GE2025: PAP Aljunied candidates unleash series of jabs at WP on rally finale night

Straits Times

01-05-2025

Mr Daniel Liu, PAP candidate for Aljunied GRC, speaking at the rally at Serangoon stadium on May 1. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
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SINGAPORE - The PAP's five-member team delivered a series of jabs at their WP opponents on the final night of campaigning for the 2025 General Election, accusing t he incumbents of big talk but little action.
They argued that the PAP has maintained 14 years of grassroots work in Aljunied despite it being under opposition control, stressing that the party 'never left' its voters and has consistently outperformed the WP - from Parliament to town council management.
Held at Serangoon Stadium, widely seen as WP's symbolic homeground in Aljunied GRC , the party's campaign slogan was printed on the backdrop of the stage: 'It's time. Change starts now'. WP rallies have been held at the stadium since it first contested the constituency in 2006.
The PAP is the underdog in Aljunied GRC, which the WP has held since its historic win there in 2011.
The PAP team for Aljunied GRC comprises marketing director and second-term candidate Chan Hui Yuh, 48, and four new faces – urban planner Daniel Liu, 40; dental surgeon Faisal Abdul Aziz, 37; company director Adrian Ang, 42; and trade unionist Jagathishwaran Rajo, 37.
They are up against a WP team led by party leader Pritam Singh, 48, and comprises Ms Sylvia Lim, 60; Mr Gerald Giam, 47; new face Kenneth Tiong, 36; and Mr Fadli Fawzi, 44, who contested Marine Parade GRC under the WP banner in 2020.
During the 2020 General Election, the WP clinched Aljunied with 59.95 per cent of the vote.
Mr Liu kicked off the rally by criticising the Aljunied-Hougang Town Council's (AHTC) report card.
He pointed out that the WP-run town council earmarked 495 Housing Board blocks for upgrading in its five-year plan in 2021. But in its annual report for the 2023 financial year, only 12 blocks were completed.
He said AHTC projected a total expenditure of $195 million in its five-year plan for Aljunied, yet just $46 million had been spent as of its latest annual report in 2023.
'Five-year plans are good, but what is the point if you can't deliver?' said Mr Liu.
'Their talk is big but action is so small.'
Mr Singh had previously said that AHTC is as good as any other town council in Singapore.
But Mr Liu noted that AHTC submitted the fewest projects to be considered for funding by the Community Improvement Projects Committee among all town councils in the financial year 2024.
'I don't think he (Mr Singh) quite understands the ramifications of the words he used because it is clear that the reality here is different,' Mr Liu said, citing a playground in Aljunied that had no swings and lacked barrier-free access for seniors.
The PAP candidates for Aljunied GRC interacting with the crowd at the end of the rally at Serangoon stadium on May 1.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Speaking in Malay, Dr Faisal criticised the WP's efforts over the years to raise issues concerning the Malay/Muslim community, accusing the party of being 'reactive' and 'not proactive'.
While the PAP has led efforts to build more mosques in Singapore, mentored youth on education and launched a local Islamic college to support the development of the religion, the WP, on the other hand, 'does not have a clear plan', said Dr Faisal.
'What they say is exciting and nice to hear, but what is their plan to uplift the Malay/Muslim community?
'They will only act when they are forced to,' he said, adding that it is Aljunied voters who must hold the WP accountable, even as the party positions itself as a check on the Government.
Midway through his speech, Dr Faisal quipped that flies on the stage were bothering him.
'A lot of flies here ah, oh gosh which area are we in? Oh yeah, Worker's Party area!'
Mr Jagathishwaran defended the role Labour MPs play as 'multi-taskers' who work with unions, employers and the Government to benefit workers.
Mr Singh had previously argued that labour PAP candidates should be given more time to focus on their NTUC roles so they can develop new ideas, rather than being elected as MPs.
'Let me assure you, our Labour MPs are not waiting around. They are multi-taskers, ground workers and changemakers,' Mr Jagathishwaran said.
Dr Ang addressed concerns about him being a new face in the opposition-held constituency. He pointed out that since being appointed as PAP's branch chairman for the Bedok Reservoir-Punggol ward in February, he has walked the ground and spoken to many residents.
He also brought up 'unacceptable' municipal issues such as dirty corridors and ageing infrastructure in Aljunied.
'We will work for Aljunied first, before making grand national promises. Let's get the fundamentals right before delivering speeches that stir emotions but ignore real issues,' he said.
Ms Chan closed the rally by highlighting WP issues that had come under scrutiny during the hustings: the party abstaining from voting on a Bill that would allow the Government to block German insurer Allianz's acquisition of a majority stake in lncome ; and Mr Singh's conviction of lying under oath to a parliamentary committee.
'Good governance is not a zero-sum game. It's about having the right people in place - honest, competent and ready to serve,' she said.
Ms Chan, who has helmed the PAP's Serangoon branch since 2014, said she has been on the ground 'week after week'.
She urged voters to hold politicians accountable for poor estate management and dishonesty.
The rally, which was hosted by Ms Tin Pei Ling, ended about an hour early, at 9pm. Ms Tin is MP-elect for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, which the PAP won in a walkover.
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