SingFirst withdraws from Ang Mo Kio GRC, leaves Reform Party in straight fight with PAP

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After two rounds of horse-trading talks, all parties have ironed out their claims, with straight fights in 29 constituencies. Several PAP MPs have also announced their retirement from politics, with new faces filling their places.
Singaporeans First party secretary-general Tan Jee Say said that his party will not be contesting in Ang Mo Kio GRC, paving the way for a straight fight in the constituency between the PAP and Kenneth Jeyaretnam's Reform Party. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

SINGAPORE - The Singaporeans First party will not be contesting in Ang Mo Kio GRC, said the party's secretary-general Tan Jee Say in a statement on Monday.

"To avoid a three-cornered fight, SingFirst will hereby withdraw its interest to contest Ang Mo Kio GRC and focus its resources on Tanjong Pagar and Jurong GRCs," he said.

The move paves the way for the Reform Party, led by Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam, to contest in a straight fight with the People's Action Party team in the GRC, which is helmed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

The RP had declared its interest to contest in Ang Mo Kio GRC at the next general election, having fielded a team there in the 2011 election. The PAP won in the GRC with 69.3 per cent of the vote.

SingFirst's announcement on Monday means that all potential three-cornered fights involving Opposition parties have been resolved.

Earlier on Monday, the National Solidarity Party announced that it would not be fielding a team in Marine Parade GRC and the MacPherson single seat ward, both constituencies which the Workers' Party said it would stand in.

charyone@sph.com.sg

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