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Business Times
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Times
GE2025: SDP's Paul Tambyah calls on Chan Chun Sing to reassure voters they can vote ‘without fear of retribution'
[SINGAPORE] Education Minister Chan Chun Sing should step forward to reassure Singaporeans that they can 'vote freely without fear of retribution', Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chairman Paul Tambyah said on Tuesday (Apr 29). 'I would call on Mr Chan Chun Sing… to make a strong statement reassuring Singaporeans they can vote freely without fear of retribution, no matter whether they work in the civil service, the military, the police or any other government organisation,' said Dr Tambyah at an election rally. In addition to his education portfolio, Chan also serves as Minister-in-charge of the Public Service. Dr Tambyah cited a Straits Times article published on Monday, in which a 21-year-old law student – who attended an SDP rally the day before – declined to reveal her name after her father, an employee at a government-linked corporation, advised against it. Such fears could be 'generational', Dr Tambyah said in his 12-minute address, noting that the student's father 'may have grown up in the era of Operation Coldstore or Operation Spectrum, when the 3 am knock on the door was a reality for critics of the PAP'. 'It is disturbing that today, many young people still share the same fear,' he added. 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 Dr Tambyah was speaking at a lunchtime rally at UOB Plaza's promenade, an event traditionally known as the Fullerton rally. He was the seventh of eight SDP speakers, with party chief Chee Soon Juan delivering the final speech. In his 23-minute speech, Dr Chee criticised several incidents that occurred under the government's watch. Said Dr Chee: 'I'm going to list out a list of PAP scandals and screw-ups only because our PAP ministers keep running the propaganda that they are exceptional, and that they don't need an opposition to hold them accountable.' He cited Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong's handling of former Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin affairs; the use of TraceTogether data for police investigations; the Ridout Road controversy; and the six-day MRT breakdown on the East West Line, as some examples. 'My message is not that the PAP (or) this government is 100 per cent bad or that it's 100 per cent good,' Dr Chee said. 'What I want to get across to you, is that the PAP is most certainly not the exceptional party that it says that it is. And if you're not exceptional, then be humble.' Tuesday's event was the second lunchtime rally of this year's General Election (GE), following the People's Action Party's (PAP) rally at the same venue on Monday. The SDP is the only opposition party to have held a lunchtime rally since 1997, when the Workers' Party last did so; the last time the SDP held such a rally in the Central Business District was during GE2015. Dr Tambyah is contesting Bukit Panjang SMC, where he faces a rematch against the PAP's Liang Eng Hwa, who narrowly defeated him five years ago with 53.73 per cent of the vote – the closest margin among all the single-ward contests that year. Fear tactics At the rally, other SDP candidates spoke about the ruling party's 'fear tactics', urging voters not to let 'fear guide (their) decisions'. 'As we turn into the final days of the campaign, you will hear the PAP turn up the fear rhetoric,' said James Gomez, a candidate for Sembawang GRC. 'When you vote for a stronger opposition, you are not hurting Singapore – you are only threatening the PAP's desire for total control,' he added. First-time candidate Ariffin Sha, standing in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, also urged voters to reject what he described as the 'policy of fear'. 'Do not let the PAP's fear tactics sway you in any way,' he said. 'You are not shortchanging yourself by voting for an SDP MP in Parliament – the government's programmes will still go on your estate.' Other speakers at Tuesday's lunchtime rally included Jufri Salim, contesting Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, as well as Alfred Tan, Damanhuri Abas, and Bryan Lim, who are all part of the Sembawang GRC slate.
Business Times
28-04-2025
- Business
- Business Times
GE2025: PM Wong warns at Fullerton Rally that losing three, four ministers would weaken government and Singapore
[SINGAPORE] Losing three or four ministers would weaken both the government and the country, at an already challenging time, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Monday (Apr 28). A vote for the opposition is not a 'free vote for more alternative voices', but a vote to weaken the People's Action Party (PAP) team, he said at the party's lunchtime rally in the Central Business District. The event, traditionally known as the Fullerton rally – despite now being held at the UOB Plaza promenade – is a highlight of the midpoint of the campaign. Taking the stage after eight other speakers, PM Wong said that the PAP has walked with Singaporeans through crises and triumphs. Now, the country is at a new crossroads, with businesses pulling back, markets becoming volatile, and investors becoming more cautious. 'This is not a passing storm,' he warned. While it is unclear how long this will last, one thing is certain, he added: 'This storm will test us, and if we are not careful, we could lose everything that we have worked so hard to build here in Singapore.' 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 PM Wong charged that the opposition has not spoken seriously about the challenges ahead, saying: 'To them, this is the PAP's burden to carry.' Noting that the opposition is focusing on winning seats and seeking breakthroughs across the island, he reiterated that this will be a 'tough' election. If opposition parties win several Group Representation Constituencies, then even if the PAP is returned to government, 'it would be with a severely weakened mandate'. Losing three to four ministers will weaken the Cabinet team, the government, and Singapore, he said. He highlighted key team members such as Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, who leads the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce and oversees trade talks with the US. The global order is changing, with big countries no longer hesitating to use coercion, said PM Wong. Foreign counterparts will assess the GE results and look to press every advantage they have. 'With a weakened mandate, you can be sure there will be people tempted to push us around,' he said. But with a clear mandate, 'my team and I can speak up for Singapore confidently'. This general election (GE) is not just about forming today's government, but building tomorrow's leadership, he added. He reiterated that the PAP has fielded the largest number of new candidates in recent history, with seven of them also speaking at Monday's rally. Some newcomers will 'immediately strengthen' the PAP's team, and will be future leaders. Yet, experienced ministers in hot seats this election 'cannot be immediately replaced'. Voting for the opposition will weaken 'the team that is truly working for you', he said. 'It will weaken me and my team, and it will do so at a time when I have just taken over… when our country is facing real and serious challenges.' Costs and wages PM Wong also addressed opposition views on economic issues. Although the opposition has blamed the goods and services tax hike for cost pressures, Singapore's inflation is largely imported, due to supply chain disruptions and global conflict, said PM Wong. The permanent GST voucher scheme means that, in effect, lower and middle-income households pay less than the headline 9 per cent rate, he noted. Only three groups pay the full rate, he added: foreigners, tourists and higher-income families. If the GST hike had been delayed – as opposition parties proposed – then public finances would be weaker, and there would be a 'funding gap' as Singapore enters an economic storm. As for the minimum wage championed by opposition parties, PM Wong said that the PAP uplifts lower-wage workers through efforts such as the Progressive Wage Model. Noting one opposition proposal of a monthly minimum wage of S$2,250, PM Wong said this would mean higher costs for companies, which would in turn raise prices for consumers. Companies may even cut back on hiring lower-wage workers, which could mean more unemployment. He urged voters to think about whether opposition proposals would have negative outcomes, saying: 'There is no such thing as a free lunch.' Amid economic turbulence ahead, one bright spot is that Asia continues to see growth, said PM Wong. Many multinational companies want to reconfigure their supply chains with a trusted base in the region – and to tap this, Singapore 'must keep our business and political environments stable'. There may also be a need for a 'major restructuring' of the economy, which will have to be carefully managed, he added. PM Wong assured new graduates that the PAP will help them find jobs. Those in the workforce will receive a 'fresh and substantial injection of skills' to secure better opportunities, and for those who are retrenched, the PAP will 'be there to catch you and help you bounce back'. For more election coverage, visit our GE2025 microsite
Business Times
28-04-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Singapore election 2025: Losing three, four ministers would weaken both the government and Singapore, says PM Wong at the Fullerton rally
[SINGAPORE] Losing three or four ministers would weaken both the government and the country, at an already challenging time, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Monday (Apr 28). A vote for the opposition is not a 'free vote for more alternative voices', but a vote to weaken the People's Action Party (PAP) team, he said at the party's lunchtime rally in the Central Business District. The event, traditionally known as the Fullerton rally – despite now being held at the UOB Plaza promenade – is a highlight of the midpoint of the campaign. Taking the stage after eight other speakers, PM Wong said that the PAP has walked with Singaporeans through crises and triumphs. Now, the country is at a new crossroads, with businesses pulling back, markets becoming volatile, and investors becoming more cautious. 'This is not a passing storm,' he warned. While it is unclear how long this will last, one thing is certain, he added: 'This storm will test us, and if we are not careful, we could lose everything that we have worked so hard to build here in Singapore.' 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 PM Wong charged that the opposition has not spoken seriously about the challenges ahead, saying: 'To them, this is the PAP's burden to carry.' Noting that the opposition is focusing on winning seats and seeking breakthroughs across the island, he reiterated that this will be a 'tough' election. If opposition parties win several Group Representation Constituencies, then even if the PAP is returned to government, 'it would be with a severely weakened mandate'. Losing three to four ministers will weaken the Cabinet team, the government, and Singapore, he said. He highlighted key team members such as Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, who leads the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce and oversees trade talks with the US. The global order is changing, with big countries no longer hesitating to use coercion, said PM Wong. Foreign counterparts will assess the GE results and look to press every advantage they have. 'With a weakened mandate, you can be sure there will be people tempted to push us around,' he said. But with a clear mandate, 'my team and I can speak up for Singapore confidently'. This general election (GE) is not just about forming today's government, but building tomorrow's leadership, he added. He reiterated that the PAP has fielded the largest number of new candidates in recent history, with seven of them also speaking at Monday's rally. Some newcomers will 'immediately strengthen' the PAP's team, and will be future leaders. Yet, experienced ministers in hot seats this election 'cannot be immediately replaced'. Voting for the opposition will weaken 'the team that is truly working for you', he said. 'It will weaken me and my team, and it will do so at a time when I have just taken over… when our country is facing real and serious challenges.' Costs and wages PM Wong also addressed opposition views on economic issues. Although the opposition has blamed the goods and services tax hike for cost pressures, Singapore's inflation is largely imported, due to supply chain disruptions and global conflict, said PM Wong. The permanent GST voucher scheme means that, in effect, lower and middle-income households pay less than the headline 9 per cent rate, he noted. Only three groups pay the full rate, he added: foreigners, tourists and higher-income families. If the GST hike had been delayed – as opposition parties proposed – then public finances would be weaker, and there would be a 'funding gap' as Singapore enters an economic storm. As for the minimum wage championed by opposition parties, PM Wong said that the PAP uplifts lower-wage workers through efforts such as the Progressive Wage Model. Noting one opposition proposal of a monthly minimum wage of S$2,250, PM Wong said this would mean higher costs for companies, which would in turn raise prices for consumers. Companies may even cut back on hiring lower-wage workers, which could mean more unemployment. He urged voters to think about whether opposition proposals would have negative outcomes, saying: 'There is no such thing as a free lunch.' Amid economic turbulence ahead, one bright spot is that Asia continues to see growth, said PM Wong. Many multinational companies want to reconfigure their supply chains with a trusted base in the region – and to tap this, Singapore 'must keep our business and political environments stable'. There may also be a need for a 'major restructuring' of the economy, which will have to be carefully managed, he added. PM Wong assured new graduates that the PAP will help them find jobs. Those in the workforce will receive a 'fresh and substantial injection of skills' to secure better opportunities, and for those who are retrenched, the PAP will 'be there to catch you and help you bounce back'. For more election coverage, visit our GE2025 microsite
Business Times
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Times
GE2025: What is the Fullerton rally?
[SINGAPORE] A lunchtime election rally will be held on Apr 28 for the 2025 General Election, the first to take place at UOB Plaza's promenade in 10 years. The rally, which in the past has attracted thousands of white-collared workers, is known as the Fullerton rally because of its venue close to Fullerton Square, where Singapore's founding prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, gave many election campaign speeches from the 1950s to the 1980s. This year's lunchtime rally, from noon to 3 pm, will see Prime Minister Lawrence Wong taking this stage to address the crowd for the first time in his new role, along with other PAP candidates. When and where did the first lunchtime rally happen? Lee held the first rally in 1959 at Fullerton Square, near the old General Post Office, when the Republic became a self-governing state. He used the platform to reach out to the English-educated office crowd and thus bypass the media, which he thought portrayed the PAP then as 'extremists'. The PAP's lunchtime rally at Fullerton Square in 1959. PHOTO: ST FILE From the 1950s to the 1980s, the rally was a fixture that attracted a large lunchtime crowd, with people huddled together, shoulder to shoulder, to hear Lee speak. The Straits Times' archives show that rallies such as this drew large crowds in the past, as the only way for voters to hear and see the candidates in person. 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 In 1980, despite a drizzle, a crowd gathered to hear Lee speak on the hot topic of succession. On that occasion, he endorsed the second-generation leaders and urged citizens to help him test them. Lee Kuan Yew speaking at the PAP's rally at Fullerton Square on Dec 19, 1980. PHOTO: ST FILE Since 1996, the Fullerton rally has been held at the UOB Plaza promenade in Boat Quay, a short walk from its original location. Has the lunchtime rally been missed or postponed before? In 1984, Fullerton Square was nearly abandoned as a rally site as many more buildings had sprung up around it, reducing the standing space. But attempts to find an alternative site were unsuccessful. It was retained as a rally site just days before the election in December 1984. Lee Hsien Loong speaking at the PAP's rally at Fullerton Square during his first election in 1984. PHOTO: LEE HSIEN LOONG/FACEBOOK The first time the rally was skipped was in 1991, when Fullerton Square was not on the list of approved rally sites by the police. The area had been landscaped, with a small park and circular road replacing the old carpark rally site. The rally was also halted in October 2001, due to security concerns following the Sep 11 terrorist attacks in the United States that year. Most recently, the Covid-19 pandemic put paid to in-person rallies, with then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong holding a virtual lunchtime rally instead in 2020. When was the last lunchtime rally held? The last Fullerton rally was held in 2015, five years before the pandemic curtailed all in-person campaign events. It turned out to be the last as prime minister for Lee, who is now Senior Minister, after having served as PM from 2004 to 2024. Then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong greeting supporters at the PAP's lunchtime rally in Boat Quay on Sep 8, 2015. PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN FILE Does the rally happen only during a general election? Who is allowed to speak at the rally? Yes, it is only held every four or five years, during campaigning for the election. The site has seen some of the biggest election rallies over the decades, held by both the PAP and opposition parties on different days. This includes the 1997 General Election, when the focus was on Cheng San GRC, which was contested by the PAP and WP. The WP slate included new candidate Tang Liang Hong, a man the PAP labelled a 'dangerous Chinese chauvinist'. In an unexpected turn of events, then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said at the Fullerton rally that he was so determined to stop Tang from stepping into Parliament that he was personally entering the battle for Cheng San GRC. THE STRAITS TIMES For more election coverage, visit our GE2025 microsite
