GE2025: Murali warns against populism, polarisation taking root in S'pore politics

Straits Times

28-04-2025

Minister of State for Law and Transport Murali Pillai speaking at the PAP rally at the Jurong East Stadium on April 28. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
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SINGAPORE - The dysfunctional political systems seen in some bigger and more advanced countries must never take root in Singapore, Minister of State for Law and Transport Murali Pillai said on April 28.
He said he heard a commentator in a podcast attributing such dysfunctional systems to three reasons - populism, polarisation and post-truth.
Speaking at the PAP rally at the Jurong East Stadium, he cited an example of how one opposition MP had highlighted the plight of local businesses and how they are suffering from high costs during the Budget debate in February.
Another MP from the same party said workers' wages are too low and should be higher, he added, without naming either MP or their party.
'Now, if both messages were said by the same person, the audience will be confused. If the cost is too high, how can wages be too low?' said Mr Murali, a PAP candidate in the new Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC.
'It can, if you are a populist.'
One statement will sound good to small and medium enterprise bosses, while the other would appeal to workers, he said.
'These are not hard truths. These are half-truths, and they create a house of cards at the end of the day,' added Mr Murali, who has been the MP for the Bukit Batok ward since 2016. The SMC was absorbed into the new GRC following the revision of the electoral boundaries in 2025.
A 'more nuanced speech', which would be difficult, would be needed if one 'really wants to make a difference', he said. This would require acknowledging that not all businesses are struggling, and not all workers are underpaid.
'The right thing to do' would be to identify the businesses and workers who are struggling, and take steps to resolve their issues, he said.
Mr Murali added: 'What would be irresponsible is to turn workers against businesses. That is polarisation.'
The 57-year-old also spoke about the 'dramatically changed' world order, brought on by the trade war between the US and China, and how this may affect jobs and livelihoods.
For Singapore to survive, its political leaders must work hard on the ground on national affairs and in the international arena, he added.
The 'highest standards of behaviour', as well as values like honesty, integrity and character are non-negotiable for politicians, Mr Murali said. Responsibility is also important, he stressed.
'In life, things can go wrong. When they go wrong, politicians should not duck. They should accept responsibility, square with Singaporeans and make the system stronger.'
He recounted how he 'took political responsibility' for a fire in a rental flat in Bukit Batok in 2019. A woman died, and it was discovered that the water riser had been accidentally switched off. The riser was managed by a town council contractor.
Mr Murali said his team helped to take care of the woman's funeral expenses and found the family lawyers to claim compensation, among others.
An employee of the contractor was eventually fined for negligence, while the riser system has since been modified such that an alarm goes off if the system is switched off, Mr Murali added.
His GRC teammates - Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, Minister of State Rahayu Mahzam, newcomer David Hoe, and PAP's former Hougang candidate Lee Hong Chuang - also spoke at the rally. So, too, did Mr Xie Yao Quan, the PAP candidate for the new Jurong Central SMC.
Mr Xie acknowledged that 'the PAP is not perfect. It has never been'.
'It does not have all the right answers all the time, and it does not get everything right every time. But it has done well, and it has done right by Singaporeans,' the 40-year-old said.
He cited 'important policies' from the PAP government, such as the Silver Support Scheme and Workfare Income Supplement.
'And while it is not perfect, I can tell you that the PAP is determined to keep becoming better, and do ever better for Singapore and Singaporeans.'
The PAP's Jurong Central candidate Xie Yao Quan speaking at the rally at the Jurong East Stadium on April 28.
ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
The PAP candidates all spoke of specific incidents where they have helped residents in the area.
For example, Ms Rahayu, who has overseen Bukit Batok East for the last decade, said she helped a retrenched father get support with his career transition and interim assistance with utilities and household expenses. He eventually bounced back on his feet, she said.
Ms Rahayu added: 'Residents of Bukit Batok East, you know me. You have seen me. I may not be everywhere every time, but you know what I have been doing. You know my heart. You have seen me work and walk with you.'
The PAP candidates spoke of plans for infrastructural improvements if they are elected, such as sheltered walkways and barrier-free access, and opportunities for residents there to connect with one another.
These are in addition to more community help schemes, with the likes of study awards and active ageing programmes already implemented there.
Mr Xie said: 'I deeply respect the opposition candidates for stepping forward as loyal Singaporeans and presenting themselves as a choice to fellow Singaporeans.
'But I must also say, all the candidates in the PAP… are loyal Singaporeans too.'
He asked voters to choose the candidates who would best serve and represent them.
Mr Xie said: 'The PAP has always been with you, and the PAP will always continue to be with you.'
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