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Business Times
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Times
Not insular politics but glocal
MANY recent elections across the world swung against incumbents, with votes turning on national issues. The longstanding adage is that all politics is local. Results from Singapore's general elections held in May however challenge both those expectations. Not only was the incumbent People's Action Party (PAP) returned to power with an increased popular vote. Global issues too played a significant role, with particular focus on 'Liberation Day' tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. Trade, investment and market sentiments across the world have since been affected, and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong effectively focused on the emerging impacts on Singapore. He did this early when delivering the S Rajaratnam Lecture the day after Parliament dissolved in anticipation of the election, and raised the issues again in the May Day Rally, just before cooling-off day and voting. More than non-Trump Voters in Canada and Australia had similar concerns too, and voted for alternatives to Trump-like figures and policies. But the Singapore result was not simply a reaction against the controversial American president. PM Wong – leading the PAP in electioneering for the first time – sought to convince Singapore that there would be direct and profound impacts. Building on observations shared early in the year by Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, the analysis is that the current global order is changing, and experienced and steady hands are needed. 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 Both PM Wong and his deputy, Gan Kim Yong, were key figures during the global pandemic, regularly briefing Singaporeans about the situation. Trust was built from those circumstances, and emerging global conditions have given this a premium. The Wong government quickly showed commitment by setting up a new task force to help those impacted by global trade dislocations. Add to this the generous 2025 budget. This provided evidence that government assistance would go beyond words, to deliver support and funding. In the S Rajaratnam lecture, the prime minister called on Singaporeans not to have an 'island mentality', insular in attitude, but to connect to broader issues and to each other, and remain open. Voters seem to have responded positively. Local-level action speaks louder This is not to say that local issues were left aside. Inflation, housing and jobs were consistently and strongly raised by the opposition. This was across the board, whether by the Workers' Party (WP) – that maintained its 10 elected seats and picked up two non-constituency seats – or other parties who failed to win any. Yet while these domestic issues were repeatedly raised, the PAP chose how best to respond. Campaigning in West Coast, for example, Progress Singapore Party's Leong Mun Wai was rebuffed when he challenged incumbent minister Desmond Lee and the PAP to a debate. Instead, in most constituencies, the PAP favoured on-ground efforts, to re-emphasise their attentive presence and practical offers to help. They largely avoided speechifying, and canvassed broader issues at rallies and TV, mainly by PM Wong speaking at centralised, national platforms. The result was a balance. Local and insular issues did not dominate, while global concerns were not abstract. Rather, the politics that mattered in the elections combined aspects of both and, to borrow a phrase, could be considered, 'glocal'. The WP stance was not dissimilar. Emerging as the sole opposition party with any seat in the next Parliament, they largely agree on foreign policy and campaigned on the fact that they have experience in running constituencies. Controversies that did not bite Anticipated controversies, in contrast, did not bite. These included recent cases that embroiled political office holders in corruption and inappropriate relationships. Even longstanding disputes aired by Lee Hsien Yang, the younger son of founding PM Lee Kuan Yew, and published in The New York Times were greeted by most with a raised eyebrow and shrug. Many feel these have received more than enough air time. There were also global issues that did not strongly feature in campaigning. One was the humanitarian concern over Gaza. While Singaporeans do care about the situation there, there was an appeal to ensure that issues abroad would not be used to divide Singaporeans. Another issue was when two Malaysian opposition politicians and an ex-Singaporean and self-styled Muslim preacher encouraged voting along religious lines. PM Wong intervened on the basis that such online messaging amounted to foreign interference and crossed the line against mixing religion and politics. He called on all parties to agree that this was unacceptable. WP chief Pritam Singh was quick to publicly deny that his party's agenda had been influenced. Other factors no doubt played a role in the result. These include giveaways in the Budget, the likeability of the new PM, and the generally positive tone in campaigning. The campaign notably eschewed and called out personal attacks. But the global turmoil and connections to the local and national issues were standout factors that made a difference. The result is a strong popular mandate for PM Wong and his team that will support the Wong government in the international arena. What major powers do remains beyond Singapore's control. An island in a turbulent world will always be vulnerable. But resilience bears emphasis. This does not mean controlling what happens. Resilience focuses instead on how we respond. That Singaporeans responded with 'glocal' awareness is good news, and not just for the vote. If citizens give attention to both global concerns and to what is in their personal interests and Singapore's, our country will be more resilient and united in facing the challenges ahead. The writer is chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs
The Star
10-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Staying on message and away from ‘knuckleduster politics' pays off at polls for the PAP: Analysis
SINGAPORE: A disciplined campaign focused on the core issues and the absence of hardline tactics were key reasons behind the resounding mandate that the PAP received on May 3. The ruling party also harvested the fruits of groundwork over the past five years and efforts to assuage voters' concerns on matters such as the cost of living, while tailoring its campaign with constituency-specific plans for different towns. These decisions helped deliver 65.57 per cent of the vote to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in his first election as head of government and secretary-general of the PAP, and cemented his leadership of party and country. The ruling party won 87 out of 97 seats in the next term of Parliament, and improved on 61.24 per cent of the popular vote at the 2020 General Election. Fronted by PM Wong, the PAP's campaign had a consistent message that was reiterated every day at rallies across the island – from Choa Chu Kang and Sembawang to Punggol and Sengkang – as well as at the lunchtime Fullerton rally and May Day Rally. This was: that a strong government led by the PAP is necessary to meet the challenges of a changed world, and that going with the team with a proven track record would give the Republic the best chance of continuing to succeed. PM Wong was reinforced on the key themes by Senior Ministers Lee Hsien Loong and Teo Chee Hean, noted Institute of Policy Studies senior research fellow Gillian Koh. This included articulating the PAP's thinking on key issues like multiracialism and job creation, as well as tackling the Income-Allianz deal when it was brought up during the hustings, and whether raising the goods and services tax was necessary in an inflationary environment, said Dr Koh. Left largely unsaid in the Prime Minister's call for Singaporeans to send all of the PAP's ministers – as well as its cohort of 32 newcomers – to Parliament was that the election was about his leadership, and whether Singaporeans approved of the fourth-generation (4G) team's succession. On this, he capitalised on the goodwill he had generated as the face of the government task force that tackled the Covid-19 pandemic. That was when PM Wong rose to national prominence, and Singaporeans came to be familiar with his style of communication and leadership – though he was not chosen to be leader of the 4G until 2022. Singapore Management University law don Eugene Tan said: 'The PAP kept to a disciplined campaign. They were not unduly defensive and also kept their focus on their key campaign messages.' This election was also notable for how 'gentlemanly' the PAP was in its campaign, noted Associate Professor Tan. In the pre-2000s, the party at times used hardline tactics against opposition figures, including WP politicians Tang Liang Hong, J.B. Jeyaretnam and Francis Seow, said former PAP MP Inderjit Singh, who retired from politics in 2015. These included public accusations about their character and beliefs, defamation suits, as well as legislative changes that appeared to target them. During the 2025 hustings, the PAP did not bring up leaked text messages containing expletives that Andre Low – the WP's candidate in Jalan Kayu SMC – had sent to a group of friends. There was also no direct mention by the ruling party about the saga surrounding former WP MP Raeesah Khan's lying in Parliament, nor of WP chief Pritam Singh's subsequent conviction for lying to a parliamentary committee in this matter. It was different during the 2020 election campaign, after some of Khan's old social media posts surfaced and became the subject of police reports. Even after a public apology by Khan, the PAP had asked the WP to state its stand on her posts and questioned its choice to field her for election. By keeping to a 'clean' campaign and not reacting defensively to the opposition's volleys, the ruling party came out ahead, said Prof Tan. 'It contested like a ruling party, with an overwhelming majority, rather than as a party under siege,' he said. In doing so, it exuded 'quiet confidence', helped by the WP's strategy against Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, he added. DPM Gan was the subject of WP's criticism across its rallies – including over his move from Chua Chu Kang GRC to Punggol GRC on Nomination Day. PM Wong responded by expressing disappointment at the WP's attacks, and later said it had been 'cavalier and irresponsible' to Singaporeans to downplay the potential loss of an experienced minister. Inderjit Singh said hardline tactics attacking one's opponents are not workable in this new era, and that political parties here have to win the hearts and minds of voters to be victorious. Dr Koh added: 'In GE2025, it was a great relief that we did not see a return to the knuckleduster politics of the early decades of political history.' The PAP's success this round rested not just on its campaign strategy, but also on its decision to strengthen its groundwork following GE2020. At the biennial PAP conferences in 2022 and 2024, both SM Lee and PM Wong drove home to the party faithful the need to look after residents and their communities, and to be attuned to their problems and how to improve their lives. Before the first rally speech was uttered, the PAP had ensured it was going into battle well-prepared, where all policy and groundwork levers had been pulled for this objective. In Budget 2025, for instance, PM Wong made sure to address the cost of living – one of the central policy issues of the election – while also announcing moves for large families and workers facing job insecurity. Dr Koh said that by doing so, the PAP had set itself on 'the best footing possible', knowing that 'this would be Lawrence Wong's first campaign and that such maiden elections are always risky'. She highlighted data from market research company Blackbox that showed growing positive sentiment on core economic, social and political issues ahead of the election. While concerns about these issues were not perfectly assuaged, the PAP could remind voters of its plans and policy track record, she added. The PAP did this by stepping up its 'ground game', campaigning on a local level. Inderjit Singh said: 'I think one of the most significant improvements by the PAP was the ground game not just during the nine days, but the last five years. 'Many incumbents developed goodwill, and this helped win voters.' He said: 'In places where incumbents had stepped down, they turned up to help new candidates campaign, and their goodwill definitely helped to woo voters.' As the incumbent in most constituencies, PAP ministers also announced local town plans for better infrastructure and services. This included, notably, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat's promise to fight for a hawker centre for his residents in Bishan. The PAP's presence and attention to the ground – its strength both as the incumbent as well as the dominant ruling party – came amid a return to physical campaigning, after a pause in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. After that election, PM Wong – then a minister and member of the party's central executive committee – had told activists that the party had not done so well in the digital arena, and not all of its content connected with netizens. Prof Tan said that, this round, the party struck the right balance in working the online and physical ground. 'So it did matter that GE2025 was not primarily digital.' In all, the PAP's vote share shows it managed to win over many middle-ground voters. Besides maintaining the support of its base – approximately 40 per cent of the electorate – it had to win over at least half of voters not tied to any party, or about 20 per cent to 25 per cent of the electorate, said Prof Tan. That it managed to do so at this election reflects both the PAP's performance legitimacy, and that it had campaigned fairly and in a gentlemanly manner, he added. This electoral performance will give PM Wong confidence and a 'free hand' in forming his Cabinet, said Inderjit Singh. He said: 'It now remains for the PM and the 4G team to consolidate the confidence and trust of Singaporeans and work on improving the lives of Singaporeans in the next five years.' - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
09-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Staying on message and away from ‘knuckleduster politics' pays off at polls for the PAP
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong speaking at the Fullerton rally held at the promenade area beside UOB Plaza on April 28. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG News analysis Staying on message and away from 'knuckleduster politics' pays off at polls for the PAP SINGAPORE – A disciplined campaign focused on the core issues and the absence of hardline tactics were key reasons behind the resounding mandate that the PAP received on May 3. The ruling party also harvested the fruits of groundwork over the past five years and efforts to assuage voters' concerns on matters such as the cost of living, while tailoring its campaign with constituency-specific plans for different towns. These decisions helped deliver 65.57 per cent of the vote to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in his first election as head of government and secretary-general of the PAP, and cemented his leadership of party and country. The ruling party won 87 out of 97 seats in the next term of Parliament, and improved on 61.24 per cent of the popular vote at the 2020 General Election. Drumming home the fundamentals Fronted by PM Wong, the PAP's campaign had a consistent message that was reiterated every day at rallies across the island – from Choa Chu Kang and Sembawang to Punggol and Sengkang – as well as at the lunchtime Fullerton rally and May Day Rally. This was: that a strong government led by the PAP is necessary to meet the challenges of a changed world, and that going with the team with a proven track record would give the Republic the best chance of continuing to succeed. PM Wong was reinforced on the key themes by Senior Ministers Lee Hsien Loong and Teo Chee Hean, noted Institute of Policy Studies senior research fellow Gillian Koh. This included articulating the PAP's thinking on key issues like multiracialism and job creation, as well as tackling the Income-Allianz deal when it was brought up during the hustings, and whether raising the goods and services tax was necessary in an inflationary environment, said Dr Koh. Left largely unsaid in the Prime Minister's call for Singaporeans to send all of the PAP's ministers – as well as its cohort of 32 newcomers – to Parliament was that the election was about his leadership, and whether Singaporeans approved of the fourth-generation (4G) team's succession. On this, he capitalised on the goodwill he had generated as the face of the government task force that tackled the Covid-19 pandemic. That was when PM Wong rose to national prominence, and Singaporeans came to be familiar with his style of communication and leadership – though he was not anointed leader of the 4G until 2022. Singapore Management University law don Eugene Tan said: 'The PAP kept to a disciplined campaign. They were not unduly defensive and also kept their focus on their key campaign messages.' No knuckledusters This election was also notable for how 'gentlemanly' the PAP was in its campaign, noted Associate Professor Tan. In the pre-2000s, the party at times used hardline tactics against opposition figures, including WP politicians Tang Liang Hong, J.B. Jeyaretnam and Francis Seow, said former PAP MP Inderjit Singh, who retired from politics in 2015. These included public accusations about their character and beliefs, defamation suits, as well as legislative changes that appeared to target them. During the 2025 hustings, the PAP did not bring up leaked text messages containing expletives that Mr Andre Low – the WP's candidate in Jalan Kayu SMC – had sent to a group of friends. There was also no direct mention by the ruling party about the saga surrounding former WP MP Raeesah Khan's lying in Parliament, nor of WP chief Pritam Singh's subsequent conviction for lying to a parliamentary committee in this matter. It was different during the 2020 election campaign, after some of Ms Khan's old social media posts surfaced and became the subject of police reports. Even after a public apology by Ms Khan, the PAP had asked the WP to state its stand on her posts and questioned its choice to field her for election. By keeping to a 'clean' campaign and not reacting defensively to the opposition's volleys, the ruling party came out ahead, said Prof Tan. 'It contested like a ruling party, with an overwhelming majority, rather than as a party under siege,' he said. In doing so, it exuded 'quiet confidence', helped by the WP's strategy against Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, he added. DPM Gan was the subject of WP's criticism across its rallies – including over his move from Chua Chu Kang GRC to Punggol GRC on Nomination Day. PM Wong responded by expressing disappointment at the WP's attacks, and later said it had been 'cavalier and irresponsible' to Singaporeans to downplay the potential loss of an experienced minister. Mr Inderjit Singh said hardline tactics attacking one's opponents are not workable in this new era, and that political parties here have to win the hearts and minds of voters to be victorious. Dr Koh added: 'In GE2025, it was a great relief that we did not see a return to the knuckleduster politics of the early decades of political history.' Walking into prepared ground The PAP's success this round rested not just on its campaign strategy, but also on its decision to strengthen its groundwork following GE2020. At the biennial PAP conferences in 2022 and 2024, both SM Lee and PM Wong drove home to the party faithful the need to look after residents and their communities, and to be attuned to their problems and how to improve their lives. Before the first rally speech was uttered, the PAP had ensured it was going into battle well-prepared, where all policy and groundwork levers had been pulled for this objective. In Budget 2025, for instance, PM Wong made sure to address the cost of living – one of the central policy issues of the election – while also announcing moves for large families and workers facing job insecurity. Dr Koh said that by doing so, the PAP had set itself on 'the best footing possible', knowing that 'this would be Mr Lawrence Wong's first campaign and that such maiden elections are always risky'. She highlighted data from market research company Blackbox that showed growing positive sentiment on core economic, social and political issues ahead of the election. While concerns about these issues were not perfectly assuaged, the PAP could remind voters of its plans and policy track record, she added. The PAP did this by stepping up its 'ground game', campaigning on a local level. Mr Inderjit Singh said: 'I think one of the most significant improvements by the PAP was the ground game not just during the nine days, but the last five years. 'Many incumbents developed goodwill, and this helped win voters.' He said: 'In places where incumbents had stepped down, they turned up to help new candidates campaign, and their goodwill definitely helped to woo voters.' As the incumbent in most constituencies, PAP ministers also announced local town plans for better infrastructure and services. This included, notably, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat's promise to fight for a hawker centre for his residents in Bishan. The PAP's presence and attention to the ground – its strength both as the incumbent as well as the dominant ruling party – came amid a return to physical campaigning, after a pause in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. After that election, PM Wong – then a minister and member of the party's central executive committee – had told activists that the party had not done so well in the digital arena, and not all of its content connected with netizens. Prof Tan said that, this round, the party struck the right balance in working the online and physical ground. 'So it did matter that GE2025 was not primarily digital.' In all, the PAP's vote share shows it managed to win over many middle-ground voters. Besides maintaining the support of its base – approximately 40 per cent of the electorate – it had to win over at least half of voters not tied to any party, or about 20 per cent to 25 per cent of the electorate, said Prof Tan. That it managed to do so at this election reflects both the PAP's performance legitimacy, and that it had campaigned fairly and in a gentlemanly manner, he added. This electoral performance will give PM Wong confidence and a 'free hand' in forming his Cabinet, said Mr Inderjit Singh. He said: 'It now remains for the PM and the 4G team to consolidate the confidence and trust of Singaporeans and work on improving the lives of Singaporeans in the next five years.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Residents get first-time look at newly renovated Phil Chacon Park
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A popular park in the International District has been brought back to life, as city officials unveiled the new Phil Chacon Park this weekend. 'Good morning, Albuquerque. Welcome back to Phil Chacon Park!' exclaimed Dave Simon, Director of Albuquerque's Parks and Recreation Department. For three years, the park has been closed as the city worked to make some major improvements. 'The tide is turning in District 6,' said Nicole Rogers, Albuquerque City Councilor for the area where the park is located. Community members say they've been waiting for this announcement. 'It's pretty nice, good for the kids,' said Chris Tobal Carrera, a visitor at the park. 'It has them active instead of being indoors.' Hundreds pack Albuquerque park for May Day Rally 'I like doing BMX because it's fun and it entertains me and stuff, and I've [been] riding for like eight years now,' said Hannah, a bike rider who tried at the new BMX pump track. The multimillion-dollar transformation includes new amenities like two new softball fields, a new playground, and much more. 'I think it's fun for kids to be out and running around on their bike,' said Liliana, a visitor at the park. The park was closed back in 2022 after the city decided to give it a facelift. At one point, it had become a point of contention, after parents in the area reported that homeless people were going onto the nearby Van Buren Middle School Campus from the park. They also raised concerns about the amount of trash and needles at the park. New study ask for feedback to improve 8th Street & Robinson Park in Albuquerque Officials are confident their new approach will keep the park safe. 'All three watches have been directed by myself that they are going to be doing foot patrols through here, so they'll be parking, walking over to the substation, going through the park at various times every day of the week,' said Josh Richards, Commander of Albuquerque's Southeast Area Command for Albuquerque's Police Department. Though law enforcement involvement will play a big part in keeping the park safe, officials are asking community members to help keep the park clean. 'If you're here and your dog goes number two in the park, pick it up,' Councilor Rogers said. 'If you're here and you're having a picnic and there's trash, pick it up.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hindustan Times
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Full Speech: Lawrence Wong Stuns Trump With Final Warning? 'Don't Export To US…'
Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong delivered his first May Day Rally speech as head of government on May 1. Watch this video to know more.
