Lead up to GE2015: Key developments, Aug 20

The PAP's team for Jurong GRC (from left) Tan Wu Meng, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Rahayu Mahzam, Desmond Lee and Ang Wei Neng (seated). ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN

SINGAPORE - Here are some of the latest updates on the political front as Singapore builds up to the general election, including a recap of the past 24 hours.

Two new faces for PAP in Jurong GRC; David Ong to contest Bukit Batok SMC

(From left) Desmond Lee, David Ong, Rahayu Mahzam, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Tan Wu Meng and Ang Wei Neng. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN

Former civil servant Rahayu Mahzam, 35, and oncologist Tan Wu Meng, 40, will join the People's Action Party's slate in the contest for the Jurong Group Representative Constituency (GRC) in the coming general election.

They will join Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee and backbencher Ang Wei Neng in the five-member team.

Mr Tharman also announced during the press conference at the PAP's Clementi branch office on Thursday (Aug 20) that Jurong GRC MP David Ong will leave the team to contest in his Bukit Batok ward, which has been hived off as a Single Member Constituency (SMC) under the new electoral boundaries.

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Hazel Poa quits NSP after party moves to contest MacPherson SMC

Hazel Poa arriving at the National Solidarity Party's headquarters for a second round of opposition talks on Aug 6, 2015. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

In a surprise move on Wednesday (Aug 19), the National Solidarity Party's (NSP) acting secretary-general Hazel Poa quit the party.

This was in protest over its latest decision to contest single-seat MacPherson. The NSP had earlier said it will leave the seat to another opposition party, the Workers' Party (WP).

Ms Poa said in a statement that the NSP's Central Executive Committee (CEC) voted on Monday in favour of council member Steve Chia's proposal for it to contest the SMC.

MacPherson is likely to see a three-way fight.

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PAP's slate for Tanjong Pagar GRC, Radin Mas SMC unveiled

(From left) Sam Tan, Melvin Yong, Indranee Rajah, Chan Chun Sing, Joan Pereira and Chia Shi-Lu. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

Labour chief Chan Chun Sing on Wednesday (Aug 19) announced his five-member team for Tanjong Pagar GRC.

Ms Joan Pereira and Mr Melvin Yong will join Mr Chan, Senior Minister of State for Law and Education Indranee Rajah and backbencher Chia Shi-Lu in contesting the next general election.

Mr Chan also revealed that MP for Radin Mas SMC Sam Tan will defend his seat.

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Get to know the PAP's two newcomers in Tanjong Pagar GRC

Former Assistant Commissioner of Police Melvin Yong (left) and former People's Association director Joan Pereira are the PAP's new faces in Tanjong Pagar GRC. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

Long-time public servants Joan Pereira and Melvin Yong are entering politics to continue where they left off in community work.

Both also have ties with Tanjong Pagar GRC, which they hope will stand them in good stead in the coming election.

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SDP calls MDA classification of its video a 'partisan political move'

PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM YOUTUBE

The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has disputed the Media Development Authority's decision to classify its latest online video as a party political film.

In a statement on its website and e-mailed to the media early yesterday, just after midnight, SDP chief Chee Soon Juan said the MDA was applying the law selectively and called it a "partisan political move".

The MDA said on Monday that it found the one-minute video, "Pappy Washing Powder", to be a party political film, after consulting the Political Films Consultative Committee.

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