SINGAPORE:

In a bold move that could reshape the political landscape, Hazel Poa of the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) has expressed her willingness to contest in a Single Member Constituency (SMC) as part of her commitment to "walk my talk." During a recent walkabout in Jurong West, Poa addressed comments made by Minister Chan Chun Sing, who suggested that she benefited from the Group Representation Constituency (GRC) system by “riding on the coattails” of the party's founder, Dr. Tan Cheng Bock.

Poa emphasized the necessity of taking a stand, stating, "I feel that there’s a need for me to walk my talk. So, I indicated to the party that I’m willing to run in an SMC, but of course, this is still subject to confirmation." The PSP is still deliberating whether Poa will remain in the West Coast-Jurong West GRC or transition to an SMC.

Controversy of the GRC System

The GRC system has been a contentious topic within Singapore’s political scene. Established in 1988 to ensure minority representation, this electoral framework has drawn criticism for allowing candidates to leverage the popularity of established political figures. In 2023, the PSP introduced a motion to abolish the GRC system, with Poa arguing that it effectively prevents true democratic engagement by compelling voters to support incumbents rather than evaluate candidates on their individual merits.

Chan Chun Sing countered these claims, using the success story of former Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang, asserting that the so-called "star power" of established politicians benefits not just the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) but also opposition parties. He pointed out that Dr. Tan Cheng Bock’s reputation significantly helped the PSP secure its current position.

Past Election Results

In the 2020 General Election, the PAP, led by then-Transport Minister S. Iswaran, narrowly defeated PSP in West Coast GRC, achieving 51.69% of the vote, marking an intense contest amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This tight race resulted in the PSP earning two Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) seats held by Poa and Leong Mun Wai.

Recently, Leong Mun Wai was re-elected as head of PSP, with Poa now serving as vice chairperson. Poa is taking on additional responsibilities as a foster parent, a role she embraces positively, and she expressed confidence in Leong's capability to lead the party.

Looking Ahead: PSP's Strategy

When asked how these personal changes might influence PSP’s strategy ahead of the upcoming General Election, Poa stated, “I am excited to be a foster parent, and I’m confident in Mun Wai's abilities to manage the party – we still work closely together on strategic matters.”

As the largest opposition slate in the last election, the PSP fielded 24 candidates. Looking forward, Poa indicated that the party aims to adopt a more focused strategy in their upcoming campaign. However, she confirmed that negotiations with other opposition parties to avoid three-cornered contests have yet to commence, stating, “We ourselves need to finalize our own plans first before we enter into negotiations.”

A Pivotal Moment for the Opposition

Hazel Poa’s readiness to step into a single-member constituency race not only serves as a personal commitment to growth and accountability but also signals a pivotal moment for the opposition in Singapore. Will her bold move galvanize support and change the dynamics of the political playing field? Only time will tell as the political season heats up!