The People’s Power Party (PPP) launched its first rally of GE2025 on April 24 with fiery speeches that targeted both the Workers’ Party (WP) and the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), while promising to be a voice for “truth” in Parliament.
At the rally held outside Temasek Junior College in Tampines, PPP secretary-general Goh Meng Seng criticised WP’s decision not to contest Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, calling it a betrayal of the 130,000 voters in the constituency.
“They have abandoned Marine Parade to come for a four-cornered fight in Tampines,” said Mr Goh, who alleged that WP’s strategy was designed to stop PPP from raising issues like vaccine safety in Parliament. Tampines GRC will see four parties contesting this election: PAP, WP, PPP and NSP.
While WP chief Pritam Singh declined to engage, saying Mr Goh should focus on campaigning in Tampines, Mr Goh said he would now turn to policies: “Don’t ask me about Pritam Singh again. I’m not interested in him, I’m not gay,” he quipped, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Candidates and Policy Critiques
Clad in PPP’s signature light purple, all 10 of its candidates from Tampines GRC and Ang Mo Kio GRC attended the rally, although eight took to the stage.
Key concerns raised included:
- Job insecurity and youth employment: 24-year-old candidate Heng Zheng Dao from Ang Mo Kio GRC highlighted how Singaporeans his age face job competition from foreign hires.
- Technological disruption: Mr Heng pointed to the threat of automation on jobs, especially for private-hire drivers and delivery workers.
- Housing and immigration: Fellow Ang Mo Kio GRC candidates Thaddeus Thomas and William Lim spoke on high housing costs and called for a review of trade deals like CECA.
- Covid-19 policies and vaccine safety: PPP chairman Derrick Sim, a former police officer contesting in Tampines GRC, said his motivation for entering politics was to raise concerns about the Infectious Diseases Act and vaccine rollout.
“I’m not here to win or lose. I’m here to bring the truth,” he declared.
Entrepreneur Arbaah Haroun, also part of the Tampines slate, gave a bilingual speech in English and Malay, where she recited a poem aimed at Minister Masagos Zulkifli, anchor for PAP’s Tampines team. She also shared her long-standing friendship with WP vice-chair Faisal Manap, despite their political contest.
Landscaper Vere Nathan, 26, said PPP would act as a check on power: “It’s about making sure the people hold the power.”
A Call for Debate
Mr Goh closed the rally with a challenge: he invited Mr Masagos (PAP), Mr Faisal (WP), and NSP president Reno Fong to a roundtable debate on their respective policy platforms.
“This I promise you — I will do best,” he told the crowd. He ended the evening on a confident note: “We will not lose our election deposit. We may even win.”
