[SINGAPORE] The opposition Red Dot United (RDU) party will withdraw from Jalan Kayu SMC to make way for the WP to contest there, said the party on Apr 22.
RDU secretary-general Ravi Philemon said the decision was made after talks with WP, which has also expressed interest in contesting in the single-member constituency.
“As part of these conversations, we spoke with the WP leadership. During those exchanges, they expressed interest in contesting Jalan Kayu. As discussions progressed, it became clear they intended to field a candidate there. They requested for Jalan Kayu.
“After careful deliberation – both with the WP leadership and within our own Election Committee – we have made the difficult decision not to contest in this constituency,” said Philemon in a statement sent to media, adding that the decision was made in the best interest of the residents.
RDU went on its maiden walkabout in Jalan Kayu on Mar 21 and introduced Madam Kala Manickam, an educator and a former Singapore Armed Forces officer, who was meant to lead the team in the newly carved out ward.
Jalan Kayu was headed for a multi-cornered fight, with RDU, the People’s Alliance for Reform (PAR) and People’s Power Party (PPP) originally expressing interest.
BT in your inbox
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
WP too had also been spotted in the area, going door to door handing out leaflets, residents told The Straits Times.
But on Apr 18, PAR pulled out of the Jalan Kayu contest.
On Apr 19, PAP announced that labour chief Ng Chee Meng will contest Jalan Kayu.
In the statement, Philemon also said that RDU has spent the past month listening to concerns, understanding the issues, and engaging sincerely with the community.
“Jalan Kayu deserves the best possible representation in Parliament … But the more important question is how we ensure Jalan Kayu residents are represented clearly, firmly, and honestly – without splitting the vote or weakening the voice of the opposition,” he said.
He said that RDU has consistently emphasised that opposition unity is essential, and it has been engaging various political party leaders about the situation in Jalan Kayu.
“This decision wasn’t made lightly. So far, we have invested time, effort, and approximately S$5,000 in campaign materials and logistics,” Philemon said, adding that stepping back was challenging.
“But ultimately, the greater cost is not to RDU – it’s the question of whether the best interests of citizens will be upheld.”
Making such decisions is not “new ground” for the RDU, said Philemon. Earlier in April, RDU also withdrew from the coalition it co-founded, after the National Solidarity Party (NSP), a fellow coalition member, would not back down from a three-way fight in Sembawang GRC.
The Coalition is an alliance of opposition parties that also includes the Singapore United Party (SUP) and Singapore People’s Party (SPP).
“We have always held to one principle: voter interest comes before party interest. And our decision in Jalan Kayu is guided by the same belief. We walk the talk, even when it’s tough,” Philemon said.
He also thanked Madam Kala for her work in Jalan Kayu.
“The last thing she wanted was to forego the rapport and support she has worked so hard to build with Jalan Kayu residents, whom she has always firmly believed she should serve. We extend our heartfelt gratitude… for her unwavering commitment to the community and to the opposition cause,” he said.
In the lead up to Nomination Day on Apr 23, other opposition parties have also stepped aside to prevent splitting the vote. On Apr 20, the NSP said it will bow out from Sembawang West and Tampines Changkat SMCs to give way to fellow opposition parties to contest in those constituencies.
But the stage is still set for three-cornered fights in other constituencies. For instance, in Sembawang GRC, NSP will go up against the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) and the incumbent PAP.
In Tampines GRC, NSP, the PAP and the WP are expected to contest there. THE STRAITS TIMES
For more election coverage, visit our GE2025 microsite
