2 days ago
Reform Party to leave opposition alliance PAR by end of July
SINGAPORE: The Reform Party (RP) announced on Monday (Jul 7) night that it has withdrawn from the People's Alliance for Reform (PAR), the three-party opposition alliance with the Peoples Voice (PV) and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
"Reform Party wishes to announce that regretfully we have resigned from People's Alliance for Reform," said RP secretary-general Mr Jeyaretnam in a Facebook post. "This will formally take effect at the end of July.
"We thank (PAR secretary-general) Lim Tean for his leadership and wish him and the other remaining parties in PAR all the best in the future."
The exit of RP leaves PAR with just PV and DPP. Formed in 2023, PAR was originally a four-party opposition alliance, including the People's Power Party (PPP). In February, the PPP withdrew from the alliance three months before the General Election, citing "irreconcilable strategic differences".
PAR lost in all six constituencies - Jalan Besar GRC, Tanjong Pagar GRC, Potong Pasir SMC, Radin Mas SMC and Queenstown SMC - that it contested at the General Election on May 3.
RP treasurer Mahaboob Batcha made his electoral debut as PAR's candidate in Queenstown SMC. The People's Action Party's (PAP) Eric Chua secured 81.13 per cent of the vote against Mr Batcha.
After the electoral defeat of all 13 PAR candidates, Mr Lim had vowed the alliance would 'reorganise and come back much stronger in four to five years' for the next General Election.
CNA has contacted Mr Lim and Mr Jeyaretnam for more information.
