CONIFRMED: USD & SF are SDP's branches

Nov 20, 2010
Rebranding the SDP


SINGAPORE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

YEAR FORMED: 1980

LEADER: Secretary-general Chee Soon Juan, 48

MANIFESTO: Economic proposals launched last Saturday

KEY CAMPAIGN ISSUES: Creating a fairer society, curbing the influx of foreign workers and increasing health-care spending

MR NEW Junwei, 27, used to have an unsavoury impression of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP).

'They seemed fierce, and were always getting into trouble,' says the sales executive, referring to the convictions imposed on SDP leaders for staging illegal protests, and the libel suits that SDP chief Chee Soon Juan lost to government leaders.

Then he attended a political rally staged by the party last Saturday - and he had a change of perception.

He says he was surprised by the carnival-like atmosphere, replete with a rock band and a teddy bear mascot, and the unveiling of the party's economic proposals from its manifesto.

'Now the SDP seems a bit more respectable, even constructive,' admits Mr New.

This is the new image that the SDP wants to foster among voters ahead of the next polls, through a recent raft of measures.

By launching the economic segment of its election manifesto, SDP is seeking to show that it is not all sound and no substance. Titled It's About You, the proposals include calling for a minimum wage to help low-wage workers cope with costs of living.

Dr Chee tells Insight that the party is recruiting 'people of substance' as members and potential candidates for the next polls. They include former Workers' Party candidate James Gomez, 45, a public relations academic based in Melbourne, and Dr Vincent Wijeysingha, 40, executive director of migrant workers' rights group TWC2.

Another image-changing tactic is the use of mascot Danny the Democracy Bear for its walkabouts.

But even as it tries to soften its image, the party is still grappling with the consequences of its strident activism. The party, Dr Chee and his sister Chee Siok Chin, a central executive committee member, still owe $610,000 in damages to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew for defaming them in an SDP newsletter article during the 2006 polls.

As bankrupts, the Chees and party chairman Gandhi Ambalam are barred from contesting in the next election. If the party is unable to pay up, it could be wound up.

The party's uncertain fate is believed to be the key reason SDP supporters set up a new party called United Singapore Democrats earlier this year. It is seen as an alternative vehicle for the SDP to contest the polls should it be shut down.

Meanwhile, SDP is continuing with its online efforts to engage young, tech-savvy voters through the party website and social media platforms.

It is stepping up its walkabouts in Bukit Panjang - the only ward that the SDP has openly declared its intention to contest. Sources say it is also eyeing the five-member Tampines GRC.

Independent political analyst Derek da Cunha says the SDP's style of personalising political issues would appeal to only a small section of the electorate. 'Most voters feel national issues are too important to be personalised,' he notes.

Rookie in the field


SOCIALIST FRONT

YEAR FORMED: September 2010

LEADERS: Chairman Ng Teck Siong, 69, businessman, and secretary-general Chia Ti Lik, 36, lawyer

MANIFESTO: Being drafted

KEY CAMPAIGN ISSUES: To set economic and political policies for the good of the common people

AT ITS coming-out party two months ago, the Socialist Front (SF) announced its aim of forming a future socialist government. Today, Singapore's newest political party still does not know where it will contest in the coming polls.

SF chairman Ng Teck Siong, 69, says it wants to fight in at least two single-member constituencies, with the candidates likely to be himself and secretary-general Chia Ti Lik. But he admits the party will have to wait for 'leftovers' from the bigger opposition parties after they have divided up the electoral wards among themselves.

He acknowledges that his party, with about 15 members now, will have difficulty mounting a sizeable campaign and making any impact. The lack of experienced candidates is another factor.

Eight of the 11 central executive committee members are political rookies. Only Mr Ng, Mr Chia and treasurer Mansor Rahman, 59, have electoral experience.

Mr Chia represented the Workers' Party (WP) in the 2006 polls while Mr Mansor stood for the Singapore United Front in Geylang Serai in 1984. Mr Ng, a former member of the Reform Party, WP and Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), was part of the WP team fielded in West Coast GRC in the 1997 polls.

The party is not conducting walkabouts or home visits, but it plans to hold monthly forums and launch its website soon. Since its inception, SF has been in talks with SDP and the National Solidarity Party on how to fight in the coming elections.