At their rally on April 26, 2025, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) introduced a suite of proposals aimed at rejuvenating Sembawang GRC with a human-centric approach. Held at Evergreen Primary School, the rally saw SDP leaders criticising the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) for repackaging existing national projects as constituency-specific promises.
SDP chief Chee Soon Juan outlined initiatives such as community storage facilities, lifts for overhead bridges, and microchipping services for cats to help reunite lost pets with their owners. He pledged that future plans for Sembawang would involve direct input from residents to better meet their needs.
Responding to attacks from the PAP, Dr Chee defended his decision to contest Sembawang West SMC following the absorption of Bukit Batok SMC into the new Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, along with PAP candidates Poh Li San and Alex Yam, had criticised Dr Chee, accusing him of abandoning Bukit Batok. In a passionate speech delivered in Mandarin, Hokkien, and English, Dr Chee dismissed these claims as “cheap shots,” insisting that he had devoted years of service and resources to Bukit Batok residents.
“You don’t work at a place for nearly a decade, put in your heart and soul, and not feel it when they rip it from under you,” he said. Dr Chee also listed various community initiatives, such as student holiday activities and resident gatherings, organised by the SDP in Bukit Batok with their own funding.
Dr Chee called for the election campaign to focus on policies and solutions rather than personal attacks, urging his opponents to avoid descending into “gutter politics.”
SDP chairman Paul Tambyah spoke earlier in the evening, stressing the importance of protecting Singapore from foreign interference and rigid racial classifications. He acknowledged the right of foreigners to express opinions but warned against meddling in Singapore’s domestic and foreign affairs — an issue recently highlighted by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. Prof Tambyah’s comments followed reports that Malaysian politician Iskandar Abdul Samad had posted online in support of Malay-Muslim candidates, including SDP’s Damanhuri Abas.
Mr Damanhuri did not speak at the rally, but he had earlier appeared in a TikTok video urging the Malay-Muslim community to vote for alternative voices to ensure their issues are discussed openly in Parliament.
The rally also featured light-hearted moments. SDP volunteers sold party merchandise, including teddy bears, umbrellas, and fans, after each speech. Dr Gigene Wong, an SDP candidate for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, drew laughter with her affectionate references to teammate Ariffin Sha — calling him “elephant” and “keling kia” in jest — and praised him as the SDP’s answer to Pritam Singh.
In her speech, Dr Wong criticised the PAP’s infrastructural promises, arguing that projects like new MRT stations stemmed from national development plans where funding had long been allocated, not from fresh constituency initiatives. She urged voters to support the SDP team in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC and prevent candidates like Mr Ariffin from losing their election deposits.
Overall, the SDP’s rally showcased a mix of heartfelt appeals, policy-driven proposals, and sharp rebuttals to PAP criticisms, with a focus on putting residents first and safeguarding Singapore’s democratic integrity.
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