GE2025: ‘My resolve from the start has not changed,’ says SDA’s Desmond Lim
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SDA chief Desmond Lim arriving at the Yusof Ishak Secondary School nomination centre on April 23.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
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SINGAPORE – Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) chief Desmond Lim said his resolve to serve residents with a “people first” mentality has not changed since his coalition began contesting in the general election close to two decades ago.
In his pre-recorded online rally on April 30, he told voters that his love and sense of responsibility for the community have only grown stronger.
The SDA said it decided not to hold physical rallies and to have only online ones so that voters would not be inconvenienced.
The coalition – which is up against a PAP team in Pasir Ris-Changi GRC
“Time passes but my resolve from the start has not changed,” Mr Lim, 58, said in his Mandarin speech.
“From 2006 until now, I have been contesting in Pasir Ris-Punggol,” he added, referring to the constituency that has been split up to form two four-member GRCs – Pasir Ris-Changi and Punggol.
“I want to work together with you and fight hard to achieve our common dreams and aspirations… this is important to me.”
Mr Lim, who returned to his post as the alliance’s chairman after announcing his decision to step down following the 2020 General Election, intends to continue the legacy of former opposition MP Chiam See Tong, having served for 14 years as the latter’s town council adviser at Potong Pasir SMC.
“Singapore is a home for all of us, common Singaporeans. Not just for the rich and… elites, and not just for those who stay in a big bungalow… drive a Bentley or a Ferrari.”
Mr Lim’s team, including returning candidates – SDA secretary-general Abu Mohamed, 74, and Mr Harminder Pal Singh, 53, the alliance’s communications lead – and new face Chia Yun Kai, 32, is up against a PAP team led by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah.
SDA’s other candidates echoed Mr Lim’s sentiments, and promised to work towards addressing cost of living and housing and healthcare woes, as well as providing better job opportunities for Singaporeans amid competition from foreign talent.
Mr Abu spoke about how Singaporeans have been feeling the pinch for 15 years, and young Singaporeans saying it is not easy to get a job despite having a university degree or polytechnic diploma.
“Many of them have applied for hundreds of jobs, but most of those applications received no response,” he said in Malay, noting that some have resorted to doing gig work.
Mr Chia said SDA will offer real solutions to ensure better wages and job security, such that middle-class families will no longer face “sleepless nights” worrying about their jobs or how to put food on the table.
He added that he entered politics as he could not stand back and see Singapore’s dreams of a better future slipping away.
“I may have been trained by the system, but it is because of this that I know the feeling. I experienced the pain, and I know Singaporeans deserve better,” he said.
Mr Singh told voters not to waste their votes, and said voting for the opposition would help build a better and more balanced political system.
“A stronger opposition in Parliament... will force the PAP and the civil service to provide more thorough explanations of their policy... will prevent them from brushing aside valid questions and pushing through policies without proper scrutiny,” he added.
