Lens on Singapore: A voters guide to GE2025
As a Singaporean, I know the buzz that surrounds election season. Everywhere you go, people are discussing party manifestos, candidate profiles, and what the future holds for our island nation.
With GE2025 approaching on May 3, there are many things to discuss and consider. That's why I'm excited to share the latest episode of Lens on Singapore by The Business Times, where I am joined by expert guests—Dr Felix Tan, independent political analyst, Anthea Ong, social entrepreneur and former nominated member of parliament and Nicholas Fang, senior advisor at The Asia Group and managing director at Black Dot who is also a former nominated member of parliament.
The issues for Singapore
One of the highlights is our roundtable discussion on what our guests think are the pivotal issues for Singaporeans in this election. Tan suggests that while Singapore might just be collateral damage in larger global conflicts, the immediate concerns for voters remain domestic issues like GST hikes and housing woes.
Ong talks about giving everyone a fair shot, ensuring no one is left behind. Fang shares his view on the resonance of political candidates with the electorate. These diverse perspectives provide a balanced view of the electoral landscape. Another hot topic we cover is the influence of social media on politics.
The power of social media
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Fang highlights how platforms like Instagram and TikTok have become battlegrounds for political narratives, often stirring up emotions. He shares his own experiences of scrolling through social media feeds filled with politically charged content. This phenomenon is particularly relevant for younger voters who consume vast amounts of information online.
Tan underscores the importance of integrity and values in candidates trying to connect with this younger demographic. As we discuss the global landscape's impact on local elections, it's fascinating to see how external factors can shape voter sentiment here at home.
Fresh faces for rejuvenation
Learning from past elections, our panelists provide insights into what this influx of new candidates means for the People's Action Party (PAP) and opposition parties alike. Both Ong and Tan agree that while fielding many new faces is a bold and necessary move that also comes with risks. The discussion on rejuvenation of leadership leads to questions of how these fresh faces might resonate with the voters.
The perspectives presented by our expert guests offer an opportunity for a deeper understanding about Singapore's upcoming general election and the issues candidates may need to overcome to win the people.
For more election coverage, visit our GE2025 microsite
For more episodes, go to bt.sg/podcasts and if you have feedback or a question you'd like answered on the elections, please get in touch at btpodcasts@sph.com.sg.
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Hosted by Claressa Monteiro, edited and produced by Claressa Monteiro, Emily Liu and Chai Pei Chieh.
With Dr Felix Tan, independent political analyst; Anthea Ong, social entrepreneur, former nominated member of parliament; and Nicholas Fang, senior advisor at The Asia Group, managing director at Black Dot, former nominated member of parliament.
A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media
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