SPP unveils two new candidates for GE
The Singapore's People Party (SPP) has unveiled its first two candidates who will be contesting in the Bishan-Toa Payoh group representation constituency (GRC) in the upcoming General Election (GE).
The party's secretary-general Chiam See Tong introduced the two new candidates during a walkabout at Bishan on Sunday morning. They are Mr Benjamin Pwee, 43, and Mr Wilfreud Leung, 36.
Pwee is a former overseas merit scholar and a Cambridge University graduate. He currently works as a managing director and principal consultant of IDO Asia. Describing Pwee as a "price catch for the opposition", Chiam lauded his decision to contest as a candidate under the opposition banner.
"Not everyone will stand up and make a decision when the time arises, but in our team we have seen Benjamin Pwee has risen to the occasion," said Chiam.
"He's brave enough to grab the opportunity to join the opposition and he not only changes his whole life but in fact he may also change the lives of Singaporeans. So we applaud Benjamin for his bravery."
For new candidate Leung, he has been involved with the party since 2004 when he first joined as a member. The 36-year-old, who is currently first assistant secretary-general, had also managed Chiam's election campaign in 2006.
Leung had previously resigned from the party's executive council due to his work commitments overseas but has now rejoined the party. When asked what made him come back, he said, "Now that election is coming, I sense that I have the responsibility to form this team for him (Chiam).
"I have been serving Mr Chiam for quite some time and I'm really glad that Benjamin, my dear friend together with some more people that we are going to announce, we finally formed this team."
Together with Chiam, the two candidates will be contesting under the SPP banner in the five-member Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC. There has been no contest in the GRC since it was formed in 1997 with Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng at the helm.
Meanwhile, a SPP spokesperson revealed that another press conference will be held next week to unveil another two candidates. They are expected to be central executive committee (CEC) member Mr Mohamad Hamim Aliyas, 48, and Mr Jimmy Lee, who is in his early 30s.
It was also said that the party might have more potential candidates and they are planning to contest in other GRCs. SPP has so far revealed plans to contest in Hong Kah North and Potong Pasir SMC, and Bishan Toa-Payoh GRC.
However, residents Yahoo! Singapore spoke to expressed mixed reactions when told of Chiam's decision to contest in the GRC.
Jason Tan, 51, who has lived in Bishan East for more than 23 years said that the opposition's chances of winning the GRC are very low because of the strong support that most residents have for DPM Wong and his team.
"Honestly, I can say that Wong Kan Seng has very good support and it is very hard for the opposition to penetrate Bishan.
"The chances of the opposition winning are very low and they need to be prepared to be knocked off. They are just wasting their time," he added.
He cited that DPM Wong has been very active in his walkabouts and visits to residents. The resident added that with DPM Wong at the helm, the area has improved tremendously with better amenities.
Polytechnic lecturer Mr Kassim Saad, 48, also questioned whether the opposition stalwart is physically fit enough to serve the residents and whether they have quality candidates to contest in the election.
"Like a soccer team, you need to be fit and your players need to be of the best calibre if they want to win," he said.
However, there are some residents who admire the SPP chief for announcing his intention to leave Potong Pasir SMC to contest in a GRC.
"For him to come out of his comfort zone, speaks a lot of him. But whether or not he can win, I really don't know," said Richard, a 60-year-old retiree.
