Reporters also asked Mr Chan to respond to the WP’s claim that the PAP manifesto was “short on specifics” and proposals from opposition parties, such as free education and healthcare, and abolishing streaming in schools.
“I think at the halfway mark, we need to focus on the issues that are closest to the hearts of our residents,” replied Mr Chan.
“I will summarise this in three words, and these are the issues that I think the vast majority of Singaporeans will be concerned with, especially in the current circumstances – the three words will be jobs, wages and prices.”
He said that when assessing any proposal by political parties, voters should first ask how the proposed programmes would be paid for.
They should also ask if the proposals will help Singapore attract more and better investments, so as to boost job creation and wages, Mr Chan said.
“Yet another question would be, in times of inflation right now, how do we compose a team that will best represent Singapore, that will give us the best, the strongest negotiating position when we go and negotiate with the rest of the world to secure our investments, to secure our supplies?” he said.
Joining Mr Chan on the walkabout were his fellow Tanjong Pagar GRC candidates: Minister of State Alvin Tan, Ms Rachel Ong, Ms Joan Pereira and new face Foo Cexiang.
