The SDP was founded on 6 August 1980 by lawyer Chiam See Tong together with consultant engineer Fok Tai Loy and businessman Ernest Chew Tian Ern .
Lawyer Chiam See Tong had contested several elections as an independent candidate in the 1970s .
The SDP was founded on 6 August 1980 by lawyer Chiam See Tong , who had contested several elections as an independent candidate in the 1970s , together with consultant engineer Fok Tai Loy and businessman Ernest Chew Tian Ern .