Andrew Loh -
In its second pre-election rally at Speakers’ Corner on Saturday, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) unveiled its economic strategy for Singapore, one which apparently the party will be campaigning on during the upcoming General Election. In a 47-page publication titled, “It’s About You”, the party laid out its alternatives to the Government’s economic policies.
SDP secretary-general, Dr Chee Soon Juan, hailed his party’s programme as a credible one which they had consulted academics and economists on.
“We put forward an alternative economic model that is fundamentally different from that practiced by the PAP,” the introduction to the publication says. “[It] is an alternative that is both realistic and workable for our economy.”
“This publication will demonstrate once and for all that the PAP does not have a monopoly of ideas for Singapore, including economic ones,” the SDP says.
The party addresses issues such as GDP growth, productivity, income inequality, dependence on GLCs and MNCs, retirement, employment policies, public housing and healthcare, among others.
[TOC will have a more in-depth report and review of the SDP’s recommendations at a later date.]
At Saturday’s event, speakers spoke on a variety of issues – including the large number of foreigners here, costs of public housing, and Singapore’s future.
One who impressed with his eloquence and delivery was sociologist, Dr Vincent Wijeysingha. In an impassioned speech, Dr Vincent decried what Singapore has become – a home which no longer feels like home because of the PAP’s policies. He pinpointed as one of the contributing factors the large number of foreign workers here. “The SDP is not against foreigners,” Dr Vincent emphasised. The SDP has always stood for the rights of workers, whether they are local or foreign, he explained. What the party wants to see is fair treatment of locals, particularly when it comes to employment opportunities and wages.
Dr Chee, in a defiant mood, spoke of how the PAP Government has, over the last 20 years, vilified him. While acknowledging that this has resulted in him not being able to stand in the next elections, he said he was happy that more people have joined the party. This despite the demonization of not only Dr Chee but also of the party as a whole.
Dr James Gomes, who helms the relatively new non-governmental organization Singaporeans For Democracy (SFD) and a candidate with the Workers’ Party in the last elections, disclosed that he had signed up as an SDP member on Saturday. (Read Dr Gomez’s speech here.)
The rally event was very well-organised, with tents set up and even food and refreshments provided for the public. The national flag and the SDP’s party flags were planted along the green of Hong Lim Park. The event felt like a carnival more than a political rally, with popular music played during breaks. Speakers stuck to the time allocated to them and the event ended at exactly the stipulated time indicated in its programme sheet for the day.
About 350-400 people turned up for the 4-hour event which started at 4pm.
Here are some pictures of the rally by Joshua Chiang:
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Congratulations to the SDP for their strong showing and presenting (and offering) an alternate life-style to Singaporeans.
The autocratic Singapore government has progressed 2 degrees towards democracy in that they allowed for this rally to be held.
Hopefully, the Singapore government would grant licence to a daily newspaper not link to the SPH or PAP.
For those of us who missed the rally, please have it on youtube.
With hardly any growth in the crowd size vis a vis the previous pre election rally it shows that Singaporean doesn’t give two hoots about politics.
Realistically PAP will reign again in the forth coming general election and continue to be the most dominant political party in Singapore.
The slide show was gd. I watched it all the way thru.
Gd production work.
I see the SDP now has a role model, Reform Party, to steal ideas and phrases from. What happened finally figured out that “civil disobedience” does not work..
Erm…Ithink it is the Reform Party that has been stealing the SDP’s policy platform.
I am impressed by SDP this time. Great effort!
Well done Singapore!
Civil disobedience is the right of ordinary citizens and we have been deprived of that basic right in the streets. CSJ reminded us of how precious civil disobedience is and why it must be protected always.
I am disappointed to note that there were about 250 to 300 people there.
In the last rally, there were 400 and I expected this to be more…at least say 500 if not double to 800 to a 1,000.
Either, the SDP is loosing its drawing power or people is too tired of the party making too much noise.
If the latter reason is true, then Singaporeans desired to be screwed by the PAP…….they want someone to oppose the PAP and finally there is one like SDP really voice out with good alternative views and even the PAP is scared of them, Singaporeans just treat them as “Singapore Died Party”.
SDP should put its new economic plan on site as well. Its for the diaspora and support from well wishers for GE2010/11. Best of luck!
I never liked SDP before but my opinion is changing.
I also do not agree that PAP has monopoly of ideas. In fact they have some of the worst idea ever, but with support of the press, they get the people to buy their idea as the best. Bad ideas that are implement are seldom reported in detailed or more than once in the press.
Supporters of SDP,RP,what is there to fight?
Both of your parties have absolutely nothing now,what are u fighting for?
Both are doing great disservice to yr respective party.
Of course some are PAP internet brigade.so opposition suppotrters bewarded
Disallowed – irrelevant. (Andrew)
It is better than LHL national Rally. LHL speeches are full of motherhood noise and rhetoric with no action. Singapaoreans are not living any better life than expected. The so-called swiss standard of livings, golden years, No-one is left behind, affordable HDB, home ownership are all lies thru PAP teeth. Instead, after allowing themselves to draw million dollars salaries without citizens approval, they became too arrogant by calling the people “picky Singaporeans”, “lesser mortals”, “no spur in our hide”, “chief grumblers”, and “CHEAP!, better and faster”. If this election is not a watershed to throw pap out of power, I am worried for all our future generations.
I suspect it makes grand arguments for a democratic welfare state.
Hope you guys like high taxes :-)
I think SDP is a threat to PAP.
SDP should look into the NOW and the FUTURE and let the past be the past.PAP will not hesitate to use whatever arsenal they have to remind and harp on the past to get their message through to the masses especially the FENCE SITTERS.
The onus is on this new breed of SDP with some of the older ones to convince the Fence Sitters especially the young and first time voters that a change is a NECESSITY and not necessary likewise their votes are their birth RIGHTS and not a privilege as claim by Wong Kan Seng.
I don’t see PAP losing this election but an increase of MPs on the opposition side is definitely on the cards and the last thing on any opposition mind now is the NMP.
Why be a second class MP when you can be a First class one?
John Tan was a letdown. With a fake accent and grammar mistakes he praised California. Singaporeans want solutions to their problems under PAP.
SDP must bear in mind ‘unity is strength’ for the opps, similarly for the other parties. To fight the PAP:
1. Unite, contest all seats & no 3-corners fight
2. No harping on vote secrecy, SMCs, GRCs,don’t wait for boundaries to be drawn (these are PAP tricks for the past 30-40 yrs)
3. Fight the GE with the idea of winning and not just to deny them 2/3!
Cheers and all the best.
Singporeans have to be more adventurous & put up their guts for a change. This world is evolving faster than what they have thought…
i would LOVE to be there just as i LOVE attending JBJ’s session at yio chu kang stadium and rallies, buying his books anf T shirts, but i ALWAYS bring BAD luck to all i befriend and supported.
a jinx like me will always be alone FOREVER, maybe i should join the ruling party to bring some BAD luck to them, what do you think ???
my perception with SDP changed after attending the rally…good work.
Await to read the SDP’s “It’s About You”.
But it is unwise to give any political party unequivocal support.
Democracy requires a healthy skepticism and institutionalised measures to keep those in power accountable.
One thing the Singapore economy needs is more opportunities for individuals to start small businesses. The economy, at the moment, is too dominated by government-linked businesses. There are also way too many people on the government/GLC payrolls – to the detriment of enterprise and productivity.
Too much in-breeding and in-feeding.
all opposition party want to be policemens
the truth is we need the opposition. and do note the opposition in sg need to be incredibly brave. Why?
Cos they risk bankruptcy, arrest, harassment etc.
Give them credit for that. please don’t take them for granted. These are humans, singaporean, with families too.
please give them a chance.
“But it is unwise to give any political party unequivocal support.” alitheia
A very wise saying.
The SPH newspapers, radio and TV stations are all for the PAP. It’s not an exaggeration to call them PAP’s propaganda machinery.
Singapore under the PAP started off as a democracy after the very first election but thereafter it is a socialist state along the line of North Korea dominated by big government and one dominant famiLEE.
Life can only be better for Singaporeans if more opposition candidates get into parliament.
We must make sure the PAP ministers work for the million dollar salary they are getting.
We don’t need meaningless mission statements and key performance indices that benefit the PAP. What is needed is solid work that solves problems.
Kudos to SDP! The current FT policies is getting way out of hand. We cannot carry on handing the mandate on such policies that damages Singapore and make Singaporeans suffer!