Ad-hoc meeting of some opposition parties called tonight

SINGAPORE — Six opposition parties have hastily arranged a meeting tonight (Aug 1) to discuss plans after former National Solidarity Party (NSP) secretary-general Tan Lam Siong said today he intends to contest Potong Pasir Single Member Constituency in the coming elections as an independent candidate.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chief Benjamin Pwee told TODAY that the parties going to tonight’s meeting are Singaporeans First Party, Singapore Democratic Alliance, Singapore People’s Party, People’s Power Party, NSP, and DPP.

On the agenda are the contests in Potong Pasir SMC and Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency, said Mr Pwee.

The ad-hoc meeting comes ahead of horse-trading talks among opposition parties scheduled on Monday.

"Our best guess is that the meeting tonight might be in preparation for the Monday meeting, to achieve better coordination," Mr Pwee said.

So far, besides Mr Tan, the DPP and SPP have indicated interest in wresting back Potong Pasir from the People’s Action Party.

Tanjong Pagar GRC, which was the only constituency uncontested in the 2011 General Election, is being eyed by the DPP and Reform Party.