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| Chiam See Tong |
"I am sorry I am no longer able to provide care for you," said Mr Chiam as he explained to supporters his decision to contest in Bishan-Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency (GRC).
Contesting in his stead at the single-seat ward is his wife Lina Chiam.
He was not leaving Potong Pasir "to gain more glory", Mr Chiam said.
"I go to Bishan-Toa Payoh to promote democracy in Singapore," said Mr Chiam in his 18-minute speech at the Singapore People's Party (SPP) rally last night.
"You cannot have democracy unless you have Opposition in Parliament."
Mr Benjamin Pwee, who is part of the Singapore People's Party (SPP) team Mr Chiam is helming, added: "It is not Mr Chiam who walks out of Potong Pasir … it is the spirit of Potong Pasir that walks into Bishan and Toa Payoh."
Mr Chiam said with only two Opposition seats in Parliament after his 27-year tenure, he has to go to Bishan-Toa Payoh to win five more seats, "It is a dangerous move for me, but with your support and encouragement I can feel safer.''
Responding to cheers, the 76-year old paused and added: "Well, it looks like I'm going to win then."
Mrs Lina Chiam, who took the stage last, declared that she and Mr Chiam have chosen to soldier on, because "something in our heart tells us … that is not right."
Carrots would be dangled once again by the Peple's Action Party (PAP) to Potong Pasir but do not fall for them, Mrs Chiam warned, as she reminded the crowd of past promises that were not kept.
While Mr Sitoh had claimed credit for the lift upgrading schemes in the estate, Mrs Chiam said residents also contributed financially to it.
She also assured supporters that the Town Council has able people who are prudent in managing finances.
She said they did not play with minibonds, a reference to reports of some Town Councils having lost money on high risk investments.
At the rally, the party also gave out flyers with their proposals on managing rising housing costs.
The party proposed a study on housing prices and pledged to push for HDB statistics and information such as land and building costs to be made public.
Public housing prices should be de-linked from the private housing market and the party called for a good balance between affordable housing and reserves building.
