SDP says more opposition presence will check rising costs

Distributing vouchers to help Singaporeans cope with the rising cost of living is not enough to tackle such concerns, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) said on April 24.

- Christine Tan, Lee Li Ying and Andrew Wong

Instead, a greater opposition presence in Parliament could help to keep rising costs in check, with MPs scrutinising government expenditure and speaking out against policies that could impact people's pockets.

This was a key message from the party's first rally at Choa Chu Kang Stadium.

Veteran opposition politician and party chief Chee Soon Juan said Singaporeans are struggling with high costs of living that are due to "the PAP's very own making", and not due to global trends.

He said: "The PAP raises the GST and then tells you that it is giving you vouchers to help you cope with the increased GST. Am I missing something here?

"Or does this sound like the arsonist that sets your house on fire and then comes and gives you a cup of water to help you put it out?"

Cutting the GST from the current 9 per cent to either 7 per cent or 5 per cent has been a key policy proposal mooted by the opposition party, and was one of the key issues raised in the party's manifesto released on April 21.

The party chief was the last in a line of 12 speakers that included the party's candidates for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, Sembawang GRC and Bukit Panjang SMC.

Dr Chee faces a straight contest in the new Sembawang West SMC, against PAP's Ms Poh Li San.

Dr Chee accused the Government of "profligate spending", which he said led to the need to raise taxes and GST.