GE2025: WP taking ‘cavalier and irresponsible approach towards livelihood of S’poreans’, says PM Wong
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PM Lawrence Wong (centre), flanked by the PAP's Punggol GRC candidates (from left) Janil Puthucheary, Sun Xueling, Gan Kim Yong and Yeo Wan Ling, speaking to the media on the sidelines of a walkabout at the One Punggol Hawker Centre on April 29.
ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
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SINGAPORE – Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has rebuked the WP for its negative tone and attacks on Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and his team.
“It’s regretful and disappointing that the WP will make such negative attacks on someone who is spending so much time tackling national issues, trying to make things better, who has done so much for Singapore and continues to do so much for Singapore.
“It is a cavalier and irresponsible approach towards the livelihood and well-being of all Singaporeans,” PM Wong said, speaking to the media on the sidelines of a walkabout at One Punggol Hawker Centre on April 29.
“Let’s reject this kind of negative politics. You should be better than this.”
WP chief Pritam Singh and other WP candidates had taken swipes at the PAP’s team in Punggol, which is led by DPM Gan, at its rally on April 28.
On DPM Gan, Mr Singh said it was “very strange” that the Cabinet minister was not elected into the PAP’s latest central executive committee in 2024, and asked whether it could be because he was ready to retire and did not plan to run in this election.
“If so, can he be so critical to the PM’s plans?” he asked.
He also took a jab at DPM Gan’s comments at an earlier PAP rally in Punggol, where the Deputy Prime Minister said he would “talk to his good friend”,
“Do I need to be his friend for taxpayer funding to be allocated to Punggol? No,” Mr Singh said.
PM Wong said that while DPM Gan is a friend, he is also a key member of his team, adding that such senior ministers in the Cabinet bring with them experience and proven capabilities.
“They can think about new solutions that will improve things on the ground, innovative ways to get things done,” PM Wong said.
“They bring these up in our Cabinet meetings, we discuss, we share and we implement them. That’s how we improve things in Singapore. That’s how we have built today’s Singapore, and that’s how we will continue to make life better for Singaporeans.”
In a surprise move on April 23, Nomination Day, DPM Gan was confirmed as the anchor minister for the PAP’s team contesting the newly formed four-member constituency
The decision by Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean – the anchor minister for the former Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC – to step down
Describing SM Teo as a heavyweight, PM Wong said another heavyweight was needed to replace him, adding that DPM Gan had agreed to the request to head the PAP’s team in Punggol.
He pointed to DPM Gan’s co-chairmanship of the task force tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as his current role chairing the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce
He also said that as chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), DPM Gan deserved credit for stopping the deal between Income Insurance and German insurer Allianz
At a rally on April 28, Mr Harpreet Singh, one of the WP’s Punggol candidates, had called on the Deputy Prime Minister to respond to an open letter from former Income chief executive Tan Suee Chieh that questioned his role in the deal.
Responding alongside PM Wong, DPM Gan said the deal was debated extensively in Parliament, and there was ample opportunity for MPs to raise questions on the matter.
“Many MPs raised questions, and we answered all the questions. So I think the whole process was transparent and upfront, and we had opportunities for MPs to ask questions on all aspects of the deal,” he told reporters.
There was extensive debate before the Insurance Act was amended to block the Allianz-Income deal, DPM Gan added.
PM Wong noted that Mr Tan had credited him and the Government with stopping the deal.
“But actually he shouldn’t credit me. He should be crediting Gan Kim Yong, in MAS, because they amended the Insurance Act in order that we have the legislative ability to put a stop to the deal,” said the Prime Minister.
“We are the ones who ensured it didn’t happen.”
On DPM Gan’s involvement in seeing Singapore through crises, such as the ongoing trade war, PM Wong said: “Who in the WP team will take over all this work?”
He suggested that the WP had dropped its plans to contest Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC
“No doubt the WP would have preferred me to field a new minister here, or maybe even just go with the existing team and a new candidate,” he said. “Let’s be clear – WP didn’t step up; they stepped away from Marine Parade.”
PM Wong asked Singaporeans to consider carefully their choices in this election.
“Choose carefully. Vote with your heart. And if you believe that the PAP remains the best party to take Singapore forward, vote for the PAP,” he said.
Responding to a question on what he would like to say to first-time voters, PM Wong said he understands that the connection and the familiarity with the PAP may not be the same as with the older voters, and there may be sympathy for the underdog.
“What I would appeal to younger and first-time voters is: Give me and my team a chance to work with you, to empower you, give you space and voice to make Singapore better and to pursue your dreams,” he said.
On April 29, PM Wong was with DPM Gan and the PAP candidates for Punggol GRC. Also present were Mr Alex Yam, one of the PAP candidates for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, and outgoing Potong Pasir MP Sitoh Yih Pin.
DPM Gan leads a team comprising Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information and Health Janil Puthucheary, Minister of State for Home Affairs and Social and Family Development Sun Xueling and National Trades Union Congress assistant secretary-general Yeo Wan Ling.
They face a WP team made up of Senior Counsel Harpreet Singh, ad tech firm senior director Alexis Dang, legal counsel Alia Mattar and corporate affairs senior manager Jackson Au.
