Mr Harpreet Singh, who also addressed the crowd in Teochew, added that the WP is not here to “tear down what works” but rather the party will “build on it”.
He then made several suggestions, including pushing for better Central Provident Fund returns, smaller class sizes in schools and for parents to have a through-train programme option for their children from primary to secondary school which will allow children to bypass the Primary School Leaving Examinations.
“A country is not just a skyline or GDP (Gross Domestic Product). A country is its people and how they live,” he said, adding that a vote for the WP is a chance for a fairer, more open and more balanced Singapore.
Similarly, Jalan Kayu SMC candidate Andre Low brought up the proposal of smaller class sizes for students to get more attention in school.
Mr Low also called for allowing single persons to access housing options at a younger age and reducing the waiting time for housing “back to what they were decades ago”, alongside education reforms to reduce examination stress.
The other issues he advocated for during his speech included exempting the goods and services tax for essential goods, tiered pricing for utilities for lower-income groups and free public transport during off-peak hours for seniors.
Mr Low, who is up against PAP candidate and NTUC secretary general Ng Chee Meng, also brought up the NTUC-Allianz saga, calling for the need for more transparency.
German insurer Allianz had attempted to purchase a majority stake in Income Insurance, but the transaction was blocked by the Singapore government earlier last October.
“The situation was so serious that we had to pass emergency legislation to block the deal – a deal that the NTUC publicly endorsed just two months before that. And despite their close relationship with the PAP,” he said.
“This is why we need strong opposition voices in Parliament. Because without proper checks and balances, without proper oversight, without people willing to challenge those in power, these kinds of decisions get taken behind closed doors.
“We were so lucky with the NTUC deal that it got blocked. We may not be so lucky again.”
The soon-to-be-father said that as he was making the transition from WP to candidate, he thought about how he could still be the best father to his child while giving his all for Singapore.
He added that he drew inspiration from previous WP leaders and opposition MPs Low Thia Khiang and JB Jeyaretnam.
“They had the iron in them. I have the iron in me. They laid the foundations for me to step up, and that is why I am here speaking to you today,” said Mr Andre Low.
