GE2025: People’s Alliance for Reform set to contest in Yio Chu Kang SMC
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Lecturer Michael Fang is set to represent the People’s Alliance for Reform to contest the single seat of Yio Chu Kang.
ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
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SINGAPORE – The opposition People’s Alliance for Reform (PAR) will contest the single seat of Yio Chu Kang in the upcoming general election, with lecturer Michael Fang, 48, set to represent the party.
Speaking to The Straits Times on April 12, Dr Fang added that he has invited all opposition parties to a meeting on April 19, to iron out potential multi-cornered fights.
PAR – an alliance of three parties – has been walking the ground in Yio Chu Kang SMC for two years, he said, adding that it has been running a bread distribution programme for needy residents during this time.
Most Yio Chu Kang residents live in Housing Board blocks, with only 7.7 per cent in landed property. The majority of residents are above 46 years old.
Residents there have raised concerns about issues such as the rising cost of living, loss of jobs and high healthcare costs, said Dr Fang, a health sciences lecturer at a private college. “I decided to run, out of service to this country and compassion for the people.”
He added: “We know the ground and hope to serve the residents with love and care.”
Yio Chu Kang was re-established as a single-member constituency in 2020 after being part of Ang Mo Kio GRC for several elections.
That year, the PAP fielded a first-time candidate, Mr Yip Hon Weng, who secured 61 per cent of the votes against the Progress Singapore Party’s Kayla Low.
If elected, Dr Fang said he hopes to represent residents on both national and municipal matters. “The people are at a crossroads – they must decide if overall issues affect them more, or local residency issues.
“If elected as an MP, I will represent them on both.”
When asked why PAR is contesting both group representation constituencies and single seats, Dr Fang said the party is focused on serving the central, middle and southern parts of Singapore. “The GRCs will carry the bulk of the candidates, while the SMCs ensure there is ground-level representation should the GRCs fall short,” he said.
As for why he chose Yio Chu Kang SMC specifically, Dr Fang said he has stepped in to continue the groundwork started by PSP’s Ms Low.
“Unless there is a good reason to convince the public and me otherwise, the mantle would be assumed by me going forward,” he said. “I view myself as the barometer of change in this country, and hope to bring about better reforms for Singapore and its people.”
Dr Fang previously contested Jalan Besar GRC in GE2020 under the banner of Peoples Voice, alongside party founder Lim Tean, Mr Leong Sze Hian and Mr Nor Azlan Sulaiman. The PAP won the constituency with 65.36 per cent of the vote.
In the upcoming election, the PAR has said it will contest several constituencies.
These include the single seats of Yio Chu Kang, Potong Pasir, Jalan Kayu, Queenstown, Kebun Baru, Marymount, Mountbatten and Radin Mas. The party also plans to field teams in Tanjong Pagar GRC and Jalan Besar GRC.
