SINGAPORE: The People’s Alliance for Reform (PAR) will contest seven constituencies in Singapore’s upcoming General Election on 3 May 2025, fielding a total of 14 candidates.
PAR secretary-general Lim Tean confirmed the slate during a walkabout on 18 April at Pek Kio Market, a key area between Tanjong Pagar and Jalan Besar GRCs.
The alliance will stand in Jalan Besar and Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs), as well as in Mountbatten, Potong Pasir, Queenstown, Radin Mas and Yio Chu Kang Single Member Constituencies (SMCs).
Lim stated that PAR would not contest in Marymount, Jalan Kayu and Kebun Baru SMCs, citing “careful deliberation” and the intention to avoid clashes with other opposition parties.
Red Dot United has already declared its intention to contest Jalan Kayu, while the Progress Singapore Party plans to field candidates in Marymount and Kebun Baru.
Among the 14 candidates, two were introduced during the event.
Queenstown SMC likely to see three-way contest between PAP, PAR’s Baatsha and independent Is’haq Rajoo Jay
One is Mahaboob Baatsha, 57, who will make his electoral debut in Queenstown SMC.
Baatsha is a director in the oil and gas sector and has lived in Queenstown for over 30 years.
He currently serves as the treasurer of the Reform Party, one of PAR’s three constituent parties alongside Peoples Voice and the Democratic Progressive Party.
Speaking about the challenges facing Queenstown residents, Baatsha said, “A lot of people can’t move to the next stage from the rental blocks,” and expressed hopes to help them find employment opportunities.
However, Baatsha may not be the only opposition figure contesting Queenstown.
Last week, food and beverage entrepreneur and part-time sports coach Is’haq Rajoo Jay declared his intention to run in the same ward.
He pledged to avoid a three-cornered fight and said he would be promoting a grassroots initiative called the “Independent Citizens Movement” — described as a movement “by Singaporeans for Singaporeans”.
Vigneswari V Ramachandran poised for third electoral bid, likely to contest in Jalan Besar GRC
Lim also introduced early childhood educator Vigneswari V Ramachandran, 43, as a prospective candidate in PAR’s lineup.
If nominated, this would be her third time contesting a General Election.
Vigneswari first ran with the Reform Party in Ang Mo Kio GRC in 2011, where the team secured 30.67 per cent of the vote.
She contested again in 2020 with Peoples Voice in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, receiving 12.17 per cent in a three-way race.
She previously lived in Jalan Besar GRC and campaigned there during GE2020. Lim expressed support for her to contest the constituency this year.
The Queenstown ward, newly created from parts of West Coast GRC, will debut as an SMC in GE2025.
It was carved out during recent boundary changes, along with adjustments to Tanjong Pagar GRC.
Tanjong Pagar GRC, now expanded to include Dover and Telok Blangah, will have 139,688 voters.
Jalan Besar GRC’s boundaries remain unchanged, with 106,102 registered voters.
In GE2020, Tanjong Pagar GRC saw a straight contest between the People’s Action Party (PAP) and Progress Singapore Party, with the PAP winning 63.1 per cent of the vote.
Jalan Besar GRC was contested by a team led by Lim himself under the Peoples Voice banner, which obtained 34.64 per cent of the vote.
This year, both GRCs could see three-cornered fights.
Red Dot United has signalled it will run in Tanjong Pagar, and the National Solidarity Party intends to contest Jalan Besar.
The PAP has confirmed its Jalan Besar GRC team, led by Minister Josephine Teo. Long-time MP Heng Chee How will step down, with newcomer Shawn Loh, a former civil servant, taking his place.
Last week, PAR member Michael Fang also announced his candidacy for Yio Chu Kang SMC.
The alliance, established in 2023, has laid out several policy goals, including free education, school meals and healthcare for every Singaporean child.
Nomination Day is scheduled for 23 April, with candidates finalising their paperwork and formal declarations.
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