The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) took aim at the Government’s handling of the cost-of-living crisis at its first rally for GE2025, saying that vouchers are no substitute for tackling structural issues like rising taxes and perceived wasteful spending.
Speaking at Choa Chu Kang Stadium, SDP chief Dr Chee Soon Juan argued that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) hike has worsened inflation and financial pressures for everyday Singaporeans, while the Government’s solution — giving out vouchers — misses the point.
“The PAP raises the GST and then tells you it’s giving you vouchers to cope,” Dr Chee said.
“Am I missing something here? Or does this sound like the arsonist who sets your house on fire, then hands you a cup of water?”
Opposition as a Check on Spending
Dr Chee, who is contesting the newly carved-out Sembawang West SMC, said Singaporeans need more opposition MPs in Parliament to scrutinise spending and challenge policies that “don’t add value to your lives”.
He cited examples such as the Founders’ Memorial, touchless traffic buttons, and the $40 million earmarked for maintaining existing public transport card systems as examples of government “profligacy”.
“We will push the Government to lower expenses and reduce wasteful spending,” he said.
“We will not be fearful when it comes to engaging the PAP on the cost of living.”
GST, Housing, and Healthcare Key Issues
The party’s April 21 manifesto outlines several big-ticket proposals:
- Reducing GST to 5% or 7%,
- Selling new HDB flats for $90,000 to $270,000 under a new non-open market (NOM) scheme,
- Removing PSLE, and
- Making maternal and paediatric healthcare largely free.
SDP chairman Paul Tambyah, contesting Bukit Panjang SMC, reiterated that raising GST disproportionately affects low- and middle-income Singaporeans.
“When the vote on GST was taken, every single opposition MP voted against it — but there were too few of them,” he said.
Candidates Rally Behind Dr Chee
Candidates from Marsiling-Yew Tee and Sembawang GRCs echoed Dr Chee’s call for greater opposition representation.
Ariffin Sha, founder of alternative news site Wake Up Singapore, said the SDP team contesting PM Lawrence Wong’s constituency has been called a “suicide squad” but that the fight matters.
“A PAP that wins by 80% is very different from one that wins by 60%,” he said. “Margins matter.”
James Gomez, SDP’s deputy head of policy contesting in Sembawang, said voters need MPs “who are not afraid to challenge bad policies” and “ask the tough questions”.
Response to PAP’s Criticism
PAP’s Ong Ye Kung had earlier criticised Dr Chee for “abandoning” Bukit Batok, where he previously contested, for Sembawang West.
But Prof Tambyah countered that PAP itself was making strategic moves across constituencies — citing Tan See Leng’s shift from Marine Parade-Braddell Heights to Chua Chu Kang, and Gan Kim Yong’s move to helm Punggol GRC.
Dr Chee dismissed the criticism as a distraction tactic.
“It’s silly season,” he said. “When they can’t talk about the issues, they go after people personally. But voters have had enough — they want a proper debate, on the policies that affect them.”
At the rally’s close, supporters in red jostled to take photos with Dr Chee and Prof Tambyah — a clear sign the SDP’s campaign message of “Thrive, Not Just Survive” is resonating with a segment of the electorate.
