SPP candidates pay Toa Payoh residents night visit to garner support
(From left) Mr Abdillah Zamzuri, Mr Hamim Aliyas, Mr Chia Ser Lin and Mr Bryan Long paying residents at Toa Payoh Lorong 1 a visit last night. Photo: Robin Choo
SINGAPORE — With just hours to go before Nomination Day, most political parties have been preoccupied with candidate line-ups and logistics, but the Singapore People’s Party (SPP) proved to be the exception to the rule last night as they dropped by three residential blocks in Toa Payoh to introduce themselves.
The SPP candidates’ visit came just a day after the party and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) announced the line-up of their joint five-member team for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, following weeks of speculation and rumours of a possible rift.
Candidates Hamim Aliyas, Abdillah Zamzuri and Bryan Long met at 9pm at Toa Payoh Lorong 1. The SPP’s two other candidates, Mr Benjamin Pwee and Mr Law Kim Hwee, were not with them.
The men covered Blocks 107, 109 and 111 at a lightning pace — stuffing flyers in the grilles of residents’ gates, while tearing through their walkabouts at breakneck speed, as they sought to make an impression the night before Nomination Day.
However, they did slow down to greet residents who opened their gates, and spent a few minutes introducing themselves as part of the Opposition team. The candidates also called for the residents to support them in the lead up to the General Election (GE).
The residents were generally curious, but friendly. One invited the candidates into her home and encouraged them to go to the market at another time, where they would be able to find more people to support them.
The candidates tried establishing rapport with various residents, joking with a group of friends playing mahjong, helping an old lady carry her groceries down a flight of stairs, as well as appealing to a young voter. They also visited various shops on the ground floor and distributed flyers to passers-by.
After an hour, the group, all sweaty and panting, decided to call it a day, saying they had to rest and prepare for the big day ahead.
When asked how they felt gearing up for the week ahead, Mr Zamzuri said he was looking forward to it. “During the last GE, I was in the crowd as a spectator. But this time, I’m actually standing as a candidate, so I’m quite excited.”
Added Mr Long, who stressed that he did not feel nervous: “After walking the ground for so long, I just feel prepared. The only difference between then and now is that I can let Singaporeans know that I’m serving them (officially).
“What I was doing on a small scale ... will now be done on a much bigger scale.”
