WP candidates warn against monopoly, call for competition and diversity at Sengkang rally

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SINGAPORE – The importance of political competition and diversity of thought was a theme running through the WP’s first rally in a decade on April 24.

Four-time election veteran Gerald Giam stressed that political competition is good because it means that all parties will raise their game.

Pointing out how the end of Singtel’s monopoly over mobile services resulted in lower prices, the incumbent Aljunied GRC MP said: “That’s how we keep improving Singapore, not by keeping the status quo, but by making space for better ideas and greater accountability.

“This all leads to better outcomes for you and your families,” added the 47-year-old co-founder of a tech start-up, whose seniority was acknowledged with the crowd’s cries of “lao jiao” (“old bird” in Hokkien).

Indeed, listeners braving the mud-filled field in Anchorvale Crescent, in Sengkang, cheered as each of the 13 newcomers and veterans spoke in English, Mandarin, Malay, Teochew and Cantonese.

The boisterous crowd had to be reminded repeatedly by Tampines GRC candidate Eileen Chong, and even WP chief Pritam Singh at one point, to stay within the field.

Former Non-Constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong kicked off the rally by warning of the dangers of a monopoly.

“The Government believes that in business, monopoly is bad. And therefore they have anti-monopoly laws.

“But when it comes to politics, they want it all,” said Mr Yee, who will helm the team contesting East Coast GRC.

The 60-year-old was met with shouts of approval from the crowd, whose cries of “Workers’ Party” was the constant refrain of the night.

Hougang incumbent Dennis Tan said the global uncertainties and challenges have made it even more important for a diversity of ideas in Parliament, rather than one team “singing the same song”.

“No one political party can claim a monopoly on the best ideas,” said Mr Tan, 54.

The WP, in its 122-page manifesto, has asserted that government policies had been adopted from its previous proposals.

Political newcomers made their rally debuts in quick succession, starting with the slate that will take on the PAP’s team anchored by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong in Punggol GRC.

The group’s youngest member, Mr Jackson Au, 35, took aim at the ruling party’s response to the growing cost of living, which earned mentions from many candidates including Team Sengkang’s Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik.

The corporate affairs senior manager ended his wide-ranging speech by explaining his decision to join the opposition, even though he had been a little scared to do so.

Quoting hit series Game of Thrones, Mr Au said: “Can a man still be brave if he is afraid?

“That is the only time a man can be brave.”

Teammate Alia Mattar, 43, spoke about the Education Ministry’s lessons on the Israel-Palestine conflict as she underscored the need for healthy discourse to take place.

Following pushback from parents on the handling of the ministry’s lessons on the conflict, lessons had been amended to cater to different age groups, with more sensitivity and inclusion of diverse views.

The lawyer said: “My personal vision for Singapore is one where the voices of all Singaporeans are heard, our concerns are noted and proposals put forth that will improve the life of every Singaporean and the generations to come.”

Advertising tech firm senior director Alexis Dang, 39, pointing to her childhood growing up in both Taiwan and Singapore, said: “Diversity of thought is not a threat, it’s a strength.”

Capping off the slate, senior counsel Harpreet Singh, in his call for change, said the WP was not a party that tears down what has worked.

“We are here to build on it, to take the best of what Singapore has achieved, and make it better for everyone, not just for today, but for generations to come,” the 59-year-old said.

Global fintech manager Andre Low, 33, whose fiery remarks earned a standing ovation from over 20 WP candidates sitting behind him, is squaring off with NTUC chief Ng Chee Meng for the single-seat Jalan Kayu.

He cited how emergency legislation had been needed to block the Income-Allianz deal as an example of why there is a need for strong opposition voices in Parliament.

The hotly debated deal between German insurer Allianz and Income Insurance was called off by the Government in October 2024 over concerns about the deal structure and the ability of the local insurer to continue its social mission.

Mr Low, who promised to ask hard questions if elected, said: “This is why we need strong opposition voices in Parliament, because without proper checks and balances, these kinds of decisions get taken behind closed doors.”

Another theme of the night was how active WP representatives had been in Parliament.

Associate Professor Jamus Lim contrasted the volume of questions asked by both sides of the aisle in Parliament over the past five years, as reported by The Straits Times.

The 49-year-old said: “We are proud of our record, and we want to keep working for you.”

While others dropped phrases in Teochew, financial analyst Louis Chua delivered his entire speech in the dialect, in the tradition of WP veteran Low Thia Khiang.

Meanwhile, legal counsel He Ting Ru, who chairs the Sengkang Town Council, reflected on what had changed in the decade since the WP’s last rally, including the expanded Goods and Services Tax.

The 41-year-old concluded: “This future is not only the PAP, the Workers’ Party or any political party, it is one that is shaped by you.

“You have the power to be bold, to step up and vote for a better Singapore.”

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