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Business Times
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Times
Singapore election 2025: SM Teo Chee Hean reiterates importance of continuity amid uncertainty
[SINGAPORE] When no one has answers because even the questions are unknown, a strong and stable government can see Singapore through uncertain times, said Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean on Monday (Apr 28) night. He described Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as someone who is 'full of energy, full of ideas' and is now 'bringing together a team with 32 new MPs to build a strong team, not just for the next five years, but for the next 10, 15 years, so that we have continuity and stability to see Singapore through'. SM Teo made these remarks at a rally for Pasir Ris-Changi GRC. He previously anchored Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, and will not be contesting the May 3 general election as he retires from politics after 33 years. Continuity, stability and good governance are hallmarks of Singapore – and 'very valuable' in uncertain times when people look at these traits to invest their money, he said. Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah anchors the PAP's four-member team in the newly formed constituency, which includes Senior Minister of State Desmond Tan, Sharael Taha, and first-time candidate Valerie Lee. The PAP team is up against a slate from the Singapore Democratic Alliance, which comprises its chairman Desmond Lim, Abu Mohamed, Harminder Pal Singh and Chia Yun Kai. 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 Speaking after SM Teo, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Maliki Osman – who was in the East Coast GRC before he stepped down ahead of the election – also addressed the issue of continuity. A fresh team represents the residents of Pasir Ris-Changi, with new perspectives on how to improve the neighbourhoods and communities, 'but with the same commitment that has led to the results you have seen in these years', he said. In her speech, Lee, advocating for the sandwich generation, highlighted that Singapore 'has built support systems, and (they have) been enhanced by feedback' from Singaporeans. 'But we can do better, and we must go further, because the situation is evolving,' she said. Beyond listening to Singaporeans and being their voice, being Members of Parliament is about hard work, the rally speakers said. 'The opposition may want to be the voices of the people in Parliament, but the PAP is your voice,' said Maliki. 'And we are not just your voice, we are also your hands that do the work.' Opposition parties have said in many speeches that they will raise Singaporeans' concerns in Parliament, said Sharael. He added: 'I believe that building the future we want takes more than just raising concerns. It takes hard work. It takes rolling up our sleeves together. It's about the action. It's about the heart. It's about us, moving together, hand in hand.' Other PAP rallies There were two other evening rallies by the PAP on Monday. At the Jurong Central SMC rally, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said that no major decisions – including the move to raise the goods and services tax (GST) – are easy to make, but it is the PAP that is prepared to make these hard decisions. Fu, who leads the Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC team, said there are trade-offs when it comes to policymaking. On the GST increase, the government set up a permanent support system to help Singaporeans with little or no income, such as vouchers, MediSave top-ups and U-Save rebates. 'We may be taking a chicken wing from you, but we are giving you a whole chicken,' said Fu. At the Sembawang GRC rally, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said it was 'disingenuous' of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) to say that the plans and projects for the constituency will carry on no matter who the MP is, so long as the PAP continues to form the government. Ong leads the PAP's five-member team in a three-way battle with the SDP and the National Solidarity Party. 'I don't think they can come here for one month and make all these sweeping statements,' said Ong. He noted that when there are major national projects such as the Thomson-East Coast Line and the Woodlands Health Campus, it is the Cabinet that makes the key decisions. For more election coverage, visit our GE2025 microsite
Business Times
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Times
GE2025: SM Teo Chee Hean reiterates importance of continuity amid uncertainty
[SINGAPORE] When no one has answers because even the questions are unknown, a strong and stable government can see Singapore through uncertain times, said Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean on Monday (Apr 28) night. He described Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as someone who is 'full of energy, full of ideas' and is now 'bringing together a team with 32 new MPs to build a strong team, not just for the next five years, but for the next 10, 15 years, so that we have continuity and stability to see Singapore through'. SM Teo made these remarks at a rally for Pasir Ris-Changi GRC. He previously anchored Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, and will not be contesting the May 3 general election as he retires from politics after 33 years. Continuity, stability and good governance is a hallmark of Singapore – and 'very valuable' in uncertain times where people look at these traits to invest their money, he said. Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah anchors the PAP's four-member team in the newly-formed constituency, which includes Senior Minister of State Desmond Tan, Sharael Taha, and first-time candidate Valerie Lee. The PAP team is up against a slate from the Singapore Democratic Alliance, which includes its chairman Desmond Lim, Abu Mohamed, Harminder Pal Singh and Chia Yun Kai. 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 Speaking after SM Teo, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Maliki Osman – who was in the East Coast GRC before he stepped down ahead of the election – also addressed the issue of continuity. A fresh team represents the residents of Pasir Ris-Changi, with new perspectives on how to improve the neighbourhoods and communities, 'but with the same commitment that has led to the results you have seen in these years', he said. In her speech, Lee, advocating for the sandwich generation, highlighted that Singapore 'has built support systems, and (they have) been enhanced by feedback' from Singaporeans. 'But we can do better, and we must go further, because the situation is evolving,' she said. Beyond listening to Singaporeans and being their voice, being MPs is about hard work, the rally speakers said. 'The opposition may want to be the voices of the people in Parliament, but the PAP is your voice,' said Maliki. 'And we are not just your voice, we are also your hands that do the work.' Opposition parties have said in many speeches that they will raise Singaporeans' concerns in Parliament, said Sharael. He added: 'I believe that building the future we want takes more than just raising concerns. It takes hard work. It takes rolling up our sleeves together. It's about the action. It's about the heart. It's about us, moving together, hand in hand.' Other PAP rallies There were two other evening rallies by the PAP on Monday. At the Jurong Central SMC rally, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said that no major decisions – including the move to raise the GST – are easy to make, but it is the PAP that's prepared to make these hard decisions. Fu, who leads the Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC team, said there are trade-offs when it comes to policymaking. On the GST increase, the government set up a permanent support system to help Singaporeans with little or no income, such as vouchers, MediSave top-ups and U-Save rebates. 'We may be taking a chicken wing from you, but we are giving you a whole chicken,' said Fu. At the Sembawang GRC rally, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said it was 'disingenuous' of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) to say that the plans and projects for the constituency will carry on no matter who the MP is, so long as the PAP continues to form the government. Ong leads the PAP's five-member team in a three-way battle with the SDP and the National Solidarity Party. 'I don't think they can come here for one month and make all these sweeping statements,' said Ong. He noted that when there are major national projects such as the Thomson-East Coast Line and the Woodlands Health Campus, the community is less involved as it is the the Cabinet makes the key decisions. For more election coverage, visit our GE2025 microsite
Straits Times
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
GE2025: Foreign conflict should not turn into conflict between Singaporeans, says Teo Chee Hean
GE2025: Foreign conflict should not turn into conflict between Singaporeans, says Teo Chee Hean Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE - Even as emotions run high, concern over the conflict in Gaza should not turn into conflict between Singaporeans, said Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean. Speaking at a rally at Yusof Ishak Secondary School on April 26, Mr Teo said the Government's position on the situation was clear, and that it had condemned the illegal use of force against innocent civilians from all sides. 'We support a two-state solution, which includes the establishment of a Palestinian state,' he said, adding that Singapore had voted for this at the United Nations. Mr Teo, who entered politics in 1992 and was anchor minister for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, is among 20 PAP MPs who are stepping down. He was speaking at the PAP's Punggol rally. Speaking in both English and Malay, Mr Teo said he had explained the issues involved as well as Singapore's principled stand 'quietly and behind closed doors' to many groups here, including Malay-Muslim groups, so as to create greater understanding and avoid creating conflict and friction. Many individuals and organisations across different races and religions, including those in Pasir Ris and Punggol, had also donated to support victims in Gaza, he added. Mr Teo noted that Mr Gerald Giam – one of the WP's candidates contesting Aljunied GRC – had previously served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, in his capacity as MP, also travelled with Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan as part of a Singaporean delegation to meet with Palestinian and Israeli leaders in 2024. 'So I hope that 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 said. In its manifesto the WP calls for Singapore to formally recognise the state of Palestine, before negotiations for a two-state solution with Israel are concluded. A four-member WP team – comprising senior counsel Harpreet Singh, ad tech firm senior director Alexis Dang, legal counsel Alia Mattar and corporate affairs senior manager Jackson Au – is contesting the newly-formed Punggol GRC for this General Election. The group representation constituency was created by carving out estates in Punggol from the existing Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, merging them with those in Punggol West SMC following the release of the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) on March 11. The WP face a PAP team led by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, which includes Senior Minister of State for Health and Digital Development and Information Janil Puthucheary, Minister of State for Home Affairs Sun Xueling and National Trades Union Congress assistant secretary-general Yeo Wan Ling. Sorrow over the tragedy in Gaza should not turn into anger and conflict here, especially as the conflict does not involve Singaporeans here, said Mr Teo. 'Instead, let us channel our sorrow into compassion, our anger into understanding and our desire to hit out into actions, to help out.' Singapore does not want foreigners to interfere with its local politics, Mr Teo added. 'Similarly, we also must be very careful not to import the attitudes and the quarrels elsewhere – and especially in Singapore's neighborhood – into Singapore, and let these divide our society,' he said. Such issues should not be exploited to divide people here, he stressed. 'If each community places its own special interests above all and above those of other communities, we will create friction, and there will be pushback, and this will cause the unraveling of our community harmony in Singapore. 'And we must not let that happen in Singapore,' he said. 'We must not let that happen in Punggol. So let us choose wisely, choose to build unity and not let the ideas of those who seek to divide enter here into Punggol,' he said, adding that DPM Gan was leading the PAP team to 'make Punggol even better'. Mr Teo announced his retirement from politics after 33 years on Nomination Day on April 23. His comments come after the Government blocked access to Facebook posts by two Malaysian politicians and a former Internal Security Act detainee for attempting to interfere in the ongoing election. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
CNA
23-04-2025
- Politics
- CNA
GE2025: Indranee Rajah leads PAP team against SDA's Desmond Lim in new Pasir Ris-Changi GRC
Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, which has 100,639 voters, was formed by merging some districts under the now-defunct Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC with adjacent areas in East Coast GRC. Ms Indranee, who joined the slate after being in Tanjong Pagar for 24 years, said in a speech on Wednesday: "There are so many challenges facing Singapore. We need to tackle these and work together to succeed. But also we know your concerns, your personal aspirations, your needs. We have plans for you at the national level, at the local level." She later told reporters "it really was very hard to leave" Tanjong Pagar, but that she now wanted to build on Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean's work in Pasir Ris-Changi. Mr Teo earlier announced he would not contest in this GRC, but left it open as to where he could be fielded instead. On Nomination Day on Wednesday, he went to the same nomination centre as the Punggol GRC team, but ultimately did not file his papers. He later confirmed he would not be running in the elections at all. Asked what she brought to her new GRC, Ms Indranee said: "Tanjong Pagar is an older constituency. The profile here is slightly different, slightly younger and more spread. What is most important is listening to what the residents have to say." Mr Chia of the SDA meanwhile said in his speech that the party was here to provide voters with "clear, direct and practical solutions that put Singaporeans first". "We are not there just to contest, but to contribute; not to critique, but to create." He later told media it was a "no-brainer" to join the SDA given its values were aligned with his. "I stepped forward for Singaporeans. It's a perfect complement for a young candidate to come in." SDA had been contesting Pasir Ris-Punggol in every election since 2006 without success. At the last election in 2020, Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC hosted a three-way contest between the PAP, SDA and People's Voice (PV). The PAP won with 64.16 per cent of the vote, while PV lost its deposit.
Straits Times
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
GE2025: SM Teo Chee Hean will not stand in Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, ‘remains available to contribute'
Mrs Josephine Teo (far left) and Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean at Safra Punggol on Sept 8, 2019. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO GE2025: SM Teo Chee Hean will not stand in Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, 'remains available to contribute' Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE - Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean will not be standing for re-election in Pasir Ris-Changi GRC. Announcing this on April 21, he said: 'I will continue to support PM Lawrence Wong and his 4G team, and remain available to contribute to his team wherever and in whatever way PM Lawrence Wong thinks I can best serve.' The PAP team in Pasir Ris-Changi will be led by Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah, SM Teo said at a press conference. He also introduced the other members of the new team – Senior Minister of State Desmond Tan, first-term MP Sharael Taha and newcomer Valerie Lee. SM Teo said that as he hands over the reins, 'I do so with full confidence that we have a strong team here to continue to serve you for many years'. Asked if he would be moving to Punggol GRC, SM Teo replied: 'I ask you for a little bit of patience, wait two days and everything will be clear.' He was referring to Nomination Day, which is on April 23. A former Navy chief holding the rank of rear-admiral, SM Teo made his political debut in December 1992, when he was part of a team that contested and won a by-election in Marine Parade GRC. He quickly established himself as a PAP stalwart, earning re-election six times as a Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris GRC and subsequently Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC. SM Teo has been anchor minister for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC since 2001. The PAP team there has garnered vote shares between 64 per cent and 73 per cent over the years. In 2020, it won the five-member constituency with 64.15 per cent of the votes. The five-member GRC has been split into two new four-member GRCs – Punggol and Pasir Ris-Changi – for the 2025 General Election. Thanking residents and volunteers, SM Teo said: 'It has been my privilege and an honour to have served the residents of Pasir Ris and to have gotten to know so many of you, your children and also your grandchildren.' He also thanked Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Maliki Osman, who announced his retirement from politics earlier on April 21. Part of Dr Maliki's ward has been redrawn into the new Pasir Ris-Changi GRC. Dr Maliki, a five-term MP, had earlier introduced Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim as his successor in East Coast GRC. SM Teo has helmed various ministries throughout his career, including Home Affairs, Defence and Education. He served as deputy prime minister from 2009 to 2019, and was appointed senior minister in 2019. He has been Coordinating Minister for National Security since 2011. Asked about the impact that veteran politicians stepping down would have on Singapore's future leadership, given that PM Wong had stressed the need for continuity and stability in an unstable geopolitical world, SM Teo said self-renewal is key. 'Because you can see in several countries, they have not self-renewed on a regular basis and a systematic basis, that the leadership becomes weak and you have a gap,' he added. SM Teo said PM Wong already has a team of experienced as well as newer ministers in his Cabinet, but he wants to make sure that he strengthens the team and them not just for the next five years, but for the next 10 to 15 years. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
