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Straits Times
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
GE2025: PAP wins Ang Mo Kio GRC with 78.95% in 3-cornered fight against SUP, PPP
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong (centre) greeting supporters at Yio Chu Kang Stadium on Polling Day. With him are his fellow Ang Mo Kio GRC candidates (from left) Darryl David, Nadia Ahmad Samdin, Jasmin Lau and Victor Lye. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI SINGAPORE - The PAP team led by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong has secured a resounding victory in Ang Mo Kio GRC, garnering 78.95 per cent of the votes against the Singapore United Party (SUP) and People's Power Party (PPP). SUP and PPP received 10.84 and 10.21 per cent of votes respectively in the polls on May 3. The PAP's result is a 7.04 percentage point increase from the last contest in 2020, when the party won with 71.91 per cent of the votes against the Reform Party's (RP) 28.09 per cent. SM Lee said in a speech to supporters at the Yio Chu Kang Stadium on May 4: 'Thank you very much for supporting me and my team and giving us your mandate again, to represent you, to work for you, to do our best for you, for Ang Mo Kio and for Singapore. 'Many things are happening in the world. We have many worries. With the PAP, we can work with you, with your trust and your full support and cooperation, we will do the best for our families, for our country and for our future. 'And in Ang Mo Kio, the Ang Mo Kio GRC will also work with our friends in Kebun Baru, in Yio Chu Kang and in Jalan Kayu SMCs, because we are one big Ang Mo Kio town family, 'And together, we will make Ang Mo Kio an even better place to live, work and play, and Singapore an even better place to call home and to be proud of for many, many more years to come. The largest of the 18 group representation constituencies with 161,499 electors, Ang Mo Kio GRC was contested by three parties for the first time since it was created in 1991. The PAP team also comprises former civil servant Jasmin Lau, 42; financial technology firm chief executive Victor Lye, 63; as well as incumbent Ang Mo Kio GRC MPs Darryl David, 54, and Nadia Ahmad Samdin, 35. SM Lee, 73, who stepped down in May 2024 after 20 years as prime minister, has represented the Teck Ghee ward in the GRC for 41 years, having been first elected to Parliament in 1984. Ms Lau is a newcomer, while Mr Lye was part of the losing PAP teams in Aljunied GRC in the last two elections. The SUP slate for Ang Mo Kio includes the party's secretary-general Andy Zhu, 42, and Ms Noraini Yunus, 56, who both contested in the GRC under the RP banner in the 2020 General Election. The other members are party chairman Ridhuan Chandran, 53, flight attendant Nigel Ng, 39, and Dr Vincent Ng, 52, who was part of the National Solidarity Party team that stood in Tampines GRC in 2020. The PPP team, which is contesting in Ang Mo Kio for the first time, is helmed by party treasurer William Lim, 47; retired civil servant Martinn Ho, 64; safety coordinator Thaddeus Thomas, 43; information technology engineer Samuel Lee, 33; and horticulturist Heng Zheng Dao, 24. Ang Mo Kio GRC was uncontested until 2006, when the PAP defeated a Workers' Party team. In the last three general elections, the PAP won by comfortable margins against the RP. Both SUP and PPP will lose their election deposits for not securing more than 12.5 per cent of the votes polled. Speaking to the media after the sample vote count was confirmed, SUP's Mr Zhu said the party is not too concerned about losing its deposit and will continue to reach out to the voters in Ang Mo Kio for the next five years. 'This is a long term battle. It's not just for today, and it will not be over after tonight,' he said. PAP WINS IN YIO CHU KANG In Yio Chu Kang, PAP's Yip Hon Weng has retained his single seat. The 48-year-old won 78.73 per cent of the votes against the People's Alliance for Reform's Dr Michael Fang, a 48-year-old health sciences lecturer at a private college. In the last election in 2020, Mr Yip, then a newcomer, secured 60.82 per cent of the vote against the Progress Singapore Party's (PSP) Ms Kayla Low, when the SMC was carved out of Ang Mo Kio GRC that year. Mr Yip, the former group chief of the Silver Generation Office under the Agency for Integrated Care, had said that if he is re-elected, he hopes to further improve the amenities and estate conditions in Yio Chu Kang, with projects like the upcoming neighbourhood renewal and home improvement programmes. He also plans to enhance Yio Chu Kang's status as Singapore's first fully dementia-friendly neighbourhood by introducing more services for seniors. Dr Fang contested as a Peoples Voice candidate in Jalan Besar GRC in 2020, along with PV founder Lim Tean, Mr Leong Sze Hian and Mr Nor Azlan Sulaiman. The PAP team led by the current Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo won with 65.36 per cent of the votes. The single-member constituency has 25,410 electors, and most residents live in Housing Board blocks, with only 7.7 per cent in landed property. The majority of residents are above 46 years old. Calling it a 'good result', Mr Yip said: 'It has shown that our hard work over the past five years has borne fruit, and I look forward to serving my residents for the next five years, improving the estate and speaking up more in Parliament on their behalf.' Chin Soo Fang is senior correspondent at The Straits Times covering topics such as community, politics, social issues, consumer, culture and heritage. Elisha Tushara is a correspondent at The Straits Times, specialising in Singapore's education landscape. More on this Topic SM Lee to helm AMK GRC team, slate gets refresh with two new candidates More on this Topic Labour chief Ng Chee Meng to contest new Jalan Kayu SMC Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Independent Singapore
30-04-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Inderjit Singh predicts cost of living, impact of GST hike, and housing affordability may influence voting patterns
SINGAPORE: Former People's Action Party (PAP) MP Inderjit Singh has suggested that the cost of living squeeze, the impact of the goods and services tax (GST) hike, and the affordability and accessibility of housing are among the issues that are top of mind for Singaporeans and may influence voting patterns when the nation goes to the polls on Saturday (May 3). Mr Singh is a former ruling party parliamentarian who served at Ang Mo Kio GRC for nearly two decades, between 1996 and 2015. He retired from active politics prior to the 2015 General Election (GE) but served as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's election agent, that year. Taking to Facebook on Tuesday (April 29), Mr Singh weighed in on the election campaign thus far and highlighted key issues that he believes are shaping voter sentiment. Noting that the campaign had reached its halfway mark and, with 'many things said and many emotions shared,' he sought to distil what he believes are the most pressing issues influencing the electorate. Foremost among these is the cost of living, which the former politician described as a 'wage growth vs. cost of living' dilemma. He raised the question as to whether the government had done enough to manage the widening gap between rising prices and stagnant incomes. He also pointed to the debate between offering short-term financial handouts and adopting long-term structural solutions. Mr Singh also raised the timing and impact of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) hike, asking if it might have worsened inflation and whether the decision was appropriately judged. He asked whether delaying the hike could have alleviated inflationary pressures, noting public unease over the two-step increase from 7 per cent to 9 per cent. The former Ang Mo Kio GRC MP questioned whether the decision to stagger the rise had 'turbocharged' inflation and probed the necessity of the tax increase, asking if alternative revenue sources were explored before raising taxes. He also raised concerns on the ground about both affordability and accessibility in housing, and whether current policies have sufficiently managed public expectations and demand. Highlighting the influence of foreign buyers on property prices, he asked whether more could have been done earlier to shield local buyers from external market pressures. The government's effectiveness in balancing housing supply and demand was also brought into question. Mr Singh said that the aborted sale of NTUC Income Insurance to German conglomerate Allianz could also be a controversial issue that matters to voters. Reflecting concerns over whether the labour movement had adequately protected Singaporeans' interests, he indicated Singaporeans are seeking more accountability and transparency and asking whether the right decisions were made at the top. Separating politics from religion or foreign interference is another issue that Mr Singh foresees may matter to voters. He flagged the potential influence of foreign actors in local politics as well as concerns that some parties' engagement with religious leaders could risk compromising Singapore's secular values and potentially sow division in Singapore's diverse, multi-religious society. The retired politician added that an issue that voters might be looking at could be how the ruling party responds to the potential consequences of losing experienced ministers in Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs). He indicated voters could be weighing whether a significant loss of ministers could affect policy continuity and stability or whether having more opposition voices to provide alternative ideas would be more beneficial. Mr Singh's list of concerns comes at a critical juncture as parties make their final appeals to voters ahead of what is expected to be a closely watched election. This is not the first time Mr Singh has discussed these issues during this campaign period. Speaking with the Yah Lah But podcast earlier this month, he had said: 'I think for the PAP in these elections, it is not just going to be 'trust me I'm going to be able to solve the housing problem and cost of living problem.' That's not going to work anymore.' He added that he feels it is 'good to have opposition in parliament coming up with ideas' but added that he felt he was 'more opposition than the opposition' when he was in Parliament at the same time as JB Jeyaretnam and Chiam See Tong. Mr Singh stood out among his colleagues when he was in Parliament. In 2013, he excused himself from the chamber when Parliament voted for the unpopular 6.9 million population white paper. He would have had to vote 'yes' together with the other PAP MPs if he was in the chamber, as the party whip wasn't removed. Shortly thereafter, the veteran politician publicly advocated that the party whip should be removed when Parliament votes on major policies. He was still a PAP MP when he made this call. Since his retirement from politics, many Singaporeans have praised Mr Singh for his outspoken and critical views on a number of issues and his bravery in speaking out against the authorities when he feels conflicted about an issue. The next two days will be the final days for campaigning before the Cooling Off Day blanket falls on May 2, preceding the election on May 3.
CNA
29-04-2025
- Business
- CNA
GE2025: PPP raises issues with the transport system, calling MOT a 'mess'
SINGAPORE: People's Power Party (PPP) candidates, speaking at their third rally on Thursday (Apr 29), took issue with a number of transport-related issues in Singapore, going as far as calling the Ministry of Transport a 'mess'. Mr William Lim, one of PPP's candidates for Ang Mo Kio GRC, claimed that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) had been 'lax on the monitoring and maintenance of all trains and buses'. He cited an instance last year when the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system had broken down for about a week. Train services on the East-West line were disrupted for six days in late September last year after a defective component dropped onto the track, causing a bogie to come off the running rail between Dover and Clementi stations. As a result, engineers had to spend days fixing the extensive damage to tracks and other equipment along the line. 'This is a wake up call for all Singaporeans,' said Mr Lim, who used to be a taxi driver and the founder of the 'Singapore Taxi Driver' Facebook group. He is now a limousine service provider. 'This is something that we are lucky no one is injured or killed,' he added. In addition, Mr Lim took aim at the three-piece Electronic Road Pricing 2.0 on-board unit (OBU) installations for cars, which is slated to be installed in about one million vehicles by 2026, saying that the units were made of 'cheap stuff' which cannot handle Singapore's heat. 'Why aren't they using military grade components? This is something unforgivable.' Mr Lim also criticised Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat for the SimplyGo saga in January last year. He noted that while the LTA had engaged more than 1,000 commuters to gauge their readiness to switch to SimplyGo between 2020 and 2023, Singaporeans were still unhappy. The LTA had eventually U-turned on its decision to phase out the old ticketing system in favour of SimplyGo after commuters complained about a number of missing features in the new system. Mr Lim was the first of PPP's nine candidates to speak at the party's third rally at Yio Chu Kang stadium ahead of the 2025 General Election. Mr Vere Nathan, the PPP new face who was the only one not to give a speech on Tuesday, was the emcee for that evening. The rally began about 45 minutes later than intended due to wet weather. Mr Thaddeus Thomas, who is Mr Lim's running mate for Ang Mo Kio GRC, also spoke about transport-related matters during his speech, specifically the cost of certificates of entitlement (COEs). Mr Thomas said that the 100,000 or so Malaysian motorists who enter Singapore on their motorcycles daily pay S$4 a day for their vehicle entry permit, which he called a 'substitute to the COE' for Malaysians. 'My question is: Why can't Singaporeans also pay COE for the motorcycles in smaller installments?' said Mr Thomas, who works in the construction sector as a health, safety and environment personnel. 'Like the Malaysians, there are only (about) 144,000 Singapore registered motorbikes, of which all of them are not on the road on a daily basis. This will remove the burden of service on a bigger loan with interest, over seven years.' The longest period for a loan repayment of a vehicle is seven years. Mr Thomas also spoke about the need to improve Singapore's education system, saying that PPP would expand the capacity of courses available in tertiary education. 'PPP will ensure that all students are secured a course according to their own choice and academic performances, without being limited by course availability. 'We are not choosing lunch here. This is their future, this is Singapore's future,' he said. THE 'REAL' GOH MENG SENG To wrap up the rally, the evening's last speaker, PPP chief Goh Meng Seng, began his speech by saying that he had not 'formally introduced' himself and that he wished to do so in light of a 'smearing campaign' towards him on social media. Following the party's first rally last Thursday, viral videos have circulated of Mr Goh saying 'Don't ask me about Pritam Singh again. I'm not interested in him. I'm not gay.' Mr Goh had said this line after expressing unhappiness with Workers' Party chief Pritam Singh's decision on a number of political matters. This time around, as he sought to clear the air about his political views and track record over the years, he told the audience: 'I'm a straightforward guy. I'm straight, I'm straight, remember I'm straight.' Mr Goh said he was someone who 'believes dearly in defending and protecting' his countrymen's rights and interests. 'Regardless of who makes mistakes that compromise Singaporean interests and well being, I will speak up. I will not just keep quiet,' he said. As an example, Mr Goh said that he had stood up against the government when it announced plans in 2005 to build Singapore's two integrated resorts, claiming that he had held a forum to illustrate how casinos 'ruin the lives of people' while he was still a member of the Workers' Party. 'These are the social problems that nobody wants to talk about,' he said. 'It is the government's job to provide such data and to tell us what's the damage of these casinos.' Towards the end of the night, Mr Goh also criticised the PAP's distribution of Goods and Services Tax (GST) vouchers to Singaporeans, saying that it is turning the country into a 'nation of beggars'. 'Of course Singaporeans like it, but it is not the value that we should have as a nation. We have built this nation with hardworking people that don't expect a free lunch. 'But you are turning the whole culture, the mindset, into a nation that expects GST vouchers every year. That is what they are teaching our children.' Mr Goh said that it is not easy to state this opinion as it would cause people to 'boo' him. 'But I'm telling everyone this is not right. This is not fiscal discipline. 'You do not overtax people and return money to them, and expect them to be calling you God.'
AsiaOne
28-04-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
GE2025: 6 rallies and live Mandarin roundtable on April 29 , Singapore News
Six rallies and a live television roundtable will be held on Tuesday (April 29). The parties involved in the rallies are the People's Action Party (PAP), Workers' Party (WP), Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), Red Dot United (RDU) and People's Power Party (PPP). PAP will stage a rally for Nee Soon GRC at Yishun Stadium while PPP will hold its rally for Ang Mo Kio GRC at Yio Chu Kang Stadium. RDU's rally will take place at the School of Science and Technology for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, while WP's rally will be held at Bedok Stadium for East Coast GRC. SDP will be holding two rallies, one at lunchtime at the promenade area beside UOB Plaza for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, and another at Beacon Primary School for Bukit Panjang SMC. Additionally, a live roundtable hosted by Mediacorp will air from 9pm to 10pm. The participating parties will be PAP, WP, RDU, People's Alliance for Reform (PAR) and Progress Singapore Party (PSP). The hour-long Mandarin programme Singapore Votes 2025: The Political Forum will air on Mewatch and Melisten. It will also be available on Channel 8, Capital 958 and 8world. Police advisory Police said rally attendees are encouraged to take public transport as large crowds are expected at the rallies. They should also prepare for traffic diversions, lane closures and slower traffic. The pick-up and drop-off points for ride-hailing services may be affected as a result. Carparks in the vicinity of the rally sites are restricted to season-parking holders only. Vehicles found illegally parked or causing obstruction may be towed away. Security checks may also be conducted in and around the election meeting sites. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore will prohibit the flying of unmanned aircraft and conduct of other aerial activities, such as kite-flying and hoisting of captive balloons, over all rally sites from 6pm to 11pm. The police also banned the following list of items at the rallies: Firearms/ Firearms/parts of firearms, including empty magazines and spent cartridges Live bullets or blanks Air pistol/rifle or parts Spear gun Explosive/blasting cap/dynamite/corrosive substance Fireworks/firecrackers Parang/machete Bearing scrappers Walking stick with dagger Antique pistol/gun Stun gun Baton/t-baton Night stick Signal flare and other flammable materials Handcuff Tear-gas spray/pepper spray Nanchaku Knuckle duster Crossbow Industrial acid Bulletproof vest Keychain in the shape of a bullet or gun Wooden/metal spear Lighter in gun, pistol, bullet, grenade shape Toy gun which resembles an actual gun Kirpan Any sharp or long objects, such as knives, that can be used as a weapon Glass bottles Laser pointers Unmanned aircraft Canned items including canned drinks For our GE2025 microsite, visit here.
CNA
27-04-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Deep Dive GE2025 Podcast: PAP's Jasmin Lau on saying 'yes' to politics but staying true to herself
PAP new face Jasmin Lau, who is contesting in Ang Mo Kio GRC, went from government scholar to rising up the ranks in the civil service. She tells Otelli Edwards on this special series of the Deep Dive podcast how she copes with self-doubt and why she said yes to joining politics. Here is an excerpt from the conversation: Otelli Edwards, host: So just going back to that big decision to be in the public eye, to potentially be an office holder. Firstly, you said that you are an introvert and that it takes quite a bit out of you, for instance, to meet and greet (people) and to really open yourself up. But you have to in this position. As a matter of fact, you rejected the (PAP) a few times. Jasmin Lau, PAP candidate for Ang Mo Kio GRC: Yeah ... now people know I rejected (them) so many times. Otelli: So what was it that made you say: 'Okay yes, I'm just going to go ahead with it, although I have to make a lot of sacrifices.' Jasmin: This word about sacrifice is used very often by candidates from every party. Everybody says it's some sacrifice. Actually it's not that we as political candidates are making a much bigger sacrifice than other people. There are many others out there who make sacrifices in their life to do (their) jobs. Some do multiple jobs and they sacrifice the time away from the kids too. So I feel bad and guilty using that word because no matter what, we are still fortunate and comfortable. We live in relatively sheltered lives, even though now it's public, but there are many others who have real unseen sacrifices. So while you may frame it as a sacrifice, to me I see as this as a responsibility. If we have been blessed with either (the) skills, experience, intelligence, and you are asked to go and do something, it's responsibility and not so much of a sacrifice.
