RP leader Kenneth Jeyaretnam: My dream team will give PM Lee nightmares
Reform Party leader confident his team can give PM Lee Hsien Loong 'nightmares'
Reform Party (RP) leader Kenneth Jeyaretnam said the Ang Mo Kio slate he has assembled is a "dream team" that can give Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong "nightmares".
The team comprises legally trained M. Ravi, businessman Osman Sulaiman, political blogger Roy Ngerng, social activist Gilbert Goh, former banker Jesse Loo and former Residents' Committee (RC) manager Siva Chandran.
Mr Jeyaretnam said: "A lot of people have been making the comment that I have deliberately assembled a team to give Mr Lee nightmares.
"Maybe I have!
"I assure you, Singaporeans and residents of Ang Mo Kio, that with this team, you can sleep well at night and wake up to the healing rays of the yellow sun promising a brighter future tomorrow, today."
He and other speakers at the party's rally at Yio Chu Kang stadium last night emphasised that the team was, in the words of RP chairman Andy Zhu, no "suicide squad" nor were they "mice".
"We are here to win!" said Mr Zhu.
CHAMPIONS
Mr Jeyaretnam said they were "all independently known for championing citizens' causes in their own right."
Mr Ravi also asserted that because such a strong RP team was fielded, the People's Action Party (PAP) introduced the $38 million upgrading plan for the GRC in response.
Last night, the candidates parlayed their growing up in the area into their speeches, naming blocks in the ward that had an impact on their lives.
Mr Siva talked about how he was affected by the poorest residents in Block 318's rental flats and said he made time to chat with them.
Mr Ravi talked about growing up in the area and how his mother worked as a cleaner in Blocks 303 and 304.
The references drew cheers from the crowd.
Some of them were waving flags and blowing whistles that the party sold.
Populist issues dominated the speeches as candidates kept bringing up the issue of foreign talent.
Mr Goh said that the Government had given 6,000 people new citizenships "so they can vote PAP".
Mr Ravi noted that the upgrading was doled out by the PAP but it was using voter's monies, urging voters not to allow the Government to "downgrade your intelligence".
Most of the team touched on the CPF system, calling for a "return" of monies at age 55 and an opt-out scheme for Medisave.
While the loudest cheers were saved for Mr Ngerng and Mr Ravi, one young man nearly stole the show.
Amos Yee appeared among the audience and several rally-goers rushed to get wefies with him.
"I'm just interested to see the vibe here. I'm interested to hear Roy, my good friend, and M. Ravi, who speaks well," said the 16-year-old.
When asked if he likes RP, he would only say: "Oh, they just suck less."
Taxi driver Muizudeen Mohammad, 38, was more supportive of the Reform Party.
He said: "The party is good and they are really out to help people".
"A lot of people have been making the comment that I have deliberately assembled a team to give Mr Lee Hsien Loong nightmares. Maybe I have!"
- Reform Party leader Kenneth Jeyaretnam
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