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GE2015: SDA reveals candidates for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC

SDA reveals candidates for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC

By Sharanya Pillai

The Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) today unveiled its line-up of candidates for Pasir Ris-Punggol Group Representation Constituency (GRC), half of whom are first-time contenders.

They are 48-year-old sales director Ong Teik Seng, 53-year-old Wong Way Weng, a quality assurance manager at an early childhood education centre and Abu Mohamed, 64, co-director at an oil field services company.

Joining the team are SDA chairman Desmond Lim Bak Chuan, 47, a principal engineer, and Chief Media Officer Harminder Pal Singh, 43, the CEO of a personal coaching company.

Film director Lim Tung Hee Arthero, who contested under the Reform Party banner in 2011, is also part of the team. Mr Lim, who said he champions “social justice”, was an SDA candidate in the 2006 General Election.

The opposition party will face the incumbent People’s Action Party team led by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.

In a press conference at the PKMS Building, candidates touched on bread-and-butter issues in the party’s “Singapore for Singaporeans” manifesto, including employment, healthcare and housing.

Key proposals include removing caps on Medisave to pay for hospitalisation expenses, as well a special scheme to help young couples afford public housing.

Harminder Pal also highlighted a list of 19 municipal proposals, including the construction of a Light Rail Transit (LRT) line connecting Pasir Ris and Punggol.

Abu, who is also President of the Singapore Malay National Organisation, added that he hopes to advocate for the right of Muslim women to don the hijab.

“We have to strive for equality regardless of race, language or religion,” he said, adding that the issue must be handled gradually “without going into racist attitudes”.

Commenting on the party’s decision to contest only one GRC, Harminder Pal said that the party is still working on leadership renewal “to be taken as a serious contender”.

”In future elections, we hope to contest more GRCs. Now, we don’t want to spread ourselves too thin,” he said.