Opposition parties go big on social media

Singapore

OPPOSITION parties took to social media more fervently than ever on the first day after the General Election (GE) was called, posting videos, livestreams, and announcements.

The digital trend has only grown since past elections, and arguably gains greater relevance this year as Covid-19 necessitates safe campaigning measures on the ground.

The Workers' Party (WP) posted a personable video, over six minutes long, in which 12 new faces, veteran party members, and existing Members of Parliament shared their memories of Singapore, reasons for joining the party, outreach efforts, and the ethos of the party.

In line with the friendly feel, all of them introduced themselves - for now - by first names. The five new faces included Nicole Seah, a National Solidarity Party candidate in 2011.

The video was posted on Facebook, with a YouTube version subtitled in Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. The WP also unveiled an online store, with new merchandise for GE 2020.

A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU

Friday, 8.30 am

SGSME

Get updates on Singapore's SME community, along with profiles, news and tips.

Sign Up

Taking the livestream route on Wednesday was the Singapore Democratic Party, with a Zoom videoconference in which they fielded questions from the media.

Hosted by party chairman Paul Tambyah and including party chief Chee Soon Juan, the event, Meet The Press: Alternative Ideas and Proposals for Post-Covid Singapore, was also streamed on Facebook.

In the lead-up to the election, the SDP has been running a livestream series with Prof Tambyah, and calling for volunteers and donations via Facebook. On Wednesday, the party said that the police had rejected its application for a three-day event in which Dr Chee would walk around Singapore to raise funds, as "cause-based activities" might cause crowds and raise the risk of Covid-19 infection.

Even as it asked how such an event would differ from walkabouts, which are allowed, the SDP appealed to supporters for contributions.

Singapore People's Party chairman Jose Raymond, who intends to contest Potong Pasir SMC (single-member constituency), announced the payment of his S$13,500 election deposit on Facebook: first in a screenshot of the payment, and then in a video where he also thanked supporters.

Other parties also made announcements and introduced candidates on social media. In the wee hours of Wednesday morning, newly-registered Red Dot United introduced one of its candidates, entrepreneur Liyana Dhamirah, in a Facebook post.

The People's Voice party stated its intention to contest Punggol West SMC, with party chief Lim Tean also holding a Facebook live chat.

Social media even gave a glimpse of inter-party negotiations. The Reform Party (RP) said on Facebook that it would cede West Coast GRC, which it contested in the last two elections, to the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), after discussions with its leader Tan Cheng Bock.

The RP's alliance partner, the People's Power Party, also posted on Facebook, welcoming this move and saying that it would "take a step back" to let RP contest Radin Mas SMC.

Even as online efforts ramp up, of course, offline activities continue. The PSP is set to introduce its youngest candidate, 23-year-old Choo Shaun Ming, in a Facebook video on Thursday, and is holding a Zoom session on Friday with Ang Yong Guan, who contested in the 2011 and 2015 GEs with other parties.

But it is on the ground too, with Dr Tan meeting the press at Tiong Bahru Market on Wednesday morning - along with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's brother Lee Hsien Yang, who has joined the PSP and delivered a video message on Wednesday.

For more of our Singapore GE2020 coverage, go to bt.sg/ge2020