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Slow start for SPP-DPP on first day of hustings

SINGAPORE — While several political parties’ candidates were out in force bright and early on the first full day of hustings, the Singapore People’s Party (SPP)-Democratic Progressive Party joint team contesting in Bishan-Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency (GRC) hobbled off the starting block yesterday (Sept 2).

SPP Bishan-Toa Payoh candidate Law Kim Hwee with a resident at Shunfu Market yesterday. His team plans to carry out two walkabouts a day. Photo: Koh Mui Fong/TODAY

SPP Bishan-Toa Payoh candidate Law Kim Hwee with a resident at Shunfu Market yesterday. His team plans to carry out two walkabouts a day. Photo: Koh Mui Fong/TODAY

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SINGAPORE — While several political parties’ candidates were out in force bright and early on the first full day of hustings, the Singapore People’s Party (SPP)-Democratic Progressive Party joint team contesting in Bishan-Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency (GRC) hobbled off the starting block yesterday (Sept 2).

At a walkabout scheduled for 7.30am yesterday, the candidates were between half an hour and 45 minutes late, which saw them miss most of the morning working crowd. And only three of the five contestants — Mr Law Kim Hwee, Mr Bryan Long and Mr Hamim Aliyas — showed up for the walkabout at Shunfu Market, which ended only 30 minutes or so later.

The second walkabout that the combined team held in the evening went more smoothly. Mr Benjamin Pwee and Mr Abdillah Zamzuri, the absent candidates in the morning, showed up at Toa Payoh Central where the walkabout was held.

Giving an interview to reporters, Mr Abdillah, the youngest in the team at 30 years old, said that they have done about six to seven walkabouts so far, and about three block visits a night.

They plan to step up the pace to about two walkabouts a day for the rest of the hustings.

The slate was firmed up by the two parties only two days before Nomination Day, which took place on Tuesday.

Speaking on the progress of their work on the ground so far, Mr Abdillah said: “Residents have been very forthcoming, both in the Toa Payoh side and Bishan side ... Residents come up to us, share with us their concerns, what they want to see change in Toa Payoh and Bishan.

“So it’s been very encouraging over the past few walkabouts we have had. For me personally, I’ve only started doing walkabouts only one or two weeks before the elections, and it’s been encouraging to hear residents sharing their thoughts ... and asking us to win the GRC,” he added.

Mr Abdillah, who runs a training education company and sports academy, said residents have raised a few concerns in the constituency, such as ease of accessibility to some areas.

He cited the barricades put up to prevent motorcycles from going to void decks, which make it difficult for wheelchair users to get around.

The joint team will face People’s Action Party (PAP) incumbents Dr Ng Eng Hen, Mrs Josephine Teo, Mr Chong Kee Hiong, Mr Chee Hong Tat and Mr Saktiandi Supaat at the polls. In the 2011 General Election, the PAP fended off the SPP, garnering 57 per cent of the votes.

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