The Singapore Democratic Party has vowed to redouble its efforts and “bring about positive change for our nation and our people” in 2019.
In it’s New Year message, the opposition party said that 2018 was characterised by the rising cost of living, “economic lethargy,” and poor leadership.
Citing lawsuits against citizens like Leong Sze Hian, action against alternative news sites like TOC and legislation “to further curtail open debate” as examples of how the Government continues to “harass its citizens,” SDP said that “Singaporeans can expect tougher times if nothing changes.”
The party further contrasted the high ministerial salaries political office-holders earn, to the problems ordinary Singaporeans face, such as increasing financial stress, lack of employment opportunity, the decreasing value of public housing properties and unfair competition for jobs by foreign talent.
SDP says that the situation many Singaporeans find themselves in can be turned around. It added: “To this end, the SDP has crafted an alternative vision for Singapore and, from this, drawn up a set of alternative policies to take the country up a brighter, happier, and more equal future.”
Revealing that it is ramping up its efforts as the next general election draws near, the party called on Singaporeans to join them in ushering in change for a “better Singapore”.
Read their statement in full here:
In this New Year, the Singapore Democrats renew our commitment and redouble our efforts to bring about positive change…
Posted by Chee Soon Juan 徐顺全 on Tuesday, 1 January 2019
In case you cannot read the above:
“In this New Year, the Singapore Democrats renew our commitment and redouble our efforts to bring about positive change for our nation and our people.
“2018 will remembered as a year of price increases and economic lethargy, coupled by a government not providing fresh and enlightened leadership to tackling the unprecedented problems that lay ahead.
“The only thing it seems certain of is to continue to harass its citizens by prosecuting and suing them for their dissenting views, introducing legislation to further curtail open debate and cracking down on alternative news sites.
“Looking ahead, Singaporeans can expect tougher times if nothing changes. Millennials face a distinct lack of opportunity as finding meaningful employment becomes harder, housing prices remain unaffordable and the “graduate poor” increase in number.
“Middle-aged Singaporeans don’t have it better. As the effect of price increases kick-in and the increase in GST looms, families will come under even greater financial stress. Having not only their children to bring up but also ageing parents to care for, working adults will struggle like they’ve never struggled before.
“Add to the mix the PAP’s intent to bring in yet more foreigners to compete on the jobs front even as retrenchments threaten Singaporeans’ livelihoods, 2019 will bring little cheer.
“Likewise, the older segment of the population will have little to look forward to as they see their dreams of selling their once-prized HDB nest-eggs to fund their retirement go up in smoke. The PAP has finally admitted that flats will decrease in value as they reach the end of their 99-year lease.
“To pile on the misery, the PAP continues to retain the little that we have in our CPF savings under the Minimum Sum Scheme, making retirement an impossibility and economic security a pipe-dream for many older Singaporeans.
“All this is happening while the ministers insist on lavishing themselves with astronomical salaries and living charmed lives. Such self-interested political leadership spells troubled times for our country
“But the situation is not immutable. With effort, we can turn things around. To this end, the SDP has crafted an alternative vision for Singapore and, from this, drawn up a set of alternative policies to take the country up a brighter, happier, and more equal future.
“2019 promises to be an eventful year with the SDP kicking things up a notch as we embark on a series of activities leading up to the next general elections expected to be held later this year. We will announce our plans in the coming weeks.
“We invite Singaporeans to be part of this effort to usher in change for a better Singapore and let’s make 2019 a truly happy and meaningful New Year!”