Opposition parties say most issues resolved; to reconvene Thursday

SINGAPORE — A meeting held by eleven opposition parties yesterday evening (Aug 3) ended with party representatives saying that most issues have been resolved.

Talks lasted for about two and a half hours. Another meeting is scheduled for Thursday.

The meeting was conducted to negotiate where each party will field its candidates for General Elections to avoid multi-cornered fights.

National Solidarity Party’s (NSP) acting secretary-general Hazel Poa said: “We’ve reaffirmed our commitment to avoid three-corner fights and that’s what we’re working towards on Thursday.” She added that the outcomes of today’s discussions would be kept confidential.

SingFirst’s Fahmi Rais said in Malay that “almost all is settled”, when asked for a ballpark figure on issues that have been settled.

The People’s Power Party (PPP) chief Goh Meng Seng said he is confident about his party members standing in Chua Chu Kang GRC, and added the “NSP and PPP are like brother parties”. Mr Goh was the former secretary General of the NSP.

Following yesterday evening’s Opposition meeting, SingFirst’s Tan Jee Say also said most issues have been resolved, adding that “everyone goes in with the spirit of give and take”.

REPORTING BY AMANDA LEE, HON JING YI, NG JING YNG, LAURA PHILOMIN, LEE YEN NEE