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Prof Paul Tambyah: GST Hits the Poor Hardest, We Need More Opposition Voices

 




At its first rally of the 2025 General Election held at Choa Chu Kang Stadium on April 24, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) made cost-of-living issues and GST hikes the centrepiece of its campaign message. Party chief Dr Chee Soon Juan and chairman Prof Paul Tambyah both delivered pointed criticisms at the PAP government, urging voters to elect more opposition MPs into Parliament to bring accountability and relief to Singaporeans feeling the economic pinch.

Dr Chee, who is contesting Sembawang West SMC, criticised the PAP for raising the Goods and Services Tax (GST) while offering vouchers as compensation. “Does this sound like the arsonist that sets your house on fire and then comes and gives you a cup of water to help you put it out?” he asked the crowd, drawing applause.

The SDP has proposed reducing GST from the current 9 per cent to 7 per cent or 5 per cent. Chee argued that government overspending was a root cause behind the need for higher taxes, and pointed to what he deemed wasteful projects such as the Founders’ Memorial, touchless traffic light buttons, and the $40 million needed to maintain existing public transport payment systems.

Chee emphasised the need for SDP MPs in Parliament to question and curb such expenses. “We will push the Government to lower expenses and cut wasteful spending on unnecessary projects that don’t add value to your lives,” he said.

Supporting this line of attack, SDP chairman Paul Tambyah, who is again facing PAP incumbent Liang Eng Hwa in Bukit Panjang SMC after a close fight in 2020, stressed that GST disproportionately affects low- and middle-income earners. He argued that current tax policies place an undue burden on ordinary Singaporeans, while wealthier groups are less affected.

Addressing questions on whether the SDP could realistically reduce GST without forming the government, Prof Tambyah said: “When the vote was taken on the raise in GST, every single opposition MP in Parliament voted against the rise in GST, but there were too few of them.”

“Maybe two elections from now, we will really get a chance to bring you to a Singapore where everybody can thrive,” he added, drawing enthusiastic applause from the crowd.

Prof Tambyah’s remarks reinforced the SDP’s core message: without sufficient opposition representation, Singaporeans will continue to face policies like tax hikes without proper checks and balances.

The rally featured 12 speakers in total, including candidates contesting Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, Sembawang GRC, and Bukit Panjang SMC. Candidates repeatedly returned to the theme of rising living costs and called for a reset in how government spending is approached. They also voiced strong support for Dr Chee and Prof Tambyah, framing both as credible voices with track records of fighting for social justice and transparency.

While Dr Chee framed the election as a referendum on economic justice, Prof Tambyah gave it a broader institutional meaning, calling for more opposition seats to prevent Parliament from becoming a “rubber stamp” for unpopular policies.

The PAP has justified the GST hike as necessary to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability, especially to support healthcare and infrastructure spending in an ageing society. But SDP leaders say these costs could be better managed if resources were allocated more efficiently and excessive projects were avoided.

The rally’s key message was clear: inflation is hurting everyday Singaporeans, and more SDP MPs are needed in Parliament to push back against financial policies that favour the few at the expense of the many.

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