At a rally held on 28 April 2025 at Yusof Ishak Secondary School, Workers’ Party (WP) candidate Alexis Dang, contesting Punggol GRC, took aim at her People’s Action Party (PAP) opponents, criticising the last-minute political manoeuvres that she said forced voters into unfair positions.
Dang addressed comments made by Sun Xueling, her PAP opponent, who had remarked at a previous rally that “strangers” were not needed in Punggol.
Dang questioned whether this standard would also apply to Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, who was transferred to contest Punggol GRC at the last moment, after serving for two decades in Chua Chu Kang GRC.
“Is he exempted because he’s a good friend of PM Lawrence Wong?” Dang asked pointedly.
Reflecting on her own journey, Dang shared, “Before last Friday, I was an ordinary citizen, just like you.” She explained that although she had great respect for Singapore’s leaders, hearing statements about political decisions made based on personal friendships rather than merit revealed a troubling political culture.
“Is this the kind of leadership we want to endorse?” she asked. “Is this the political culture we want to pass on to our children, where success isn’t about fairness, but about connections?”
Dang further criticised remarks by retiring Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, who warned against diverse political parties by saying they result in endless debate and inaction.
Dang rejected this comparison, asking why Singaporeans were only being measured against countries that struggled, rather than forging a confident and independent political path.
She added, “If we use that logic, does it mean we shouldn’t ask for salary increments just because some others earn less? We deserve better, and we can do better.”
Turning to the 2020 General Election, Dang recalled how Heng Swee Keat was parachuted into East Coast GRC, forcing voters into a dilemma between supporting a more balanced Parliament and keeping a supposed future Prime Minister.
She asked, “Where is the East Coast Plan today? Is he even our Prime Minister now?”
Dang warned that a similar tactic was being repeated in Punggol, where a newly formed GRC was seeing high-profile transfers at the eleventh hour. She urged voters not to fall for the same political tricks again.
“Make no mistake, it will be repeated at the expense of all Singaporeans if we allow it to succeed,” she said.
Speaking directly to Punggol residents, Dang affirmed, “You have asked for a credible opposition, and we have answered.” She described the WP team — including Harpreet, Jackson, Alia, and herself — as “solid” and ready to serve.
“Say no to using key government figures as political pawns. Say no to being forced into difficult choices when all we want is progress. Say no to falling for the same trick twice, because we deserve better,” she said.
Dang ended her speech with a call to action: “Harpreet, Jackson, Alia, and I have stepped up for you. Now it’s your turn to step up for all Singaporeans.”
Polling day is set for Saturday, with the Workers’ Party pushing for stronger checks and greater accountability in Parliament.
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