Put Singapore on the right path, voters told

Reaching out: Lee meeting supporters after delivering his speech during a lunchtime rally in the financial district. — EPA

SINGAPORE: Vote for the right people who can get policies right and put the country on the right path, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said.

Speaking during a lunchtime rally in the city, PM Lee reiterated that his People’s Action Party (PAP) would be able to take Singapore forward in the right direction for a long time to come.

Singapore can do even better, he said, adding that if the wrong people are put in charge, it is very hard for the country “to come back again”.

“Vote for what you believe in. Vote for the candidate you trust. Vote for the party that has never let you down,” he said.

Touching on leadership renewal, PM Lee said he had brought in new faces during the last election to build a nucleus of a new team, but that his team needs more substance.

“I need more, you need more, Singapore needs more,” he said.

He also took aim at opposition parties. He started with Singapore Democratic Party chief Chee Soon Juan, who had spoken at a lunchtime rally the day before.

Dr Chee said then: “PAP sues us for defamation. I say, reputation is temporary. Character is permanent.”

PM Lee said he was surprised to hear Dr Chee say that.

“I agree, Dr Chee has every reason to know character is permanent,” he said.

He hit back at Workers’ Party chairman Sylvia Lim’s call to vote for the WP as an “insurance policy”.

“Insurance is good, but you want to buy insurance from the right company,” he said.

At opposition rallies, parties have been calling for measures like a minimum wage as well as payouts to the elderly and children, PM Lee noted.

It is easy to “take care of people today”, he said, adding however that sacrifice and planning are needed to take care of future generations.

“Only the PAP does that,” he said.

He also listed improvements his government has made. He said the government’s policies have helped Singaporean workers, citing how it has tightened employment passes and introduced SkillsFuture.

He also listed other improvements made, including an increased housing grant, an improved baby bonus and more maternity plus paternity leave. — The Straits Times/ Asia News Network