SDP launches petition to reform Singapore's electoral system including abolishing GRC system
In the May 3 polls, SDP lost in all the constituencies where it fielded candidates, including Dr Chee at Sembawang West SMC and party chair Paul Tambyah at Bukit Panjang SMC. The results were a disappointment to both men. While Dr Chee's vote share was the highest in the four times he has run for Parliament, he still fell short of winning a seat. Dr Tambyah, meanwhile, lost 7.65 percentage points from when he first ran against the incumbent from the ruling People's Action Party, Liang Eng Hwa, in 2020.
Nevertheless, the losses have not stopped the party from moving forward with its new campaign. On Sunday, SDP launched a petition on Change.org titled 'Reform Singapore's Electoral System' in order to reflect 'the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and democratic integrity.'
It emphasised, however, that the six demands outlined in the petition are non-partisan but rather are 'foundational principles of good governance and democratic integrity.'
'Singapore is ready to take the next step forward in its political maturity by ensuring our elections are genuinely free and fair,' the petition adds. 6 Demands
The petition's six demands are as follows. First, the SDP is calling for the Elections Department to be removed from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Next, the party is calling for an 'end to gerrymandering' through the reform of the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC).
Importantly, another call is for the abolition of the Group Representation Constituency (GRC) System, which The Workers' Party, Singapore's biggest opposition party and the only one that will be represented in the incoming Parliament, has also called for.
SDP is also calling for a campaign period of a minimum of three weeks, whereas it normally lasts less than 10 days; as well as a minimum six-month time period between the announcement of boundary changes to electoral districts and the dissolution of Parliament.
Finally, the party is calling for a review of the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act (NPPA), which the SDP says would allow independent media.
'A free press is a cornerstone of any functioning democracy. A comprehensive review of the NPPA to permit the establishment of independent news companies is essential for fair coverage of elections, political education, and democratic participation,' the petition reads.
Dr Tambyah was quoted as saying in a CNA report that the petition is just a beginning, one that could develop into legal challenges. He added the hope that SDP would be able to sustain its momentum.
So far, almost 3,000 people have signed the petition. /TISG
Read also: SDP calls for 'full and transparent investigation' into Su Haijin dinners with ministers
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
40 minutes ago
- CNA
Timor-Leste PM lauds Singapore as an exemplary nation amid fractured, uncertain world
Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao has lauded Singapore as an exemplary nation amid a fractured and uncertain world. He praised the country's commitment to social cohesion and balancing relationships without compromising its principles. Mr Gusmao is on an official visit to Singapore and spoke at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies Distinguished Public Lecture. Aslam Shah reports.
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Trump lands Indonesia trade deal as EU readies retaliation
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (Jul 15) announced a trade deal with Indonesia, the latest pact in a bid to cement better terms with trading partners and reduce a massive trade deficit, even as the European Union readied retaliatory measures should talks between Washington and its top trading partner fail. "Great deal, for everybody, just made with Indonesia. I dealt directly with their highly respected President. DETAILS TO FOLLOW!!!" Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Indonesia's total trade with the US - totalling just under US$40 billion in 2024 - does not rank in the top 15, but it has been growing. US exports to Indonesia rose 3.7 per cent last year, while imports from there were up 4.8 per cent, leaving the US with a goods trade deficit of nearly US$18 billion. The top US import categories from Indonesia, according to US Census Bureau data retrieved on the International Trade Centre's TradeMap tool, last year were palm oil, electronics equipment including data routers and switches, footwear, car tires, natural rubber and frozen shrimp. Susiwijono Moegiarso, a senior official with Indonesia's Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, told Reuters in a text message: "We are preparing a joint statement between US and Indonesia that will explain the size of reciprocal tariff for Indonesia including the tariff deal, non-tariff and commercial arrangements. We will inform (the public) soon." Trump had threatened the Southeast Asian country with a 32 per cent tariff rate effective Aug 1 in a letter sent to its president last week. Trump sent similar letters to roughly two dozen trading partners this month, including Canada, Japan and Brazil, setting blanket tariff rates ranging from 20 per cent up to 50 per cent, as well as a 50 per cent tariff on copper. The Aug 1 deadline gives the targeted countries time to negotiate agreements that could lower the threatened tariffs. Some investors and economists have also noted Trump's pattern of backing off his tariff threats. Since launching his tariff policy, Trump has clinched only a few deals despite his team touting an effort to bring home "90 deals in 90 days". So far, framework agreements have been reached with the United Kingdom and Vietnam, and an interim deal has been struck with China to forestall the steepest of Trump's tariffs while negotiations continue between Washington and Beijing. EU READIES RETALIATION The breakthrough with Indonesia came as the European Commission, the EU's governing body, gets set to target €72 billion (US$84.1 billion) worth of US goods - from Boeing aircraft and bourbon whiskey to cars - for possible tariffs if trade talks with Washington fail. Trump is threatening a 30 per cent tariff on imports from the EU from Aug 1, a level European officials say is unacceptable and would end normal trade between two of the world's largest markets. The list, sent to EU member states and seen by Reuters on Tuesday, pre-dates Trump's move over the weekend to ramp up pressure on the 27-nation bloc and responds instead to US duties on cars and car parts and a 10 per cent baseline tariff. The package also covers chemicals, medical devices, electrical and precision equipment as well as agriculture and food products - a range of fruits and vegetables, along with wine, beer and spirits - valued at €6.35 billion. Following a meeting of EU ministers in Brussels on Monday, officials said they were still seeking a deal to avoid Trump's heavy tariff blow.
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Trump announces Indonesia 'deal' after tariff threats
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (Jul 15) that he has struck a deal with Indonesia - without providing specifics of the agreement - a week after threatening steeper tariffs on the Southeast Asian country. "Great deal, for everybody, just made with Indonesia," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, saying he dealt with the country's president directly. "DETAILS TO FOLLOW!!!" The Trump administration has been under pressure to finalise trade pacts with other economies after promising a flurry of deals as countries sought to avoid the president's tariff threats. But Washington has so far only unveiled deals with Britain and Vietnam, alongside an agreement to temporarily lower tit-for-tat levies with China. Last week, Trump renewed his threat of a 32 per cent levy on Indonesian goods, saying in a letter to the country's leadership that this level would take effect Aug 1. Trump in April imposed a 10 per cent tariff on almost all US trading partners, while announcing plans to hike this level for dozens of economies including the European Union and Indonesia.
