[SINGAPORE] The Singapore Democratic Party’s (SDP) election manifesto, built around the acronym “Thrive”, lays out proposals from cutting the goods and services tax (GST) to its own public housing scheme.
The party launched its manifesto on Apr 20, a day after unveiling its campaign slogan, “Thrive, Not Just Survive”. Party chairman Paul Tambyah said that the manifesto ties in with the campaign slogan.
“We want to go beyond just depending on vouchers and handouts,” he said. “We want to maximise (Singaporeans’) potential.”
Dr Tambyah acknowledged that the manifesto contains few new policy proposals compared to GE 2020, noting that most of the changes were updates to reflect current conditions.
With him at the launch at Yew Tee Square were SDP vice-chairman Bryan Lim and Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC candidates Jufri Salim and Dr Gigene Wong.
The manifesto covers six areas, one for each letter of “Thrive”: taxes which are fair; healthcare which is universal; respect for the planet and people; immigration which is rational; voluntary early redevelopment scheme (Vers) for housing; and education.
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On taxes, the SDP renewed its call to cut GST and exempt essential items, and ensure the wealthy contribute their fair share for a more balanced revenue system.
For healthcare, it proposed replacing current healthcare schemes with a single national insurance system.
On respect, the manifesto highlights the need to reduce damage to Singapore’s green spaces, and protect constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expression.
For immigration, the SDP proposed a “Singaporeans first” policy that will significantly reduce the number of foreign workers.
On the government’s Vers initiative for older public housing estates, Dr Tambyah said the party is concerned about the continued lack of clarity, seven years after Vers was announced as a solution to expiring 99-year leases.
This uncertainty affects retirement planning for older flat owners, he added. SDP proposed its own a “non-open market” housing model, to provide affordable homes rather than treating public housing as an investment asset.
Finally, Dr Tambyah said Singapore’s education system is becoming increasingly unequal, citing the dominance of the tuition industry and limited direct school admission access for low-income families.
The party is calling for reforms such as scrapping the primary school leaving examination, reducing class sizes and focusing on nurturing individual strengths.
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