GE2025: PPP rally for Tampines GRC at Temasek Junior College
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Straits Times
14 minutes ago
- Straits Times
WP urges Government to engage widely, explore all solutions following National Day Rally
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SINGAPORE – The Workers' Party (WP) has urged the Government to engage widely and explore all policy suggestions in good faith, including previously untapped ones. In its response to the 2025 National Day Rally, the opposition party said Singapore should 'leave no stone unturned' in collective efforts to build a truly resilient nation for the future. The WP issued its statement following Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's Rally speech at ITE College Central on Aug 17 , where he called for Singaporeans to unite to write the next chapter of the country's history and outlined new schemes to support workers and independent living for seniors, amongst others. PM Wong also spoke extensively about the challenges Singapore faces, including an unstable global economy and the rise of artificial intelligence impacting jobs and businesses. The WP addressed some of the new initiatives, and added its suggestions and concerns. On government efforts to address economic concerns, WP said it agrees that Singapore's economy needs to 'keep up with the times.' Responding to a new scheme announced by PM Wong during the Rally where Community Development Councils will match workers with jobs near their homes, it said: 'We agree with the approach of improving jobs matching efforts for Singaporeans, and ask that the relevant organisations accelerate the setting up of this programme with the economic uncertainty ahead.' It added that in the party's experience, many residents referred to NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) receive career counselling, but 'not the direct job-matching support they truly need.' 'The new approach reflects what many job seekers are looking for: not just advice, but real opportunities and connections to employers who are hiring,' it added. It urged the Government to also tackle 'present concerns surrounding businesses and employees,' including rising rental costs, skills-related underemployment and 'slow rate of real income growth of 0.7 per cent per annum over the past five years.' The WP reiterated some proposals from its GE2025 manifesto. This included having JTC Corporation, which oversees industrial infrastructure, expand its market share to offer low-rent options for small and medium-sized enterprises, and for a statutory minimum wage to be established. The party also responded to PM Wong's announcement of a new government-funded traineeship scheme for graduates from the Institute of Technical Education, polytechnics and universities. PM Wong said the scheme will begin as a 'focused' one which can be scaled up if the economy worsens. The WP said it recognises the importance of helping young graduates and mid-career workers find their footing, but urged the Government to ensure the programme is designed with safeguards so that it is effective and fair . It said: 'State-sponsored internships and apprenticeships must not be used by companies only as a source of cheaper, subsidised labour. 'There should be clear performance metrics and a transparent commitment from participating companies to consider trainees for full-time employment once the training period ends.' It is also essential that all trainees receive basic workplace protections including paid sick leave and safe working conditions, it added. The party will advocate for fair, transparent and sustainable employment pathways, especially for younger Singaporeans and those navigating mid-career transitions, it added. On the impact of artificial intelligence on schools and the economy, the WP said it agrees with the importance of preparing students for life, not just exams – which PM Wong said the Government is doing more of . It called for an increase in the number of allied educators, which can lead to a 'meaningful reduction in class sizes' so students receive the attention they need to develop essential soft skills such as empathy and adaptability. The opposition party also called on the Government to improve social safety nets in light of the ongoing disruptions caused by AI adoption, and reiterated its call for Singapore to introduce redundancy insurance. The WP said it looks forward to championing these ideas and others in the 15th Parliament. The party will have 12 MPs in the House when Parliament reopens on Sept 5, its largest-ever contingent. Progress Singapore Party (PSP) chief Leong Mun Wai also released a statement following the Rally, where he welcomed immediate support for new graduates but raised concerns that these proposals 'risk being mere band-aid solutions that do not address our country's deeper structural issues.' PSP also said the new government-funded traineeships raises the question of whether tertiary education is adequately preparing young people for the workforce 'if graduates are increasingly expected to settle for traineeships instead of full-time jobs'. Singapore must confront some fundamental questions in the years ahead, and the PSP believes these are not questions the Government can answer alone, added Mr Leong. 'Ultimately, the National Day Rally provided some ideas, but many critical questions on key issues such as housing affordability and cost of living were left unanswered,' he said. 'The PSP will continue to push for more fundamental reform in these areas and provide alternative policy proposals.'
AsiaOne
5 days ago
- AsiaOne
'Our role is to make ourselves obsolete': First-time WP candidates reflect on GE2025 and whether they'll run again, Singapore News
Workers' Party (WP) candidates said that their decision to contest in Singapore's next general election will not depend on personal choice, but on whether the party attracts more qualified candidates. WP candidates Siti Alia Abdul Rahim Mattar and Sufyan Mikhail Putra sat down with fellow party members and hosts of This Side of the House, Eileen Chong and Andre Low. In a 42-minute-long debut episode uploaded to the party's social media channels on Monday (Aug 11), the first-time candidates reflected on GE2025 and their personal experiences stepping into Singapore's political arena as newbies. When asked about their plans to run again at the next election in five years, Siti Alia said that it would depend on what is best for the party. "It's always a question of if there are better candidates, more experienced candidates, more trained candidates — people that the party feels would be a better fit," she said. Siti Alia said it may not be necessary to field the same candidates, but that it might be more important for the party to continue contesting in the same constituencies. "I feel like when people say 'don't give up', I think they're telling the party: 'Don't give up on our constituency'," she said, giving the example of Punggol GRC where she contested. Chong agreed, adding that the decision to contest again would be reliant on what the party believes the Singapore electorate is looking for. She also recalled being teary-eyed on the team's perambulating vehicle the day after election results were out, where residents ran up to thank her for contesting and asked her to try again in five years. "It's hard to turn your back on what we're all building together," said Chong, who said she felt encouraged by the support shown throughout the nine days of campaigning. Low also agreed with Siti Alia's perspective, reflecting that the longer term goal as an opposition party is to "to make ourselves obsolete". "I hadn't thought about it that way, but if we zoom out a little bit, our role as opposition politicians is really to make ourselves obsolete. "We want to push and forward the opposition cause in Singapore to a point where there are so many qualified people who feel like they should step up and contribute," he explained, adding that there will be no guarantee that the four of them will still contest in the next election, should there be more qualified people for the job. "The moment we become replaceable, that's actually brilliant for Singapore," he said. Chiming in, Sufyan said that WP has had various people joining their outreach efforts in all the constituencies after GE2025, and that "the talent that [they've] seen is very encouraging". Singapore's 15th parliament to open on Sept 5 Siti Alia was part of the four-person team that contested in Punggol GRC. The team received 44.83 per cent of votes, losing to the People's Action Party (PAP) team led by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong. Sufyan contested in the five-member East Coast GRC team led by Yee Jenn Jong. The team received 41.24 per cent of votes and ceded defeat to the incumbent PAP team led by current Minister for Law, Edwin Tong. Low contested in Jalan Kayu SMC and received the highest percentage of votes (48.53 per cent) among the unelected opposition candidates, and was chosen as the first Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) following the conclusion of GE2025. Chong had contested Tampines GRC alongside Faisal Manap, Michael Thng, Ong Lue Ping and Jimmy Tan in a four-way fight, losing to a People's Action Party (PAP) team led by Masagos Zulkifli. Chong's team received the second highest percentage of votes (47.37 per cent) among the unelected opposition candidates, and Chong was subsequently elected NCMP. The first session of Singapore's 15th parliament will open next month on Sept 5, with Low and Chong to appear alongside WP's 10 MPs from Aljunied GRC, Sengkang GRC and Hougang SMC. [[nid:720962]]
Straits Times
04-08-2025
- Straits Times
Strong S'pore-Australia ties underpinned by bonds that are continually renewed: President Tharman
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox President Tharman Shanmugaratnam meeting Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who is on a state visit to Singapore, on Aug 4. SINGAPORE – In a world that is increasingly turbulent, Singapore and Australia are working closely together across a range of sectors, from defence to education, culture and sports, and to uphold an open, rules-based trading system globally, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Aug 4. Underpinning this strong partnership is a long shared history, and bonds between both countries and their people that are lived, felt and continually renewed, he added. He was speaking at a state banquet held to host Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn, whose state visit from Aug 3 to 6 marks Singapore's 60th year of independence and commemorates the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Singapore-Australia diplomatic relations. Ms Mostyn separately met Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and affirmed the strong people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries. They also spoke about the importance of the Singapore-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), which was established in 2015 and serves as a broad-ranging agreement to deepen Singapore's collaboration with Australia. To date, the partnership has seen more than 110 completed initiatives across six pillars which include economics and trade, defence and foreign affairs, science and innovation, people-to-people ties, the digital economy, and the green economy. Ms Mostyn and PM Wong said they look forward to the upgrade of the CSP later in 2025 when PM Wong visits Australia. The upgraded CSP will see deepened bilateral cooperation in areas such as defence, supply chain resilience, renewable energy, and cyber and critical technologies. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore launches review of economic strategy to stay ahead of global shifts Singapore A look at the five committees reviewing Singapore's economic strategy Business More support for sectors and workers vulnerable to tech disruptions, global competition Business Singapore to tap advanced manufacturing, AI under strategic review Singapore All recruits at BMTC will be trained to fly drones and counter them: Chan Chun Sing Singapore Ong Beng Seng to be sentenced on Aug 15, prosecution does not object to fine due to his poor health Singapore Pritam Singh had hoped WP would 'tip one or two more constituencies' at GE2025 PM Wong said in a Facebook post: 'Our strong and enduring partnership is anchored on shared perspectives and deep mutual trust.' He added that he looks forward to taking the partnership to the next level when he visits Australia later in 2025. At the state dinner banquet, Mr Tharman said Australia was among the very first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Singapore, and that ties go back even further to World War II when Australian soldiers helped in the defence of Malaya and Singapore. 'Out of that shared history has grown a resilient partnership. We cooperate in increasing depth, and across an unusually broad span of endeavours,' he said. Mr Tharman highlighted defence as a critical pillar of that relationship, as 2025 marks the 35th anniversary of Exercise Wallaby – the Singapore Armed Forces' largest overseas training exercise. Both countries are deepening relations in education, culture and sports too. Over 60,000 people of Singaporean heritage live in Australia, while more than 20,000 Australians have made Singapore their second home, he noted. 'We are navigating a world that is now radically more uncertain, more exposed to shocks, and at growing risk of damage from the climate crisis and renewed global health threats,' Mr Tharman said. 'Amid this global turbulence, Singapore and Australia have chosen to look ahead, and to lead together.' He noted that both countries were the first to sign bilateral agreements on the digital economy and green economy – 'pioneering new and constructive ways of cooperation for the future', he said. 'At the same time, Singapore welcomes Australia's continued and deepening engagement in our region, in particular with Asean,' Mr Tharman added. Both countries are also driving global efforts to shape future trade rules, he said. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam with Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn at the state banquet on Aug 4. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO Along with Japan, Singapore and Australia are co-convenors of the World Trade Organisation Joint Statement Initiative on E-Commerce to establish the first global digital trade rules. 'It reflects not only our shared commitment to multilateralism, but our readiness to lead in adapting it for the future economy,' Mr Tharman said. Singapore and Australia are not just close partners by obligation, but by choice, he added. 'I am confident that in the years ahead, we will continue to learn from each other, support each other's aspirations, help uplift the region, and work together to broker cooperative solutions internationally.' In her speech, Ms Mostyn said: 'Together, we stand at the cutting edge of artificial intelligence, cyber security and green technologies. One of Australia's five start-up landing pads is here in Singapore, where entrepreneurs are working on everything from fintech to healthcare.' She noted that Singapore is one of Australia's most significant sources of foreign investments. 'We work together in regional forums like Asean and the East Asia Summit and our prime ministers meet every year,' she added. Earlier in the day, Ms Mostyn received a ceremonial welcome at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She called on Mr Tharman and they discussed a range of issues, including how both countries could learn from each other's strategies in supporting mental health among young people, and in developing and updating skills for a rapidly changing labour market. She also visited the Singapore Botanic Gardens, where an orchid hybrid was named after her, as well as the Samaritans of Singapore. Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn, with Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah and Singapore Botanic Gardens group director Tan Puay Yok, viewing an orchid hybrid named after her. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO In commemoration of 60 years of diplomatic relations, Ms Mostyn presented Mr Tharman with a specially commissioned Australian indigenous artwork. Mr Tharman reciprocated with an artwork symbolising Singapore's harmonious growth, creativity and diversity across six decades by Singapore artist Leong Sijun. During the rest of her visit, Ms Mostyn will lay a wreath at the Kranji War Memorial for Australian soldiers who fought in Singapore's defence during World War II. She will also visit the Changi Chapel and Museum and Gardens by the Bay, where she will attend an Australian native tree dedication ceremony and unveil a permanent installation of an indigenous sculpture. Ms Mostyn's visit is the latest exchange between leaders from both sides. In 2025, Australian Prime Minster Anthony Albanese met PM Wong in Singapore in May . Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles also met PM Wong and Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing in June on the sidelines of the Shangri-la Dialogue. PM Wong's visit to Australia later in 2025 will be an introductory one, to launch the upgraded partnership, commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties and attend the 10th Annual Leaders' Meeting. In 2024, Australia was Singapore's 12th largest trading partner, with total bilateral trade in goods amounting to $30.3 billion. Singapore's top imports from Australia include petroleum oils, natural gas, semi-precious stones and metals, as well as animal and vegetable oils. Meanwhile, Singapore's key exports to Australia are petroleum oils, mechanical appliances and electrical machinery. Australia is also an important food source for Singapore, as it is Singapore's second-highest import source for beef and pork, and third for milk, milk products and vegetables. Economic relations are underpinned by the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement, which was signed and entered into force in 2003.
