SDP's SMC strategy puts leaders in sharp fights with PAP

Singapore

THE Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) decision to field its heavyweights in single-seat wards is a strategy that could increase its chances of securing a higher share of votes, and perhaps allow at least one of its members to enter parliament through the Non-Constituency MP (NCMP) scheme in the event of a loss, said political observers.

In a tactical switch at the eleventh hour, SDP chairman Paul Tambyah showed up on Nomination Day to contest Bukit Panjang SMC instead of the expected Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, where he was fielded in the 2015 election. He is going head to head with the People's Action Party's (PAP) Liang Eng Hwa, 56.

The PAP's Dr Teo Ho Pin, 60, has held the ward for the past 14 years and is retiring.

Meanwhile, SDP secretary-general Chee Soon Juan is set for a rematch with the PAP's Murali Pillai in Bukit Batok SMC after losing to him during a 2016 by-election.

Dr Chee, 57, contested during the 2015 General Election in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC alongside Prof Tambyah, Sidek Malek and Chong Wai Fung. His team lost against the incumbent PAP, taking 33.38 per cent of the votes.

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In the case of Bukit Panjang SMC this GE, the retirement of veteran incumbent Dr Teo likely signalled an opening that the opposition may be seeking to capitalise on, said former Nominated Member of Parliament Nicholas Fang.

The decision was potentially swayed by the return of Tan Jee Say to the SDP fold after his Singaporeans First party was dissolved, given that he has now taken Prof Tambyah's place in the SDP's Holland-Bukit Timah slate, Mr Fang noted.

"It will be interesting to see how Dr Tambyah matches up against the PAP's Mr Liang Eng Hwa, who lives around Bukit Panjang itself. Dr Tambyah has emphasised that he has some roots in Bukit Panjang, saying that his cousins grew up there and that he feels like he's 'coming home'."

Asked about the SDP's line-up of candidates at different wards this election, Dr Chee said his party worked everything out to give it the maximum chance of crossing the 50 per cent mark and getting into parliament. "Looking at all the various options, that's the best combination we have come up with," he told media.

If Dr Chee and Prof Tambyah are able to garner enough votes, they might have a route to parliament through the NCMP scheme even if they lose, said political observer Felix Tan, an associate lecturer at SIM Global Education.

He highlighted how Dr Chee and Prof Tambyah, a National University of Singapore professor who recently became the first Singaporean to head US-based International Society of Infectious Diseases, are both "very strong individuals with their own supporters".

Mr Fang noted that given the opposition parties' traditional struggles to build strength in depth in their potential candidates, focusing on single-member seats might be a wiser strategy. That said, it also sends a signal about the party's ability to build a strong and credible team.

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