The five political parties fielding the most candidates — PAP, WP, PSP, RDU, and PAR — clashed on major issues at a televised roundtable on April 27, debating how to tackle global uncertainty, job security, and the cost of living.
Each party answered a common starting question on three topics: geopolitics and the economy, immigration and jobs, and the cost of living, followed by tougher questions from academics.
Here’s a summary:
1. Geopolitics and the Economy
PAR’s Lim Tean argued Singapore should pivot towards regional “glocalisation,” partnering with neighbours like Indonesia and Malaysia rather than relying heavily on globalisation. He proposed a bank to help SMEs expand.
PSP’s Stephanie Tan called for strengthening local enterprises and proposed national rent guidelines to lower business costs.
RDU’s Ravi Philemon warned Singapore risks misreading global signals and pushed for GST cuts to boost local consumption.
WP’s Michael Thng advocated deeper ASEAN ties and protections for displaced workers, suggesting redundancy insurance and an export-import bank to support local industries.
PAP’s Chee Hong Tat said the PAP had already laid strong foundations to deal with global disruptions. He emphasized Singapore’s resilience, international reputation, and fiscal resources as key to navigating US tariffs and trade shifts.
2. Immigration and Jobs
PAR called for strict hiring rules prioritizing Singaporeans and proposed scrapping treaties like CECA.
PSP suggested a modest Employment Pass (EP) levy and quotas to ensure foreigners complement rather than displace locals.
RDU said Singapore must remain open but better protect citizens, criticizing current job support as inadequate.
WP proposed stronger skills transfer requirements, pairing foreign and local workers to ensure Singaporeans benefit from foreign expertise.
PAP defended its “pro-worker, pro-business” model, emphasizing tripartism and the Progressive Wage Model over a universal minimum wage. Chee warned that populist ideas like blanket minimum wages would backfire and hurt employment.
3. Cost of Living
PAR’s Lim argued GST hikes were unnecessary, given decades of budget surpluses, and repeated calls for free healthcare and education.
PSP’s Tan proposed funding public spending through an EP levy, cheaper new flat prices (excluding land cost), and changes to how land sales are treated.
RDU’s Philemon suggested using budget surpluses to fund a Citizens’ Dividend to help Singaporeans cope with inflation.
WP’s Thng criticized the timing of the GST hikes during high inflation and proposed more use of reserves and corporate tax reforms to raise revenue, plus tiered pricing for utilities to ease costs for smaller households.
PAP’s Chee defended the GST hikes, stressing the support for lower-income groups and the need for fiscal prudence to ensure long-term sustainability. He said real wage growth at the 20th percentile outpaced inflation and outlined measures to keep housing and healthcare affordable.
4. Closing Remarks
PAR called PAP MPs “extinct volcanoes” lacking fire and promised to fight GST hikes if elected.
PSP urged voters to strengthen alternative voices in Parliament, citing the active records of Leong Mun Wai and Hazel Poa.
RDU said Singaporeans should “vote for themselves,” proposing a new social compact prioritizing collective prosperity.
WP emphasized the need for more perspectives in Parliament to avoid blind spots, warning against a monopoly of ideas by a single party.
PAP warned against populist politics. Chee Hong Tat criticized opposition parties for inconsistency, citing WP’s past suggestions to build fewer flats and remove the retirement age — ideas he said could backfire. He urged voters to judge all candidates on ideas and integrity, pledging that the PAP would continue delivering sound governance for all Singaporeans.
