SDP sets sights on Sembawang for next general election

The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) intends to contest Sembawang GRC at the next general election, said the opposition party’s chairman Paul Tambyah on Tuesday (Aug 9).

SDP contested in the constituency in 2006 and 2011.

“Many people in the area still remember the SDP and they have been quite welcoming,” said Professor Tambyah, adding that the party has been conducting house visits since last year.

The GRC is currently helmed by a five-member team from the People’s Action Party; Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, Vikram Nair, Dr Lim Wee Kiak and Poh Li San. The PAP defeated the National Solidarity Party at the general election in 2020 after winning 67.29 percent of the vote.

Prof Tambyah was speaking to reporters at the end of an SDP National Day walkabout through six constituencies, ending at Kampung Admiralty located in Sembawang GRC.

The other five constituencies the party, including secretary-general Chee Soon Juan, visited on Tuesday were those SDP contested in the previous polls.

In the 2020 general election, SDP fielded candidates in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, Bukit Panjang SMC, Yuhua SMC, Holland-Bukit Timah GRC and Bukit Batok SMC.

The party did not clinch any seats. Its best showings were in Bukit Batok SMC where Dr Chee garnered 45.2 percent of votes and Bukit Panjang SMC where last-minute candidate Prof Tambyah got 46.26 percent of votes.

Singapore has to hold its next polls by August 2025.

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES