NSP's Kevryn Lim says withdrawal from Sembawang West SMC fight meant to preserve 'opposition unity'

The National Solidarity Party's (NSP) decision to withdraw from the fight in Sembawang West SMC was a hard one, but made on the basis of "opposition unity".

NSP member and former NSP candidate for GE 2015 Kevryn Lim explained that the party has been walking the ground for years and that it was a "hard but necessary compromise" to make.

"After careful deliberation and a close discussion with our party leadership, I have decided to let Dr Chee contest in Sembawang West SMC directly with the PAP," she said in an Apr. 21 video.

NSP, led by secretary-general Spencer Ng, has contested in Sembawang in the past two general elections.

It previously announced that it would contest in both Sembawang West SMC and Sembawang GRC — constituencies that Chee's party, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), also staked claims on.

But NSP later said on Apr. 20 that it would bow out of the SMC contest to give way to fellow opposition parties.

"We do this not because we are weak, but because we are strong enough to put country before self, unity before ego and progress before position," Ng said according to CNA.

"Opposition unity"

Lim said that the party has been working in the Sembawang area in the past 10 years.

"In today's political climate, opposition unity is not just a nice idea, it's a necessity," she said.

"Staying true to our policy of serving while preserving opposition unity, we NSP must sometimes make hard but necessary compromises."

In a seemingly pointed remark at SDP, she added that Singaporeans "deserve better" than an opposition in conflict.

"You deserve a strong, united opposition that puts people first. Not pride, not politics, not party," she said.

Previously, Ng doubled down on the party's intent to stand in Sembawang, saying he hoped to discuss with SDP on how they could field their team elsewhere.

But SDP chairman Paul Tambyah said he was "not too troubled" even if they were unable to reach an agreement with NSP.

"It's good to give residents a choice. So they have a choice of various different visions for Singapore," he said.

https://mothership.sg/2025/04/nsp-sdp-sembawang-multi-corner-fight/index.html

Still contesting in Sembawang GRC

Lim added that she hoped the move would "encourage more meaningful coordination across the opposition".

She also thanked residents for their support, and reassured them that the party would continue its work in the region.

"NSP is not going anywhere. We will still be contesting in Sembawang GRC," she said, echoing what Ng said in yesterday's announcement.

Following Ng's declaration, Chee said that the party would try and "work something out" with NSP to avoid a three-cornered fight in Sembawang GRC.

"We'll try to continue to persuade NSP to rethink its strategy. But of course, I can understand they want to contest as well. But there are always alternative arrangements," he said.

The SDP secretary-general previously said he would contest in Bukit Batok SMC, where he stood at in the previous General Election.

But following the subsuming of the SMC into the new Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC, he said that he would instead stand in Sembawang West SMC, and field a separate team at Sembawang GRC.

Top image from Mothership and Kevryn Lim/Facebook