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White Vs Blue, who squatted to talk to elderly cardboard collector in wheelchair
Heng Swee Keat’s speech fumble makes him the subject of Internet memes
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat faced public ridicule after a series of verbal flubs during his speech on Nomination Day on Tuesday (June 30)
It was on that day that the public became aware that he was being moved by the People’s Action Party (PAP) from Tampines GRC to contest in East Coast GRC against a promising Workers’ Party team, which included Ms Nicole Seah. She became famous when she was the youngest candidate in the 2011 elections, contesting with the National Solidarity Party in Marine Parade GRC.
During his speech, Mr Heng said: “For our East Coast residents, we also have a plan for the East Coast. We have a East Coast, Singapore, we have a together and East Coast plan. We care at the East Coast.”
To make matters worse, his team-mate Jessica Tan, who was standing behind him, was spotted with her mask upside down and displaying an inverted PAP logo, raising eyebrows about the cohesiveness of the PAP’s East Coast candidates.
Candidates from PAP and PSP checking the nomination papers
PAP, PSP teams for Tanjong Pagar GRC point out errors in each other’s paperwork but contest goes ahead
Bendemeer Primary School, the nomination centre for Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency (GRC), was the scene of a minor disagreement on Tuesday (June 30), as the two parties contesting the GRC said they spotted mistakes in each other’s nomination papers. However, both the People’s Action Party (PAP) and the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) decided not to object to each other’s papers, so that they could face off in the General Election (GE) on July 10.
It began when the PAP team, led by Mr Chan Chun Sing and Ms Indranee Rajah, pointed out a mistake in the opposing team’s papers — it was missing the name of the constituency that PSP wanted to contest in, Tanjong Pagar GRC. PSP organising secretary Michael Chua, 55, who leads the Tanjong Pagar team, acknowledged the mistake but noted that his team could also have chosen to dispute the PAP team’s nomination papers. One of the PAP candidates, Mr Eric Chua, had written that his occupation was “retired SCDF (Singapore Civil Defence Force) officer”.
Before quitting to join politics, Mr Chua was a director of the SGSecure programme office at the Ministry of Home Affairs. Mr Michael Chua said: “That is not an occupation. If we really want to discuss, that would be retired or whatever, unemployed, or something like that, depending on the age.”
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One issue with the PSP team's nomination papers on Tuesday morning (Jun 30)
The PAP team noted that the PSP did not fill out the constituency. Amendments could not be made because the deadline for making changes had passed. Officials accepted the papers because no objections were raised. Speaking to the media before leaving the nomination centre, Ms Indranee said the PAP team decided to waive its right to object as it did not want to be returned to power because of a technicality.
Asked about the mistake, PSP’s Mr Chua said his team could have also found fault with the PAP’s forms, which listed its candidate Mr Eric Chua’s occupation as “retired SCDF officer”.
“That is not an occupation,” said Mr Michael Chua.
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All 93 seats to be contested at July 10 election; 192 candidates from 11 parties file papers on Nomination Day
For the second general election in a row, there will be contests in all seats, of which there are 93 this time.
Nomination Day on Tuesday (June 30) saw a total of 192 candidates file papers to contest every seat in 17 group representation constituencies (GRCs) and 14 single-member constituencies (SMCs). With no walkovers, it means all 2.65 million eligible voters will soon receive polling cards to let them vote on July 10.
The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) is the only party with candidates contesting every seat.
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Lee Hsien Yang calls for end to PAP's 'super majority'
Singaporeans must vote to end the ruling People's Action Party's super majority in Parliament, Progress Singapore Party member Lee Hsien Yang urged voters in a video message posted on Facebook yesterday.
Mr Lee, whose brother, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, is secretary-general of the PAP, criticised the Government on a range of issues as he called for more diversity in Parliament.
"Make your vote in this Covid-19 election count. Choose a Singapore where the daily struggle and sacrifice pays off for all, not just for the natural aristocracy," he said, appearing to reference the Workers' Party election campaign slogan Make Your Vote Count.
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PSP’s Lee Hsien Yang not running for elections
After nominations were filed on Tuesday, Mr Lee posted a note on Facebook, saying that he chose not to stand for political office because he believes “Singapore does not need another Lee”.
As someone who grew up in a family at the centre of Singapore politics, he added, it would have been “the most natural thing” for him to have entered political office.
“But political leadership in Singapore needs to be much more than about one family or one man. The empirical evidence shows that dynastic politics causes bad government,” he wrote.
“When people enter politics on the back of the family name, they are often evaluated based on their parents and not their performance. This unfair advantage undermines meritocracy. How can we expect politicians to hold each other to account, if they are blood relations?”
He then urged voters to “vote fearlessly”, and added that he is interested in politics and hopes to be a catalyst for change by contributing in other ways: “I am involved through speaking up, by supporting candidates and parties I believe in, by contributing my time, ideas and resources to causes I support, and by seeking an open and independent media. I do not seek power, prestige or financial rewards of political office.”
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Lee Hsien Yang 1hr
You may not be interested in politics, but politics is interested in you.
I grew up in a family at the centre of Singapore politics. From the time I was born in 1957, politics was a part of my family, as my father fought first for independence for our country and then led the challenging and arduous journey Singapore took to nationhood.
It would have been the most natural thing for me to have entered political office. But political leadership in Singapore needs to be much more than about one family or one man. The empirical evidence shows that dynastic politics causes bad government. When people enter politics on the back of the family name, they are often evaluated based on their parents and not their performance. This unfair advantage undermines meritocracy. How can we expect politicians to hold each other to account, if they are blood relations?
I chose instead to enter the world of business, to be accountable to shareholders, employees and customers, and the community. I also sought to contribute to Singapore through volunteering in other institutions beyond my corporate roles. I wanted to forge my own path, to be my own man and a man of my word.
I have chosen not to stand for political office because I believe Singapore does not need another Lee. I am interested in politics. I am involved through speaking up, by supporting candidates and parties I believe in, by contributing my time, ideas and resources to causes I support, and by seeking an open and independent media. I do not seek power, prestige or financial rewards of political office. I hope to be a catalyst for change.
Being involved in politics can take many different forms. Amongst others it needs citizens to be aware of and contribute to the public discourse in the country, to support political parties one believes in, and to help them reach out to other voters. It is support for an independent media and for open and transparent government. It is being engaged, speaking truth to power, volunteering one’s time and contributing financially or otherwise for causes that one believes in. Politics is both the right and the duty of every citizen.
Our country needs a broad and diverse parliament with members who care for its citizens and the future of our nation and hold themselves accountable to the citizens. It needs people from different walks of life who can imagine, inspire and execute. We need new ideas to reinvigorate Singapore. We must have genuine discussions and rigorous debate involving a diversity of Singaporean voices as we seek to navigate the challenging waters ahead. We need leaders who listen and who are receptive to those voices and needs.
In the last few years, I have been approached by countless Singaporeans who have asked me to stand for political office. These are Singaporeans from all walks of life. I am deeply humbled. Many Singaporeans are very troubled that Singapore no longer has the leadership it needs. Sadly, the current government has failed its people. The rising anger and frustrations of the populace speaks for itself. The PAP has lost its way.
We need to take action now. Speak up and be heard. Discuss openly the issues facing our country. Read and share independent journalism. Seek transparency and accountability in government. Talk to your friends and family to help them see the need for change. Volunteer your time and resources to support the parties you believe in.
Vote fearlessly. Rescue the future of the country we love.
Politics is not just for politicians. It is for every citizen.
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Lee Hsien Yang explains why he chose not to stand for political office
Being involved in politics can take many different forms, said Progress Singapore Party member Lee Hsien Yang, brother of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
He said in a Facebook post around 1.40pm: "I have chosen not to stand for political office because I believe Singapore does not need another Lee.
"I am involved through speaking up, by supporting candidates and parties I believe in, by contributing my time, ideas and resources to causes I support, and by seeking an open and independent media."
"I do not seek power, prestige or financial rewards of political office. I hope to be a catalyst for change," he added.
He said that it would have been the "most natural thing" for him to stand for political office, but political leadership in Singapore "needs to be much more than about one family or one man".
Singapore needs a broad and diverse Parliament with members who care for its citizens and the future of the nation and hold themselves accountable to the citizens, said Mr Lee, adding that there needs to be new ideas to reinvigorate Singapore, and leaders who listen and are receptive.
"Vote fearlessly. Rescue the future of the country we love. Politics is not just for politicians. It is for every citizen," he said.
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Follow ST live coverage on Nomination Day
Who will be standing in your constituency and which are the seats to watch?
All will be revealed on Nomination Day, which falls on June 30, when the political parties confirm their final line-ups for Singapore's general election.
It will be a quieter affair this year due to Covid-19 restrictions. Supporters, who would usually wave party flags and cheer for candidates at the nomination centres, will not be able to enter the premises this year. Follow our full coverage of the country's biggest political event.
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Elections Department releases list of 9 nomination centres
The Elections Department (ELD) has announced a list of nine nomination centres, following Tuesday’s (Jun 23) announcements that Nomination Day will take place on Jun 30, with Singaporeans heading to the polls on Jul 10.
Prospective candidates will have to submit their nomination papers at one of nine schools, each handling the following electoral divisions:
- Bendemeer Primary School - Bishan-Toa Payoh, Jalan Besar, Radin Mas, Tanjong Pagar
- Chong Fu School - Kebun Baru, Marsiling-Yew Tee, Nee Soon, Sembawang
- Deyi Secondary School - Aljunied, Ang Mo Kio, Marymount, Yio Chu Kang
- Jurong Pioneer Junior College - Chua Chu Kang, Hong Kah North, Pioneer
- Kong Hwa School - MacPherson, Marine Parade, Mountbatten, Potong Pasir
- Methodist Girls’ School - Bukit Panjang, Holland-Bukit Timah
- Nan Hua High School - Bukit Batok, Jurong, West Coast, Yuhua
- Poi Ching School - Hougang, Tampines
- St Anthony’s Canossian Primary School - East Coast, Pasir Ris-Punggol, Punggol West, Sengkang
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What are the new campaign guidelines?
As Singapore inches closer to the polls, the Elections Department has announced campaigning rules to keep candidates, voters and officials safe amid the Covid-19 outbreak.
The new rules will place restrictions on physical campaigning, and parties and candidates have been encouraged to consider alternative modes of campaigning, such as e-rallies.
Here are the new guidelines at a glance:
- SOCIAL DISTANCING AT NOMINATION CENTRES
- SOCIAL DISTANCING
- NO LIVE SPEECHES OR MUSIC FROM CAMPAIGN VEHICLES
- NO ELECTION MEETINGS
- MORE TV AIRTIME FOR CANDIDATES
- E-RALLY LIVESTREAMS
- RESTRICTIONS ON FILMS
- WATCH BROADCASTS AT HOME
- ACTIVITIES UNAFFECTED BY COVID-19
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Guidelines for safe campaigning
The Elections Department (ELD) has issued measures on ensuring people can vote safely amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The measures include dedicated time-bands for seniors to vote, setting up more polling stations and having voters wear gloves before entering polling booths.
No physical rallies will be allowed. Instead, constituency political broadcasts will be aired on Mediacorp’s Channel 5 with each candidate given three minutes of airtime. These are on top of two party political broadcasts which will be aired on 19 TV and radio channels.
Political parties doing walkabouts and door-to-door campaigning have to cap their groups at five people, and they should also take other precautions advised by the health authorities such as wearing masks and avoiding physical contact, said ELD.
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Workers' Party wipeout argument a 'tactic', expect hard fight, says PM Lee Hsien Loong
PM Lee called the WP argument a tactical one, adding that it is also using reverse psychology
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has described the Workers' Party (WP) suggestion that the People's Action Party could win all 93 seats in the next Parliament as an unrealistic outcome and a "tactic".
In fact, there will be a "hard fight" because people are hurting from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, he told reporters on Monday (June 29) at the unveiling of candidates for Ang Mo Kio GRC, which he helms.
"Although we are in crisis and people want a strong government, at the same time, many people are hurting badly - those who have lost their jobs, those whose pay has been substantially reduced, those who are very worried about whether they will find their first job, or whether they will lose their job some time in the next months or years.
related: No guarantee PAP will be in government after polls
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PAP does not have 'a tradition of backstabbing our mentors', says Vivian Balakrishnan
Minister for Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan opened his rally speech on Monday (Sept 7) night with: "I will be making the most boring but the most important speech of my life."
But it was anything but "boring".
The former school debater, who is leading the People's Action Party's (PAP) Holland-Bukit Timah team, took on his opponents from the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) with thinly-veiled criticism and scathing remarks.
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Fadilan AK 16 hrs
Just watch, listen & decide.
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Ivan Lim makes surprise appearance in PAP's Jurong GRC thank-you video
He might have withdrawn from running in GE2020, but it won't be the last time we'll see Ivan Lim, it seems.
In a Facebook Live video early this morning (July 11), the People's Action Party (PAP) team comprising Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Dr Tan Wu Meng, Rahayu Mahzam, Shawn Huang and Xie Yao Quan took turns to thank voters for their support after winning Jurong GRC with 74.62 per cent of the votes.
However, the sight of a sixth person in a thank-you video for a five-member GRC caught viewers' eyes.
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'We can't simply write off and destroy people like this': PM Lee says claims against Ivan Lim to be investigated
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has spoken publicly on the saga involving Ivan Lim, this time at a virtual press conference to unveil the candidates for Ang Mo Kio GRC, which PM Lee is leading. In a reply to a question on candidate selection and Ivan Lim's withdrawal following allegations made against him, Lee said: "I think if we look for the perfect candidate, we will lose many good men and women. And if we encourage a culture of trial by Internet, then we will not find anybody willing to stand and put themselves and their families through this ordeal, even if at the end of it, they're able to clear themselves."
"I think Ivan did the right thing to decide to withdraw, and not to have this election distracted by his case. "But I don't think that should be the end of the matter because we can't let such serious things we said about somebody, and have somebody leave in a cloud permanently hanging over him and a question mark." PM Lee added that it would be "unfair to Ivan", and "set a very damaging precedent" that one can condemn someone and "write him off" based on an internet campaign.
We don't have time to settle it now but we can't simply write off and destroy people like this. So after the election, the party will investigate the veracity of the allegations agaist Ivan and we will come to a view on the matter," said Lee.
related: The controversy has also caused intense pain and stress for my family
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PAP has confidence in its candidate selection process, will look into Ivan Lim case after election, says PM Lee Hsien Loong
The People's Action Party (PAP) has confidence in its candidate selection process and will stand by its candidates as long as it is satisfied they are fit for the role, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Monday (June 29).
"If problems come up, we will look at them," PM Lee told reporters when introducing the Ang Mo Kio GRC team that he is leading. "You can never say that nothing is there, and if something turns out to be there, we have to deal with it.
"And if nothing is there, then we back our candidate, and he or she must know that if they've done nothing wrong, if they are straight and open and candid with the party, and we know what is the truth, and we are satisfied that he is fit to be a candidate, we will stand by him and we will defend him."
related: The controversy has also caused intense pain and stress for my family
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PAP’s Ivan Lim Pens Withdrawal Letter Saying He’s Doing It For His Family
PAP Candidate Ivan Lim Withdraws After 3 Days For The Sake Of His Family
On Sunday (28 Jun), Singaporeans were pretty shook by the news of Mr Ivan Lim’s withdrawal as a People’s Action Party (PAP) candidate, just 3 days after being announced as part of a new slate of fresh faces.
The Keppel General Manager’s (GM) past experience had come under scrutiny by netizens after various accounts were uploaded online. In particular, netizens questioned his role in Keppel’s project in Brazil, which we have covered here.
Now, he’s released a letter detailing his reasons for the withdrawal, as posted on Yahoo Singapore‘s Facebook page.
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Why one party dominates Singapore politics
Singaporeans are expected to return the People's Action Party to power in a July 10 general election, extending its unbroken rule since the Southeast Asian island's independence in 1965.
In that time, Singapore has had only three prime ministers: independence leader Lee Kuan Yew, his cabinet colleague Goh Chok Tong and Lee's son, the present prime minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Having overseen rapid economic growth and prosperity, the PAP has become entrenched in power. But there are other factors that have kept rivals at bay:
- UNIQUE MODEL
- CONSTRAINTS
- DISPARATE GROUP
- LEGAL PROBLEMS
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COMPLETE LIST OF ALL MPS WHO RETIRED IN GE2020
This year, despite that pesky coronavirus roaming around the country, Singapore will have a General Election, with just 9 days until voters cast their ballots. While we’ve seen many new faces enter the political arena, many others have bid goodbye after years and even decades of service.
During the launch of the People’s Action Party’s manifesto on Saturday (27 Jun), PM Lee announced that 20 MPs will retire this year. 20 MPs from PAP, that is. If you take into account the three from the Worker’s Party (WP), that number goes up to 23.
PAP:
- Ang Hin Kee (two terms), Ang Mo Kio GRC
- Chia Shi-Lu (two terms), Tanjong Pagar GRC
- Charles Chong (seven terms), Punggol East SMC
- Fatimah Lateef (three terms), Marine Parade GRC
- Cedric Foo Chee Keng (four terms), Pioneer SMC
- Goh Chok Tong (10 terms), Marine Parade GRC
- Intan Azura Mokhtar (two terms), Ang Mo Kio GRC
- Khaw Boon Wan (four terms), Sembawang GRC
- Lee Bee Wah (three terms), Nee Soon GRC
- Lee Yi Shyan (three terms), East Coast GRC
- Lim Hng Kiang (six terms), West Coast GRC
- Lim Swee Say (five terms), East Coast GRC
- Lily Neo (five terms), Jalan Besar GRC
- Ong Teng Koon (two terms), Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC
- Sam Tan (three terms), Radin Mas SMC
- Teo Ho Pin (five terms), Bukit Panjang SMC
- Teo Ser Luck (three terms), Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC
- Yaacob Ibrahim (five terms), Jalan Besar GRC
- Yee Chia Hsing (one term), Choa Chu Kang GRC
- Zainal Sapari (two terms), Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC
- Chen Show Mao (Aljunied GRC) (One Term)
- Low Thia Khiang (Hougang SMC, Aljunied GRC) (6 Terms)
- Png Eng Huat (Hougang SMC) (One Term)
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Profiles of PAP's 27 new candidates
The People's Action Party (PAP) on Friday (June 26) introduced eight more new candidates to contest the election on July 10.
With this round of introductions, the PAP has in all unveiled 27 new faces for the upcoming polls. Previously it had said it would present 26 new candidates.
Here's a look at the candidates' profiles:
- DESMOND TAN KOK MING, 50 (Former People's Association head)
- EDWARD CHIA BING HUI, 36 (Co-founder/managing director Timbre Group)
- NADIA AHMAD SAMDIN, 30 (Associate director at TSMP Law Corporation)
- DON WEE BOON HONG, 43 (Senior vice-president at UOB)
- MOHD FAHMI ALIMAN, 48 (Former Islamic Religious Council of S'pore DCE)
- YIP HON WENG, 43 (Former group chief of Silver Generation Office)
- HANY SOH HUI BIN, 33 (Director at MSC Law Corporation)
- DR TAN SEE LENG, 55 (Former Parkway Holdings Group chief executive)
- TAN KIAT HOW, 43 (Former IMDA chief executive)
- NG LING LING, 48 (Former managing director of Community Chest)
- ZHULKARNAIN ABDUL RAHIM, 39 (Lawyer)
- MS YEO WAN LING, 44 (Chief executive of social enterprise Caregiver Asia)
- MR ALVIN TAN SHENG HUI, 39 (Head Public Policy Economics @ LinkedIn)
- DR WAN RIZAL WAN ZAKARIAH, 42 (Senior lecturer Republic Polytechnic)
- MR ERIC CHUA SWEE LEONG, 41 (Former director SGSecure programme)
- MR RAYMOND LYE HOONG YIP, 54 (Managing partner at Union Law LLP)
- MS POH LI SAN, 44 (VP for Terminal 5 planning at Changi Airport Group)
- MR DERRICK GOH SOON HEE, 51 (MD & head of group audit at DBS Bank)
- MS GAN SIOW HUANG, 46 (Former air force brigadier-general)
- MS RACHEL ONG SIN YEN, 47 (Rohei chief executive)
- MR MOHD SHARAEL TAHA, 39 (VP strategy/project management S'pore Aero)
- MR ALEX YEO SHENG CHYE, 41 (Director at Niru & Co LLC)
- MS MARIAM JAAFAR, 43 (S'pore MD & partner for Boston Consulting Group)
- MR SHAWN HUANG, 37 (Director enterprise development Temasek Holdings)
- MS CHAN HUI YUH, 44 (Marketing director)
- MS CARRIE TAN, 38 (Founding ED of charity Daughters of Tomorrow)
- MR XIE YAO QUAN, 35 (Head of healthcare redesign at Alexandra Hospital)
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Netizens said that elderly Woman distributing Flyers look familiar
A man took a video of an elderly woman distributing flyers at a public area, due to wearing of personal protective gear many are not able to identify who she is.
Alamak Thunder Upside Down Already
A campaign rally. Will support turn to votes?
GE2020: To help the PAP and Singapore improve
Who is this distributing flyers?
A Secret Admirer of Lee Hsien Yang
