GE2020: The Reform Party

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE PARTY

• Founded in 2008 by the late opposition icon JB Jeyaretnam

• His son, Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam, is the present secretary-general of the Reform Party (RP)

• The party bills itself as a “liberal free-market party” that nevertheless believes that the Government has a role in looking after the less fortunate in society, correcting market failures, and promoting growth and full employment

• It lists its primary aim as raising the real incomes and quality of life of Singaporeans

• Its vision for Singapore is a “people-oriented” community without racial classifications where people have freedom of expression

THE NEW CANDIDATES

Mr Charles Yeo, 30

Mr Yeo is a criminal defence lawyer who has described human rights advocate M Ravi as his mentor. A graduate from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom, Mr Yeo said that he has a strong sense of mission to reform the legal and social system such that it promotes access to justice, with “every man equal before the law”.

He believes in liberal democracy and accountability and has pledged to contribute his legal knowledge and resources to support the party.

Mr Yeo said that he would strive to ensure that Singaporeans are not treated as second-class citizens in their own country, and are given a fair chance to enjoy the fruits of their hard work and those of their parents and preceding generations.

He counts the reform of the education system, encouraging freedom of speech and the abolition of “disguised methods of legal oppression” such as defamation laws as issues that are close to his heart. He also believes that Singapore can be a “genuinely progressive and kinder society for all”.

“I believe in the values of liberal democracy, democratic accountability and in the values of freedom of assembly and freedom of speech.”

Mr Mahaboob Batcha, 52 

Mr Mahaboob is a board director of oil and gas company Asiapacz Solution. He joined RP as a volunteer in 2008 and became a committee member in 2010. He is now its deputy treasurer. He said that he is committed to representing Singaporeans and raising their concerns in Parliament and to the authorities.

He has joined RP in visiting residents in West Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC), Ang Mo Kio GRC and Radin Mas Single Member Constituency (SMC) since 2011.

In his biodata provided by RP, Mr Mahaboob was stated as having represented the party at the International Conference of Asian Political Parties, which is a forum for political parties around regions including Southeast Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. He represented RP in Malaysia (2016 and 2019), Turkey (2017), Armenia (2018) and Russia (2018).

“I was inspired by our legend, Mr JB Jeyaretnam, fighting to better lives for Singaporeans.”

Mr Gurdev Singh, 55

Mr Singh is an assistant property manager with real-estate firm Colliers International Valuation and Consultancy and became a party member in 2009.

He said that he looks forward to serving all residents “without fear or favour, class and discrimination”.

He also said that he would champion reforms to the national savings scheme, the Central Provident Fund (CPF), as well as affordable living, housing and healthcare. He would also ensure that the Singapore identity is not “diluted by the large influx of immigrants”.

“My purpose includes ensuring that Singaporeans get their voices heard to ensure affordable living, housing, medical (care) and most importantly, (that they) benefit from their CPF.” 

WHERE IT’S EXPECTED TO CONTEST

• Ang Mo Kio GRC

• Radin Mas SMC

• Yio Chu Kang SMC

RESULTS IN GE2015

• Lost in West Coast GRC with 21.43 per cent of the vote

• Lost in Ang Mo Kio GRC with 21.36 per cent of the vote

• Lost in Radin Mas SMC with 12.72 per cent of the vote