SINGAPORE: People’s Power Party (PPP) candidate Vere Nathan Shen Li on Friday (April 25) called on Singaporeans to elect leaders who are “willing to face the tough issues head-on” in the first public political broadcast in the General Election 2025.
Nathan, 26, urged voters to choose leaders who would prioritise the interests of the people over selfish or short-term gains and lead by example.
Nathan, an operations executive at a landscaping company, was first introduced by the PPP during a walkabout in mid-March.
He shared that he had joined the party only in recent months.
Nathan is part of a PPP team contesting the four-cornered fight for Tampines GRC, alongside party chief Goh Meng Seng, chairman Derrick Sim, Peter Soh, and Arbaah Haroun.
They will compete against the ruling People’s Action Party, the Workers’ Party, and the National Solidarity Party.
A Call for Leadership Amid Global Shifts
In his four-minute speech, Nathan began by stating that Singapore was at “yet another crossroad” as it approached its 60th year of independence.
He described the nation as “old enough” to face what he called its “first real change of guard.”
He highlighted the importance of this election, set against the backdrop of significant global shifts, saying Singaporeans must decide who will lead the country forward in this new world order.
“It is upon the backdrop of a seismic shift in global affairs that Singaporeans now make an important decision on who is to be part of the team in parliament to lead us forward through this new world order,” he said.
Nathan emphasised that Singapore must not be distracted by “petty arguments and useless talk.”
Instead, he urged voters to focus on the foundation that would allow the nation not just to survive but to thrive as it navigates uncharted waters.
“The foundation is the trust and confidence we have in our leadership; it is the knowledge that our government will lead us from the front with integrity, transparency, and accountability,” he said.
“Not by pushing policies and making decisions from an ivory tower, unaware of the situation of the citizens on the ground.”
He warned that if this foundation of trust is lost, it could spell disaster for the nation.
“If this foundation of trust is lost, we will start to fall apart as a nation, and that would be more catastrophic than any sort of economic or external threat,” Nathan said.
“But if this bond as a nation is built and maintained, we will be able to weather the storms that brew in the distance and come through stronger and more united than ever before.”
Transparency and Accountability in Leadership
Nathan stressed the need for leaders who are committed to transparency, accountability, and competency.
“We, as a nation, must ensure that we elect leaders who will bring the torch of truth into every level and department of government, illuminating transparency, accountability, and competency,” he said.
“Without which, no amount of trust can be built.”
He also pointed out that trust cannot come from a system of self-regulation, but rather from a rigorous process of independent checks and balances.
“Trust cannot be derived from the system of own self-checks own self, but through a rigorous process of proper independent checks and balances,” Nathan added.
Nathan concluded his speech with a direct appeal to voters: “We must choose leaders who are willing to face the tough issues head-on, who will fight for the interests of the people above any selfish or short-term gain.”
He urged Singaporeans to think carefully when casting their votes.
“Vote for your home, vote for your children, vote for Singapore, vote for the People’s Power Party.”
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