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GE 2015: SingFirst hits out at PAP leadership, labels it ‘cronyism’

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SingFirst secretary-general Tan Jee Say likened the current PAP leadership to cronyism and believed most Singaporeans do not trust the ruling party (Photo: Hadi Lee)

By Hadi Lee

The opposition Singaporeans First’s (SingFirst) opening rally Thursday (3 September) saw its candidates for Jurong and Tanjong Pagar Group Representative Constituencies (GRC) strongly criticising the PAP on multiple fronts.

Speaking to a modest (stadium was half-full) turnout at Jurong Stadium, SingFirst secretary-general Tan Jee Say likened the current PAP leadership to cronyism.

“Certain classes of people are favoured over ordinary businessmen and citizens, who cannot therefore be in the front and centre of whatever the government does, he said. They practice what is the exact opposite of the principles of meritocracy,” Tan claimed.

He added that in 2014, only 26 per cent of Singaporeans trusted government leaders to tell the truth. Tan based his claims off a study done by Edelman Trust Barometer.

Responding to Minister Chan Chun Sing’s assertion that SingFirst intends to bribe Singaporeans with a S$300 monthly cashout for those in their old age, Tan insisted that SingFirst instead plans to give Singaporeans “money that rightfully belongs to them”.

Tan also spoke at length about governance in the past, claiming that he identifies with the PAP of old.

“PAP forgot their humble beginnings. We do not forget our humble beginnings.”

Speaking in Malay, Tanjong Pagar representative Fahmi Rais voiced his discontent with the existing transport infrastructure, citing the ERP infrastructure which he says is far from ideal.

“The government told us ERP gantries would be for Central Business District areas only, but we see more than 50 of these gantries outside the CBD,” Fahmi asserted.

SingFirst chairman Ang Yong Guan bemoaned the lack of “fighting spirit” in PAP candidates, maintaining that PAP members have been “parachuted in overnight” without having the right skillset. He described their tenure in Parliament as being “on the job training with full pay”.

In his speech, Ang also hit back at Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s suggestion that opposition party members are a “mouse in the house”, insisting his party members are “lions facing the PAP”.

“We will need 30 out of 89 seats (in Parliament) to prevent the PAP from changing the Constitution any time they want,” he added.