Workers’ Party (WP) Secretary-General Pritam Singh issued a pointed rebuttal against recent remarks made by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, accusing the People’s Action Party (PAP) of engaging in “negative politics” through its long-standing treatment of opposition constituencies.
Speaking at a rally held at Bedok Stadium on 29 April 2025, Singh responded to PM Wong’s earlier comments criticising the WP’s campaign tone.
PM Wong had urged voters to reject what he called “negative attacks” by the WP during a walkabout at One Punggol Hawker Centre.
Singh dismissed these criticisms and argued that the PAP’s own history demonstrated entrenched negative practices.
He cited the past HDB upgrading policies, where opposition wards were deprioritised, and noted that access to community clubs and national events such as citizenship ceremonies had been consistently denied to opposition MPs.
He argued that such actions reflected a longstanding approach of political exclusion. “The PAP only listens when it loses vote share and parliamentary seats to the Workers’ Party,” he said, drawing strong applause from the crowd.
Linking his argument to broader themes of national resilience, Singh referenced Singapore’s 60th year of independence, designated as the “Year of Resilience”.
He suggested that the political resistance shown by opposition wards against discriminatory policies was a model of true resilience that should be taught in schools.
Singh also revisited a historical statement made by a former prime minister, who had once said he would have to spend time “fixing the opposition” if they gained more seats.
Singh questioned whether such an attitude could be considered positive politics, asking pointedly, “I wonder what Prime Minister Lawrence Wong would say about this. Is this negative politics?”
Addressing concerns among East Coast voters about municipal management, Singh highlighted that Aljunied, Hougang, and Sengkang town councils, run by the WP, had received top ratings in government town council management reviews.
“Our green ratings speak for themselves,” he said, pledging that WP would manage East Coast GRC with the same commitment and fairness.
Singh also criticised the visible branding of PAP-run town councils, contrasting it with WP’s philosophy of prioritising service to all residents, regardless of political affiliation. “We will serve you all equally, without reference to who you vote for,” he promised.
He pressed further on the issue of fairness by recalling how WP MPs had been excluded from grassroots events during the pandemic, even when information vital to helping residents was selectively shared with PAP-affiliated grassroots advisers.
Singh argued that such practices undermined Singapore’s unity and spirit.
He called on the PAP leadership to clarify before polling day whether opposition MPs would be allowed to use community clubs for charitable activities such as food donation drives.
“Please say yes or no before polling day,” he urged, framing it as a test of whether political fairness would finally prevail.
“The spirit of Hougang lives in our people,” Singh concluded, affirming that the Workers’ Party would continue helping residents regardless of structural obstacles.
The rally, part of WP’s campaign efforts in East Coast GRC, attracted a strong turnout, reflecting heightened political engagement as the 3 May 2025 general election approaches.
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