Few changes in electoral boundaries means good news for opposition: Chiam

By Julia Ng, Channel NewsAsia

Opposition MP Chiam See Tong notes that there aren't many changes in this year's Electoral Boundaries Review Committee Report.

That, he says, is good news for the opposition.

"This review is a bit thin compared to other election years. I think the.... 1991 election was most significant - there were many changes. But this time round, not much changes. It doesn't really affect us," said Mr Chiam, who is the Chairman of the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) and the Secretary-General of the Singapore People's Party (SPP).

So is this good news for the opposition?

"Well, I suppose so! I think it's good news for the opposition. As for myself, I'm not disappointed, we remain in the boundary, as well as the voters. So in a way, for myself, I don't have to make any adjustments," said Mr Chiam.

The SDA is made up of a coalition of 4 opposition parties - the Singapore People's Party, the National Solidarity Party and the Singapore Malay National Organisation - which came together just before the 2001 General Election.

Before the release of the electoral boundaries report, the SDA had indicated it planned to contest Pasir Ris-Punggol Group Representative Constituency (GRC).

But the SDA was tight-lipped about its plans now that the GRC has grown from a 5-member to a 6-member GRC.

When asked about this on Friday, Mr Chiam said: "Well, I haven't met the team members yet, but I suppose we'll have to make some adjustments. Because as you know, the number of members in the GRC has been increased from 5 to 6. For the opposition..... it is quite significant. We have to make some adjustments." - CNA/ir