The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has announced that it will field a five-member team in Sembawang GRC for the upcoming General Election. Party chairman Dr Tambyah announced the team lineup on Sunday (Apr 6).
The candidates include: party vice-chairman Bryan Lim Boon Heng, treasurer Surayah Akbar, deputy head of policy James Gomez, as well as members Damanhuri Abas and Alfred Tan.
SDP previously contested in Sembawang GRC in the 2006 and 2011 General Elections.
Speaking to the media at Kampung Admiralty on Sunday, Dr Tambyah said the early announcement allows the team to start grassroots outreach sooner. He welcomed other parties to join the contest, saying more candidates would lead to meaningful policy debate.
He also pointed to the U.S. presidential election as an example, where multi-party contests are a hallmark of democracy, giving voters more choices. Dr Tambyah said that if elected, SDP hopes to be a stronger voice for the people in Parliament.
NSP Announces Intention to Contest, Sembawang GRC Set for Three-Cornered Fight
Sembawang GRC is shaping up to be a three-way battle, as the National Solidarity Party (NSP) also announced its intention to contest. On Sunday morning, NSP Secretary-General Spencer Ng led a team walkabout at Kampung Admiralty and confirmed the party would be contesting all five seats in Sembawang GRC.
NSP contested Sembawang GRC in 2015 and 2020 and lost to the PAP both times.
One new face introduced was Raiyian Chia (46), a swimming coach. He said he was stepping forward to contest because he wanted to “do something meaningful”. The rest of the team’s candidates will be announced at a later date.
As for the likely three-cornered fight, Spencer Ng said the NSP has been active in Sembawang since 2011 and will continue to contest the constituency. However, he does not rule out coordination with the SDP in nearby Sembawang West SMC, where SDP Secretary-General Chee Soon Juan has already announced his candidacy.
