SingFirst’s second rally to put spotlight on PAP’s strategy, slogan

SINGAPORE — The Singaporeans First (SingFirst) party will put the spotlight on the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) plan of action and slogan at its second rally tonight (Sept 5), party leader Tan Jee Say said yesterday.

“I will talk about the PAP’s strategy, their slogan, what it means, and whether there is any sincerity in it or not,” said Mr Tan.

At SingFirst’s first rally on Thursday, Mr Tan defended his party’s proposal to introduce monthly cash allowances for elderly citizens.

He also took issue with comments from the PAP’s Indranee Rajah about the Government placing Singaporeans front and centre of its policies, and criticised the Government’s move to reduce the target for productivity growth to 2 per cent from 3 per cent midway through its 10-year economic restructuring plan.

Mr Tan’s latest comments came ahead of a walkabout at Strathmore Avenue under the Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency (GRC) yesterday. SingFirst is making a bid for the GRC, which has not been contested in 24 years.

The Opposition party’s five-man team is up against the People’s Action Party team helmed by Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and labour chief.

As a new party that is making its first impression with voters, SingFirst is working doubly hard to reach out to voters in Tanjong Pagar, said Mr Tan’s running mate Fahmi Rais. The Opposition candidates aim to go door to door, covering the entire GRC, to reach out to residents.

Mr Fahmi indicated that the reception from residents has been encouraging. He said: “Nobody (has) said we are not welcome, everybody gives us a smile. There may be one or two who may be indifferent, but by and large, they are excited (to be voting).”

Mr Tan added: “There was this old lady who asked us, ‘What do we do? Where do we go (to vote)?’ It is a basic right of a citizen. To be deprived of a vote for 24 years is just not right for a modern, democratic society.”

SingFirst is fielding 10 candidates this General Election. Its other five-man team is contesting in Jurong GRC.