GE2025: Workers' Party rally for Punggol GRC Apr 28 | Highlights

Summary

In a passionate rally for Punggol GRC, the Workers' Party delivers a strong message about the costs of raising children, advocating for more parental support, education reforms, and criticizing the ruling PAP's last-minute political strategies. The speakers emphasize the importance of a future-focused leadership and critique the PAP's reliance on old political maneuvers, advocating for fairness and equality in resource allocation. The rally resonates with themes of change, accountability, and a call for voters to support the Workers' Party for progressive governance.

Highlights

• More than half a million dollars is needed to raise a child to 21, according to a 2024 survey. 🎒
• Workers' Party advocates for real solutions like extended parental leave and shorter BTO waiting times. 🕒
• Criticism of the PAP's strategy to parachute candidates into key constituencies as a sign of insecurity. 🚀
• Focus on the importance of future-driven, not connection-based, leadership in Singapore's politics. 🔄
• Workers' Party demands fair resource allocation and challenges the PAP's political maneuvering. ⚖️

Key Takeaways

• The cost of raising a child in Singapore is a pressing issue, with more than half a million dollars estimated until age 21! 🍼
• The Workers' Party is pushing for enhanced parental leave, flexible work arrangements, and education reforms. 🎓
• Critique of PAP for parachuting candidates into constituencies at the last minute, questioning their confidence. 🤔
• Emphasis on building the future of Singapore and not relying on connections or old practices for political success. 🌟
• Encouragement for Punggol voters to support Workers' Party for fairness and equality. ✊

Overview

The Workers' Party rally in Punggol GRC highlighted the daunting costs of raising children in Singapore, with half a million dollars being the estimated expense to raise a child to age 21. The party argues that current government measures such as the SG60 baby bonus may not be sufficient. The Workers' Party calls for long-term solutions such as improved parental leaves, flexible working arrangements, and educational reforms to better support families and singles alike.

The rally also took aim at the PAP's political strategies, particularly criticizing the late candidate deployment in constituencies, posing it as a sign of lacking confidence. The Workers' Party emphasized the need for future-focused leadership, steering clear of the past and connection-based politics, suggesting that Singaporeans deserve a unique political path individualized to their needs, rather than imitating countries that may not align with Singapore's context.

Addressing voters' concerns, the Workers' Party assured fair allocation of resources, showcasing successful projects in their governed areas, such as polyclinics and MRT stations in opposition wards, as examples of their commitment to equitable development. They urged Punggol voters to support their cause, promising service based on justice and equality, and sending a message against frequent electoral boundary changes.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction and Initial Remarks The chapter focuses on the significant cost of raising a child in Singapore, estimated at half a million dollars up to the age of 21, as per the 2024 Sing Life Financial Freedom Index. It prompts new parents, particularly those receiving the SG60 baby bonus pack, to consider if the support is sufficient given the challenges young families face today.
• 00:30 - 01:30: Addressing Childcare and Education The chapter highlights the challenges of rising childcare costs, limited parental leave, and prolonged Build-To-Order (BTO) waiting times. The Workers Party acknowledges these issues and advocates for sustainable and impactful solutions rather than temporary fixes. They propose enhanced parental and childcare leave, flexible working conditions, reduced BTO waiting periods, and reforms in education to address these concerns effectively.
• 01:30 - 02:00: Future vs Past The chapter 'Future vs Past' explores the theme of progress versus tradition, focusing on contemporary societal issues such as education reforms and housing policies. It discusses the flexibility given to families in choosing whether their children should skip the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) in Singapore, emphasizing decisions made in the best interest of individual development. Additionally, it underscores the importance of enabling young singles to purchase homes earlier, highlighting that their needs are significant in shaping the future. The narrative addresses stereotypes and clarifies that the crux of these policies is not about adhering to traditional political stances (left or right), but rather about prioritizing future-oriented growth and adaptation.
• 02:00 - 05:00: Political Commentary and Questions to PAP This chapter focuses on a political commentary addressing the questions and challenges posed to the People's Action Party (PAP) in Singapore. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on the future rather than dwelling on the past. The Workers Party is portrayed as being forward-looking, with a strong commitment to addressing contemporary issues and shaping a better future for the people of Singapore.
• 05:00 - 09:00: Concerns Regarding DPM and East Coast GRC This chapter discusses the political dynamics between the ruling party, PAP, and its opposition, WP. It features a rhetorical twist on being labeled as 'PAP light,' suggesting the PAP is actually 'WP light' instead. Additionally, there is a reference to comments made at a PAP rally concerning outsiders or 'strangers' coming to Pongo, questioning whether this is a reference to DPM Gin.
• 09:00 - 12:30: Funding and Fairness The chapter titled 'Funding and Fairness' features a transcript snippet that begins with rhetorical questions, suggesting potential preferential treatment or exemptions for Yong due to his friendship with PM Lawrence Wong. The speaker indicates their transformation from being an ordinary citizen who respected the leaders to someone prompted to question fairness by certain statements. The segment is interspersed with auditory cues like music and applause, indicating possibly a lively discussion or presentation.
• 12:30 - 14:00: Closing Remarks The speaker reflects on a concerning aspect of modern politics, questioning whether the leadership and political culture based on connections rather than fairness is what should be endorsed and passed on to future generations. The speech is set against a backdrop of music and references a retiring Deputy Prime Minister.

GE2025: Workers' Party rally for Punggol GRC Apr 28 | Highlights Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 half a million dollars. Okay, this is what more than half of Singaporeans believe it costs to raise a child up to the age of 21 according to the 2024 Sing Life Financial Freedom Index. So, if you are a new parent receiving your SG60 baby bonus pack this year, firstly, my congratulations to you. But ask yourself, is this really enough? Raising a child in Singapore today is not easy. Young families face
• 00:30 - 01:00 rising child care costs, limited parental leave, long BTO weight times. The Workers Party understands this. We have proposed real meaningful and long-term solutions and support. We're not giving you one-off grants and we're not giving you teddy bears and laboo. What we're calling for is enhanced parental and childare leave, flexible working arrangements, shorter BTO weight times, and reforms in our education
• 01:00 - 01:30 system, giving families the choice to skip the PSLE if it is in their child's best interest. And young singles, don't worry. We are not leaving you out. We are also pushing for you, too, to be able to buy your homes earlier because you matter as well. Some people try to label us papite, one step to the left. Let me tell you what it's really about. It's not left or right. It's about the future versus the
• 01:30 - 02:00 past. Are we building the Singapore of tomorrow, facing today's challenges head on? Or are we start looking backwards? No matter how great yesterday was, yesterday is over. [Applause] The Workers Party has our eyes firmly on the future because you, the people of Singapore, are in our
• 02:00 - 02:30 hearts. So when they call us PAP light, I say maybe they've got it backwards. Maybe the PAP is WP late. I would also like to address some comments made by the ruling party at the last PAP rally. Missing said we do not need strangers to come to Pongo. [Applause] May I ask is she referring to DPM Gin
• 02:30 - 03:00 Yong too? [Music] [Applause] Or is he exempted because he's good friend of PM Lawrence Wong? [Applause] Before last Friday, I was an ordinary citizen just like you, and I have deep respect for our country's leaders. But when I hear statements like, "I will
• 03:00 - 03:30 talk to my good friend," it reflects a troubling reality about our politics today. [Music] Is is this the kind of leadership that we want to endorse? Is this the political culture we want to pass on to our children? Where success isn't about fairness but about connections? In another speech, our retiring DPM
• 03:30 - 04:00 Huika said, "Look at countries that have diverse parties. What do they do? They talk talk talk talk talk. Nothing gets done. But why are we only comparing with countries that falter? Why do we assume Singaporeans aren't smart enough to chart our own unique political path? If we use that logic, does it mean that
• 04:00 - 04:30 we shouldn't be asking for salary increment just because there are other people who earn less? We deserve better and we can do better. [Music] In GE 2020, PAP parachuted DPM Henry into East Coast GRC. [Applause] [Music] [Applause]
• 04:30 - 05:00 forcing voters into a difficult choice between more balanced politics and keeping a future PM. East Coast voters make that sacrifice. But where is East Coast plan today? Is say even our prime minister now? [Music] So I urge all of you say no to using key government figures as political pawns.
• 05:00 - 05:30 Ask yourself this if the PAP is so confident that they have won the trust of Pongal residents and delivered. Why did they have to parachute in DPM gun at the very last minute? No, wait. No, no going please. It's it's a serious question. You remember I have said publicly in my interview to the Straits Times that I do not want to be
• 05:30 - 06:00 parachuted in anywhere safe right now. I I have searched all the news reports and I have not found anything any report where DPM gun has said I am sick and tired of this safeang GRC and I want to be parachuted in somewhere unsafe. So, so why did they parachute DPM gun
• 06:00 - 06:30 into Pongal at the last minute? Why are they so insecure? I will tell you why. Time for him to retire. They they know they have not given Pongal GRC residents their all. [Applause] [Music] We our team will give you our [Music] [Applause] [Music] all.
• 06:30 - 07:00 Also, Mr. Gun Kimyong has said that he will speak with his good friend PM and finance minister Lawrence Wong on funding for more walkways. Now let let me understand this. What was Senior Minister Tio Chihan doing 20 years when he was helming Pongul pastor is Pongal GRC? [Applause] was was he not good friends with the
• 07:00 - 07:30 prime minister? As for DPM Giong, the leader of the Pongol the PAP Pong GRC team, should Pongal voters choose him and his team? Let me share a fact about Mr. Gun. In the PAP's party elections in November 2024, just last year, he was not elected into the PAP central executive committee.
• 07:30 - 08:00 This is very strange for a deputy prime minister. Could it be that he was ready to retire and did not plan to run in these elections? If so, can he be so critical to the PM's plans? You mean the PM has no one else in his cabinet that can negotiate with the United States on tariffs? If this is true to court senior minister
• 08:00 - 08:30 [Applause] [Music] Len remember what happened to DPMh when he abandoned GRC at the last minute to contest East Coast GRC in G 2020. He was supposed to be our next prime minister. All lined up, ready to take off. But then the PAP tells us, "Sorry, runway too short."
• 08:30 - 09:00 Beside DPMh has now retired from politics, but I'm sure he will continue to contribute to Singapore. Voters of Bongol, Mr. Gang Kimyong is older than the now retired DPM hang if elected. In my view, he's going to be a one-term MP. DPN Gun says he and the PM are
• 09:00 - 09:30 friends. I am sorry, Pongul, but I cannot say that the prime minister and I are friends. [Applause] But do I need to be his friend for taxpayer funding to be allocated to Pongal? No. As a Singaporean, I expect fair allocation of taxpayer taxpayer
• 09:30 - 10:00 resources to all our [Applause] people. and the civil service will allocate funds and projects fairly. Here are just a few reasons why I say so. In my ward of UNOS in Aljun GRC, despite being in workers parties hands for the last 14 years, a poly clinic will open next year. [Music]
• 10:00 - 10:30 The Eastern General Hospital is also under construction in the UNOS ward of Aljun [Applause] GRC. There are two MRT stations in my ward, both of which which were built after 2011. [Applause] The PAP has learned through the years that putting opposition wards last for upgrading and lasts for national
• 10:30 - 11:00 projects creates a backlash against them in all constituencies in Singapore. So Pongul you can send a strong message to the PAP. You can change some electoral boundaries every year but don't mess with Pongol. [Applause] Don't mess with Singaporeans. [Applause]
• 11:00 - 11:30 My dear voters of Bongol, if you vote the Workers Party, you will be doing an incredible service to the nation. Service based on justice and equality. You will show the PAP the limits and futility of redrawing boundaries and announcing them just one or two months before general elections.