GE2015: Ravi Philemon says moving from blogging to politics “very easy”
Ravi Philemon shakes hands with supporters after the social activist and blogger gave a rally speech as a Singapore People’s Party candidate for the general elections (Photo: Bryan Kwa)
By: Bryan Kwa
Singapore People’s Party (SPP) candidate for Hong Kah North Single Member Constituency (SMC) Ravi Philemon intends to crowdfund his campaign promise of a $500,000 Hong Kah North Medical Assistance Fund.
“I am an experienced fund-raiser so I know how to raise funds,” the social worker and blogger told Yahoo Singapore after an SPP rally Saturday (Sep 5) night.
He was upbeat about the trend of activist bloggers standing for elections.
“A blogger is still a Singaporean and he blogs about various issues because he feels passionate about them. There’s a thin line that divides social issues and political issues. So it’s very easy for bloggers to cross over to provide better opportunities, to provide another alternative for Singaporeans.”
Activist bloggers standing for election include Gilbert Goh and Roy Ngerng of the Reform Party, who are contesting in the Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency.
Ravi delivered an impassioned speech at the rally, thanking voters for embracing him with open arms.
“When I first came here, I was a stranger to many of you but you gave me a chance. You had hard questions, but you allowed me to talk to you. Once you had seized me up, and knew you can trust me, you shared your concerns with me,” he said.
“You have acknowledged my hard work. We have done the hard work but you allowed me to know you. You allowed me to hear you. Now, I ask that you send me to Parliament to speak for you.”
Ravi also censured his opponent, Dr Amy Khor of the People’s Action Party (PAP). He lambasted Dr Khor’s report card as Senior Minister of State for Health and Manpower, claiming patients were still affected because of the hospital bed crunch and that she said “a Singaporeans-first policy will not benefit the economy”.
Ravi added that he has given his personal phone number to Hong Kah North residents, proving commitment to voters.
“You don’t need to speak to a third party to have access to me,” said Ravi.
He also reiterated promises for good town council management, after learning from veteran politician Chiam See Tong’s style of running one. Ravi said Chiam’s former town council in Potong Pasir would attend to late-night calls and assured voters that “my town council will be at your call”.
Ravi acknowledged it would be a tough fight for him to win given that Dr Khor was the top electoral performer at the previous general election in 2011.
He said in his speech, “Even if I don’t win, by voting for me, and thereby reducing Dr Khor’s margin of vote share from the last election, you will be sending a strong signal to her – that she needs to pull up her socks and not take Hong Kah North voters for granted.”
When Yahoo Singapore asked him on his chances of winning, he said, “I know it will be a hard fight. It’s a hard ground, but I’m here knowing that, and I hope the voters will trust me enough to send me into Parliament.”
