As the Bukit Batok by-election cycle nears its end, we spoke with five Singaporeans, out of the thousands, who were at the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP)'s third rally on Tuesday (May 3).

Here's what they told us:

1. Dudi Arafan, 36, and his family — Bukit Batok SMC residents

“I'm here to see what (Chee Soon Juan) can actually offer the people of Bukit Batok. I can see that (his proposed policies) can work; it’s tangible — especially (when he talks about) retrenchment benefits. I’ve got friends who are actually working in MNCs (multi-national companies), some of them have been retrenched, and the companies have all closed.”

2. Alan Fong, 44 — Bukit Panjang SMC resident

“I own a factory in Thailand and don’t come back too often — I'm only back once a month — (but Chee Soon Juan) is my hero. I’ve been following him for 20 years. I hope to see him for many times, but every time, during election rallies I’m not here. It just so happened that today I’m here, so I came.

I think for SDP - (there are) still a lot of people against SDP. So to win a GRC (like Holland-Bukit Timah) is very difficult for (Chee and his team). SMC, maybe there’s chance. I have full confidence in Dr Chee but I’m very disappointed in Singaporeans, from what we see in the results of the last GE.

I feel that (Chee) has actually changed. He was more leftist 20 years ago but I guess Singaporeans weren’t really ready for him yet at that time. He actually says that he’s going to ask the tough questions — I really believe that he will be asking the tough questions, because he’s only one person… I got a feeling that if he wins this round, the tide from the SDP will be from the west.”

3. Low PW — Punggol resident

“I think it’s a very interesting event — it only happens every five years for the general election, but because today its a by-election, so I think I should come down to give some support and listen to what the man has to say.

I think (Chee is) a very intelligent person — I think he’s one of the very few Singaporeans who’s willing to speak up. Like what he says, he’s been doing this for the last 25 years… not many people will fall, and then stand up again. Everybody should just give him some support.”

4. Joseph Tan, 55 — Hougang resident

“I think it’s a duty of every Singaporean to come here (to) at least have an idea of who (Chee) is. I mean, you’ve heard so much about him in the media, in the mass media and social media as well. But I think I owe it to him to come here and see for myself. What he has said and done has affected many people — I think he deserves that I come today.

There are not many politicians that are as compassionate as he is, in what he wants to do. Not only that... he has a deep desire. That is something I see in Dr Chee which I find totally absent in other — you know what I mean — other political figures in Singapore.”

5. Andre Quek, 30, and Sylvia Quek, 51 — Bukit Batok residents (who live outside the SMC's boundaries)

Andre: “I think what’s important — like what Dr Chee says — is that you need a different voice. So if you vote somebody in, like Murali — I’m sure he’s a good guy, but he won’t be there to oppose and be daring to oppose. We need people like Chee Soon Juan who is very outspoken. We’re here to support him.”

Sylvia: “I used to have a bad impression of him — I only started following his speeches and ideas recently. I think now that his past is past — it’s only important that he can serve the people and do things. That’s why I support him.”

Do you think he has the capability to serve Bukit Batok residents?

Sylvia: “As long as he has the heart — he can do it. But if you don’t let him try, how do you know?”

Top photo by Ng Yi Shu.

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