Marymount SMC PSP raises issues like cost of living, job security at rally

Party also highlights importance of having opposition presence in Parliament

- Elisha Tushara Correspondent and Chin Hui Shan

Job security, the rising cost of living and the need to check the dominance of the PAP were among the key issues raised by party members at the PSP's rally in Bishan.

At the opposition party's rally held at Catholic High School, speakers also touched on work-life balance and the well-being of seniors.

PSP founder and chairman Tan Cheng Bock turned up an hour into the rally, at about 8.20pm, and was the evening's final speaker.

He spoke about the importance of having an opposition presence in Parliament to avoid groupthink, especially when the ruling party's candidates are largely drawn from the civil service and armed forces.

He said: "This is dangerous. There will be groupthink, which to me, is inbreeding. And when there is inbreeding, there is no way you can change policies within that system. For this reason, you must vote opposition."

Earlier in the evening, Ms Hazel Poa, 54, candidate for West Coast-Jurong West GRC, said the PAP has remained dominant in Singapore politics for 66 years and has been able to amend the Constitution without opposition, due to its majority in Parliament.

The PAP's dominance in Parliament is likely to continue for some time to come, but what does it mean for Singaporeans, she asked.

She said: "On the positive side, it ensures continuity in our policies and fosters stability. On a negative side, it allows the ruling party to put and keep in place rules that create an unlevel playing field and hinder fair political competition."