Singapore GE2020: Parties get creative with mascots, figurines and flags

The soap given by Kaki Bukit PAP grassroots adviser Shamsul Kamar to residents of Bedok North in March.
This handmade clay figurine of Singapore People's Party chairman Jose Raymond, costing $90, has an interesting story behind why he is standing as a candidate in Potong Pasir. PHOTO: COURTESY OF JOSE RAYMOND
The Workers' Party has a dedicated e-store offering items such as tote bags, caps, water bottles and umbrellas in the party's signature sky blue colour.
The Workers' Party has a dedicated e-store offering items such as tote bags, caps, water bottles and umbrellas in the party's signature sky blue colour. PHOTO: THE WORKERS' PARTY ONLINE STORE
The name of the Progress Singapore Party's Otica - the otter mascot - is an acronym for its core values of openness, transparency, independence, compassion and accountability. PHOTO: PROGRESS SINGAPORE PARTY/FACEBOOK
The name of the Progress Singapore Party's Otica - the otter mascot - is an acronym for its core values of openness, transparency, independence, compassion and accountability. PHOTO: PROGRESS SINGAPORE PARTY/FACEBOOK
This handmade clay figurine of Singapore People's Party chairman Jose Raymond, costing $90, has an interesting story behind why he is standing as a candidate in Potong Pasir. PHOTO: COURTESY OF JOSE RAYMOND
The soap given by Kaki Bukit PAP grassroots adviser Shamsul Kamar to residents of Bedok North in March. ST FILE PHOTO

From cute plushies to clay figurines and flags that can be attached to car windows, the various political parties have gotten creative with their merchandising for this year's general election.

While the global pandemic may shape the contest at the polls, it also means the election will be devoid of the atmosphere of physical rallies, which will instead see party political broadcasts aired on national TV.

But the various political parties will still be selling party paraphernalia and merchandise.

Unlike previous years though, where merchandise could be bought at rally sites or party headquarters, restrictions on movements mean they can now be purchased only online - with a three-day wait for delivery.

The Workers' Party, for instance, has a dedicated e-store offering items such as umbrellas ($13 and $16), caps ($15) and tote bags ($20) in their signature sky blue colour.

Besides the usual staple of pins, flags and T-shirts, several parties are also banking on mascots.

The Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) Danny the Democracy Bear mascot makes a return in soft toy form and three colours (yellow, pink or brown), retailing at $22.

The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) has Otica, the otter mascot, which has been making appearances at walkabouts.

Dubbed the party's "Chief Compassion Officer", Otica's name is an acronym for the party's core values of openness, transparency, independence, compassion and accountability.

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In an Instagram story last Thursday, the PSP said that it is "making plans for Otica to be available for public purchase".

"However, no thanks to the Political Donations Act's rules, every time we sell one Otica, we have to collect all your particulars to ensure that you are Singaporean and fulfil all the criteria to donate - because purchasing Otica is considered a donation," the post said.

The law seeks to prevent foreigners from interfering in Singapore's domestic politics through funding of candidates and political associations, and requires receipts to be issued by recipients of cash donations, among other rules.

One of the more unique items available for sale is a $90 handmade clay figurine of Singapore People's Party (SPP) chairman Jose Raymond, who will be contesting the single seat of Potong Pasir.

A resident of the constituency gave him the idea, said Mr Raymond, 49.

"I thought it was a rather neat idea to have a mini figurine which people could keep as memory of the campaign we fought in the estate this year, especially since there is an interesting history behind why I am standing as a candidate in Potong Pasir SMC," he added.

He said that after his family lost their home in Jurong West in 1991, former SPP chief Chiam See Tong personally helped them by writing a cheque to the Housing Board to pay a deposit for a smaller flat, even though they were not residents of Potong Pasir.

Mr Chiam was then MP for Potong Pasir and the secretary-general of the SDP.

So far, five of the 25 figurines available have been sold, mostly to Potong Pasir residents. All money collected from the sales of merchandise will be "used to help residents".

As for the People's Action Party (PAP), a spokesman said: "Our PAP branches may be distributing memorabilia at the branch level.

"The party and our candidates will adhere to the prevailing guidelines as laid out by the Multi-Ministry Task Force and Elections Department for any activities involving public interaction."

Online marketplaces like Carousell and Shopee are stocking everything from inflatable yellow hammers in the style of WP's logo to PAP car decals. It remains to be seen if the face mask will make an appearance among the merchandise during this election period.

Asked if SPP has such plans, Mr Raymond said: "There are no other plans for merchandising as we are now in the midst of the campaign proper."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on June 28, 2020, with the headline Parties get creative with mascots, figurines and flags. Subscribe