Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has issued a statement in response to the latest news of Mdm Halimah Yacob, former Speaker of Parliament and People’s Action Party Member of Parliament, being the sole candidate who is issued the certificate of eligibility for the Presidential Election 2017.
The walkover of the Presidential Election comes as no surprise. The PAP had changed the rules and revised the criteria of the Elected Presidency to pave the way for Ms Halimah Yacob to assume the office.
Nevertheless, this is a sad day for Singapore. The rule of law has been mercilessly mocked and denigrated. The contempt the PAP has shown for our constitution and our flag which symbolises the ideals of democracy, unity and progress must be roundly condemned.
By doing what it has done, the PAP has shown yet again that its only goal is to strengthen its grip on power. That the goal is detrimental to the interests and progress of Singapore is of secondary concern to the party.
It is bad enough that the PAP has manipulated the system to get one if its own to become the president. That it has dangerously played the race card and divided the people to achieve this must be of grave concern to all Singaporeans.
The SDP protests this outcome in the strongest manner possible.