SDP to contest in the same 5 constituencies as it did in GE2015
SINGAPORE — The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has announced its plans to contest in five constituencies in the next general elections.
In a media release on Friday (2 August), the party said it will begin ground campaigns with walkabouts at Holland-Bukit Timah and Marsiling-Yew Tee group representation constituencies (GRC), as well as Bukit Batok, Bukit Panjang and Yuhua single member constituencies (SMC).
These constituencies are the same wards that SDP contested at the 2015 general elections. It lost all seats to the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP).
First walkabout on Sunday
The first walkabout will take place on Sunday at the five constituencies. Party leaders, including chairman Paul Tambyah and secretary-general Chee Soon Juan will be leading a contingent of over 80 members and volunteers at each constituency.
“The massive walkabout, in celebration of our nation’s 54th birthday, is SDP’s first for the electoral season,” SDP said in its media release.
“The party has been focusing on personal outreach campaigns like house visits, policy fora and volunteer meet-and-mingle sessions since it launched the SDPNOW: The Way Forward vision at the beginning of 2019.”
A joint statement in the media release by Tambyah and Chee said, “This ground campaign will be about the SDP’s plan to tackle Singapore’s high cost of living, through the various policies proposed by the party members while maintaining a special focus on the Singaporean ambition and aspirations.
“The SDP hopes to transform Singapore into a more dynamic city ready for a rapidly changing world. We do not see the need to raise the Goods and Services Tax, cost of healthcare and essential services. Instead, we would like to free our people to be creative to reduce the economy’s reliance on foreign PMETs to make Singapore a better home for everyone here.”
Chee to address media
Sunday’s walkabout will begin from Bukit Timah Food Centre, Ghim Moh housing estate, Bukit Batok Food Court, Yuhua Village Market and Food Centre, Yew Tee MRT and Marsiling Market. SDP volunteers will also engage residents near Bukit Panjang Community Centre.
Chee is scheduled to address the media at Yuhua Village Market and Food Centre, together with SDP central executive committee members Damanhuri Abas and Bryan Lim. He plans to elaborate about SDP’s direction, party renewal strategy and plans for the upcoming election season.
When SDP kicked off its pre-election campaign during an event at Mandarin Orchard hotel in February, Chee said that the party aims to deny the PAP a two-thirds majority of seats in Parliament at the next general elections.
He also said then that the SDP was open to working with other opposition parties ahead of the elections.
Related story:
SDP aims to deny PAP 2/3 majority in Parliament, calls for united opposition: Chee Soon Juan
