Singapore Democratic Party rally for Bukit Panjang SMC at Beacon Primary School | Apr 25

Key Concepts:

• HDB Resale Market: Rising prices, affordability issues, government grants.
• Northern Strategy: SDP's focus on Sambawang GRC, Sambawang West SMC, and Muling UT GRC.
• Gerrymandering: Redrawing electoral boundaries to favor a particular party.
• Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI): An alternative to GDP that accounts for social, environmental, and emotional well-being.
• Foreign Talent Policy: PAP's immigration policy and its impact on Singapore's economy and society.
• Mental Health Crisis: High rates of depression, stress, and suicide among Singaporeans.
• Optimal Population Size: The ideal population size for Singapore to ensure a high quality of life for its citizens.
• Healthcare for All: SDP's healthcare plan to provide affordable and accessible healthcare for all Singaporeans.

1. HDB Resale Market and Housing Affordability

• Aza Suliman, a property agent, highlights the significant increase in HDB resale prices, with a 37% rise in just four years and some houses increasing by 65% in value in five years.
• He questions the affordability of housing for future generations and criticizes the PAP's approach to curbing price increases, suggesting that doubling the grant for resale buyers may have inadvertently contributed to the price increment.
• He argues that the PAP's solutions are short-term, like giving out vouchers and rebates, rather than addressing the root causes of the problem.

2. SDP's Northern Strategy and Sambawang GRC

• Dr. Chee Soon Juan outlines the SDP's northern strategy, which involves contesting both Sambawang West SMC and Sambawang GRC as part of a comprehensive plan for the region.
• He criticizes Ang Hin Kee for focusing on personal ties rather than policies and accountability, and emphasizes the SDP's commitment to representing residents and challenging bad policies.
• He points out that the SDP has been actively involved in Sambawang for two decades and that the redrawing of boundaries in 2015 led to the creation of the Muling UT GRC.
• He highlights the concerns of Sambawang residents regarding town council issues, such as cluttered corridors, water runoffs, and dirty public toilets, and argues that the SDP will address these issues.
• He refutes Ang Hin Kee's claim that electing an SDP MP would harm Singapore's international credibility, arguing that a strong political system is built on checks and balances and diverse voices.

3. Gerrymandering and Electoral Boundaries

• Damanhuri Abas criticizes the PAP's gerrymandering tactics, particularly the disappearance of Bukit Batok SMC, and accuses Ang Hin Kee of abandoning Aljunied GRC.
• Ariffin discusses the redrawing of electoral boundaries and suggests that the PAP is taking Singaporeans for granted.
• He highlights the fact that Bukit Batok SMC, where Dr. Chee Soon Juan had worked for nine years, was wiped off the map, and accuses the PAP of gaslighting.
• He questions the roles and salaries of mayors in Singapore and suggests that there are too many of them.

4. Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) vs. GDP

• Alfred emphasizes that the PAP chases GDP like a religion and uses it to justify obscene salaries.
• He criticizes the GST increase and argues that it is a simple way for the PAP government to increase GDP.
• He proposes using the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) as a measure that accounts for social, environmental, and emotional well-being, arguing that real progress is not just in dollars.

5. Foreign Talent Policy and Mental Health Crisis

• Dr. Chee Soon Juan discusses the PAP's foreign talent policy and its impact on Singapore's economy and society.
• He cites the headline "Singapore needs foreigners to survive" and questions how Singapore has come to this point after 60 years of PAP rule.
• He presents statistics on the mental health crisis in Singapore, including high rates of depression, stress, and suicide, and argues that the cost of living and overpopulation are major contributing factors.
• He highlights the fact that 43% of Singapore's population is made up of foreigners and that the number of foreigners has doubled in the past 15 years.
• He warns that if Singapore continues with the PAP's foreign talent policy, the economy and community will sink.
• He urges Lawrence Wong to tell Singaporeans what population size he thinks is optimal for Singapore.

6. SDP's Healthcare Plan

• Dr. Paul Tambyah discusses the SDP's healthcare plan, which aims to provide affordable and accessible healthcare for all Singaporeans.
• He states that the SDP healthcare plan involves small co-payments which are kept and operates on the basis that no one chooses to get cancer or a heart attack.
• He argues that the SDP healthcare plan is fully financially sound as it operates within the current healthcare financing budget by eliminating huge administrative and development costs.

7. Buket Panjang and Local Issues

• Dr. Paul Tambyah acknowledges the improvements that have been made in Bukit Panjang over the years but emphasizes that there is still more to be done.
• He mentions the LRT renewal and the need to improve cleanliness in the area.
• He criticizes the PAP MPs for claiming credit for the hard work of government agencies.

8. Key Quotes:

• Aza Suliman: "Buket Panjang... we are nearly the center of the island, we are the heart of the island."
• Dr. Chee Soon Juan: "Elections are about policies, accountability, and representation. It is not about personal ties."
• Alfred: "GDP does not measure happiness, it does not measure mental health, family time, or dignity."
• Dr. Chee Soon Juan: "Singapore needs foreigners to survive."
• Dr. Chee Soon Juan: "We have an existential problem in our country."
• Dr. Paul Tambyah: "Vote without fear, vote for change, vote for a Singapore where we all can thrive."

9. Technical Terms and Concepts:

• SMC: Single Member Constituency
• GRC: Group Representation Constituency
• HDB: Housing and Development Board
• GST: Goods and Services Tax
• GDP: Gross Domestic Product
• GPI: Genuine Progress Indicator
• TFR: Total Fertility Rate

10. Synthesis/Conclusion:

The SDP rally at Bukit Panjang focused on a range of issues, including housing affordability, the PAP's foreign talent policy, the mental health crisis, and the need for a more equitable and sustainable future for Singapore. The speakers criticized the PAP's policies and presented the SDP's alternative vision, emphasizing the importance of accountability, representation, and a focus on the well-being of Singaporeans. They urged voters to vote without fear and to choose change by electing SDP candidates to Parliament.