In a lunchtime election rally, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong made a compelling case for the importance of supporting the People’s Action Party (PAP) in the upcoming elections, highlighting the potential repercussions of voting for the opposition during a time of significant challenges faced by Singapore.
Prime Minister Wong emphasised the critical nature of the upcoming elections, cautioning voters about the impacts of potentially weakening the ruling party and its leadership team in a crisis.
Mr. Wong stressed the significance of experienced ministers within the PAP team, pointing out that their loss could have immediate and irreplaceable consequences. He stated, “Their loss, if it happens, will be immediately felt and can’t be replaced.”
The Prime Minister also highlighted the contributions of new candidates who are set to grow and take on larger leadership roles within the party, underscoring the essential need to maintain a strong and cohesive team. He added, “A vote for the opposition is not a free vote for more alternative voices in parliament. It’s a vote to weaken the PAP team, the team that is truly working for you.”
Furthermore, Prime Minister Wong raised concerns about the potential impact of opposition gains across multiple constituencies, warning that a weakened mandate, even if the PAP were to return to govern, could have serious implications for the government and the nation as a whole.
He emphasised that losing three to four ministers could significantly weaken the Cabinet and, consequently, Singapore.
On the issue of cost of living, Mr. Wong criticised the opposition’s focus on blaming the GST increase for inflation, arguing that such challenges are not unique to Singapore but rather global.
He defended the government’s decision to raise the GST as a necessary measure to support the growing number of seniors and highlighted the effectiveness of Singapore’s monetary policies in managing inflation.
In regards to the proposed minimum wage by opposition parties, Prime Minister Wong cautioned against the potential negative consequences of implementing a blanket minimum wage across all sectors.
He highlighted existing policies such as Workfare and the Progressive Wage Model, which have been successful in supporting lower-wage workers. He noted, “While it sounds good on paper, implementing it would cause companies to raise prices for the goods and services they sell to Singaporeans, adding to the cost-of-living pressures for all.”
