Remember this for future elections: 61% is enough for a clear mandate for PAP

[LITTLEREDDOT]

No need to give the PAP more than that in future elections.

GE2020: PAP wins ‘clear mandate’ in historic Covid elections, but couldn’t prevent WP from making further inroads
By NG JUN SEN, JANICE LIM

People's Action Party
The People's Action Party took 61.24 per cent of the popular vote — this was a “clear mandate” but not as strong as what Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he had hoped for.

• The historic 13th General Election was held against the backdrop of a global pandemic
• PAP won 83 out of 93 seats and took 61.24 per cent of the popular vote
• This was a “clear mandate” but not as strong as what Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he had hoped for
• The results reflect the pain and uncertainty that Singaporeans feel in this crisis, he said
• They also showed “a clear desire for a diversity of voices in Parliament”, especially among younger voters

SINGAPORE — The historic 13th General Election (GE), which was held against the backdrop of a global pandemic, concluded with the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) maintaining its dominance in Parliament.

But it could not prevent its main political rival, the Workers’ Party (WP), from making further inroads and winning the newly formed Sengkang Group Representation Constituency (GRC) as well as retaining Hougang Single Member Constituency (SMC) and Aljunied GRC, which it first won in the 2011 polls.

PAP won 83 out of 93 seats and took 61.24 per cent of the popular vote — this was a “clear mandate” but not as strong as what Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he had hoped for.

“But it's a good mandate,” Mr Lee said at a press conference that started at 5am on Saturday (July 11), following the release of the final results of the polls.

“We will make the most of it and we take this as an endorsement of the PAP policies, of our team and of our plans, and we will take this forward and work with Singapore to realise those plans and solve the problems that we have.”

Read also: GE2020: Voting arrangements ‘could have been done better’, thorough review to be conducted, says PM Lee

The overall vote share dipped by almost nine percentage points, compared to the 69.9 per cent share PAP achieved in the previous election in 2015.

It was slightly better than the 60.1 per cent vote share in the 2011 elections, which was PAP’s worst performance since the country's independence.

GE2020 was an unprecedented election that was fought predominantly online and on social media. For the first time in Singapore’s electoral history, the voting hours were extended by two hours to allow all voters to be able to cast their ballots, after longer-than-usual queues had formed earlier in the day due to Covid-19 safety measures.

Read also: GE2020: PAP’s team led by Heng Swee Keat beats WP to win East Coast GRC

While the WP saw its overall vote share decline from 12.48 per cent in GE2015 to 11.22 per cent in GE2020, it not only strengthened its foothold in Hougang SMC and Aljunied GRC, but also captured another GRC.

Other opposition parties made inroads, too. The Progress Singapore Party, which was making its electoral debut, garnered 10.18 per cent of the vote share, and was narrowly defeated in West Coast GRC. The Singapore Democratic Party saw its popular vote share go up from 3.76 per cent in GE2015 to 4.45 per cent in GE2020.

Giving his take on the results of GE2020 for his party, Mr Lee said that the results show broad-based support for PAP, despite the loss of one GRC to the opposition.

Read also: GE2020: PAP narrowly wins West Coast GRC with 51.69% of the vote

“The results reflect the pain and uncertainty that Singaporeans feel in this crisis, the loss of income, the anxiety of our jobs, the disruption caused by the circuit breaker and the safe distancing restrictions,” he added.

“This was not a feel-good election, but one where people are facing real problems and expect more rough weather to come.”

Mr Lee said that he had called WP's secretary-general Pritam Singh after the confirmation of the results to congratulate him.

Read also: GE2020: Workers’ Party’s performance a ‘pleasant surprise’, but not quantum leap, says Pritam Singh

“I told Mr Singh that with 10 MPs, I think it is right that he, the Workers’ Party leader, be formally designated as the leader of the opposition, and that he will be provided with appropriate staff support and resources to perform his duties. And he thanked me for this.”

The results also showed “a clear desire for a diversity of voices in Parliament”, especially among the younger voters, Mr Lee noted.

When asked if PAP had lost the youth vote this time, Mr Lee said the factors that led to PAP’s GE2020 performance will need to be analysed in due course.

Read also: GE2020: Workers’ Party claims Sengkang GRC in upset win

“I would say that different generations have different life experiences and the young people have very significantly different life aspirations and priorities compared to the older generations, and that this will have to be reflected in our political process and in government policies because in the end, the government policies must be to achieve the aspirations of every generation of Singaporeans.”

However, he also hopes that younger generations would keep an open mind with what previous generations have done, and learn from these experiences “hard won by their parents and grandparents so that they don't have to learn them all over again and pay a high price which has already been paid”, he added.

Analysts said that the huge drop in overall vote share for PAP should trigger some “soul-searching” within the party, and particularly among its fourth generation (4G) leaders.

Read also: GE2020: Workers’ Party retains Aljunied GRC with improved margin

Young voters, especially, do not buy some of the tactics that the party has employed during the hustings.

Dr Felix Tan, associate lecturer at SIM Global Education, said that PAP’s attacks on some opposition candidates probably did not sit well with some young voters as they felt it might have been “unfairly played out”.

“If that was the strategy about 20 years ago, perhaps it might have worked. But 20 years later when people are a little bit more discerning and people are more educated, I don’t think people will stand for such tactics,” he said.

Read also: GE2020: Workers’ Party retains Hougang stronghold

Agreeing, Associate Professor Bilveer Singh from the National University of Singapore said that young voters tend to be idealistic.

“They like fairplay and something can be legal but if it is considered unjust, they will not like it,” he added.

Assistant Professor Walid Jumblatt Abdullah of Nanyang Technological University’s School of Social Sciences said that the drop in vote share could possibly signal a lack of confidence in the 4G leadership. This is because the typical flight-to-safety mindset during a crisis, presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, did not occur.

Read also: GE2020: SDP goes away empty-handed, but sees increase in vote share in key challenges

However, Assoc Prof Singh questioned the extent to which the third-generation leadership should be blamed, since they have remained in “anchor positions of policymaking”.

The marginal win of Mr Heng Swee Keat at East Coast GRC may not look good on someone who is widely tipped to be the next prime minister, but Asst Prof Walid said that Mr Heng could have been the reason why PAP did not lose another GRC.

“They really need to do some soul-searching and learn the right lessons,” he said.

During the PAP press conference, Mr Lee said that for many years, he had been preparing the 4G team to take over the reins but did not expect the “overwhelming crisis” of Covid-19 to occur in the last stretch of his premiership.

Mr Lee, reiterating a point he made at his virtual lunchtime rally last week, said that he is determined to see the crisis through with his generation of leaders — namely Mr Teo Chee Hean, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Mr K Shanmugam — as well as with the 4G team, including Mr Heng and Mr Chan Chun Sing.

He described how it was a blow to lose the Sengkang GRC team, consisting of three political office-holders including labour chief Ng Chee Meng.

He said: “The work of the new government begins at once. My government will work with all of you to overcome the present health and economic crisis and emerge stronger. With this election now behind us, let us work as one Singapore to secure our lives, our jobs, and our future.”
Read more at https://www.todayonline.com/singapo...-9tdrUIUVKetmvyPObtgM4she1B-HRCRc_OldoJhwk02I

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

GE2020 SINGAPORE VOTES: PAP PRESS CONFERENCE
Election results a clear mandate for PAP, says PM Lee

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (right) campaigns with Yio Chu Kang SMC Yip Hon Weng at a hawker centre in Ang Mo Kio on July 3, 2020.ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH


But outcome also reflects a desire for a diversity of voices in Parliament, he adds
Royston Sim Deputy News Editor (Politics)

The People’s Action Party (PAP) has received a clear mandate in the general election, but the results also show a desire for a diversity of voices in Parliament, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

PM Lee said that while the ruling party’s share of the popular vote – 61.24 per cent – was not as high as he had hoped for, it still reflected a broad base of support for the PAP.

“Singaporeans understand what is at stake and why we must come together to uphold our national interests,” he said at a virtual press conference held at The Treasury building at around 4.30am.

He added that he was “honoured and humbled” by the faith Singaporeans have put in the PAP, which he leads as its secretary-general.

“I will use this mandate responsibly to deal with Covid-19 and the economic downturn and to take us safely through the crisis and beyond,” he said.

The PAP’s vote share in this crisis election fell by 8.62 percentage points from 2015, but remained higher than the 60.1 per cent that it garnered in 2011.



The results, PM Lee said, are indicative of the pain and uncertainty that Singaporeans feel in the Covid-19 crisis – the loss of income, anxiety about jobs and the disruption caused by the circuit breaker and safe distancing restrictions.


“This was not a feel-good election, but one where people are facing real problems and expect more rough weather to come,” he said.

While Singaporeans want the PAP to form the Government, he acknowledged that the electorate – especially younger voters – also want to see a larger opposition presence in Parliament.

The PAP won 83 out of 93 seats, losing a second group representation constituency – the newly created four-member Sengkang GRC – to the Workers’ Party, which will have a record 10 elected MPs in the 14th Parliament.

PM Lee expressed disappointment that the PAP lost in Sengkang, adding that the team led by labour chief Ng Chee Meng “always knew it was going to be a tough fight”.

“They gave it their all but Sengkang voters have spoken and we respect their decision,” he said.

The defeat means Mr Ng and the other members of his team will not be in Parliament, which PM Lee said was a major loss, especially as Mr Ng is the secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress.

Flanked by PAP first and second assistant secretaries-general Heng Swee Keat and Chan Chun Sing, party vice-chairman Masagos Zulkifli, treasurer K. Shanmugam and organising secretary Grace Fu at the press conference, PM Lee pledged to serve all Singaporeans.

“Whether or not you voted for the PAP, we will listen to you, do our best to address your concerns and try to win your support,” he said.

He added that he took the results as an endorsement of the PAP’s policies and plans. “We will take this forward and work with Singapore to realise those plans and solve the problems which we have.”

Whether the election outcome is seen as a strengthening of Singapore will depend not only on the PAP, but also on the opposition, PM Lee said.

Asked if the PAP had lost the youth vote, he said young people have “very significantly different life aspirations and priorities”, and this will have to be reflected in the political process and in government policies. He also asked younger Singaporeans to look, with an open mind, “at what the previous generations have done to examine what is relevant... and to learn from these experiences hard won by their parents and grandparents, so that they don’t have to learn them all over again and pay a high price, which has already been paid”.

On the long queues seen at some polling stations, which required the Returning Officer to extend polling hours from 8pm to 10pm so all Singaporeans could cast their vote, PM Lee said the voting arrangements could have been done better, and that a thorough review will be done to improve the process

With the election over, the Prime Minister called on Singaporeans to put aside their differences and close ranks to support the Government in steering the country through the Covid-19 crisis safely.

He said he was determined to hand over Singapore to the fourth generation leadership team “intact and in good working order”.

“My Government will work with all of you to overcome the present health and economic crisis and emerge stronger. With this election now behind us, let us work as one Singapore to secure our lives, our jobs and our future,” he said.

 

[jw5]

IMHO, 51% is enough.

 

[spotter542]

IMHO, 51% is enough.

50.69% enough liao lah

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

PAP says 61.2% is enough for a clear mandate

GE2020 results a ‘clear mandate’ although 61.2 per cent vote share lower than 65 per cent PAP hoped for: Lawrence Wong

Minister Lawrence Wong talking about the general election results, at PAP HQ on July 18, 2020.PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO


Linette Lai
Political Correspondent


SINGAPORE - The People's Action Party won a clear mandate with a "solid majority" of 61.2 per cent of the votes at the general election, though the result was lower than the 65 per cent it had hoped for, said National Development Minister Lawrence Wong.

That four percentage point gap translates to roughly about 100,000 votes lost, said the PAP central executive committee member on Saturday (July 18).

Speaking to reporters at the PAP's Bedok headquarters during a press conference that was also livestreamed to party activists, Mr Wong sought to put the election results in context, and set out several reasons for the PAP's performance.

He noted that in the past nine general elections, the PAP has only received near 70 per cent of the vote or more twice – in 2001 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks when it received 75.3 per cent of the vote, and in 2015 when it got 69.9 per cent.

Describing those elections as outliers, he said the PAP has won between 60 and 66 per cent of the total votes in the other seven elections since 1984. In four of those, it got 63 per cent or less of the votes.

So while 61.2 per cent is “not a very good result”, it is within the range of expectations and the party “has been here” before, he said.

“The expectation that the PAP should have had a result at the top end this time I think has coloured the outcome as a setback,” he added.

A reasonable expectation going into GE2020 was for the PAP to achieve an outcome of around 64 to 65 per cent of the votes, Mr Wong said, as he outlined the party’s thinking on why it failed to do so.

First, the Workers' Party ran a good campaign that spoke to the desire of many voters to have more checks and balances in Parliament, he said.

This year also saw the emergence of the Progress Singapore Party, which cut into the PAP's western strongholds.

Another contributing factor was that the PAP's online campaign did not connect well with voters, Mr Wong noted.

"We tried our best," he said. "We produced a lot of good content online, but not all of this connected with netizens - especially on newer platforms like Instagram and Telegram."

He added: "And as with a normal campaign, the negative messages carry further reach than positive messages, and this is further accentuated on the Internet."

Mr Wong noted that much of the post-election commentary has focused on younger voters and how they have turned away from the PAP.

But voters in their 20s and 30s make up only a third of the electorate, with first-time voters aged between 21 and 24 making up less than 10 per cent of the vote.

"So the swing against the PAP was not concentrated solely amongst the young. And it was not just unhappiness about the PAP style of campaigning, or how we talked about race, or Pofma," he said, referring to the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act.

"In particular, there was a fall in support amongst those in their 40s and 50s, and perhaps even those in their early 60s."

This group of older voters swung against the PAP due to economic hardship, Mr Wong said. They included people who had suffered income or job losses, had their businesses disrupted, or been forced to downsize to lower-paying occupations.

"This is quite understandable," he said. "Although we have made great efforts to lessen the pain and impact, there has been severe disruption to jobs and families."

The ruling party also saw support fall among those who lived in private property, perhaps because they felt they were not sufficiently supported during the crisis, Mr Wong added.

"But we should also recognise that this was a clear mandate, and that voters want a PAP government," he said.

The PAP’s base – the working class, the middle class, and the heartlands of Singapore – had kept faith with it, he said, stressing that the party must likewise continue to keep faith with its base.

“Our policies must always tilt in favour of the less fortunate and vulnerable,” he said. “This is in the PAP’s roots and DNA. We must never waver in our commitment to social justice, to preserve social mobility for all Singaporeans, and to build a more fair and just society.”

Mr Wong said the election outcome could also have been worse, especially given the difficulties that people were facing on the ground.

He also made the point that the PAP is unlikely to win more than 65 per cent of the votes in future general elections, and that its goal for the next election will be to close that gap of four percentage points.

This is because the electorate's desire for diversity in Parliament and for checks and balances is permanent, he said.

"It is here to stay. And we must be prepared for this new reality."

The minister added that the party will conduct a thorough review of GE2020.

He also identified two areas that the PAP will have to work on, the first of which is to better understand and connect with younger voters.

"We need to connect with them and be a party that is able to represent their aspirations and bond with them," he said.

The PAP will also have to address the “real economic pain” that a substantial segment of people in their 40s and 50s are feeling, he added.

This sandwiched group, who are looking after elderly parents and also caring for young children, was facing difficulties even before the Covid-19 crisis, he said.

While many schemes and programmes in the Government’s four budgets this year were aimed at this group, he acknowledged that “no amount of help will be enough in a crisis of this magnitude”.

“So, we will continue to review and update our policies, and we will do whatever we can to address your anxieties and pain during this difficult period.”

 

[Rainowar]

51% next ge is called what mandate

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

NParks investigating after swathes of Kranji Woodland along rail corridor were cleared by mistake

Kranji Woodlands in an aerial picture taken in May 2019 (left), and a picture taken in February 2021.PHOTOS: BRICE LI/FACEBOOK

Ang Qing

16 FEB 2021


SINGAPORE - Large swathes of Kranji Woodland along the rail corridor were mistakenly cleared while the authorities were in the midst of biodiversity impact assessments there.

Aerial photos of the site showing the destruction of the woodland, a 70ha green patch that is home to around 40 species of birds, emerged on social media on Sunday (Feb 14). One picture showed a narrow strip of trees surrounding the rail corridor, with much of the rest cleared.

In response to these posts, a JTC Corporation spokesman said on Tuesday that the land was "erroneously" cleared by its contractor before the completion of environmental assessments.

The National Parks Board told The Straits Times that it is investigating the unauthorised clearance at the site.

"We take a serious view of unauthorised greenery clearance and will not hesitate to take the appropriate enforcement action," it added.

Development projects in Singapore near sensitive nature areas are subject to greater scrutiny and developers may be required to carry out more detailed environmental studies.

The green patches cleared were on a site slated for the Agri-Food Innovation Park, which is part of the Sungei Kadut Eco-District (Sked). The master plan for the latter, which seeks to support new growth sectors such as agri-tech and environmental technology, was announced in February last year.

Upon discovering the mistake during a site inspection on Jan 13, JTC instructed the contractor Huationg to stop all clearing works immediately.

The green patches cleared were on a site slated for the Agri-Food Innovation Park.
PHOTO: BRICE LI/FACEBOOK

No further clearing has taken place at the site since then and the contractor has been issued a stern warning, JTC said.

According to the statutory board, it had engaged an environmental specialist to conduct a biodiversity baseline study last December to create an environmental monitoring and management plan (EMMP) for specified plots of land within the area. These were expected to be completed around April before plans to engage stakeholders.

"JTC will continue with the baseline study and EMMP and will work closely with all relevant stakeholders... to ensure that the Sked redevelopment plans are carried out with due consultation and in an environmentally responsible and sensitive manner," the spokesman said.

One picture showed a narrow strip of trees surrounding the rail corridor, with much of the rest cleared.
PHOTO: BRICE LI/FACEBOOK

"The findings of the studies will be publicly available when ready."

In a statement, Huationg apologised and said it was working with JTC on ongoing investigations "to determine the cause of this lapse, and to prevent future occurrences".

"We are also reviewing internally and working with JTC to strengthen our project management processes," the contractor added.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Taxi fares - More than fuel prices affecting cabbies' income​

Mar 31, 2022

I do not agree with the move by ComfortDelGro to temporarily raise fares for all its taxis to cushion the impact of a rise in fuel prices (ComfortDelGro to temporarily raise distance fares from Monday, March 29).
Fuel price increases affect everyone, as our daily lives as well as the production of goods and services require the input of this crucial commodity.
Many businesses have also seen their profits shrink during this pandemic, but not all have increased their fees to cushion the impact on their bottom line.
Fuel prices are not entirely to blame for the drop in taxi drivers' income.
The reduced demand for taxi services as well as competition from private-hire companies should also be considered.
An increase in fares may drive the demand for taxi services even lower, as commuters seek alternative cheaper modes of transport.
ComfortDelGro announced a fare increase less than a month ago.

The company had also earlier reported a 114 per cent increase in earnings in the 2021 financial year and proposed 2.1 cents per share dividend.
The company has the responsibility to assist drivers, and it seems it has the means to.
It should not pass the buck of increasing cabbies' earnings to the commuter to maintain its profit margin.

Foo Sing Kheng

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Singapore's weekly dengue cases expected to hit new peak, may surpass 2,000 cases​

2 of 2

The number of weekly dengue cases here is expected to hit a new peak, said NEA. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Fatimah Mujibah

June 3, 2022

SINGAPORE - The authorities have issued 59 stop-work orders to construction sites for repeated mosquito breeding offences this year, as Singapore braces itself for a record high in weekly dengue cases.
Nine contractors will also be charged in court.
This was after the National Environment Agency (NEA) conducted about 305,000 inspections islandwide, including about 2,300 checks at construction sites, uncovering about 9,000 mosquito breeding habitats, the agency said on Friday (June 3).
The number of weekly dengue cases here is expected to hit a new peak, surpassing the highest weekly figure of 1,787 cases in 2020, said NEA in its statement.
Singapore saw its highest number of cases in 2020 - at 35,315.
Last week, 1,569 cases were reported.
The weekly figure may exceed 2,000 this month, with June being the start of the traditional peak dengue season, added NEA.

More than 12,000 cases of dengue have been reported this year so far. This is more than the 5,258 cases logged in the whole of 2021.
Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Desmond Tan, who attended a media event at a construction site in Clementi on Friday (June 3), said: “This is a concern for us. We want to enhance and step up our measures to deal with dengue.
“Besides working with the community and grassroots organisations to exercise more control and prevention measures, NEA has also been stepping up inspections.”

He noted that the inspections had found mosquitoes breeding in 60 per cent of household residential units, 24 per cent of common areas and 5 per cent of construction sites.
Companies that have been issued stop-work orders (SWOs) are allowed to only carry out corrective actions.
They must also review the effectiveness of sanitation and vector control programmes within the site.
The order will be lifted only when the measures have been completed and approved by NEA.
On its website, NEA said that construction sites are of particular concern as they can become centres of dengue transmission.
Dengue is transmitted to humans from the bite of an infective mosquito.

In addition to the 59 worksites that were issued SWOs, six contractors have been issued repeated SWOs at the same worksite due to poor upkeep of the sites.
Among the "egregious cases" of premises with multiple mosquito breeding habitats cited by NEA was a construction site in a dengue cluster in Woodlands Avenue 9.
Nine mosquito breeding sites with more than a few hundred mosquito larvae were detected in sanitary facilities, such as toilet bowls, during an inspection in April.

Sand granular insecticide being placed in toilet bowls/cisterns to prevent breeding of the mosquitos. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
Another site in Jalan Batai in Upper Thomson Road was found with larvae in places such as ground puddles and a pail.
As at Thursday, there were more than 405 active dengue clusters reported, an increase from the 196 clusters at end-April.
Mr Tan said NEA will not hesitate to issue SWOs to make sure construction firms take the dengue outbreak more seriously.
On the new variant (DenV-3) found in current weather conditions - dry, humid and rainy - that enable breeding mosquitoes to thrive, he urged everyone to work together to do the Mozzie Wipeout, especially in the coming few months.
Welltech Construction project director Teo See Kuang, who oversees the construction site at Block 466A Clementi Avenue 1, among others, said the firm has hired third-party consultants to ensure its sites are free of mosquito breeding.
NEA urged the public and premises owners to take action to break disease transmission, by removing stagnant water and potential breeding sites.
The public are also encouraged to download the myENV app, which can alert users when there is a dengue cluster near their homes.
NEA conducted about 631,000 inspections for mosquito breeding last year.
Forty-three stop-work orders were issued to construction sites, and 54 contractors were charged in court for repeat offences.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

General election must provide S’pore with a competent govt to lead country in crises: SM Lee​

Bringing home the implications of global uncertainties, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore must be united domestically to be effective internationally. PHOTO: ST FILE

Lim Min Zhang
Apr 15, 2025

SINGAPORE – Elections in Singapore need to provide the country with a capable leadership that can run a competent and effective government, said Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong on April 14.

Such a leadership must also be able to defend Singapore’s place in the world and lead the country safely through crises, he added in an hour-long speech outlining the stakes for the next general election.

That is ultimately what elections are about, he said, which is to, ideally, choose a team that can lead the country most successfully and effectively.

“If voters keep on electing more opposition MPs even when the Government is doing a good job, then beyond a point, it must weaken the Government’s ability to govern, to form the best possible team for Singapore,” he told labour union leaders as he sought their support in the upcoming polls.

SM Lee was speaking ahead of a closed-door dialogue at the NTUC Centre, attended by National Trades Union Congress president K. Thanaletchimi, secretary-general Ng Chee Meng and around 500 other union leaders.

The ruling PAP has traditionally shared a symbiotic relationship with the labour movement.

His remarks come amid an ongoing trade war between the United States and China, which has roiled global markets. Singapore’s leaders have warned that such developments could significantly slow global growth, with no exception for the Republic.


The unstable global outlook is among topics likely to feature in the hustings, along with the rising cost of living and a greater desire for more political opposition.

Parties have started to unveil potential candidates in the latest sign that the election is likely to be called soon.

Bringing home the implications of global uncertainties, SM Lee said Singapore must be united domestically to be effective internationally. Otherwise, investors and other leaders will ask if the prime minister can be taken seriously.

A big factor for Singapore being a safe haven is good and stable politics, added SM Lee. “That is why people want to put family offices here... That is why people have confidence and put factories worth billions of dollars here.”

He acknowledged that Singaporeans want more opposition MPs as a stronger check and balance to the PAP, and said that the opposition has a role to play in a democratic system.

“It is here to stay. Opposition MPs are never going to disappear from Parliament – I accept this. That’s the way democracies work,” he said.

“But Singapore also needs an effective system of government, which is led by a good and capable ruling party. And that depends on elections producing outcomes which work for Singapore.”

In the 2020 General Election, the PAP returned to power with 83 out of 93 seats in Parliament, but with a reduced share of the popular vote, at 61.23 per cent, compared with 69.9 per cent in 2015.

It lost a second group representation constituency – Sengkang.

SM Lee said he called the last general election, held in the middle of the pandemic, as soon as was practicable, despite objections from others who called for it to be delayed.

“We must have our minds focused on fighting Covid, and we can’t do that if every day I want to make a new Covid policy, I have to ask myself, do I do this before or after the election.”

Thankfully, the PAP secured a good mandate, and was able to then focus on fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, he said.

But the labour movement suffered a setback when the PAP lost Sengkang, which was helmed by Mr Ng, said SM Lee.

“Fortunately, Chee Meng had the staying power and gumption to continue serving as secretary-general, and fortunately, the labour movement continued to support him,” he noted.

During the pandemic, the labour movement was well-led, and could be a good partner for the Government. NTUC played a key role in saving jobs, and advancing skills upgrading, he said.

He cited the Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme – which provided cash payouts to eligible self-employed workers – and Company Training Committees that supported businesses in upskilling.

“This is what tripartism means – the Government, unions and employers working together. This is what the symbiotic relationship between the PAP and the NTUC can do for workers and for Singapore.”

This is why Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his 4G team have committed to strengthening tripartism, said SM Lee, as he called for their “full support” for Mr Wong’s team this general election, especially for the labour leaders and PAP union advisers in the team.

The upcoming elections are crucial in a changed world and with a fresh team in charge, said SM Lee, adding that PM Wong is leading the PAP into an election for the first time, seeking his own mandate to take Singapore forward through the current crisis.

“I hope that Singaporeans understand what is happening, what is at stake, and what we must do together to secure our future.”

 

[True Believer]

Gerrymandering prevents the achievement of proportional and illustrative representation since the winner is determined by the incumbent party which draws the electoral boundaries, rather than the preferences of the constituents.

 

[True Believer]

It is crystal clear from all the gerrymandering and scare mongering that the Govt is afraid of losing more seats in Parliament. They want a clean sweep to ensure there continues to be little if any check and balance. They know that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely, yet they want to be their own check and balance. What is the Govt afraid of? Are there more Iswarans hiding in the cupboard?

 

[dr.wailing]

PAP won 83 out of 93 seats and took 61.24 per cent of the popular vote — this was a “clear mandate” but not as strong as what Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he had hoped for.

“But it's a good mandate,” Mr Lee said at a press conference that started at 5am on Saturday (July 11), following the release of the final results of the polls.

According to sources close to the Royal Couple, Empress Ho has suggested to her consort that should Lawless Wong garner less than 60% of the popular vote at the 14th GE, they would micro-manage the 4th prime ministar.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

GE2025: Good government needed to take Singapore through changed and troubled world, says SM Lee​

PAP Ang Mo Kio GRC candidate SM Lee Hsien Loong speaking at the PAP rally held at Fern Green Primary School on April 27.ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
Chin Soo Fang
Apr 28, 2025

SINGAPORE - For Singapore to have a good government in a troubled world, it is important for the country to have a good team of ministers and MPs, said Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

In an election rally speech on April 27, he set out the crucial role that good government plays in Singapore, and the consequences of not having such a team in place.

“The world has changed... It will be harder to make a living, harder to export, harder for our companies to have stable jobs, harder for people to predict what they can do over the next five, 10, 15 years,” he said.

“The problem is not transient. It’s not going to go away, because the world has changed, and we have to be psychologically prepared.”

SM Lee also said voters should not vote against the PAP to give opposition parties “a little bit more votes”, in the hope of getting two or three more opposition MPs into Parliament.

“You will not get it right and we can mess everything up. Just vote according to your heart,” SM Lee said in his 40-minute speech at Fern Green Primary School. “You think PAP is good – vote for it. You think we are bad – vote against us. Don’t play games. It’s very dangerous.”

During the Covid-19 pandemic, lives were saved because Singapore had a strong team in place, he said. Now, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong is leading Singapore’s response to the American tariff situation. DPM Gan is anchoring the PAP team for Punggol GRC, which will face off against a WP team.

SM Lee pointed out that DPM Gan is in charge of the economy, foreign trade and the Monetary Authority of Singapore. He has also been in talks with the United States Trade Representative, even during the election campaign.

“And he is in charge of our crisis response, to survive whatever tariffs and upheavals and trade wars are to come,” SM Lee said. “You lose him, you can replace him? Somebody cheaper? Are you sure you want to save money like that? It’s very expensive to save money like that,” he added.

“Good government is about good people, good ministers, MPs – a team. And to do that, to have a good team, you must first vote them in, right?” SM Lee said. “We have ministers and MPs and potential office-holders all over Singapore and (in) all the GRCs, including the hotly contested ones.”

He added: “You lose a minister? Well, OK, I make do. I lose two ministers? Harder to make do. I lose three ministers? I’m in some trouble.”

Even opposition MPs know that the PAP has done a good job, he said.

“Because after 60-plus years, they don’t say ‘vote me, change, I will be better’. They say ‘don’t worry, I only got less than one-third of the seats contested, so you are sure to have a strong PAP government after the election’.”

He added: “Everything is correct except the last bit – and that means we have lived up to our responsibilities. We have upheld the trust, we have done the right thing and our conscience is clear by Singaporeans.”

The rally on April 27 was held by the PAP teams for Ang Mo Kio GRC, as well as Jalan Kayu, Kebun Baru and Yio Chu Kang SMCs.

The PAP’s four other Ang Mo Kio GRC team members – new faces Jasmin Lau and Victor Lye, as well as incumbent MPs Darryl David and Nadia Ahmad Samdin – also spoke at the rally.

Other speakers included labour chief Ng Chee Meng, who is the PAP’s candidate for Jalan Kayu SMC, Kebun Baru incumbent MP Henry Kwek, Yio Chu Kang incumbent MP Yip Hon Weng, and Dr Lam Pin Min. Dr Lam, who is helming the PAP’s Sengkang GRC team, started his political career as an MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC.

During his speech, Mr David pushed back against comments that PAP backbenchers are not as effective in Parliament as opposition MPs, as they toe the party line.

The party’s backbenchers are not “yes men and women”, he said. “PAP MPs scrutinise and debate every government policy and Bill. If we feel there is a good reason, we push back, speak up, we challenge.”

Mr Yip also said that over the past five years, he has spoken up more than 500 times and delivered 132 speeches – more than any opposition MP.

“Some may say, ‘Only opposition MPs ask the tough questions. PAP MPs are silent backbenchers’. But let’s be honest – that’s a convenient myth,” he said.

He added: “What they don’t see is that so-called silent backbenchers work even when cameras stop rolling. We speak directly and frankly to ministers. We shape solutions behind the scenes.”

Rounding up his speech, SM Lee urged Singaporeans to focus their attention on the issues that matter in a troubled world.

The PAP has a good team for 60 years now, and is introducing a good mix of experience and fresh young energy this time, bringing a new resolve to take Singapore forward, he said.

Voters need to choose a good government that can take the country through the troubles ahead, SM Lee added.

“One that will bring steady hands and concrete plans to help us all pull through, one that is honest and open with you, that you can trust to fight for you, and fight for your children too,” he added.

“We do not tell lies, and we do not tell lies about not telling lies. We speak the truth to you and to everyone. That is one thing which can keep Singapore special for many years to come.”

 

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GE2025: PM Wong appeals to voters to pick the best team, says more opposition will weaken S’pore​

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong urged Singaporeans to think carefully about the consequences of their choice when they go to the polls on May 3.ST PHOTO: TARYN NG

Hariz Baharudin
Apr 28, 2025

SINGAPORE - Midway into the 2025 General Election hustings, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has appealed to voters to pick the best team, saying that a weakened government will undermine Singapore’s position in an increasingly volatile world.

Speaking at the PAP’s lunchtime Fullerton rally, he cautioned that should the opposition gain more ground, it would severely weaken the PAP’s ability to govern effectively, even if the party is returned to power.

He said: “If opposition parties break through in several constituencies – not just one, not just two, but a few – then even if the PAP were to be returned to govern, it would be with a severely weakened mandate. It’s not just the loss of one minister. I could lose three (or) four ministers.”

PM Wong added: “Losing three to four ministers will weaken the Cabinet team, will weaken the Government, will weaken Singapore.”

Addressing the WP’s call for voters to compare opposition candidates with PAP candidates backbencher to backbencher, he said this is not how elections work.

Serving ministers are contesting group representation constituencies, he said, stressing that their loss would be immediately felt.

PM Wong said: “A vote for the opposition is not a free vote for more alternative voices in Parliament. It is a vote to weaken the PAP team – the team that is truly working for you.”

He urged Singaporeans to think carefully about the consequences of their choice when they go to the polls on May 3.

“If you, in your heart of hearts, believe that the PAP is still the best party to take Singapore forward through these uncertain times, then support me and my team,” he said.

He added: “Your vote matters – in every constituency, all across Singapore. Because I need a team. And this election is not just about forming today’s government. It’s also about building tomorrow’s leadership.”

Singapore now stands at a new crossroads, said PM Wong, adding that the PAP has walked every step of the country’s journey alongside Singaporeans, including through every crisis, hardship and triumph.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong taking a wefie after the rally on April 28.ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
The opposition, on the other hand, has not had any serious discussions about the critical challenges looming over Singapore’s future, he said.

“Throughout this campaign, have you heard any opposition party talk seriously about the challenges we face? Not a single one, because to them, this is the PAP’s burden to carry,” PM Wong said.

“They want the PAP to form the government. They only want, as they say, more seats in Parliament. More seats, but not more responsibility.”

Individually, opposition parties may not have enough candidates to form a government, but collectively, their numbers are not small, PM Wong said.

He noted how WP and PSP are already in Parliament, focusing on the eastern and western parts of Singapore, respectively, to grow their presence. Across the island, other parties are keen to make breakthroughs too.

“When you add them all up, the numbers are not small, and you start to wonder, what is the kind of politics we are going to have in Singapore? And that’s why I said from the very beginning, this is a tough election, and it has proven to be so,” said PM Wong.

Leadership renewal
Amid this backdrop, PM Wong emphasised the importance of leadership renewal within the PAP.

He noted how several experienced members of his team – Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, and Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen – have chosen to step down.

Holding them back would be doing Singapore a disservice, said PM Wong. “Renewal must happen, for Singapore’s sake, for your sake. We need fresh perspectives and new energy to build a better Singapore.”

PM Wong emphasised the importance of leadership renewal within the PAP.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
But the team still has strong leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, who is leading the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce.

PM Wong also mentioned other members of the task force, including National Development Minister Desmond Lee, Digital Development and Information Minister Josephine Teo, and Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat, as well as labour chief Ng Chee Meng.

The Prime Minister said of Mr Gan: “When there is a challenge, he rolls up his sleeves and he gets things done. We saw that during Covid, and we will see that again during this economic challenge.”

PM Wong pointed to how some have called Mr Gan the “task force man”, and said he had told him to “wear it (as) a badge of honour”.

Turning to the new candidates, PM Wong said the PAP has fielded 32 new candidates for GE2025, the largest batch of fresh faces in decades.

He highlighted how among these were fresh talents who could grow into larger leadership roles: Mr David Neo, who is contesting Tampines GRC, Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash in East Coast GRC, and Mr Jeffrey Siow in Chua Chu Kang GRC.

After the election, and assuming the PAP is returned to government, PM Wong said, he would have many countries to visit as part of his duties. Conducting foreign policy would be more difficult in a world where “might is right”, he said, as bigger powers would not hesitate to use coercion and force to pursue their interests.

Small states like Singapore must work even harder to safeguard their position, he stressed, noting that his counterparts abroad would be closely watching the election outcome to assess his political strength.

“With a clear mandate from you, my team and I can speak up for Singapore confidently, and we will do our utmost to ensure this little red dot continues to shine brightly even in a troubled world,” he said.

PM Wong cautioned that should the opposition gain more ground, it would severely weaken the PAP’s ability to govern effectively.ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
PM Wong acknowledged that while Singapore has achieved remarkable success, many now feel life has become a “pressure cooker”, especially for their children. He said Singapore must work hard and stay competitive as no one owes it a living, but also warned against pushing too hard and becoming overstressed.

“We must find a better balance. A better balance where we work hard to secure our living, but we also have space – space to breathe, space to dream, and space to live our lives to the fullest,” he said.

PM Wong added that changes were already under way, including education reforms and enhanced parental leave.

Looking back on how Singapore weathered the Covid-19 crisis, PM Wong pointed out how Changi Airport looked like a ghost town during the pandemic and has now returned to pre-Covid traffic levels. He added how in two weeks’ time, ground will be broken for Terminal 5.

He told Singaporeans that the trust placed in him and his team during the pandemic had enabled the country to save lives, protect jobs and emerge stronger.

“Now that we face a new storm, I ask you once again – trust the PAP one more time. Give me and my team the chance to do our best for you,” he said.

 

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GE2025: Govt will have ‘enough leeway’ even if all WP candidates are elected, says Pritam Singh​

Workers' Party chief Pritam Singh (centre) speaking to the media in Tampines on April 28.ST PHOTO: HESTER TAN

David Sun
Apr 28, 2025,

SINGAPORE - Even if all 26 WP candidates are voted into Parliament in this election, the Government will still have enough space to deal with the issues of the day, said WP chief Pritam Singh.

If Singaporeans vote all the opposition party’s candidates into Parliament, the ratio of WP MPs to ruling party MPs will be only “about two or three to nine”, he said on April 28.

“The Government has enough space, enough leeway, enough focus to deal with the issues of today and tomorrow,” added the Leader of the Opposition.

He was speaking to reporters in Tampines Avenue 2 on the sixth day of the 2025 General Election campaign, alongside WP chair Sylvia Lim and the party’s Tampines slate.

Mr Singh was asked to respond to comments made by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong the day before at the PAP’s rally at Fern Green Primary School in Fernvale.

SM Lee had said voters should not vote against the PAP to give opposition parties “a little bit more votes”, in the hope of getting two or three more opposition members into Parliament.

The Senior Minister also spoke about the proposed deal between NTUC’s Income Insurance and German insurer Allianz, saying that six PAP MPs and one WP MP had raised questions about it.

This was after Mr Singh said on April 26 that no PAP labour MP had asked questions about the deal in Parliament when the issue surfaced.

On April 28, Mr Singh said SM Lee had sidestepped the point he raised about the absence of PAP labour MPs weighing in, adding that while six PAP MPs and one WP MP had raised questions, the ratio of PAP MPs to WP MPs was about nine to one.

“The way the Senior Minister characterised the issue is, if we were in Government or if we were in charge, but we weren’t in charge,” he said.

The proposed $2.2 billion deal was called off in October 2024 after it came under public scrutiny.

SM Lee said the deal would have happened if the WP was in charge.

The WP, noted the Senior Minister, had abstained from voting on a Bill to amend a law that would allow the Government to block the deal.

On April 28, Mr Singh said SM Lee may have forgotten why the WP had abstained from voting.

“There was a good reason that was provided in Parliament... maybe the Senior Minister has forgotten about it, or wants to present only one side of the facts.”

Ms Lim defended the WP’s reason for abstaining from the vote.

“To suddenly change the law to affect a live transaction, business certainty-wise, is actually not good for Singapore,” she said.

She added that to pass a law that would affect parties in a live transaction, the logical and right thing to do would be to let it go to a parliamentary select committee, to understand how the law might jeopardise or undermine affected parties.

Ms Lim said: “We didn’t oppose the Bill, but we had to abstain because we value Parliament as a check on government actions.”

NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng, who is contesting Jalan Kayu SMC under the PAP banner, said at the ruling party’s rally on April 27 that the Income-Allianz deal was done in good faith.

Mr Ng also responded to Mr Singh’s description of the labour movement as a “trampoline” for losing PAP candidates. He said there is “no safe harbour”, as he had to stand for re-election in 2023 to continue as labour chief.

Mr Singh told reporters on April 28 that he disagreed with Mr Ng’s rebuttal. “Have workers been disenfranchised in any way because of his leadership in NTUC and also not being in Parliament at the same time? I don’t think so.”

Mr Singh was also asked to respond to SM Lee’s point that the Government would be in trouble if it lost more MPs who were good ministers. He said it was a weak argument, pointing to former foreign minister George Yeo, who lost his seat in the 2011 election.

“Did suddenly our Foreign Ministry lose its bearings?” Mr Singh asked. “It did not, because there’s so much depth in Parliament.”

He added that Singapore now has a more diverse political system, and Singaporeans want to see that expressed in Parliament.

“The Workers’ Party record in Parliament speaks for itself – very rational debate. Where we agree, we are not hesitant to say we agree. Where we disagree, we will explain why we disagree.”

On foreign interference in Singapore politics, Mr Singh said the concern was real, and that was why he extended his April 26 rally speech by two minutes to address it.

He said then that the WP categorically rejected the involvement of any foreign element in Singapore’s politics.

The Government had earlier blocked Facebook posts by three foreigners for attempting to interfere in the election.

The authorities directed social media giant Meta to block access to posts by two Parti Islam SeMalaysia politicians and a former Singaporean who was an Internal Security Act detainee.

One of them had expressed support for WP vice-chair and Tampines GRC candidate Faisal Manap.

SM Lee took aim at the opposition’s inaction, saying it stated its position on foreign interference only after the PAP Government took action.

Mr Singh said he was not aware of the Facebook posts until the authorities issued their statement.

Separately, the WP disputed claims by self-styled religious teacher Noor Deros that the party’s candidates had agreed to take up concerns raised by asatizah, or Islamic religious teachers, regarding Singapore’s Malay/Muslim community. Mr Noor is not authorised to teach in Singapore.

Mr Singh said he had known about this slightly earlier.

“I knew one or two days earlier that there’s this gentleman who’s saying that there’s some secret handshake that the WP has done with him, which was not true,” he said.

On April 28, the WP’s Tampines GRC team said it has received a warm reception from residents.

WP candidate Michael Thng said: “The most common refrain we keep hearing is how long they have waited for us to be here.”

He said his team is committed to ensuring “we get their estate right”.

“We will lean on the experience that we have had in Aljunied, Sengkang and Hougang to ensure that we keep the corridors clean, the plants pruned, the paint fresh, and to ensure that they would have a very nice living environment.”

Responding to Mr Ng’s criticism that the WP does not have a plan for areas where party members are not the incumbents, Ms Lim said that the party can put up feasible plans for an area only if it is in office.

The team has to understand the funding available and the town council’s financial position.

“It doesn’t make sense for contesting teams to make promises that have no substance,” she said.

 

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GE2025: Opposition selling ‘myth’ of same results with fewer PAP MPs in Parliament, says Indranee​

Ms Indranee Rajah, who is standing for election in Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, speaking at a rally held at UOB Plaza's promenade on April 28.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Ng Wei Kai
Apr 28, 2025


SINGAPORE – The opposition has been selling the “myth” that even if more of them are voted in and there are fewer PAP MPs, Singapore will still get the same results, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah.

That is not true, she said in a speech to open a lunchtime rally at UOB Plaza on April 28 – the sixth day of the hustings.

Addressing a crowd that included many office workers, she said: “Many of you work in companies that are organised by teams... We have all worked on team projects, and we all know if you keep pulling out team members, you won’t be able to produce the same results no matter how hard you try.”

Ms Indranee, who is standing for election in Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, said: “The opposition says you can just substitute with others.

“But you and I know it’s not just a matter of numbers, it’s also a matter of experience and skill sets.”

While new people can be brought on, it takes time for them to get up to speed, she added.

If the opposition truly believes it is just a matter of numbers and that anyone will do, then it should not matter which candidates they field and where, she said.

“But you can see how carefully they have calibrated their teams and the electoral divisions in which they stand or not, as the case may be. They know the value of having the right team in the right place.”

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has put together a team with “that right mix and that right blend”, Ms Indranee added.

Turning to the opposition’s call to vote for them as Singapore needs alternative voices in Parliament, she said this is presented as a binary choice – that voting PAP means there will not be opposition voices in the House.

“But that’s not true,” she said, noting that having alternative voices in Parliament is guaranteed.

The PAP amended the Constitution so that there will always be at least 12 opposition MPs, she said.

“And the opposition has not hesitated to take full advantage of this provision to its benefit.”


She was referring to the Non-Constituency MP scheme, which admits up to 12 best losers from the opposition into Parliament if they do not win constituencies outright.

“You are the ones who will decide who are constituency MPs and who are Non-Constituency MPs,” Ms Indranee said to voters.

“But it is important for you to know that it is never the case that there will be no alternative voices in Parliament. It is not a binary choice.”

Singaporeans will go to the polls on May 3.

Ms Indranee said: “In that quiet moment when you are standing in the ballot booth, you will be deciding the future of Singapore.

“That vote that you cast will decide what path our nation takes, what kind of society we will be, and which political party will form the Government, and importantly – whether the team that forms the Government will have the bench strength to do all the things that need to be done for you and for Singapore.”

Her speech was followed by seven from PAP first-time candidates David Hoe, Syed Harun Alhabsyi, Bernadette Giam, Jagathishwaran Rajo, David Neo, Hazlina Abdul Halim and Goh Hanyan.

Mr Neo, a former Chief of Army who is contesting Tampines GRC, appealed to Singapore’s youth, saying: “Our young people are discerning, thoughtful, and you care deeply about Singapore’s future.

“You know the difference between noise and action.”

He added that young voters are not looking for “fairy tales”, but are looking for leadership that secures “real opportunities”.

“You know that the future of Singapore doesn’t depend on who shouts the loudest, but on who rolls up their sleeves and gets things done,” he said.

Mr Hoe, a charity director who is contesting Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC, recounted comments that he has received about his suitability for politics.

He said people have told him: “You don’t look like any one of them. You still make grammar errors. You can’t speak effectively bilingual.”


Mr Hoe said his response is that for whatever he lacks, he will compensate with hard work.

“I will run faster, I will listen longer. I’ll write longer. I will ask for help. Why? Because at the end of the day, it is about caring for every single resident,” he said.

The former teacher added that he is standing for election because he cares about creating more access to opportunities.

Ms Goh, a former senior civil servant contesting Nee Soon GRC, said she joined politics to create a better Singapore for her three children.

To do so, Singapore must be a society with hope, she said.

“What is hope? Hope is the belief that our children will live a better life,” she said, adding that to “get hope right”, the Government must create good jobs for all.

She said: “We drastically transformed our economy from manufacturing mosquito coils and textiles to semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.

“We will continue to fight for Singapore on the global stage because, if we get hope right, tomorrow will be better than today.”

 

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GE2025: Seize chance to vote for most promising batch of WP candidates, says Sylvia Lim​

If the candidates do not get elected, there may not be a next time as the electoral boundaries may change, said WP chair Sylvia Lim.ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Nadine Chua
Apr 29, 2025

SINGAPORE - The current slate of WP general election candidates is the most promising batch the party has fielded thus far, said party chair Sylvia Lim as she urged Singaporeans not to miss the chance to vote for them.

If the candidates do not get elected, there may not be a next time as the electoral boundaries may change, she added.

“So there is no time to waste on this. Let us not dither about whether to cast your vote for WP this time or not. If you do not do it this time, you may not have a chance the next time,” she said.

Ms Lim was speaking on April 28 at the party’s third rally, held at Yusof Ishak Secondary School.

The WP has fielded 26 candidates in Aljunied, Sengkang, Punggol, Tampines and East Coast GRCs and Hougang, Jalan Kayu and Tampines Changkat SMCs. They include lawyers, entrepreneurs, a psychologist and a former diplomat, among others.

Devoting much of her speech to the women candidates, Ms Lim said being in the opposition camp was a high-stakes and high-risk activity, especially for women.

Once elected into Parliament, women candidates were expected to confront ministers robustly, but not too aggressively, she said, noting that she had been called many names and had also been “fiercely attacked by some ministers”.

Yet, Singapore needs female political leaders in Parliament, especially in the opposition, to ensure that policies are more balanced and sustainable, she said.

To this end, the WP is fielding six women this time round – Ms Alia Mattar, Ms Alexis Dang, Ms Eileen Chong, Ms Paris V. Parameswari, Ms He Ting Ru and Ms Lim herself, she added.

“Looking at the slate of female candidates this GE, all I can say is, ‘mama bear here is proud’,” said Ms Lim, who is WP chair, to cheers and laughter from the crowd.

More than their credentials, though, WP MPs can reject government policies that they feel are not in the interest of Singaporeans, unlike PAP MPs, she said.

It was a point that Associate Professor Jamus Lim also brought up.

The Sengkang GRC candidate said the ruling PAP had “manufactured” problems for Singapore through various policies, such as pricing land used for HDB flats at market value and hiking the goods and services tax amid inflation, that have increased the cost of living.

“The decades and decades of parliamentary supermajority that the PAP has enjoyed has bred policy complacency, intellectual stagnation and unimaginative thinking. This is no longer your father’s and my grandfather’s PAP,” he said.

Other WP MPs cited examples of how the PAP had continued to insist on its own way, to Singapore’s detriment.

Ms Alia, who is on the WP’s Punggol slate, took aim at the Government’s preferred practice of addressing tricky issues “behind closed doors”, asserting that such discussions should be had in the open.

“We keep hearing the term ‘behind closed doors’, that heated debates and discussions had already taken place behind closed doors, that some people have friends in higher places where they can ask for special help, even for national programmes, apparently,” she said.

Calling for the practice to end, she said: “This is our nation. We are the stakeholders. Involve us in the decisions, especially when they are taken in our name and on our behalf.”

Meanwhile, Mr Andre Low, who is up against PAP’s Ng Chee Meng at Jalan Kayu SMC, said he had no doubt his opponent is “a good man”, but what Mr Ng represents is a party that has allowed issues such as the high cost of living and high housing prices to fester.

In contrast, said Prof Lim, WP MPs will bring new perspectives and innovative policy proposals to Parliament, and have done so.

Urging Singaporeans not to “blindly unite” in voting for the PAP, Prof Lim added: “The PAP dismisses our arguments, calling them theoretical or irrelevant. But 10 or 20 years later, they show up in government policies.

“Let us be your voices that the Government can no longer choose to ignore.”