RDU to contest Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, potential team includes ex-WP candidate

Red Dot United (RDU) announced in the evening of Apr. 10, 2025 that they intend to contest Holland-Bukit Timah GRC.

At Senja Hawker Centre, Secretary-General Ravi Philemon introduced a slate of potential candidates, officially "team leaders", including someone who previously stood for election in GE2011.

Contesting Holland-Bukit Timah GRC

RDU's hat in the ring comes as the previous contestants, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), do not appear to be standing in the GRC.

Philemon said he has the "highest regard" for what SDP has done for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC.

He added that "we will work it out", and that negotiations are ongoing.

He also said RDU is targeting Holland-Bukit Timah because it connects Nee Soon GRC and Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRCs.

RDU previously indicated their interest in contesting both GRCs.

It also introduced "team leaders" for Jalan Kayu and Jurong Central SMCs.

Holland-Bukit Timah is a very important "piece of the puzzle," Philemon said.

May not contest Tanjong Pagar and Radin Mas

He added that it is important to ask hard questions, and while Vivian Balakrishnan may be "entrenched" in the GRC, and it will be a "very difficult fight", it is a contest they must take up for the sake of Singaporeans.

"People must have a chance to vote. For Red Dot United, it is always about the people," he said.

Philemon also said that the party does not want to "overstretch."

If "things remain as they are" until the Writ of Election is issued, until Nomination Day, RDU will not send anyone to Tanjong Pagar GRC and Radin Mas SMC.

The team

Ex-WP and ex-NSP member Mohd Fazli Talip

RDU introduced Mohamed Fazli Bin Talip, 43, who works as a financial consultant.

Fazli is a former member of the Workers' Party (WP), who stood in the 2011 general election as a candidate for East Coast GRC.

The team, which included Gerald Giam and Png Eng Huat (both of whom later became MPs), got a vote share of about 45 per cent.

Fazli also served as an executive committee member of the WP's youth wing.

He resigned in 2012, citing personal and work-related reasons.

Fazli then joined the National Solidarity Party (NSP), and was made a member of its central executive committee in Feb. 2015.

However, he resigned from NSP just before the 2015 general election and did not stand for election.

According to RDU, he served on his neighbourhood mosque's executive board, and has been a "steady volunteer" with RDU for the past five years.

When asked why Fazli decided to campaign with RDU instead of WP or NSP, Philemon answered in his stead:

"Fazli has been with Red Dot United for the past five years. This is about the campaign for Red Dot United, it is not a campaign...about any other matter."

Young candidate Sharad Kumar

Next is Sharad Kumar Thirupathi Ayya, an Assistant Engineer (Hardware) who is just 25 years old.

Sharad graduated from the University of the West of England, Bristol with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and is described as having a "keen interest" in economics, history and social responsibility.

If fielded, Sharad would be one of the youngest potential candidates in this election.

The People's Power Party introduced Vere Nathan, who is 26 going on 27, and Heng Zheng Dao, 24.

However, being young does not deter Sharad.

“As someone who’s served National Service, I believe if we’re old enough to carry a rifle, we should also be trusted to help decide who leads our country."

Philemon also made the point that Sharad is a new citizen who wants to contribute back to society.

"We are sending a message that new citizens are also important in a country like Singapore. Their voices must also be heard. We are not a political party who shuns foreigners or riles up (anti) foreigner sentiment against the incumbent."

At the same time, Philemon said, it is a "legitimate question" to ask what is the privilege of citizenship.

"We don't want to be second-class citizens in our own country, the only home that we have."

Businessman Patrick Tan

At the "other end of the spectrum", as described by Philemon, is 70-year-old Patrick Tan Seow Hoe, a "grandfather and small businessman."

Philemon added that as much as young people are important to dream of the future, "we cannot neglect" our older citizens who have given their "best years" for Singapore.

Tan started an SME 15 years ago and today co-manages it with his daughter.

He believes his business experience positions him to advocate for stronger government support for local businesses.

Holland-Bukit Timah

The Holland-Bukit Timah GRC has been little-mentioned in headlines since the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee report was released.

The 2025 borders are practically the same as the 2020 version, realigning the boundary to assign some HDB estates to Chua Chu Kang GRC.

It also added a polling district East of Upper Bukit Timah Road, currently under Jurong GRC.

However the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), which has contested Holland-Bukit Timah for the past three general elections, do not appear to be aiming for the GRC this time around.

SDP has announced a team for Sembawang GRC, and both Secretary-General Chee Soon Juan and Chairman Paul Tambyah appear to be contesting Sembawang West and Bukit Panjang SMCs respectively.

When asked about it at an event, Tambyah sounded less-than-certain about a fourth straight contest for the SDP.

"We are evaluating whether we have enough good candidates and whether we’ll be able to give the residents of Holland-Bukit Timah a good choice, or whether we should yield to another party who may be more focused on that particular and region."

Top image by Ferlin Lin.