Red Dot United's registration approved, 'ready to contest GE'

A record 12 oposition parties could contest the next general election. Red Dot United (RDU), a new political party set up by former PSP members, had its registration approved on Monday.

Despite being formed less than a month ago, the party said it is already prepared to field candidates.

Secretary-general Ravi Philemon, 52, told The Straits Times yesterday that the party had previously said that it is ready for the next general election, and now that it is registered, it is "even more ready".

A Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) spokesman confirmed that the party was registered on June 15, though she did not indicate if the request was expedited.

MHA previously said that the average processing time for registering a new political party would be about two months. RDU was registered on May 26, and its approval comes after just three weeks.

"We are grateful that the MHA has been very helpful and efficient," said Mr Philemon. "We requested the Registry of Societies to expedite our registration, and we are happy that they considered it."

The party's registration was published in the Government Gazette yesterday, and its registered address was listed as a unit at Bukit Timah Shopping Centre.

There are also other approvals that the party is working on, such as getting its symbol approved.

When asked if he will return to contest Hong Kah North SMC in the next general election, Mr Philemon said it is too early to comment on that.

"Right now we just got our approval. The central executive committee has not met yet. We have to discuss as a party," he said.

Mr Philemon contested the ward under the Singapore People's Party banner in 2015.

The Straits Times understands he was also the PSP's intended candidate for the constituency, before he quit in May.

The MP for the ward is PAP's Dr Amy Khor.