We have put the PAP on the defensive: SDP’s James Gomez

The Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP's) proposed policies for helping Singaporeans cope with rising costs have put the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) on a "defensive" position, said Dr James Gomez, the opposition party's candidate for the Sembawang group representation constituency (GRC).

Speaking at a lunch-time rally crowd in Boat Quay next to UOB Plaza, Gomez, 46, said that the SDP has presented alternative economic and health plans, but that "(PM) Lee Hsien Loong and company have not put up policy proposals".

The SDP has unveiled a shadow health plan which aims to help Singaporeans cope with rising medical costs. One of the party's recommendations is to revamp the funding model for the healthcare system.

It also proposed the People's Plan and Re-generation Plan which seek to rejuvenate Sembawang GRC through the creation of a Woodlands regional centre and a mini tourism hub

Calling it a "watershed" election, Gomez added that there could also be a "vote-swing" due to the people's frustrations at the PAP's policies.

"This election is a watershed, there is no doubt about it. There is going to be a vote swing against the PAP. This expected swing against the PAP is a result of our accumulated frustration with the PAP policies over the last so many years," said Gomez.

He also said that the PAP team has no policy alternatives to help Singaporeans overcome rising costs and the influx of foreign workers which has led to depressed wages.

Gomez also took a swipe at the ruling party, saying that it has a "poor track record" at keeping promises. He was referring to PAP's claim that they will not be raising the goods and services tax or GST in the next 5 years.

"They have only made future promises. They promised you no increase in GST in 5 years; they have promised you a review of HDB prices downwards in the months ahead. Don't believe them their track record is poor in keeping promises," he said.

The party also took a jab at PM Lee's apology which was made at a lunch-time rally on Tuesday. Gomez said that the ruling party has "no confidence" and thus had to resort to apologies and emotional appeals.

"They have scraped the bottom of the barrel in public relations. The apology is the last bullet. PM Lee, I ask you and you colleagues, do the honourable thing, bite the bullet now," said Gomez.

Former army colonel and candidate for the four-member Holland-Bukit Timah GRC Dr Ang Yong Guan, 56, said that the apology came "too little too late", bringing a smile to the audience's faces by referring to the song "Apologise" by One Republic.

Meanwhile, the party also reiterated its proposals laid out in the previous rallies. Among others, they called for a minimum wage, reducing reliance on the country's manufacturing sector and and abolishing GST for basic essential goods.

Contesting under the SDP ticket, candidate Michelle Lee Juen, 35, also touched on issues such as education and alternative plans to increase the country's low fertility rate.

While she acknowledged that the PAP is "right" by implementing policies such as the baby bonus and childcare subsidies, she said it failed to solve the root of the problem, which is the cost of bringing up a family.

To address this issue, the SDP, she said advocates cash grants, waiver of school fees up to university levels and free medical benefits for mothers' and children. "It is time to prioritise our families, not GDP growth," she said, adding that the proposals aim to put the families back at the centre of policy making.

"Our aim is to make lives better for ordinary Singaporeans. Our lives are more that just about running an infinite treadmill, working every harder to make more just to maintain the status quo."

The last speaker for the day and "star" candidate, Dr Vincent Wijeysingha, 41, cited the example of philanthropist Lee Kong Chian who recognised the need to contribute back to society through the donation of his wealth.

Saying that the contributions made by the Lee Foundation -- which was founded in 1952 -- as "incalculable", he added that it has played a key role in providing funding for the arts and scholarships for needy students.

"His way, not only being the way of wealth creation is also the way of community, the way of investing in our future, the way in assisting human beings to develop and reap their full potential," he said.

"You the people of Singapore have the powerful opportunity to carry that tradition of Mr Lee into the future. Let us a send a strong and creative check and balance into Parliament and let us then move confidently into the future with no one left behind."

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