The People’s Alliance for Reform (PAR) has reaffirmed its intention to contest Potong Pasir Single Member Constituency (SMC) in the upcoming General Election, despite an appeal from the Singapore People’s Party (SPP) to avoid a three-way opposition contest.
Speaking to the media on 30 March 2025, PAR secretary-general Lim Tean said the alliance would field a candidate in Potong Pasir as it believed it had a strong chance of defeating the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP).
Lim’s comments came one day after the SPP publicly announced its plans to stand in Potong Pasir—long regarded as an opposition stronghold—reviving a legacy established by veteran opposition leader Chiam See Tong.
SPP secretary-general Steve Chia earlier told the media that he had communicated with Lim last week but had not received a direct response regarding the appeal to avoid contesting the same ward.
In a walkabout at ABC Brickworks Market and Food Centre, Lim said the key issue was selecting the best opposition candidate to challenge the PAP.
“There is no point in being obstinate and stubborn, and saying that you want to field a candidate if, you know, the whole world can see that at the end of the day, your candidate is not likely to win,” he told reporters.
He emphasised that any candidate PAR puts forward in Potong Pasir would have “a very good chance” of defeating the PAP incumbent.
PAR is a coalition comprising the Reform Party, Democratic Progressive Party, and Peoples Voice—founded by Lim himself.
The People’s Power Party, originally a part of the alliance, withdrew in February citing “irreconcilable strategic differences”.
Acknowledging Potong Pasir’s historical importance, Lim praised Chiam’s contributions, stating, “I will be the first to acknowledge the historical significance of Potong Pasir SMC, and what a great legacy Mr Chiam See Tong left the opposition.”
Chiam represented Potong Pasir for 27 years, first under the Singapore Democratic Party and later the SPP.
His wife Lina Chiam contested the seat in 2011 and 2015 but lost both times to PAP’s Sitoh Yih Pin. In 2020, Sitoh again retained the seat, defeating SPP’s Jose Raymond, who retired from politics later that year.
“Potong Pasir was the beacon of hope for the opposition,” Lim said, adding that the focus should be on reclaiming the constituency rather than dividing the vote.
“I agree with the opposition supporters who say there is no point in dividing the vote,” he said. “Let the best opposition candidate take on the PAP in Potong Pasir, and I think the chances of us winning that back is very, very good.”
Lim also stated he was confident of future discussions with Chia, citing their past association within the National Solidarity Party.
“We have never had any problems in speaking with each other,” he said, expressing optimism that talks would resume in the coming days.
Regarding broader strategy, Lim shared that PAR plans to contest seven SMCs and two Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs).
These include Jalan Kayu and Queenstown—both new SMCs—alongside existing ones such as Kebun Baru, Marymount, Mountbatten, Radin Mas, Yio Chu Kang, and Potong Pasir.
The alliance will also field candidates in Tanjong Pagar GRC and Jalan Besar GRC. In a Facebook post dated 11 March, Lim had previously urged other opposition parties to stay away from Tanjong Pagar GRC to avoid vote splitting.
“I don’t really foresee the danger of widescale or even a significant number of three-cornered fights … That includes Potong Pasir as well,” he said in his address to the media.
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