SINGAPORE: Voters in Sembawang GRC who want a constructive opposition that will champion responsible policies should vote for the National Solidarity Party (NSP), said its chief Spencer Ng.
He made this pitch to voters during a walkabout at Woodlands North Plaza and block 780C Woodlands Crescent on April 25 with the rest of the NSP slate for Sembawang GRC.
The NSP is in a three-cornered fight with the PAP and Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) for the five-member constituency.
Aside from Ng, the NSP team comprises business owner Yadzeth Hairis, 62; lecturer Verina Ong, 46; swim coach Raiyian Chua, 46; and associate lecturer Lee Wei, 50.
Ng was responding to a question from The Straits Times on how an April 24 rally speech by Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, who is leading the PAP slate in Sembawang GRC, centred on the SDP without mention of the NSP campaign.
Ng said the speech is a “subtle acknowledgement” from the PAP that the NSP is a responsible opposition party.
At the walkabout, residents who approached the NSP to express support raised concerns on housing affordability, cost of living and the difficulty of navigating government processes.
In a media interview after the NSP walkabout, Ng also said that voters need to recognise that opposition unity is becoming a fantasy, as “various political leaders” do not buy into the idea of avoiding three-cornered fights.
The NSP had earlier stepped aside from Sembawang West SMC, paving the way for a straight contest between Poh Li San of the PAP and SDP chief Chee Soon Juan, but intends to contest the SMC in the next General Election.
Ng said the NSP has a good working relationship with the PAP, Poh and Ong.
He added that the party would be keen to work with Dr Chee if they secure a win Sembawang GRC and Dr Chee wins Sembawang West SMC, but this would depend on Dr Chee’s willingness to co-operate with the NSP.
Ng said the NSP has been walking the ground and engaging residents at least once a week in the Sembawang area, even outside election season, over the last decade.
This includes helping residents to send in requests and queries to the right public agencies, as well as arranging meetings with party volunteers who are social workers.
Lee, a political newcomer whose candidacy was only revealed on Nomination Day on April 23, said that cost of living concerns featured prominently among residents.
Earlier, on Nomination Day, Lee had also highlighted the struggles faced by students juggling jobs and tertiary studies, whom he had met while lecturing in a local polytechnic as well as in private education institutes. - The Straits Times/ANN
