Nicole Seah on Foreigner issue

SINGAPORE: The influx of foreign workers was a common thread at the National Solidarity Party's (NSP) rally in Geylang East on Thursday night.

Speaking on the issue was the party's star attraction, Ms Nicole Seah, who said Singapore's population had increased by 26 per cent over the last decade, attributing the growth to the Republic opening its doors to foreigners.

The squeeze, she added, was felt most on the public transport system.

Reminiscing about her primary school days when she saw mostly Singaporeans on the train, the 24-year-old quipped: "Now, every time I take the train, it feels like I'm in a different country. It is like taking a holiday, I don't even need to bring my passport."

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/specialreport/news/1125629_162/1/.html

WP introduces candidates

 SINGAPORE : The Workers' Party (WP) introduced four more candidates on Saturday.

Among them were two new candidates - 37-year-old Koh Choong Yong, an IT executive and head of the party's Youth Wing; and 31-year-old researcher Toh Hong Boon, who is with the Genome Institute of Singapore.

Both men spoke of overcoming the reservations of family members and friends when they decided to join the opposition cause.

Mr Koh said he would like to address the cost of living, in particular, the way electricity is priced.

Mr Toh in turn said he would like to refocus the Central Provident Fund (CPF) as a retirement plan, noting that the use of the funds has loosened too much over time. Currently, account holders may use the money to purchase homes, pay for medical bills, and for investment.

The party also announced that it's fielding Vice-Chairman Mohammed Rahizan bin Yaacob and Dr Poh Lee Guan.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/specialreport/news/1124448_162/1/.html

SDP introduces candidate

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) on Thursday introduced six of its 11 candidates for the May 7 General Election.

They are:

46-year-old academic Dr James Gomez;

49-year-old social psychology lecturer and SDP assistant secretary-general Mr John Tan;

40-year-old civil society activist Dr Vincent Wijeysingha;

26-year-old F&B business owner Jarrod Luo who is also the secretary of the party's youth wing, the Young Democrats;

35-year-old former civil servant turned part-time educator Ms Michelle Lee Juen. Ms Lee, who had worked at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), now teaches a group of underprivileged children in the Holland area;

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/specialreport/news/1124135_162/1/.html

Smear campaign backfires

http://www.temasekreview.com/2011/04/20/pap%E2%80%99s-smear-campaign-against-chen-show-mao-backfired-dramatically/

Shift in PAP Mindset

SINGAPORE : Opposition MP Low Thia Khiang has welcomed comments by Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam that a strong opposition is good for the People's Action Party (PAP) and Singapore.

He also noted another positive sign - the coverage of opposition parties by the Singapore media.

For the breakfast crowd at the market and food centres, it is obvious their ward is likely to be contested in the General Election when they see the opposition parties in the neighbourhood.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/specialreport/news/1120425_162/1/.html