Because of their lack of financial and social capital, independent candidates are rarely taken seriously.
But did you know that four independent candidates have been voted into parliament before?
It was before Singapore became independent, and before parliament was even called parliament.
In the 1955 election, three independent candidates were elected into the Legislative Assembly, and there was another successful candidate in the 1959 election.
There were two independent candidates in the last general election, and both failed to get voted into office.
This year’s general election only has one independent candidate, and it’s neither Shirwin Eu nor Ooi Boon Ewe.
Cheang Peng Wah may be many things – a former Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) engineer and the only political candidate to use an animal as a logo – but he’s certainly not a mole.
Only Independent Candidate Claims He’s Not a Mole to Sabo Opposition & Also Says He Has No Mole
On Saturday (July 4), Cheang held an online rally on Facebook where he explained his motive for contesting Pioneer SMC.
After presenting his reasons as to why people should vote for him, Cheang asserted that he is not out to sabotage the opposition, nor is he a PAP mole:
“I appeal to all the people who think I’m out to sabotage the opposition, or I’m out to be a mole, there’s no mole.”
He then points to his face and says: “There’s no mole here. See? There’s no mole here. No mole. I’m not a mole.”
Cheang’s logic is impeccable – how can he be a mole if he doesn’t have a mole on his face?
This is why all the actors who played James Bond had moles.
Confident He Won’t Lose Deposit
Many viewers raised concerns about Cheang losing his election deposit, something that would happen if he won less than 12.5 per cent of votes.
All political parties and candidates in GE 2020 have to place an election deposit of $13,500, an amount that may seem like pocket change to big political parties, but is a substantial sum for small parties and independent candidates.
Cheang, however, is confident that he’ll get his money back.
“I’m quite certain I won’t lose the deposit. When Saturday, 11 July, comes, you’ll see the result.”
Cheang is contesting Pioneer SMC in a three-cornered fight against PAP’s Patrick Tay and PSP’s Lim Cher Hong.
The independent candidate said he has an “equal chance” at winning the sole seat in Pioneer as neither Tay nor Lim has served in the constituency before.
“I’ll say he (Tay) is no different from me because he hasn’t served a single day in this Pioneer district. Similarly, for Mr Lim from PSP, he’s also new. So each of us, the three of us has (sic) got an equal chance of winning and serving Pioneer’s voters,” he said.
Polling Day is only 5 days away, so we won’t have to wait too long to see if Cheang is right.
BUT. What happens if you didn’t vote? Would you be jailed? Would you be barred from buying bubble tea for the next five years? Watch this video and you’ll know the consequences:
Would you be jailed for being half-naked in public? Well, the answer will shock you. Seriously. Watch this to the end and you'll understand:
