NSP plans to meet SDP in a bid to avoid three-cornered fight

The opposition National Solidarity Party (NSP) intends to meet the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) for talks to avoid a three-cornered fight in Sembawang GRC, said NSP secretary-general Spencer Ng, who also introduced a new candidate on April 6.

- Shabana Begum

The incumbent PAP team in Sembawang comprises Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, Dr Lim Wee Kiak, Mr Vikram Nair, Ms Mariam Jaafar and Ms Poh Li San.

Speaking during a residents outreach event in Kampung Admiralty, Mr Ng, 45, said he will be leading NSP's Sembawang GRC team.

He introduced the new face, swimming coach and private-hire driver Raiyian Chia, 46, to the media, saying he would be part of NSP's Sembawang slate.

Asked about the rest of NSP's slate for Sembawang GRC, Mr Ng said the party will announce the candidates in due course.

Mr Chia joined the party two to three years ago, and has been engaging Sembawang residents on walkabouts since 2022, NSP's social media pages show.

Another potential new face, Ms Verina Ong, has also been spotted on walkabouts in Sembawang, although she was not present at the April 6 event.

"NSP has given a chance for... people like us, the everyday Singaporean, to step up to serve. The residents' concerns are all pretty much (over) the rising cost of living, sustainability and job security," said Mr Chia, adding that he met Mr Ng at a party outreach event a few years ago.

During the walkabout, NSP members encountered members of the SDP at the Kampung Admiralty atrium. Both sides exchanged greetings and appeared cordial.

Mr Ng was also seen warmly greeting SDP's deputy head of ground operations Abdul Salim Harun with a hug.