GE2025: SPP confirms candidates for Potong Pasir, Bishan-Toa Payoh ahead of Nomination Day
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Singapore People’s Party treasurer Williiamson Lee will be going up against PAP’s Alex Yeo.
ST PHOTO: HESTER TAN
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SINGAPORE – The opposition Singapore People’s Party (SPP) will contest Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC and Potong Pasir SMC, with party secretary-general Steve Chia confirming its candidates for the respective areas in the upcoming election.
Party treasurer Williiamson Lee will be standing in the single-seat constituency, while Mr Chia will be fielded in the four-member GRC, the party said.
Mr Chia’s April 22 announcement sets the stage for a possible three-cornered fight in Potong Pasir, which is the SPP’s former stronghold.
The SPP’s team members for Bishan-Toa Payoh are party chairman Melvyn Chiu, 46, operations executive Muhammad Norhakim, 31, and operations manager Lim Rui Xian, 37.
SPP had introduced the five candidates it would be fielding in this general election on April 19, but stopped short of confirming the respective slates.
In Potong Pasir, Mr Lee will be going up against PAP’s Mr Alex Yeo, 46, who is standing in place of incumbent MP Sitoh Yih Pin.
The People’s Alliance for Reform had also said it would contest Potong Pasir, although it has not revealed its candidate yet.
Meanwhile, SPP’s Bishan-Toa Payoh team will be going up against the PAP team led by Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat, economist Saktiandi Supaat and two new faces – charity director Elysa Chen and social entrepreneur Cai Yinzhou.
Mr Chia described Mr Lee, 46 and self-employed, as a “steadfast member of our party for two decades” and “no stranger to the campaign trail”.
Mr Lee contested Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC during the 2020 General Election, as part of the team that included Mr Chia, Mr Chiu and Mr Osman Sulaiman.
The SPP team garnered 32.77 per cent of the votes, losing to the PAP team consisting of Dr Ng Eng Hen, Mr Chee, Mr Chong Kee Hiong and Mr Saktiandi.
In March, SPP staked claims on familiar party grounds Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC and Potong Pasir SMC.
Potong Pasir was once SPP’s stronghold, being held by veteran MP Chiam See Tong for 27 years. Mr Chiam, now 90 and retired, won the seat in 1984 when he beat the PAP’s Mr Mah Bow Tan.
In 2011, SPP’s Mrs Lina Chiam, wife of Mr Chiam, lost to the PAP’s Mr Sitoh Yih Pin by 114 votes.
