Red Dot United unveils 24-page manifesto calling for 'unconditional cash transfer', housing reset & more healthcare subsidies

Red Dot United (RDU) unveiled its manifesto for the 2025 General Election on Apr. 19, 2025.

The 24-page manifesto titled "First Class Citizens, Fairer Singapore" is divided into five "tangible pillars" or "five Cs".

"These are the new Five Cs — a framework for a Singapore where prosperity is shared, dignity is upheld, and opportunity is a promise for all," RDU wrote.

Collective Prosperity: Wellbeing, Local Businesses, Environment

The first section of the manifesto, titled "Collective Prosperity", argues that despite Singapore's economic growth, the cost of living and wealth inequality in the country has risen.

They call for a shift from what they call "GDP-focused policies" to a "Wellbeing Economy", RDU also called for more support for local businesses, especially small and micro enterprises.

RDU also proposed a replacement of the carbon tax system, which they see as placing an "undue burden on consumers", for "enforceable emission limits on high-impact corporations".

Citizen Dividend

The second section of the manifesto argues that the world is "on the brink of an economic upheaval" due to an "unprecedented oversupply of workers worldwide" competing for fewer jobs.

In response, RDU calls for an "an unconditional cash transfer that serves as a financial safety net for all Singaporeans."

Starting with the most vulnerable, the redistribution scheme will "progressively expand universally, ensuring a reliable income floor for everyone."

Comprehensive Housing Reset

RDU said every HDB estate should be eligible for the Selective En Bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS), thus "ensuring older flats retain value and are renewed instead of being left to decay."

They also want to expand public rental housing and introduce a "Rent-to-Own" scheme catering to "the bottom 20 per cent of income earners struggling with homeownership or young, single Singaporeans."

RDU also proposed restricting new citizens and permanent residents of less than 10 years, except those that have served NS, from purchasing resale flats with less than 79 years of lease remaining.

Caring Healthcare

RDU called for Medifund to be structured to provide tiered support, with the most substantial subsidies aimed at the lowest 40 per cent of income groups.

They also want MediShield to be expanded, and to ensure healthcare affordability by "capping out-of-pocket expenses and introducing fairer subsidies."

Civil Freedom

RDU argues that laws such as the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act, (POFMA) and Protection from Harassment Act (POHA) stifle dissent and silence independent voices.

They propose a revision of the above-mentioned laws, and to pass a "Freedom of Information Act" to empower citizens with access to information.

"This will ensure more transparency and accountability in governance," RDU argued.

Top photo from RDU