GE2015: Reform Party names candidates for West Coast GRC and Radin Mas SMC

Singapore

THE Reform Party (RP) on Thursday introduced its candidates contesting in West Coast group representation constituency (GRC) and Radin Mas single-member constituency (SMC) at the Sept 11 polls.

Kumar Appavoo, 46, will stand in Radin Mas SMC against the PAP's incumbent MP Sam Tan, announced party secretary-general Kenneth Jeyaretnam at a press conference held at a hawker centre in Telok Blangah Drive on Thursday morning.

Mr Appavoo, the director of an oil and gas company, had contested in West Coast GRC at the 2011 General Election.

Mr Jeyaretnam will lead a team in West Coast this time, along with RP chairman Andy Zhu, 32; real estate firm manager Darren Soh, 46; and customer service executive Noraini Yunus, 47.

But he stressed that the slate will be finalised only on Nomination Day on Sept 1. The party is also contesting in Ang Mo Kio GRC, while it might field a 12th candidate in Pioneer SMC should the National Solidarity Party withdraw its interest.

"In 2011, we fielded as many candidates as older opposition parties, and we have remained stable and gone from strength to strength," he said.

Mr Jeyaretnam said the party is working on its full manifesto, but some of the initiatives it hopes to champion include a monthly S$500 pension for senior citizens above 65 years old and child benefits of S$300 for all children aged under 16.

The party had also previously said it is campaigning for more financial transparency from the government, to make public housing flats freehold, put a cap on foreign workers and implement a minimum wage in Singapore.

The party, however, has attracted controversial personalities to its ranks. They include blogger Roy Ngerng and his one-time lawyer M Ravi - both are said to be contesting in Ang Mo Kio GRC, helmed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Mr Lee had sued Mr Ngerng for defamation, with damages to be assessed.

Mr Ravi had represented Mr Ngerng during his trial until he was suspended in mid-February from practising law after concerns over his mental health. THE STRAITS TIMES