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CNA
30-04-2025
- Business
- CNA
GE2025: PAP's favourite playbook is 'criticise first, copy later', claims SDP chief Chee Soon Juan
SINGAPORE: Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan on Wednesday (Apr 30) took aim at Health Minister Ong Ye Kung's comments about the party's policies, after the latter said the SDP's proposals don't have "a snowball's chance" of contributing to Singapore. "Four words that I want to use with him: 'Criticise first, copy later'," said Dr Chee, who claimed this was the People's Action Party's (PAP) "favourite playbook". The Sembawang West SMC candidate cited some examples – one of them being the SDP's proposal of an unemployment insurance scheme to provide retrenched workers with financial assistance and support for their re-employment. In 2016, Dr Chee proposed a retrenchment insurance scheme where workers would receive three-quarters of their last-drawn salary – capped at the prevailing median wage – for the first six months of unemployment. Workers still unemployed after half a year would receive half of their last-drawn salary for the next six months. This would be further reduced to a quarter of their last-drawn wage if they are subsequently still out of a job, it was reported in 2016. The SDP chief on Wednesday compared it with the recently launched SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme, which provides financial support to lower- and middle-income involuntarily unemployed workers. Under the scheme, those eligible will receive payouts capped at a maximum of S$6,000 (US$4,500) over six months. They will need to complete job search-related activities each month and meet a minimum number of points to qualify for the payouts. Mr Ong is leading a PAP team in Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC) – where the rally site near Sun Plaza is in – in a straight fight against a team from SDP. Dr Chee said: "We can expand social safety nets, provide universal healthcare, reform education to nurture critical thinkers, reduce inequality and open up policies to be more transparent and responsive. "That is the SDP's vision - that is the path to a truly thriving Singapore, one where our people are secure and happy." Seven candidates spoke at the rally – the party's eighth in seven days. Among the speakers on the night was party chairman Paul Tambyah, who detailed how the SDP's policies would work through a person's life - from childhood to schooling and adulthood. "I know that this sounds like a kind of utopia, but it is all eminently achievable," he said. NON-OPEN MARKET HDB SCHEME Several candidates for Sembawang GRC also hit back at Mr Ong over comments that the SDP had "taken a leaf" from another opposition party in its housing policy. SDP has proposed a Non-Open Market (NOM) scheme for Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats, where land costs are excluded from flat prices. During a rally on Monday, Mr Ong questioned the practicality of the policy, asking how this would impact those who already own flats, if new units are much cheaper. Responding on Wednesday, Ms Surayah Akbar said that the NOM scheme was designed as a "parallel public housing model", made affordable for lower and middle-income Singaporeans, while stabilising long- term housing affordability. Under the SDP's proposal, the price of the non-open market flats would be calculated without the land cost, on the condition that it must be sold back to HDB when the flat owner moves out. "To accuse the SDP of imitation is not only inaccurate, it also distracts from the real housing issues facing Singaporeans today," said Ms Surayah, citing high resale prices. She also asked Mr Ong to "shed some light" on what happens to their flats at the end of the 99-year lease term. "SDP (doesn't) just talk about fairness. We plan for it. Our NOM scheme is backed by policy logic and economic sustainability," she said. 'Our town plans, like in Sembawang and other constituencies, are people first, not party first. "We'll continue to propose bold, compassionate and grounded alternatives without fear and without needing to borrow anyone else's ideas. We invite Ong Ye Kung to debate policies, not play politics. "Let us move the conversation away from the turf wars and back to what truly matters, the people's homes, the people's lives and the people's future." Diving deeper into the party's NOM policy, fellow Sembawang GRC candidate Damanhuri Abas said the SDP is proposing that HDB flat prices be based solely on administrative, material and labour costs. This aims to make flats more affordable, with estimated prices ranging from S$90,000 for two-room flats to S$270,000 for five-room flats. The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) later proposed a "similar concept" through its Affordable Homes Scheme in 2023, said Mr Damanhuri. Under this proposal, buyers would pay a user price, instead of a Build-to-Order (BTO) scheme proposes that flat buyers do not have to pay land cost when they buy a new flat from HDB. The payment of the land cost will be deferred and paid only if the flat is sold after the minimum occupation period. SDP's Sembawang GRC candidate Alfred Tan said the NOM proposal had been in SDP's policy papers "long, long" before the PSP was set up. "So it befuddles me (and) my colleagues in the SDP, how Mr Ong Ye Kung could publicly accuse the SDP of taking this fantastic idea from the PSP when the PSP had not even been born?" he added. SEMBAWANG PLAN The Sembawang GRC candidates also touted their Sembawang town plan, which they had launched at their rally four days ago. Some specifics of the plan that they highlighted on Wednesday included lifts at all major overhead bridges, wellness centres for youths and working adults, and co-working spaces for residents. Dr Gomez, who is also the party's deputy head of policy, told the rally crowd that the town plan is a 'people-centred blueprint' shaped by Sembawang residents. He reiterated that the SDP also plans to hold regular town halls in areas under the party's northern strategy to 'ensure ongoing public input and alignment'. SDP has previously said that if its candidates are elected, it would hold town halls with residents to gather ideas. Representatives from relevant government agencies would also be there. 'But when we mention town halls, the PAP Sembawang West SMC candidate Poh Li San mocks our town halls. She calls them political theatre,' Dr Gomez said. 'What this really means is how far removed the PAP is from the basic idea of democracy. To them, public participation sounds alien, something unnecessary or even threatening to them.' The SDP has fielded 11 candidates in four constituencies this General Election – Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, Sembawang GRC, Bukit Panjang SMC and Sembawang West SMC.
Online Citizen
22-04-2025
- Business
- Online Citizen
SDP unveils 2025 manifesto with sweeping proposals on healthcare, housing, education and tax
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) unveiled a comprehensive manifesto on 20 April 2025, outlining an ambitious suite of policies aimed at reducing living costs and reshaping public systems in healthcare, housing, and education. The manifesto, titled 'Thrive, Not Just Survive', was launched at Yew Tee Square by party chairman Professor Paul Tambyah. Prof Tambyah, flanked by party leaders Bryan Lim, Jufri Salim, and Gigene Wong, described the document as a promise to the electorate. 'It's a promise that we want you all to hold us accountable to,' he said, urging voters to expect transparency and commitment from the party if elected. The manifesto outlines over 40 proposals, categorised under six thematic pillars: fair taxation, universal healthcare, environmental and social respect, rational immigration, affordable housing, and an inclusive education system. Affordable housing through the NOM scheme A core feature is the Non-Open Market (NOM) housing scheme. Under this, new Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats would exclude land cost, reflecting only construction and administrative expenses. SDP estimates NOM flat prices to start at S$90,000 for a two-room unit, scaling up to S$270,000 for a five-room flat. NOM flats would be sold back to HDB at the original price minus lease usage, with no access to the resale market. To address housing delays, HDB would be required to maintain buffer stock. First-time families and expectant couples would also benefit from balloting priority under a proposed Young Families Priority Scheme. Healthcare reform with universal access Healthcare is another focus. The SDP proposes a single-payer national insurance system, replacing MediSave, MediShield and CareShield with a simplified structure. It includes tax-funded maternal and paediatric care, arguing this will help counter falling birth rates and ease financial strain on families. Primary care for chronic illnesses would operate on a risk-pooling model. Public hospital running costs would be tax-funded. The party also calls for dismantling healthcare clusters—arguing they create waste and inefficiencies—and returning to a unified public health sector. Hospice and home care would also be tax- and donation-funded, while private sector healthcare costs would be reined in through tighter oversight. Economic proposals and GST reduction In education, SDP proposes abolishing the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), citing stress and inequality. It advocates nationalised preschools, interest-free student loans repayable upon employment, and smaller class sizes capped at 20 students. The curriculum would be expanded to include arts, digital literacy, and project-based learning, while reducing the content load in traditional subjects. It also proposes removing school rankings and implementing a Dedicated-Teacher System, where one teacher guides a class for three years. The party supports democratised university governance and centralising special needs education under government management with agency support. The manifesto also outlines major tax reforms. Chief among these is the proposal to reduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from 9% to 7%, and to abolish it entirely on essentials such as food and medicine. SDP also calls for a national minimum wage and a retrenchment insurance system funded by Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions. It argues that current schemes like the Jobseeker Support Scheme are insufficient and overly complex. To boost economic equity, the party proposes divesting inefficient government-linked companies, phasing out state investor Temasek, and increasing transparency around GIC operations. For seniors, SDP wants a broader Silver Support Scheme covering 80% of low-income elderly, providing them with S$500 monthly from a small share of reserve investment interest. Education overhaul and PSLE abolition In education, the SDP is proposing a fundamental transformation of the current system, which it criticises as overly focused on competition and elitism. Central to its proposal is the complete removal of the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), which it describes as a key source of stress and inequality. Instead, the party advocates a holistic approach to learning that places greater emphasis on creativity, collaboration, and individual development. It calls for smaller class sizes capped at 20 students and the introduction of a Dedicated-Teacher System, where the same teacher guides a class for three consecutive years to enhance student support. SDP also proposes nationalising all preschools, ensuring equal access to early childhood education regardless of socio-economic status. It argues that existing government kindergartens remain insufficient in scope, leaving lower-income families at a disadvantage. The curriculum would be broadened to include speech and drama, digital literacy, student collaboration, and humanities, while reducing the content burden of subjects like mathematics and science. All forms of school and class ranking would be eliminated to reduce unnecessary academic pressure. At the tertiary level, interest-free student loans would be provided, with repayments beginning only upon employment. SDP also supports full academic autonomy, calling for democratically elected university leadership and greater academic freedom. Immigration, identity and labour market integrity On immigration, the party supports a 'talent track' system, where foreign professionals must meet strict skill and credential standards. Companies would be required to prove that local talent is unavailable before hiring foreigners. SDP opposes what it terms 'unbridled immigration,' claiming it has contributed to job competition and overcrowding. It also seeks to abolish the Ethnic Integration Policy and remove racial identifiers from national identity cards to foster a unified national identity. Environmental priorities and climate action Climate-related proposals include a moratorium on forest destruction, stronger promotion of electric vehicles (EVs) for public transport, and increased funding for renewable energy innovation. The party highlighted the ongoing loss of green spaces, linking it to declining public well-being and warning of increased environmental degradation if current trends continue. A strategic electoral push The manifesto was launched days ahead of Nomination Day on 23 April, with the General Election set for 3 May. The SDP is focusing on a 'northern strategy,' with declared candidates in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, Sembawang GRC, Sembawang West SMC, and Bukit Panjang SMC. SDP Secretary General Dr Chee Soon Juan will contest Sembawang West SMC, while Prof Tambyah returns to Bukit Panjang SMC. 'People know that if they vote us in, we will speak up on issues that matter,' said Prof Tambyah. While the proposals are extensive and transformative, SDP asserts they are feasible, pointing to the government's S$6.8 billion budget surplus for 2025 as a potential funding source. As the campaign enters its final stretch, voters are now presented with a clear alternative vision, one that the SDP claims prioritises dignity, equity, and sustainability over short-term handouts.
