Democrats blanket Bukit Panjang with flyers

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Monday, 12 April 2010

Singapore Democrats

The Singapore Democrats have been going about the Bukit Panjang housing estate - block-to-block, house-to-house - distributing flyers to residents, stepping up our campaign efforts in preparations for the upcoming elections against the incumbent PAP MP Dr Teo Ho Pin.

While we continue to strengthen our online presence and expand our reach on the Internet, we are making sure that our work on the ground also intensifies. With the expansion within our ranks, our campaign in the constituency has also increased steadily in recent years.

The present flyer focuses on the need to stop the influx of foreign workers into Singapore, losses that the GIC and Temasek incurred in investments in Western banks as well as the witholding of our CPF savings.

In response, we highlighted the SDP's alternative Singaporeans First policy, the need for minimum wage and retrenchment entitlements.

But as fast as we are moving, there is still a wide gulf between the resources available to Dr Teo through the PAP compared to what is available to us. While the PAP gets the big donations from the elite big boys, we depend on support from ordinary citizens.

While we have shown that we can surpass the PAP on innovative and resourcefulness when it comes to campaigning, the limited funds at our disposal severely curtails our ability to reach out to the electorate.

Chee Soon Juan and Young Democrat Muhd Khalis visiting a resident

Chee Soon Juan and Young Democrat Muhd Khalis visiting a resident

Printing of flyers, for instance, takes a huge chunk from our expenditure. Flyering is an important feature of our campaign because this is our only means of communication with the residents.

With the media imposing a news blackout especially on the SDP's election activities, we have no choice but to reach out directly to the residents though our flyers as well as our newspaper, The New Democrat.

We would, therefore, like to appeal to our fellow Singaporeans for your financial support without which we cannot run a competent and effective campaign. Your support is crucial to our efforts to bring about a democratic Singapore.

So please make your donations today. Don't wait until the elections to make your contribution by which time it will be too late. We need to continue with the momentum we have built up and your support will determine if this swing continues to move up or dies down.

You can make your donations via monthly pledges or a one-time donation by clicking here

. Or you can email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to make alternative arrangements.

Support the party that dares and cares, the party that continues to speak up for Singapore no matter how hard the PAP comes down on us.

We are your voice, your party.

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Comments (9)

Mon 12 Apr 2010 11:57 AM | quantum - Fliers Breaking the Sedition Act?

BryanT: Is the SDP breaking the Sedition Act?

http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC100408-0000070/Poison-pen-letters-hit-Sengkang

05:55 AM Apr 08, 2010
by Ng Jing Yng jingyng@mediacorp.com.sg

SINGAPORE - Even before the date for the next General Election has been announced, a poison pen letter has surfaced in Sengkang.

Written on a piece of A4-size paper in both English and Mandarin, it has been stuffed into the letter boxes of residents there, apparently since last week.

In it, the anonymous author accuses the People's Action Party (PAP) of being responsible for the high cost of living and the 7-per-cent GST, among other complaints.

The police said that a report has been made, and investigations are in progress.

MediaCorp understands that this case falls under the Sedition Act, where the offender could be fined up to $5,000 and/or given a maximum jail term of three years.

When Ms Ong K C, a Sengkang resident, opened her mailbox on Monday evening, she was surprised to see the letter. Alerting the media yesterday, the administrator, who is in her 40s, said "the comments made in the letter are subjective, and they cannot represent the voice of the masses".

While she does not support any political party, Ms Ong said this is not an appropriate way to air one's dissatisfaction.

Her Member of Parliament in Pasir Ris-Punggol Group Representation Constituency, Mr Charles Chong, who had heard about the letter, said its statements were "too broad and general to be addressed".

He added: "Residents can read it and decide for themselves if the comments are credible."

Other MPs in Sengkang confirmed that their residents had told them about the letter. MP and North East district mayor Teo Ser Luck said: "For me, work goes on, and the letter won't change what we're doing to serve the residents."

Yesterday, MediaCorp came across many letter boxes that had been stuffed with copies of the letter. Some could also be seen lying discarded in rubbish bins.

The PAP headquarters said they are aware of the matter, and Ms Ong is not the only person to have informed them about the letter.

PAP HQ executive director Lau Ping Sum said they had received anonymous letters in the past. Since the Sengkang letter is an anonymous one, the HQ would not be pursuing the matter, Mr Lau added.

URL http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC100408-0000070/Poison-pen-letters-hit-Sengkang

Mon 12 Apr 2010 12:10 PM | tewniaseng

Keep it up Dr Chee.Pls put up a good candidate in Bukit Panjang.I am fed up of this joker Teo H.P

Mon 12 Apr 2010 1:03 PM | Robox

Re: "We would, therefore, like to appeal to our fellow Singaporeans for your financial support without which we cannot run a competent and effective campaign. Your support is crucial to our efforts to bring about a democratic Singapore...So please make your donations today. Don't wait until the elections to make your contribution by which time it will be too late."

SDP, if Singaporeans don't move forward in response to your appeal, then they deserve the PAP government that they either vote for with their ballots, or in their hearts.

If there are no SDP seats in the next Parliament, its not because SDP has not tried hard enough; it's got entirely to do with what I believe to be the Singaporean collective karma of the severe stupidity that Lee Kuan Yew has imposed on them and they are still desperately clinging on to as gospel truth.

Worse, these same Singaporeans are utterly obstinate when it comes to moving away fron that same stupidity.

It's got nothing to do with incompetence on SDP's part.

There is such a thing as being ahead of your time, you know, SDP.

Like the Greens in the West.

Tue 13 Apr 2010 1:08 PM | quantum

"There is such a thing as being ahead of your time, you know, SDP. "
Yes, the standard has been pretty high. Lets keep it that way.

Tue 13 Apr 2010 10:04 PM | NemoAlaska - Who Needs Help?

This is an interesting article.

We have been hearing SDP all this while that they are doing their ground works, which was proven when they thought election is near or hardly been seen or heard.

It is amazing that SDP is asking residents for help rather than helping the residents. SDP is really an opposition in this sense.

Another puzzling point was how could SDP claimed that they are engaging residents by simply distributing flyers? How about those illiterate and lower income residents? How and what you have done to help them? Made them read your flyers and asking donation from them? Or just simply ignore them?

SDP had made few points in the article that they are facing difficulties to communicate with residents and thus, I would have read it as SDP is not able to their ground works competently?

On one hand, SDP claimed they can surpass the incumbent on innovative and resourcefulness, but on the other hand, you mentioned "Flyering" is the only means to communicate with residents. Which is which? Are you resourceful or not, helping residents in Bukit Panjang?

I can read for this article that this is another wayang by SDP to show other opposition parties that SDP has "booked" this SMC, be that as it may.

Wed 14 Apr 2010 4:36 AM | SingaRoars

Th e definition of insanity according to Eisnten is to do the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Interpretin g in the present political context, voting for the incumbent party again and again and hoping for a different Singapore, is a seow proposition. Singaporeans by and large had been scared into stupidity and submission. What a pity. They deserved to be dictated. Mad cows!

Wed 14 Apr 2010 12:45 PM | angry_one - Not all of BP will vote

I wish I can vote for the SDP, but parts of Bt Panjang belongs to Holland-Bt Timah GRC, including my area. Ridiculous isn't it? The neighbours across the street can vote but not me.

Thu 15 Apr 2010 9:22 PM | quantum

NemoAlaska : It is very obvious that the SDP is asking the residents for the political mandate to represent them in parliament, so that the SDP have the political power to help them. If the SDP upon being elected to parliament fails to help the residents, then the SDP can simply be voted out the next election.

Fri 16 Apr 2010 12:02 AM | Robox

NemoAlaska, why don't you suggest to Sylvia Lim that she should work the ground at Potong Pasir since there is no such thing as "choping" a ward? I actually believe that she stands a higher chance than Lina Loh of winning it.

And pity her. She probably cannot contest in a GRC because her party cannot attract Indians and Malays to it.