GE2025: Strong support comes with huge responsibility in uncertain times, says Shanmugam
SINGAPORE – The results of the 2025 General Election reflect the 'strongest mandate' for Nee Soon GRC, said Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam, and with that comes 'huge responsibility' to Singaporeans amid an uncertain global economic climate.
Mr Shanmugam led a five-member PAP team to secure 73.81 per cent of the vote against a team from Red Dot United. This represents a vote share increase of nearly 12 percentage points, and is the highest margin Nee Soon GRC has been won by since it was formed in 2011.
At the 2020 General Election, PAP garnered 61.9 per cent of the vote against a team from the Progress Singapore Party.
Speaking to the media during the walkabout, Mr Shanmugam said that as a cabinet minister, he would have a hand in steering Singapore out of looming economic headwinds.
'We are facing a potentially very difficult time and it looks quite certain that there will be a lot of trouble. There is a lot of uncertainty – investors are not investing, companies are not expanding. These are things we need to deal with,' he said.
Ms Goh Hanyan, a former director at the Ministry of Digital Development and Information who is part of the Nee Soon GRC slate, said she felt 'extremely humbled' by the strong mandate that residents have given her team.
'The mandate that I'm grateful that we got... will help us steer Singapore through these times, given the global climate. We will stand united and firm throughout this next phase of our journey,' she said.
She added that the team will spend the coming weeks meeting more residents in the area.
'We'll spend the coming weeks getting to know them, listening to them, knowing what they want, so that we can better serve their needs,' she said.
All four of Mr Shanmugam's teammates had contested their first General Election and the veteran minister, who has been overseeing the Chong Pang ward within the GRC for 37 years, said he was confident his younger charges would excel.
The other three members of the team are Lee Hui Ying, 36, director of communications for Temasek Foundation; Jackson Lam, 40, head of a pest control and cleaning company; and former Nominated MP Syed Harun Alhabsyi, 40.
Mr Shanmugam had previously said that said the team brings a range of experiences to bear, and that it contains potential political office-holders.
He added on May 4 that Nee Soon residents would expect 'old-fashioned values' such as honesty, sincerity and hard work from the team.
Mr Shanmugam said: 'It is a covenant we make once every five years. Some have said – 'four new MPs, how are you going to handle (it)?' Having talked to them, having interviewed them, having seen them on the ground, I fully believe that they will discharge their duties in a way that Nee Soon residents expect and in a way that merits the tremendous support that has been given by people.
'So we will do our best. And then, at the end of five years, people will judge.'
Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
12 hours ago
Clinic defends S$52k Tampines rent amid trend of high HDB tender bids for GP clinic spaces
SINGAPORE: A record-breaking rental bid for a general practitioner (GP) clinic space in a Housing and Development Board (HDB) block in Tampines has sparked concern among Singaporeans and online commentators. The winning tender of S$52,188 per month, awarded for a 50 square metre ground-floor unit at Block 954C Tampines Street 96, was submitted by I-Health Medical Holdings. The bid was finalised after a sealed-envelope tender process that closed on 14 January 2025. The result, disclosed by HDB in March, quickly drew public attention after being highlighted on LinkedIn by Dr Hisham Badaruddin, who described the sum as 'obscene'. His post was later shared on Reddit's r/singapore forum on 1 June, triggering widespread concern about possible knock-on effects on healthcare affordability. Bid based on location strategy and future demand, says I-Health co-owner Andrew Chim, 37, co-owner of I-Health Medical Holdings, defended the bid in an interview with The Straits Times on 3 June. He explained that the decision was grounded in business logic and a comprehensive assessment of the unit's value and strategic location. Chim said the Tampines unit was the most attractive of all recent HDB offerings for GP clinics. He cited the presence of five Build-To-Order (BTO) projects housing around 5,000 households, as well as upcoming developments like a mixed-use project and a shopping mall, as reasons for the premium price. 'Our assessment is based on our understanding of the number of units in the area and the surrounding competition,' said Chim. He noted that there are around five other clinics nearby. Consultation fees to stay competitive despite record rental cost Despite the high rent, Chim confirmed that consultation fees at the Tampines clinic will remain competitive—ranging from S$30 to S$35, comparable to other heartland clinics. 'Our pricing will be commensurate with other clinic chains' – it has to be because Singaporeans are value-conscious,' he added. The Tampines clinic is scheduled to open on 26 June. It will operate from 8.30am to 3pm and 5.30pm to 10pm, including weekends and public holidays—offering more extensive hours than some nearby clinics. I-Health expects the clinic to reach 70 to 90 patients per day within a year. At that point, a second doctor will be deployed. Chim projects the clinic will become profitable within one-and-a-half to two years. This marks the first successful HDB tender for I-Health. The firm previously attempted to secure units in Bidadari and Tampines North but lacked sufficient cash flow at the time. 'Now that we have sufficient cash flow, we have confidence to go after the best locations,' Chim said. Responding to concerns that such high bids could inflate rents across the industry, Chim argued that landlords may still struggle to find tenants willing to match these prices. HDB tender records show rising rents for clinic spaces across estates The S$52k rent is not an isolated case. A review of recent HDB tender results reveals a pattern of high rental bids for clinic units. In January, a unit at Block 235B Tengah Garden Walk attracted a winning bid of S$40,088 from Dr Daphne Lee, beating seven other bidders. That same month, Caring Medical Clinic successfully secured a unit at Block 666 Tampines Street 64 with a S$25,388 bid. In another tender that closed in March, Normanton Healthcare Pte Ltd emerged as the sole bidder for a unit at Block 88A Telok Blangah Heights, winning the lease at S$16,800 per month. Meanwhile, a December 2024 tender for a unit at Block 568B Champions Way drew nine bids, with Caring Medical Clinic securing the lease for S$26,900 per month. Public voices concern over clinic rent sustainability and potential impact on healthcare access These figures underscore a growing trend of rising bidding for clinic spaces in HDB estates—likely reflecting increased demand for medical services in densely populated residential areas. While public reaction to the Tampines bid remains mixed, the underlying dynamics suggest a competitive healthcare property market where bidders are willing to pay a premium for strategic locations. Concerns have emerged online about the sustainability and implications of the record S$52,188 rent for the Tampines clinic. Some comments on The Straits Times Facebook page questioned whether such high bids are only viable for large, well-funded medical groups. One netizen calculated that if the clinic averages 100 patients daily, over 20% of an S$80 consultation fee would go towards rent. This sparked debate on whether such cost distribution is acceptable in the context of public healthcare. Another comment criticised the justification for the rent, arguing that high prices risk excluding patients who cannot afford care. An FB user estimated that with 70 patients daily and typical staffing costs, the clinic would need S$36 per patient just to break even. A self-identified real estate agent questioned why the government has not acted to stabilise rising clinic rents, despite success in cooling property prices. New rental tender approach for GP clinics On 8 May, Ministry of Health (MOH) and Housing Board announced a pilot scheme to jointly evaluate GP clinic tenders based not just on rental offers but also on service quality. Under the new Price-Quality Method (PQM), now being piloted at Bartley Beacon in the Bidadari estate, 70% of the evaluation will be based on the quality of the proposal, and only 30% on the rental amount. Factors such as care models, staffing standards, and operating hours will be assessed. To accommodate more comprehensive care services, the Bartley Beacon unit will be approximately 100 square metres—double the size of a typical HDB clinic space. The clinic is expected to begin operations in Q4 2025. MOH stated that the pilot aims to enhance healthcare accessibility and better serve residents under the Healthier SG initiative. Depending on its success, the approach may be extended to other clinic sites in the future.
Business Times
19 hours ago
- Business Times
How Singapore can ride the AI wave into the future
WHEN Singapore gained independence in 1965, it quickly embarked on a rigorous industrialisation programme to boost economic development. In 10 years, manufacturing's share in Singapore's gross domestic product rose from 14 per cent to 22 per cent. People who grew up in kampungs and could not afford school textbooks were now working steady corporate jobs, bringing unprecedented resources home to the family. We had built a substantial industrial base, and Singaporeans rode the wave. One of the smallest countries in the world has carved a reputation for itself as Asia's key economic and financial centre. Singapore has come far, but it does not stop here. By embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, the country will enter a new age of smarter industries – from kampung to corporate, from conventional corporate to the AI revolution. These are the three starting steps as Singapore moves into Industry 4.0. Build a strong ecosystem of tech partnerships with the private sector Just as how the government played a crucial role in catalysing private-sector growth in the 1960s and 1970s, so must the public and private sector join in tandem now to work through fresh regulations, build unfamiliar networks and form new models of partnerships that might not have existed before. For instance, IBM, Samsung Electronics and M1 worked together to form the IBM Industry 4.0 Studio, which combines advanced 5G connectivity with AI, hybrid cloud and edge computing capabilities, to develop and test Industry 4.0 solutions locally and regionally. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up This initiative is supported by Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority, as part of the Republic's 5G journey to test applications that can be deployed in the manufacturing sector, while measuring and optimising the performance of enterprise 5G for industrial use. Continued synergy between sectors will create a fertile environment for growth. Research institutions such as the National University of Singapore and A*Star are also developing real-world AI applications, from smart robotics in precision engineering to AI-powered healthcare diagnostics, strengthening Singapore's innovation ecosystem. Deploy AI and automation in surprising corners AI and automation will be implemented across the corporate and tech worlds, but to optimise these tools, Singapore must continue its momentum in new areas. In post-fire investigations, the Singapore Civil Defence Force has started using smart glasses, AI and augmented reality technologies, so that commanders on the ground have live access to fire investigation specialists through real-time augmented annotations video interactions. And at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, AI-powered robots roam the park, sending food to birds, conducting safety patrols and interacting with visitors. These concierge robots can physically lead visitors around the park, give directions, recommend activities and alert park-goers to changes in weather. These projects are examples of different sectors coming together to form tech partnerships. To truly optimise AI and automation, Singapore must be willing to take calculated risks, deploying them in innovative – even fun – ways. The broader our use of AI and automation, the more insights we gain into optimising these tools. Avoid technological lag Singapore has the potential to become Asia's most technologically advanced city, but that progress will be hollow if its people are left behind. Technological lag happens when tech evolves rapidly and social institutions, such as education systems and government policies, fail to keep up. When tech outpaces institutional adaptation, a country faces issues such as job displacement, growing wealth disparity and social unrest. This happened during the industrial revolution, but we can learn from those mistakes. Programmes such as SkillsFuture Level-Up and the Jobseeker Support Scheme must continue to be developed, so that the society can advance along with tech. Education systems must prioritise digital literacy, critical thinking and adaptability. Labour laws and policies must protect workers from sudden job displacement. Private companies, such as IBM with its SkillsBuild programme, must also do their part to equip the next generation with the essential tech and AI skills. It is also imperative that underserved communities be cared for, so they do not fall between the cracks. This is not an effort solely for governments. While collaborations between tech organisations and educational institutions are already in place, they must become something routine – built into the foundations of regular curriculum – to match the rapid pace of technology . Build an equitable future with AI The fact of the matter is that today's world is entirely different from the early days of Singapore's independence. The industrial revolution was a wave that swept across most of the world – and now, AI and automation will likely do the same, reshaping industries, economies and the very nature of work. These are just a few important considerations. It will take a mammoth, collaborative effort from sectors across the board to build an AI-driven future that truly acts as a rising tide, lifting all boats rather than leaving some stranded. Governments, businesses and researchers must work together, to ensure that progress benefits society as a whole. Just as visionary leadership transformed Singapore from a fishing village into a global hub, today's leaders and experts must now steer us into the new era, embedding ethics and equity into the make-up of every policy, debate and strategy. Singapore has the potential to lead not just in innovation, but in trust – shaping a model on how governments and organisations can build a safe, trustworthy foundation from which we can rise to new heights. The writer is general manager and technology leader at IBM Singapore
2 days ago
PAP's Goh Pei Ming tops spending so far as 35 candidates declare S$884,978 from 3 May General Election
SINGAPORE: A total of 35 candidates who contested the General Election on 3 May have declared their election expenses, with combined spending reaching S$884,978. These figures were made publicly available on the Elections Department's (ELD) website on 28 May. Under Singapore's election laws, candidates must declare their expenses and the nature of spending. This process aims to ensure transparency and accountability in campaign financing. Candidates have until 16 June to file their election returns. PAP's Marine Parade–Braddell Heights team spent S$388,756 in sole walkover victory Among those who have submitted so far, People's Action Party (PAP) candidate Goh Pei Ming topped the list with S$104,085 in declared spending. More than half of his expenditure went towards non-online election advertising, including printed materials and physical displays. Goh, a former chief of staff in the Singapore Armed Forces, was part of the PAP team in Marine Parade–Braddell Heights GRC. His team was the only one to win in a walkover on Nomination Day. Their collective campaign expenditure stood at S$388,756 — the highest recorded among the teams that have declared their finances so far. In total, the 35 candidates represented a range of parties, including the PAP, Progress Singapore Party (PSP), National Solidarity Party (NSP), People's Alliance for Reform (PAR), Red Dot United (RDU), and Singapore People's Party (SPP). One candidate each from the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), People's Power Party (PPP), and Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) also submitted their expenses. Additionally, independent candidates Darryl Lo and Jeremy Tan have declared their financial statements. No candidates from the Workers' Party (WP) have submitted returns to date. This leaves 176 candidates either yet to file or whose submissions are pending announcement in the Government Gazette. According to the data released, the average expenditure per candidate came to S$25,285. However, spending varied significantly. While some candidates incurred no expenses, others spent over S$100,000. The PAP led the average spending per candidate at S$77,751. This was followed by the PSP with an average of S$32,303 and the NSP at S$24,378. At the lower end, RDU averaged S$1,297 per candidate, while PAR had the lowest average at S$898. Seven candidates report zero spending Seven candidates declared zero expenditure. These included Sharad Kumar, David Foo and Pang Heng Chuan from RDU; Alec Tok from SDP; Harminder Pal Singh from SDA; and Lim Rui Xian and Muhammad Norhakim from SPP. PPP's Samuel Lee reported S$100 in 'other expenses'. He announced via TikTok on 27 May that he had resigned from the party, effective 23 May, to pursue other opportunities. Among independent candidates, Jeremy Tan, who contested Mountbatten, spent S$16,075. His largest cost was for his solo rally at the Home of Athletics on 1 May. Darryl Lo, contesting Radin Mas, spent S$12,213, with most of it going towards printed materials and other non-digital promotional tools. The only other full team to have submitted expenses was NSP's Sembawang GRC team, which reported a total of S$121,888 in spending. In addition to spending, candidates are required to declare any donations received. Among the 35, only RDU's Ben Puah, who contested Jurong East–Bukit Batok GRC, declared donations. He received S$280 from anonymous donors, via six PayNow transactions ranging from S$10 to S$100. Puah spent S$109 in total on his campaign. RDU's Kala Manickam submitted disputed claims Another RDU candidate, Kala Manickam, submitted disputed claims amounting to S$1,365. These included S$404 in food expenses for campaigners, S$66 for transport, and S$895 for printing extra campaign fliers. According to the ELD, such claims are filed when election agents dispute or fail to settle expense claims within the 28-day window. Kala, who contested in Jurong Central SMC during 3 May poll, told The Straits Times that her claims were not reimbursed by the party. She explained that she was advised to submit them as disputed. 'The party told me to raise petty cash to claim back my money, but when I submitted it after the election, they said the spending was not endorsed by the party,' she said. She added that the party also cited her lack of fundraising as a reason for the rejection of her reimbursement request. Kala said she would personally absorb the cost, stating her campaign was driven by a desire to serve Singapore. The ELD allows members of the public to view candidates' declared expenses by logging into its digital service with their Singpass credentials. Further updates are expected as the 16 June deadline approaches.
