Singaporeans have 'lost a lot of confidence' in PM Lee, says SDP chief Chee Soon Juan
SINGAPORE — Singaporeans have “lost a lot of confidence” in Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s leadership, said Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan on Sunday (4 August).
The big difference between the political climate surrounding the 2015 General Election and current electoral season is “the deterioration of the situation right now in Singapore”, noted Chee during a media doorstop at Yuhua Village Market and Food Centre.
“Over the last few years, I think Singaporeans have lost a lot of confidence in (PM Lee’s) leadership. And that's why people are feeling a lot more anxious,” he added, citing the “feedback” his party has received.
Chee also criticised Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, who is slated to be Singapore’s next prime minister.
“There's so much group think that you ask the question: (How is) Mr Heng as the incoming prime minister, any different from the current prime minister?” he said.
Chee also noted that there is “nothing to give you that sense of confidence that (Heng) knows that things need to change”.
“Everybody's just doing what everybody else is talking about...and then we're just having more of the same,” he said.
“And that, for the sake of Singapore's future, cannot continue.”
SDP, PSP views on PAP aligned
Responding to questions from the media, the SDP secretary-general acknowledged that his sentiments echoed those of Progress Singapore Party (PSP) leader Tan Cheng Bock on the subject of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP).
Speaking at a party event on Saturday, Dr Tan said of Heng, “His idea of transparency is to have it debated in Parliament, surrounded by an overwhelming majority of his own men, with no right of reply from the other parties.”
Dr Tan, a former PAP Member of Parliament, had said in July that the “erosion of transparency, independence and accountability” with the PAP-led government was his key reason for starting the PSP.
“I worry because I see the foundations of good governance eroding. Singapore needs a good political system. This means a robust system of checks and balances,” he said. “I didn’t change. The PAP changed.”
Chee’s comments came a day after the party announced that for the upcoming general election, it would be contesting in same five constituencies as it did in 2015: Holland-Bukit Timah and Marsiling-Yew Tee GRCs as well as the Bukit Batok, Bukit Panjang and Yuhua SMCs.
That year, the party fielded 11 candidates and secured a 31.23 per cent share of the valid votes for the seats it contested – making it the second-best performing opposition party despite not winning any seats.
Chee himself ran in the 2016 Bukit Batok by-election, pulling in 38.8 per cent of the votes cast and losing to the PAP’s Murali Pillai.
Singapore’s next general election is due to be held by 14 April 2021.
In its first walkabout for the electoral season on Sunday, led by Chee and other party leaders including Paul Tambyah, the SDP aimed to visit areas within the five constituencies.
Related stories:
SDP to contest in the same 5 constituencies as it did in GE2015
Tan Cheng Bock rebuts DPM Heng, cries as he speaks of political conviction
