SDP’s vice-chairman Bryan Lim [who is no stranger to the constituency as he was part of the four-member team in both the 2015 and 2020 elections] spoke to The Independent Singapore on the prospect of going up against the country’s future Prime Minister in the next elections.
Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is inching closer to the country’s top post as he was recently appointed to the newly created post of deputy secretary-general in the People’s Action Party.
In a media statement on 26 Nov, the PAP announced that “The CEC has made a new deputy secretary-general appointment, in addition to two assistant secretary-general appointments (Chan Chun Sing and Desmond Lee), in line with plans for the party leadership transition. The deputy sec-gen will exercise the roles and responsibilities of the sec-gen, in the absence of the sec-gen.”
“Much work lies ahead for all of us in the PAP team as we strive to do well, not just in government but also in politics. Look forward to walking this journey together with our comrades and partners – to serve our fellow Singaporeans to the best of our abilities, and to build an ever more fair, ever more just, ever brighter Singapore for many more years to come,” posted DPM Wong on his Facebook page after his appointment in the party.
DPM Wong is currently the member of parliament for Marsiling – Yew Tee GRC, which was contested by the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) in the last two Singapore General Elections.
“We respect every opponent that we face, just like how we hope they respect us too. If he (DPM Wong) continues to stay in this constituency and contest, we will most probably be in the limelight. We will continue to do our groundwork and give him a good fight,” said Lim.
“But we need to give all residents a chance to exercise their rights and vote for the candidates and parties that they believe can bring Singapore forward. We believe that we can offer that alternative with our housing policy.”
“As for Lawrence Wong, he is a nice guy and I have met him a few times during the elections and at the polling centre. But then again, the way the PAP wants to bring this nation forward may not sit well with some of the general populace. The next election will be interesting.”
Lim and his party colleagues have been tirelessly working the ground since the last election, and they have been speaking out against the impending GST hike which will see the country raising GST from seven per cent to eight per cent from 1 January 2023, and a further one per cent the following year.
“We have the four yes, and one no for our 2020 election campaign, and the no was against the GST increase. It is baffling how the incumbent can continue to justify this. Every segment of society will be affected, not only the lower income but the middle income earners too,” added Lim.
“The sandwiched class sometimes probably don’t qualify for certain handouts. They are not rich enough like the super rich or the top ten percent in Singapore who can fend for themselves, buy their cars or luxury handbags. But the middle-class are neither here nor there.”
SDP garnered 31.27% of the votes in 2015 and improved slightly on their performance five years later as they received 36.82% of the votes in Marsiling -Yew Tee GRC.
“The people have spoken clearly, yes the PAP is returned to power during the last election. But the significant decrease in vote share since the 2015 elections is a strong signal to them that if they continue to go down this way, they are going to lose more support.”