GE2025: PAP adopts our ideas as policy but won't give us any credit, says SDP's Chee Soon Juan
GE2025: PAP adopts our ideas as policy but won't give us any credit, says SDP's Chee Soon Juan
Follow our live coverage here.
SINGAPORE - The PAP has in the past criticised the Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) policy proposals, only to adopt several of them later, said SDP chief Chee Soon Juan.
'During elections, the PAP will slam the opposition for its alternative proposals, and after elections, it will adopt our ideas – but it won't give (us) any credit,' he told the party's supporters on April 30.
Speaking at a rally for Sembawang GRC near Sun Plaza just days ahead of the May 3 General Election, Dr Chee laid claim to three proposals by the SDP that have since become policy.
The first is an unemployment insurance scheme to provide retrenched workers with temporary financial assistance.
Initially criticised in 2016 by then Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam as a 'populist policy', Dr Chee said that eight years later, a very similar policy – the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme – was announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in 2024 .
Second, the SDP had proposed a higher income tax for Singapore's top earners to offset a reduction of the goods and services tax (GST) for basic goods.
In 2015, the Government announced during the Budget that it would increase taxes on the rich, raising marginal tax rates for the top 5 per cent of income earners.
Dr Chee pointed out that the SDP had also called for a minimum wage policy from as early as 2001. However, the policy was rejected by former manpower minister Lim Swee Say 'as a policy that would erode Singapore's competitiveness'.
'Then, in 2012, the PAP introduced a progressive wage model, which is similar to our proposal. It just set the minimum wage of $1,000 for low-income workers in selected sectors,' he said.
He added that Health Minister Ong Ye Kung is now doing the same by criticising the SDP's policy proposals for healthcare and housing, claiming they are not feasible or realistic.
Mr Ong is helming the PAP team in Sembawang GRC against the SDP and National Solidarity Party (NSP) in a three-cornered fight.
During a PAP rally at the same venue on April 28, Mr Ong had scoffed at the SDP's proposals, saying: 'When something sounds so good, it is usually fake.'
Said Dr Chee, who is contesting in Sembawang West SMC: 'So may I remind you... first they criticise, then they copy.'
Earlier in the night, SDP's five-member Sembawang slate – party vice-chair Bryan Lim, 49; treasurer Surayah Akbar, 42; deputy head of policy James Gomez, 60; as well as party members Damanhuri Abas, 54; and Alfred Tan, 59 – also took turns to rebut Mr Ong's remarks on April 28.
They took issue with Mr Ong's claim that the SDP's housing policies appeared to be borrowed from the Progress Singapore Party's playbook, particularly the proposal to remove land costs from the prices of Build-to-Order (BTO) and Sale of Balance flats.
Ms Surayah, Mr Damanhuri and Mr Tan pointed out that the SDP had proposed the non-open market BTO flat scheme much earlier, in 2019.
Non-open market BTO flats are Housing Board flats that are priced based on construction and administrative costs only, and exclude inflated land costs.
'To accuse the SDP of imitation is not only inaccurate, (but) it also distracts from the real housing issues facing Singaporeans today – runaway resale prices, housing insecurity for young families, and financial burdens on working citizens,' said Ms Surayah.
Dr Gomez said that young people want affordable housing to start families sans worries about costs and other expenditures.
'Increasingly, for young people, a home is a place to live, not just to be a stock to flip down the line,' he said.
'For young Singaporeans, what matters most is affordable housing to start their independent lives.'
Dr Gomez also reiterated SDP's call for mental health to be a critical component of Singapore's healthcare system.
He was backed by Dr Chee, who outlined a vision of Singapore that prioritises happiness and well-being over 'GDP growth at all costs'.
He said Singapore should be a place 'where success is not measured by how many foreign billionaires we can attract, but by how secure and supported every Singaporean feels', and where the Government listens and responds beyond election periods.
Dr Chee added that the PAP's path is one that 'leads us right back to the problems we are drowning in – an unbearable cost of living, crushing mental stress, (and) a government that gerrymanders instead of listens'.
At the rally, SDP chairman Paul Tambyah also shared a vision for a Singapore that includes a mandatory national health insurance scheme, a nationalised pre-school education programme, the removal of the PSLE exam, and greater freedom for individuals to pursue interests beyond traditional pathways, such as in the arts and culture.
SDP is the only party to have held rallies every night since they kicked off on April 24.
Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Paper
9 hours ago
- New Paper
Nearly half of Tengah's 30,000 planned flats ready by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat
Close to 12,000 Housing Board flats in Tengah have been completed, comprising around 40 per cent of the 30,000 flats launched so far in the new town. Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat gave this update on July 26 at HDB Community Day, adding that almost half of the planned 30,000 flats in Tengah will be completed by the end of 2025. Speaking at Plantation Plaza in Tengah, Mr Chee said the planning of the new town gave residents opportunities to share ideas for the estate before moving in. "We will continue to work together with our grassroots advisers and community leaders to listen to your views and your feedback as we build up the town. Learning from the positive experience, this is the approach we will also take for other new estates in the future," he said. Since 2019, more than 6,500 Tengah home buyers from 22 precincts have given their feedback via HDB's Tengah Sensing surveys. More than 13,000 Tengah residents have also provided insights and helped shape HDB's plans for the new town, said Mr Chee. "For example, the sheltered linkways and cycling paths that we planned for Tengah were well received by many residents, who shared with us the importance of connectivity infrastructure. "These features are integrated into the design of Tengah's transport routes, so residents can walk and cycle safely throughout the town," said the minister. Noting residents' feedback on the need for more convenient access to amenities, Mr Chee said several key facilities have been developed, and more schools, places of worship and healthcare facilities will be built. By end-2026, a total of eight new bus services will be introduced in Tengah and Brickland, he said, adding that two of them will begin operations by the end of 2025. One of these is bus service 872, which will connect residents to the East-West Line at Chinese Garden MRT station from August 2025. Mr Chee said the opening of Plantation Plaza means Tengah residents will have more access to food options and other necessities, with 69 out of 75 shops now open. He said the remaining six shops are expected to be operational by this quarter. Tengah's second neighbourhood centre, Parc Point, will begin operating in the first quarter of 2026, added the minister. "Parc Point will be a vibrant hub, with a new polyclinic and over 40 shops offering a wide range of dining and retail options, all within convenient reach of Tengah Bus Interchange," he said. While it is important to have good infrastructure in place, Mr Chee noted, a town is more than its buildings and hardware alone. "It is the residents, it is the people, who are living here and use the facilities, who call this home and bring this town Tengah to life." One such Tengah resident was 16-year-old Phoebe Tan, who received the Friends of Our Heartlands award on July 26 for her contributions to the new town. She was part of the team of volunteers who launched School's Out, Fun's In @ Tengah, a programme held in November 2024 that transformed void decks in Tengah into stations with games such as hopscotch. Since 2019, more than 6,500 Tengah home buyers from 22 precincts have given their feedback via HDB's Tengah Sensing surveys. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO Phoebe, a secondary school student who lives in Tengah with her parents and two siblings, said: "We organised it in such a way that each void deck had one station game, so residents could familiarise themselves with different parts of Tengah as they played the games." She added: "I don't think anyone is ever too young to start on something they are passionate about. For me, I wanted to be caring and do something for this community." Tengah resident Madhavan Ramakrishnan, 34, a piping designer, also took home the Friends of Our Heartlands award. He was among the volunteers who created a life-size version of Snakes And Ladders for residents at HDB Community Day. The game includes tips on how to be good neighbours, he said, such as reminders to be considerate by keeping public spaces clean. Mr Ramakrishnan moved to Tengah in 2024 with his wife, who is now pregnant, and their four-year-old daughter. He said: "I just wanted to help Tengah grow into a community, and let my kids grow up in a neighbourly home."
AsiaOne
14 hours ago
- AsiaOne
Almost half of planned 30,000 flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat, Singapore News
SINGAPORE — Close to 12,000 Housing Board flats in Tengah have been completed, comprising around 40 per cent of the 30,000 flats launched so far in the new town. Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat gave this update on July 26 at HDB Community Day, adding that almost half of the planned 30,000 flats in Tengah will be completed by the end of 2025. Speaking at Tengah Community Club, Chee said the planning of the new town gave residents opportunities to share ideas for the estate before moving in. 'We will continue to work together with our grassroot advisors and community leaders to listen to your views and your feedback as we build up the town. Learning from the positive experience, this is the approach we will also take for other new estates in the future,' he said. For instance, since 2019, over 6,500 Tengah homebuyers from 22 precincts gave their feedback via HDB's Tengah Sensing surveys. More than 13,000 Tengah residents also provided insights and helped shaped HDB's plans for the new town, said Chee. 'For example, the sheltered linkways and cycling paths that we planned for Tengah were well-received by many residents, who shared with us the importance of connectivity infrastructure. These features are integrated into the design of Tengah's transport routes, so residents can walk and cycle safely throughout the town,' said the minister. Noting residents' feedback on the need for more convenient access to amenities, Chee said several key facilities have been developed, and more schools, places of worship and healthcare facilities will be built. By end-2026, a total of eight new bus services will be introduced in Tengah and Brickland, said the minister, adding that two of which will commence operations by the end of this year. One of these is bus service 872, which will connect residents to the East-West Line at Chinese Garden MRT station from August 2025. While it is important to have good infrastructure in place, Chee noted that a town is more than its buildings and hardware alone. 'It is the residents, it is the people, who are living here and use the facilities, who call this home and bring this town Tengah to life.' One such Tengah resident was 16-year-old Phoebe Tan, who received the Friends of Our Heartlands award on July 26 for her contributions to the new town. She was part of the team of volunteers who launched School's Out, Fun's in @ Tengah, a programme held in November 2024 that transformed void decks in Tengah into stations with games such as hopscotch. Tan, who lives in Tengah with her parents and two siblings, said: 'We organised it in such a way that each void deck had one station game, so residents could familiarise themselves with different parts of Tengah as they played the games.' She added: 'I don't think anyone is ever too young to start on something they are passionate about. For me, I wanted to be caring and do something for this community.' ALSO READ: HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kick in This article was first published in The Straits Times . Permission required for reproduction.
Straits Times
15 hours ago
- Straits Times
Almost half of planned 30,000 flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat
Since 2019, over 6,500 Tengah homebuyers from 22 precincts gave their feedback via HDB's Tengah Sensing surveys. SINGAPORE - Close to 12,000 Housing Board flats in Tengah have been completed, comprising around 40 per cent of the 30,000 flats launched so far in the new town. Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat gave this update on July 26 at HDB Community Day, adding that al most half of the planned 30,000 flats in Tengah will be completed by the end of 2025. Speaking at Tengah Community Club, Mr Chee said the planning of the new town gave residents opportunities to share ideas for the estate before moving in. 'We will continue to work together with our grassroot advisors and community leaders to listen to your views and your feedback as we build up the town. Learning from the positive experience, this is the approach we will also take for other new estates in the future,' he said. For instance, since 2019, over 6,500 Tengah homebuyers from 22 precincts gave their feedback via HDB's Tengah Sensing surveys. More than 13,000 Tengah residents also provided insights and helped shaped HDB's plans for the new town, said Mr Chee. 'For example, the sheltered linkways and cycling paths that we planned for Tengah were well-received by many residents, who shared with us the importance of connectivity infrastructure. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Cambodia calls for ceasefire with Thailand after deadly clashes Asia Behind deadly Thai-Cambodian clashes, a bitter spat between two dynastic leaders Multimedia Lights dimmed at South-east Asia's scam hub but 'pig butchering' continues Business How parents can prevent disputes over their properties Sport Mikkel Lee gets back up to speed as Singapore swimmers eye 2028 Olympics spots Business Banking and finance jobs will change but won't disappear as AI becomes the new normal: Accenture Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly These features are integrated into the design of Tengah's transport routes, so residents can walk and cycle safely throughout the town,' said the minister. Noting residents' feedback on the need for more convenient access to amenities, Mr Chee said several key facilities have been developed, and more schools, places of worship and healthcare facilities will be built. By end-2026, a total of eight new bus services will be introduced in Tengah and Brickland, said the minister, adding that two of which will commence operations by the end of this year. One of these is bus service 872, which will connect residents to the East-West Line at Chinese Garden MRT station from August 2025. While it is important to have good infrastructure in place, Mr Chee noted that a town is more than its buildings and hardware alone. 'It is the residents, it is the people, who are living here and use the facilities, who call this home and bring this town Tengah to life.' One such Tengah resident was 16-year-old Phoebe Tan, who received the Friends of Our Heartlands award on July 26 for her contributions to the new town. She was part of the team of volunteers who launched 'School's Out, Fun's in @ Tengah', a programme held in November 2024 that transformed void decks in Tengah into stations with games such as hopscotch. Ms Tan, who lives in Tengah with her parents and two siblings, said: 'We organised it in such a way that each void deck had one station game, so residents could familiarise themselves with different parts of Tengah as they played the games.' She added: 'I don't think anyone is ever too young to start on something they are passionate about. For me, I wanted to be caring and do something for this community.'
