Red Dot United (RDU) put the spotlight firmly on bread-and-butter issues such as housing affordability, rising living costs, and transport woes at its first election rally on April 26.
Speaking at Bukit View Secondary School in Bukit Batok, RDU’s 15 candidates shared stories from residents about struggling to afford daily essentials, concerns about their children’s future home ownership, and frustrations over MRT breakdowns.
Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC candidate Harish Mohanadas said he encountered many residents who felt a “losing sense of control” over their lives, particularly with soaring housing prices. “This concern is very, very common. I believe Singaporeans deserve better,” he said.
RDU secretary-general Ravi Philemon, contesting Nee Soon GRC, drew a contrast between his party’s candidates and those of the PAP. He described the RDU slate as comprising “PhD holders, captains of industries, entrepreneurs and people from all walks of life”, while criticising PAP candidates as “linked to the establishment” and “living in ivory towers”.
“Do you think they will make life better for you?” Mr Philemon asked.
RDU is contesting four constituencies this election: Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC, Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, Nee Soon GRC, and Jurong Central SMC.
Candidates also shared deeply personal stories. Jurong East-Bukit Batok candidate Liyana Dhamirah, who once experienced homelessness, said it “breaks my heart” that residents today still have to choose between food and medicine.
“We hear about voucher schemes, but how dignified is it to have to depend on handouts just to survive?” she asked.
Jurong Central candidate Kala Manickam likened opposition parties to an insurance policy: “You hope you don’t need it, but when bad policies or mistakes happen, someone must be there to speak up for you.”
Several candidates outlined key policies from RDU’s manifesto aimed at reshaping Singapore’s social compact.
Sharad Kumar, the 25-year-old candidate in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, questioned why singles must wait until age 35 to buy a BTO flat, suggesting RDU’s rent-to-own scheme as an alternative. “Young people shouldn’t have to wait for permission to start their lives. They need hope,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jurong East-Bukit Batok candidate Osman Sulaiman appealed to voters to trust RDU with town council management, promising serious stewardship if elected.
“If Hougang residents are called warriors for voting for the opposition, then on May 3, 2025, Jurong East-Bukit Batok voters will be the Paladins of the West,” he declared.
