The Singapore People’s Party (SPP) is a political party that was formed following its official registration on 21 November 1994.[1] The party’s founding chairman and secretary-general were Syed Farid Wajidi and Sin Kek Tong respectively. The founding members of the SPP were drawn mostly from the ranks of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP). They had broken away from the SDP due to a leadership struggle and disagreement over the policy direction of the party.[2] One of the most high-profile SDP members who left and joined the SPP was the former party’s first secretary-general, Chiam See Tong.[3]
At the time of its formation, the SPP termed itself as a “moderate version of the SDP”.[4] The party’s main objective was to be a “constructive opposition” that would transform Singapore into a culturally rich nation, one that would provide equal opportunities for all and encourage creativity among its citizens. The party also wanted to safeguard the democratic principles of the nation as well as push for an economic union between Singapore and Malaysia.[5] Today, the party continues to pledge itself to the democratic principles of the country. It also strives to improve the lives of Singaporeans by providing constructive ideas and recommending sound policies in parliament. In addition, the party has a long-term goal of creating a two-party political system in Singapore. It believes that this type of political system can assure Singaporeans of a truly democratic society, and will provide the checks and balances for an accountable and transparent government.[6]
The first election that the SPP contested was the 1997 parliamentary general election. The party fielded three candidates, including Chiam who was running to retain his Potong Pasir seat.[7] Chiam was the only SPP candidate who was elected to parliament following the 1997 general election.[8] He held on to this seat as a SPP candidate in both the 2001 and 2006 general elections before losing it to the ruling People’s Action Party candidate in the 2011 general election.[9] Chiam is SPP’s current secretary-general and his wife Lina Chiam is the party’s chairman.[10] She was appointed as a Non-Constituency Member of Parliament following the 2011 general election.[11]
References
1. SDP faction gets new-party approval. (1994, November 22). The Straits Times, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Singapore People’s Party. (2010). About SPP. Retrieved January 21, 2014, from Singapore People’s Party website: http://www.spp.org.sg/about-spp/
2. Yap, J. (1994, July 6). Breakaway SDP group registering new party. The Straits Times, p. 3. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
3. Chiam See Tong quits SDP to join Singapore People's Party. (1996, December 18). The Business Times, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
4. Chiang, Y. P. (1994, November 29). Singapore People's Party unveiled as a moderate version of SDP. The Straits Times, p. 19. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
5. The Straits Times, 29 Nov 1994, p. 19.
6. Singapore People’s Party, 2010, About SPP.
7. Chuang, P. M. (1996, December 24). PAP returned to power, polls on Jan 2. The Straits Times, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
8. Low increases margin, Chiam's majority cut. (1997, January 3). The Straits Times, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
9. Zuraidah Ibrahim. (2011, May 8). 81-6: Workers' Party wins Aljunied GRC; PAP vote share dips to 60.1%. The Straits Times. Retrieved from Factiva.
10. Singapore People’s Party. (2010). Party Leadership. Retrieved January 21, 2014, from Singapore People’s Party website: http://www.spp.org.sg/central-executive-committee
11. Kor, K. B. (2011, May 13). Lina Chiam says yes to NCMP seat. The Straits Times. Retrieved from Factiva.
The information in this article is valid as at 2014 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.