SINGAPORE - The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has revealed its list of five candidates who will contest the Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC) in the 2025 general election. The announcement was made at a press conference held at Kampung Admiralty on April 6th.
The unveiled candidate lineup includes James Gomez, the party's Deputy Head of Policy; Bryan Lim, the Vice-Chairman; Surayah Akbar, the Treasurer; and members Alfred Tan and Damanhuri Abas. Party Chairman Paul Tambyah stated that the Sembawang area, encompassing both the GRC and the Sembawang West Single Member Constituency (SMC), will be a central target of the SDP's 'northern strategy' for the upcoming election.
With the exception of Akbar, the remaining four candidates are seasoned politicians with prior election experience. "This Sembawang GRC team comprises experienced political veterans," emphasized Tambyah. "These are individuals who have long engaged with residents in Sembawang, Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, and Sembawang West, not CEOs parachuted in at the last minute."
The SDP expressed confidence that they have assembled a team capable of effectively serving the residents, regardless of how the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) ultimately divides the constituencies.
Key Candidates and Backgrounds:
James Gomez: Began his political career with the Workers' Party (WP) in 2001 and joined the SDP in 2010. He has contested three previous elections: in 2006 with the WP, and in 2011 and 2020 with the SDP.
Bryan Lim: An assistant director at a public hospital, Lim contested in Hong Kah GRC in 2001 and in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC in 2015 and 2020 under the SDP banner.
Alfred Tan: A volunteer with the SDP since 2015, Tan stood in the Holland-Bukit Timah GRC in 2020. He is the director of the local food and beverage chain 'Kopi Ong'.
Damanhuri Abas: A regional education consultant, Damanhuri contested in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC in both 2015 and 2020.
Surayah Akbar: A music publisher and a party member of over 18 years, Surayah is a mother of three and will be contesting in her first election.
The Sembawang team intends to campaign on key issues identified through their engagement with residents, including the cost of living and job losses among 'white-collar professionals (PMETs)'.
Meanwhile, the National Solidarity Party (NSP) has also expressed its intention to contest in Sembawang GRC, setting the stage for a potential competition. NSP Secretary-General Spencer Ng affirmed the party's strong commitment to Sembawang GRC and stated his intention to meet with the SDP to understand their reasons for contesting.
Tambyah welcomed the prospect of other parties contesting, noting that it is the essence of a mature democracy. He stated, "No party will go to the polls with the slogan 'We are not the People's Action Party (PAP)'. Each will present their vision, and voters will choose the vision that aligns with their values and aspirations."
Constituency Changes and Key Competition:
Following the redrawing of electoral boundaries announced on March 11th, Sembawang West has been carved out of Sembawang GRC to form a new single-member constituency. The incumbent Members of Parliament for Sembawang GRC are from the People's Action Party team led by Health Minister Ong Ye Kung. In the 2020 general election, this team secured a decisive victory over the NSP team with 67.29% of the vote.
On March 29th, Ong Ye Kung introduced two new individuals who are likely to contest in Sembawang GRC: Ng Shi Xuan, director of Powermark Battery & Hardware, and Gabriel Lam, Chief Operating Officer of Shalom International Movers.
The SDP has announced that Dr. Chee Soon Juan will contest the Sembawang West Single Member Constituency, while Paul Tambyah will stand in the Bukit Panjang Single Member Constituency. The party also plans to field candidates in the Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, currently anchored by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
In the previous three general elections, the SDP fielded a total of 11 candidates each time. For the 2025 election, the party is expected to field at least 11 candidates across the four constituencies where they have currently announced their participation. When asked about the possibility of fielding more candidates, Tambyah stated, "Like other parties, we are assessing the situation on the ground and engaging with people. What is certain will only be known on Nomination Day."
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