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SINGAPORE: The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) kicked off its campaign for the upcoming General Election on Saturday (19 Apr) with the launch of its new slogan: “Thrive, Not Just Survive.” Party leaders outlined a series of policy proposals aimed at addressing the cost of living, including a reversal of recent GST hikes, healthcare affordability, and alternative housing models.
Speaking during a walkabout at Bangkit Road in Bukit Panjang SMC, SDP chief Chee Soon Juan emphasised the rationale behind the slogan, citing widespread feedback from Singaporeans struggling to keep pace with rising costs. He said:
“The whole idea behind this slogan is because Singaporeans have repeatedly told us that they are just surviving right now … basically, what they just do is frantically trying to keep pace with the cost of living that keeps on going up.”
As part of its economic platform, the SDP called for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to be reduced from the current 9 per cent to either 7 per cent or even 5 per cent, with a full exemption for essential items. The party argued that such measures would provide immediate relief to everyday Singaporeans.
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Dr Chee expressed frustration over the GST increases over the years, noting the cumulative effect of cost hikes across various sectors. Commenting that his party is befuddled by the GST hikes, he said:
“Why is it that when you’ve got a whole host of cost increases, whether it’s your water price, whether it’s your petrol duty, whether it’s your bus or MRT fares – on top of that, you tag on and add 2 per cent to the GST?
“It makes absolutely no sense to us. So what we’re saying is that you make sure, right now, that we roll back all these cost increases, roll back your GST to pre-COVID levels, and let the people breathe easier just a little bit.”
In healthcare, SDP proposed lowering medical costs to ease the financial burden on families, allowing people to “focus on living a healthy life without the constant worry of hospital bills.”
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The party also reiterated its alternative housing proposal — the Non-Open Market Scheme for BTO flats — where land costs are excluded from the pricing of new flats. These flats would be sold solely based on construction costs and cannot be resold on the open market, a move SDP says would ensure affordability and stability in the housing sector.
The SDP also addressed concerns over job security and wage inequality. The party urged for a reduction in the intake of foreign professionals, managers, executives, and technicians (PMETs), and called for the implementation of a minimum wage tied to Singapore’s cost of living.
Dr Chee said, “I think after 60 years, Singaporeans are entitled to ask, ‘have we arrived where we can then begin to enjoy the fruits of our labour?’
“Our quality of life cannot constantly be at the point where … I depend on vouchers just to go and do the shopping. At this stage of the game, we should be well beyond that level.”
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The party is pushing ahead with what it calls a “northern strategy” for the general election, eyeing constituencies in the northern part of Singapore. In recent weeks, SDP has unveiled potential candidates for Sembawang and Marsiling-Yew Tee GRCs, along with Sembawang West and Bukit Panjang SMCs.
Dr Chee will be fielded in Sembawang West, while party chairman Paul Tambyah is expected to contest Bukit Panjang SMC again, where he previously garnered 46.27% of the vote in what was one of the closest SMC races in the 2020 general election.
At Sembawang GRC, the SDP appears headed for a three-way contest, with the National Solidarity Party (NSP) announcing its intention to run there, but Dr Chee said discussions with NSP remain ongoing and that the SDP is “continuing to keep our communications open and see if we can work things out.”
He added, “But as I said, it’s not so much of who stands where, but where you stand. You make sure that it’s not like tissue paper, you put on the table and ‘chope’ … It’s formulating our message to the voters.”
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