SPP’s Chong-Aruldoss likely to be opposition face in Mountbatten
Singapore People's Party's Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss does house visits in Dakota Crescent a day after opposition talks concluded. Photo: Valerie Koh/TODAY
SINGAPORE — A day after opposition parties concluded talks to parcel out territory among themselves, Singapore People’s Party’s (SPP) Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss was back on the ground in Mountbatten, making house visits and distributing flyers to residents this morning (Aug 7).
During the 2011 General Election (GE), the 51-year-old lawyer had contested the single-seat ward under the National Solidarity Party (NSP) banner, and lost to the fellow lawyer Lim Biow Chuan from the People’s Action Party.
In recent weeks, both the SPP and NSP have been walking the ground in Mountbatten SMC, signalling their interest in contesting the ward.
But following last night’s talks, it emerged that the NSP had given way and Mrs Chong-Aruldoss would be the sole opposition candidate to be fielded there.
During her walkabout today, Mrs Chong-Aruldoss declined to share details on the Opposition meeting, and would only say: “Whatever it is doesn’t matter. The bottom line is that there’s going to be a straight fight (between) me and the incumbent. The outcome is that the opposition parties have all agreed that these SMCs will be a straight fight.”
In a bid to avoid multi-cornered fights, all 13 single-seat wards will see one opposition candidate being fielded, except for Macpherson and Potong Pasir.
The Workers’ Party and NSP are currently in a gridlock over Macpherson SMC, while independent candidate Tan Lam Siong remained firm on his decision to contest Potong Pasir SMC, against the SPP’s Lina Chiam.
Speaking to TODAY, Mrs Chong-Aruldoss said that she intends to unveil a five-year plan for Mountbatten residents ahead of the upcoming GE.
“We have the principles already sorted out. Things like town council, public amenities — all these will be a priority for me. There’s a dual role for MPs — municipal and national. I intend to serve both to the best of my ability,” she said.
During the 2011 GE, Mrs Chong-Aruldoss also had a five-year plan, with the theme “Reviving the Katong Spirit”.
But she was reluctant to give away details on the latest rendition of the plan, saying that she was still putting the “finishing touches” to it.
Since the release of the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee report, she has stepped up on her walkabouts and house visits, and has plans to shoot a video on Mountbatten, capturing the flavour of the neighbourhood and the lives of residents.
