[SINGAPORE] Singapore needs an “exceptional” government to deal with the problems ahead – and the results of Saturday’s (May 3) election will send an important signal to investors and other countries, said Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Thursday.
Speaking at a People’s Action Party (PAP) rally at Tampines, he said the country has made great achievements thanks to two things: capable and committed leadership, and the trust of the people.
The PAP has received “a clear mandate” in every election since independence, enabling it to deliver jobs, progress and security, as well as handle crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic.
Singapore’s exceptional performance is due to its “exceptional brand of politics”, including quality of leadership, rapport between citizens and government, and national unity – and this must continue, said SM Lee.
Noting today’s trade wars and a new “disorder”, rather than a global world order, he warned: “We need the strongest possible team to head off these unprecedented challenges.
“We need a government with a clear mandate, to act effectively on your behalf, to secure your interests.”
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This is particularly as getting investments and jobs will be much harder than before, as multinational corporations (MNCs) act cautiously amid global uncertainty, he said. “All the MNCs are holding back.”
When MNCs do decide to invest, he added, they will “think very carefully” about where to do so.
“They will ask themselves: how stable is the government? How much support does it have? How capable are the ministers?”
If they conclude that Singapore is not as safe as before, they might think that investments here are not as safe. So the country must give “the best possible answers” to questions that investors will ask, said SM Lee.
When world leaders meet, they also size each other up – making calculations based on factors such as whether their counterparts will remain in power for the next few years, he added.
Singapore’s election results are being watched very carefully by investors and foreign leaders, he said. “Please make sure that we send the right signal internationally.”
He asked voters to deliver a strong mandate, not as a reward for the PAP, but for themselves. “Because to deal with this world… you need an exceptional team and an exceptional quality of government. And the PAP will do our best to provide you that.”
An “ordinary democracy”
SM Lee noted that opposition parties have asked voters to send more alternative voices into Parliament, like most other democracies in the world.
The PAP accepts that opposition Members of Parliament are here to stay, he said. But he warned that if Singapore becomes an “ordinary democracy”, its performance will also “become ordinary”.
Various standards – from the economy, housing and healthcare to Singapore’s standing in the world – will not be the same as before, he said.
He noted that there was “no lack of examples” of how things can go wrong in democracies: division, a constant turnover of leaders, no policy continuity and the inability to carry out long-term plans.
A lot is at stake in this general election, he stressed, adding that it is not just about whether the PAP wins with more or fewer seats.
Raising the possibility of the PAP losing a few more Group Representation Constituencies, ministers or potential officeholders, he asked: “What signal would we be sending to the world? What would happen to our chances of seeing through these troubles safely?
“How would this help us to protect jobs, secure fresh investments, make better plans, build a brighter future for ourselves?”
He asked voters to think about these questions calmly before voting on Saturday.
“Your vote will decide whether we are able to keep Singapore exceptional, keep the Singapore miracle going for another five years at least.”
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