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Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
GE2025: A vote for WP is a vote for the future, say its candidates
Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE – A vote for the WP will not just determine the results of this election, but will also shape the future of Singapore, party candidates said on May 1 as they made a final plea to voters. 'Let us build on what we have achieved in Aljunied, Hougang and Sengkang and take the next step to send a clear message from Punggol, Tampines, East Coast, Jalan Kayu and Tampines Changkat, that Singapore wants a Parliament that listens and a rational, responsible and credible opposition,' said WP's Aljunied GRC candidate Gerald Giam. Party chair Sylvia Lim, who is also on the Aljunied slate, said: 'You may only have one vote, but together, our votes can chart the future.' At the party's last rally at Anderson Serangoon Junior College, candidates spoke about the party's achievements in Parliament and at town councils. WP MPs have 'punched above (their) weight', asking more than 2,300 parliamentary questions and bringing up issues including leaked NRIC numbers on the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority's digital service portal and the Income-Allianz deal that was eventually aborted, said Mr Giam. The party's town councils are also directly managed and on solid financial footing, he added. Now, the party was ready to do more, he said, calling on voters to vote for the WP for a more balanced Parliament and to chart a better course for Singapore. Several candidates spoke about how the PAP has lost its way. Mr Michael Thng, a WP candidate for Tampines GRC, referred to the authorities spending $400,000 to consult an external agency to rebrand Marina Bay, only to end up reusing its original name. This was in 2004. He also cited the $40 million budget to support the continued use of older ez-link cards after the Land Transport Authority shelved its plans for SimplyGo. He likened the PAP to a multinational company that was once at the top of its game but has now 'stopped imagining boldly, and has started protecting what (it) has'. 'They are not able to deal with the challenges that lie ahead, or creative enough to find new ways to solve them. This is not the PAP of big, bold, forward-looking ideas,' he said. Aljunied GRC candidate Kenneth Tiong, meanwhile, criticised the Government's willingness to sell 'strategic national assets built over decades' to foreign players, pointing to this as a reason Singapore has not produced what he called domestic growth engines. This mentality was apparent in the sale of Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing in 2009 and shipping company Neptune Orient Lines in 2016, and the attempted sale – later stopped by an Act of Parliament – of Income Insurance to German insurer Allianz in 2024. Associate Professor Jamus Lim, an incumbent WP MP for Sengkang GRC, said it was the WP's 'longstanding' ideas adopted by the Government that have made Singaporean lives better – among others, better financial support for unemployed workers, higher pay for national servicemen and better protection for scam victims. 'Without an opposition presence in Parliament, far fewer inconvenient questions would have been asked, and mistakes made by the Government would not have been held to account in the same way,' he said. The candidates also took the chance to address voters' concerns about voting for the opposition, with some like Tampines GRC candidate Faisal Manap arguing that voting for the WP would result in more parties serving residents. In Aljunied GRC, residents now have the WP serving them, in addition to the PAP continuing to labour in the wards to win back votes and the People's Association organising events during festivities. WP-held wards have already enjoyed this windfall, such as double celebrations on occasions like Christmas, Chinese New Year and Deepavali, Mr Faisal said. Mr Giam, who has contested four general elections, meanwhile assured voters that their vote is secret. He said he had followed the entire voting process until the incineration of the ballot papers, and guaranteed that safeguards are in place. His fellow Aljunied GRC candidate Fadli Fawzi added: 'Last election, almost one million Singaporeans courageously voted against the PAP in hopes of seeing genuine change. Do you think the Government can monitor everyone in times of global uncertainty?' Urging voters to give their vote to the WP on May 3, Ms Lim said: 'Let's make a promise that come Saturday, we will vote not out of fear but with conviction and hope for the future that we deserve, that years from now, we can proudly say that we stood up and worked for Singapore as we passed the baton to the next generation.' Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
The Star
02-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Singapore GE2025: A vote for WP is a vote for the future, say its candidates
SINGAPORE: A vote for the WP will not just determine the results of this election, but will also shape the future of Singapore, party candidates said on Thursday (May 1) as they made a final plea to voters. 'Let us build on what we have achieved in Aljunied, Hougang and Sengkang and take the next step to send a clear message from Punggol, Tampines, East Coast, Jalan Kayu and Tampines Changkat, that Singapore wants a Parliament that listens and a rational, responsible and credible opposition,' said WP's Aljunied GRC candidate Gerald Giam. Party chair Sylvia Lim, who is also on the Aljunied slate, said: 'You may only have one vote, but together, our votes can chart the future.' At the party's last rally at Anderson Serangoon Junior College, candidates spoke about the party's achievements in Parliament and at town councils. WP MPs have 'punched above (their) weight', asking more than 2,300 parliamentary questions and bringing up issues including leaked NRIC numbers on the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority's digital service portal and the Income-Allianz deal that was eventually aborted, said Giam. The party's town councils are also directly managed and on solid financial footing, he added. Now, the party was ready to do more, he said, calling on voters to vote for the WP for a more balanced Parliament and to chart a better course for Singapore. Several candidates spoke about how the PAP has lost its way. Michael Thng, a WP candidate for Tampines GRC, referred to the authorities spendings S$400,000 to consult an external agency to rebrand Marina Bay, only to end up reusing its original name. This was in 2004. He also cited the $40 million budget to support the continued use of older ez-link cards after the Land Transport Authority shelved its plans for SimplyGo. He likened the PAP to a multinational company that was once at the top of its game but has now 'stopped imagining boldly, and has started protecting what (it) has'. 'They are not able to deal with the challenges that lie ahead, or creative enough to find new ways to solve them. This is not the PAP of big, bold, forward-looking ideas,' he said. Aljunied GRC candidate Kenneth Tiong, meanwhile, criticised the Government's willingness to sell 'strategic national assets built over decades' to foreign players, pointing to this as a reason Singapore has not produced what he called domestic growth engines. This mentality was apparent in the sale of Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing in 2009 and shipping company Neptune Orient Lines in 2016, and the attempted sale – later stopped by an Act of Parliament – of Income Insurance to German insurer Allianz in 2024. Associate Professor Jamus Lim, an incumbent WP MP for Sengkang GRC, said it was the WP's 'longstanding' ideas adopted by the Government that have made Singaporean lives better – among others, better financial support for unemployed workers, higher pay for national servicemen and better protection for scam victims. 'Without an opposition presence in Parliament, far fewer inconvenient questions would have been asked, and mistakes made by the Government would not have been held to account in the same way,' he said. The candidates also took the chance to address voters' concerns about voting for the opposition, with some like Tampines GRC candidate Faisal Manap arguing that voting for the WP would result in more parties serving residents. In Aljunied GRC, residents now have the WP serving them, in addition to the PAP continuing to labour in the wards to win back votes and the People's Association organising events during festivities. WP-held wards have already enjoyed this windfall, such as double celebrations on occasions like Christmas, Chinese New Year and Deepavali, Faisal said. Giam, who has contested four general elections, meanwhile assured voters that their vote is secret. He said he had followed the entire voting process until the incineration of the ballot papers, and guaranteed that safeguards are in place. His fellow Aljunied GRC candidate Fadli Fawzi added: 'Last election, almost one million Singaporeans courageously voted against the PAP in hopes of seeing genuine change. Do you think the Government can monitor everyone in times of global uncertainty?' Urging voters to give their vote to the WP on May 3, Lim said: 'Let's make a promise that come Saturday, we will vote not out of fear but with conviction and hope for the future that we deserve, that years from now, we can proudly say that we stood up and worked for Singapore as we passed the baton to the next generation.' - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
A vote for WP is a vote for the future, say its candidates
WP candidates onstage at the party's last rally at Anderson Serangoon Junior College on May 1. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG A vote for WP is a vote for the future, say its candidates Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE – A vote for the WP will not just determine the results of this election, but will also shape the future of Singapore, party candidates said on May 1, as they made a final plea to voters. 'Let us build on what we have achieved in Aljuned, Hougang and Sengkang and take the next step to send a clear message from Punggol, Tampines, East Coast, Jalan Kayu and Tampines Changkat, that Singapore wants a Parliament that listens and a rational, responsible and credible opposition,' said Aljunied GRC candidate Gerald Giam. 'You may only have one vote, but together, our votes can chart the future,' said party chair Sylvia Lim, who is also on the Aljunied slate. At the party's last rally at Anderson Serangoon Junior College, candidates spoke about the party's achievements in Parliament and at town councils. WP MPs have 'punched above (their) weight', asking more than 2,300 parliamentary questions in Parliament and bringing up issues including leaked NRIC numbers on the Acra website and the Income- Allianz deal that was eventually aborted, said Mr Giam. The party's town councils are also directly managed and on solid financial footing, he added. Now, the party was ready to do more, he said, calling on voters to vote the WP for a more balanced Parliament and to chart a better course for Singapore. Several candidates spoke about how the PAP has lost its way. Mr Michael Thng, the WP candidate for Tampines, referred to the authorities spending $400,000 to consult an external agency to rebrand Marina Bay only to end up reusing its original name. This was in 2004. He also cited the $40 million budget to support the continued use of older ez-link cards after the Land Transport Authority shelved its plans for SimplyGo. He likened the PAP to a multinational company that was once at the top of its game but has now 'stopped imagining boldly, and has started protecting what (it) has'. 'They are not able to deal with the challenges that lie ahead, or creative enough to find new ways to solve them. This is not the PAP of big, bold, forward-looking ideas,' he said. Aljunied GRC candidate Kenneth Tiong, meanwhile, criticised the Government's willingness to sell out 'strategic national assets built over decades' to foreign players, putting this down as a reason Singapore has not produced what he called domestic growth engines. This mentality was apparent in the sales of Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing in 2009, shipping company Neptune Orient Lines in 2016, and the attempt – later stopped by an act of Parliament – of Income Allianz in 2024. WP incumbent MP for Sengkang GRC Jamus Lim said it was WP's 'longstanding' ideas adopted by the Government that have made Singaporean lives better: among others, better financial support for unemployed workers, higher pay for National Servicemen and better protection for scam victims. 'Without an opposition presence in Parliament, far fewer inconvenient questions would have been asked, and mistakes made by the Government would not have been held to account in the same way,' he said. The candidates also took the chance to address voters' concerns about voting for the opposition, with some like Tampines GRC candidate Faisal Manap arguing that voting for WP would result in more parties serving residents. In Aljunied, residents now have the WP serving them, in addition to the PAP continuing to labour in their wards to win back their votes and the People's Association organising events during festivities. WP-held wards have already enjoyed this windfall, such as double celebrations on occasions like Christmas, Chinese New Year and Deepavali, he said. Mr Giam, who has contested four general elections, meanwhile, assured voters that their vote is secret. He said he had followed the entire voting process until the incineration of the ballot papers and guaranteed that safeguards are in place. His fellow Aljunied GRC candidate Fadli Fawzi added: 'Last election, almost one million Singaporeans courageously voted against the PAP in hopes of seeing genuine change. Do you think the Government can monitor everyone in times of global uncertainty?' Urging voters to give their vote to the WP on Saturday, Ms Lim said: 'Let's make a promise that come Saturday, we will vote not out of fear but with conviction and hope for the future that we deserve, that years from now, we can proudly say, that we stood up and worked for Singapore as we passed the baton to the next generation.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
AsiaOne
26-04-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
Focus on 'real bread-and-butter issues': SM Teo tells WP not to 'inflame emotions' over Israel-Palestine conflict, Singapore News
In what seemed to be a pointed reminder to the Workers' Party, Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean said on Saturday (April 26) that the focus of this General Election (GE) should be on "real bread-and-butter" issues, as he warned against "inadvertently [inflaming] emotions among Singaporeans" over the Israel-Palestine conflict. During his speech at the People's Action Party (PAP) rally for Punggol GRC at Yusof Ishak Secondary School, Teo reiterated the Government's condemnation of the illegal use of force against innocent civilians, as well as its support for a two-state solution. "I have explained quietly and behind closed doors the issues involved to many Singaporean groups, including Malay-Muslim groups, and Singapore's principled stand on this, so that there is more understanding and we do not create friction and conflict among ourselves," he said. Teo's remarks appear to be in response to Workers' Party (WP) Punggol GRC candidate Siti Alia Abdul Rahim Mattar's rally speech on Friday. The 43-year-old WP new face had referenced concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, and brought up the Education Ministry's amended lessons on the Israel-Palestine conflict to make a point about the need for healthy discourse. "I put forward this example to show how much it means to the average Singaporean to have their voices heard. After all, the elected officials are elected in order to be the voice of Singaporeans," said the lawyer in a WP rally on Friday. Her speech had triggered online debate among netizens, with some questioning if the topic should be raised during a GE rally. In his speech on Saturday, Teo noted that WP's Gerald Giam, the incumbent Aljunied GRC MP, had previously served at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Giam had also accompanied Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on a working visit to the Middle East, where they had met with Palestinian, Israeli and other leaders. "He should therefore understand the situation and that there are no magic solutions for this long-standing problem that can suddenly resolve this conflict," said Teo in the rally, to cheers from spectators. "I hope Mr Gerald Giam will also take the time to explain this to his own colleagues, so that in the heat of this General Election, we do not inadvertently inflame emotions among Singaporeans. "And so that we can focus on the real issues… the real bread-and-butter issues and the needs of Singaporeans," he added. Speaking out against foreign interference on politics The conflict was also brought up through social media posts made by Noor Deros, a Singaporean Islamic religious teacher based in Malaysia, who claimed that he had met several Malay WP candidates and urged them to take a strong stance against Israel and recognise the state of Palestine. Several PAP candidates have spoken about against foreign interference in the election, including Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who called on all parties to categorically reject these endorsements. The WP said in a statement on Saturday that there were "no promises, commitments or agreements made to any individual, including Noor Deros, in exchange for political support" for its candidates. In his speech on Saturday, Teo also stated that just as Singapore would not want foreigners to interfere in its politics, "similarly, we must also be very careful not to import the attitudes and the quarrels of elsewhere" and "let these divide our society". He noted that this doing so "will lead us backwards and destroy the harmony we have all taken 60 years to build together". 'I will bring another 24 years of experience': Gan Teo, who helmed the former Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC from 2001 to 2025, had announced his retirement from politics on Nomination Day (April 23). Instead, the PAP's team contesting Punggol GRC, which comprises some estates carved out from the Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, will be led by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong — after his surprise switch from Chua Chu Kang GRC. Also in the team are Senior Minister of State for Health and Digital Development and Information Janil Puthucheary, Minister of State for Social and Family Development and Home Affairs Sun Xueling, and Yeo Wan Ling. They will be facing a WP team made up entirely of political newcomers — Siti Alia, Harpreet Singh, Alexis Dang and Jackson Au. Teo praised Gan's extensive political experience and said he will be a good fit for Punggol. "Look at the beautiful Punggol, it's such a wonderful place," he said. "And now, we have DPM Gan to lead our team to make it even better." Speaking last at the rally, Gan called himself "a newbie" to Punggol, but made reference to his extensive experience. "Janil, Xue Ling and Wan Ling have among them almost 30 years of experience in running a town council. And I will bring another 24 years of experience." While Gan noted that Punggol has become "a shining model of Singapore's heartland" due to developments such as the Punggol Digital District and Punggol Waterway, he acknowledged that improvements to the area are needed. These include additional covered linkways, more green spaces, and improved connectivity for residents "I will talk to my good friend, Minister of Finance and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, to see whether we can get more money to build some of this necessary infrastructure for our residents," said Gan. [[nid:717171]] chingshijie@
New Paper
25-04-2025
- Politics
- New Paper
GE2025: WP candidates warn against monopoly, call for competition and diversity at Sengkang rally
The importance of political competition and diversity of thought was a theme running through the WP's first rally in a decade on April 24. Four-time election veteran Gerald Giam stressed that political competition is good because it means that all parties will raise their game. Pointing out how the end of Singtel's monopoly over mobile services resulted in lower prices, the incumbent Aljunied GRC MP said: "That's how we keep improving Singapore, not by keeping the status quo, but by making space for better ideas and greater accountability. "This all leads to better outcomes for you and your families," added the 47-year-old co-founder of a tech start-up, whose seniority was acknowledged with the crowd's cries of "lao jiao" ("old bird" in Hokkien). Four-time election veteran Gerald Giam stressed that political competition is good because it means that all parties will raise their game. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM Indeed, listeners braving the mud-filled field in Anchorvale Crescent, in Sengkang, cheered as each of the 13 newcomers and veterans spoke in English, Mandarin, Malay, Teochew and Cantonese. The boisterous crowd had to be reminded repeatedly by Tampines GRC candidate Eileen Chong, and even WP chief Pritam Singh at one point, to stay within the field. Former Non-Constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong kicked off the rally by warning of the dangers of a monopoly. "The Government believes that in business, monopoly is bad. And therefore they have anti-monopoly laws. "But when it comes to politics, they want it all," said Mr Yee, who will helm the team contesting East Coast GRC. The 60-year-old was met with shouts of approval from the crowd, whose cries of "Workers' Party" was the constant refrain of the night. Former Non-Constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong kicked off the rally by warning of the dangers of a monopoly. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM Hougang incumbent Dennis Tan said the global uncertainties and challenges have made it even more important for a diversity of ideas in Parliament, rather than one team "singing the same song". "No one political party can claim a monopoly on the best ideas," said Mr Tan, 54. Hougang incumbent Dennis Tan said the global uncertainties and challenges have made it even more important for a diversity of ideas in Parliament. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM The WP, in its 122-page manifesto, has asserted that government policies had been adopted from its previous proposals. Political newcomers made their rally debuts in quick succession, starting with the slate that will take on the PAP's team anchored by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong in Punggol GRC. The group's youngest member, Mr Jackson Au, 35, took aim at the ruling party's response to the growing cost of living, which earned mentions from many candidates including Team Sengkang's Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik. The corporate affairs senior manager ended his wide-ranging speech by explaining his decision to join the opposition, even though he had been a little scared to do so. Quoting hit series Game of Thrones, Mr Au said: "Can a man still be brave if he is afraid? "That is the only time a man can be brave." Teammate Alia Mattar, 43, spoke about the Education Ministry's lessons on the Israel-Palestine conflict as she underscored the need for healthy discourse to take place. Following pushback from parents on the handling of the ministry's lessons on the conflict, lessons had been amended to cater to different age groups, with more sensitivity and inclusion of diverse views. The lawyer said: "My personal vision for Singapore is one where the voices of all Singaporeans are heard, our concerns are noted and proposals put forth that will improve the life of every Singaporean and the generations to come." Advertising tech firm senior director Alexis Dang, 39, pointing to her childhood growing up in both Taiwan and Singapore, said: "Diversity of thought is not a threat, it's a strength." Capping off the slate, senior counsel Harpreet Singh, in his call for change, said the WP was not a party that tears down what has worked. "We are here to build on it, to take the best of what Singapore has achieved, and make it better for everyone, not just for today, but for generations to come," the 59-year-old said. Global fintech manager Andre Low, 33, whose fiery remarks earned a standing ovation from over 20 WP candidates sitting behind him, is squaring off with NTUC chief Ng Chee Meng for the single-seat Jalan Kayu. He cited how emergency legislation had been needed to block the Income-Allianz deal as an example of why there is a need for strong opposition voices in Parliament. The hotly debated deal between German insurer Allianz and Income Insurance was called off by the Government in October 2024 over concerns about the deal structure and the ability of the local insurer to continue its social mission. Global fintech manager Andre Low's fiery remarks earned a standing ovation from WP candidates sitting behind him. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM Mr Low, who promised to ask hard questions if elected, said: "This is why we need strong opposition voices in Parliament, because without proper checks and balances, these kinds of decisions get taken behind closed doors." Another theme of the night was how active WP representatives had been in Parliament. Associate Professor Jamus Lim contrasted the volume of questions asked by both sides of the aisle in Parliament over the past five years, as reported by The Straits Times. The 49-year-old said: "We are proud of our record, and we want to keep working for you." Associate Professor Jamus Lim contrasted the volume of questions asked by both sides of the aisle in Parliament over the past five years, as reported by ST. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM While others dropped phrases in Teochew, financial analyst Louis Chua delivered his entire speech in the dialect, in the tradition of WP veteran Low Thia Khiang. Financial analyst Louis Chua delivered his entire speech in the dialect, in the tradition of WP veteran Low Thia Khiang. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM Meanwhile, legal counsel He Ting Ru, who chairs the Sengkang Town Council, reflected on what had changed in the decade since the WP's last rally, including the expanded Goods and Services Tax. Legal counsel He Ting Ru reflected on what had changed in the decade since the WP's last rally. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM The 41-year-old concluded: "This future is not only the PAP, the Workers' Party or any political party, it is one that is shaped by you. "You have the power to be bold, to step up and vote for a better Singapore."
