Chee Soon Juan hints at contesting in Bukit Batok
SINGAPORE — Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan yesterday hinted that he might run in the upcoming Bukit Batok by-election. His hope of a straight fight with the People’s Action Party (PAP), however, looks likely to be dashed even though a prospective independent candidate has indicated that he would step aside if Dr Chee contests.
SINGAPORE — Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan yesterday hinted that he might run in the upcoming Bukit Batok by-election. His hope of a straight fight with the People’s Action Party (PAP), however, looks likely to be dashed even though a prospective independent candidate has indicated that he would step aside if Dr Chee contests.
A date has not been set for the by-election but it has drawn strong interest from Opposition parties, including the Democratic Progressive Party whose secretary-general Benjamin Pwee reiterated his interest to enter the fray, despite the prospect of a multi-cornered fight.
Following Saturday’s announcement that Member of Parliament David Ong has resigned from the PAP and vacated his seat over a “personal indiscretion”, SDP yesterday held a walkabout in Bukit Batok West Ave 6.
Dr Chee said: “This is a prime opportunity for the voters of Bukit Batok to send us into Parliament, be their voice, be the voice of Singaporeans, and to hold the government accountable.” He added: “There are so many questions, so many issues that affect the people. It is something that people will be wanting to see, an alternative voice in Parliament to speak up for them.”
Dr Chee said his party has not reached a final decision on whom to field, though it is possible that he may contest. He added that he hoped for a “one-on-one” fight with PAP.
In the 2015 GE, Mr Ong won the Bukit Batok SMC with about 73 per cent of the vote, beating SDP candidate Sadasivam Veriyah, who got 26.4 per cent of the vote, and independent candidate Samir Salim Neji, who received 0.6 per cent of the vote and forfeited his election deposit. Mr Sadasivam was among the 20 or so SDP members and supporters at the walkabout.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Saturday that a by-election for Bukit Batok would be held “in due course”.
Experts said it could take place in May at the earliest, and may even happen in the third quarter of the year.
SDP declared shortly after the announcement that it would contest the polls. When contacted yesterday, Mr Samir, the managing director of software firm Anaplan Asia, said he will consider throwing his hat into the ring again unless the SDP fields Dr Chee. “He deserves to be in our Parliament,“ said Mr Samir. Separately, Mr Pwee told TODAY that he was still interested to run in the by-election.
Four other opposition parties whom TODAY contacted yesterday — including the National Solidarity Party, People’s Power Party (PPP), Singapore Democratic Alliance and Reform Party (RP) — said further discussions with their respective central executive committees must be held before they decide on the matter.
SDA chairman Desmond Lim said he is “personally not in favour” of joining in the fray, but called for the by-election’s date to be fixed soon.
Meanwhile, Singaporeans First secretary-general Tan Jee Say said his party would not contest, while the Workers’ Party and the Singapore Progressive Party declined to comment.
Dr Chee said the SDP has not reached out to other parties but would “be happy to discuss matters” if necessary. RP chief Kenneth Jeyaretnam said he is in discussion with several opposition parties but did not elaborate.
Dr Chee declined to comment on Mr Ong’s resignation, adding that the party will respect his wishes for privacy. Other party leaders, including Mr Tan, Mr Jeyaretnam and PPP chief Goh Meng Seng, called for the PAP to be “fully transparent” in details leading up to Mr Ong’s abrupt resignation.