SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA), and the Elections Department (ELD) have jointly issued an advisory to election candidates, warning of potential threats from foreign interference and cybersecurity breaches, as the 2025 general election nears.
The three agencies emphasised the need to safeguard Singapore’s electoral integrity against external attempts to influence domestic politics. Foreign interference, as described by the authorities, often involves covert and deceptive tactics used by foreign actors to sway political discourse and decision-making.
While these operations may appear distant, the authorities highlighted real-world examples in recent global elections — including the 2024 Moldovan and Romanian presidential races, and the 2017 French presidential election — where such interference allegedly took place.
“Singapore is not immune to such risks,” the agencies warned, “We must be vigilant in protecting our political sovereignty and social cohesion.”
The ELD has created an online resource for candidates detailing the tactics, like social media manipulation and covert information campaigns, that are used by foreign actors and outlining steps to mitigate these threats.
The advisory also highlighted cybersecurity as an area of concern and noted that malicious cyber activity like service disruptions, data breaches, and misinformation campaigns in elections abroad have sown distrust among electorates and damaged democratic processes.
Given Singapore’s highly connected digital landscape, the CSA has prepared an advisory on this area for political parties and candidates, outlining potential cyber threats and offering practical guidance on protecting IT infrastructure, social media platforms, and sensitive data.
Candidates are urged to remain alert, monitor their digital platforms for unusual activity, and avoid sharing content from unverified or suspicious sources.161
The advisory also stressed the importance of basic cyber hygiene, such as using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and ensuring staff are trained in recognising phishing attempts.
In the event of suspected foreign interference or a cyber breach, candidates are advised to file a police report immediately and keep the Elections Department informed.
“Candidates play an important role in safeguarding the integrity of the election,” the statement said, “They must understand the threat landscape and take proactive steps to protect their platforms and the trust placed in them by voters.”
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) kicked off its campaign for the upcoming General Election on Saturday (19 Apr) with the launch of its new slogan: “Thrive, Not Just Survive.” Party leaders outlined a series of policy proposals aimed at addressing the cost of living, including a reversal of recent GST hikes, healthcare affordability, and alternative housing models.
Speaking during a walkabout at Bangkit Road in Bukit Panjang SMC, SDP chief Chee Soon Juan emphasised the rationale behind the slogan, citing widespread feedback from Singaporeans struggling to keep pace with rising costs. He said:
“The whole idea behind this slogan is because Singaporeans have repeatedly told us that they are just surviving right now … basically, what they just do is frantically trying to keep pace with the cost of living that keeps on going up.”
As part of its economic platform, the SDP called for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to be reduced from the current 9 per cent to either 7 per cent or even 5 per cent, with a full exemption for essential items. The party argued that such measures would provide immediate relief to everyday Singaporeans.
Dr Chee expressed frustration over the GST increases over the years, noting the cumulative effect of cost hikes across various sectors. Commenting that his party is befuddled by the GST hikes, he said:
“Why is it that when you’ve got a whole host of cost increases, whether it’s your water price, whether it’s your petrol duty, whether it’s your bus or MRT fares – on top of that, you tag on and add 2 per cent to the GST?
“It makes absolutely no sense to us. So what we’re saying is that you make sure, right now, that we roll back all these cost increases, roll back your GST to pre-COVID levels, and let the people breathe easier just a little bit.”
In healthcare, SDP proposed lowering medical costs to ease the financial burden on families, allowing people to “focus on living a healthy life without the constant worry of hospital bills.”
The party also reiterated its alternative housing proposal — the Non-Open Market Scheme for BTO flats — where land costs are excluded from the pricing of new flats. These flats would be sold solely based on construction costs and cannot be resold on the open market, a move SDP says would ensure affordability and stability in the housing sector.
The SDP also addressed concerns over job security and wage inequality. The party urged for a reduction in the intake of foreign professionals, managers, executives, and technicians (PMETs), and called for the implementation of a minimum wage tied to Singapore’s cost of living.
Dr Chee said, “I think after 60 years, Singaporeans are entitled to ask, ‘have we arrived where we can then begin to enjoy the fruits of our labour?’
“Our quality of life cannot constantly be at the point where … I depend on vouchers just to go and do the shopping. At this stage of the game, we should be well beyond that level.”
The party is pushing ahead with what it calls a “northern strategy” for the general election, eyeing constituencies in the northern part of Singapore. In recent weeks, SDP has unveiled potential candidates for Sembawang and Marsiling-Yew Tee GRCs, along with Sembawang West and Bukit Panjang SMCs.
Dr Chee will be fielded in Sembawang West, while party chairman Paul Tambyah is expected to contest Bukit Panjang SMC again, where he previously garnered 46.27% of the vote in what was one of the closest SMC races in the 2020 general election.
At Sembawang GRC, the SDP appears headed for a three-way contest, with the National Solidarity Party (NSP) announcing its intention to run there, but Dr Chee said discussions with NSP remain ongoing and that the SDP is “continuing to keep our communications open and see if we can work things out.”
He added, “But as I said, it’s not so much of who stands where, but where you stand. You make sure that it’s not like tissue paper, you put on the table and ‘chope’ … It’s formulating our message to the voters.”
SINGAPORE: Workers’ Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh’s confirmation that his party will not negotiate with other parties to avoid three-cornered fights has stirred a lively debate online. While some have praised the party’s stance, the decision has sparked apprehension among some opposition supporters who fear that such an approach could harm the broader opposition cause.
Speaking to the press at one of the conferences the WP convened this week to introduce its election candidates, Mr Singh said that his party would not take part in discussions with other opposition parties to avoid multiple parties contesting the same ward.
He said, “Elections are an open system and multi-cornered battles are to be expected. Some political parties will negotiate to avoid multi-cornered battles, but the Workers’ Party will not participate.”
This position is consistent with the WP’s long-held practice of avoiding collaborating with other opposition parties. The party has typically been absent from past opposition unity meets and horse-trading talks ahead of previous polls.
On one hand, the WP’s decision points to its confidence as a major opposition force and reflects its belief in contesting on its own merit, regardless of other parties’ plans. Some online commentators praised the party’s stand, noting that democracy inherently involves open competition, and that voters should have the full range of choices at the ballot box.
However, others argue that such an approach may come at a steep cost. In Singapore’s first-past-the-post electoral system, three-cornered fights — where two opposition parties face off against the People’s Action Party (PAP) — have historically worked to the PAP’s advantage. The risk of a fragmented opposition vote is real, and critics warn that failing to coordinate could result in unnecessary losses for the opposition bloc as a whole.
Every vote counts, and in tight contests, even a few hundred votes diverted to a third party can make or break an opposition victory and one party’s refusal to even come to the table for talks could send the message that party interests are being placed above the greater cause of challenging the PAP’s dominance, some critics say.
Observers point to past general elections where multi-cornered fights resulted in opposition parties cannibalizing each other’s votes.
In the 2015 general election, the MacPherson SMC saw the PAP’s Tin Pei Ling win with 65.6% of the vote — but the combined vote share of her two opposition challengers, the NSP and WP, amounted to 34.4%, effectively splitting the anti-PAP vote. Some pro-opposition voters fear a repeat of such scenarios in key battleground wards could derail opposition momentum.
In recent years, newer parties have shown willingness to coordinate to avoid head-on clashes. The Progress Singapore Party (PSP), for instance, engaged in talks with other parties ahead of GE2020, and such efforts were largely credited with giving voters clearer, more focused opposition choices in many constituencies.
On social media, opposition supporters appear divided. Some expressed frustration, urging the WP to reconsider what they see as a need for opposition unity in the face of the PAP’s entrenched dominance. Others defended the WP, asserting that they have earned their credibility.
As Singapore heads towards what many expect to be a highly contested General Election, the stakes for the opposition — and for Singaporean voters — have never been higher. With economic uncertainty, cost-of-living issues, and governance questions on the minds of many, opposition parties will be closely scrutinised not just for their policies, but for their strategic acumen.
In this climate, the WP’s decision to eschew cooperation may set the tone for a more fragmented contest, with Singaporeans watching keenly to see how this approach will play out at the ballot box.
SINGAPORE: A Singaporean employee has allegedly been terminated after refusing to work on Saturdays.
On Thursday (April 17), the individual took to the r/askSingapore Reddit forum to seek advice from fellow users. In his post, he explained that he was employed in a full-time office role, working the standard hours of Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Recently, however, his employer requested that he begin working on Saturdays as well—from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.—to take on tasks that he said were “completely unrelated” to his current job scope. In return, the company offered him a mere 5% pay increase.
Citing his desire to maintain a healthy work-life balance, the employee said he respectfully declined the offer. To his shock, he was informed almost immediately that if he was unwilling to comply, the company would terminate his employment. According to the post, he received the official termination letter on the very same day.
Feeling blindsided and unsure of his rights, the employee turned to Reddit for help. “Is this considered wrongful termination?” he asked. “I want to know what my next steps should be and whether there’s any legal action I can take against them.”
“You are considered incompatible for that role.”
The post quickly gained traction, with several users weighing in on whether the termination might have violated Singapore’s employment laws.
One user said, “As long as notice period or notice pay in lieu as stated in the contract is given, no, it is not wrongful termination. They can terminate you for not liking your face too.”
Another commented, “It’s amusing that you think you have a case. The truth is, because you are not working their ‘new’ hours, you are considered incompatible for that role and is a valid reason for termination (along with any other nonsense they can throw into it).”
A third stated, “It’s a new contract to work 1 more day for 5% increase in salary. Since you reject they can terminate you and serve you notice or pay your notice. You know when you resign, it also works both ways.”
A fourth remarked, “On the bright side, you are dodging a real red flag.”
Can an employer change the contract and let someone go if they don’t agree?
As per the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), an employer cannot unilaterally alter the terms and conditions of an employment contract without the employee’s consent. Any modifications, whether related to salary, working hours, job scope, or other contractual terms, must be mutually agreed upon by both the employer and employee.
If an employee does not consent to the proposed changes, the appropriate course of action is for both employer and employee to engage in negotiations to reach a mutually acceptable arrangement.
In cases where no agreement can be reached, either party has the right to terminate the employment relationship by serving the required notice period as stated in the existing contract.
TAIWAN: As reported by Allkpop, DJ Koo, also known as Koo Jun Yup and a member of K-pop duo Clon, has been visiting Barbie Hsu’s grave daily, showing his unwavering love and grief after her death.
Photo: Instagram/Barbie Hsu
The Taiwanese news site ETtoday reported on a recent chat Taiwanese singer Bai Bingbing had on April 16. During the interview, Bai Bingbing mentioned talking to Barbie Hsu’s mom, who was deeply touched by how much Koo Jun Yup cares for Barbie.
Visiting her grave daily
Bai Bingbing mentioned that Koo Jun-yeop goes to his late wife’s grave at Jinbaoshan without fail every day, a gesture that deeply touched Barbie Hsu’s mother. Bai Bingbing mentioned that both Koo and Barbie’s sister, Dee Hsu, are still grieving for her. Given that Bai Bingbing herself experienced the devastating loss of her daughter in a highly publicised kidnapping and murder back in 1997, she likely has a profound understanding of grief.
Apparently, Hsu’s mother asked Bai Bingbing for advice on how to cope with such deep sorrow. Bai Bingbing shared that she personally cried for 20 long years after the loss of her own daughter and offered a comforting message, telling Hsu’s mother to call her anytime she needs someone to talk to.
Pneumonia and flu
Tragically, Barbie Hsu passed away on Feb 2 while on a family trip to Japan. It seems she developed pneumonia along with the flu, which sadly led to her death. She was 48. She is known for her roles in “Meteor Garden”, “Mars” and “Summer’s Desire”. After she passed away in Japan, DJ Koo and Barbie Hsu’s family took care of the cremation procedures there and brought her ashes back to Taiwan on Feb 5. Her funeral was held on March 15.
DJ Koo posted a heartbreaking message on Instagram on Feb 6. He said that he was in indescribable pain and sorrow.
Dated briefly
Interestingly, DJ Koo and Barbie Hsu actually met way back in 1998 and even dated for a short time.
The couple’s relationship faced hurdles as they were far apart and their management disapproved of their intimacy. This ultimately led to their breakup before they were reunited many years later.
In a sad update, VnExpress reported that DJ Koo has lost a significant amount of weight – 12 kilograms – since Barbie Hsu’s funeral. Sources like Sohu and Znews suggest this extreme weight loss is a result of the deep grief he’s experiencing after the passing of his wife.
As reported by sources, Hsu’s sister, Dee Hsu, has invited DJ Koo over for dinner every week. The South Korean DJ is now based in Taipei, where he only has a friend and no other family members.
DJ Koo has put a stop to his entertainment activities and he is focusing on creating a statue in memory of his late wife. It will be placed at her grave.
Still active on social media
Barbie Hsu’s passing has affected her sister, Dee Hsu. She has reportedly taken a break from her hosting duties to process her grief. Interestingly, while Dee is still present on social media, DJ Koo has been less active online during this time.
Earlier this month, there were some rumours going around that jewellery belonging to Barbie Hsu – supposedly an inheritance for her daughter – had shown up at an auction. This led some people to wonder if her sister, Dee Hsu, and their mother had sold the jewellery. However, Dee quickly shut down these rumours, asking people to stop spreading false stories about her late sister.
Barbie Hsu and DJ Koo were married in February 2022. This happened after her 10-year marriage with Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei came to an end in 2021. Wang has two daughters by Barbie — an 11-year-old named Wang Hsi Yueh and a nine-year-old named Wang Hsi Lin.
In other news, Wang Xiaofei, who is 44, officially married Mandy Ma, a 26-year-old businesswoman and influencer, back in May last year. They are reportedly planning to have their wedding ceremony next month.
JAPAN: The Indian Express reported that Mizuki Itagaki, a well-known Japanese actor and a former member of the boy band M!LK, has passed away in Tokyo.
The 24-year-old had been reported missing since January 2025. His family shared the heartbreaking news of his death in a post on social media on April 17. The young star was very successful in his career, starring in films such as The Fool’s Kiss and Fake Motion.
Photo: Instagram/Mizuki Itagaki
Unfortunately, Mizuki had been reported struggling mentally before his death. In their statement, his family expressed their deep sorrow, saying Mizuki had passed away because of an unexpected and unfortunate event. They also wanted everyone to know how thankful they are to all his fans and everyone he had worked with.
Struggling with health issues
Since last year, Mizuki had been dealing with health issues. While the exact cause of his death hasn’t been shared publicly yet, his family mentioned that the police had started a search and then contacted them from Tokyo about a body found.
His family apologised for not being able to share this difficult news sooner with everyone who had been worried about him.
They added that Mizuki always put his heart into his acting, hoping to bring smiles and happiness to all who watched him. The actor had just begun to take steps to go back to work, so it was heartbreaking that his life ended like this, which he probably did not expect. The family ended their statement by expressing regret that they couldn’t give his fans a proper chance to say goodbye.
Warmth in their hearts
The family also hoped that fans would keep Mizuki’s memory alive by warmly remembering his work.
It’s also important to remember that just last year, Mizuki had moved on from his agency, Stardust Promotion, and closed down all of his official fan clubs.
Ever since the news broke, fans have been sharing heartfelt tributes for Mizuki. Many described him as someone who brought so much joy into their lives through his performances and his down-to-earth personality.
Talented as an actor
A fan emphasised that Mizuki wasn’t just a kind person but also an incredibly talented actor. The fan wished that the world had shown Mizuki more kindness. Another person expressed the hope that Mizuki has now found peace. In addition, the fan thanked the star for everything he gave, even when it was tough. Over on X (formerly Twitter), one user who described Mizuki as many “j-movie enthusiasts’ first love” simply wished him peace.
It seems his vibrant personality left a lasting impression; as someone else mentioned, he’ll always be remembered with love and peace. Another user shared their feelings of shock and devastation upon hearing the news. Sadly, it’s come to light that the actor had been struggling with mental health issues and was hospitalised last year. For months, he was not active online. It’s clear from all the heartfelt messages that Mizuki will be deeply missed and forever loved by so many.
Spotted at a young age
Mizuki was born in Tokyo in 2000. Multitalented, he acted, sang, and even did some modelling. It’s quite a story how he got his start—he was only 10 years old when someone from Stardust Promotion saw potential in him while he was on his way home from shopping with his mom and signed him up.
In a music video for the band Fujifabric, Mizuki made his debut in the music industry. In 2014, he made his acting debut in the movie Dark Gold Ushima-kun Part 2 and also joined the J-pop group M!LK.His acting talent was recognised with a Best Actor award from critics. He went on to star in a number of popular shows, including Black Cinderella, In-house Marriage Honey,FAKE MOTION – Just One Wish, Old Rookie,Hiru Season 3, and Super Rich, among others.
SINGAPORE: After suffering multiple injuries at the Commonwealth Games, gold medallist Jessica Tan has decided to call time on her competitive badminton career and resume her studies in sports management. She will also receive the maximum payout of S$100,000 from the Singapore Badminton Association’s (SBA) post-career gratuity programme.
Tan had previously withdrawn from her undergraduate place in the BSc (Sport Science & Management) programme at Nanyang Technological University in 2011 to compete full-time.
“Jessica and Terry have done Singapore proud, and they have certainly inspired more young boys and girls to play badminton. Jessica had to overcome significant personal adversity to qualify for the Olympics, and SBA would like to thank Jessica for her sacrifices and hard work for over a decade.
“SBA is firmly behind her in the next phase of her sporting career, and is delighted that she will be receiving the highest post-career gratuity payout of S$100,000,” said Lawrence Leow, SBA’s president in a media release earlier this month.
Established in 2023, the post-career gratuity programme aims to provide financial security to Singapore’s national badminton players after their retirement. The amount awarded is based on an athlete’s highest world ranking and how long they represented Singapore; payouts range from S$16,000 to S$100,000.
Singapore Badminton Open 2024: Mixed Doubles – First Round – Terry Hee Yong Kai and Jessica Tan Wei Han – vs Seo Seung Jae and Chae Yu Jung (South Korea). (Photo credit: Singapore Badminton Open)
Tan has dedicated over 10 years to representing Singapore in various competitions, both local and international, since joining the national team at the age of 18. She won her first senior title at the 2014 Singapore International tournament in the mixed doubles event with Terry Hee.
One of Tan’s badminton highlights was winning the gold medal at the mixed doubles event with husband Hee at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. The duo sailed to a 21-16, 21-15 win against English pair Marcus Ellis and Lauren Smith in the finals, giving Singapore its historic first gold medal in the category.
“After dedicating so many years of my life to the sport of badminton, there is an inevitably bittersweet feeling stepping away from these exhilarating competitions. I still remember vividly the match point at 20-15 in the Commonwealth Games when we won, collapsing onto the ground weeping tears of relief and joy,” said 31-year-old Tan, who sustained multiple injuries in her illustrious career, which included a torn meniscus in her left knee in 2021 that required surgery.
“But one never really retires from badminton; it will always be a part of my life. I’m excited about going back to school again, and I’m grateful to SBA, SportSG, and sponsors for their generous support throughout my career,” said Tan.
Singapore mixed doubles pair, Terry Hee and Jin Yujia winning the silver medal at the 2024 Odisha Masters. (Photo credit: Singapore Badminton Association)
In November last year, the SBA announced that after careful consideration, Hee would have a new mixed doubles partner, Jin Yujia. At the Odisha Masters, the pair won the silver medal during their second competition a month later.
Tan’s last competitive tournaments were last September when she competed in the Korea Open, Hong Kong Open, and Macau Open. She and her mixed doubles partner Hee exited all three competitions in the Round of 32.
Her best performance in 2024 came in the January Malaysia Open. They ended the competition in third place, after they went down 16-21, 21-16 to Kim Won Ho and Jeong Na Eun of South Korea in the semi-finals.
In 2023, the mixed doubles pair took top spot in both the Guwahati Masters, and Irish Open. They also finished runners-up in the Odisha Masters and Abu Dhabi Masters.
“It has not been an easy journey. One of my key goals when I committed to badminton as a career was to represent Singapore at the Olympics, and my mother’s passing in 2023 exacted a heavy physical and emotional toll on me. My husband and mixed doubles partner Terry was very supportive, and I’m glad he will be having another go at the Olympics with Yujia,” added Tan, who, along with her partner, became Singapore’s first mixed doubles team to qualify for the Olympics in 2024.
In the Olympic Games in Paris, Tan and Hee won one and lost two matches in Group D. Their only win in the round robin came against Vinson Chiu and Jennie Gai of the USA (21-17, 21-12), and they lost to opponents from China and Malaysia.
Before commencing her studies, Tan will work at the SBA to hone her skills in the pathway programme planning, focusing on business development and communications. She will also be assisting Singapore national team doubles head coach Paulus Firman with coaching.
“It’s a delight seeing Jessica and Terry grow and mature over the past few years, and at times, I feel like a parent in this coaching relationship. The path to the Olympics certainly was not an easy one, and Jessica has shown grit and determination in the face of adversity. I hope she will be an inspiration to the young athletes who are considering badminton as a career,” shared doubles head coach Firman.
SINGAPORE: In a striking public statement ahead of the upcoming General Election, Red Dot United (RDU) member Kala Manickam, who is expected to contest Jalan Kayu SMC, has criticised former Minister Ng Chee Meng’s apparent bid to re-enter Parliament, challenging the narrative that his return is based purely on merit.
Her message is as much a call for accountability as it reflects growing ground sentiment in Jalan Kayu and beyond: Singaporeans are tired of parachuted candidates and political favouritism.
“Walk the ground—on your own”
In a social media post published this week, she said, “Mr Ng Chee Meng recently said he hopes to ‘return to Parliament through an election based on his own merits.’ I genuinely hope he means that. Because if he does, he should walk the ground in Jalan Kayu SMC—on his own—without Senior Minister Lee or Prime Minister Lawrence Wong by his side.”
Her statement directly questions the circumstances surrounding Mr Ng’s re-entry, urging him to face voters not as a product of the PAP establishment, but as a leader capable of earning trust independently. “Let residents see for themselves the measure of the man, and not just the weight of the establishment behind him,” she added.
The implication is clear: if Mr Ng believes he is returning on merit, then he must be willing to face the electorate without relying on high-profile political backing.
Parachuted or preferred?
Ms Manickam also did not shy away from addressing the perception that Mr Ng has been “parachuted” into Jalan Kayu. Describing him as “SM Lee Hsien Loong’s blue-eyed boy,” she posed a question that many on the ground resonated with: “Why does Mr Lee want him in Parliament so badly? Why the insistence? What exactly is at stake—for the party, or for Mr Ng himself?”
“The ground is talking about jobs, not comebacks”
Beyond political theatre, Ms Kala’s message zeroes in on what truly matters to residents: jobs, wages, and security. She wrote, “Many in Jalan Kayu—and across Singapore—have done everything they were told to do. They’ve gone for upskilling, embraced lifelong learning. But the good opportunities are still few and far between.”
Her message appears to be a powerful reminder that national conversations about resilience and retraining often mask the frustrations felt by ordinary Singaporeans who feel they’ve played by the rules but are still falling behind. Stagnating wages and dwindling job security, she says, are eroding trust in the promise that hard work leads to progress.
Ms Kala also pointed to one particularly vulnerable group: gig and contract workers.
NTUC’s silence on gig workers under scrutiny
As the former Secretary-General of NTUC, Mr Ng’s legacy includes a track record that Ms Kala argues is incomplete, especially in relation to gig economy workers. “Under Mr Ng’s leadership at NTUC, their struggles have been raised again and again. But what real change has there been?” Ms Kala asked.
She called attention to the persistent lack of benefits, protection, and basic labour rights for freelancers, delivery riders, and temporary staff. “Only now, as Mr Ng seeks re-election, does it seem like something might finally be done. And that timing doesn’t sit right with many.”
Her remarks perhaps echo a deeper frustration in public discourse: that meaningful policy responses seem to appear only when electoral stakes are high.
Leadership beyond campaign trail
Perhaps the most compelling line in Ms Kala’s statement is also the simplest: “Singaporeans deserve leaders who don’t wait for an election to start acting.” It’s a quiet indictment of performative politics, where photo ops and campaign trails often eclipse genuine, sustained engagement.
She argued that Jalan Kayu doesn’t need “a politician trying to stage a return,” but rather “someone who’s always been here. Someone who listens, who understands what’s at stake, and who’s ready to serve for the right reasons.”
It’s a sentiment that many Singaporeans might share, especially in constituencies that feel forgotten between elections.
The RDU team lead for Jalan Kayu added, “This election isn’t about personalities. It’s about priorities. And we owe it to ourselves to choose leadership grounded in merit, not favour.”
Ms Kala’s statement may be aimed at one candidate in one constituency, but it highlights a broader national narrative: the need to reclaim politics from the elite, the entitled, and the episodically visible. It’s a nudge to consider not just what candidates promise during rallies, but how they show up the rest of the time — who they are when no one’s watching, and what really drives them to serve.
Stay tuned to The Independent for more in-depth coverage of GE2025, ground sentiments, and exclusive interviews as Singapore navigates one of its most pivotal elections yet.
SINGAPORE: While the Workers’ Party’s (WP) Jamus Lim released a new video on Friday (Apr 18) about his life as an Economics professor and an opposition Member of Parliament (MP), a video from 2020 has also re-emerged on Reddit, where he first caught the attention of many Singaporeans in a televised debate.
On Jul 1, 2020,Mediacorp hosted a political debate with the four parties fielding the most candidates for the election: the People’s Action Party (PAP), the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), the WP, and the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP). Their respective representatives were Vivian Balakrishnan, Francis Yuen, Jamus Lim, and Chee Soon Juan.
Assoc Prof Lim, although younger than the others and a newbie to the political arena, more than held his own. He gave the quote of the night and pretty much set the winning tone for the Workers’ Party when he said, “What we are trying to deny the PAP isn’t a mandate. What we’re trying to deny them is a blank cheque.”
In the wrap-up at the end of the debate, he said he had enjoyed himself and called it “exactly why debates about ideas for how Singapore should progress should occur, and I think it’s also clear from this debate that the PAP does not have a monopoly on the best ideas on how we should bring the society forward.
“Now, the PAP has argued this election is really about giving them a mandate to bring the country out of this (Covid-19) crisis, and they need this mandate in order to do so. Now, the truth is, the PAP in all likelihood will have this mandate by the end of this election, and I think what we are trying to deny the PAP isn’t a mandate, what we’re trying to deny them is a blank check.”
Addressing voters, Assoc Prof Lim ended by saying, “If you believe in having all voices heard, if you believe that we succeed only when we have a sound and rational debate about what matters, if you believe in the essence of a democratic modern society for the 21st-century, then we ask that you make your vote count and that you will vote for the Workers Party.”
Dr Balakrishnan told Assoc Prof Lim that the WP’s and the PAP’s ideas do not differ all that much, and repeated the assertion that the opposition party is “PAP lite” or “PAP-like.”
A few days later, he, along with the WP’s Sengkang slate, made history by winning a second GRC for the opposition. With 10 elected WP MPs, came the official designation of the party’s Secretary-General, Aljunied GRC MP Pritam Singh, as Singapore’s first Leader of the Opposition.
Five years on, commenters are still bringing up the points discussed in the debate.
“PAP-lite is exactly what I want as opposition. I don’t want nutcases or radicals. We want the PAP to keep their feet on the ground, so they don’t get complacent,” remarked one.
“This is still true. I still want PAP to govern SG, but they cannot do things and shove policies down our throats as and when they wish. We still need a credible opposition to keep them on their toes,” observed another.
As for Assoc Prof Lim’s performance, a Reddit user wrote, “This clip is for posterity, I’m not exaggerating, this was when we first knew his team could actually win.” /TISG
SINGAPORE: All eyes will be on the West Coast – Jurong West GRC in the May 3 general election (GE) as the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) won West Coast by the slimmest margin in 2020 against the Progress Singapore Party (PSP). The contest was so close that two PSP candidates — Ms Hazel Poa and Mr Leong Mun Wai — became Non-Constituency MPs (NCMPs) as the “best losers” in the 2020 GE.
While the opposition PSP has yet to announce its slate of candidates for the upcoming election, the PAP has unveiled Mr Desmond Lee as the anchor minister in the constituency alongside two new faces: Dr Hamid Razak, an orthopaedic surgeon, and lawyer Ms Cassandra Lee.
Speaking at a PAP media conference on Tuesday (April 15), Dr Hamid said: “Some of you may wonder why I would step away from a very busy surgical career. Well, this is not me stepping away. This is me stepping forward. I’m stepping forward with the same calling to serve. Whether it’s in my professional career, when someone comes to me with medical problems or if it’s a family that is struggling in the community, the calling is the same which is to serve.”
Incumbent members of Parliament Shawn Huang, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, and Mr Ang Wei Nang complete the five-member PAP team. Not included in the slate is incumbent MP Ms Foo Mee Har. MP Patrick Tay will continue to contest at Pioneer SMC.
In a Facebook post on April 15, Ms Foo said: “Today, I announced that I will be passing the baton to my successors —Dr Hamid Razak for Gek Poh and Ms Cassandra Lee for Ayer Rajah. I do so with full confidence that you will be in capable, committed, and caring hands.”
Dr Hamid Razak with Minister Desmond Lee at Jurong Spring. (Photo: Facebook screengrab / desmondtslee)
Ms Foo added that Dr Hamid is a respected orthopaedic surgeon and a dedicated community leader who has played an active role in the Jurong community for 17 years, leading initiatives ranging from health outreach and youth mentorship to literacy programmes for underprivileged children.
“Having grown up in Jurong West and lived here for many years, Hamid has a deep understanding of our community’s needs and aspirations. I am confident that under his stewardship, the exciting plans we have in the pipeline will be brought to life, and our Jurong West community will grow from strength to strength,” added Ms Foo.
Ms Foo made her electoral debut in 2011, running alongside Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as part of the PAP team, which secured a decisive victory with 66.57% of the vote against the Reform Party.
PAP support in West Coast plummeted in 2020 when it won the constituency with 51.68% (71,658) of the votes, the slimmest margin of victory for a GRC.
Now it’s up for grabs with a new name and in a new shape. West Coast was renamed West Coast – Jurong West GRC following the release of the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) report in March.
The new West Coast – Jurong West GRC absorbed 41,404 eligible voters from the Taman Jurong division and parts of Jurong Spring from the now defunct Jurong GRC. It also ceded areas in Dover and Telok Blangah to Tanjong Pagar GRC, and relinquished areas in Harbourfront and Sentosa to Radin Mas SMC.
PSP’s NCMP Mr Leong Mun Wai engaging with residents at Taman Jurong division. (Photo: Facebook screengrab / pspwestcoast)
Dr Tan Cheng Bock, former PAP MP for Ayer Rajah SMC, helmed the PSP team that contested West Coast in 2020. The five-member team included Mr Loganathan and Mr Jeffrey Khoo. Mr Leong Mun Wai and Ms Hazel Poa were also on the team, and both became NCMPs after the election.
The PSP will have at least one new face on their slate for West Coast – Jurong West GRC, as Mr Khoo is being fielded as the party’s candidate for Marymount SMC this year. While unveiling Mr Khoo’s candidacy on April 17, Dr Tan also revealed that Ms Poa’s husband, Mr Tony Tan will be the PSP candidate for Kebun Baru SMC.
The PSP secretary-general, Mr Leong, previously confirmed that the party will once again contest in both West Coast – Jurong West and Chua Chu Kang GRC. It is unclear whether the party will put up a candidate in the newly-carved Bukit Gombak SMC, which used to be part of Chua Chu Kang GRC.
