Political parties court Disciplined Services votes on eve of polls

Political parties have stepped up appeals to members of the Disciplined Services ahead of Friday’s polls, promising higher salaries, housing support and improved benefits.

At a rally in Black Bush Polder on Wednesday, President and Commander-in-Chief Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali urged service members to vote wisely, saying they should reflect on which party had consistently supported them.

“Vote with your conscience, vote with your dignity, vote with honour, vote for the party that gave you back your bonus. Today you have more scholarships, more access to training, access to housing [and] salaries. You can expect in the next term continued support for home ownership, expanded increases in your salary, training, support for your medical services and support for a quality of life [that] is second to none,” he said.

In a subsequent letter to the Disciplined Services, Ali and Prime Minister Mark Phillips pledged better pay, assistance with home ownership, expanded scholarships, childcare facilities, greater opportunities for promotion, and improved healthcare and recreational services over the next five years.

Opposition coalition A Partnership for National Unity’s presidential candidate Aubrey Norton, also in a letter, promised a 35 per cent salary increase, annual bonuses, $100,000 cash transfers, a higher tax-free threshold, a $200,000 monthly starting salary, rent-to-own housing and child allowances. He also pledged merit-based promotions, career training, bursaries for children, prioritised housing, and investments in modern policing tools such as drones, smart patrol vehicles, protective gear and de-escalation training.

We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) presidential candidate Azruddin Mohamed, not to be outdone, said in a video message his party would cut the cost of house lots by 40 per cent for service members and provide grants of up to $700,000 for foundations. “Your house lot applications will receive the highest priority. Utilities will be in place before approval letters are given,” he said. Mohamed also pledged a scaled salary increase of up to 50 per cent, reduced taxes, $100,000 cash grants for children, free school transport, risk allowances, priority scholarships, medical support, $5 million in family compensation, four months’ maternity leave, duty-free concessions and higher overtime benefits.

Meanwhile, the Alliance For Change (AFC) promised an immediate basic salary of $250,000, two months’ annual tax-free salary, across-the-board raises of 25 per cent to 100 per cent, free house lots for members aged 18 and above, and a $10 million one-off payment to families of those who die in the line of duty.