Muddy grounds set the scene for the first few rallies of General Election 2025 on Thursday (April 25), including the Workers' Party (WP) rally for Sengkang GRC.  Despite the less-than-ideal conditions at Anchorvale Crescent, thousands of rally-goers showed up for the event. Some even began trudging onto the field nearly two hours before the first speaker, WP veteran and East Coast GRC candidate Yee Jenn Jong, took to the stage.   Instead of bemoaning the fact that their shoes were caked in mud, supporters appeared to embrace it as a symbol of solidarity.  In a Facebook album published by the party on April 25, they wrote: «Our shoes are #NotWhite. Show us your proud trophies!» 

Workers' Party (WP) secretary-general Pritam Singh said they had no earlier indication that the religious leader Noor Deros would attend the meeting the party had with Malay/Muslim religious leaders. Malay-language newspaper Berita Harian reported on Saturday (April 26) that Noor, who is based in Malaysia, had claimed in a series of Facebook posts that he had spoken to the Malay/Muslim candidates from WP about prioritising the rights and concerns of the Malay/Muslim community in Singapore. Noor also claimed, among other things, that he had urged WP and other election candidates to reject the normalisation of LGBTQ+ issues, take a strong stance against Israel, and recognise the state of Palestine. Speaking at a doorstop at Kovan Food Centre on Saturday, Singh said that Noor had come with a «list of demands». He said: «There is no situation of if the WP pushes forward this agenda, I would support you. I'm sorry, we don't work politics like that in Singapore, we don't work politics like that in the Workers' Party.»

People's Action Party's (PAP) former Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC leader Tan See Leng is insistent that he did not abandon the ward to move to Chua Chu Kang GRC given that it ended up as a walkover. On Nomination Day, the Minister for Manpower surprised many with his late trip to the west of Singapore. Just days prior, he had been announced as part of the PAP slate for the redrawn Marine Parade-Braddell Heights. Speaking to media today (April 26) at a walkabout in Teck Whye, Dr Tan said: «I don't think I have ever abandoned Marine Parade. »It was a walkover. It was a walkover. It was a walkover. I said it three times. «There's no abandonment here.» He added: «We had a solid team there. And the fact is that because of the initiatives, I think that the opposition has chosen to redeploy their own talents elsewhere.»

The Government would not have raised the GST rate if it had been avoidable, said Second Minister for Finance Chee Hong Tat, in response to repeated calls from various opposition parties to lower the GST rate.  The rising cost of living has been a key area of debate this general election, with some opposition parties criticising the People's Action Party (PAP) for raising the GST rate amid global inflation. In a Facebook video uploaded on Saturday (April 26), Chee defended the GST hike, saying that it was a «difficult choice» that was carefully considered. «We studied all the options, and without it, we would not be able to fulfil our promise to take care of our seniors in an ageing society,» said Chee.

It's a straight fight once again between the People's Action Party (PAP) and Workers' Party (WP) for the opposition-held Aljunied GRC. This constituency has been a WP stronghold since 2011, with WP winning that GRC in the past three general elections. So, has the WP Aljunied GRC team found themselves in a David versus Goliath situation this time around? When asked this during a doorstop at Kovan Food Centre today (April 26), WP secretary-general Pritam Singh replied: «If you’re suggesting Goliath is the PAP; you're absolutely right. »The reality is we are the opposition party. We don't have the government firmament behind us to drive certain things. But in spite of that, the demand for a more balanced political system is real."

Progress Singapore Party (PSP) secretary-general Leong Mun Wai has refuted claims by National Development Minister Desmond Lee that the opposition party is tapping into sentiments it believes are running through the community. In a rally on Thursday (April 24), Leong and chairman Tan Cheng Bock had remarked how PAP has «lost its way», and called for a GST rollback to seven per cent in addition to exempting essential items like rice, water and milk formula from GST. Lee said that it is important to be objective as «no scheme, no policy is perfect». In response to calls for GST exemption, he said PAP wants to «make it progressive» by making sure lower- and middle-income households are supported through targeted measures.

Workers' Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh has warned that «nothing can be taken for granted» when it comes to his party's presence in Parliament. In a pre-recorded broadcast aired on Friday (April 25), Singh said that «one or even two» constituencies currently held by the WP «can easily be lost» in this General Election. He was referring to the 10 seats that the party won in GE2020, including Aljunied and Sengkang GRCs, as well as its long-held stronghold of Hougang SMC. With that, Singh, 48, said that it is «important for Singapore's democracy» for the WP to win more constituencies. «With more WP constituencies comes a higher chance that Parliament will continue to have a fully-elected democratic opposition presence for the longer term,» he said. «This will make our system stable and sustainable for the future.» WP is contesting 26 out of 97 seats across five GRCs including five GRCs — Aljunied, Sengkang, East Coast, Punggol and Tampines — and the single seats of Hougang, Tampines Changkat and Jalan Kayu.

Nine rallies are scheduled to take place on Saturday (April 26). The parties involved are the People's Power Party (PPP), Progress Singapore Party (PSP), People's Action Party (PAP), People's Alliance for Reform (PAR), Workers' Party (WP), Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), and Red Dot United (RDU). The rallies are scheduled to begin at 7pm and end at 10pm. The PAP will hold three rallies: one for Chua Chu Kang GRC at the Hard Court along Choa Chu Kang Avenue 4, another for East Coast GRC at Bedok Stadium, and one for Punggol GRC at Yusof Ishak Secondary School. PSP's rally for Bukit Gombak SMC will be held at Bukit Gombak Stadium, while SDP will hold its rally for Sembawang West SMC at Evergreen Primary School. PPP will stage its rally for Ang Mo Kio GRC at Yio Chu Kang Stadium and RDU will hold theirs for Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC at Bukit View Secondary School. Last, WP will hold its rally for Tampines GRC at Temasek Junior College. Police advisory Police said rally attendees are encouraged to take public transport as large crowds are expected at the rallies.

Vote for candidates who are of «good character», Prime Minister Lawrence Wong urged in his address to voters during the People's Action Party (PAP)'s first party political broadcast since the start of the hustings. During the broadcast on Friday (April 25), PM Wong, who is also the PAP's secretary-general, said that voters should «vote for the candidates who will put Singapore and Singaporeans ahead of everything else». «Above all, choose leaders who are upright, honest and of good character. Because in the end, more than policies, more than promises, it is character that counts,» he stated. Should the PAP win the mandate, PM Wong said, his priority lies in working with his team to unite Singaporeans, protecting livelihoods and securing the future. He explained that this would be the PAP's «collective new resolve», stating: «Every member of my team knows the weight of this responsibility. This is our promise, and our commitment, to you.»

Chia Yun Kai, the newest member of Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA), is confident about his team's chances of winning the four-member Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, after getting positive feedback from residents. Chia, 32, started his one-man Most Valuable Party to contest East Coast GRC, but moved to SDA on Nomination Day (April 23). The restaurant owner told AsiaOne that he made the switch because he had «aligned values» with SDA.  He will be part of the team led by SDA chairman Desmond Lim, 58, secretary-general Abu Mohamed, 74, and communications lead Harminder Pal Singh, 53.  «The residents were quite welcoming towards us and voiced out their concerns,» said Chia during a walkabout at 443 Pasir Ris Drive 6 on Friday (April 25).  "They're also very excited to see a young face coming out to do politics, which is not common. They think we have a good chance of winning.

We’re just a few days into General Election 2025 and some candidates have already gifted us a number of memorable moments that made us laugh or blink in disbelief.  It’s going to be a light one so sit back, relax, and relive six moments in political theatre that are (unintentionally or not) hard to forget. ‘Look left, look right’  https://www.tiktok.com/@theverybigtheverybang/video/7496717391263452434?refer=embed “I look left, look right. Look left, look right for a career path. Is this request considered too high?”  

The stage is set for a four-cornered fight in Tampines GRC on May 3, with three opposition parties fielding teams to contest against the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) team. Three of the Workers' Party (WP) candidates for Tampines GRC - Faisal Manap and newcomers Dr Ong Lue Ping and Jimmy Tan - appeared on The Usual Place, a podcast by The Straits Times, on Friday (April 25) where they discussed a range of topics, including WP's decision to contest in that GRC against three others.  During a rally speech on April 24, People's Power Party (PPP) chief Goh Meng Seng said that WP contesting in Tampines is not a good strategy. He claimed: «They want to make sure Goh Meng Seng does not go into Parliament.» WP candidates respond The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah kicked off the episode by asking her guests about Goh's comments. "Everyone has the right to express their feelings and their sentiments so WP has always taken this stand that we have to agree to disagree.

Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean unexpectedly dropped by Bedok 538 Market and Food Centre today (April 25) to greet residents alongside the People's Action Party (PAP) team contesting in Aljunied GRC for the upcoming election. While all eyes were on the 70-year-old who announced his retirement from politics on April 23, one of the PAP candidates sparked curiosity among the elderly at the food centre - newcomer Dr Faisal Abdul Aziz who bears a striking resemblance to Workers' Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh. «Pritam ah?» some senior citizens were heard asking Teo when he introduced newcomer Dr Faisal to them. Teo quipped: «A fresher Pritam Singh».

A speech by The Workers' Party (WP) new face Siti Alia Abdul Rahim Mattar has resulted in online discourse regarding candidates speaking on global issues at election rallies. At the party's first rally for General Election (GE) 2025 on April 25, the 43-year-old lawyer said that while Singaporeans meet their MPs to discuss «bread and butter issues», they would also like to «discuss the effects of certain laws or the government's positions on certain global issues». «The concern for the humanitarian crisis in Palestine crosses the boundaries of race and religion. It is something that many Singaporeans, regardless of their ethnicity and beliefs, have expressed concern about,» she said. Clips of Siti Alia making these statements were stitched together and shared on Reddit with the title «WP's Siti Alia declares Palestine is important global issue, more important than bread and butter Punggol issues?» This prompted a heated debate among netizens, some of whom criticised her for mentioning the topic during a GE rally.

National Development Minister Desmond Lee has refuted proposals set forward by several opposition parties to lower the GST rate and provide exemptions on basic necessities, saying that GST needs to remain a progressive tax. Other examples of progressive taxes include income tax and stamp duty. Speaking at a doorstop interview at the People's Action Party (PAP) Boon Lay branch on Friday (April 25), Lee fielded a question regarding cost-of-living concerns and recent criticisms from opposition parties. Lee is anchoring the PAP team contesting West Coast-Jurong West GRC, and they're up against a Progress Singapore Party (PSP) team helmed by chairman Dr Tan Cheng Bock.  At their first rally on Thursday (April 24), Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) party chief Chee Soon Juan criticised the Government's practice of handing out cost-of-living vouchers while simultaneously raising the GST rate, likening it to «an arsonist setting your house on fire and giving you a cup of water to put it out».

Many of us are familiar with the symbols of Singapore's political parties— such as the lightning bolt for the People's Action Party (PAP), hammer for The Workers' Party (WP) and so on.  But come Polling Day on May 3, some of you — more specifically those voting under Radin Mas SMC and Mountbatten SMC —  might see something a little different on your ballot papers. The Elections Department (ELD) released notices of contested election for the two divisions this morning (April 25), and in addition to the more well-known logos of PAP and the People's Alliance for Reform (PAR), the notices include new symbols that represent the two individual candidates running for their respective SMCs.  Independent candidates Darryl Lo for Radin Mas SMC and Jeremy Tan for Mountbatten SMC have selected a duck and a dog as their respective symbols.

Singaporeans cannot be passive citizens and must be active participants in the country's democracy, said Workers' Party secretary-general Pritam Singh on Thursday (April 24) at his first rally in this General Election. The 48-year-old took the boisterous crowd at a field along Anchorvale Crescent on a trip down memory lane — by using the «fighters» of Hougang as an example to make his point. «They did not become fighters by choice,» said Singh about the constituency that has been held by Singapore's largest opposition party since 1991. «They had the iron in their spine to vote for the Workers' Party.» «They cast for a vote in favour for a more balanced political system when Parliament was practically all white. And then what happened? The PAP took away their wet market, their bus routes… put them last in the queue for lift upgrading. »The PAP even dangled upgrading carrots worth millions of dollars in front of them… But they have shown even more iron and continued to vote for the Workers' Party.

Progress Singapore Party (PSP) chairman Dr Tan Cheng Bock and secretary-general Leong Mun Wai criticised the People's Action Party (PAP), saying that it has «lost its way». They were speaking at a PSP rally held at Catholic High School on Thursday (April 24). Addressing the crowd, which consisted of residents of Marymount and Kebun Baru SMCs as well as party supporters, Leong said: «I'd like to tell you what I've learned from my...almost five years in Parliament. »My time in Parliament has convinced me that the 4G PAP has really lost its way. The more I debate the Government...the more I realise that it is not the 'Grade A' government that we used to know."

The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) took aim at how the government manages cost of living, especially with regards to the Goods and Services Tax (GST), in its first rally of the 2025 general election. Party chief Chee Soon Juan, chairman Paul Tambyah and other members spoke on stage at Choa Chu Kang Stadium on Thursday (April 24) evening. Dr Chee took issue with the practice of handing out cost-of-living vouchers while simultaneously raising the GST rate. He likened the situation to «an arsonist setting your house on fire and giving you a cup of water to put it out». He also questioned PM Lawrence Wong's attribution of the hike to «global trends». Dr Chee listed the essentials that he said have gone up in price, such as water, transport, petrol, electricity, Electronic Road Pricing charges and university hostel fees. He then compared the rising costs to how the People's Action Party government spends money, arguing that the ruling party is no longer as «prudent and frugal» as it once was.

The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) will be the only party holding a political rally tomorrow (April 25), on the first night of Party Political Broadcasts (PPB). The rally will be held from 7pm to 10pm at Beacon Primary School for the electoral division of Bukit Panjang SMC.  SDP's Prof Paul Tambyah will again face off against the People's Action Party's Liang Eng Hwa in the upcoming polls. AsiaOne will livestream the rally on Facebook and YouTube. There were a total of five rallies today. PPB will be on free-to-air television and radio for the eight parties with at least six candidates to share their campaign messages. The English broadcast will be available on Mediacorp Channel 5 at 8pm and on CNA at 9pm. The second round of PPB will take place on May 1.

Voters should not let the opposition have a «free pass», Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in his first rally speech on Thursday (April 24) for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC at Woodlands Stadium. PM Wong, who is also secretary-general for the People's Action Party (PAP), addressed the opposition's call for voters not to hand the PAP a «blank cheque», countering with a caution of his own. «Yes, look at the PAP candidates, consider them carefully,» he began. «But I will also say, don't give the opposition a free pass.» Apply the same standards to them as done to the PAP — in terms of integrity, competence and readiness to serve, added PM Wong. «Remember, above all, when the election is over... the real contest is not the PAP versus the opposition. It is Singapore versus the world. It is our little red dot versus a dangerous and troubled world.» Earlier in his speech, the PM also emphasised the significance of this election, stating that there is turbulence amid trade barriers and global tariffs.

Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong spent Thursday morning (April 24) bonding with residents in Punggol GRC. Gan, who made a last-minute switch from Chua Chu Kang GRC to lead PAP's Punggol GRC team in the May 3 General Election, told AsiaOne at Punggol Field about his experiences during his walkabouts. «My objective really was to meet as many residents of Punggol as possible, because I really want to know them and let them know about me,» he shared. Gan, 66, together with his team of Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Janil Puthcheary, Minister of State for Ministry of Home Affairs Sun Xueling and Yeo Wan Ling, met residents at Punggol MRT and also visited coffeeshops and a Prime Supermarket at Punggol Field.

AsiaOne bagged five awards, including Best News Website and Best Fact Checking Project, at the Digital Media Awards Asia 2025. The 16th edition of the Digital Media Awards Asia saw 193 entries from news content companies across Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, and more. Organised by World Association of News Publishers, the awards were created to recognise news organisations for leadership and innovation in the adoption of media strategies for the digital age. Winners were awarded on Wednesday (Apr 23) at Pullman Kuala Lumpur City Centre, as part of the Digital Media Asia conference, Asia-Pacific's largest regional digital news media event. AsiaOne wins Best News Website for coverage on Pope Francis' visit Before his recent passing, last year in September, Singapore had the honour of welcoming the late Pope Francis for a historic papal visit. It marked the head of the worldwide Catholic Church's first visit to Singapore. He was rounding up his 45th Apostolic Journey abroad and held a Holy Mass at the Singapore National Stadium to some 50,000 attendees.

SINGAPORE - The eleventh-hour decision by WP to withdraw from Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC will make it near impossible for opposition parties to co-operate and avoid multi-party contests in future elections. Speaking during a walkabout at Kampung Admiralty Hawker Centre on April 24, National Solidarity Party (NSP) secretary-general Spencer Ng said that maintaining unity among opposition parties to avoid multi-cornered battles is going to be «extremely difficult, or close to impossible». «Some parties, in the name of opposition unity, demand that the other party make way for them. »They make use of this (idea of) opposition unity and try to barge their way through,« said Mr Ng, who leads the five-member NSP team contesting Sembawang GRC. His comments echo the view of People's Power Party (PPP) secretary-general Goh Meng Seng, who said that he was angry that WP decided not to field a team for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC. »It is very ironic that the slogan of WP is working for Singapore. But do you really work for Singapore when you deprive 130,000 voters of their right to vote?" he reportedly said.

Candidates during the General Election are often under great public scrutiny, and this can sometimes include receiving comments from members of the public.  One netizen's comment has drawn strong rebuke from Red Dot United (RDU)'s candidate Liyana Dhamirah, who took to Facebook on Wednesday (April 23) — just a few hours before she was to head to her nomination centre at Nan Hua High School — to speak up on an incident that had happened to her.  In the post, the 38-year-old said that under the comments of a video showing her speaking at an unspecified press conference, one netizen remarked: «I want one nasi lemak chicken set.» 

Residents of the newly formed Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC found out on Wednesday (April 23) that they will not partake in this year's general election. The People's Action Party (PAP) was the only party to submit nomination papers for this constituency, resulting in a walkover — the first since the 2011 General Election. The Workers' Party (WP) was expected to field a team in this constituency. Several residents from that GRC shared their thoughts on the unexpected walkover with AsiaOne today. Of the 10 residents interviewed, about half voiced their dissatisfaction over the absence of an electoral contest in their constituency. Jackie Lim, a 30-year-old profession who works in the advertising technology industry, told AsiaOne that she is «furious» that she won't be able to vote in the upcoming General Election. 

The General Election 2025 is in full swing and these parties will be holding their rallies this evening (April 24). AsiaOne will also be livestreaming on Facebook and YouTube the rallies by People's Action Party (PAP), Progress Singapore Party (PSP) and The Workers' Party (WP). GRAPHIC: AsiaOne The PAP team for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC includes Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Zaqy Mohamad, Alex Yam and Hany Soh. PM Wong revealed in a social media post yesterday that Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung and Poh Li San will be making special appearances at the rally. The former is contesting in Sembawang GRC while Poh in Sembawang West SMC. The People's Power Party (PPP) team for Tampines GRC includes Goh Meng Seng, Derrick Sim, Vere Nathan, Peter Soh and Arbaah Haroun.

Workers' Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh said he has acknowledged the disappointment of some Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC residents whom he met on Nomination Day (April 23), following news that the constituency will not be contested this general election. The People's Action Party (PAP) won this new GRC in a surprise walkover after WP did not turn up at the constituency's assigned nomination centre. WP was expected to field a team in this constituency. This is the first electoral walkover since the 2011 General Election. Responding to a question posed by the media on the walkover, Singh said on April 24 that there is «nothing untoward» about WP's decision on where to field candidates, and that they had put forward the «best slate» possible. «We want a more balanced political system. And this is the same point I made yesterday to some Marine Parade residents who I met,» he told reporters at Sengkang's Kopitiam Square. "I acknowledged and validated their disappointment that we will not standing there.

The general election on May 3 will mark the final time Progress Singapore Party (PSP) founder Tan Cheng Bock contests a seat. «This will be my last election,» said Dr Tan, 84, in a video posted to his Facebook page on Thursday (April 24). He will turn 85 this weekend.  «At my current age, I wouldn't be in politics unless I saw a real need,» he added, saying that many are struggling with cost of living, housing and employment issues. Dr Tan reflected on his 26-year political career and highlighted key issues he had championed, including free parking on Sundays and public holidays, and using CPF funds for tertiary education.