Despite support of heavyweights like Tan Cheng Bock response to protest against walkover reserved presidential election was muted

Despite the support of opposition heavyweights like Dr Tan Cheng Bock, Mr Tan Jee Say and Dr Chee Soon Juan, the silent sit-in protest to express dissatisfaction with the recent events surrounding the controversial Presidential Election was muted.

This despite Dr Chee and Dr Tan informing their supporters of their intention to attend the protest beforehand, and inviting them to attend it as well.

The Straits Times reported that hundreds of people attended the event. But others like the former secretary-general of the National Solidarity Party (NSP), Lim Tean claimed that there were 2,500 – 3,000 participants. Other netizens however reported more accurately that there were only about 1,000 protesters at the silent demonstration.

In contrast, the protest against the 6.9 million White Paper in the year 2013 attracted over 5,000 protesters.

The protesters mostly wore black. Several carried placards condemning the walkover election and the Elected President.

Dr Tan said that he was welcomed warmly at the event. In sharing some pictures of the event he said: “(the) protest was to register Singaporeans displeasure over the walkover Presidential Election.”

He added: “They wanted to exercise their vote but had no chance.”