saga over the contest for MacPherson SMC, National Solidarity Party member  Steve Chia has announced that he will not be standing in the upcoming elections and as a candidate in the ward.

In a post on his Facebook account, Chia said “the trolls have won”, alluding to the negative publicity surrounding him. He also attached a website link and said that it was not set up by him and that the contents were “not correctly written”.

Steve Chia's post on Facebook
Steve Chia's post on Facebook

“It is with anguish and deep sadness that my lifelong ambition to be the people's spokesman in Parliament ends today,” he said.

The announcement came just days after ex-Secretary General Hazel Poa resigned from NSP, citing differences with the party over its decision to support Chia’s request to contest in MacPherson, thus setting up a potential three-cornered fight involving the People’s Action Party, the Workers’ Party and NSP.

Chia said he hoped that WP will send a strong candidate to defeat PAP’s Tin Pei Ling in the ward.

“So WP, with a strong brand name, and a stronger candidate sent there, will have every chance to take her out," he said.