SINGAPORE: The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) on Saturday (Apr 19) launched its campaign slogan for the General Election.

In unveiling its slogan, called "Thrive, Not Just Survive", the party asked for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to be reduced from 9 per cent to "7 per cent or even 5 per cent", and for it to be scrapped for everyday essentials.

"This means more money stays in your pocket so that you stress less and live more," it said.

It added that medical costs should be lowered, so people can "focus on living a healthy life without the constant worry of hospital bills".

SDP also reiterated its Non-Open Market Scheme for Build-to-Order (BTO) flats. Under this scheme, land costs for new flats will be omitted, with prices determined only by the costs of building a flat. These flats cannot be resold on the open market.

SDP chief Chee Soon Juan introduced the campaign slogan on Saturday during a walkabout at Bangkit Road, which is in Bukit Panjang Single Member Constituency (SMC), where party chairman Paul Tambyah is set to contest.

Dr Chee said: "The whole idea behind this slogan is because Singaporeans have repeatedly told us that they are just surviving right now ... basically, what they just do is frantically trying to keep pace with the cost of living that keeps on going up."

The party called for the influx of foreign professionals, managers, executives, and technicians (PMETs) to be reduced, and asked the government to introduce a minimum wage where "every Singaporean will earn a wage that reflects the true cost of living".

Dr Chee said: "I think after 60 years, Singaporeans are entitled to ask, 'have we arrived where we can then begin to enjoy the fruits of our labour?'

"Our quality of life cannot constantly be at the point where ... I depend on vouchers just to go and do the shopping. At this stage of the game, we should be well beyond that level."

In terms of its GST proposal, Dr Chee said the increases over the years "really befuddles us".

The GST was introduced in 1994 at 3 per cent. This increased to 4 per cent in 2003, 5 per cent in 2004, 7 per cent in 2007, 8 per cent in 2023 and 9 per cent last year.

He added: "Why is it that when you've got a whole host of cost increases, whether it's your water price, whether it's your petrol duty, whether it's your bus or MRT fares - on top of that, you tag on and add 2 per cent to the GST?

"It makes absolutely no sense to us. So what we're saying is that you make sure, right now, that we roll back all these cost increases, roll back your GST to pre-COVID levels, and let the people breathe easier just a little bit."

"KEEPING COMMUNICATIONS OPEN"

SDP has said it would embark on a "northern strategy" for the upcoming General Election.

In recent weeks, it has unveiled its potential candidates in Sembawang and Marsiling-Yew Tee Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs), as well as Sembawang West and Bukit Panjang SMCs.

Dr Chee will be fielded in Sembawang West, while Professor Tambyah is expected to face the People's Action Party's Liang Eng Hwa in Bukit Panjang again.

Sembawang GRC likely faces a three-cornered fight, with the National Solidarity Party (NSP) also intending to run there. NSP secretary-general Spencer Ng has said his party is the "incumbent opposition" in Sembawang.

NSP contested in the constituency in the past two elections, while SDP ran there in 2006 and 2011. 

The two parties have reportedly failed to reach an agreement to avoid a three-cornered fight, with NSP rejecting SDP's proposal to contest in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC instead.

In response to CNA's question on Saturday on the progress of SDP's talks with NSP, Dr Chee reiterated that his party is "continuing to keep our communications open and see if we can work things out".

"But as I said, it's not so much of who stands where, but where you stand. You make sure that it's not like tissue paper, you put on the table and 'chope' ... It's formulating our message to the voters," he added.

When asked if SDP would stand in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, Dr Chee said it "looks unlikely at this stage" as the party wants to "consolidate" its resources.

Prof Tambyah also spoke briefly about his strategy for Bukit Panjang SMC. PAP's Mr Liang took the constituency with 53.73 per cent of the votes in 2020 – the closest contest among all the SMCs that year. 

He said he has had "many encounters" with Mr Liang and called him "a very nice and pleasant" person, but noted that Mr Liang comes with "all the resources of the PAP".

"We did really well in 2020 and we're hoping we can do better," Prof Tambyah added.

"We've been going on the ground, we've been talking to people ... in just three days, we've covered 50 per cent of the blocks in Bukit Panjang."

He said that the party is providing voters with a choice of having an SDP Member of Parliament "who will be able to speak up for them".