There was a familiar face at the Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) "pre-election rally" event at Hong Lim Park on Oct. 19.

Tan Cheng Bock, former PAP Member of Parliament and the current leader of the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), said a few words via a pre-recorded video.

Tan Cheng Bock appears

In front of what the emcee estimated as a crowd of about 2,000 people, Tan said: "Progress Singapore Party wish Singapore Democratic Party a very successful pre-election rally", and gave a thumbs-up.

You can see it for yourself below:

Video courtesy of the SDP.

Other opposition politicians also recorded video messages, including Sylvia Lim, Chair of the Workers' Party (WP), and Lim Tean of the People's Voice.

WP's Lim said: "Hi everyone, just a short message to Paul (Tambyah) and all at SDP. I hope you're all ready for this afternoon's rally. All the best and good luck."

The video montage was played twice during the "Shake It Up!" event.

Live music performances at event

The event featured performances by live bands, including local musicians Thambi K Seaow.

Speaking to Mothership, band members Shyam and Tharenii said they were a "politically agnostic band", but felt there was a lack of support for the arts, and wanted to "lend their talent" to the event.

Other notable figures in the Singapore political scene also attended in person.

PSP central executive committee member Alex Tan Tiong Hee also attended the event in person.

Speaking to Mothership, he said:

"We are here to give moral support, because SDP, we are very good friends with them. The leadership in the SDP and us are very close. We are good friends, and I see every reason (to) be here and give them support."

Slew of speakers

The event also saw several members of the SDP give speeches, including "new faces" entrepreneur Robin Low and businessman Alfred Tan.

Marketing communications professional Min Cheong, who was introduced to the public on Aug. 4, also gave a speech and touched on the issue of workplace harassment.

SDP chair Paul Tambyah, the penultimate speaker of the evening, said that the SDP had "constructive policy proposals" on issues like healthcare, housing and immigration.

He said that Singapore was "not Hong Kong" and had the right to elect our own leaders.

Tambyah added: "Come, join us to help deny PAP its two-thirds majority (in Parliament)."

Chee Soon Juan's 10-word speech

Previously, SDP Secretary-General Chee Soon Juan said he would give a "10-word speech" as the last featured speaker of the event.

Chee actually spoke for about 20 minutes, but it revolved around the 10-word phrase "Trust is not what you say, it's what you do."

He said that the PAP asked for the voters' trust, but claimed that its promises were not kept.

One example Chee gave was that of Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who headed the Environment and Water Resources Ministry in Aug. 2015.

At the time, he said that due to improvements in technology, a water price hike was not required.

However in Feb. 2017, Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli announced that a water price hike was necessary to reflect rising costs.

Chee touched upon other issues, such as the value of HDB flats and foreign workers "displacing" local PMETs in the job market.

SDP members expect "attack"

Said Chee of the upcoming general elections:

"But as we approach the next GE, there is a warning that I'd like to sound. Now I'm not a betting man, but I'd wager everything I have on the fact that the PAP strategy is to wait until the elections before drawing their knives and clubs to attack us during the nine-day campaign."

Chee also urged attendees to look past any attacks the PAP may make on SDP, and instead focus on their policies.

He added that the SDP organised the "pre-election rally" to get the word out before the GE is called.

Top image by Andrew Koay.