GE2025: PPP's Goh Meng Seng accuses WP of betraying voters over Marine Parade walkover
Goh accused the WP of betraying voters in the Marine Parade-Braddell Heights Group Representation Constituency (GRC) by not fielding a team there. This decision led to a walkover win for the ruling People's Action Party (PAP).
'There is no good strategy for WP contesting Tampines GRC,' said Goh during his speech.
He added, 'I was very angry… because they have abandoned 130,000 voters in Marine Parade. On what good grounds? To come to Tampines for a four-cornered fight?'
Goh pointed out that the contest in Tampines GRC now involves four parties: PAP, WP, PPP, and the National Solidarity Party (NSP).
Implying strategic obstruction
Suggesting an ulterior motive, Goh claimed, 'They want to make sure Goh Meng Seng does not go into Parliament.' He implied that WP's decision to contest Tampines might have been aimed at blocking his entry into Parliament.
Goh also argued that PPP was the only party to raise concerns about the national Covid-19 vaccination campaign.
He referred to past controversies, including multiple Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) orders issued against him for exaggerating vaccine dangers.
He continued by criticising WP chief Pritam Singh, accusing him of failing to apologise to Marine Parade voters.
'Bro, when I was contesting 2006, where were you?' said Goh. He added that his greatest regret was 'to build the platform for these people'.
Pritam Singh responds to criticisms
Earlier on 24 April morning, during a doorstop interview on Nomination Day, WP leader Pritam Singh addressed the accusations made by Goh.
'Mr Goh should focus on the campaign in Tampines,' Singh stated. He explained that the decision not to contest Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC was based on party strategy and calculations.
Singh responded to the suggestion that WP should have coordinated with other opposition parties to avoid walkovers. He emphasised that such coordination was not standard practice.
'It's not as if some of these alternative parties… approach us to ask, 'Can I stand here, can I stand there?'' Singh said.
'We respect them, we respect their agency. They make decisions in their enlightened self-interest and so do we.'
When questioned again by media on 25 April regarding Goh's remarks, Singh reaffirmed his position, stating, 'Mr Goh Meng Seng is Mr Goh Meng Seng. Nothing's going to change.'
Residents' concerns addressed
Singh had also earlier said that he had visited residents in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights after Nomination Day to explain the party's rationale.
'I acknowledged and validated their disappointment,' Singh said.
'But after I explained to them the reality of boundaries being withdrawn, and our own calculations as a party, I think they understood.'
Addressing claims that WP's campaign planning was last-minute, Singh noted that strategies evolve as the situation changes.
'There's nothing untoward about our decisions,' he said. 'Even the PAP didn't confirm its slate until the end. We were quite clear what we wanted to do.'
Singh concluded by affirming WP's broader goal: 'We put forward the best slate of candidates we can for Singapore. We want a more balanced political system.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Times
8 hours ago
- Business Times
NTUC pledges to strengthen job security amid challenging environment: Ng Chee Meng
[SINGAPORE] The labour movement will support the government to navigate the challenging global landscape and strengthen job security, National Trade Unions Congress (NTUC) chief Ng Chee Meng said. In his National Day Message issued on Thursday (Jul 31), the labour chief outlined NTUC's efforts to support workers and save jobs through various difficult periods over the years, such as the 2008 global financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic. These include income relief schemes and upskilling programmes that helped workers rebound after each crisis, said Ng, who is NTUC secretary-general. As Singapore celebrates SG60, he noted that the Republic is now in the midst of great uncertainties that have arisen from deepening trade tensions and wars that have affected international energy markets, commercial aviation and global supply chains. These developments are expected to have long-term impact on the global economy and Singapore, he added. 'We will work with tripartite partners as part of the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce (Sert) to support our workers, including PMEs (professionals, managers and executives), in overcoming today's challenges and seize new opportunities,' he said. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up At the same time, with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), Singapore will have to develop strategies to 'explore and exploit' AI to its advantage, said Ng. 'We should all embrace AI to augment our work productivity.' he said. 'However, AI should be harnessed in ways that would ensure fair workplace practices and not be inadvertently used in ways that can lead to disrupted livelihoods and hardships.' To support workers, Ng said NTUC will refresh its Job Security Council (JSC) to help companies and workers 'pivot, adapt and capitalise on emerging AI trends so that they can be upskilled and be relevant in the new economy'. JSC was launched in February 2020 during the pandemic as a network of companies that were looking to hire and lay off, allowing workers to be placed in new jobs ahead of displacement. 'Through the JSC, we will work with companies to drive business and workforce transformation,' said Ng. 'For workers, we will continue to support you to future-proof your careers through relevant career guidance, AI and other upskilling, mentorship opportunities and purposeful job matching.' He added that the best way to future-proof one self is to upskill to 'stay abreast of new developments and technology'. 'Whether you are a youth, mature worker, lower-wage worker, freelancer, PME, platform worker, caregiver or migrant worker, NTUC will continue to work with you, for you. That is our promise to you,' he said. He wished all workers a happy national day.
CNA
9 hours ago
- CNA
Ex-Malaysian minister Khairy Jamaluddin calls PAP 'juvenile' for response to WP chief Pritam Singh's podcast appearance
SINGAPORE: Former Malaysian health minister Khairy Jamaluddin called Singapore's ruling People's Action Party (PAP) "immature" and "juvenile" for its response to Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh's appearance on his podcast earlier this year, and said that the party "needs to grow up". He also said in an episode of popular Malaysian political podcast Keluar Sekejap, released on YouTube on Jul 29, that he and co-host Shahril Hamdan, previously UMNO's information chief, have both been interviewed by Singaporean media on Malaysia's internal politics too. Workers' Party leader Singh had spoken to the duo in a video released on Jun 24. It was his most in-depth interview since the General Election, in which the PAP retained power with 65.57 per cent of the vote. During the interview, which lasted more than one-and-a-half hours, Mr Singh addressed a wide range of topics, including the WP's electoral strategy, and the intersection of race, religion and politics. It drew a response from the PAP, which questioned Mr Singh's intent on going on the Malaysian podcast, and that "politics should stop at the water's edge". In the latest episode, Mr Khairy and Mr Shahril were discussing whether to include Singapore among the stops for their overseas live shows. While it is a popular option based on their "engagement data", the "not-so-pleasant experience recently" surrounding Mr Singh's appearance on their show has turned them off. "When Pritam Singh appeared on KS (Keluar Sekejap), at first, there wasn't much of an issue. But I think, about a week after that, there was an article written, if I'm not mistaken, on PAP's own portal. This PAP portal belongs to Singapore's ruling party. It stated, and I suppose, accused Pritam Singh's appearance of being akin to interference in Singapore's internal politics," said Mr Khairy. "Its main target was Pritam Singh. Why did Pritam Singh go on a Malaysian podcast to talk about Singapore? And after that, it said this was like an interference in Singapore's internal politics and that politics should stop at 'the Water's Edge'. Meaning, don't you talk about our politics." Mr Khairy said he thought it was "such an immature take". APPEARANCE ON SINGAPORE MEDIA He noted that he and Mr Shahril have been interviewed by Singapore news outlets CNA and The Straits Times on Malaysia's internal politics, including when he was invited two weeks back to be a commentator virtually for a study conducted on UMNO by the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies think-tank, where he was a visiting fellow. "So I don't understand, when they want to talk about other people's politics, it's fine … But when it happens to you, when Pritam comes here to talk about the Singaporean election, suddenly it's, 'Oh, foreign interference'," said Mr Khairy. "I think I have a lot of friends there, but PAP needs to grow up." His co-host, Mr Shahril, said that he has also spoken about Malaysian politics in Singapore on academic platforms, and noted that having an extensive analysis of its neighbouring countries is one of Singapore's strengths. "Perhaps in a moment that was less self-aware, maybe a part of the establishment, a small part perhaps, felt they could use that argument to voice their dissatisfaction that an opposition party leader could perform and shine so well on our podcast," he said of Mr Singh's appearance. "I think that was just hopefully one small moment. When I asked friends in Singapore, including those who are strong supporters of the establishment, most of them didn't see it the way that article did. To be fair, I don't think that's the majority view. It's just a particular kind of view." Mr Khairy noted that "it's the view of the ruling party", and said that until the "PAP stops being juvenile on this issue", the duo would not come to Singapore as part of their overseas tour for their podcast live shows. Mr Shahril added that the duo typically banter and crack jokes on their podcast when discussing heavy topics, and that in Singapore, "if there are restrictions, or the perception of them, it won't be natural". CNA has reached out to the PAP for comment. POLITICS STOP AT THE WATER'S EDGE The PAP had said on Jul 3 that Mr Singh's decision to speak about Singapore's politics on a Malaysian podcast "raises serious questions" as to why he chose to address the topic "on foreign soil to a foreign audience". "Strikingly, he chose not a local media outlet, but a podcast hosted by Malaysians and recorded in Malaysia to share his views on our domestic political landscape," the party said in a statement. The PAP also challenged Mr Singh's claim that his party does not "score political points based on race or religion". The party added that while Singapore and Malaysia share close ties, they have long refrained from commenting on each other's politics and from using each other's media to influence public opinion, especially after the racial unrest of the 1960s. "As a sovereign nation, we must be clear: Politics should stop at the water's edge," it said. "Singapore's affairs are for Singaporeans to decide, based on what is best for our national interests." In response, the WP said that Mr Singh's podcast appearance "had no detrimental impact whatsoever on Singapore's national interests", adding that public reception in Singapore to the podcast has been positive. "It exemplified how a non-government Singaporean politician can speak fairly and frankly about Singapore and the Singapore government, without denouncing either. This particular point continues to be well-received by many Singaporeans," it said. PAP leaders routinely give interviews and share their views on domestic matters to foreign media outlets, it noted. In response to the WP's statement, the PAP said that while ministers do engage with foreign media, they discuss a wide range of topics, "be it on international and regional affairs or domestic matters", compared to Mr Singh's interview, which "focused almost entirely on Singapore's internal politics". Mr Singh has also declined invitations from Singaporean podcasters, it added. Noting that the WP has continued to brush aside serious concerns about its engagement with Noor Deros, a self-styled religious teacher in Malaysia known for "views that are at odds with Singapore's commitment to multiracialism and religious harmony", as well as public endorsements made by Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) politicians in support of its candidates, the PAP said that "many important questions raised remain unanswered".
AsiaOne
2 days ago
- AsiaOne
No clarity yet on baseline or pharmaceutical tariffs with US: DPM Gan, Singapore News
SINGAPORE – The US government did not negotiate its tariffs on Singapore and did not want to commit on whether the 10 per cent baseline tax could rise or fall in the future, said Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong. DPM Gan, who visited the US from July 20 to 26, added that he did not get to further discussions on pharmaceutical tariffs being contemplated by the Trump administration. He told the SG60 IPS-SBF Conference on July 29 that these talks did not take place as he did not get the chance to meet Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. He did, however, meet other officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. They discussed ways to keep up the long and mutually beneficial bilateral economic relationship, as well as potential collaboration in areas like the digital economy. DPM Gan also met business leaders in New York, and congressional leaders handling trade issues in Washington. He also visited an ST Engineering aerostructures factory in Maryland. The US administration was 'not in the mood to discuss any discount to the baseline tariff', DPM Gan said at a dialogue moderated by David Rennie, The Economist's geopolitics editor. 'We also wanted to know whether the baseline tariff will stay at 10 per cent or will it be higher or lower? The answer was non-committal. They are still reviewing the tariff and, in time to come, they will make the appropriate announcement. So we just have to wait and see.' DPM Gan, who is also Minister for Trade and Industry, said he has told US officials that Singapore would be keen to negotiate its baseline tariff rate if the opportunity arises. Pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, which are key exports from Singapore to the US, are currently exempt from baseline tariffs. But US President Donald Trump had earlier in 2025 threatened to end an exemption for pharmaceutical imports, saying tariffs would be imposed 'at a level that you haven't really seen before'. The US is a major market for Singapore-based drugmakers including American multinationals like Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson. DPM Gan said official-level discussions between Singapore and the US Department of Commerce, which commenced before his trip, are still ongoing. 'I can't go into detail because negotiation is ongoing and there's a bit of a confidentiality we need to maintain on both sides,' he said when asked what the US was looking to secure through these talks. He added that the US generally had concerns about what the country experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic, when supplies of critical pharmaceuticals were disrupted. 'They want to make sure that they have a secure supply line of pharmaceuticals. They do want to see whether they can onshore this production, so that they can produce (it) themselves. But they also know that it's not possible to onshore everything, because some of the raw materials are actually (from) outside of America,' he said. 'They do need to think about how they can work with partners, trusted partners, to make sure that their supply chain is secure and reliable. So that is what they are looking for in their partners, including Singapore,' he added. 'I think the administration's focus now is to finish the negotiation of reciprocal tariffs. Then it will start to engage countries on specific sectoral tariffs in pharmaceuticals and semiconductors.' DPM Gan said Singapore has yet to engage the US on the prospect of semiconductor tariffs. However, he added that discussions to preserve the country's access to artificial intelligence equipment and semiconductors are under way. Speaking at the same conference earlier in the day, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said Singapore's trade and investment relationship with America, even with the tariffs, remains important. 'We would prefer to have zero tariffs of course, but if it is the baseline rate, then we are at the lowest category. We can live with it, and we can still do business and there will still be many opportunities for trade with the US, because whatever is happening in America now, the economy is still resilient, and there is still tremendous innovation happening in American companies, and so there will still be opportunities there,' he said. DPM Gan in his dialogue said the US economy continues to be relatively resilient. He said that based on the feedback from US businessmen he met on his trip, the outlook for the US economy seems cautiously optimistic, adding that Mr Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, which includes tax cuts and business support measures, may have contributed to this. He said Singapore continues to have a good working relationship with the US. The US was Singapore's second-largest trading partner in 2024, while Singapore was its 16th-largest trading partner. Singapore was also the third-largest Asian investor in the US. More than 250 Singapore companies operate across 45 states, supporting around 350,000 jobs in the US, according to the Republic's Ministry of Trade and Industry. The US also has a longstanding trade surplus and free trade agreement with Singapore. [[nid:720678]] The recent deals between the US and several countries, as well as the European Union economic bloc, are good news, DPM Gan said. 'This gives us a sense that there's good progress in the tariff negotiation. But I also come back with the sense that there remains significant uncertainty. I'm not sure whether the uncertainty has really been eliminated or even reduced,' he added. He cited the lack of clarity on the rules of origin that will be used to determine where products originate from. He also said it is unclear how reciprocal tariffs will be implemented, and how components from different countries and transshipped goods will be assessed. This comes on top of the uncertainty around sectoral tariffs, which are yet to be determined. There is also uncertainty about whether the investments that countries have pledged to the US under tariff deals are new contributions, or money that is currently invested in another country, DPM Gan said. 'For example, the EU has committed to make an investment... over a period of time. Japan has also committed investments into the US. Japan has been a major investor in Singapore. Whether the Japanese investment in Singapore will be diverted to the US is a question that is yet to be seen,' he said. 'There are (also) uncertainties as to how countries will respond to the outcome of the tariff negotiation. Some countries have also committed to purchase more from the US, and they would have been purchasing these products from other countries. Whether now, instead of purchasing from country A, country B, they will now purchase from the US, and therefore exports from these countries to affected countries will be changed,' he added. 'I think these uncertainties (are) second derivative uncertainties. No one is paying much attention yet, because we need to have a tariff settled, then we work out how the secondary impact would be.' Global supply chains will also be restructured if countries move their investments from destinations facing higher US tariffs to those facing lower tariffs, he said. 'The overall global trading system, what we call the rules-based multilateral trading system, that we depend on rules, respecting trade agreements with one another, and not change at will, is something that has been challenged,' DPM Gan said. 'Today, we can agree with one another on a certain tariff, but tomorrow, something happens. We start to change our tariff rate, and that is something that is very uncertain, and that has been seen over the last few months.' [[nid:720154]] This article was first published in The Straits Times . Permission required for reproduction.
