SDP take PAP to task for uncaring policies at first rally
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Democrats take PAP to task for uncaring policies at first rally
THURSDAY, 28 APRIL 2011 Singapore Democrats
Democrats kicked off the GE2011 campaign with a rousing rally at an open field in the Commonwealth estate. All of the 11 candidates took to the stage to press home the SDP's case against the uncaring and out-of-touch policies of the PAP.
Candidate for Yuhua, Ms Teo Soh Lung led with the first speech of the evening. She touched on issues relating to government transparency, and questioned the quality of the PAP leadership.
Mr John Tan, who leads the Sembawang team, raised the immigration policy and its impact on employment and wages. He strongly advocated for the SDP’s Singaporeans First policy which requires employers to create an environment where Singaporeans are employed before a case can be made for employing a foreigner.
Mr Sadasivam Veriyah spoke eloquently in Tamil, English and Malay, addressing the concerns of the people in relation to being ignored by the government and finding it impossible to enable their voices to be heard.
Mr Mohd Isa addressed the crowd in Malay, with some remarks in English at the end of his speech. He addressed housing issues and told the people that this election is about them, rather than about the PAP.
Bukit Panjang candidate, Mr Alec Tok, showing a good grasp of constituency issues, addressed serious local problems in Bukit Panjang including gangsterism. He also questioned why Singaporean children are being given second priority in education.
Mr Jarrod Luo, our youngest candidate, speaking effortlessly in English and Mandarin, gave a rousing speech where he highlighted the PAP’s shortcomings and advised the crowd to vote PAP if it wanted more of the same.
Dr James Gomez, challenged the health policies of the current Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan who is his contender in Sembawang GRC. He highlighted how the minister’s shameful statements about parents being placed in nursing homes in Johor are not new but were also made previously.
Ms Michelle Lee, a mother of three and a teacher of underprivileged children asked the audience to reclaim Singapore for themselves and not allow the PAP’s rhetoric to sidetrack them from their desire for change and progress. Michelle completed her speech with some remarks in Chinese which were well-received.
Mr Tan Jee Say took the crowd through a reasoned defence of his economic proposals, contained in a highly-regarded paper that the government has been at pains to criticise. He showed how the government’s criticisms of his proposals are totally at variance with sound economic thinking and reveals the government’s short-sightedness in refusing to consider alternative ideas. Mr Tan also made some remarks in Mandarin.
Dr Vincent Wijeysingha addressed the deep-seated concerns of the people about the quality of the government's social policy and encouraged the audience to recognise that, whereas the government is warning people of the ill effects of opposition wins, in fact those fears have already been realised with its mismanagement of the economy and society these last five years.
Dr Ang Yong Guan was the last, and extremely, popular speaker. Moving back and forth between English and Mandarin with a lot of dialect thrown in, he fired the crowd’s imagination with his observations of the quality of life, from his political (and professional) standpoints.
The highlight of the evening was the signing of The SDP Promise which all the candidates did. The SDP Promise is a 10-point pledge to residents if our candidates are voted into office which include contributing 50 percent of their MPs' allowance to the party to upgrade our services to our constituents.
Danny the Democracy Bear was of course on hand to lend some assistance. He was on stage to encourage his colleagues as they gave their all in lively evening.
Apologies for sound system
Many of those who attended the rally said that those standing at the back of the crowd could not hear the speakers very well. We apologise for the problem. The situation will be rectified and the sound system will be improved for tomorrow's rally at the Jurong Stadium starting at 7 pm.
Note: More rally photos at SDP's facebook
Date/time: 29 Apr 2011, Friday, 7pm
Venue: Jurong East Stadium, 21 Jurong East St 31
Nearest MRT: Chinese Garden -
Anger at PAP while celebrities support SDP
Singapore Democrats
WEDNESDAY, 04 MAY 2011
This picture says it all: A man holding the SDP's fan and WP's flag
Whatever the results come the morning of 8 May, politics in Singapore has changed forever. At last, Singaporeans are shedding their fear of supporting the opposition.
Disillusionment and even anger at the PAP are causing people to turn away from the PAP. We have seen establishment figures join the opposition. Mr Tan Jee Say's and Dr Ang Yong Guan's candidacies under the SDP are prime examples.
We have had a couple of people who have been office holders of Citizens' Consultative Committee declaring their support for us.
And get this: A businessman who said he was also a PAP member came to our office yesterday and gave us a substantial donation.
Celebrities spotted at SDP's rally
We reported here that businesses that have hitherto be wary of supporting the opposition have come forward to support, or at least, express their sympathy for the SDP.
At our rallies we have seen our very own celebrities coming to our rallies and cheering us on. Mr Lim Kay Siu seen here in the photograph with Ms Neo Swee Lin have expressed their support. Also in the picture is model and MTV star Ms Denise Keller and Ms Nadine Keller.
Neo Swee Lin
Some are even boldly expressing their support of the opposition right in front of the PAP. This man was seen holding up the SDP's fan and WP's flag at the lunchtime rally held by the PAP at the UOB Plaza downtown.
After many long and lonely years, we are finally seeing Singaporeans shedding their fear, and expressing their support for the Singapore Democratic Party. We are touched and we are grateful.
Actor Lim Kay Siu showing support after the rally
But we want you to remember, you are not doing this for us. You are doing it for yourselves, your loved ones and, most important, your country.
Freedom, justice and patriotism are concepts that are hard to describe but feel it you will know it. They are contagious.
Let us all do something totally outrageous this elections: Let us commit wanton acts of patriotism, mindless spread of compassion and unthinking deeds of justice for our fellow countrymen and women.
Bt Panjang's candidate Alec Tok with director Glen Goei
You know you want to do it. More important, you know you are capable of doing it.
The time has come to bring change to this island we call home. We are the change that we want to see. Good things await those who dare mightily, who dare to change.
Help us spread the word. Click on the email icon on the top right of this page and send this article to everyone you know. Put it on your Facebook. Tell your family and friends about us. Make the SDP's campaign your campaign and spread it like wild fire.
On Saturday, there is only one choice. SDP.
Note: More photos at SDP's photo gallery.http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/4796-anger-at-pap-while-celebrities-support-sdp