People’s Power Party withdraws from four-party opposition alliance led by Lim Tean
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People's Power Party chief Goh Meng Seng (sixth from right) with party members during a walkabout in Tampines on Feb 23.
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
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SINGAPORE – The People’s Power Party (PPP) has withdrawn from its four-party alliance with the Peoples Voice (PV), the Reform Party (RP) and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Announcing this on Facebook on Feb 22, its secretary-general Goh Meng Seng, who was the organising secretary of the People’s Alliance for Reform (PAR), said the decision comes as PPP has come to a “disheartening crossroads” with the alliance parties.
“In view of irreconcilable strategic differences for GE2025, we have reached a consensus that it would be a better option for PPP to withdraw from PAR,” he said.
This is to ensure that PAR can continue to function as an effective political force in the upcoming general election, which must be held by November, without unnecessary disruptions that might arise from fundamental strategic differences between PPP and the other parties in the alliance, he added.
PAR’s formation was announced in 2023.
PV secretary-general Lim Tean, who is also secretary-general of the alliance, said early on Feb 23 that PPP had insisted on contesting Tampines GRC, and that PV, RP and DPP did not agree with this as it could lead to a four-cornered fight in the constituency.
The other three parties also could not agree with PPP’s position on the Covid-19 vaccine, he added in a Facebook post.
PPP had in 2024 made several calls to suspend Covid-19 vaccination
“In the circumstances, we have agreed to part ways amicably with PPP, who are leaving the alliance,” wrote Lim, who was sentenced to six weeks’ jail and a $1,000 fine
Speaking to the media during a walkabout in Tampines on Feb 23, Mr Goh said the PPP is not anti-vaccine, but is instead “pro-safe vax”.
He said: “We do not want mandatory vaccination to be imposed on anyone.
“But, unfortunately, Mr Lim Tean and Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam do not agree on that because they think that it is controversial.”
Mr Jeyaretnam chairs the alliance and is RP’s secretary-general.
Mr Goh added that the party will in March release its election manifesto, which will cover its positions on vaccination as well as how a family unit should be defined.
He said: “Our manifesto is coming up. It is going to be pro-family... We are against the LGBT agenda.”
Mr Goh said PPP is eyeing Tampines, Nee Soon and Ang Mo Kio GRCs, as well as Yio Chu Kang SMC, in the upcoming election.
He was the only candidate from PPP who contested the last election in 2020, garnering 28.26 per cent of the vote in MacPherson, which was retained by incumbent Tin Pei Ling of the ruling People’s Action Party.
Mr Goh had said then that it was to be his last election.
He said PPP wishes PAR all the best in the coming election and is open to future collaboration with the alliance, should opportunities arise.
Other office-bearers in the central executive committee of the alliance include head of RP’s women’s wing Yasmine Valentina, who is assistant secretary-general.
PPP member Peter Soh was the alliance’s vice-chairman, but will no longer hold the post following PPP’s withdrawal, said Mr Goh.
