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TOC NOMINATION DAY Coverage

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Follow TOC’s update on TOC Facebook as well.

9:20am:

Breaking News: PAP candidate Steve Tan withdraws his candidacy from election. Read it here: http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_661681.html

9:30am

Four bus loads of elderly PAP supporters wearing t-shirts of Lee Kuan Yew at Moulmein-Kallang / Tanjong Pagar GRC Nomination Centre.

9:35am:

SURPRISES are expected at the Singapore Chinese Girls’ School (SCGS), the nomination centre for two GRCs – the five-member Tanjong Pagar and four-member Moulmein-Kallang, and two SMCs – Radin Mas and Whampoa. Talk is that there may changes in PAP lineup for Tanjong Pagar and Tampines GRCs. Grassroot. (Straits Times)

9:38am:

PAP MP Baey Yam Keng is expected to replace newbie Steve Tan at Tampines GRC. Steve Tan has earlier withdrawn his candidacy this morning.

9:54am:

From WP member Facebook:
“Mr Low Thia Kiang just personally send off each and every contesting team from The Workers’ Party..we are heading for our respective war zones now!”

10:23am:

Low Thia Khiang, Sylvia Lim and Chen Show Mao have arrived at Deyi Secondary School.

10:24am:

Dr Lily Neo is expected to be moved to Tanjong Pagar GRC.

10:25am:

WP’s team of Mohd Rahizan, Somasundram, Toh Hong Boon, and Frieda Chan arrives at Nomination Centre for Moulmein-Kallang GRC.

10:27am:

Possible PAP game plan:
Lily Neo moves to Tanjong Pagar. Lee Kuan Yew moves out to Moulmein-Kallang to fight Low Thia Khiang, Sylvia and Show Mao.

10:32am:

Singapore Democratic Party’s Sembawang GRC team have exchanged greetings with Worker’s Party team contesting Nee Soon GRC.

10:35am:

PAP team Yaacob Ibrahim, Lui Tuck Yew, Indranee, Chee How, Lily Neo, all full force at SCGS.

10:39am:

Dr Chia Shi Lu likely to take over Baey Yam Keng at Tanjong Pagar GRC.

10:41am:

WP Low Thia Kiang is at Deyi Secondary (Aljunied GRC) with other members of WP.

10:43am:

PAP Tanjong Pagar team at Nomination Centre – except Lee Kuan Yew who has not been seen yet.

Whampoa SMC : PAP’s Heng Chee How vs NSP’s Ken Sunn. Both men at Nomination Centre.

10:44am:

PAP candidate for Radin Mas SMC – Sam Tan is at NC (Nomination Centre). Opposition candidate has not been seen yet.

10:46am:

PAP team for Moulmein-Kallang GRC present at NC: Yaacob Ibrahim, Denise Phua, Lui Tuck Yew, Edwin Tong.

10:54am:

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and George Yeo just arrived with their team at Deyi Secondary School.

10:56am:

It’s Yaw Shin Leong (WP) against Desmond Choo (PAP) for Hougang SMC. 30 WP supporters among a throng of 300-strong PAP supporters at NC at Dunman Secondary School.

10:59am:

TOC reporter at NC for Joo Chiat, Marine Parade, Mountbatten, Potong Pasir:
“Place is flooded with PAP supporters. Large cheers for their candidates while opposition supporters should out warnings “Pay and Pay!”

11am:

“I will embrace him like a brother.” Dr Wijeysingha on what he would do when he sees Vivian Balakrishnan.

11:02am:

RP team was first to arrive at JJC, followed by PAP with a huge army of supporters.

11:03am:

NSP team for Chua Chu Kang GRC has just reached NC at South View Primary School.

PAP Tampines GRC team at NC:
Mah Bow Tan, Baey Yam Keng (moved from Tanjong Pagar), Heng Swee Keat and Masagos.

11:08am:

Deyi Sec: Chiam arrives to waves of support from the public chanting “Chiam See Tong!”

Opposition team expected to contest Tanjong Pagar GRC hasn’t not arrived or shown up yet.

11:10am:

SDP’s Vincent Wijeysingha and PAP’s Vivian Balakrishnan have shaken hands at Greenridge Secondary School.

11:11am:

SDP’s Chee Soon Juan has arrived at JJC. “Everything is in place and we are feeling good” he says.

11:12am:

NSP teams for Marine Parade and Mountbatten arrives to oud cheers and shouts of “NSP!NSP!”

11:14am:

Jeannette Chong Aruldoss, NSP candidate for Mountbatten SMC:
My heartfelt gratitude to all my supporters and my team behind me. Thanks all for turning up this morning to show support.

11:16am:

From a TOC reporter at Deyi Sec at the public assembly area: “Lots of PAP supporters streaming in!”

11:17am:

Submission of nomination papers by the candidates is now in process and will end at 12noon. At 12.30pm election officials will announce the candidates for the teams in each GRC.

11:21am:

TOC reporter at Deyi Sec: “I heard that Low Thia Khiang also came to Deyi Sec School, Aljunied.”

11:27am:

Koh Choon Yong from WP’s nomination papers first to be put up on board. Confirmed contesting Sengkang West SMC #sgelections

WP’s East Coast GRC’s representatives Gerald Giam, Png Eng Huat, Eric Tan, Glenda Han, Mohamed Fazli Talip arrives at Bedok View.

Likely WP lineup for Aljunied GRC: Low Thia Khiang, Sylvia Lim, Chen Show Mao, Pritam Singh, Muhammad Faisal.

11:29am:

Workers’ Party holding media conference at 3pm today.

11:42am:

SDP’s Sembawang GRC papers have been filed – without incident. James Gomez is among the SDP team there.

NSP’s Steve Chia:
“Just finished filing Nomination paper for Pioneer SMC. waiting for the campaign to start officially.”

11:43am:

Opposition team for Tanjong Pagar GRC has arrived. Nazem Suki (of PKMS) spotted among them.

11:45am:

Punggol East SMC: PAP’s Michael Palmer up against WP’s Lee Li Lian.

11:47am:

Janil Puthucheary Facebook:
“We’ve completed our submissions, so have SDA. Looks like Punggol East has a three-cornered fight, between Michael Palmer, Desmond Lim and Lee Li Lian. Some changes to SDA line up for Pasir Ris – Punggol GRC.”

11:48am:

TOC reporter at Deyi Sec: The moment Low Thia Khiang was spotted walking inside, WP’s supporters outside started cheering.

11:49am:

At Deyi Sec: A polling agent went to the supporters area asking for persons living in Sengkang West.

12:08pm:

channelnewsasia:
PAP point out that NSP’s Jurong GRC nomination form has no address, so the opposition team could be disqualified.

12:09pm:

Proposer, seconder and assentors for opposition team at Tanjong Pagar say they were responding to calls on Facebook to support the team.

12:10pm:

TODAYonline:
SDP’s Alec Tok says he’s excited about Bt Panjang SMC contest, had ‘friendly’ exchange with PAP’s Teo Ho Pin at the Nomination Centre.

channelnewsasia:
Independent Ooi Boon Ewe visibly upset; asking strangers to be his assentor

12:11pm:

UNCONFIRMED:
Nomination closed at SCGS. Opposiiton team did not make it in time for Tanjong Pagar GRC.

12:12pm:

A 19-year-old young woman at Tao Nan School; I cannot vote. i am here to be a part of history. It is very funny that you are old enough to defend the country when you are 18 but you are not old enough to vote.

12:13pm:

At Yuhua SMC, it’s PAP’s Grace Fu vs SDP’s Teo Soh Lung, former ISA detainee.

So far:
3-corner fight in Punngol East, and no contest at Tanjong Pagar. Straight fights in all other constituencies.

12:17pm:

Yaw Shin Leong on his Facebook page:
“Yaw Shin Leong is heartened by the cheers of WP supporters at Dunman Secondary. He will do his best for constituency, citizenry, party & country.”

12:26pm:

CNA: Assenter for SDA’s Ng Teck Siong shouts to the crowd that Mr Ng has been disqualified for missing deadline.

12:30pm:

Awaiting announcements from election officials anytime now.

12:33pm:

Fatimah Lateef and Tin Pei Ling wave to the crowd while opposition supporters shout: “I dunno wat to say! Kate Spade! Kate Spade!”

12:46pm:

UNCONFIRMED:
SDP’s Holland Bukit Timah team say Sim Ann is “unemployed” on her form. But she is currently serving civil service notice and ineligible to run #sgelection. WILL VB BE DQ-ed?

12:52pm:

From ST: The Returning Officer at Greenridge Secondary School Nomination Centre said he has considered both of SDP’s objections and has decided to overrule them.

Tanjong Pagar GRC walkover for PAP. Announcement made by election officials.

12:56pm:

@TODAYonline: WP supporters at Bedok View take out support umbrellas as shouting match between PAP and WP restart .

1:04pm:

WP has made objections to one of the assentors of the PAP candidate, Charles Chong, for Joo Chiat SMC. Awaiting election officer’s decision.

1:05pm:

rumours: Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss spotted two mistakes in Lim Biow Chuan’s paper. Lim Biow Chuan could be disqualified.

1:07pm:

MM Lee in victory speech: ‘Feeble effort’ by opposition team to contest the GRC. Promises he will ‘look after’ Tanjong Pagar residents for the next five years.

1:09pm:

From ST: I don’t take the support for granted. We will work hard and make sure support is cemented into votes.
— National Solidarity Party’s Steve Chia who will contest against PAP’s Cedric Foo in Pioneer SMC.

1:13pm:

TOC reporter from Deyi Sec: PAP Sengkang candidate trying to speak but Worker’s Party supporters shouting “Worker’s Party!” is drowning his voice out.

1:14pm:

ST:
When PAP supporters cheered “Chong Pang, PAP”, SDP supporters inserted “Down With”. When the PAP supporters realised their cheer was being hijacked, they changed it to “up with, PAP” – Melissa Sim at Admiralty Secondary School.

From Yahoo:
Objection raised by SDP team. It contends that PAP candidate Miss Sim Ann is listed in her nomination papers as “unemployed” but as she is still serving out her notice of resignation, technically, she is still in the Civil Service, which disqualifies her from the GE. The SDP team objects to her candidacy and strenuously request the Returning Officer to declare her candidacy null and void.

1:16pm:

Tao Nan School: every time PAP supporters shout ‘PAP’, opposition supporter shout ‘don’t know what to say!’

1:18pm:

Reform Party making speech at Deyi. RP is contesting Ang Mo Kio GRC.

1:19pm:

WP candidate for Joo Chiat SMC, Yee Jenn Jong:
“News wrongly reported I objected to PAP forms. Not true at all. Someone asked me to look at a handwritten name and I thought not justified to object. Didn’t think anything was wrong. I prefer a contest to get mandate.”

1:20pm:

CONFIRMED: Low Thia Khiang, Sylvia Lim and Chen Show Mao contesting Aljunied GRC.

George Yeo getting drowned out by WP supporters.

1:24pm:

‎”They are worthy opponents” says PAP’s George Yeo of WP rivals and that the PAP will work for residents and has detailed plans as WP cheeers try to drown out the speech.

Sylvia Lim speaking. Supporters “going crazy”.

1:26pm:

Tao Nan School: A bunch of PAP supporters who are old and frail pass through opposition crowd and opposition supporters give way saying, ‘ban ban lai oh aunty’.

Chances are, 50-50 – Reform Party member Alex Tan, who is leading the party in Ang Mo Kio GRC against PM Lee.

1:27pm:

WP supporters shouting “Mas Selamat!” as election offciers announced Wong Kan Seng’s name.

1:28pm:

Wong Kan Seng speaking. WP supporters still shouting, “Mas Selamat! Mas Selamat!”

1:29pm:

We trust your judgement. You are our secret weapon!
— Sylvia Lim of Workers’ Party addressing her supporters at Deyi nomination

1:31pm:

CONFIRMED: PAP’s Charles Chong vs WP’s Yee Jenn Jong in Joo Chiat SMC.

1:34pm:

Chiam See Tong, referring to the PAP: “They want to take the credit, they must take the fall.”

1:38pm:

ST: In her speech to the supporters, researcher Angela Oon said the $600million plan to renew Nee Soon GRC should not come only during elections.
She is a WP candidate for Nee Soon GRC.

1:40pm:

TOC has learned that the team led by Ng Teck Siong to contest Tanjong Pagar GRC was disqualified because the team’s seconder, assentors and proposers were not seated. We understand that they were present in the hall. We’ll confirm the news later.

1:47pm:

Tin Pei Ling’s speech is drowned out by jeers and shouts in the crowd “I don’t know what to say” and “Kate Spade”.

1:49pm:

TOC will have an exclusive interview with the SDA team which was disqualified. All news of what happened is just speculation at this point.

1:51pm:

From ST: Mr Khaw Boon Wan, leader of the PAP team for Sembawang GRC told the crowd to consider two things:
– Are they reliable, do you trust them?
– Do you agree with their ideas?

1:53pm:

channelnewsasia:
SDP supporters milling around at Greenridge Sec and Dr Wijeysingha says objection was that Ms Sim Ann had said she was “unemployed” in the form and raised objection. SDP asked for explanation and that officials said that they had no role to explain or investigate “misreprsentation”.

1:56pm:

SDP team: Send Khaw to JB!
SDP candidate for Sembawang GRC James Gomez said: “PAP does not take care of you…We’ll send Khaw and his team back to JB!” Fellow SDP Candidate Jarrod Luo also told the crowd “it’s time for change”. – Melissa Sim at Admiralty Secondary School

1:57pm:

SDP calls on Elections Department to look into Sim Ann case
SDP’s Holland-Bukit Timah GRC team has called on the Elections Department to look into the Sim Ann’s eligibility to run as a candidate of the PAP team for the GRC.

He also said that an investigation should be conducted within the hour.

2:05pm:

From ST:

Dr Chia Shi Lu, a doctor from Singapore General Hospital, is replacing Mr Baey Yam Keng in the five-man Tanjong Pagar GRC. It was a late switch on Nomination Day morning as Mr Baey switched over to Tampines GRC to replace unionist Steve Tan, who pulled out due to personal reasons.

2:11pm:

Lina Chiam’s speech: “For 27 years, you have supported my husband… I salute Potong Pasir residents: You have the unbeatable spirit, courage, bravery, pride and patriotism. I salute each one of you… the PAP has tried in vain to tempt you.”

2:14pm:

From ST:

“The four men seem to be leaving it to the young lady to campaign and say all the things.”- SM Goh Chok Tong in a jibe at the opposition NSP team contesting Marine Parade GRC. The female member of the team is the vocal Nicole Seah, who has a following among netizens.

2:20pm:

From ST:

At Admiralty Sec: Minister for Law and Home Affairs K. Shanmugam, who is leading the team in Nee Soon GRC, asked people to consider two things:

“Who is going to make a difference for you in your life and in your neighbourhood?”

“And on a national level, there will be at least 18 non-PAP MPs of which nine will be opposition.” He was referring to the 9 Non-constituency MPs and the nine Nominated MPs.

Patrick Tay said he wants to speak up for workers in parliament especially for the PMEBs, which form 52 per cent of the work force. ”They also need protection,” he said.

2:30pm:

From channelnewsasia: Official’s response to SDP objection stating that it complaints are overruled.

 

2:35pm:

From ST:

“I assure you I will look after you for the next five years.”
— Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew tells supporters at SCGS nomination centre in a short speech after being elected MP for the 14th time since 1955.

3:32pm:

PAP volunteers are putting up posters on street lamps in toa payoh area.

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Hotel Properties Limited suspends trading ahead of Ong Beng Seng’s court hearing

Hotel Properties Limited (HPL), co-founded by Mr Ong Beng Seng, has halted trading ahead of his court appearance today (4 October). The announcement was made by HPL’s company secretary at about 7.45am, citing a pending release of an announcement. Mr Ong faces one charge of abetting a public servant in obtaining gifts and another charge of obstruction of justice. He is due in court at 2.30pm.

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SINGAPORE: Hotel Properties Limited (HPL), the property and hotel developer co-founded by Mr Ong Beng Seng, has requested a trading halt ahead of the Singapore tycoon’s scheduled court appearance today (4 October) afternoon.

This announcement was made by HPL’s company secretary at approximately 7.45am, stating that the halt was due to a pending release of an announcement.

Mr Ong, who serves as HPL’s managing director and controlling shareholder, faces one charge under Section 165, accused of abetting a public servant in obtaining gifts, as well as one charge of obstruction of justice.

He is set to appear in court at 2.30pm on 4 October.

Ong’s charges stem from his involvement in a high-profile corruption case linked to former Singaporean transport minister S Iswaran.

The 80-year-old businessman was named in Iswaran’s initial graft charges earlier this year.

These charges alleged that Iswaran had corruptly received valuable gifts from Ong, including tickets to the 2022 Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix, flights, and a hotel stay in Doha.

These gifts were allegedly provided to advance Ong’s business interests, particularly in securing contracts with the Singapore Tourism Board for the Singapore GP and the ABBA Voyage virtual concert.

Although Iswaran no longer faces the original corruption charges, the prosecution amended them to lesser charges under Section 165.

Iswaran pleaded guilty on 24 September, 2024, to four counts under this section, which covered over S$400,000 worth of gifts, including flight tickets, sports event access, and luxury items like whisky and wines.

Additionally, he faced one count of obstructing justice for repaying Ong for a Doha-Singapore flight shortly before the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) became involved.

On 3 October, Iswaran was sentenced to one year in jail by presiding judge Justice Vincent Hoong.

The prosecution had sought a sentence of six to seven months for all charges, while the defence had asked for a significantly reduced sentence of no more than eight weeks.

Ong, a Malaysian national based in Singapore, was arrested by CPIB in July 2023 and released on bail shortly thereafter. Although no charges were initially filed against him, Ong’s involvement in the case intensified following Iswaran’s guilty plea.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) had earlier indicated that it would soon make a decision regarding Ong’s legal standing, which has now led to the current charges.

According to the statement of facts read during Iswaran’s conviction, Ong’s case came to light as part of a broader investigation into his associates, which revealed Iswaran’s use of Ong’s private jet for a flight from Singapore to Doha in December 2022.

CPIB investigators uncovered the flight manifest and seized the document.

Upon learning that the flight records had been obtained, Ong contacted Iswaran, advising him to arrange for Singapore GP to bill him for the flight.

Iswaran subsequently paid Singapore GP S$5,700 for the Doha-Singapore business class flight in May 2023, forming the basis of his obstruction of justice charge.

Mr Ong is recognised as the figure who brought Formula One to Singapore in 2008, marking the first night race in the sport’s history.

He holds the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix. Iswaran was the chairman of the F1 steering committee and acted as the chief negotiator with Singapore GP on business matters concerning the race.

 

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Chee Soon Juan questions Shanmugam’s $88 million property sale amid silence from Mainstream Media

Dr Chee Soon Juan of the SDP raised concerns about the S$88 million sale of Mr K Shanmugam’s Good Class Bungalow at Astrid Hill, questioning transparency and the lack of mainstream media coverage. He called for clarity on the buyer, valuation, and potential conflicts of interest.

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On Sunday (22 Sep), Dr Chee Soon Juan, Secretary General of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), issued a public statement on Facebook, expressing concerns regarding the sale of Minister for Home Affairs and Law, Mr K Shanmugam’s Good Class Bungalow (GCB) at Astrid Hill.

Dr Chee questioned the transparency of the S$88 million transaction and the absence of mainstream media coverage despite widespread discussion online.

According to multiple reports cited by Dr Chee, Mr Shanmugam’s property was transferred in August 2023 to UBS Trustees (Singapore) Pte Ltd, which holds the property in trust under the Jasmine Villa Settlement.

Dr Chee’s statement focused on two primary concerns: the lack of response from Mr Shanmugam regarding the transaction and the silence of major media outlets, including Singapore Press Holdings and Mediacorp.

He argued that, given the ongoing public discourse and the relevance of property prices in Singapore, the sale of a high-value asset by a public official warranted further scrutiny.

In his Facebook post, Dr Chee posed several questions directed at Mr Shanmugam and the government:

  1. Who purchased the property, and is the buyer a Singaporean citizen?
  2. Who owns Jasmine Villa Settlement?
  3. Were former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and current Prime Minister Lawrence Wong informed of the transaction, and what were their responses?
  4. How was it ensured that the funds were not linked to money laundering?
  5. How was the property’s valuation determined, and by whom?

The Astrid Hill property, originally purchased by Mr Shanmugam in 2003 for S$7.95 million, saw a significant increase in value, aligning with the high-end status of District 10, where it is located. The 3,170.7 square-meter property was sold for S$88 million in August 2023.

Dr Chee highlighted that, despite Mr Shanmugam’s detailed responses regarding the Ridout Road property, no such transparency had been offered in relation to the Astrid Hill sale.

He argued that the lack of mainstream media coverage was particularly concerning, as public interest in the sale is high. Dr Chee emphasized that property prices and housing affordability are critical issues in Singapore, and transparency from public officials is essential to maintain trust.

Dr Chee emphasized that the Ministerial Code of Conduct unambiguously states: “A Minister must scrupulously avoid any actual or apparent conflict of interest between his office and his private financial interests.”

He concluded his statement by reiterating the need for Mr Shanmugam to address the questions raised, as the matter involves not only the Minister himself but also the integrity of the government and its responsibility to the public.

The supposed sale of Mr Shamugam’s Astrid Hill property took place just a month after Mr Shanmugam spoke in Parliament over his rental of a state-owned bungalow at Ridout Road via a ministerial statement addressing potential conflicts of interest.

At that time, Mr Shanmugam explained that his decision to sell his home was due to concerns about over-investment in a single asset, noting that his financial planning prompted him to sell the property and move into rental accommodation.

The Ridout Road saga last year centred on concerns about Mr Shanmugam’s rental of a sprawling black-and-white colonial bungalow, occupying a massive plot of land, managed by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), which he oversees in his capacity as Minister for Law. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, also rented a similarly expansive property nearby.

Mr Shanmugam is said to have recused himself from the decision-making process, and a subsequent investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) found no wrongdoing while Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean confirmed in Parliament that Mr Shanmugam had removed himself from any decisions involving the property.

As of now, Mr Shanmugam has not commented publicly on the sale of his Astrid Hill property.

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