By Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid | Posted: 23 March 2011 2151 hrs
SINGAPORE: The opposition Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) said it has identified more than 20 potential candidates for the upcoming General Election.
The first batch was introduced on Wednesday with SDA also listing the constituencies they would contest in.
Three of the four candidates introduced are from the Singapore Malay National Organisation (PKMS), a component party of the SDA.
One of them is 38-year-old Noraine Anabi, a business consultant. She is expected to contest in Pasir Pasir-Punggol GRC.
Ms Noraine's father was a veteran PKMS member in the 1960s and 70s.
"Whatever he had actually done previously, or whatever service he has done for the people and the public, it has inspired me to join politics," she said.
Another first-time candidate is Noraine's husband, 42-year-old Mohd Nazem Suki, who is also secretary-general of PKMS.
The entrepreneur said he intends to stand in Radin Mas constituency, where other opposition parties have also expressed interest.
Other parties like National Solidarity Party and the Reform Party have also expressed interest to contest there.
SDA said it would avoid any three- or four-cornered fights.
Mr Nazem said his candidacy has been acknowledged.
"I have made my stand clear that I will be contesting in Radin Mas, during our last meeting, the inter-party meeting," Mr Nazem said.
"There was interest by other parties, and we are on the negotiation and I think we have come to a conclusion whereby only one party will be contesting in Radin Mas.
"We are still on the negotiation table and I believe, I stand a chance in Radin Mas."
Another candidate is 46-year-old project consultant Ismail Yaacob, who is also first vice-president of PKMS. He said he will stand in Sengkang West constituency.
He last contested in 1988 at the age of 21.
"Our focus now is on education, housing, transportation, medical costs (which) very important for the old age (so) I think we have to do something for that," Mr Ismail said.
Meanwhile, SDA secretary-general Desmond Lim confirmed his candidacy for Punggol East SMC.
SDA said the potential candidates identified so far come from a diverse background.
Their age ranges between 27 and 65 years old.
As for their educational qualifications, they include ITE graduates right up to degree holders.
Mr Lim said: "We offer ourselves, (because) one, to give the people a choice and two, to reduce the government's power and give back the rights to the people to participate in the process of policy-making.
"What we are talking about is transparency and accountability.
"There is no such thing as contesting in the right or wrong GRC, or we are here to just offer ourselves when the elections come.
"I have been in politics (for) more than 18 years - that only reflects commitment... this country, for Singaporeans and for our next generation.
"So the only thing is that we are from different camps but we still serving the same country".
Mr Lim said SDA's candidates will be full-time MPs, if elected.
He added as there are now more candidates expressing interest in the polls, SDA is thinking of contesting in more constituencies.
Among those likely to be fielded are 27-year-old Abdul Malik Mohd Ghazali, former member of the Singapore Democratic Party.
The last time he made the news was when he purportedly incited violence by posting negative remarks against a minister on Facebook.
He was arrested in August last year but the case was dropped in February.
Mr Lim said more candidates will be introduced soon.
-CNA/wk
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