SINGAPORE: In a bold statement on March 30, Secretary-General of the People's Alliance for Reform (PAR), Lim Tean, confirmed that the party intends to contest the Potong Pasir Single Member Constituency (SMC) in the upcoming General Election, despite an appeal from the Singapore People's Party (SPP) to avoid a potentially divisive three-cornered fight.

The SPP announced its own plans to field a candidate in Potong Pasir—a constituency previously held by opposition stalwart Chiam See Tong. The SPP's leader, Steve Chia, indicated that discussions with Mr. Lim had occurred, but stated that he had yet to receive a response directly from the PAR chief.

During a press engagement at ABC Brickworks Market and Food Centre, Mr. Lim emphasized the need for a strategic approach to opposing the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP). He argued that it’s vital to consider which party can present the strongest candidate for a viable challenge.

“The reality is that we must ensure we field the best candidate against the PAP. There’s little point in being stubborn if it’s clear that a particular candidate has little chance of winning,” Lim remarked.

POTONG PASIR: A SYMBOL OF HOPE

When addressing the SPP’s strategy in the same constituency, Mr. Lim highlighted the historical importance of Potong Pasir, stating, “Potong Pasir was the beacon of hope for the opposition.” He paid tribute to Chiam See Tong's legacy, who represented the constituency for an impressive 27 years, initially with the Singapore Democratic Party and later with the SPP until 2011. His wife, Lina Chiam, made two unsuccessful attempts to reclaim the seat in recent elections.

“While our parties may have different views on contesting Potong Pasir, our ultimate goal for this election should be to reclaim it—and I firmly believe that this is achievable,” Lim stated confidently.

He acknowledged the sentiments among opposition supporters regarding the division of votes, reiterating the importance of unity. “Let us work together to ensure that the strongest opposition candidate can challenge the PAP effectively. There is a significant chance that we can win this back,” he maintained.

Despite the ongoing competition for Potong Pasir, Lim expressed hope that he and Chia could reach an amicable understanding, noting their previous collaborations within the National Solidarity Party. “We have always communicated well, and I believe we can continue to do so as conversations progress,” he assured.

A FOCUS ON UNITY AMONG OPPOSITION PARTIES

Mr. Lim conveyed optimism about the overall landscape of the upcoming election, suggesting that the opposition community is relatively tight-knit. He doesn’t foresee an overwhelming number of three-cornered fights, anticipating only a few, including in Tampines GRC.

Beyond Potong Pasir, the PAR plans to contest in several other constituencies, including seven additional SMCs and two Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs). These include the newly established SMCs of Jalan Kayu and Queenstown, as well as Kebun Baru, Marymount, Mountbatten, Radin Mas, and Yio Chu Kang, alongside Tanjong Pagar GRC and Jalan Besar GRC.

While the candidate selection process remains undecided for Queenstown, Lim recognized the efforts of the Reform Party in the area and hinted that a candidate could likely emerge from there, particularly referencing assistant secretary-general Mahaboob Batcha's intimate knowledge of the community.

The upcoming General Election is shaping up to be a critical battleground for opposition parties, and as the PAR gears up for the race, the call for unity remains a central theme amidst the competition for voters in Potong Pasir and beyond.