SPP confirms return to Bishan-Toa Payoh and Potong Pasir for GE 2025, eyes reclaiming lost ground

The Singapore People’s Party (SPP) will once again contest in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC and Potong Pasir SMC in the upcoming 2025 General Election. These are the same constituencies it contested in during the 2020 polls. Secretary-general Steve Chia announced the decision during a walkabout in Toa Payoh Lorong 4 on 29 March. He confirmed that the party’s slate of candidates has been finalised but will be officially announced only after Parliament is dissolved. Chia revealed that the GRC team will include a minority candidate, specifically a Malay representative, although he declined to provide further details. He did, however, confirm that he, party chairman Melvyn Chiu, and treasurer Williamson Lee will all stand in the election. The three were also part of the SPP team that contested Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC in 2020, securing 32.77 per cent of the vote against the People’s Action Party (PAP) team, which won with 67.23 per cent. SPP’s performance in Potong Pasir SMC in 2020 saw then-chairman Jose Raymond receive 39.33 per cent of the vote, losing to PAP incumbent Sitoh Yih Pin, who garnered 60.67 per cent. Raymond retired from politics later that year. Chia emphasised the party’s hope of reconnecting with residents and reclaiming a seat in Parliament. He said, “We hope to win back the hearts of the people in these two constituencies, and hopefully win back a seat in Parliament.” A significant focus is being placed on avoiding three-cornered fights, especially in Potong Pasir SMC, a single-member constituency that has historically seen strong opposition contests. Chia said the party is in active discussions with the People’s Alliance for Reform (PAR) to coordinate and prevent electoral overlaps. “Things are being worked out. Hopefully by Nomination Day, everything will be clear, that there’ll be no three-cornered fight,” he said.

The SPP is part of a loose opposition coalition comprising the National Solidarity Party, Red Dot United, and the Singapore United Party. This informal alliance aims to prevent multi-cornered fights and ensure more strategic opposition coverage of constituencies. Potong Pasir SMC carries deep significance for the SPP. It was the seat held by its former secretary-general Chiam See Tong for 27 years, from 1984 to 2011. In 2011, Chiam left Potong Pasir to lead a team contesting Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, which they lost. PAP has retained both seats since. Providing an update on Chiam’s health, Chia said the veteran politician, now 90, is “as good as he can be for his age,” and that the party hopes to honour his legacy by reclaiming Potong Pasir. Chiu reiterated that the SPP’s 2025 campaign will focus on pressing bread-and-butter issues. He said cost of living remains the top concern raised by residents. He noted: “Many people we spoke to said they bring S$50 to the market but return with little. Groceries are expensive, and small business owners are struggling with rental costs.” Chiu added that shopkeepers told the party they are giving up their stalls due to unsustainable operations and losses, an issue the party aims to raise in Parliament. During the 29 March walkabout, SPP members distributed flyers and spoke with residents and business owners in Toa Payoh. According to Mothership, Chia was overheard telling a family: “You know election is coming right? Most likely it’ll be in May.” While the official Polling Day has yet to be announced, the party is ramping up outreach and groundwork efforts ahead of the expected contest. Chia said the party will continue engaging residents in the coming weeks to share its manifesto and listen to public concerns. Founded in 1994, the SPP has contested Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC in the last three general elections and maintains a strong historical connection with Potong Pasir through Chiam’s legacy.