By SINGAPORE — In a significant development in Singapore’s political landscape, four opposition parties – Peoples Voice (PV), Reform Party (RP), People’s Power Party (PPP), and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) – have united to form a new political alliance.
The formation of the coalition, called “People’s Alliance,” was announced by Mr Lim Tean, Mr Goh Meng Seng, and Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam through their various Facebook pages earlier today.
The announcement comes in response to the growing demands from Singaporeans for a united opposition to challenge the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP).
This development comes amidst the backdrop of a similar attempt made in 2020, where then-existing SingFirst, DPP, PPP, and RP intended to register a new alliance for the upcoming General Election.
Interestingly, these parties had shown interest in joining the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA), Singapore’s only previously registered political alliance. However, their intention was indirectly rejected as SDA, led by Mr Desmond Lim and comprising of the Singapore Justice Party (SJP), Singapore National Front (SNF) and Singapore Malay National Organisation (PKMS), put membership applications on hold indefinitely.
The announcement of the proposed alliance notes that many Singaporeans are concerned with the rising cost of living, high property prices, job insecurity, and other societal grievances, signalling a need for change in the political leadership.
Since January 2023, the four parties have been in negotiations to form an alliance, which has now been realized. Previous attempts to establish a united front among opposition parties were unsuccessful.
“The time for talking about opposition unity without the formation of an alliance is long past,” reads the official press release issued by the newly formed alliance.
The People’s Alliance has been formed with the intention of contesting the next General Election under this unified banner. The alliance has already agreed on the most critical issues affecting Singapore’s prosperity and has prepared a manifesto for the upcoming election.
As per the press release, the People’s Alliance is set to contest all the seats that the four respective parties had vied for in the General Election of 2020, in addition to several other constituencies in the upcoming General Election due in 2025.
The constituencies that these parties previously contested include Radin Mas Single Member Constituency (SMC), Mountbatten SMC, MacPherson SMC, Jalan Besar Group Representation Constituency (GRC), Ang Mo Kio GRC, and Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC. These constituencies account for a total of 17 seats.
The alliance’s core message is that of unity, promising to protect and further the interest of Singapore’s citizens.
The first Central Executive Committee of People’s Alliance includes representatives from each party, with Mr Jeyaretnam serving as Chairman, Mr Lim as Secretary-General and Mr Goh as Organising Secretary, among others.
Once the registration of People’s Alliance with the Registry of Societies is approved, the alliance will hold an official press conference and launch.