WP launches manifesto, keeps electoral cards close to its chest

The opposition Workers' Party launched its election manifesto and introduced its first batch of four candidates on April 17, with secretary-general Pritam Singh saying that the party has firmed up its slate.

- Wong Pei Ting Correspondent and Tham Yuen-C Senior Political Correspondent

He stopped short of addressing questions about the total number of constituencies WP will contest, saying: "You will know what they are in good time."

The WP chief also kept mum about the number of candidates the party will field when Singapore goes to the polls on May 3.

Speaking at the WP headquarters in Geylang, Mr Singh, who is also Leader of the Opposition, said: "I think the bigger objective is to make sure that we assemble good teams, individuals who can actually work in the interest of Singapore and Singaporeans."

Flanked by WP chairwoman Sylvia Lim and the four fresh faces, Mr Singh fielded questions from reporters on the party's electoral plans and other issues.

The WP has kept its electoral plans close to its chest, but based on activity on the ground and party sources, it is expected to contest Aljunied GRC, Sengkang GRC, East Coast GRC, Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, Punggol GRC, Tampines GRC, Hougang SMC, Tampines Changkat SMC and Jalan Kayu SMC.

This accounts for 31 out of the 97 parliamentary seats up for contest this election.

When asked if this number will be enough to meet WP's medium-term objective of holding one-third of the seats in Parliament, he said: "We will not be able to meet that one-third number of candidates to fill one-third of Parliament (with) opposition MPs."

WP unveiled four of its new faces on April 17. They are: Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik, 35, a senior property manager at Aljunied-Hougang Town Council; Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat, 36, a director at technology start-up Sensemake.ai; Ms Siti Alia Abdul Rahim Mattar, 43, a legal counsel in a multinational company; and Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan, 33, who leads the early childhood development, education, and youth mental health and well-being portfolios at the Asia Philanthropy Circle.