[GE2025] Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC

[carlongerdidu93]

No plans to raid the reserves, says SPP’s Steve Chia
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ge2025-campaigning-day-7-general-election-5090646

Midway through SPP's walkabout around Bishan, I asked its secretary-general Steve Chia what he thought about Health Minister Ong Ye Kung calling another party’s policies “mere populist calls” to win seats in parliament.

Mr Chia declined to comment on other opposition parties’ proposals, but added: “As far as SPP is concerned, we are not populist.

“We are not saying we are going to cut GST, we are going to give free breakfast, free education and free everything. No, we are not raiding the reserves.”

Instead, the SPP is calling for government budget surpluses to be “returned to the people”, he noted.

“We don’t want a case yearly where the surplus is going back to the reserves.”

A freedom of information act, as suggested by SPP and other opposition parties in their manifestos, would allow for a closer look at the numbers, he added.

SPP's party chief Steve Chia handing out flyers in Bishan on Apr 29, 2025. (Photo: CNA/Abel Khoo)

 

[Comage]

No plans to raid the reserves, says SPP’s Steve Chia
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ge2025-campaigning-day-7-general-election-5090646

Midway through SPP's walkabout around Bishan, I asked its secretary-general Steve Chia what he thought about Health Minister Ong Ye Kung calling another party’s policies “mere populist calls” to win seats in parliament.

Mr Chia declined to comment on other opposition parties’ proposals, but added: “As far as SPP is concerned, we are not populist.

“We are not saying we are going to cut GST, we are going to give free breakfast, free education and free everything. No, we are not raiding the reserves.”

Instead, the SPP is calling for government budget surpluses to be “returned to the people”, he noted.

“We don’t want a case yearly where the surplus is going back to the reserves.”

A freedom of information act, as suggested by SPP and other opposition parties in their manifestos, would allow for a closer look at the numbers, he added.

SPP's party chief Steve Chia handing out flyers in Bishan on Apr 29, 2025. (Photo: CNA/Abel Khoo)

TBH - SPP's track record so far (with Potong Pasir SMC) was nothing fanciful at all - they were just making sure things run smoothly for the estate, and the various municipal issues get resolved on time.

Their stance has never been as aggressive as CSJ's SDP or Lim Tean's PAR. Nor does SPP make funny suggestions like Ravi's RDU to give SG citizen's spouses (wives) PR/citizenship (as per the topic broached on in the last roundtable), or an agenda to adjust the imbalance of SG society where SG citizens can't own/drive a car and can only watch on as FTs drive their luxury cars (loosely quoting his roundtable session words).

 

[Blacky]

You threw up a lot of what-if scenarios that applies to almost every other existing MNC/GRC.

If the guy did good, he should be voted back in.
Unless the guy did bad, then he will be voted out.

So, what is your point here?

This

"If the guy did good, he should be voted back in.
Unless the guy did bad, then he will be voted out."

NEH was in this GRC since 2001 till his recent retirement. CHT was in this GRC since 2010. Due to the "GRC" system, voters may feel compelled to vote for the incumbent due to the risk of losing the anchor minister, even if 1 or 2 others are bad.
CHT had been in the news for the wrong reasons in recent times - SimplyGo, IU (from a sleek 1 piece design to 3 piece meal combo), train breakdowns, increased transport fares but no linkage to rail reliability etc
For those who want a change, this could be a chance for them.

Perhaps u might wanna share your thoughs on this, since you seem to be staying there

 

[yokine3a]

Lots of good food around that area!

I believed that GRC is a stronghold due to NEH right? IF CHT is also good in serving his contituents there, then it will still remain under PAP as the oppo is quite low profile to me

Unless the residents there are damn pissed at CHT due to transport issues like the ever increasing transport fares & frequent breakdowns, high COEs etc & decided to do something about it.
https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/how-ive-performed-so-far-singaporeans-decide-chee-hong-tat-his-first-year-transport-minister

Think is true, with NEH around, pap votes were not low in previous elections. He came to knock on my door in 2015 election, never see him after that, maybe they also knew pap won't lose since oppo also very weak.

On ground level, I have no issue with him, electricity down called TC, response was fast. They even rang me back to check elec did come back.

On national level, I dun like pap

 

[AndreFLo]

SPP no rallies at all this GE?

 

[Blacky]

Think is true, with NEH around, pap votes were not low in previous elections. He came to knock on my door in 2015 election, never see him after that, maybe they also knew pap won't lose since oppo also very weak.

On ground level, I have no issue with him, electricity down called TC, response was fast. They even rang me back to check elec did come back.

On national level, I dun like pap

Yup........... the "NEH effect" when he was still around.

As for the TC, @grevq80o shared it's due to the high standards set by the previous minister WKS. It's good that they kept up the high standards

 

[Comage]

This

"If the guy did good, he should be voted back in.
Unless the guy did bad, then he will be voted out."

NEH was in this GRC since 2001 till his recent retirement. CHT was in this GRC since 2010. Due to the "GRC" system, voters may feel compelled to vote for the incumbent due to the risk of losing the anchor minister, even if 1 or 2 others are bad.
CHT had been in the news for the wrong reasons in recent times - SimplyGo, IU (from a sleek 1 piece design to 3 piece meal combo), train breakdowns, increased transport fares but no linkage to rail reliability etc
For those who want a change, this could be a chance for them.

Perhaps u might wanna share your thoughs on this, since you seem to be staying there

There is nothing much to say for things that happen on the national level - these have already been widely reported in the media and forums are full of netizens commenting their two cents on it.

This thread is about the GRC itself, ie topics on the municipal level, ie things that concern the 98k voters present in this GRC.

 

[Comage]

Yup........... the "NEH effect" when he was still around.

As for the TC, @grevq80o shared it's due to the high standards set by the previous minister WKS. It's good that they kept up the high standards

Good that they (the TC) kept up the high standards?

You did read the Dec 2024 report from MND that this TC was ranked last amongst all TCs, with its amber rating, right?

Let's not forget this episode:

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sin...ce-report-fy2023-bishan-toa-payoh-mnd-4800066

The town council did not obtain ministerial approval before starting works on non-common property and disbursing funds for three projects. The required ministerial approval was only sought and given to the town council retrospectively.

Pay out the resident's/taxpayer's money first - ask questions later, ya?

One whole FY for 2023/2024, the "oversight" happened repeatedly - the MP can still continue BAU and claim they were not aware, is it?

So is the Town Council staff the liars and cheats? Or the MPs?

 

[Blacky]

There is nothing much to say for things that happen on the national level - these have already been widely reported in the media and forums are full of netizens commenting their two cents on it.

This thread is about the GRC itself, ie topics on the municipal level, ie things that concern the 98k voters present in this GRC.

Muncipal issues are impt, but to me national matters take a higher priority. to add on, he's also in the news defending the GST increase

Good that they (the TC) kept up the high standards?

You did read the Dec 2024 report from MND that this TC was ranked last amongst all TCs, with its amber rating, right?

I was referencing to the post just above about the response time

 

[carlongerdidu93]

GE2025: SPP, NSP deny claims that their GE2025 proposals are populist - Singapore People's Party


The National Solidarity Party and the Singapore People's Party have hit back at claims that they, as opposition parties, are presenting "populist" proposals. It came after Health Minister Ong Ye Kung labelled proposals by the Singapore Democratic Party as populist calls to win seats, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, during a rally on Apr 27, had urged voters to reject populist ideas. Charlotte Lim with more.

 

[Hyruga]

 

[trojanhorse]

SPP

​

 

[Comage]

SPP

​

What in the flying **** is this superstitious sh|t?

Please keep on topic to the GE, and not these bomoh/coconut/reading tea leaves nonsense.

 

[Comage]

One of the oddities you will see in this GRC - when issues are reported, workarounds are put up instead of addressing the root cause:



The double-mirrors are still there today.

 

[Comage]

Happened on 18 Feb 2025:


Happened 30 Apr 2025:






"I am Chee Hong Tat. As Transport Minister, I rolled out the Friendly Streets initiative back in Mar 2023, meant to make the roads safer. Despite the fact that this initiative did not really work as intended, please vote for me for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC. Thank you."

 

[melvinchen]

Foreign influence? Thanks, but no thanks: SPP
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ge2025-campaigning-day-5-general-election-5090656

Responding to reports of foreign influence this election, Singapore People's Party (SPP) chief Steve Chia said: "Thanks, but no thanks."

"We believe Singaporeans are stronger than them and knowledgeable," he said.

Singaporeans will not play the race or religion card in politics, he added, citing the maturity of the nation’s electorate 60 years into its independence.

During a walkabout at Toa Payoh West Market & Food Centre, Mr Chia called for a minute of the breakfast crowd's time.

“Let’s make our ministers work hard,” he bellowed to diners. “We will spend time to listen to you and your concerns, and work hard to improve the lives of Singaporeans.”

Singapore People's Party candidates for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC Melvyn Chiu, Steve Chia, Lim Rui Xian and Norhakim Norazahari speak to patrons at Toa Payoh West hawker centre on Apr 27, 2025. (Photo: CNA/Wallace Woon)

Commenting on Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's remarks last night - that now was not the time to take risks losing PAP candidates who are potential office holders - Mr Chia said turbulent times were precisely when more “alternative ideas” are needed in parliament. This would help to expand the conversation so that better ideas can evolve to help Singapore grow, he added.

The SPP has been ramping up its activities on podcasts and social media to reach more voters, although its main outreach is still centred on meeting residents in person.

“People want to see your face. They want to see you physically. And when they see us, they connect with us,” said Mr Chia.

To appeal to younger voters, the team is also leveraging the strengths of its younger candidates, Mr Muhammad Norhakim, 31, and Mr Lim Rui Xian, 37, who the party believes can better understand the lifestyles and needs of a young electorate.

The pair, along with Mr Chia and Mr Melvyn Chiu, are contesting Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, where they face a PAP slate led by Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat.

He probably didn't realize why pappies lost Sengkang GRC 5 years ago. Pappies field all-male slate and Sengkang is a constituency with lots of young families. Anyway female candidates are required if you want to play the GRC game well.

 

[Flexamoria]

Walao, void votes so many 2000+

 

[Hyruga]

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