Three new faces among SDA’s 6-man team in Pasir Ris-Punggol

SINGAPORE — On the eve of Nomination Day, the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) unveiled its slate for the Pasir Ris-Punggol Group Representation Constituency (GRC) — the only territory it will be contesting in — as well as ideas it has for improving the estate.

The six-man team, which will be led by SDA chairman Desmond Lim, has three new faces, including Mr Sunny Wong, a resident of the constituency who joined the party three weeks ago. The other first-time candidates are Mr Abu Mohamed, president of the Singapore Malay National Organisation (PKMS) — a component party of the SDA coalition — and sales director Ong Teik Seng, who joined the SDA earlier this year.

The remaining members are Mr Harminder Pal Singh, who led the SDA team in Pasir Ris-Punggol during the 2011 elections, and Mr Arthero Lim, who contested Ang Mo Kio under the Reform Party (RP) banner in 2011. The SDA took 35.21 per cent of the votes in Pasir Ris-Punggol that year.

Among the 19 improvement plans for the constituency that SDA shared with the media at a press conference last night are a new regional hospital, an LRT link between Pasir Ris and Punggol towns, floating seafood restaurants and water taxis that serve Punggol, Pasir Ris and Changi.

Asked about the lack of young candidates in the line-up — the average age is 52 — Mr Singh said the party has members in their 20s who have been on their walkabouts and are potential candidates for the future. While it is fielding an older slate, the SDA is reaching out to young votes through social media and will be releasing a series of online rallies from today, he added.

Mr Lim was also asked why he decided to contest again despite having lost his election deposit twice. In 2011, he got 4.45 per cent of votes, while in the four-cornered fight for the 2013 by-election in Punggol East, he got 0.57 per cent of votes. Candidates must score at least 12.5 per cent of votes to keep their election deposit.

Mr Lim said his past failures drive him to “work harder for the future”.

He added: “Ordinary citizens still need a voice in Parliament, that is why I am here. Life is never smooth sailing, but we just accept the consequences and work harder. A winner never quits, a quitter never wins.”

Mr Arthero Lim quickly chimed in, saying the SDA chief’s doggedness was what made him return to the party — he has contested in three GEs, under the banners of the Singapore Democratic Party, the SDA and the RP. “Desmond is someone who works in the background, he does not dwell on past results,” he added.

Yesterday, the SDA also spoke at length about their capability in managing a town council. Pointing to Mr Lim’s 14 years of experience serving as a consultant at Potong Pasir Town Council when he was the right-hand man of the ward’s former Member of Parliament Chiam See Tong, Mr Singh said: “We are ready to take over, if elected.”

He added that the party has also set up a “shadow town council” and trained its members over the past year.