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27-08-2015, 03:40 AM
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Five Opposition parties got together on Wednesday evening (Aug 26) to launch a badge emblazoned with the phrase "Vote for Change".

"This is a show of strength and unity, after we observed the voters want a united front for all opposition parties," said People's Power Party (PPP) chief Goh Meng Seng, adding that the gathering was not to resolve conflict.

Representatives from the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA), Singaporeans First (SingFirst), Reform Party (RP), Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and PPP attended the launch. The National Solidarity Party (NSP) and Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) are also involved in the project, but were not present as they were making preparations for the General Election on Sep 11.

Mr Goh added that he had invited the Workers' Party to the event, but they did not respond.

"We agreed on this theme during the unity meetings and decided to make a badge for candidates and for fundraising," said Mr Goh, referring to the meeting of opposition parties earlier this month after the new electoral boundaries were announced.

He added that the badges are already being sold during walkabouts, and there are plans to sell them during rallies. Each badge is priced at S$5 but the amount is “not fixed”, he added.

On Wednesday evening, the parties also agreed on five key issues that they believe are central to the Sep 11 General Election: Immigration, CPF, housing, education and public transport. Mr Goh said the People’s Action Party's population growth policy has caused “friction in society”.

'THEY DON'T LIKE CURRY'

“When we walk the ground, people are angry. Not just because of jobs, but cultural differences between the locals and foreigners. They are actually imposing their cultural behavior on us. Things like – they don’t like curry. Curry is Singapore’s national dish. When they complain, we have to make a point. We are the host. We are not a third-class citizen in Singapore. The problems are not caused by us,” Mr Goh said.

SingFirst Secretary-General Tan Jee Say said: “We are not xenophobic, not against foreigners. We know their importance. But we are for responsible immigration – not 100,000 a year, that’s irresponsible. We want a smaller number, which will not take away jobs or rob our space in housing and transport, or take away our pride.”

Mr Tan added: “They despise Singaporeans because the Government despises Singaporeans. That is wrong. They have destroyed our self-esteem – we must restore our country and take it back from the Government."

ON THE HECKLING OF OPPOSITION

Mr Goh also addressed issues that have plagued the NSP in the past week. On Aug 19, the National Solidarity Party's Acting Secretary-General Hazel Poa left the party, after NSP member Steve Chia stated that he intended to contest in MacPherson Single Member Constituency.

Three days later, Mr Chia said that he would not be contesting the ward after all, after receiving flak online. On Aug 24, NSP central executive committee member Mohamed Fazli Talip announced his resignation from the party. On Wednesday NSP chairman Sebastian Teo wrote a Facebook post saying he had been a victim of "gutter politics" and "mudslinging".

Mr Goh said: "In the last few days, there has been a lot of heckling of Opposition. We now show a united front to speak up for NSP, and from now on the campaigning is all about policies."

He added: "If NSP has problems fielding candidates, we will help but we will not cannibalise them."




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