[SINGAPORE] Prime Minister Lawrence Wong reiterated his warnings against weakening the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) in a turbulent time even as the opposition called for more diversity in Parliament, in the second and final round of party political broadcasts on Thursday (May 1).
Eight parties – those fielding at least six candidates – were eligible for the broadcast, with airtime allocated based on the number of candidates.
Six parties delivered messages in all four official languages, while the National Solidarity Party (NSP) and People’s Power Party (PPP) delivered broadcasts in English, Chinese and Malay.
Here is an overview of each party’s English broadcast.
People’s Action Party
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, secretary-general
Voting for the opposition is not a “free vote” for alternative voices, but has “real consequences”, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, repeating a frequent warning from the ruling party’s campaign.
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Giving seats to the opposition could mean losing three to four ministers now, as well as newcomers who can become future leaders, he said.
“A vote for the opposition is a vote to weaken the PAP team – and at a time when our country is facing serious and growing challenges.”
He asked voters to consider two questions: “Who do you trust to steer Singapore through this storm? Who do you believe can secure a brighter future for you and your children?”
The opposition parties say that governing is the PAP’s job, and they only want more seats to provide alternative voices, he charged. “More seats – but not more responsibility.”
He accused them of freely promising “sweet deals” that they bear no responsibility for delivering.
While each opposition party alone cannot form a government, the PAP would be left with a “severely weakened mandate” if they break through, he warned. To navigate the geopolitical storm, Singapore needs leaders trusted by both the US and China – and such trust cannot be earned overnight.
“So I say to you tonight: if you believe, in your heart of hearts, that the PAP is still the best party to govern Singapore through these uncertain times, then please vote for us.”
Tackling the cost of living and securing jobs are top priorities for the PAP, he added. The government is engaging foreign partners and will position Singapore to take advantage of opportunities, so as to bring in investments and create better jobs for citizens.
Workers’ Party
Sylvia Lim, chair
In its next stage of development, Singapore needs three new spirits of caring, competition and confidence, said Workers’ Party (WP) chair Sylvia Lim.
The new spirit of caring includes more cost-of-living support, with the WP intending to keep raising this issue if elected.
“We believe that the WP’s repeated queries in Parliament have pushed the government to help Singaporeans more than it otherwise would have,” she said. “But the government needs to extend more care, and to do so more thoughtfully.”
On competition, Lim noted that the government “routinely rejects” the WP’s policy proposals, but said: “If competition is good in principle, then competition in politics must also be good.”
The WP will continue to raise alternative policies that can be assessed by academics, industry experts and the public, she added.
“If you believe that the PAP government has become more responsive to Singaporeans’ concerns because of the checks that it faces in Parliament, we ask for your vote so that we can continue to engage the PAP in healthy competition.”
As for confidence, Lim said Singapore is far stronger now than at independence, and is ready for a “First World Parliament”.
The PAP will still have a strong mandate even if all WP candidates are elected, she reiterated.
“We are cohesive enough as a society, robust enough as an economy and mature enough as a nation to accept a much higher number of rational, respectable and responsible opposition MPs than we have now.”
Red Dot United
Ravi Philemon, secretary-general
Red Dot United (RDU) believes that Singaporeans must be “first-class citizens in their own country”, said party leader Ravi Philemon.
The issues facing Singaporeans were “clear”, he noted – how much money they have; whether they live with dignity “or survive from voucher to voucher”; and whether their children have fair job opportunities “or lose out to non-citizens”.
He drew contrasts between a “billionaire class” that passes wealth down generations, and Singaporeans trying to make ends meet.
He asked if Singapore can accept that some of those in power live in black-and-white bungalows, while ordinary citizens live in a “very dense, mentally stressful environment”.
“This is not the politics of envy. This is a question of fairness,” said Philemon.
RDU is committed to making the people’s voices heard, he said. “We believe that policies must be shaped by ordinary people – not by those seated in ivory towers, cut from the same cloth, thinking the same way.”
Progress Singapore Party
Leong Mun Wai, secretary-general
Progress Singapore Party (PSP) secretary-general Leong Mun Wai asked voters to support the PSP so it can raise policy ideas in Parliament.
These include “a decent wage” for workers; affordable housing for everyone at age 28; making the PSLE optional; and ensuring that the benefits of economic progress are “enjoyed fairly” by all.
If elected, the PSP will be a strong check against the PAP if it tries to “bulldoze through” unpopular policies such as goods and services tax (GST) hikes or population growth, he said. The party will also speak out against laws that can be abused.
He dismissed PAP arguments that voting for the PSP would mean the loss of ministers and foreign investment.
The PAP has lost ministers and Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) before, “and Singapore has emerged stronger and better for it”, he said.
Not only did Singapore not lose foreign investment, losing candidates were parachuted into “safe GRCs” at the next election, with some even becoming officeholders.
People’s Alliance for Reform
Lim Tean, secretary-general
The PAP has given many reasons that voters must give it a strong mandate – but these are “nothing more than a distraction to mask their utter incompetence”, said People’s Alliance for Reform (PAR) chief Lim Tean.
He cited examples such as ministers living in black-and-white bungalows while Singaporeans “have to make do with tiny HDB flats”, as well as former transport minister S Iswaran’s conviction for obtaining gifts as a public servant.
He noted that no PAP MPs voted against GST hikes, and charged that no PAP backbencher has “had the courage” to challenge Bills in Parliament.
“If you elect PAR candidates into Parliament, we will fight every day to protect your interests and those of your next generation,” he said.
He cited the party’s proposals to lower the cost of living, make public housing affordable, protect jobs and “significantly” reduce net immigration.
Singapore Democratic Party
Paul Tambyah, chairman
This election presents a clear choice between two different visions for Singapore, said chairman Paul Tambyah.
He charged that the PAP wants to spur growth by increasing the population, attracting those “who do not want to pay their fair share of taxes” and exploiting low-wage migrant workers.
In contrast, Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) envisions a Singapore “where everyone can thrive”, with policies from healthcare to education.
The PAP has parachuted senior leaders to new constituencies, said Dr Tambyah, while the SDP has “been very active in northern Singapore for the last 20 years”.
He reassured residents that municipal projects will continue regardless of election results. “What will change is that the town councils will listen to you,” he said, promising regular engagements and wise spending.
People’s Power Party
Thaddeus Thomas, candidate for Ang Mo Kio GRC
The WP is poised to strengthen its parliamentary presence – but the question is whether Singapore will have “sufficient diversity of voices” for innovation and progress, said Thaddeus Thomas, a candidate on the PPP’s team for Ang Mo Kio GRC.
PPP offers “fresh, pragmatic policy solutions” and is unafraid to challenge established narratives, he added.
These include pausing immigration; opposing legislation for mandatory vaccination orders in future pandemics; and advocating for 2.5-room public flats priced without land costs.
True inclusiveness needs more robust debate, he said. “Real progress doesn’t just need a bigger opposition. It needs a more diverse opposition.”
National Solidarity Party
Lee Wei, candidate for Sembawang GRC
The NSP understands voters’ daily struggles, said Sembawang GRC candidate Lee Wei.
Singaporeans deserve affordable homes, lower living costs and secure jobs, he said. He laid out NSP proposals to achieve this, such as GST exemptions for essentials, shorter waiting times for flats and employment policies that prefer Singaporeans.
But voters should also ask why these problems persist, he added. His answer: “Without a stronger, fairer parliamentary system, your concerns are too easily ignored once the votes are counted.”
Other countries have shown that political diversity does not cause chaos, but creates better solutions, when leaders are forced to listen, innovate and act in voters’ interests, he said.
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