General Election 2025

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GE2025: PSP has had leadership transition plans from the beginning, says Hazel Poa​

Progress Singapore Party chairman Tan Cheng Bock (front, right) with other PSP leaders and Singapore Democratic Party chairman Paul Tambyah during a walkabout at Teban Gardens Food Centre on April 26.ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

Chin Hui Shan
Apr 26, 2025

SINGAPORE - The opposition PSP has had leadership renewal plans in place from the beginning, said party first vice-chair Hazel Poa on April 26.

Speaking at a birthday celebration for the party founder and chair Tan Cheng Bock, who turned 85, Ms Poa said Dr Tan had held the secretary-general position for only two years before passing the role to younger members.

Dr Tan was PSP chief from 2019 to 2021, before he handed the reins to Mr Francis Yuen in 2021.

Mr Leong Mun Wai, the current party chief, first took over the position from Mr Yuen in 2023.

The party had earlier said that GE2025 is likely to be the final general election that Dr Tan is running in.

“So that is the start of our renewal process to gradually leave the reins to the younger members,” Ms Poa said, in response to questions on the party’s leadership transition plans.

Ms Poa, 54, added: “So far, none of (the residents we interacted with) feel that renewal is a problem because they could see that there are other members in PSP who are able to take over the reins.”

Dr Tan’s 85th birthday celebration was held at Teban Gardens Food Centre, which is part of the West Coast-Jurong West GRC that PSP is contesting. The PSP’s five member slate consists of Dr Tan, Ms Poa, Mr Leong, 65, and two new faces – Mr Sumarleki Amjah, 53, and Mr Sani Ismail, 49.

They will be running against a PAP team led by Minister for National Development Desmond Lee.

Dr Tan kicked off the celebration with a hearty breakfast of longevity noodles whipped up by one of the hawkers, with two red eggs and two cakes.

Dr Tan Cheng Bock blowing out candles on his birthday cake during a celebration at Teban Gardens Food Centre on April 26.ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
In Chinese tradition, red eggs symbolise birth and new beginnings.

Party members and volunteers sang him a birthday song, followed by chants of: “Heng Ong Huat! PSP into the Parliament!”

Dr Tan later told the media: “My birthday wish is that Singapore will do very well in the years to come, and we want to be part of that team that is going to take Singapore far.

“Even at my age, I am only 85, I still feel that I want to contribute in whatever small way.”

Dr Tan Cheng Bock with longevity noodles whipped up by one of the hawkers at Teban Gardens Food Centre on April 26.ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chairman Paul Tambyah, whom Dr Tan called a “very good friend”, was also at the celebration.

“Dr Tan has been an old friend of the family. My dad knew him… my dad told me early on ‘Listen to Dr Tan, he knows what’s going on in healthcare, right on the ground’,” said Professor Tambyah, an infectious diseases senior consultant at National University Hospital.

Mr Leong thanked Dr Tan for his service towards Singaporeans and said that he has provided mentorship for the party.

“Actually, (party leaders) have been running the show. What Dr Tan has provided is the values, the moral support and mentorship, and that is very important, especially this election,” he added.

“After this election, (there will) probably be a lot of first-generation, second-generation leaders (who will) not be in the political scene any more. But there are many good values in the past that Singaporeans need to know,” he said.

Ms Poa said Dr Tan has been “very brave” in speaking up on his own conviction. For instance, he had pushed for free parking on Sundays and public holidays so that families could spend more time together.

“So I think that’s the spirit that we want to keep up, that we need to speak truth to power,” Ms Poa said.


Residents wished Dr Tan well and took photos with him.

Mr Mohd Latif, who has lived in Ayer Rajah for more than 20 years, remembered Dr Tan’s contributions, such as how he managed the estate well and pushed for free parking on Sundays.

Dr Tan had been a PAP MP for 26 years for the Ayer Rajah ward that is now part of West Coast-Jurong West GRC.

“He has been here for over 20 years and I would like to see him back again. He was very friendly and always met us regularly during the Meet-the-People Sessions,” said the 63-year-old retired lawyer.

“He never said no, he always spent more time entertaining whoever came to see him… everything was nice.”

Taxi driver Francis Thia, who is a resident of Serangoon Central, was in the Ayer Rajah area and wanted to meet Dr Tan after hearing that he was nearby.

“I wish that he will have good health, strength and vitality... Nothing is more important than health. Without health, you can’t serve the people effectively or efficiently,” said the 68-year-old.

“He is in good health and still willing to serve because of his love for the people.”

 

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GE2025: WP says it did not make promises to any individual in exchange for political support​

Workers' Party chief Pritam Singh speaking to the media during a doorstop at Kovan Food Centre on April 26.ST PHOTO: HESTER TAN
Ng Keng Gene and Clement Yong
Apr 26, 2025

SINGAPORE – The Singaporean religious teacher who said he spoke to WP candidates contesting the upcoming election had turned up at a meeting the party had with Malay/Muslim religious leaders, said WP chief Pritam Singh.

There was no prior indication that the religious teacher – Mr Noor Deros – would be at the meeting, Mr Singh told reporters on April 26 when asked to comment about Facebook posts by Mr Noor that claimed he had spoken to all Malay candidates from the WP.

Malay-language newspaper Berita Harian reported on April 26 that Mr Noor claimed the WP had agreed to take up the concerns raised by the asatizah, or religious teachers, regarding the Malay/Muslim community in Singapore.

Mr Noor also claimed, among other things, that he had urged WP and other election candidates to reject the normalisation of LGBTQ+ issues, take a strong stance against Israel, and recognise the state of Palestine.

In a statement on April 26, the WP said: “At a meeting with other religious leaders where Noor Deros was present, the party confirms there were no promises, commitments or agreements made to any individual, including Noor Deros, in exchange for political support for WP candidates.”

Mr Singh said Mr Noor had a list of demands, adding: “As our statement makes it quite clear, there’s no situation of ‘if the WP pushes forth this agenda, I would support you’. I’m sorry, we don’t work politics like that in Singapore.”

The WP cannot be a successful political party “if we play the race and religion card”, Mr Singh stressed.

On Mr Noor, he said: “If this gentleman thinks that his advocacy will lead to the issues being brought up by the Workers’ Party, I think he’s sadly mistaken.”

Mr Singh’s comments come a day after the Infocomm Media Development Authority – acting as Assistant Returning Officer – directed Meta, which owns Facebook, to disable Singapore users’ access to several posts put up by foreigners.

In one post, Mr Iskandar Abdul Samad, the national treasurer of Parti Islam SeMalaysia, expressed support for WP’s vice-chair and Tampines GRC candidate Faisal Manap.

He had also shared several other posts still online showing support for other WP members such as Ms Alia Mattar, Mr Sufyan Mikhail Putra and Mr Abdul Muhaimin, as well as Singapore Democratic Party candidate, Mr Damanhuri Abas and Singapore Democratic Alliance candidate, Mr Abu Mohamed.

The WP said in its statement that it “does not have control over foreign parties who express support for our candidates”.

“Any imputation of the same is wholly inaccurate,” the party added, saying it is firmly committed to “Singapore’s “secular, multi-racial, multi-religious society, and to protecting the integrity of our electoral process”.

Mr Faisal Manap of Workers’ Party at a walkabout at the Tampines Round Market on April 26.ST PHOTO: HESTER TAN
Mr Singh was asked how the latest developments could affect the contest in Tampines GRC, where the WP team led by Mr Faisal is challenging a PAP slate led by Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli, who is also Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs.

Replying, Mr Singh said none of WP’s Malay/Muslim candidates - including Mr Faisal - will represent only their community.

“This is Singapore. It’s a multi racial society, so every candidate has to represent all Singaporeans equally and fairly,” he added.

On the party’s strategy in terms of deploying candidates, Mr Singh said this is done to give the team the highest chance of success. “If the allusion is we have put Faisal (in Tampines), and that’s something wrong that we’ve done, I don’t accept that.”

Mr Singh also said he stood behind the Government’s message that foreigners must not influence Singapore’s elections in any way, and that religion and politics must not be mixed.

“Our political scene is for our people. We persuade Singaporeans of our value proposition, and we urge all Singaporeans, regardless of race, language or religion, to judge us on our manifesto and our proposals and what we do in Parliament for all Singaporeans, not specific communities only,” the WP chief said.

“I think once we go down that road, you’re going to have an unnecessary politicization of the public space, and we don’t want that. That’s not healthy for Singapore, and that’s not healthy for our minority communities as well.”


In its statement, the WP noted that in the course of its political work, the party “meets with various members of our religious communities, regardless of race or religion. Our religious leaders of all faiths share varied views and opinions on public life in Singapore”.

The party said that it is committed to keeping religion and politics separate – a principle it said is well established in Singapore.


The WP cited how Mr Faisal said during the debate on the Maintenance of Religious Harmony (Amendment) Bill in Parliament that “religion needs to be kept aside, or apart from politics, so that religion will not be used to gain personal benefit or to benefit any political party”.

During the same debate, Mr Singh said: “MPs must represent the interests of every community, not just their own, and must be mindful of introducing religion into politics.”

“The WP commits to forge greater understanding among the different communities in Singapore, and push forward policies that benefit Singapore, and more importantly, all Singaporeans,” said the party.

Former WP chief Low Thia Khiang also weighed in on foreign influence in Singapore’s politics during a walkabout at the Tampines Round Market and Food Centre.

Former WP chief Low Thia Khiang (second from right) shaking hands with Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, and Sustainability & the Environment Baey Yam Keng (in white shirt) during a walkabout at the Tampines Round Market and Food Centre on April 26.ST PHOTO: HESTER TAN
Speaking in Mandarin, he said: “Singapore does not allow foreign interference in its politics. But the circumstances that constitute interference, and the definition of interference, can diverge.”

“This is not just a problem that’s surfaced now, but emerged very early on… Politics has become very complex… Singapore is a small country and thus has to be very careful not to allow foreign influence in its politics.”

“WP has all along not played the racial game… it operates in the country’s interests. The party does not play racial politics.”

 

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GE2025: PSP’s track record in Parliament could boost vote share in Pioneer SMC, says Stephanie Tan​

Progress Singapore Party candidate Stephanie Tan speaking to residents during a walkabout in Pioneer on April 26.ST PHOTO: SYARAFANA SHAFEEQ

Syarafana Shafeeq
Apr 26, 2025

SINGAPORE - The opposition Progress Singapore Party’s (PSP) track record in Parliament over the past five years could help boost the party’s chances of winning Pioneer SMC, said Ms Stephanie Tan, the party’s candidate for the single-seat constituency, on April 26.

Speaking to The Straits Times on the sidelines of a walkabout in Pioneer, she said: “I hope that is the case, but the thing with an election is that you never know.”

Ms Tan is a political newcomer who is contesting Pioneer SMC for the first time. In GE2020, the PSP had fielded a different candidate, Mr Lim Cher Hong, in the constituency.

After the last general election in 2020, PSP’s Leong Mun Wai and Hazel Poa – who had contested West Coast GRC – entered Parliament as NCMPs. The party could send two representatives into Parliament by virtue of them being the “best losers” that year.

Ms Tan said “the sensing on the ground has been pretty good”, adding: “I have been here quite often, so the residents recognise me.”

She said she has visited all 131 blocks in the constituency over the past few months.

Ms Tan said young people she spoke to on her walkabouts have asked her questions on policies the party had raised in Parliament, in the areas of jobs and housing, for example.

“First-time and second-time voters raised some very good questions,” said the 37-year-old. She said she answered these questions based on what the party had raised in Parliament.

“I hope that will give them more information to make an informed choice. They care about a range of issues – those in their 20s care about housing issues, fresh grads had questions about jobs, and I even had kids asking me about PSLE,” Ms Tan added.

The homemaker and former lawyer added that she has heard good things on the ground about incumbent PAP MP Patrick Tay.

Pioneer SMC will see a straight fight between PSP and PAP on May 3.

Mr Tay has represented Pioneer SMC since the 2020 general election.

In GE2020, Mr Tay won 62 per cent of the vote in a three-way race against PSP’s Mr Lim and independent candidate Cheang Peng Wah.

“We just do our best with what resources we have. When I do this, I don’t really think too much about the outcome. I just enjoy the experience and take the opportunity to get to know the residents here,” Ms Tan said. “If I do get elected, I hope to continue building relationships with them.”

Ms Tan spoke to residents at a coffeeshop near Pioneer MRT station before making door-to-door visits at neighbouring blocks.

On her strengths as a candidate against Mr Tay, a labour unionist, Ms Tan said they are both lawyers by training and can contribute to parliamentary processes in similar ways.

“But for me, I am also a full-time mother and I have been for many years. So, I think from the caregiving aspect and the experience that I have with taking care of people, I think that I can connect with the residents.

“I can get to know them and build personal relationships with them. I hope that I’ll be given the chance to do that. That is the other important aspect of being an MP – taking care of the residents.”

 

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Why we shouldn’t let Noor Deros bring race and religion into politics​

Melvinderpal Singh

Mr Noor Deros, a religious teacher, is bringing his views on Islam into the political sphere, arguing that these should shape who Malay/Muslim Singaporeans vote for.PHOTO: WEARWHITE/FACEBOOK
Apr 26, 2025

SINGAPORE – Recent remarks by a self-styled religious teacher, seeking to be an influencer in this general election, worry me.

Noor Deros may not be a name familiar to many. By way of background, he was the Muslim religious teacher who started the Wear White movement in 2014, a pushback on the Pink Dot rallies.

Two years later, it was led by a Christian pastor, who argued that the movement was about promoting traditional family values.

Mr Noor denied his involvement in the campaign that year, saying he was focusing on education. But he is back, this time bringing his views on Islam into the political sphere, arguing that these should shape who Malay/Muslim Singaporeans vote for.

He draws a clear line in the sand. He says Muslims should vote only for candidates who agree with his interpretation of religious responsibilities.

Among other things, he says the candidates should not advocate for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.


Writing his posts in a mix of Malay and English, he also says Muslims should support only the political party and candidate who agree to end diplomatic ties with Israel over the Palestine-Israel war, and change the narrative on the war on terror to blame the United States and Israel for their role in conflicts in the region.

He writes like an academic, peppering his comments with religious passages to remind his followers of their responsibilities. But the postings are inflammatory – there is no room for compromise, he says.

While he speaks of seeking out people willing to sit down for a debate or discussion, he makes it clear he will not budge. Mr Noor is now bringing his views into the political sphere in the midst of a general election.

It is by design.

Mr Noor says a Muslim candidate is worthy of his vote only if the candidate is aligned with his hardline views on the role religions play in politics. Muslim Singaporeans should pick a candidate along the same lines, he argues.

This Us v Them scenario can result in serious blowback.

I saw this first-hand while I was in Sydney when Australia held the Indigenous Voice referendum in 2023. The referendum sought to weave into the Australian Constitution a body that would advise the federal Parliament and executive government on policies affecting Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander people.

It was extra privileges that most of Australia disagreed with, based on the outcome of the vote.

The campaign split the country into the “Say Yes” groups against the “Say No” campaigners, with tensions close to boiling over.

A report by the University of Technology Sydney found that there were more than 400 validated reports of racism directed at First Nations people as a result of the referendum. More than a third of the reports involved physical violence, hate speech, threats, intimidation, verbal abuse, bullying and property damage.

The report also noted that influencers, including media personalities, were the driving force of misinformation and disinformation that fuelled the pushback.

Mr Noor, the influencer, is throwing religion into the Us v Them mix. History tells us that when religion is drawn into politics in Singapore, there can be dire consequences.

I was involved in the writing and editing of five books that traced tumultuous events in Singapore post-World War II. One of the books looked at the race riots in Singapore in the 1960s.

On July 21, 1964, about 20,000 Malay/Muslims from political parties and religious organisations gathered at the Padang to mark the Prophet’s birthday.

Speakers at the event delivered speeches that reminded attendees of their religious obligations, and the failings of rival organisations. The speeches were filled with inflammatory language, designed to stir the crowd.

Soon after, the crowd marched towards Kallang Gasworks and violence erupted, prompting a curfew that was lifted only in August.

Simmering tensions continued, with bloodshed and violence returning to Singapore in September. In total, more than 20 people were killed and more than 400 suffered injuries.

Mr Noor is working to influence the election and politics in Singapore not as a Singaporean Muslim, but as a hardliner insisting on dragging religion into the political sphere, never mind the consequences.

But he does it from a safe distance – he preaches in Malaysia.

Mr Noor’s comments about PAP MPs not being Malay or Muslim enough echo comments made before the 1964 race riots by an extremist chief of Umno.

In a fiery speech, Mr Syed Ja’afar Albar accused all Malay PAP members of being un-Islamic, anti-Islam, anti-Malay, and traitors to their own community.

He worked the crowd into such a frenzy that chants of “Kill him!... Kill him!... Othman Wok and Lee Kuan Yew” resonated through the theatre. Mr Othman Wok was the Singapore Minister for Social Affairs then.

Mr Noor is not permitted to preach in Singapore.

The Asatizah Recognition Board (ARB) said he had applied for recognition in 2017, but was unsuccessful due to his refusal to comply with the Asatizah Recognition Scheme code of ethics, despite being counselled by ARB.

The code is a framework established to ensure accountability and integrity among religious teachers while safeguarding Singapore’s unity, peace, and harmony.

There are more than 5,000 teachers authorised to teach Islam in Singapore, the ARB said.

“These recognised teachers thoroughly understand Singapore’s multi-religious and multi-racial context and actively contribute to strengthening social cohesion in the country,” the Board added.

Mr Noor’s assertions are not built around social cohesion, but wrapped around identity politics and division.

His true intentions need to be laid bare.

 

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GE2025: PSP’s minimum wage idea is ‘easy way out’, says PAP’s Gan Siow Huang​

PAP candidate for Marymount SMC Gan Siow Huang meeting a resident during a walkabout in Bishan on April 26.ST PHOTO: TARYN NG

Elisha Tushara
Apr 26, 2025

SINGAPORE – The PSP’s proposal for a minimum monthly wage in Singapore “sounds simple” and is an “easy way out”, said PAP’s Ms Gan Siow Huang, who is defending her Marymount seat in the 2025 General Election.

In an interview with The Straits Times on April 26, she noted that the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) by the PAP Government offers a more comprehensive and sustainable solution for lower-wage workers.

“I do not assume that a single wage, minimum wage, will be sufficient for all... The more difficult thing is how to have a more targeted minimum wage for each sector, and that takes a lot of hard work,” said Ms Gan, who is the Minister of State for Education and Manpower.

“Because in each sector, we have to get both the employers and unions to come together to a common landing on what is a reasonable, sustainable minimum wage for that sector.”

Ms Gan, 50, spoke to ST after a walkabout in Bishan on April 26, when she was asked about the comments made by her opponent, Mr Jeffrey Khoo, during a PSP rally on April 24.

PAP candidate Gan Siow Huang meeting a resident in Bishan on April 26. “For the last five years, I’ve been very active on the ground, and I am confident that, by now, most residents will know what I stand for,” she said.ST PHOTO: TARYN NG
Mr Khoo, the chief executive of a regional risk consulting firm, had called for a $2,250 minimum monthly wage and policies to prioritise Singaporeans in the workforce.

The PWM, said Ms Gan, links wage increases to skills upgrading and productivity, and it is a more calibrated approach that takes into account industry needs.

The Workfare Income Supplement scheme, a government initiative that provides cash and Central Provident Fund top-ups for lower-wage workers, is another way to help workers, she added.

Mr Khoo had also suggested implementing stronger “Singaporean-first” policies in relation to the Government’s Fair Consideration Framework, which sets out requirements for employers here to consider the workforce fairly for job opportunities.

In response, Ms Gan said such comments do not take into account Singapore’s size and lack of natural resources.

Likening it to United States President Donald Trump’s political slogan, she said: “You look at the US’ Make America Great Again. Are they?

“Our market is very small... So if you want to compete for businesses, if you want to bring in investments, you must make sure we have talent and be humble. While we have very good talent here, we don’t have enough.”

PAP candidate Gan Siow Huang at a Bishan coffee shop on April 26. She said plans are under way for a new covered linkway across Bishan Street 22.ST PHOTO: TARYN NG
Instead of shutting others out, she added that Singapore should aim to build a strong and diverse workforce that includes local and global talent.

The battle in the single-member constituency will see Ms Gan, who won 55.04 per cent of the vote against PSP’s Ang Yong Guan’s 44.96 per cent in her first contest in 2020, facing a PSP opponent again.

Mr Khoo was part of the PSP’s best performing team at the last polls, which took 48.32 per cent of the vote in West Coast GRC.

On her opponent, Ms Gan noted that though Mr Khoo has experience contesting in elections, his experience is in West Coast, not Marymount, where the needs of residents are different.

“For the last five years, I’ve been very active on the ground, and I am confident that, by now, most residents will know what I stand for, who I am, and I think I’m in a better position,” she added.

In her time as Marymount MP, said Ms Gan, she brought several projects to fruition, including a new bus stop and bus service 162 along Sin Ming Road, sheltered linkways, and the redevelopment of Thomson Community Club.

The club is expected to be completed in a few weeks after a delay. It was originally estimated to be completed by late 2021, but work stopped when the previous contractor encountered unforeseen business challenges during the pandemic and could not continue.

She added that plans are under way for three more active ageing centres in the area and a new covered linkway across Bishan Street 22 which connects to Bishan North Shopping Mall.

She said: “This is a high-demand, high-interest item by the residents. The last five years, many residents have been asking me to have this built so that it will be more convenient, rain or shine, for them to access the neighbourhood town.”

 

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GE2025: PSP’s Lawrence Pek says PWM is outdated and ‘exclusionary’, defends universal minimum wage proposal​

PSP candidate Lawrence Pek (right) exchanging a handshake with PAP candidate Jeffrey Siow on April 26. ST PHOTO: OSMOND CHIA

Osmond Chia
Apr 26, 2025

SINGAPORE – The time is right for Singapore to legislate a minimum wage for local workers as economic conditions have “changed dramatically” since the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) was introduced in 2012, PSP candidate Lawrence Pek said on April 26.

Mr Pek, a candidate for Chua Chu Kang GRC, also refuted his PAP opponent Jeffrey Siow’s characterisation of a minimum wage as a “political tool”, rather than a practical solution for raising wages at the bottom.

At a walkabout in Teck Whye, Mr Pek said the PWM was implemented at a time when automation and digitalisation were nascent. But today, robotic servers have become common, and companies such as McDonald’s no longer want their staff to take orders.

“We have macroeconomic situations that did not exist 13 years ago when the PWM was envisioned and implemented. It was relevant then, but not now,” said Mr Pek, who was formerly secretary-general of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF).

The PWM sets wage ladders for certain sectors, such as security, cleaning and landscaping, among others, so that workers can earn more with better skills and higher productivity.

Implementing a minimum wage would give small and medium-sized enterprises here a more consistent and reliable workforce, as local workers would then be more willing to stay with their employers, Mr Pek said. Such a policy would also protect workers against rising inflation and the high cost of living through regular adjustments, he added.


Responding to Mr Siow’s point that a minimum wage set above current market wages would lead to additional costs for businesses, Mr Pek said it is “not necessarily true” that prices will rise if minimum wages are introduced.

Mr Pek said the Chinese city of Shenzhen has a universal minimum wage, and is also one of the most cutting-edge cities in the world in technology.

“My remarks are progressive. I know what I’m talking about, not just as the head of the SMF before, but also as a factory owner in Shenzhen, that I actually pay the minimum wage, and my people, my staff, they benefited from it,” he said.

Mr Siow, who was formerly second permanent secretary at the Trade and Industry and Manpower ministries, had on April 25 responded to the PSP’s minimum wage proposal by saying that the Government’s approach, via the PWM, was more targeted than a universal minimum wage system.

He said a minimum wage policy set too low would just be a “political announcement”, and questioned if Mr Pek was proposing a minimum wage similar to China’s, where it is about $300 – or up to 2,690 yuan (S$485), depending on the province.

Mr Pek said he never called for a $300 minimum wage, and the PSP’s proposal was for a $2,250 minimum wage. “He’s putting words in my mouth. That’s a bait, and I’m not going to take the bait.”

Mr Pek said the idea behind the PSP’s proposal is for workers to be protected, regardless of what sectors they are in.

“The whole idea of a universal (minimum wage) is everybody in all sectors. The PWM is exclusionary,” he said.

He added: “I am not calling for the abolishment of the PWM, I’m calling for the feasibility study of a universal minimum wage. That is something that he needs to understand.”

Also at the walkabout were the other PSP candidates for Chua Chu Kang: Ms Wendy Low, Mr S. Nallakaruppan and Mr A’bas Kasmani. PSP chairman Tan Cheng Bock joined them in the late morning to greet residents.

At a media doorstop, Ms Low said paying blue-collar workers slightly higher wages will not add much to overall wage costs for innovation-driven companies which have their headquarters and research laboratories in Singapore.

The tech lawyer said subjecting such companies to a legislated minimum wage would just add to the social good, as they would create high-value jobs while ensuring that their low-income workers earn a living wage.

 

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GE2025: 3 election rallies on April 27​

The rallies are scheduled from 7pm to 10pm on April 27.ST PHOTO HESTER TAN

Vihanya Rakshika
Apr 26, 2025

SINGAPORE - Three election rallies will take place on April 27 and large crowds are expected at the venues.

The events are scheduled from 7pm to 10pm.

Details are as follows:​

In an earlier release on April 24, police said attendees are strongly encouraged to take public transport, owing to large crowds expected at the rallies.

They should also be prepared for traffic diversions, lane closures and slower traffic in general that may likewise affect the pick-up and drop-off points for ride-hailing services.

Police said the use of carparks near the election rally sites has been restricted to season parking holders. Vehicles found illegally parked or causing obstruction may be towed away.

A list of items banned at the rallies:​

• Firearms/parts of firearms, including empty magazines and spent cartridges
• Live and blank bullets
• Air pistols and rifles or parts
• Spear guns
• Explosives, blasting caps, dynamites and corrosive substances
• Fireworks and firecrackers
• Parangs and machetes
• Bearing scrapers
• Walking sticks with daggers
• Antique pistols and guns
• Stun guns
• Batons and t-batons
• Night sticks
• Signal flares and other flammable materials
• Handcuffs
• Tear-gas and pepper sprays
• Nanchakus
• Knuckle dusters
• Crossbows
• Industrial acid
• Bulletproof vests
• Keychains in the shape of a bullet or gun
• Wooden or metal spears
• Lighters in the shape of a gun, pistol, bullet or grenade
• Toy guns that resemble actual guns
• Kirpans
• Sharp or long objects, such as knives, that can be used as a weapon
• Glass bottles
• Laser pointers
• Canned drinks
  

  ​

 

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GE2025: Raising GST ‘difficult’ but needed to take care of seniors, says Chee Hong Tat​

PAP's Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC candidates (from left) Chee Hong Tat, Elysa Chen, Cai Yinzhou and Saktiandi Supaat during a walkabout at the market in Lorong 7 Toa Payoh on April 26.ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI

Samuel Devaraj
Apr 26, 2025

SINGAPORE – Increasing the GST from 7 per cent to 9 per cent was a “very difficult decision” but one that was needed to “fulfil our promise to take care of seniors in an ageing society”, said Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat on April 26.

Mr Chee, an incumbent MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, made the comments in a video on Facebook, addressing proposals made by several opposition parties to lower the goods and services tax to 7 per cent. In the video, he said raising the GST was a very tough decision, and that the Government would have avoided it if it could.

“We studied all the options, and without the GST increase, we would not be able to fulfil our promise to take care of our seniors in an ageing society,” said Mr Chee, who is also Second Minister for Finance.

He added that the revenue generated from GST is part of the progressive system that helps the Government provide support in areas such as healthcare, education, housing and public transport.

With the implementation of permanent GST vouchers and GST absorption for education and healthcare, tourists, foreigners and those who are better off pay most of Singapore’s GST revenue, he noted.

In an interview before a walkabout near Lorong 4 Toa Payoh with his team on April 26, Mr Chee said: “This is what a responsible government needs to do. We don’t want to increase taxes if we can avoid doing so. But if we need to do it, (we will), to look after our people to be able to prepare for the future.


“And we are now in a turbulent world – how to help our companies, our workers and our families. I think it’s important for us to be in a strong enough fiscal position so that if we need to do more to help our people, to look after our seniors, we have the resources to do so.”

Mr Chee also responded to comments from the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) criticising the Government’s “profligate spending”, calling on opposition parties who are making allegations to check their facts.


During a rally on April 24, Dr Chee Soon Juan, the SDP secretary-general, said this wasteful spending had led to the need to raise taxes and GST.

Dr Chee cited the roll-out of touchless traffic light buttons and the $40 million needed to maintain the current ez-link and Nets FlashPay card system for public transport as examples.

In response, Mr Chee said the Land Transport Authority’s initial decision to sunset the card-based ticketing system and to make SimplyGo the only accepted system for adult fare payments was to save money.

But the decision was reversed when some public transport users expressed their desire to see their fare transactions and card balance details immediately at fare gates or bus card readers, which could not be done when using SimplyGo.

Said Mr Chee: “So we didn’t manage to save the money, but we certainly didn’t spend more money than originally planned, if we continued with the system in the first place.”

He also noted that the Government is increasing transport investments, and he believes that this is an important part of supporting connectivity for Singaporeans.

With the retirement of Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, Mr Chee will lead the PAP’s Bishan-Toa Payoh team, comprising Saktiandi Supaat and newcomers Cai Yinzhou and Elysa Chen, against the Singapore People’s Party team helmed by secretary-general Steve Chia.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Greater effort must be made to engage minority groups, says PM Wong​

PM Wong acknowledged that in a multiracial and multi-religious community like Singapore, it is harder to be in the minority. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG

Lim Min Zhang
Apr 26, 2025

SINGAPORE - Greater effort must be made to engage different communities, including those of different races and causes, and MPs should continue to highlight their concerns in Parliament where necessary, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

Such concerns are legitimate and MPs should make them known, but this is very different from identity politics, which means championing one group’s interests at the expense of shrinking the common space, he said at a press conference on April 26.

If Singapore allows identity politics to happen, there could be pushback from the majority. Such examples of divided societies have already been seen elsewhere, said PM Wong.

“Yes, we are in an election contest. Yes, every party would like to win and gain more seats, but victory should not come at the price of our unity. That’s too high a cost,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters at the National Press Centre a day after the Singapore authorities announced that they had found several foreigners attempting to influence the upcoming general election, and had moved to block Singapore users’ access to Facebook posts that sought to do so.

A joint statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Elections Department on April 25 said the posts were targeted at Singaporeans and urged them to vote along racial and religious lines.


Asked where the line should be drawn when it comes to minority MPs raising concerns of the community in Parliament, versus mixing race and religion with politics, PM Wong acknowledged that in a multiracial and multi-religious community like Singapore, it is harder to be in the minority.

Thus, greater effort needs to be made to engage minority groups, he said.

MPs engage ethnic communities and others who advocate specific causes, and it is legitimate for such elected representatives to listen to such concerns and, where necessary, raise them in Parliament, said PM Wong.

But that is different from identity politics, which means championing the interests of one specific group over everything else, even at the expense of shrinking the common space, harming social harmony and even national interest, he said.

“Let’s not harm Singapore’s cohesion. Let’s have a care, let’s have a good and fair contest, and then beyond the elections, we will continue with the engagements.

“We will continue listening, hearing all the different groups, and seeing how best to address the concerns of each community while making sure we strengthen our society and our shared Singaporean identity at the same time.”

The foreigners on the authorities’ radar flagged on April 25 include Mr Iskandar Abdul Samad, the national treasurer of Parti Islam SeMalaysia, and the Islamist party’s Selangor Youth chief Mohamed Sukri Omar.

Mr Iskandar had expressed support for a candidate in GE2025, said the authorities. Online checks found that he had posted about his support for several WP members, such as Mr Faisal Manap, and other opposition candidates.

Asked if minority groups might be deterred from speaking up during the election period about their concerns for fear of crossing the line, PM Wong said that while there might be such concerns, the issue he has raised is not a new one.

“And whenever individuals do cross the line, sometimes it doesn’t even require the government to act, because online, there will be moderating voices telling them, please have a care. And then because of that, individuals will say, ‘I understand, I will exercise some restraint’.”

He noted that during the Covid-19 pandemic, issues of race and religion had also come up.

“So these issues are always there – they can be stirred up in the midst of an election, they can come up during a crisis or a challenge, and then somebody fingers or blames a particular ethnic group for something wrong, and then emotions get riled up.”

This does not mean that citizens cannot talk about race and religion, but that they must be careful, sensible and reasonable in doing so, stressed PM Wong.

“And this is something that is ongoing, it cannot be, you cannot do this by implementing laws or rules only; it’s a mindset.”

PM Wong was asked about the case of Mr Noor Deros, a Singaporean religious teacher based in Malaysia.

Mr Noor had claimed that he had spoken to all the Malay candidates from the WP. He also claimed the WP had agreed to take up the concerns raised by the asatizah, or religious teachers, regarding the Malay/Muslim community in Singapore.

PM Wong noted that Mr Noor had taken some very extreme positions on foreign policy in his online posts, such as saying that the United States and Israel were masterminds of terrorism.

“He calls for the expansion of Islamic principles at the expense of shrinking the common space that other faiths and other communities share in our multiracial society. These are positions that will go against our national interests.”

If the PAP’s leaders were to interact with people like him, they would make it clear that they do not agree with or support his positions.

“We would state that position clearly with people like that privately and also publicly. And, likewise, I would encourage and call on all political parties to do the same,” said PM Wong.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Reject identity politics, says PM Wong as he calls on political parties to make clear their position​

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, speaking at a press conference, said that this is a matter of national importance.ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Ng Wei Kai and Hariz Baharudin
Apr 26, 2025

SINGAPORE – Singapore should firmly reject identity politics, and keep race and religion out of the political space, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

A week before the nation heads to the polls on May 3, he called on the leaders of all political parties to clarify their stance on two fundamental principles: that identity politics has no place in Singapore, and that religion and politics should not mix.

PM Wong said that “mixing politics with religion is unacceptable in Singapore” for several reasons.

It fractures the common space shared by all Singaporeans, all communities are worse off when elections become contests of faith and external powers will exploit fault lines to advance their own agenda.

He said: “My call to all political parties is as I said: Let’s do our best not to push the boundaries” and leave race and religion out of politics.

He explained that identity politics refers to candidates appealing for support on the basis of race and religion, and championing the interests of particular groups over everything else.

Speaking at a press conference on April 26, PM Wong said: “This is not a partisan or party matter. This is a matter of national importance.”

He added that if all parties agree and exercise their campaign with an element of restraint, Singapore will be better off as a whole.

He said: “In the end, Singaporeans can choose whichever party they wish to support for their constituency and for their government, but we will not allow this to become an issue that divides us especially in the middle of an election campaign.”

He was speaking a day after the Government moved to block access to Facebook posts by two Malaysian politicians and an ex-ISA detainee for attempting to interfere in the ongoing election.

They, along with a Singaporean religious teacher based in Malaysia known as Mr Noor Deros, had spotlighted several opposition politicians in social media posts, including incumbent Aljunied MP Faisal Manap, who is contesting Tampines GRC this year under the WP banner.

The posts belong to Mr Iskandar Abdul Samad, the national treasurer of Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), and the Islamist party’s Selangor Youth chief Mohamed Sukri Omar. A third person, Facebook user “Zai Nal”, identified as Zulfikar Mohamad Shariff – an Australian citizen who renounced his Singapore citizenship in 2020 – was also named.

Earlier that day, party chief Pritam Singh had said in response to the recent developments that the WP cannot be a successful political party “if we play the race and religion card”.

Asked to comment on the statements by the WP and other opposition parties, PM Wong said he had seen across the board a clear consensus to reject foreign interference in the election.

PM Wong, who is secretary-general of the PAP, added: “I think that’s good. I welcome that.”

He added that while one cannot control what foreign actors say – be it support or endorsements – he called on parties to “categorically reject these endorsements”.

The fundamental principle is that foreigners should not decide the outcome of Singapore’s elections, he said.

He said: “This is our country, our elections. Singaporeans alone decide the outcome of our elections.”

He added that on issues that have the potential to undermine national interest, such as foreign policy, there should be a “sense of unity in presenting to the world”.


Adopting identity politics will result in more division, and Singaporeans will all pay the price, PM Wong said.

He added: “That’s dangerous because when one group jostles aggressively to assert its identity, others will organise and start to jostle back.

“You can see how this plays out in countries everywhere. You end up fuelling our worst tendencies, hostilities and vengefulness across the side.”

No one wins when this happens, PM Wong said.

He said: “The minority groups will fail to get what they want, because the majority group will push back strongly, and the minorities will find their space constricted.

“At the same time, the majority group will also live in the most unhappy society, where every issue comes down to race and religion. So no one is happy.”

Social media posts “crossed the line”​

The social media accounts that were blocked had targeted Singaporeans, and their posts were widely shared within the Singaporean community.

This crossed the line, said PM Wong.

He said: “Singaporeans may have different views about issues, but we cannot allow external actors to exploit whatever differences we may have, to weaken us, or to advance their own interests.”

Foreign influence is one side of the coin, but there are also other posts circulating online attempting to bring race and religion into politics, he said.

He cited those by Singaporean activists proposing that Muslims should vote for candidates that are willing to advance a religious agenda.

He said: “These messages may be by Singaporeans, but we should also reject them, and were it a Christian, a Hindu or Buddhist group making the same demand, our response would be the same.”

Mixing politics with religion is unacceptable in Singapore, he said, adding that the Government has always taken a firm stance against this.


Doing so fractures the common space Singaporeans share, he warned.

If elections become contests of faith, all communities will end up worse off, he added.

Also, external powers will seek to explore these fault lines to advance their own agendas, he said.

When asked if he was worried that the actions by the authorities will cause backlash in terms of vote swings for GE2025, PM Wong said that the Government was not acting out of concern about the electoral outcome, but instead, focusing on the impact on Singapore’s social harmony.

This was the reason why the authorities intervened during the campaign period and why he called for the press conference on April 26, said PM Wong, stressing how the matter went beyond politics.

“I’m not here to talk about my concerns about the party. I’m here to talk about my concern for Singapore, and our country,” said PM Wong.

“And this goes beyond one election, because once the fault lines deepen, once trust is eroded, it is so hard to recover again.”

PM Wong was asked if there are other entities that are a cause for concern when it comes to foreign influence on GE2025, such as Critical Spectator, the Facebook page and website run by Polish national Michael Petraeus.

Singapore’s rules are clear and the outcome of its elections is for its citizens to decide, he stressed.

Foreigners cross the line if they take a position on an issue or a candidate, or push for one over the other. This is especially so when it is about race and religion, he said.

“You start mixing race and religion into politics, that crosses the line. So the agencies and authorities will continue to monitor... But if anything crosses the line, we will certainly take action,” he said.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

GE2025: WP approach to town councils a success, can be applied to Tampines GRC, says Pritam Singh​

WP secretary-general Pritam Singh also pointed out how Sengkang Town Council has been very aggressive in submitting proposals for an average of 100 improvement projects each year.ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG

Clement Yong
Apr 26, 2025

SINGAPORE – Rather than making “empty promises” in Tampines GRC, the WP, as non-incumbents, will put out detailed constituency plans only after it has “dug deep” and listened to residents.

This is because it is not yet in charge of the town councils and grassroots organisations, said WP secretary-general Pritam Singh on April 26.

The same approach it took in WP-held Aljunied and Sengkang GRCs has led to both town councils receiving top ratings in the town council management report by the Ministry of National Development in 2024, Aljunied GRC incumbent MP Gerald Giam also pointed out.

Mr Singh was responding to comments that his party was focused only on parliamentary issues, and had not yet released its own five-year-plan for Tampines, unlike the PAP, which has unveiled its Tampines manifesto.

He said: “You can’t take away the work that has been done by the people who’ve come before you. (In) the same way we can’t take away the work that has been done by the PAP in Aljunied before 2011.

“I would rather teams, instead of making empty promises as non-incumbents, dig their roots into the constituency and understand the constituency better before making promises they can’t keep.”


In the doorstop interview at Kovan Market and Food Centre, Mr Singh also pointed out how the Sengkang Town Council has been very aggressive in submitting proposals for an average of 100 improvement projects each year, managing to secure funding for a significant proportion of them.

Mr Giam said that the Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC) has accumulated $2 million in surplus over the past five years, which it will use for projects in Aljunied, such as the upgrading of 659 lifts.

WP chairwoman Sylvia Lim at the Kovan Market & Food Centre. ST PHOTO: HESTER TAN
The WP AHTC five-year plan, released on April 25, also includes the building of 17 more sheltered linkways and 24 more drop-off points for the town, as well as new playgrounds, fitness corners, community gardens and bicycle racks.

Mr Singh, along with WP chairwoman Sylvia Lim, Mr Giam and new candidates Kenneth Tiong and Fadli Fawzi, were greeted by enthusiastic residents who clapped and crowded around them for photos during the walkabout. They are seeking to continue their winning streak in Aljunied GRC – the first to be won by an opposition party.

The WP is also fielding a team in Tampines, led by WP vice-chairman Faisal Manap, against the incumbent PAP team helmed by Social and Family Development Minister Masagos Zulkifli.

Mr Singh was also asked about WP Tampines candidate Alia Mattar’s rally speech, in which she said Singaporeans wanted to meet their MPs to discuss not just bread-and-butter issues, but also “the effects of certain laws or the Government’s positions on certain issues”.

She had also brought up the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Mr Singh said: “Many Singaporeans, regardless of race and religion, are very sensitive to that issue, and our approach is more of a humanitarian concern.”


As for criticisms faced by candidates like Ms Alia, he said: “In so far as picking on certain of our candidates, this is par for the political battle.”

On the fourth day of hustings, Mr Singh reiterated that there were no safe opposition constituencies. For him, no vote is taken for granted. “There are no done deals. Wherever we go, we promise to serve them from our heart and to represent them faithfully in Parliament.”

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

‘Disagreement must never become division’: Masagos warns against use of religion as political tool​

Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli (centre) with members of the PAP Tampines GRC team in Tampines Avenue 4 on April 26.ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Aqil Hamzah and David Sun
Apr 26, 2025

SINGAPORE – Although Singaporeans may have differing views on issues, especially global ones, “disagreement must never become division”, said Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli.

“If we are not careful, those cracks can deepen,” said Mr Masagos, who is also the Social and Family Development Minister.

“In some countries, where trust was never built, minorities struggle to worship freely, even Muslims. Mosques are opposed; even cemeteries are contested.”

His comments to the media on the evening of April 26 came after the Government moved to block Facebook posts by three foreigners, for attempting to interfere in Singapore’s general election.

On April 25, the authorities said they had directed Meta to block access to posts by two Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) politicians and a former Singaporean who was an Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee.

Flanked by members of his team contesting Tampines GRC, Mr Masagos said harmony in Singapore that was built over the decades did not come easy, and must never be taken for granted.


“It takes constant effort to protect our unity and keep at it,” he said, adding that Singaporeans’ shared identity must always come first.

Multiracialism and mutual respect, in particular, are why Singapore has peace, stability and progress, not just ideals, said Mr Masagos.

“That is why we must never allow race or religion to be used as political tools.

“It’s even more dangerous when foreign elements interfere during our general election and use divisive language. It chips away at the trust we’ve worked so hard to build,” he said.


Mr Masagos said that in Singapore, the trust between communities means Singaporeans, including Muslims, can live and worship with confidence, and mosques have been built in the heartland.

He declined to take questions from the media when giving comments in Tampines Avenue 4.

The opposition WP had earlier in the day disputed claims by a self-styled religious teacher that its candidates had agreed to take up the concerns raised by asatizah, or Islamic religious teachers, regarding the Malay/Muslim community in Singapore.

WP chief Pritam Singh said the religious teacher, Mr Noor Deros, had turned up unannounced at the party’s meeting with Malay/Muslim religious leaders, and no promises were made with any individuals present in exchange for their political support.

The WP said it was firmly committed to “Singapore’s secular, multiracial, multi-religious society, and to protecting the integrity of our electoral process”.

Other politicians and political parties also weighed in on the issue on April 26.

Speaking to the media before a walkabout at Fuchun Market in the morning, Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad said it was “very dangerous” that a party like PAS was asking Singaporeans to vote along religious and racial lines.

“That’s the kind of politics (that) perhaps you can see in Malaysia, where you have different parties representing different faiths or different races,” he said.

The incumbent MP for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC added that a situation like this needed to be avoided, citing how racial riots were prevalent during the early days of the Republic’s independence.

Stressing that “Singaporean politics is for Singaporeans alone”, he said Singaporeans need to guard against the exploitation of race and religion. He encouraged people to make their own judgment and political choice, with the ideal of wanting a harmonious and peaceful country.

“The last thing you want is to go the way of some countries where there are political parties pushing the agenda of identity or race.”

At a separate event at a market in Teck Whye, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng described foreign interference in politics as a worrying trend.

The PAP anchor minister for Chua Chu Kang GRC reiterated that Singapore’s elections should be a purely domestic affair, and that foreign individuals “should take the cue that Singapore’s politics is entirely for Singaporeans”.

He said: “For us, it is our existence, it is our survival, it is our ability to come together, to be united, to reject all these foreign influences and interference, because we want to chart our own path ourselves, for a better and a more united Singapore.”

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah, who is leading PAP’s slate in Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, said at the Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre that Singapore needed to be “extremely careful” not to bring divisive politics into society.

On the other side of the political spectrum, Dr Tan Cheng Bock of the opposition PSP said Singaporeans do not need foreigners to “tell us what to do”.

The PSP founder, who was at Teban Gardens Food Centre, said: “We don’t need foreigners to interfere. They are on the outside (and) don’t know what’s happening here.”

Emphasising that this was the party’s stand, Dr Tan, who is contesting West Coast-Jurong West GRC, added that foreign actors act disingenuously by attempting to present seemingly nice ideas, which turn out to be dangerous.

SDP’s Mr Damanhuri Abas said he supported the Government’s decision to block access to the posts.

The candidate for Sembawang GRC told the media during a walkabout at Marsiling Mall: “What the Government does is within the framework of law. We support it... We, too, wouldn’t want foreign interference in this country.”

SDP chief Chee Soon Juan, who spoke to reporters after a walkabout at Kampung Admiralty and Woodlands Mart, said the party is not interested in having foreigners endorse political candidates in Singapore.

“We don’t need the support... This is (a) domestic issue, and I just want to completely agree with the PAP. Stay out,” he said.

Dr Chee added: “We fight our own battle. We don’t go in and support other politicians when they have their elections in the country.

“Every country, every sovereignty, every citizenry, must have that exclusive right to elect their own leaders that they see fit.”

Another opposition party that chimed in was the National Solidarity Party (NSP), whose president Reno Fong told reporters after a walkabout in Tampines Street 32 that Singapore’s politics “is only for Singaporeans”.

Mr Fong, who is leading his party’s team in Tampines GRC, said NSP takes a serious view of foreign intervention in local politics, and that there was no place for that here.

Beyond the political arena, the Republic’s oldest inter-faith body also weighed in the issue.

On April 25, the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) said peace in Singapore cannot be taken for granted.

Signed off by its president Gurmit Singh, its statement said: “In Singapore, we have witnessed the dangers of racial and religious conflicts in the past.

“This can come about when religion is mixed with politics, as witnessed in parts of the world.”

Comprising leaders and members from 10 religious groups, IRO added that religion has always been kept separate from politics here, because religious harmony is a crucial part of the country’s identity.

It said religion needed to be kept out of politics for the common good, and called on Singaporeans to continue to safeguard Singapore’s cohesion and unity.

Various religious groups and other organisations also issued statements expressing concern about foreign interference, and stressing the importance of keeping politics and religion separate.

These include the National Council of Churches Singapore, which reaffirmed its longstanding position that religion and politics must be kept separate. The Singapore Buddhist Federation did the same.

The ex-Singaporean flagged by the authorities, Zulfikar Mohamad Shariff, had accused several Malay-Muslim MPs here of failing to represent the interests of the Muslim community, and asserted that the local Muslim community did not need another Malay MP who did not reflect their concerns.

Now an Australian citizen, the former ISA detainee had also called on Muslims to reject the constitutional, secular and democratic state in favour of an Islamic state governed by Syariah law.

Meanwhile, PAS national treasurer Iskandar Abdul Samad had expressed support for WP’s vice-chair and Tampines GRC candidate Faisal Manap, as well as shared several other posts showing support for other opposition members from the Muslim community, including WP members and Mr Damanhuri from SDP.

The other PAS politician - Mr Mohamed Sukri Omar, the Islamist party’s Selangor Youth chief - had reposted Zulfikar’s post.

 

[True Believer]

The extent to which the PAP went to destroy Chee Soon Juan shows that the SG Govt fears him. Any Opposition member who poses a threat to their absolute power, shows that the PAP has much to hide. For years the govt has relied on repressive laws to jail and bankrupt Dr Chee. Between 1999 and 2006, he was arrested 4 other times for violating SG's laws restricting public speech and assembly. In Nov 2006, he chose imprisonment rather than pay a $5K fine. In 2002, LKY and Goh CT sued Chee for remarks he allegedly made regarding a loan to Indonesian President Suharto. In Feb 2006, after Chee failed to pay the $500K in court-awarded damages, he was declared bankrupt, which prohibited him from running in the 2006 GE.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Opposition distorts facts to score points but PAP a steady, trusted hand during tough times: PM Wong​

Opposition parties turn to divisive politics and personal attacks when they cannot win an argument, and accuse the PAP of losing its way, said PM Lawrence Wong.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

Osmond Chia
Apr 26, 2025

SINGAPORE - Opposition parties will say anything to bring the PAP down, including repeating distorted facts and false claims after issues are explained and backed up by facts, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

For instance, the Progress Singapore Party continues to make claims that foreigners are taking jobs at the expense of Singaporeans.

Mr Wong said: “We’ve debated this over and over again in Parliament... We’ve shown that our approach strengthens Singapore’s competitiveness. It attracts investments from around the world, and in the end, creates more good jobs for Singaporeans...

“But the PSP keep pushing the same line, because they know it’s an emotive issue and they think they can get political mileage out of this.”

Speaking at a PAP rally in Chua Chu Kang on April 26, Mr Wong said perhaps the PSP has seen such negative political tactics work, for instance, in the West, where many countries are becoming insular.

Big countries like the United States can close the door to the outside world and survive, but a small nation like Singapore will have a big price to pay if it goes down the same path, especially at a time of such uncertainty and turbulence, he added.


He said: “Some MNCs are rethinking their presence here because of US tariffs... If you have the PSP coming into Parliament, I think they will conclude: The political risk in Singapore has gone up, policies may also start to change in Singapore.

“They may decide to move out of Singapore earlier. If they do, who suffers in the end? It is Singaporeans.”

In a speech lasting more than 45 minutes, Mr Wong also touched on the need to avoid divisive politics in Singapore, the PAP’s track record of adapting to changing times, and why voters can rely on the PAP government to steer Singapore through the global challenges facing the country.

Opposition parties turn to divisive politics and personal attacks when they cannot win an argument, and accuse the PAP of losing its way, he said.

Comments like these are made to stoke frustration against the PAP and to score points to get into Parliament without solving problems, he added.

On April 24, PSP secretary-general Leong Mun Wai said Singapore’s fourth-generation leadership has lost its way, and there has been a decline in standards and accountability in the PAP.

Said Mr Wong: “If the PAP or our candidates have not done well, and if the other side has better candidates and proposal, then by all means, Singaporeans can judge for yourselves... That’s how our system of democracy works.”

“But there’s no need to descend into divisive politics.”

He also touched on the issue of foreign influence in Singapore politics, including attempts to rally support for candidates along racial or religious lines.

Foreign actors, including a religion-based political party from Malaysia, have tried to influence opinions on Singapore’s elections online, resulting in the authorities blocking access to several Facebook posts.

Mr Wong urged voters to reject populist ideas and identity politics based on things like race and religion. “Choose the best candidates, choose the best party to serve your constituency and country,” he said.

He also addressed criticism from opposition parties that the PAP is hampered by “groupthink”, and claims that change can happen only come about with more opposition members in Parliament.

Mr Wong cited the PAP’s track-record and ability to transform Singapore over six decades, in areas like jobs, healthcare, housing, and trade, for instance. That, he said, is proof that the ruling party adapts.

“Is it possible to do all that with ‘groupthink?” he asked. “Let’s get real.”

He urged Singaporeans not to buy into the belief that with a few more seats in Parliament, the opposition can make the ruling party work harder because, on the contrary, it will weaken the PAP team and jeopardise its leadership transition.

New PAP candidates include several who can hold political office, and will form the core leadership to lead Singapore in the future if elected, now that senior leaders like Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat and Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean are stepping down, he added.

Said Mr Wong: “Do you really want to risk all that? Do you really want to lose serving ministers as well as new candidates who have the potential to be the next generation of leaders for you?

“A weakened PAP team now will make it harder for us to serve you effectively in the next five years as we confront so much global challenges.”

Singapore faces key issues, including the rising cost of living and global crises like trade wars, he added.

Responding to concerns about the 9 per cent goods and services tax, Mr Wong said the opposition has said the GST increase has added to cost-of-living pressures.

However, permanent GST vouchers for lower- and middle-income families effectively reduce their GST rate to below 7 per cent, he added.

“Then you may ask, who pays the full rate? The people who pay 9 per cent are foreigners, tourists and high-income households. Don’t you want them to pay 9 per cent? I want them to pay 9 per cent!” said Mr Wong.

Rising costs are a global problem, he added, amid wars and supply chain disruptions, which have pushed prices up.

Measures rolled out in this year’s Budget are aimed at protecting Singaporeans from rising cost pressures but the Government will do more if economic conditions worsen, he said.

The PAP will create jobs with rising incomes, strengthen permanent support schemes and systematically tackle other areas where cost is a concern, including housing and healthcare, he added.

Mr Wong said his PAP team is a steady and trusted hand in Singapore’s toughest moments.

“This is not the first crisis we’ve faced, and it won’t be the last. For the past 60 years, the PAP has walked alongside you. We’ve pulled through one crisis after another,” he added.

For instance, during the Covid-19 pandemic, vaccines, essential supplies and investments were brought in, and lives and jobs were saved, and Singapore was among the earliest economies to re-open and bounce back, he said.

Mr Wong said: “You’ve seen how my team and I stepped up during the darkest moments of the Covid pandemic to steer our country to safety...

“You counted on us when it mattered most and you can count on us again, come what may.”