Dr Chee Soon Juan vows SDP will press on after GE2025 defeat, unveils Renew, Rebuild, Reignite movement

Dr Chee Soon Juan, secretary-general of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), has reaffirmed the alternative party's commitment to serve the nation, despite its recent loss in the General Election 2025.
Speaking after the election, Dr Chee declared, 'Let's not wait until 2030 to start our work,' signalling the party's determination to continue engaging residents and advancing its quest to return to Parliament.
He congratulated Poh Li San of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) for her victory in Sembawang West Single Member Constituency (SMC), where she secured 53.19 per cent of the votes against Dr Chee's 46.81 per cent.
A challenging post-election period
Reflecting on the aftermath, Dr Chee admitted, 'It's been a harrowing few days… trying to make sense of the results, figuring out the next steps and clearing up post-election work.'
Despite the setback, he thanked voters and supporters, calling their messages of encouragement 'nourishment for the soul.'
Dr Chee also expressed gratitude to the SDP team and volunteers, describing them as a 'dedicated group of Singaporeans answering the call of democracy.'
True to the party's spirit, Dr Chee emphasised that the SDP remains 'undaunted.'
Plans are underway to advance the Renew, Rebuild, Reignite Movement, which will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
He promised continued engagement with residents using 'reasoned argument' and 'the force of logic, not fanciful rhetoric,' reflecting his belief that Singaporeans 'hunger for educated views and logical persuasion.'
Dr Chee urged Singaporeans to join the campaign, highlighting its goal of achieving 'a democratic society based on justice and equality,' as articulated in the national pledge.
Calling for public involvement, Dr Chee invited supporters to sign up as SDP changemakers via the party's website.
He assured them, 'It is going to be an uplifting and gratifying endeavour.'
A promise to keep fighting
Despite the repeated setbacks, Dr Chee assured supporters that 'the flame of democracy kindled decades ago burns brighter now than ever before.'
He pledged to keep the public updated on the SDP's initiatives and expressed confidence in the party's future.
'Believe me, the SDP is on an upward trajectory, and you are going to play a large part in it,' he declared.
Dr Chee closed his address by encouraging Singaporeans to take an active role in shaping the nation's future, saying, 'Sign up now and be a part of history in the making.'
SDP's performance during GE2025
The General Election on 3 May 2025 saw Poh Li San winning Sembawang West SMC with 11,978 votes, while Dr Chee garnered 10,541 votes out of a total of 22,519 valid votes.
Poh, a former member of the PAP team in Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC), had previously secured 67.29 per cent of the vote in the 2020 election.
The Sembawang West area became an SMC after a review of electoral boundaries earlier this year.
Dr Chee has a history of challenging PAP incumbents.
In the 2020 General Election, he contested Bukit Batok SMC but lost to PAP's Murali Pillai with 45.2 per cent of the vote.
SDP chairman Professor Paul Tambyah also contested Bukit Panjang SMC, where he lost to PAP's Liang Eng Hwa, who secured 61.41 per cent of the votes.
Additionally, the SDP fielded a team in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC and Sembawang GRC but failed to win seats.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Business Times

10 hours ago

• Business Times

PM Wong on five-day official visit to China, to mark 35 years of bilateral relations

[BEIJING] Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will make an official visit to China from Sunday (Jun 22) to Thursday, at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) announced in a statement. While PM Wong has previously visited China on many occasions, this will be his first trip to the world's second-largest economy since he became prime minister a little over a year ago. On this five-day trip, he will travel to the capital Beijing, as well as Tianjin. During his stay in Beijing, PM Wong will meet President Xi Jinping, Li – who will also host him at a welcome ceremony and dinner banquet – and National People's Congress chairman Zhao Leji. Zhao is the country's former anti-corruption chief and currently the third most senior official in China's ruling Communist Party PM Wong previously met Li in October last year and Xi a month later, both on the sidelines of multilateral meetings. This week's meeting with Zhao will be his first. PM Wong will also attend a reception in Beijing where he will engage Singaporeans living in China. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up In Tianjin, PM Wong will attend the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Annual Meeting of the New Champions, or Summer Davos, themed 'Entrepreneurship for a New Era' this year. While there, he will participate in a dialogue session with WEF president Borge Brende and join other foreign leaders attending the event at a dinner hosted by Li. The PMO statement said that PM Wong's introductory visit to China comes as the two countries commemorate 35 years of diplomatic relations and 'reaffirm the mutual commitment' to strengthen bilateral ties. 'It is also an opportunity for leaders on both sides to exchange views on bilateral issues as well as regional and international developments,' the statement added. In an interview broadcast on China's CCTV-13's Leaders Talk programme on Friday, PM Wong said he aims to establish closer ties with Chinese leaders, reaffirm their commitment to enhanced cooperation, and discuss global affairs during his visit. 'I made it a point to visit China almost every year since entering politics, because it is useful to visit regularly, to interact, exchange notes with my counterparts, and to get a sense of how China is moving and transforming,' he said in the interview. Building on longstanding ties Singapore and China established diplomatic ties in 1990, and upgraded relations to an 'All-Round High-Quality Future-Oriented Partnership' in 2023. Leaders on both sides have participated in a steady flow of high-level engagements. On the economic front, China has been Singapore's largest merchandise trading partner for over a decade, with merchandise trade reaching S$170.2 billion in 2024. Meanwhile, China was the city-state's third-largest services trading partner in 2023, with a services trade value of S$64.9 billion. In terms of investment flow, Singapore is also China's largest foreign investor. On the tourism front, Singapore received 3.08 million Chinese visitors last year. The two countries cooperate across various areas, through a variety of platforms. For example, at the deputy prime minister level, they engage via the annual Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation. Singapore and China carry out three government-to-government projects: the Suzhou Industrial Park; the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City; and the Chongqing Connectivity Initiative. Other engagements are also conducted through the Investment Promotion Committee; provincial Business Councils; the Guangzhou Knowledge City; the Shenzhen Smart City Initiative; and forums on social governance and leadership. Among those in PM Wong's delegation are Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan; Sustainability and the Environment Minister and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu; Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow; Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Sim Ann; and Member of Parliament Syed Harun Alhabsyi. PM Wong will be on leave on Jun 27. In his absence, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong will be the acting prime minister until Jun 25, with Coordinating Minister for National Security and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam taking on the role from Jun 26 to 27.

AsiaOne

12 hours ago

• AsiaOne

Private home owners may not have to wait till 2027 for change in HDB wait-out period: Chee Hong Tat , Singapore News

SINGAPORE — The wait-out period for private property downgraders looking to buy a resale flat may be relaxed before 2027, with an expected rise in supply of new and resale flats. Speaking at a community event in Toa Payoh on June 21, National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat said the supply of resale flats is expected to rise from 2026, as batches of Build-To-Order (BTO) flats affected by the Covid-19 pandemic hit their five-year minimum occupation period (MOP). The Housing Board will also be launching more than 50,000 units from 2025 to 2027. Chee said he expects that the effect of a strong continued supply of new BTO flats and resale units would moderate resale prices, making it timely for the authorities to consider if the 15-month cooling measure should be partially or entirely removed. He added that private property owners may not need to wait till 2027 or 2028 for a review of the wait-out requirement, which was introduced in September 2022. 'So, that is why I said [this would be considered] at the right time, when the resale market has stabilised, and when the supply of resale flats increase, which we think will happen in the next few years, because this year is actually the year where the turn will happen,' he said. The HDB resale price index grew by 1.6 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, down from 2.6 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024. This marks the lowest growth in the past five quarters. Asked if the Government is looking at a specific threshold, Chee said: 'I don't think we have a threshold in mind, because this is really a judgment call.' Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the PA Family PLAYGround event held at Toa Payoh West Community Club, the minister said there are already early signs of price stabilisation in the HDB resale market. 'We will continue to monitor. I think if the situation continues to improve, then it will allow us to then make that judgment call of when we can remove, whether partially or entirely, the 15-month requirement,' he added. Between shortening the requirement and removing it, Chee said he leans towards scrapping it entirely. 'We haven't come to any decision yet, but my own view is that if the situation allows us to remove it entirely, I think we should consider that,' he said. Chee acknowledged that the 15-month requirement posed some inconvenience for private property owners looking to right-size and buy an HDB resale flat, but he said the cooling measure's objective remains valid. 'We want to make sure that resale flat prices do not rise too quickly and become unaffordable for buyers, especially first-time buyers who want to go into the resale market,' he said. 'I think that is an important objective that we must safeguard.' New hawker centre in Bishan At the community event, Chee also announced to Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC residents that Bishan will be getting its own hawker centre. The hawker centre is among several plans he had pledged to carry out for the constituency during the general election. The anchor minister for the GRC said then that many residents had pointed out that Bishan lacked a hawker centre. Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat playing with children at the PA Family PLAYGround 2025's third stop at Toa Payoh West Community Club on June 21. PHOTO: The Straits Times Chee said more details will be shared after the Urban Redevelopment Authority unveils its Draft Master Plan 2025 on June 25. He said the hawker centre may be integrated with Bishan Bus Interchange, which is set to become an air-conditioned facility. Chee said the refreshed bus interchange may not be built on its existing site next to Junction 8, but it will be near its current spot where the town centre and Bishan MRT station are located. 'We want it (hawker centre) to be near the key transport nodes to make it more convenient for residents,' he said. The approach is in line with integrated facilities in Pasir Ris and Bidadari, where new hawker centres are built on top of or next to MRT stations or bus interchanges. Chee said it is one of the ways the authorities make full use of Singapore's scarce land resources. 'When we combine these different facilities serving different needs, I think we are able to, on one hand, optimise the use of land, and on the other hand, also bring about greater convenience for residents. 'So, it is win-win,' he said. ALSO READ: Resale flat prices may begin moderating from 2026 as new units reach MOP: Chee Hong Tat This article was first published in The Straits Times . Permission required for reproduction.

Straits Times

a day ago

• Straits Times

Private home owners may not have to wait till 2027 for change in HDB wait-out period: Chee Hong Tat

The HDB resale price index grew by 1.6 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, down from 2.6 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Private home owners may not have to wait till 2027 for change in HDB wait-out period: Chee Hong Tat SINGAPORE – The wait-out period for private property downgraders looking to buy a resale flat may be relaxed before 2027, with an expected rise in supply of new and resale flats. Speaking at a community event in Toa Payoh on June 21, National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat said the supply of resale flats is expected to rise from 2026, as batches of Build-To-Order (BTO) flats affected by the Covid-19 pandemic hit their five-year minimum occupation period (MOP). Housing Board will also be launching more than 50,000 units from 2025 to 2027. Mr Chee said he expects that the effect of a strong continued supply of new BTO flats and resale units would moderate resale prices, making it timely for authorities to consider if the 15-month cooling measure should be partially or entirely removed. He added that private property owners may not need to wait till 2027 or 2028 for a review of the wait-out requirement, which was introduced in September 2022. 'So that's why I said (this would be considered) at the right time, when the resale market has stabilised, and when the supply of resale flats increase, which we think will happen in the next few years, because this year is actually the year where the turn will happen,' he said. The HDB resale price index grew by 1.6 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, down from 2.6 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024. It is the lowest growth in the past five quarters. Asked if the Government is looking at a specific threshold, Mr Chee said: 'I don't think we have a threshold in mind, because this is really a judgment call.' Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the PA Family PLAYGround event held at Toa Payoh West Community Club, the minister said there are already early signs of price stabilisation in the HDB resale market. 'We'll continue to monitor. I think if the situation continues to improve, then it will allow us to then make that judgment call of when we can remove, whether partially or entirely, the 15-month requirement,' he added. Between shortening the requirement and removing it, Mr Chee said leans towards scrapping it entirely. 'We haven't come to any decision yet, but my own view is that if the situation allows us to remove it entirely, I think we should consider that,' he said. Mr Chee acknowledged that the 15-month requirement posed some inconvenience for private property owners looking to right-size and buy an HDB resale flat, but he said the cooling measure's objective remains valid. 'We want to make sure that the resale flat prices do not rise too quickly and become unaffordable for buyers, especially first time buyers, who want to go into the resale market,' he said. 'I think that's an important objective that we must safeguard.' New hawker centre in Bishan At the community event, Mr Chee also announced to Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC residents that Bishan will be getting its own hawker centre. The hawker centre is among several plans he had pledged to carry out for the constituency during the general election. The anchor minister for the GRC said then that many residents had pointed out that Bishan lacked a hawker centre. Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat playing a game at the PA Family PLAYGround 2025's third stop at Toa Payoh West Community Club on June 21. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Mr Chee said that more details will be shared after the Urban Redevelopment Authority unveils the Draft Master Plan 2025 on June 25. But he said the hawker centre may be integrated with the Bishan bus interchange, which is set to become an air-conditioned facility. Mr Chee said the refreshed bus interchange may not be built on its existing site next to Junction 8, but it will be near its current spot where the town centre and Bishan MRT station are located. 'We want it (hawker centre) to be near the key transport nodes to make it more convenient for residents,' he said. The approach is in line with integrated facilities in Pasir Ris and Bidadari, where new hawker centres are built on top of or next to MRT stations or bus interchanges. Mr Chee said it is one of the ways the authorities make full use of Singapore's scarce land resources. 'When we combine these different facilities serving different needs, I think we are able to, on one hand, optimise the use of land, and on the other hand, also bring about greater convenience for residents. 'So it's win, win,' he said. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.