Sengkang GRC WP warns against monopoly, calls for competition and diversity

The importance of political competition and diversity of thought was a theme running through the WP's first rally in a decade on April 24.

- Ang Qing and Kok Yufeng

Four-time election veteran Gerald Giam stressed that political competition is good because it means that all parties will raise their game.

Pointing out how the end of Singtel's monopoly over mobile services resulted in lower prices, the incumbent Aljunied GRC MP said: "That's how we keep improving Singapore, not by keeping the status quo, but by making space for better ideas and greater accountability.

"This all leads to better outcomes for you and your families," added the 47-year-old co-founder of a tech start-up, whose seniority was acknowledged with the crowd's cries of "lao jiao" ("old bird" in Hokkien).

Indeed, listeners braving the mud-filled field in Anchorvale Crescent, in Sengkang, cheered as each of the 13 newcomers and veterans spoke in English, Mandarin, Malay, Teochew and Cantonese.

The boisterous crowd had to be reminded repeatedly by Tampines GRC candidate Eileen Chong, and even WP chief Pritam Singh at one point, to stay within the field.

Former Non-Constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong kicked off the rally by warning of the dangers of a monopoly.

"The Government believes that in business, monopoly is bad. And therefore they have anti-monopoly laws.

"But when it comes to politics, they want it all," said Mr Yee, who will helm the team contesting East Coast GRC.

The 60-year-old was met with shouts of approval from the crowd, whose cries of "Workers' Party" was the constant refrain of the night.