Singapore—One of the country’s opposition parties, the Singapore People’s Party (SPP), celebrated its 25th anniversary on Sunday, November 17, with a gathering over lunch with the party’s “closest volunteers and friends.”
The lunch was held at Kintamani Restaurant, which holds special significance to SPP, since it was where party stalwart Chiam See Tong, who served in Parliament from 1984 to 2011, “used to hold dinners to thank his supporters following elections,” according to a post on SPP’s Facebook page.
Mr Chiam holds the record in Singapore for being the longest-serving Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) in a Single Member Constituency (SMC). He represented the constituency of Potong Pasir, and had been the party’s Secretary-General for almost 23 years.
He stepped down only last month due to ill health, and was replaced by Former Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP), Steve Chia, earlier in November.
Regarding the anniversary lunch, SPP also wrote, “It was great to see many old and new faces coming together as we strengthened our ties and reaffirmed our commitment to build a loyal opposition for Singapore and Singaporeans.”
Jose Raymond, the former press secretary of Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan who joined SPP in 2018, wrote in a post on Facebook how it is important for the party to set their eyes on what lies ahead.
https://www.facebook.com/618841751/posts/10156579706926752/
“But instead of looking back, it is important for us to look forward, and find ways to remain relevant and always be on hand to provide support to Singaporeans in need of help, to bring them hope and to help them lead better lives.
It is our duty to be constructive, and be able to contribute to the national conversation at all times, and be a voice for Singaporeans from all walks of life.”
Mr Raymond, who was elected to SPP’s central executive committee (CEC) last month and is the party’s new Chairman, ended his post with a toast to SPP’s next 25 years.
SPP Secretary-General Steve Chia said that the anniversary lunch had been “a great time of bonding. A reminiscence of the past campaigns and the good things Mr Chiam, Mrs Chiam and myself have contributed in Parliament. And it is also a call to our members to work hard for the future of fellow Singaporeans
at the coming GE.”
SPP’s website also carries a forward-looking message. “The Singapore People’s Party looks forward to winning the next General Election due by 2021 and serve the residents in the constituencies of Potong Pasir, Bishan-Toa Payoh, and Hong Kah North. We work to provide a constructive and valid representation of Singaporeans and a People’s Voice in our PAP-dominated government.”
Read related: Steve Chia succeeds Chiam See Tong as SPP secretary-general