People’s Power Party Leader Sets Sights on Strengthening Political Alternatives and Forming New Alliances
SINGAPORE: Goh Meng Seng has been re-elected as the secretary-general of the opposition People’s Power Party (PPP), following the party’s congress on Sunday (Oct 29). The congress also saw the election of its fourth central executive committee (CEC), marking a new chapter for the party. Syafarin Sariff, the founding chairman of PPP, has stepped down from his role but has been honored with the title of “Lifetime Honorary Chairman and Advisor to the CEC.”
In addition to the leadership changes, Peter Soh has been appointed as an advisor to the CEC. Other key appointments include Hobart Lee as chairman, George Chang as organizing secretary, and William Lim as treasurer. The new CEC also consists of Chan Joon Kiang, Ho Loone Tat, Lee Yu Ru, Neo Kai Jie, Soh Guan Soon, Soh Ying Ping, and Tan Meng Lock.
In a statement following his re-election, Goh emphasized the party’s commitment to serving Singaporeans and advancing the country’s democratic development. He reaffirmed PPP’s mission to build a “fully functional democracy with proper ‘Separation of Five Powers’,” and outlined the party’s political roadmap and objectives for the future.
A key focus for PPP, Goh said, is continuing to foster a “grand alliance” with other opposition parties to create a viable long-term alternative to the ruling party. PPP has already forged a formal alliance with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), People’s Voice (PV), and Reform Party (RP). Goh mentioned that while the registration of the alliance is pending approval from the Registrar of Societies, the parties are working together to build momentum and prepare a slate of candidates for the next General Elections.
This alliance, named the People’s Alliance, was first announced in June. The four parties plan to hold a press conference once their alliance’s registration is approved. Meanwhile, another coalition of opposition parties — Red Dot United, Singapore People’s Party, Singapore United Party, and the National Solidarity Party — formed an informal political partnership known as “The Coalition” over the weekend.
PPP, founded in 2015 by Goh, has contested two General Elections. In 2015, they ran in Chua Chu Kang GRC, and in 2020, they contested MacPherson SMC. In the 2015 election, PPP garnered 23.09% of the vote in Chua Chu Kang GRC, and in 2020, Goh Meng Seng secured 28.26% of the vote in MacPherson SMC.
