By TREmeritus
Yesterday (10 Aug), SingFirst announced that it will not be contesting in Ang Mo Kio GRC for the upcoming GE (‘SingFirst leaves AMK GRC to Reform Party‘).
In a statement, it said that it will withdraw its interest to contest in Ang Mo Kio GRC and focus its resources on Tanjong Pagar and Jurong GRCs, leaving the 6 member GRC to Reform Party (RP).
At the same time, NSP also announced that it will pull out of the contests in MacPherson SMC and Marine Parade GRC, leaving the two constituencies to the WP, so as to ensure there is no 3-cornered fights in the upcoming GE.
TRE spoke to Mr Tan Jee Say, Secretary-General of SingFirst, with regard to its decision to pull back from Ang Mo Kio GRC so as to avoid a 3-cornered fight with RP.
Mr Tan explained, “Yes, we have decided earlier not to contest in Ang Mo Kio GRC in the spirit of opposition unity. This is not to dilute the opposition votes so as to give RP the best chance to win in Ang Mo Kio, a constituency helmed by the PM himself.”
“We also hope that RP would consider fielding Roy Ngerng to contest in Ang Mo Kio. He is energetic and is passionate about the CPF issue. No doubt, the CPF issue is a major concern for all Singaporeans today,” Mr Tan added.
“We have noted that after the ‘Return our CPF’ protest organised by Roy in Hong Lim Park in June 2014, PM Lee coincidentally announced later during the National Day Rally in August 2014, that CPF members can withdraw up to 20% lump sum from their CPF savings when they reach 65.”
“We wish Roy and RP all the best in Ang Mo Kio,” Mr Tan commended.
Later, RP posted a message on its Facebook page [Link] to thank SingFirst for “graciously deciding not to contest AMK”.
“We hope that we can now form an alliance with them, NSP, SDP, PPP, SPP and SDA in our common objective of taking at least a third of the seats in this election. We also hope that Workers Party will retain their seats and more this upcoming GE and also look forward to building on our relationship with them,” RP said.
Tan Lam Siong wants to contest in Potong Pasir
Indeed, with the withdrawal of SingFirst from Ang Mo Kio GRC, the upcoming GE will see straight one-on-one fights between the PAP and opposition parties. It truly reflects the spirit of unity among the opposition parties.
However, one independent candidate, Tan Lam Siong, who is a lawyer, has announced his intention to contest in Potong Pasir, resulting in a potential 3-cornered fight in the SMC. Mrs Chiam of SPP has earlier said that she will be representing SPP to contest in Potong Pasir. In the last GE, SPP lost to PAP by only 114 votes.
TRE reader, Spencer Goh, wrote in to name Tan Lam Siong as ‘Public Enemy Number One’.
Mr Goh said, “Now that it’s been confirmed by all opposition parties that there will be no 3-cornered fights in the coming elections, there remains only 1 left over problem. This is Potong Pasir whereby lawyer Tan Lam Siong will compete with SPP’s Lina Chiam and PAP.”
“There is absolutely no way Tan Lam Siong can win and the whole world knows this. This means the only objective of Tan is to split votes in favour of PAP. This therefore, confirms that Tan is either a mole or a complete imbecile. Either way, Tan is doing a huge disfavor to the residents of Potong Pasir by creating confusion and turmoil which can only give PAP the advantage,” he added.
“Please keep in mind that the results in Potong Pasir during 2011 GE was very very close.”
Mr Goh further added, “Well, Tan Lam Siong will only make himself public enemy number one in the eyes of 40% of Singaporeans, the percentage of which will most probably go up after this GE. I don’t know what satisfactions Tan will get out of spoiling votes in Potong Pasir but whatever satisfactions he is getting, it will be worth the condemnation he will surely be receiving from Singaporeans here on.”
Mr Goh also reminded Tan Lam Siong, “Mr Tan, if you are reading this, please note that with the Internet, Singaporeans will have a long memory. Whatever is written on the Internet, stays on the Internet. Have some pity for your children and your descendents cause they will surely be seeing how you are being condemned on the Internet.”
This post was first published at TREmeritus
