Resignation from the Singapore People's Party

On Monday 2 Sep 2019, I handed in my resignation from the Singapore People's Party (SPP). I did so after much thought and careful deliberation.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Lina Chiam for her guidance, counsel and mentorship.

I am also very grateful for the support given by SPP members, several of whom I have become good friends with. I hope we will remain good friends.

I wish SPP, Mr & Mrs Chiam and SPP members all the best in their future endeavours.

I entered politics in 2009 because I was convinced that the PAP held too much power and I was worried for Singaporeans. I felt that we desperately needed more opposition in Parliament to redress the imbalance.

My convictions have not changed. If anything, I feel more strongly than ever that we must have more non-PAP MPs in Parliament. The fight for more political balance remains urgent and imperative.

There are many ways to serve my country and to serve Singaporeans. I hope to continue serving the cause of Singaporeans in one way or another.

Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss

This announcement was first published on my Facebook page on 4 September 2019.

Mandarin Gardens en bloc siege ends with 64.46% consent, not 68%

The Mandarin Gardens en bloc attempt is officially over. The required 80% was not achieved within the prescribed time frame, so the tenure of the Collective Sale Committee (CSC) expired on 24 March 2019.

As per the lawyers' official notice dated 23 March 2019, the level of consent to the collective sale was 64.46% in the final tally.

However, the CSC Chairman's Final Message on 24 March 2019 (the day of its expiry) cited the figure 68.34% - a figure which includes partially signed units.

Legally, only fully signed units are counted in when computing the percentage required by law. Partially signed units have no legal relevance.

In the Final Message, the CSC also thanked "all the approximately 70% SPs who voted for the collective sale". As only 64.46% was achieved, there is no "approximately 70%" support to speak of.

The figure cited in the Final Message appears to have been picked up by Straits Times. Their article on Mandarin Gardens' failed enbloc attempt published on 26 March 2019, gives the wrong impression that the CSC achieved 68% consent.

For the record, the percentage achieved at the end of the day was 64.46%. And that is the true and legally relevant figure to remember and take note of.