Health Minister and People’s Action Party (PAP) anchor for Sembawang GRC, Ong Ye Kung, has pulled back from his pointed attacks on Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan regarding constituency changes, following widespread public backlash.
Ong had initially launched the criticisms during a PAP rally on 24 April 2025, alleging that Chee had “abandoned” Bukit Batok residents to contest in the new Sembawang West Single Member Constituency (SMC).
He argued that despite changes to electoral boundaries, Chee’s decision was politically motivated and not in the best interest of his former constituents.
Speaking in English, Mandarin and Hokkien, Ong questioned the sincerity of Chee’s move, saying, “Bukit Batok is still there; it is the man who is not there.”
He warned voters against politicians who are not honest about their intentions, asserting that trustworthiness is paramount in electoral contests.
Following the negative public response to his attack on Chee, Ong shifted his tone during a media doorstop at Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre on 26 April 2025.
He steered the conversation away from personal attacks, focusing instead on the need for voters to scrutinise policy proposals from various parties, particularly regarding funding for ambitious programmes amid calls to reduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Ong reiterated the government’s stance that GST hikes were necessary to meet rising healthcare costs in an ageing Singapore. He cited that the healthcare budget has increased from S$8 to S$9 billion in 2015 to around S$21 billion today, and is projected to reach S$30 billion by 2030.
He stressed that opposition parties proposing GST cuts must explain where they would find alternative sources of revenue. Ong said, “If you don’t raise GST, where is the money coming from to support healthcare?”
Addressing other issues, Ong pointed out the challenges businesses face due to tight foreign worker regulations, warning that further restrictions, as proposed by opposition parties, could hurt the economy and job creation.
On housing, Ong critiqued opposition plans to sell Build-to-Order (BTO) flats at lower prices without addressing the resultant impact on the resale market and waiting times.
The backpedal by Ong comes as Chee Soon Juan himself condemned the initial attacks as distractions from key issues.
During an SDP rally, Chee accused PAP leaders of resorting to personal attacks when unable to effectively debate policy matters, calling for a campaign that addresses real challenges like rising costs and housing affordability.
According to Chee, voters are “tired of personal mudslinging” and want serious discussions on national issues. He reiterated that Bukit Batok SMC’s absorption into Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC during the latest boundary review left him with no viable alternative but to contest elsewhere.
Alex Yam, PAP’s assistant organising secretary, also attempted to justify the party’s strategic shifts of candidates, differentiating them from Chee’s move by citing clear communication with voters and strategic needs.
Despite attempts to move forward, the episode has left an impression on voters, with some questioning the sincerity and consistency of PAP’s criticisms.
Commentators on social media, particularly on Mothership’s Facebook page, accused Ong of hypocrisy, noting that he himself had shifted from Aljunied GRC after a defeat in 2011 to Sembawang GRC in 2015.
Comments flooded in criticising Ong’s stance, with many saying he had “shot himself in the foot” and “played a game he could not finish.” Some accused him of “starting the fire” and then asking everyone to “move on” once the backlash intensified.
One Facebook commenter said, “He started the prata flipping first, hoping it would land on Dr Chee’s face, only to realise it landed on his own.” Another remarked, “Reasoning backfired so now telling everyone to move on… embarrassing.”
Similarly, comments on CNA’s YouTube channel reflected dissatisfaction.
A user wrote, “You started mentioning about Dr Chee in the first place. Your party isn’t that upfront either. All the best, Dr Chee.” Another remarked, “PAP can do more to be upfront with Singaporeans too,” citing past controversies involving former party figures.
A particularly pointed comment from @anglo-saxonconnor817 stated, “Your mouth is too itchy to begin with. No need to mention Dr Chee in a bad light when your party is doing the same thing by redrawing the wards and redeploying yourselves all over the place.”
With polling day approaching, both parties appear to be recalibrating their strategies, focusing more heavily on economic policies, healthcare, and cost-of-living issues rather than personal character attacks.
The question remains whether Ong’s late pivot to focusing on policies will be enough to mitigate the damage from the initial backlash and how it will affect voter perceptions in the fiercely contested Sembawang West SMC.
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