No change in leadership for Singapore Democratic Party ahead of General Election

The composition of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the SDP remained largely unchanged following party elections at its 19th Ordinary Party Conference held this evening at its headquarters.
Prof Paul Tambyah was re-elected Chairman and Dr Chee Soon Juan as Secretary-General. The following were also elected into the CEC: Christopher Ang, Damanhuri Abas, Jufri Salim, Khung Wai Yeen, Bryan Lim, Gerald Sng, John Tan, Matthew Tan, Wong Souk Yee, and Francis Yong.
Prof Tambyah opened the conference by urging members to step up the campaign to “get our message across to the people of Singapore so that they know more about the SDP, who we are, what we stand for and why we should be in parliament to advocate for a more just and democratic Singapore.”
“We are not afraid of challenges or difficult tasks,” he continued, “The difficult in fact is what the SDP specialises in.”
Following the CEC elections, Dr Chee commented that “The unchanged line-up reflects the confidence party cadres have of the effectiveness of the current leadership,” Dr Chee said. “It puts the SDP in a strong position to conduct a first-rate campaign in the coming general election (GE).”
In his address to party members, the Secretary-General highlighted the series of activities conducted this year in the anticipation of the GE. Among them were a series of policy launches, the publication of the party’s manifesto and the recent pre-election rally held at Hong Lim Park.
He said that these events were conducted in a professional manner befitting a competent party. It is said that SDP has seen growth in recent months and years in terms of membership and public support as a result of such events.
Particularly encouraging is the growing number of younger members in the party, said Dr Chee. He noted that the party must be the breeding as well as training grounds for such young leaders.
“We must provide the opportunity for the younger generation to rise and eventually assume leadership roles within the Party and, in time to come, the country,” he added.
The SDP chief also called on those who wish to join the party not to do so for self-serving and opportunistic ends. He said that the SDP has grown because of members who genuinely subscribe to what the Party believes in and stands for: Putting people before profit, rights before riches, and wisdom before wealth.
If you do this, he said, you will go far as the SDP will go far: “You will succeed not because of your individual talent but because of the collective grit, the pa see boh zhao spirit of all in the Party.”