Candidates from the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) rallied to defend their chief Chee Soon Juan on April 25, rebutting comments made by Health Minister Ong Ye Kung that Dr Chee had “abandoned” Bukit Batok SMC to contest in Sembawang West.
Speaking at the party’s second election rally held at Beacon Primary School in Bukit Panjang, SDP candidates made it clear that Dr Chee had spent years walking the ground in Bukit Batok, only to see the constituency absorbed into the new Jurong East–Bukit Batok GRC following the 2025 electoral boundaries review.
“You simply erase the hard work of Dr Chee for the last 10 years by resorting to tactics of a playground bully,” said Sembawang GRC candidate Damanhuri Abas.
Several speakers pointed out that it was the redrawing of electoral boundaries, not political ambition, that led to Dr Chee’s move. Fellow Sembawang GRC candidate James Gomez also noted the irony that Mr Ong himself had moved constituencies after the PAP’s loss in Aljunied GRC in 2011.
SDP chairman Paul Tambyah questioned Mr Ong’s criticism, highlighting that other PAP heavyweights, including Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and Minister Tan See Leng, made surprise moves on Nomination Day.
“Somebody who abandoned their residents one hour before Nomination Day is far more questionable,” Prof Tambyah remarked.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong had earlier explained that PAP’s internal moves were to ensure a better distribution of senior leadership after the retirement of Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean.
Dr Chee himself did not directly address Mr Ong’s comments at the rally, saying he would respond in a subsequent rally on April 26. Instead, he focused his speech on critiquing the PAP’s immigration policies, which he said have contributed to overcrowding, rising living costs, and pressure on public services.
“We have an existential problem… If we continue to allow the PAP to bring in more and more foreigners, our problems of mental health, cost of living, overcrowding, and environmental degradation will worsen,” said Dr Chee.
He stressed that the SDP is not against foreigners but opposed the Government’s “irresponsible” immigration policy. Dr Chee also called on PM Wong to clearly state what he believes should be Singapore’s optimal population size.
Prof Tambyah, a senior consultant at the National University Hospital, also spotlighted Singapore’s healthcare challenges, criticizing the political environment that healthcare professionals work within.
The SDP’s manifesto, launched on April 20, proposed major healthcare reforms, including free maternal and paediatric care and small, risk-pooled co-payments for primary and chronic healthcare.
“No one chooses to get cancer or a heart attack,” said Prof Tambyah, calling for a more compassionate and accessible healthcare system.
The SDP candidates closed the rally by calling for voters to back an opposition presence in Parliament that would not shy away from asking hard questions and challenging policies they believe harm Singaporeans.
