Opposition ‘ready for polls’, but criticise timing, ‘short’ campaign period
The Workers’ Party’s webmaster Yee Jenn Jong, a Non-Constituency Member of Parliament, with Singapore People’s Party member Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss at a barbecue at Mandarin Gardens condominium in Marine Parade last night. Photo: Robin Choo
SINGAPORE — Opposition parties today (Aug 25) declared themselves ready for the General Election (GE), but took issue with the timing of the polls for various reasons. These include the limited time for campaigning and the fact that an election has been called some time before the Government’s term is up.
“We have more or less prepared for that date. It falls within expectations, and all our preparations were done with that timeline in mind. We’re as ready as we can be,” said Mr Tan Jee Say, secretary-general of the Singaporeans First party.
However, he lamented that the campaign period had been kept to the minimum: “We wished we were given three months, and then we can plan more, but that’s not the case. Within nine days, it’s very difficult because you have to conduct rallies at night and cannot really go out to meet people.”
He added that the party, which intends to contest Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency (GRC), has already firmed up its slate of candidates, but will wait till Nomination Day to introduce them.
Raising a familiar refrain among the Opposition, People’s Power Party chief Goh Meng Seng said it was not fair that the ruling party could call the polls at its discretion. “Election dates should be fixed at every four or five years in a certain month and week. This will provide a transparent system which will be fair to everyone,” he said.
The GE has to be held by January 2017, at the end of the Government’s term.
“Why did the Prime Minister not have the confidence of taking this Parliament right through to its full length?” said Singapore Democratic Party chief Chee Soon Juan. “Is he afraid that things are going to get from bad to worse? The MRT breakdowns, is that going to affect even more people as we go along?”
Speaking at a press conference to introduce his party’s new candidates, Dr Chee added: “If you want to be very cynical, you have to ask why two (to) three weeks after National Day? This is something which we find very disconcerting … that (the Prime Minister) has to use National Day ... and to have this celebration of SG50 to help him along.”
With the timeline now finalised, opposition parties are stepping up their preparations for the home stretch, with some loose ends to be tied up. The Singapore Democratic Alliance convened a late-night meeting today to finalise logistics preparations and administrative work.
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Singapore People’s Party (SPP) are set to field a joint team in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC. DPP chairman Mohamad Hamim Aliyas said the Memorandum of Understanding between both parties has yet to be signed.
“We hope for the best,’ said Mr Hamim.
Meanwhile, SPP chair Lina Chiam said on Twitter that her party would not be pressured to unveil their new candidates prematurely following the issuance of the writ. She added that the party has “a pipeline of future leaders”.
Today, hours after the dissolution of Parliament, the Workers’ Party’s webmaster Yee Jenn Jong attended a barbecue hosted by SPP member Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss at Mandarin Gardens, which is in Marine Parade GRC. Ms Chong-Aruldoss, who is a resident at the condominium, said: “(There is) a lot of goodwill between us. I respect him a lot ... His heart is with the residents.”
Mr Yee, who lost narrowly in the Joo Chiat single-seat ward in the 2011 GE, has been tipped to lead a team to contest Marine Parade GRC. Asked where he would be standing, Mr Yee would only say that he had requested to remain in Marine Parade GRC, which has absorbed the Joo Chiat ward under the redrawn electoral boundaries. He also said he had a “committed team” behind him.
