Reform Party to hold first rally on Sunday

SINGAPORE: The Reform Party will be holding its first rally for the Punggol East by—election on Sunday at the open area near Block 183C, Rivervale Crescent.

Police have issued the permit for the rally from 7.00pm to 10.00pm.

At the rally, its candidate Kenneth Jeyaretnam said he will be wooing voters of his campaign theme of ’no more broken promises.’

Speaking to the media on Saturday morning at Rivervale Plaza, Mr Jeyaretnam countered claims by the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) that it has been fulfilling its promises to the people.

At Friday’s PAP rally, the party’s 1st Assistant Secretary—General and Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean mounted a strong defence of the government’s track record since the last General Election.

Mr Jeyaretnam said many Singaporeans are worried about their medical costs.

He said his party will be pushing for a universal healthcare insurance system to replace Medisave and Medishield.

In addition, he wants public housing to be freehold which means residents own their flats forever without having to return them to the state.

Without this, they will continue to be dependent on the government for upgrading and improvement to the estates.

On local issues, Mr Jeyaretnam said if elected he intends to start a chain of nurseries and childcare centres in the ward.

This will be a big part of his still—in—the—making, five year plan for the constituency.

He said the centres will not bear the logo of the party.

Mr Jeyaretnam said: "We’ve got people within our party with the expertise to run these and we will be talking about private sector involvement the question is whether we can get the premises."

Commenting on the recent online threats he had received, Mr Jeyaretnam said he doesn’t expect to receive any sympathy votes because of the incident.

He said he expects people to vote for him on his ability to do a job as an MP.

— CNA/ck/fa