An ardent supporter breaks down upon meeting Mr Chiam
See Tong, (Yahoo! photo/Christine Choo)
"I came down to see Mr Chiam, because I wanted to see him in
person, to hear him speak. He's a great man," he said.
"He's a legend," added Hanizah Zaini, 27, a customer service
officer. "It's amazing that he is still here (and standing for
election again), against all odds."
The most poignant moment of the night came when Mr Chiam --
hunched and bowed by old age and the lasting effects of a stroke --
took to the stage.
Even as the audience chanted his name, the Potong Pasir MP for
the last 27 years said humbly, "You give me more applause than I
deserve."
Explaining his decision why he's contesting another election at
the age of 76, the former lawyer said, "I am not actually a brave
man. But I love Singapore and I love Singaporeans."
Speaking in a slow, measured voice, he said that the opposition
is the essence of democracy and that the government needs to be
more transparent and accountable.
Urging the audience to make their vote count, he said, "Every
one of us can take part in politics. I can assure you that nothing
will happen to you; I am a living example you can follow."
The crowd responded and at one point, a resident called out, "Mr
Chiam, you don't have to speak. We will vote for you!" while others
applauded to show encouragement.
(Yahoo! photo/Christine Choo)
"My name is Mrs Lina Chiam, not Mrs Chiam See Tong. I am my own
person, and I will do things my own way," she declared to
resounding cheers.
Mrs Chiam, 62, also revealed some of the trials Mr Chiam faced
as an opposition MP.
This included an incident where Mr Chiam planted a tree that was
given to him as a gift, but it was uprooted and killed with acid by
unknown enemies—a story that even her fellow SPP candidates
themselves were unaware of.
Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC candidate Benjamin Pwee later told
Yahoo! Singapore he was "completely
touched by the Chiams", while his teammate Jimmy Lee was inspired
by the stories shared on the night.
"I now have renewed strength for the coming week," Lee said.
Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC candidate Benjamin Pwee encourages
the crowd to face their fear of voting the opposition. …
The former government scholar shared that he had battled fear
for the longest time, eventually telling himself that "if (he was)
going to step out, it has to be for the people."
Addressing comments made previously that voting for the
opposition was akin to making a ship sink, he responded, "Which
opposition candidate will put everything on the line to bring this
ship down?"
Enthusiastic supporters cheer the SPP candidates on as
they speak. (Yahoo! photo/Christine)
Hong Kah North SMC resident Linda Tan, 30, remains ambivalent
despite the events of the night, having attended the rally to
translate what was said to her parents, whom she lived with.
"They (the candidates) brought up a few things, but I will need
time to digest what has been said here, as well as to listen to
what the PAP candidate has to say," she said.
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