PM asks for strong mandate to serve
Govt 'is working to fix problems facing S'poreans'
By Lydia Lim, Deputy Political Editor
AS THE election campaign drew to a close last night, the ruling People's Action Party's (PAP) leader sought to renew its compact with the broad swathe of Singaporeans who have supported it since 1959, and to connect with a new generation.
Mr Lee Hsien Loong assured Singaporeans the PAP Government knew the problems pressing on them and was working to resolve them.
He asked Singaporeans for a strong mandate so he and his team could continue to serve them over the next five years.
'This election is a chance to reaffirm the compact between the PAP and Singaporeans,' he said at a rally in East Coast GRC.
In this election, the PAP faces not only its broadest challenge from opposition parties but also the most openly critical electorate in decades.
Foreign Minister George Yeo, who is fighting the toughest political battle of his career as anchor minister in Aljunied GRC, said that during the last nine days of campaigning, he had heard and felt a depth of resentment from people which the ruling party could not afford to ignore.
'There is considerable resentment against the Government and its policies, and some of them run deep,' he told The Straits Times in an interview.
The PAP, he said, would have to take 'a very hard look at itself and the way it does things'.
Mr Yeo also pledged that if re-elected, he and his Aljunied team would be the voices of reform in Cabinet and Parliament.
The party, Mr Yeo said, has to listen harder to people and when grievances are aired, not be 'too quick to defend, to explain or to justify'.
Elaborating on what he meant by being an advocate of reform within the PAP, Mr Yeo said: 'This is what I mean by being a voice within the party, sharing, helping to listen to one another so that we'll always be in touch.
'The more we can renew this consensus, the more successful we'll be nationally. The more we are divided, then our position in the world would be diminished.'
Mr Yeo also said that he had spoken to Mr Lee at length about the undertow of emotion against the party that he had sensed.
Last night, Mr Lee also acknowledged in his rally speech that despite government measures to help Singaporeans, some have had a difficult ride in the last five years.
They may have lost their jobs, and had to be retrained for new ones and taken pay cuts.
'I hope and I believe that with the economy strong, with wages going up, with new jobs being created and full employment... even those who have difficulties over the last four or five years, they too would prosper and we will all progress together,' he said.
The Government needs Singaporeans to work with it to secure a better future for all.
'If we look ahead, our future is bright even though the global outlook is uncertain,' Mr Lee said.
He warned of fiscal problems faced by some of the world's major economies, and of the continued threat of terrorism.
He called on Singaporeans to stick together to face these challenges, and to work with the PAP Government to realise its plans for improvements in education, health care, housing and the economy.
'Our plans will take care of all groups of Singaporeans and we will address your major priorities, the things which are on your mind, the things which will matter to you over the long term, so your children will have a better future.
'But we need your support, and that means we need your votes on Saturday,' he said.
Mr Lee also had a special message to young Singaporeans, many of whom will cast their first ballot tomorrow. A quarter of those voting on May 7 are aged between 21 and 35.
'They are pondering their choices: whom to vote for, what to support, what should the future of Singapore be like,' he said.
The PAP Government hopes to forge a closer connection with young Singaporeans, he said, by 'working more actively' with them to build Singapore.
As he had done during his lunchtime rally speech at UOB Plaza on Tuesday, Mr Lee appealed to young Singaporeans to appreciate how special their country was and to guard it well.
'This is your country to inherit, to change for the better. The future is what you make of it. So do join us, build Singapore together.
'All I ask is, remember how special we are, consider how precious Singapore is, so you take good care of this beautiful jewel which is yours. Understand all about Singapore, how it works, how you can make it better still.
'We want you to succeed because our hopes and dreams are invested in you,' he said.
Mr Lee also addressed two rallies last night, in Aljunied and East Coast GRCs.
His first stop was in Aljunied, where he endorsed Mr Yeo and his team, saying that 'without a doubt', they were the best team to help residents secure their future.
Earlier in the day, during a market visit in Ang Mo Kio GRC, Mr Lee said he believed the PAP would win against the Workers' Party (WP) in Aljunied, but that it would be a tough fight.
The PAP held eight rallies across the island last night.
Its ministers and candidates emphasised once again their various plans to improve the lives of their constituents and asked for their support.
With the hustings at an end after nine days, during which many issues were aired and stinging jibes traded, Mr Lee said he hoped voters would sit back today, on Cooling-off Day, and 'think over their choice'.
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Govt 'is working to fix problems facing S'poreans'
By Lydia Lim, Deputy Political Editor
AS THE election campaign drew to a close last night, the ruling People's Action Party's (PAP) leader sought to renew its compact with the broad swathe of Singaporeans who have supported it since 1959, and to connect with a new generation.
Mr Lee Hsien Loong assured Singaporeans the PAP Government knew the problems pressing on them and was working to resolve them.
He asked Singaporeans for a strong mandate so he and his team could continue to serve them over the next five years.
'This election is a chance to reaffirm the compact between the PAP and Singaporeans,' he said at a rally in East Coast GRC.
In this election, the PAP faces not only its broadest challenge from opposition parties but also the most openly critical electorate in decades.
Foreign Minister George Yeo, who is fighting the toughest political battle of his career as anchor minister in Aljunied GRC, said that during the last nine days of campaigning, he had heard and felt a depth of resentment from people which the ruling party could not afford to ignore.
'There is considerable resentment against the Government and its policies, and some of them run deep,' he told The Straits Times in an interview.
The PAP, he said, would have to take 'a very hard look at itself and the way it does things'.
Mr Yeo also pledged that if re-elected, he and his Aljunied team would be the voices of reform in Cabinet and Parliament.
The party, Mr Yeo said, has to listen harder to people and when grievances are aired, not be 'too quick to defend, to explain or to justify'.
Elaborating on what he meant by being an advocate of reform within the PAP, Mr Yeo said: 'This is what I mean by being a voice within the party, sharing, helping to listen to one another so that we'll always be in touch.
'The more we can renew this consensus, the more successful we'll be nationally. The more we are divided, then our position in the world would be diminished.'
Mr Yeo also said that he had spoken to Mr Lee at length about the undertow of emotion against the party that he had sensed.
Last night, Mr Lee also acknowledged in his rally speech that despite government measures to help Singaporeans, some have had a difficult ride in the last five years.
They may have lost their jobs, and had to be retrained for new ones and taken pay cuts.
'I hope and I believe that with the economy strong, with wages going up, with new jobs being created and full employment... even those who have difficulties over the last four or five years, they too would prosper and we will all progress together,' he said.
The Government needs Singaporeans to work with it to secure a better future for all.
'If we look ahead, our future is bright even though the global outlook is uncertain,' Mr Lee said.
He warned of fiscal problems faced by some of the world's major economies, and of the continued threat of terrorism.
He called on Singaporeans to stick together to face these challenges, and to work with the PAP Government to realise its plans for improvements in education, health care, housing and the economy.
'Our plans will take care of all groups of Singaporeans and we will address your major priorities, the things which are on your mind, the things which will matter to you over the long term, so your children will have a better future.
'But we need your support, and that means we need your votes on Saturday,' he said.
Mr Lee also had a special message to young Singaporeans, many of whom will cast their first ballot tomorrow. A quarter of those voting on May 7 are aged between 21 and 35.
'They are pondering their choices: whom to vote for, what to support, what should the future of Singapore be like,' he said.
The PAP Government hopes to forge a closer connection with young Singaporeans, he said, by 'working more actively' with them to build Singapore.
As he had done during his lunchtime rally speech at UOB Plaza on Tuesday, Mr Lee appealed to young Singaporeans to appreciate how special their country was and to guard it well.
'This is your country to inherit, to change for the better. The future is what you make of it. So do join us, build Singapore together.
'All I ask is, remember how special we are, consider how precious Singapore is, so you take good care of this beautiful jewel which is yours. Understand all about Singapore, how it works, how you can make it better still.
'We want you to succeed because our hopes and dreams are invested in you,' he said.
Mr Lee also addressed two rallies last night, in Aljunied and East Coast GRCs.
His first stop was in Aljunied, where he endorsed Mr Yeo and his team, saying that 'without a doubt', they were the best team to help residents secure their future.
Earlier in the day, during a market visit in Ang Mo Kio GRC, Mr Lee said he believed the PAP would win against the Workers' Party (WP) in Aljunied, but that it would be a tough fight.
The PAP held eight rallies across the island last night.
Its ministers and candidates emphasised once again their various plans to improve the lives of their constituents and asked for their support.
With the hustings at an end after nine days, during which many issues were aired and stinging jibes traded, Mr Lee said he hoped voters would sit back today, on Cooling-off Day, and 'think over their choice'.
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oh ic, for your govt puppies.
one of them Lydia Lim
