New opposition political party Singaporeans First (SingFirst) believe they have a fighting chance of overturning the People Action’s Party (PAP) in Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency (GRC) in the upcoming general elections.
SingFirst secretary-general Tan Jee Say and led psychiatrist Dr. Ang Yong Guan, 60, sales executive Melvyn Chiu Weng Hoe, 36, media consultant Fahmi Rais, 48, and market risk manager Chirag Desai, 38, to file nomination papers at Bendemeer Primary School on Tuesday morning. The latter three are first-time candidates.
Tanjong Pagar has been uncontested in the past five elections since becoming a multi-seat constituency in 1991. It was helmed by former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew since 1955 until his passing earlier this year.
PAP’s team will be led by minister Chan Chun Sing, 45, along with Senior Minister of State Indranee Rajah, 52, consultant surgeon Dr. Chia Shi-Lu, 43, assistant general manager at Temasek Cares Joan Pereira, 47 and former high-ranking police officer Melvin Yong, 45.
There was a slight hiccup for SingFirst after it was pointed out that they had not filled in the name of the GRC in their forms, but it was swiftly resolved and Tan was bullish about SingFirst’s chances.
“There is a heavy burden on us to create history and we will create history,” the 61-year-old declared.
“We are optimistic; there is a lot of goodwill from residents who have met us… if you were to ask me, I would say [we have a] 50-50 chance of a breakthrough in this GRC.
“We know it is tough, with the late Mr. Lee Kuan Yew’s influence, so it’s not easy but I think we have got a good chance. Residents want change… this is an election about the future, the election is not about the past. So those who glorify the late Lee Kuan Yew are barking up the wrong tree.”
Tan, a former presidential candidate, said the issue of having too many foreign workers was one of their main concerns, stating it is a “national problem” that Singaporeans “cannot run away from” no matter where they are.
Meanwhile, Chan asserted the PAP team was “feeling good” heading into a historic contest and said: “Tanjong Pagar [residents] know who have been working for them, and who’s only stepping in when the time is right.”
Three-corner fight in Radin Mas
Meanwhile, there will be a three-cornered fight at the Radin Mas Single Member Constituency (SMC) between PAP incumbent Sam Tan Chin Siong, 56, Reform Party’s Kumar Appavoo, 46 and independent candidate Han Hui Hui, 23.
“I’m here today [and] we will fight; fight for our CPF, our public healthcare, our public housing,” Han, a blogger and social activist who has been outspoken about Central Provident Fund (CPF) issues, said.
“Regardless of whether it’s a two or three-cornered fight, every candidate has to prove their worth to convince the residents,” said Tan.
The newly re-constituted Jalan Besar GRC will see a straight fight between PAP and the Workers’ Party (WP).
Minister Yaacob Ibrahim leads a four-member team along with Heng Chee How, Lily Neo and Denise Phua against a WP side helmed by L. Somasundaram and comprising Frieda Chan, Redzwan Hafidz, Adrian Sim.
“We take every challenge seriously,” Yaacob promised. “At the end of the day, the opponent doesn’t matter for us. I think the real challenge is for us to demonstrate to our voters that we mean business; we are an experienced team and we can deliver what we have promised.”
Source: https://sg.news.yahoo.com
