Prime Minister Lawrence Wong addressed first-time voters in a video posted on Facebook and promised to tackle challenges with the younger generation. In the post on Sunday evening (April 13), he dispelled comments about Gen Z being «soft», «entitled» and «full of themselves».  The Prime Minister said Gen Z «embodies a new desire to not settle for the status quo». He added that he sees areas for improvement in Singapore and the PAP wants to tackle future challenges with the younger generation.  PM Wong ended the video by saying «let's make Singapore the best she has ever been». The video also featured scenes of PAP candidates interacting with the community. 

The void deck of a Bukit Batok HDB block once served as a shelter for 50-year-old Ben (not his real name), who was homeless for a year. According to Tamil Murasu, Ben now has a permanent roof over his head. «There were nights when I trembled in the rain and cold without even a blanket,» Ben recalled. After he was sentenced to three years in prison, Ben lost contact with his daughter and family. «I had no home, no doorstep, and no contact with my family,» he said. Under the Joint Singles Scheme Operator-Run (JSS-OR) housing initiative for individuals like him, Ben now lives in a one-room rental flat in Woodleigh Link. Launched in 2021, JSS-OR appoints social service agencies to manage rental flats for low-income singles. The agency assigns tenants to a flatmate after considering each person's profile, preferences and living habits. There are six sites under JSS-OR, managed by various social service agencies. After being released from prison in 2022, Ben decided to turn over a new leaf, taking up odd jobs as a delivery worker and janitor.

Workers' Party (WP) new face Senior Counsel Harpreet Singh Nehal has stressed the importance of more voices and perspectives in the Parliament in a volunteer recruitment video. The clip was posted to the party's Facebook page on Sunday (April 13) and asked Singaporeans to volunteer with WP if they believe in a «responsible alternative voice in Parliament and a better future for Singapore». During his segment, Singh started by introducing himself, stating that he began volunteering with WP during the Covid-19 pandemic. «For too long in our country, we've had just one dominant voice in Parliament. We need more voices, more perspectives, not less,» added the Senior Counsel. He has been spotted on walkabouts and house visits donning WP's blue polo shirt since becoming a member in 2023, leading to speculation on whether he will be contesting the General Election. The 59-year-old was often seen in the newly formed Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, although there has also been talk of him being fielded in East Coast GRC. Singh, who is regarded as a «star catch» for WP, could also contest in an SMC.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) downgraded Singapore's economic growth forecast for 2025 to zero to two per cent, citing the current US-China tariff war as a major risk to growth. In February, Singapore's gross domestic product (GDP) was forecast to be one to three per cent, where uncertainties due to the then-new US administration and easing of trade with China and the US had been factored in. But the imposition of sweeping tariffs by US president Donald Trump on April 5 has led to the latest downgrade. «Although there has been a temporary 90-day pause in the implementation of the higher reciprocal tariffs except for China, the tariff war between the US and China has intensified, with an escalating cycle of tit-for-tat tariffs being imposed by both sides,» the ministry said in a statement released on Monday (April 14). MTI also expects more product-specific tariffs to be imposed in the near future, which would increase the impact of the trade war.

The Traffic Police (TP) will have a new car patrolling our expressways later this year, and for the first time, it will be fully electric. A total of 19 units of the new Polestar 2 electric vehicle (EV) will be deployed to augment TP's existing fleet of patrol cars, and they will be progressively introduced from the second half of 2025. AsiaOne was invited to the TP headquarters for a preview of the new Polestar 2 expressway patrol car, and here's the lowdown on their first EV.

A four-member team from the People's Action Party (PAP) led by former senior minister of state Dr Lam Pin Min and comprising three new faces will contest Sengkang GRC in the upcoming General Election. The new candidates are Associate Professor Elmie Nekmat, venture capital firm director Theodora Lai, and food and beverage company director Bernadette Giam. They were introduced alongside Dr Lam, who is an ophthalmologist, at a press conference on Sunday (April 13) at PAP's Sengkang West branch in Anchorvale. This team is a «refreshed» one formed after learning from the experience of General Election 2020, Dr Lam said. «We did post mortem on some of the reasons why we lost, if you look at the refreshed Sengkang team, now you can tell the difference from the last one,» Dr Lam explained. Lai, 39, Giam, 38, and Dr Nekmat, 43, are younger than their counterparts from the previous team that consisted of labour chief Ng Chee Meng, 56; Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs and Health Amrin Amin, 47; and lawyer Raymond Lye, 59.

The Traffic Police (TP) will have a new car patrolling our expressways later this year, and for the first time, it will be fully electric. A total of 19 units of the new Polestar 2 electric vehicle (EV) will be deployed to augment TP's existing fleet of patrol cars, and they will be progressively introduced from the second half of 2025. AsiaOne was invited to the TP headquarters for a preview of the new Polestar 2 expressway patrol car, and here's the lowdown on their first EV.

People's Action Party (PAP) veteran Victor Lye and former senior civil servant Jasmin Lau were seen during a walkabout at Hougang Village on Sunday (April 13) morning. They were both with Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and incumbent Members of Parliament (MPs) for Ang Mo Kio GRC Darryl David and Nadia Samdin.  SM Lee said regarding both candidates: «They have been spending time with us in Ang Mo Kio, getting to know the people, getting to know our activists, going around and getting known.»  He did not confirm if they would be fielded in the constituency. «Where exactly they're going to be deployed? Well, in due course we will announce the Ang Mo Kio GRC line-up and you will know very soon. »But we are happy to have them here and if they stay on with us, I'll be delighted to have them on my team." 

Even though the odds appear to be stacked against him, 38-year-old criminal lawyer Marshall Lim said he hopes to be given a chance to fight for the residents of Hougang. Lim, a partner in law firm Martin & Partners, was introduced on Sunday morning (April 13) by the People's Action Party (PAP) as its candidate for the Hougang Single Member Constituency (SMC). Describing himself as «a fighter» in his profession as a criminal lawyer, Lim said that he has been privileged to fight for vulnerable Singaporeans in the course of his work. He was a deputy public prosecutor in the Attorney-General’s Chambers and had previously served as an assistant chief public defender at the Public Defender’s Office. Lim added that he now hopes for an opportunity to become the voice for Hougang residents as their leader.  'Mindful but not shackled' by history  Speaking at a PAP media conference to introduce his candidacy on Sunday morning (April 13), Lim said that while he is mindful of the history, he is not shackled by it.  “My focus has always been about serving the residents in a sincere way.

SINGAPORE - When Hayley Tai, 30, gets the keys to her new Build-To-Order (BTO) flat at Tampines GreenOpal in May, the bridge crossing Bedok Canal to connect to the MRT station will still not be ready, making it less convenient for the marketing manager to get to work. «I guess it would take me an additional 15 minutes to get to work, so that's a bit of an inconvenience,» she said. To better time the completion of key infrastructure and essential services, a multi-agency committee has been set up to minimise inconveniences to owners when they move into their new BTO flats. Announcing the nationwide initiative on April 12 at the Housing Board's roadshow for home owners moving into Tampines GreenOpal, Senior Minister of State for National Development Tan Kiat How said: «With an extensive building programme, it is even more important for us to strengthen our planning and coordination efforts, to shape a better moving-in experience for new residents.» Between 2025 and 2030, around 130,000 BTO flats will be completed.

A 69-year-old man was arrested for drink driving after his van crashed into seven vehicles at a carpark in Ang Mo Kio. A video posted to the Singapore Roads Accident Facebook page on Saturday (April 12) morning showed the aftermath of the incident, which occurred in the wee hours. The short clip, believed to be taken by a resident in the area, captured damaged vehicles in the open-air carpark. One vehicle had its rear smashed while several other cars suffered damage to their front bumpers and headlights. Another video taken from the dashboard camera of a parked vehicle showed a white van zooming past and hitting a blue car. Police told AsiaOne that they were alerted to the incident involving a van and seven parked vehicles on Saturday at about 12.45am. The incident occurred at Block 218 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1. Police said the van driver was arrested for drink driving and that investigations are ongoing. According to Shin Min Daily News, the van remained at the scene when reporters visited the carpark the next morning. The front of the van and its left door were visibly damaged.

The People's Action Party (PAP) has announced its candidates contesting in the highly-anticipated Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC during the upcoming General Election. At a press conference held at the constituency's Limbang branch on Saturday (April 12), incumbent MPs — Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Manpower Zaqy Mohammad,  Mayor of North West District Alex Yam and Hany Soh — stated that they will continue to represent PAP in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC. This is the first of the PAP’s official full slate introductions ahead of the General Election. Thanking the constituency's residents for their support, PM Wong said: «All these years, we've formed close ties and strong bonds with all of you. We've watched your children and even your grandchildren grow up and walked with you through (your) life's milestones.» «We've worked hard to improve your lives and your living environment, from neighbourhood upgrades to support schemes and community initiatives. We've listened to you, and we've incorporated your feedback and ideas into our town plans for the next five years.»

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and advisers to Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC launched the distribution of the SG60 Baby Gift at a carnival held at Hard court in Yew Tee on Saturday (April 12).  Speaking at the event, PM Wong highlighted that the SG60 Baby Gift not only celebrates the joy and significance of parenthood, but also symbolises the Government's commitment towards supporting Singaporeans in starting and raising families.  “We know that there are lots of concerns. Families want to have more children, but they often tell us that cost is a concern,” he said, pledging to do everything possible to support families.  «We hope the gift will remind all our babies and your parents of how unique Singapore is and the hopes we all have for our shared future here in Singapore,» the Prime Minister said.  The SG60 Baby Gift, distributed to parents of babies born between January and March 2025, contains 10 specially curated items designed to support early childhood development and encourage family bonding.

SINGAPORE - Over six months, alleged fraudster Ng Yu Zhi spent nearly $7 million buying eight high-end cars, most of which were given to his wife and three girlfriends. The cars included two Rolls-Royce Phantom EWB luxury saloons, top-of-the-range models which have more legroom. Ng paid $1.8 million for one in white, which he gave to his wife, and another $2.1 million for a purple one, which he gave to a girlfriend. In total, he is said to have spent more than $21 million on about 20 luxury cars. Ng also splurged on unusual car plate numbers - he paid $1.05 million for «S11T», which is believed to be the first civilian car plate registered in Singapore, and $91,000 for «ES11J». Details of the purchases emerged on April 11, when car dealer Michael Ho took the stand in Ng's ongoing criminal trial in the High Court. Ng is accused of masterminding a nickel-trading scam which attracted $1.46 billion from hundreds of investors. The investment scheme was perpetrated by his Envy group of companies between 2016 and 2021. He told investors he could buy nickel at a discount and then sell the metal for profit.

The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) will be contesting Marymount, Kebun Baru and Pioneer SMCs in the 2025 General Election, said party leaders on Saturday (April 12) morning. Speaking to the media prior to a walkabout at Bishan North Shopping Mall, secretary-general Leong Mun Wai said the party has been walking the ground in Marymount and is «confident» in winning the SMC in the upcoming election. In GE2020, PSP's Dr Ang Yong Guan went up against PAP's Gan Siow Huang in Marymount SMC. It was a close win for Gan, who received 55.04 per cent of the votes against Dr Ang's 44.96 per cent. Dr Ang, a psychiatrist, was found guilty of professional misconduct and handed a three-year suspension of his medicine licence over prescriptions made to a patient that deviated from guidelines, reported The Straits Times in February. PSP subsequently said it accepted the court's decision, and that Dr Ang had informed the party that he will not stand in the next general election. Addressing Dr's Ang absence from the contest, Leong said he is «confident that we will be able to put up an even better result».

Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Maliki Osman has announced that he will not be standing in East Coast GRC for the upcoming General Election. His spot in the People's Action Party (PAP) team will be taken by new face Hazlina Abdul Halim, the former chief executive of Make-A-Wish Singapore and a former news presenter. Dr Maliki, who spoke to reporters on the sidelines of a walkabout at Bedok 85 Market today (April 12), did not say whether he'll retire from politics or be redeployed to another ward. Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Maliki Osman with PAP member Hazlina Abdul Halim. AsiaOne/Trishelle Goh «I want to pave the way and show my support for Hazlina Abdul Halim to be the new member of the East Coast GRC team to stand for the next election,» he said. He added that he has known her to be someone of integrity, empathy, and purpose - qualities that will serve her well in public life.

The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) will be contesting Marymount SMC in the 2025 General Election, said secretary-general Leong Mun Wai on Saturday (April 12) morning. Speaking to the media prior to a walkabout at Bishan North Shopping Mall, the NCMP said the party has been walking the ground in Marymount and is «confident» in winning the SMC in GE2025. In GE2020, PSP's Dr Ang Yong Guan went up against PAP's Gan Siow Huang in Marymount SMC. It was a close win for Gan, who received 55.04 per cent of the votes against Dr Ang's 44.96 per cent. Dr Ang, a psychiatrist, was found guilty of professional misconduct and handed a three-year suspension of his medicine licence over prescriptions made to a patient that deviated from guidelines, reported The Straits Times in February. PSP subsequently said it accepted the court's decision, and that Dr Ang had informed the party that he will not stand in the next general election.  Addressing Dr's Ang absence from the contest, Leong said he is «confident that we will be able to put up an even better result».

A potential team for the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) contest in Pasir Ris-Changi GRC is taking shape, after successive appearances by a new face. Valerie Lee was again seen with MPs from Pasir Ris-Punggol — this time on a walkabout on Pulau Ubin on Friday (April 11). The island will be part of the newly-drawn Pasir Ris–Changi GRC in the coming election, according to the ​​Electoral Boundaries Review Committee report released in March. Also present were Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Desmond Tan, Senior Minister of State (Digital Development and Information and Health) Janil Puthucheary, and Sharael Taha, who spent an hour speaking with residents on the island, most of them seniors who have been living there their entire lives. Lee said there are 30 voters in the island with concerns such as “wildlife challenges” and support to redeem the $400 Climate Vouchers. “We got some of their numbers so that we can be in direct contact to give them some assistance,” she added.