Prime Minister Lawrence Wong called on Singaporeans to make the right choice for themselves and the nation, as he rounded off nine days of frenzied campaigning in his final two rally speeches.
Speaking in Punggol, he said that voting for PAP means not opting for a contrarian opposition voice. It means getting a dedicated team and capable leaders to help steer Singapore safely through troubles and take the country forward.
“If you vote for the PAP, you will not elect the contrarian voice the opposition will surely make in Parliament,” said Wong, who also spoke in Sengkang but chose to give his last rally speech for the 2025 General Election in Punggol.
“But you will get a dedicated and experienced team to serve you and your family.”
Importantly, Singaporeans will also have capable leaders in government who will help steer Singapore safely through the storm and take the country forward, said Wong, who over the course of the campaign has reiterated this message as he spoke highly of Cabinet teammates and put forth several new faces as potential office-holders.
“That’s the key choice that Singaporeans and voters will have to consider ... I know it’s not an easy decision to make, but that’s your privilege. As a citizen of Singapore, you decide on the future of our country. That’s what democracy is about.”
While everyone will have their own perspectives and views, he asked that voters consider the character of individuals they choose – whether they are upfront and upright, whether voters can trust them to put the interests of Singapore and Singaporeans before their own, and whether they will uphold the fundamental ideals of Singaporeans.
“I believe a lot comes down to character. Character matters,” said Wong, who then personally vouched for the character of Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong.
Gan, the leader of PAP’s Punggol team who was deployed to the Group Representation Constituency (GRC) on Nomination Day, has been a central figure during the hustings.
Senior party leaders, including Wong and senior ministers Lee Hsien Loong and Teo Chee Hean, have repeatedly endorsed Gan.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah pointed out that Gan was the health minister at the height of Covid-19, steering the country through the pandemic by securing early supplies of vaccines and protective equipment, for instance.
“He’s not flashy, he doesn’t give you smooth words, he’s not glib ... but he gets things done,” she said.
Wong noted that beyond serving residents in their constituency, those who are elected will also serve as leaders, in Parliament and in government.
“I know there is some tension in the minds of some Singaporeans, because on the one hand, some Singaporeans say they would like to have more alternative voices in Parliament to serve as a check and balance.
Voting for the opposition would mean more alternative voices in Parliament, he said.
“But you will also weaken me and my team. You will weaken our ability to serve you ... at a time when Singapore is facing a serious and growing challenge.”
Over the campaign period, Singaporeans would have heard different arguments and views put forth by the political parties, noted Wong.
“What the PAP offers is very clear: We choose to build; we choose to pull together; we choose to unite.” — The Straits Times/ANN
