In a few more days, Singapore will soon be heading to the polls on May 3 to cast our precious vote.
Since Nomination Day, there has been news about manifestos, walkabouts, debates, and even viral TikTok videos from first-time candidates trying to impress voters, including leaked messages that caught everyone by surprise.
But amidst all that noise, my dear fellow Singaporeans, can I ask you to stop and think, not with your head (and also not the other head), but with your heart?
Because this election is not just another round of “COME ON! Let’s have more voices in Parliament” or “vote for change.”
This election is one that matter differently. It could shape our future, in one way or another.
Just look around the world.
War is still going on in Ukraine. Gaza conflict still not over. Europe is seeing protests and riots. China’s economy is slowing down. America? Don’t even talk about the chaos and political drama there, just look at the recent US tariffs. Climate disasters are happening every other week, too. Floods, droughts, heatwaves, and, closer to home, the Myanmar earthquake.
But here in Singapore?
We still go to work. Our kids still go to school. Hawker centres are still open. Buses still run. Inflation is a pain in the arse, cost of living is suffocating, but we still get GST vouchers, CDC vouchers, offsets here and there to help us cope a little.
And most importantly, we are still safe and sound.
We can all agree that Singapore is not perfect, and our government is not perfect. But no country in the world is perfect, and likewise, no government is perfect.
But credit must be given where it’s due.
Our government has kept Singapore going, even when the world was falling apart. They made tough calls. Some unpopular, some hard to swallow. But because of that, we are not living in fear like others out there.
So when you hear people shouting, “HEY! We need more checks and balances,” or “we need more alternative voices,” just ask yourself: do we really need more noise in Parliament… or do we need more stability?
Do we want to test out people who sound good online but have never run anything serious in their lives?
Or do we want a team that knows how to lead because they’ve done it before, and they’re still doing it now?
Our founding father, Mr Lee Kuan Yew once said:
“This is not a game of cards. This is your life and mine.”
And he’s right.
Elections are not for us to try it out, tikam-tikam and play play.
It’s not about giving someone a chance for fun, or “you don’t try, you won’t know”.
It’s about putting the future of Singapore in the hands of people we trust to protect it.
So to all fellow Singaporeans, please ah just take a moment to stop, think, and vote with both heart and head – as for the other head, you keep ju first, use it another time.
But for now,
Let’s not take our peace for granted.
Let’s not gamble with what works.
Let’s choose the most competent team to guide us through whatever storm is coming next.
Because this is not just about today. It’s about tomorrow and every day after that.
