SDA’s Lim hopes to have video for online rally out by Monday

SINGAPORE: Singapore Democratic Alliance candidate for the Punggol East by—election Desmond Lim said he hopes to have videos for his online rally out by Monday.

Mr Lim had announced on January 12 that he would not be holding an on—site rally, and would instead ’make use of new technology to reach out to residents.

Mr Lim told reporters on Sunday there are likely to be three video clips.

He did not provide details but said more information will be released shortly.

Mr Lim had mentioned earlier that cost was a major factor in the decision to not hold an on site rally. On Sunday, he told reporters the video clips would cost about S$100 each.

Mr Lim also said he has been going on walkabouts and door to door visits to reach residents whom he may not be able to reach online.

He aims to visit all the blocks within Punggol East before Polling Day.

Mr Lim said: "So far, the response is encouraging. Nevertheless, I will still have to put in double the efforts to meet more residents. The issues basically I think I will say that touches on national issues — housing, COE, cost of living, medical, education."

Mr Lim also responded to reports that have suggested he may trail behind the rest of the candidates in his campaign.

"That is their views, I have no comments. They have the right to make their own assessments."

He declined to take questions on an article by socio—political website, The Online Citizen, that SDA recruited its volunteers online and paid them.

He said the issue had been addressed.

Mr Lim released a statement late Saturday night to say, "We had reimbursed the help as many are young school leavers with no disposable income. I never refuted the statement. Our group comprises a mix of paid and unpaid volunteers."

On recruiting online, the statement said the move was a "call to action to reach out to those young and willing."

The party said it is clear that there has been no wrongdoing on Mr Lim’s part.

— CNA/fa