GE2025: RDU will not stand in Jalan Kayu SMC after discussion with WP

Red Dot United (RDU) have announced that they will step aside and not field a candidate in the newly-created Jalan Kayu SMC for GE2025.

In a media release on Apr. 22, party secretary-general Ravi Philemon said they have been in contact with the Workers' Party (WP), who have expressed their wish to campaign in Jalan Kayu. RDU therefore made the decision to withdraw.

Introduced team leader

Previously, RDU introduced Kala Manickam as a "groundwork leader" for Jalan Kayu, which indicated a possibility that she would stand for election there.

However, news emerged that WP volunteers had been handing out flyers in Jalan Kayu.

8World cited a resident who spoke to the volunteers, who apparently said the party was interested in contesting the SMC.

WP chief Pritam Singh introduced his slate of prospective new candidates over the past week, but not not reveal where they will be fielded in.

Singh said that as a smaller party (as compared to the PAP), the WP is a "price-taker" and must therefore keep its cards close to its chest.

Decision to step aside

Philemon said that the team lead has been walking the ground and listening to the concerns of the residents, but the "more important question" is how they ensure Jalan Kayu residents "are represented clearly, firmly, and honestly—without splitting the vote or weakening the voice of the Opposition".

He added that RDU has consistently said "opposition unity is essential", and they have engaged other parties about the situation in Jalan Kayu.

"As part of these conversations, we spoke with the Workers’ Party leadership. During those exchanges, they expressed interest in contesting Jalan Kayu.

As discussions progressed, it became clear they intended to field a candidate there. They requested for Jalan Kayu.

After careful deliberation—both with the WP leadership and within our own Election Committee—we have made the difficult decision not to contest in this constituency.

This decision was made with one guiding principle: to act in the best interest of the residents of Jalan Kayu, the best interest of Singapore citizens."

Philemon said it was not an easy decision, with the party already having spent S$5,000 in Jalan Kayu in campaign expenses, but they wish to uphold the principle that "voter interest" comes before "party interest."

Straight fight with PAP?

RDU's withdrawal may not result in a straight fight between two candidates, as both the People's Power Party and the People's Alliance for Reform have expressed interest in contesting Jalan Kayu.

Meanwhile the PAP have announced that Ng Chee Meng, the former Cabinet Minister who contested Sengkang GRC and lost in 2020, will return and stand in Jalan Kayu.

Ng has said he hopes to be re-elected "on [his] own merits" by standing in an SMC as opposed to a GRC.

Top image by Sulaiman Daud.