'Go in together or we don't at all': 4 opposition parties apply to join SDA

Would the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) be welcoming new political parties this coming general election?

A group of four opposition parties — Singaporeans First (SingFirst), People's Power Party (PPP), Reform Party (RP) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) — sent to SDA a letter two weeks ago requesting to join the alliance, reported The Straits Times (ST).

This marks a change in the bloc's original plan of forming a new alliance led by SingFirst chief Tan Jee Say as announced in January.

Tan explained to ST the group's decision to join SDA: "It will detract from our message/image of a united front if we register another alliance when there is SDA. Hence, we believe it would be good if we could all come together under SDA."

The four parties would "go in together or we don't at all," PPP secretary-general Goh Meng Seng told The Online Citizen.

He believes a united front among opposition parties is necessary to have "even a slight chance of having a good showing", citing the 2011 elections when the parties had echoed the same sentiments, in contrast to the 2015 elections.

"When you do not sing together and say the same thing, it will not amplify."

When asked in January why they didn't join SDA, Goh had revealed that his party did not receive a reply to its earlier request.

Now, in response, SDA's secretary-general Abu Mohamed has confirmed that he received the new letter, but said that a central executive committee meeting must be held before a decision could be made.

The bloc first proposed forming a new alliance in July 2018. Dr Tan Cheng Bock, before he formed Progress Singapore Party in March 2019, was invited to lead the alliance, but he has yet to agree to it. 

"I don't want to commit myself just yet," he had said, adding that he hadn't rejected the idea altogether.

SDA was formed in 2001 comprising four opposition parties — Singapore People's Party, National Solidarity Party, Singapore Justice Party and Singapore Malay National Organisation. Now, only the latter two remain in the alliance.

With the release of new electoral boundaries last month, there has been speculation that the next general election will be held soon.

rainercheung@asiaone.com