Reform Party’s Kenneth Jeyaretnam challenges “fake news”, a COVID-19 election, advantages for PAP

After his pre-Nomination day video on Tuesday morning (30 June), the Reform’s Party (RP) secretary-general Kenneth Jeyaretnam shared his thoughts in a post-Nomination Day video that night. 

He first commended the Nomination Speech given by his fellow team members, especially Charles Yeo’s which “(embodied) many of the things that the Reform Party stands for, in particular democratic accountability”. He shared that the speech “received a lot of positive comments”. RP has confirmed to contest in Ang Mo Kio group representation constituency (GRC).

Mr Jeyaretnam then moved on to call out the government media for spinning “fake news” that confused Ang Mo Kio constituents on whether he was running for that GRC. He also attributed it, however, to his “election agent taking his place on the podium” while Mr Jeyaretnam was in quarantine at a hotel. 

He also challenged the government on the necessity of holding an election now “in the midst of (the pandemic)” which “actually is gambling with the health of Singaporeans”. 

He also commented on the “huge advantages the incumbent enjoys from control of the media and elections department”. 

“In addition, there are no physical rallies. And the rules prevent me from streaming an election broadcast remotely.”

However, Mr Jeyaretnam affirmed that he takes all these challenges in his stride because “these are the obstacles faced by (alternative parties) and (they) have to overcome them”. 

He then asked for the support of Singaporeans to “mount an effective campaign,” in the form of both volunteers and donations. “We would need (funds) to mail-drop our manifesto to every household in Ang Mo Kio – that would cost about five to six thousand dollars at least.”

“(So) if you want to keep democracy alive in Singapore, please (support) by donating generously – even a few dollars will help,” he concluded.