Independents Jeremy Tan, Darryl Lo plan to use new-found platforms to speak up on issues

The two independent candidates who contested the May 3 election intend to use their new-found platforms to engage with Singaporeans on local and national issues, even though neither was elected.

- Vanessa Paige Chelvan Correspondent and Esther Loi

Mountbatten candidate Jeremy Tan, 34, told The Straits Times on May 5 that he has not ruled out contesting the next general election.

Mr Darryl Lo, 28, who contested in Radin Mas, was coy about his plans, saying he was unsure if he would continue being involved in politics.

Political observers said the pair—part of an "evolving profile" of political independents—had polled better than expected, and were able to put their views across coherently during their campaigns.

They also noted that Mr Tan and Mr Lo performed better at the ballot box than some candidates from small opposition parties fielded in single seats.

Mr Tan, a retired business owner, ran against maritime lawyer Gho Sze Kee from the ruling PAP in Mountbatten. Both are political newcomers.

Mr Tan polled 36.16 per cent—the highest vote share for an independent candidate since the 1972 General Election, when independent Ng Teng Kian garnered 41.87 per cent of the vote in Punggol.

Mr Lo, a law graduate who worked in the technology sector, was in a three-cornered race for Radin Mas. He was up against the PAP's Mr Melvin Yong—who has held the seat since 2020—and Mr Kumar Appavoo of the People's Alliance for Reform, who had contested Radin Mas twice before, in 2015 and 2020.

Mr Yong retained his seat in 2025, while Mr Lo garnered 23.47 per cent of the vote, surpassing Mr Kumar, who polled 7.36 per cent.

Mr Tan and Mr Lo fared better than candidates from small opposition parties, including Ms Kala Manickam from Red Dot United, who won 19.49 per cent of the vote in Jurong Central.

Mr Tan said he plans to use his social media platforms to discuss issues that interest him.

These may include the rise of autism and pets on public transport, as he feels strongly about these issues and has received public feedback on them.

He also intends to speak up about issues such as the impact of the US tariffs on Singapore.