The rising cost of living is a major concern for Singaporeans of all ages, and Workers’ Party (WP) candidates said at their second rally on April 26 that government policies have worsened the situation.
Speaking at Temasek Junior College, the candidates urged voters to send more WP representatives into Parliament, arguing that a stronger opposition presence would provide a more effective check on the Government.
“As we have highlighted in our manifesto, our presence in Parliament has undoubtedly made an impact on public policy – and that’s with just 10 elected MPs,” said Mr Sufyan Mikhail Putra, 33, a WP candidate for East Coast GRC. “Imagine what more can be done if me and my fellow candidates are given the chance to be your voice in Parliament.”
Fourteen WP speakers addressed the crowd, including candidates for Tampines GRC, Tampines Changkat SMC, Punggol GRC, and East Coast GRC, as well as WP chief Pritam Singh and party chair Sylvia Lim, who are seeking re-election in Aljunied GRC.
One by one, they criticised government decisions that they said contributed to cost of living pressures, with several citing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) hikes despite a period of high inflation.
Candidates proposed exempting essential items like cooking oil and rice from GST, and suggested tapping more from Singapore’s investment returns instead of raising taxes.
Beyond costs, candidates also spoke on challenges faced by seniors and young families.
Former diplomat Eileen Chong, part of the Tampines GRC team, said in Mandarin and Hokkien that while the civil service has good intentions, “intentions are not enough,” noting that gaps between policy formulation and ground realities often leave vulnerable communities behind.
She called for the removal of MediSave withdrawal limits, stressing that “our elders should not have to choose between their medicine and their daily meals.”
Ms Sylvia Lim proposed abolishing the retirement age altogether, allowing Singaporeans to decide when they want to retire. “If you look at the Government, are there not PAP ministers who are already past the statutory retirement age?” she asked.
Addressing the younger generation, Punggol GRC candidate Alia Mattar spoke about young couples delaying having children due to high housing costs and long Build-To-Order (BTO) flat waiting times. She argued that BTO flats should be priced based on the median income of new homeowners rather than the national household median income, to keep homes affordable.
The proposals cited were drawn from the WP’s 2025 manifesto.
Tampines GRC candidate Michael Thng reminded voters that since WP gained seats in Parliament, many previously marginalised issues had entered the national mainstream.
He noted that even PAP leaders now acknowledge that no single party holds a monopoly on good ideas. “If so, why should they have a monopoly in Parliament?” he asked, urging voters to help build a “better, more inclusive Singapore” by supporting the WP at the ballot box.
