Remove the Goods and Services Tax on rice, flour and sugar. Petrol and diesel prices should be government-controlled. Bring back trial by jury.
These were some of the proposals Mr Ooi Boon Ewe (picture), 70, who plans to contest Sengkang West SMC, has put forward in his election manifesto titled “Staying Together, Moving Ahead”, which has a familiar ring to it because it was the People’s Action Party’s slogan during the 2006 General Election.
But Mr Ooi, who heads the dormant People’s Liberal Democratic Party, did not elaborate on how he would implement his six-page suggestions. He also failed to mention how he would tackle property prices which “have become unaffordable for first-timers” and “bring down rising inflation”.
Still, Mr Ooi, who has lived in the Fernvale area for seven years, told reporters previously that his “home-ground advantage” will give him an edge.
The septuagenarian is no stranger to general elections. In 2001, he contested in Joo Chiat, garnered 16.5 per cent of the votes but lost to incumbent Chan Soo Sen.
Mr Ooi, who is married with five children, also tried to contest in the 1999 and 2005 presidential elections. On both occasions, his applications were rejected by the Presidential Elections Committee, as he did not meet all the eligibility requirements.
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