GE2025: Singapore needs good team to stay ahead, tackling living cost and job concerns ‘most urgent priority’, says PM Wong

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, whom Mr Wong called a “good friend” and also a former colleague in the civil service, had to help Singapore stay connected to the world amid the evolution of new strains, as transport minister during the pandemic.

Mr Ong came up with the air travel bubble concept, noted Mr Wong.

Lastly, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng joined the team after the last General Election, but “went straight to work”, bringing his “private sector expertise and hands-on mindset” to the pandemic battle.

He is now taking the same can-do spirit to serve residents in Chua Chu Kang GRC, said Mr Wong.

“Without individuals like them, my team would not be what it is today,” said Mr Wong of the quartet.

Mr Wong also acknowledged in his speech several political veterans who are stepping down: Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat and Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen.

“I will miss all of them,” he said.

Mr Wong reiterated his focus on renewing Singapore’s political leadership.

He said he had worked with some of the 32 new candidates closely during the pandemic, including East Coast GRC candidate Dinesh Vasu Dash and Tampines GRC candidate David Neo.

Mr Neo oversaw the Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF) operations in the foreign workers’ dormitories, ensuring close coordination with other government agencies, said Mr Wong.

Mr Dinesh was in charge of the country’s vaccination drive, developing the plans, briefing the Cabinet, and then implementing them effectively on the ground, said the prime minister.

“Many other countries also had vaccines but they couldn’t get the vaccinations done on time. In Singapore, we could, and it’s because of his leadership,” he said.

Calling the duo very good men “who have the potential to be more than backbenchers”, Mr Wong said they will add significantly to the team that will take Singapore forward.

“With these new additions, we will have … a more effective team to weather the storm ahead,” he said.

“We will have a fresh team, combining experience with new perspectives, and we will have a stronger team united by a new resolve to serve you, support you, stand by you.”

SIZEABLE OPPOSITION TODAY

Mr Wong also acknowledged that while some Singaporeans want the PAP to continue to govern, they also want to see more alternative voices in Parliament.

“I understand this sentiment. In fact, we already have a sizeable opposition in Parliament today,” he said.

He noted that the number of opposition MPs has been increasing steadily with each election. “In the last GE, the number almost doubled.”

“The opposition is here to stay, they are determined and they really want to grow,” said Mr Wong.

He said that most of the Workers’ Party’s (WP) elected MPs are staying put in their wards this GE to secure their seats in Parliament. “As one of their candidates said, these are their ‘safe seats’,” said Mr Wong.

“Their new candidates are fielded elsewhere so that they can break new ground hopefully and increase their seats in parliament,” he added.